Wish the Leadership in Washington DC was Rising to their Occasion....

In February of this year, my lovely daughter and I had an opportunity to spend a weekend in DC.  It was a freezing weekend, with rain and snow and wind and howling.  The snow fell and the wind blew my umbrella backwards.  But as I had never been all over DC as an adult without small children, I wanted to walk the whole city. And walk we did.  All the Smithsonian ground we could cover, the guided Capital tour and the Senate and House office buildings.  So on the one beautiful, but chilly morning, off we went.  And yes, I wanted my photo in front of the IRS.  They are the new friendly IRS.  They said so.  And I believe they are trying to work on their image.

come on, you have to think the IRS Building is cute  http://www.irs.gov/

Beside, Look how cute I look at the IRS!  Almost like I belonged there!

We own PNC stock and I wasn't going to let the opportunity to get a photo of this bank pass me by, even though Morgan said it was boring (it's paying her tuition!).  And what a cute bank!  Everyone should get to see the smallness and the largeness presented all at once.  It is so narrow, next to the others, but so majestic in it's slim presentation.... Banks should hire me to help with their image!

 And yet, I digress.  So this is day one (below) with me arriving at the Dulles Airport.  I was so impressed with the airplane in the air and the glass escalators...

 But alas, the ride in looked like this and it was like this the whole first day in DC.  Boo.

 I wasn't aware, but I can tell you it doesn't take more than one reading to know, that it was - and it was important- and it should never ever ever happen again.  May the next generation remember and not make the same mistakes.....

 This is the view from the hotel.  I cannot tell you how moving it was - is. There is no feeling of patriotism like seeing one's capital. And to the tech geeks of the world, please find a safe way for all of the citizens who pay for this building and all those working in it to stay safe and to allow us safely in again.....

 So coming from bo hunk little Tallahassee, this is quite the grid to understand.

 To the Tallahassee Board of Realtors http://www.tbrnet.org/ my hotel looked at the DC building of the same.  See the flag?

 The hotel was lovely.

 The doorman were the best and they know everyone and every secret and they are special people.

 The botanical garden was beautiful but warm, very warm, place to have a break from the cold walk.

 So goofy daughter decides to take pictures while I am taking pictures

If the President Obama http://www.barackobama.com was savvy in marketing, I think he would put my precious daughter on his next campaign ad :)

Oh back to the story, so we go running around DC and find a museum that lets us in just in the nick of time and this big fancy dinner is being given for Sand Capital Management http://www.sandscapital.com/ and they are having a fabulous affair that looks like a princess is about to enter.... should have bought their stock :)

 Look at the symmettry of the isle and the tables with the chairs that look like they are made of icey icicles.

 Meanwhile, back at the museum, there are statutes and busts and lovely things to admire

 I hate to say it but I am sure that these folks would have been better at yoga than me ....

 Cool portrait made of little hexagons and triangles and dots... and it looks blurry, then it looks clear and it is a statement of the man...

 Blurry

 The President who did believe in God for real, that didn't use the pulpit for or against the people, the President that took us through a hard time. http://www.cartercenter.org/news/experts/jimmy_carter.html He is a really good man.  And we are lucky to have had him and to still have him....

For my generation, this was an amazing man, amazing portrait and very moving to see.  I can still see my father break down hearing the fate of the President.  Some moments in history, one would rather not have to know.....

 And then there is tricky Dick, the man who set the tone for the middle of the road of what is tolerable as long as you win.....

 And the airport ride home.  And the best part, I went with my daughter, and I know these trips are precious and soon to be gone....  I love you Morgan and thanks for slugging through the snow and ice and wind.

Loved the visit, loved the experience.  Make you want to be an American and love this great country.  Have to tell you seeing the shuttle fly was right up there with seeing the Supreme Court.  And my thanks to Senator Bill Nelson http://billnelson.senate.gov/ for arranging the tour tickets.  What a nice staff he has!

people acting as baby pigs?

Explain this one to me Reddit - Imgur

Rising to the Ocassion of Knowing When to Quit

Well, I am back from a long weekend trip to see my lovely niece get married.  Just six short months ago, she was graduating from high school.  (She is growing up fast and making decisions faster.  My mother in law said that her generation had the same challenges of deciding to get married or not during WWII.  But the marriage topic will have to be another blog.)  Another long trip up north.  Both times, I accompanied my parent(s) and my daughter tagged along.  Both times, I wondered how many more Indiana trips there would be.  Not a clear cut answer.

The weather turned  just in time for us to arrive.  At night it dipped to a bitingly cold 11 degrees.  We were fortunate enough not to spend too much time in the windy city canyons of Indianapolis ( beautiful city I might add).  The capital is inspiring and the memorial statute was fabulous.  It looked like a pretty bustling downtown, which is nice to see.  It was clean and very much the northern city structure, with tall houses close together.  I will tell you that Starbucks coffee tastes even better when it is freezing outside!









The trip to Lafayette was pretty with lots of flat plowed fields.  If there is anyone on Mars watching for a sign, I would definitely look to the sights of a plowed Indiana corn field  http://www.in.gov/ .  Even with ice and drifts of light snow, you can see the hours of work spent making perfect rows that will hold nothing but some farmers' future in it.  Crop Reports  Indiana is the farm belt and part of the heart of America you can check out all they grow here:  Farmers Markets




Anyone who has driven a tractor for hours appreciates good rows and quickly judges those that aren't (mine).  The drive to the little town was wonderful with beautiful barns and a bright sun.



