Reluctant Tourist

I never intended to go to Ground Zero. I just don't think of it as a place for "tourism". That being said, when we arrived at our hotel, Glory called me over to the window .
There it was: Ground Zero. I couldn't believe it.

I knew that since we were there, then the church that served as a sanctuary for workers and volunteers during the aftermath of the disaster had to be near by.

St. Paul's Episcopal Chapel (est. 1766) answered the call to an unexpected ministry that lasted from September 11th until June 2nd.

Can you see in the picture on this sign how much debris is in the churchyard? It took them two years to clean up the fall out.

Below is a "monument" of patches from the service workers uniforms. It is displayed in the sanctuary.

You can see more pictures in Cat's Photo Albums (Ground Zero) or read more about the church at http://www.saintpaulschapel.org/.

The Big Apple

Arriving in NYC can be described as SUPERsizing life. I was overwhelmed with the magnitude of people and spaces. I just started taking pictures. When you look in my NYC photo album (found in Cat's Photo Albums in the sidebar) you may think the pictures are random....well they are, I was snapping from buses, cabs, windows, street corners, etc.

There is so much to do, so we started by taking a tour bus around a small section of the town. We got off the bus to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and found ourselves in the middle of a parade.

Turns out the parade was not for Glory and me, but instead it was the 50th German-American Steuben Parade. The Grand Marshal was Henry Kissenger (no picture...sorry Kissenger fans).

I forced my sister to take me to TWO quilt shops. She was very tolerant and suggested this photo op. I stood in the pink section for the picture as it is my favorite color.

It's hard to write about Jersey Boys. Know in advance that there is no way I can get the experience down in words. How can you describe something so sensory? But I want you to know how I came to be a fan, so here it goes.

It all started last year when I made a birthday CD for Glory. I got Bill, Sue and David to tell me songs she loved when she was in high school. One of the songs on the CD was "Can't Take My Eyes of of You" by Frankie Valli. I was intrigued and I ended up downloading more songs by him and the Four Seasons for myself.

When asked what play I wanted to see while in NYC, the first thing that came to my mind was Jersey Boys. Tickets of course were sold out, or cost $345.00 a seat, but as the boys say "Big Girls Don't Cry".

Glory managed to get "actor's seats" from someone, who knew someone ,who had a nephew who was a producer. We were 8th row, center and the whole thing was wondersful. I sat there and sang all the words to every song. I even got a little emotion when he sang "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You. I am happy that most of the songs are already on my iPod.

How much do you think these two bags of chips cost? Go ahead, guess. The answer is in Cat's Photo Album under NYC. I laughed out loud when the clerk told me.

Guardian Angels

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil. 4:6 (NIV)

Last night as I was thinking about loading up all the luggage and dragging it to Union Station. I became apprehensive. So I decided to pray and make my petition known. After I prayed the thought came in my head, God could send us a guardian angel. Then I went to bed.

This morning I was able to CRAM all my new clothes in the already full suitcase (I bet it weighs more than 29 lbs now) and we were ready to go. The bellman took our bags to the lobby. The cab driver loaded our bags in the car and then took them out at the station. Then, as Glory and I were strategically dividing the bags between us, a man with a cart came up and hollered, “Red Cap Service!” So this nice fellow loaded our bags and escorted us to ticketing. Before we got there, he sent me to Starbucks (I had mentioned taking a cup on the train) and told me where to met him and Glory. He helped Glory buy the tickets and then he took us to the correct train and loaded our bags in the luggage compartment.

I told him, “I prayed for a guardian angel today.” And he said, “See what happens when you pray?” You’ve got to love it!

What is Your World Made Of?

The American History Museum at the Smithsonian Institute is being renovated, so they temporarily moved 150 items of Americana to the Air and Space Museum (BORING). I walked the expanse of the building ignoring all the space gadgetry and went straight to what it was I came to see....goofy stuff.

One of the first items I saw was Kermit the Frog. He sat right next to Lincoln's Top Hat and Edison's light bulb. I turned a corner and found the first artificial heart, created by Domingo Liotta and implanted by Denton Cooley. For those of you new to my life, Denton Cooley was a world renown thoracic surgeon that operated on me when I was a tot. Dr. Fernbach (pediatric oncologist) could get no other doctor to perform the surgery. They all thought he was crazy trying to save my life at a time when taking risks was not the norm. Denton Cooley was a risk taker....thank you very much....and now he is in the Smithsonian.

It didn't hit me until I saw this aluminum tray that they are a thing of the past. Seeing it made me think fondly of my childhood, sitting in front of the TV, with a TV dinner on a TV tray watching things like All in the Family and M*A*S*H.

I would officially like to state that IT IS a Barbie world....or at least it is for me.