I enjoyed looking at it from the car, I am not so sure a long walk would have been fun, given the clothing I brought for a weekend trip up north for a wedding.  The day went on and the wedding started around 5 pm.  It was definitely dark by then up there.  With long roads and no street lights, dark surely means dark.  Best know where to go and don't be to much of a dumb tourist on the long country roads.  The long roads with no cell service and no gas, etc is how people get into trouble up north.

The wedding of course was centered around a beautiful bride and her handsome Army husband.  They will relocate somewhere in Georgia in several months.  Will be interesting to see how the transition to y'all country goes.  I am sure the yes sir and no ma'am will come in handy.  Lucky for us, she will be closer to us and we may get to see her once in a while!


On the way back, I helped to gather the parents and get things organized.  Movement is harder.  The pace is slower.  Minds are less flexible.  Feet seem to like being planted in a firm place with hand rails easily reached.  Bath tub handles are an issue.  Wheelchairs are something to consider, especially on long concourses. Patience seems to be on short supply.   The folks were troopers and went to see their first grandchild marriage.  I sort of hope the rest of them decide to elope to Florida!  It is so much more temperate and welcoming!

Of course there is an undercurrent here.  The knowing when to quit going on long trips that cost a lot in time, money, and effort.  Knowing that the visit is much more difficult for some than others.  Knowing that some are much more comfortable with the trip than others.  There comes a time where you ask yourself if this is fun or contributing to your happiness or the happiness of others.  I can truly say that I felt less of it this trip.  I love my family and want them to be happy.  I want my parents to get to go where ever their little hearts desire.  And so I have to say that if I embark on another trip with them in tow, I want it to be to a comfortable place, that makes them happy, where we all feel welcome and warm.

News From AP | TBO.com

News From AP | TBO.com

You Really Can Go Back: Rising to Meet the Past

I had a whirlwind trip from Tallahassee to Los Angeles Ca this weekend.  In four days I traveled over 6000 miles and 40 years.

I had the wonderful opportunity to travel back to eighth grade and spend time with my best friend from that year.  It was a glorious trip back and even more amazing:  I think she still likes me.

I had a business meeting with a very important client in the area, and after all the work (another column), I caught a train (my first real train ride) from L.A. to Fullerton.  I boarded a train with all walks of life teaming around, business to families, rich and poor, commuters to tourists.  The woman next me had killer shoes of light tan swede, with stacked golden brown heels.  The train attendant came through offering wine and Pepsi and sandwiches.  He looked sort of like a Steward on an airplane.  But the rhythm was all changed.  It was different in that he had to balance side to side, instead of the up and down turbulence on planes.

My seat was leather with the polished look that only hundreds of butts can bring.  I have seen that look in saddles many a time. And I can tell you it is more comfortable than a new seat or a new saddle.  The armrests were wood, and seemed to represent the time when the motto was, "go west young man". The general chat on the train was time: when you get on, when you get off, how long till this stop, how long till boarding. Time, because the train isn't going to wait on you.... I enjoyed the train as any child enjoys the first ocean dip.  I half way expected everyone to know that it was my first real trip on a train.  Thank you Amtrak http://tinyurl.com/5uvsg !
The short ride was over and at the station was my friend, with the same beautiful smile she wore 40 years ago, same gorgeous blue eyes. I was so happy to see her, but just a tad scared. What if she doesn't like me now? Nah, she has to like me, I came all this way!!!!
When I arrived, the little point where you unload and depart is two sided, with the track in the middle.  Unless you know this, you will be on the other side of the track!  Now I know what that means.  Literally, you must go over the tracks, on a metal bridge, to get to the other side.
And there in all her glory of the past, was my best friend from my 13th year.  I have no idea why, but I called her Buh. 
She was as stunning as the day I met her and her blue eyes, still shining, met me with a slightly crinkled smile and a warm welcome.  This will be the fourth time in forty years that we have seen each other.  I would know her anywhere.  Time and life does not dim what the eye has already deemed beautiful in youth.
We drove to her home in Yorba Linda and talked of scenery on the way and where we went to school and where the house is and where I kept my horse. We talked of the neighborhood and the prices of homes and the tenor of the community. And when we arrived at her house (in the same neighborhood where we were friends 40 years ago) we did what old friends do best. We talked, and talked, and talked.
We tried to talk about what made us special, and we don't know.  The tirades of emotional teens with dysfunctional families?  The aloneness we felt together?  The long rides on my horse, bareback in the foothills of Yorba Linda, just talking and talking and talking?  We had one school year together, then I moved to Florida.  3000 miles between us and the US mail.  No cell phones.  No internet. No Facebook or GooglePlus.

No, we had ink, paper, postage and time.  We went on different paths.  She married early and had babies in her twenties.  I went to school and work, had babies in my thirties.  Her babies left, and she went to school and got her PhD.  My babies are about to leave, and I will.... that's another column too.

We had a night together, an evening of chatting, just talking.  You don't really transverse forty years.  But at 54, you know what is important to know.  You know her childrens' names and the number of grandchildren.  You know her husband's work and how it shapes their lives.  You know her grandmother lived to be 106 and she could too.  You know who she voted for, what her main political perspective is and what she wants for her family.

You know too, that though we will never know each other the way we would have if we had lived in the same town, that we still know each other enough.  That she is special and kind, and considerate, and fun.  That she is a great cook, can garden and doesn't want a big house to care for.

You know that you were right back then, she was wonderful then, and she is still wonderful.  I am very lucky.  Very lucky indeed.