Now, go to Cat's Photo Albums and look at the album titled, Smithsonian. I got a lot of really cool pictures and there are a few quizzes. Also, I would appreciate it if you would add thoughts or comments about the things you see. There is a place to add a comment right below each picture. Then it will be like we went there together.

Here's the Thing

Sue Laza told me she was mailing me my Christmas present BEFORE I went on vacation. I wondered what it could be and even thought things like: a scarf, gloves, something to wear in colder weather. When I got the package I was surprised to find inside a Mr. Monk Bobble Head. I was BAFFLED. Since she instructed me to call her as soon as I got it, I picked up the phone and gave her a call. She and I are both Mr. Monk fans, so I thanked her and then inquired as to why I needed this gift BEFORE I left town.

Well, it turns out, that the USA Network is have a little thing where people take their Mr. Monk Bobble Heads with them on their vacations and then send in pictures. On their website, you can see Mr. Monk at Mt. Rushmore, Old Faithful in Yosemite Park, and Lincoln Memorial. Hopefully, soon the world wide web will see my Mr. Monk at the Nation's Capital. I uploaded my picture last night and am waiting for the "moderator" to approve it. How could they not?

So here's the thing, when you see my photos, you may see Mr. Monk Bobble Head a few times. Blame Sue!


To see the Washington D.C. photo album, click on Cat's Photo Album in the sidebar.

Documentation

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

The Declaration of Independance is housed in the National Archives (pictured above). I had a list of three things I wanted to see: Lincoln Memorial, The Smithsonian Institute, and the Declaration of Independance.

I could not take pictures, while inside, but even if I could, it wouldn't have mattered because the actual document is very faded. I could barely make out John Hancock's John Hancock.

Dinner on the Potomac.

They Aren't Playing Today

Yesterday Glory and I flew into Washington D.C. and yes, it was on September 11th. The day started at 4:30 in the morning Atlanta time. Keep in mind I operate on Texas time (one hour earlier). I learned a long time ago that since I was the person responsible for my own luggage that I should always pack light and always have suitcases with wheels. I had one 29 lb. bag on wheels (I know this because they weigh them at check in now). I also had my carry on which was nothing more than my Bi-Pap machine. Glory decided to put the Bi-Pap machine in a small suitcase with wheels (smart) and include her overflow items. We couldn’t zip her luggage up, so out came another suitcase (no wheels). Glory has not mastered the art of packing light. At this point we were now up to 4 suitcases and a carry-on that had magazines, books and a laptop in it. We were doomed.

We loaded into a cab at 5:30 a.m. (4:30 TX) and headed to the airport. When we get to the airport Glory asks, “Where’s my suitcase with all my clothes in it?” I said, “I thought you got it.” She said, “I THOUGHT YOU GOT IT!” MAN! It was horrible, but we had to release it to the Universe and move on. Glory started her vacation with only T-shirts, underwear, dress shoes, and the clothes on her back.

Moving in to check-in, the woman at security wearing a Bridgett Wig was checking everyone’s id and boarding pass. In line I could hear her mantra: “They’re not playing today.” I didn’t have my id ready when I got to her and she said, “They’re not playing today, have your stuff ready.” Glory apologized and told her we were “a mess” this morning. She said, “You can’t be a mess ‘cause they aren’t playing today.”

From there we proceeded to the scanning part of the process. I had to remove my shoes and jacket. They scanned and picked through everything. They took out my lip-gloss and perfume and travel sized face soap and put it all in a zip lock bag. You can only take 3 ounces of liquid on a plane now.

We made it on the plane and had a very uneventful flight. The pilot flew us up the Potomac and then banked left to the Ronald Reagan Airport. I looked out my window for something recognizable, when there it stood: The Pentagon. I was so amazed. It was real and right there in front of me, not a scratch on it. I was so happy to see it and so proud. I have been experiencing a lot of feelings here in this great place. Washington D.C. is only 6 square miles in size and every inch of it is packed with our history.

God Bless America!

Evolution of a Bathroom

I moved into my house in October of 1992. I love this place. I feel more at home here than in any place I have ever lived. That being said, if you look around my house, it looks like I haven't fully settled in. As a matter of fact, when Glory came to visit she pointed out that I had a tendency to start projects and not finish them. Like that was a revelation to anyone. I am a starter. Glory is a closer.

One day about 6 months ago the housekeepers call me into the bathroom and TA-DA they have purchased and installed a new burgundy shower curtain. I think they felt my plaid one wasn't feminine enough. I was so taken with their kindness that I decided to go with the new curtain and decorate all around it.

I tried to recruit Lucas to help and of course he said yes. Time passed and when days turned into weeks turned into months I gave up. Then someone else volunteered, but their life got in the way of that as well.

One day Joanne Ray came over to get something at my house and said, "Harry's leaving town Friday, let's paint your bathroom." I thought, suuuure, O.K. and I left it at that. What I forgot: Joanne is a closer! Eight a.m. Friday morning she shows up and hauls me out of bed. I had to commit to a color and there was NO TIME for indecision, or coffee! I had two ideas in my head: Northern Green or Romeo Pink, but what to choose. So since I have wanted a pink room since high school, I decided to let ROMEO make my dreams come true. Man, this pink looks delicious. Like cotton candy.

Joanne worked hard. She kept kicking me out of the bathroom because I was wheezing. So, she painted while I sewed curtains for the window and vanity or took naps. I got a new towel rod and matching toilet paper holder. Joanne made a frame to go around my mirror and we painted it Northern Green (I had a quart on hand). Rick Stanley came over and intalled the frame on the mirror and the cat door to the bathroom closet. I hung a picture painted by Dana Taggart that I got in the YL Rummage Sale.

Joanne spray painted the white wicker stool brown and the cats got a new perfectly pink drinking cup provided by my sister Glory. Now finally, I think I can say that for the first time since moving in, one room of my house is completely finished.

Cute cup for the cats. They'll break it, I'm sure.

A bathroom within a bathroom.

And after all that, I would only change one thing: the shower curtain!!!! LOL!

Don't Ask Questions

I need to adopt the motto of my brother David: "Don't ask questions." Why? Because asking questions draws you in to the arena of the involved.

Case in point, I went to visit my teacher friend Kimber two weeks ago and she asked me if I wanted a kitten. People think that if you have a "slight" tendency to rescue things that you are open to any and all rescue opportunities. Like I'm a super hero or something. As a matter of fact, they rely on you to be the one to act and therefore don't act themselves.

Of course I told her, "NO I don't want a kitten (lie)!" And of course, I didn't leave it at that. I started asking questions.

"Where is the kitten?" I asked. She informs me she was jogging in the back of Rockport Country Club and stopped at one of the greens to look in a water hazard for frogs. In the tall grass along the water's edge she saw a small kitten rustling about. She said it was young. "HOW young?" I queried. Pretty young was her response. So I made her show me with her hands. She made a shape about the size of a biscuit. Then she added, "I just don't want it to get eaten by an alligator.

THAT'S IT, I'm ON the CASE! Ladies and gentlemen, there is a sucker born every minute, and I AM that sucker.

I arrived at the appropriate green and saw something moving back in to the grass. When I got out of my car there were some old geezers in plaid pants trying to sink their putts, OBLIVIOUS to the wild screaming of a kitten in distress. I walked over to where the little one was hiding and asked if he needed help. He ran out of the grass STRAIGHT to me, yowling at the top of his lungs. I scooped him up only to find him covered in fire ants at which point I started yowling. We then went home to prepare a bottle and start looking for adopters. Thankfully the kitten I fondly called Tiger Woods was adopted by Shane and Cyndea Sampson. He goes to live with Tag the cat, Bo the Great Dane and Merle the German Short Haired Pointer. Good luck kitty, at least you aren't sleeping with the alligators.

More Tales from the Crypt

I was in Cedar Hill, TX this week visiting the Luster's. During one of our errands Raymond asked if I'd like to go check out the pet cemetery. I'm not kidding, the minute the possibility was out there I new it was going to be the HIGHLIGHT of our vacation. I can't explain it, but once we got inside the Pet Memorial Park we ran around "like kids in a candy store".

We marveled and the age of some of the tombstones,

the oldest one being Ginger 1933-1947.

It looks like from her picture, Ginger was Jo and Sam Donosky's Boston Terrier. I wonder if Jo and Sam are still alive?

In the back of the cemetery we found a bunch of tombstones belonging to the pets of Janis Fisher. She put a scripture on every headstone.

A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal,

But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.

Proverbs 12:10

~

Both Raymond and I decided our adventure was blog worthy, so we returned the next day - kids, camera, and Kleenex in hand. I also grabbed my bible so Raymond could read the scriptures on Ms. Fisher's tombstones.

You guys don't have to be told again how much I love scripture (or pets), but reading them in a pet cemetery was so funny. I laughed so much I wondered for a minute if I was being disrespectful. It was so much fun...and endearing.

Laughing or crying? You decided.

Oh yes, and I wanted to mention that another thing we marveled at was all the names. You could find the stock pet names like Skippy, Buster, and Happy. But there were also some high brows in amongst the muts, like the Duchess of Bordeaux Hill and Lambchop Von Hertz (Lamby the Loyal).

And of course, there were A LOT of Gingers!

Please click on Cat's Photo Album at the right hand side of this post and then look at ALL the Pet Cemetery pictures. I took lots of pictures of tombstones knowing that each one represents tons of happy memories.