Rising to Meet the Past

Last week, my husband took his mother back to the town of her birth: Baltimore.  Linthicumth Heights on the south side Linthicum, Maryland.  She was born Lois Miriam Corbett in 1923.  She went to Thurmont grade school ( Thurmont is where Camp David and G-8 meetings are held) and St John Lutheran Church.  She attended Western Maryland College n Westminster, Maryland.  And today is May 1, 2012.  To put that into perspective,  http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history  said this today:

On this day in 1931, President Herbert Hoover officially dedicates New York City's Empire State Building, pressing a button from the White House that turns on the building's lights. Hoover's gesture, of course, was symbolic; while the president remained in Washington, D.C., someone else flicked the switches in New York.

So you might say that things have changed just a bit.  Some for the better and some for the worse, but change indeed.

The weather decided to cooperate and allow them to roam the areas with reasonable attire and ease.  The gray skies kept the sun from making it too hot, and the cool breezes kept the humidity level at just about windbreaker chilly.  The city smacked of Washington DC when first pulling in.  Large old buildings, tons of people, busy atmosphere...  We arrived on Saturday, which gave us some of Sunday to cruise around.

Back side of City Hall

Front side of City Hall

Incredibly wonderful old buildings seemingly unnoticed by those walking past.

One of only a very few similar buildings left in the United States, the Phoenix Shot Tower was used to make lead shot from 1828 to 1892. Molten lead was dropped from a platform at the top of the 234' tower through a sieve and into a vat of cold water. Being constructed of one million bricks, the Shot Tower was the tallest building in the United States until the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, was completed after the Civil War. The Shot Tower was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1972.  http://www.baltimore.to/ShotTower/index.html   It does present a striking figure, but slightly out of place among the rest of the City.

The Children's Museum presented a fun view, with the Power

Plant Live auditorium and eateries next to it.

Don't know if you can read the sign that says Baltimore, a city divided. But Lincoln and Douglass are on the posted.

Tourist area of the pier is kept clean by a cool skimmer boat that collects floating trash.  Charles was quite impressed with the operation.

The Douglass Museum is on the pier and has beautiful buildings and walkways to enjoy the Sunday.

You are supposed to see that there is a huge sign that says "Under Armor" across the harbour.

The museum had way cool metal shutters that closed for storms I imagine.  I also like the doors that have  no stairs to exit from.....

Charles and Lois discussing the meaning of life or the harbour. And this might be a good time to bring up the plans they were making for the grand tour of her youth. Lois was born in Linthicum Heights, southside of Baltimore.  http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

Of course, then she wants to go to Thurmont, http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl where her grade school and her high school were.  Also, I hear it is home to Frederick High School, Mount St. Mary's University and of course, Cunningham Falls State Park‎

Me, I know nothing of Maryland or Baltimore, but the lovely harbour and the flower pots packed.  and The pretty harbour walk.

The small white building is part of John Hopkins University.  http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/som/

How about that for a cool bar name.

Fells Point Area from the view of the saloon.

Lovely little bistro called Mezze

Mezze, which boasted delicious Mediterranean cuisine, is located on Thames Street.  Don't know how  http://www.southernliving.com/  missed this one! Mezze Restaurant Fantastic service, great folks and good food.And if you are nice, the waitress will help you pronounce Greek words like Galaktoboureko!

Studying the menu

Oysters with spinach and feta

And oysters raw from chincoteague Oysters from the Island area

On the way to the Convention Center

More DownTown

This is the PNC Bank that I went in to tour.  Long ago, this bank was the mercantile bank and it has a litlle museum and tourist area inside!  I asked to see Mr. PNC and no one knew his name Mr. PNC!  PNC Shareholder Meeting Funny, one lady told me the president was named Pierre.  But the web site ( I have to look it up and not find out in the building) says it is William S.Demchak President.  I am pretty sure he is a shareholder too.  As a shareholder, I thought that there would be an invite in and up, but alas, I didn't even have an account with them.  I guess that means I don't get to go to the top of the building!  Well, as much as I am not too thrilled with my Baltimore reception, I have to say that the stock prices are rising and the bank has great reviews and reputation.  So thank you Mr. PNC President!

So now trip to Baltimore is complete without a trip to McCormick and Schmiks http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/locations/maryland/baltimore-maryland/easternavenue.aspx

I thoroughly enjoyed my lobster salad.... cobb don't you know....

My favorite restaurant by far was the Thames Street Oyster House. oysterhouse located in Fells Point.  

My phone camera does not do it justice, it is really a pretty bar....

Oysters from around the country listed on the mirror

The Oyster Shucker King.  Now knowing we are from Florida and used to Apalachicola Oysters and knowing that we know how to shuck, I have to tell you that this dude knows how and doesn't waste any motion doing it!

Old cans that are labeled by the oysters that were in them.

Mussels fit for a tourist from Florida!

We read about it in southernliving magazine and it was well worth the walk down the cobblestone road.  Just past the major tourist point, you feel like you may be at the end of the line and then you open the door and ouila!  Fabulous from the minute we sat down!

Yes, it was a fabulous time for Lois and for my husband.  My time was peppered with work and with camaraderie with my employees.  And then the moments of great escape. I asked Lois if she had something to say about the trip and she said that all her memories are now good ones!  The bad have disappeared.  She did say that if you are a tourist, she would tell you to hit the eastern shore and go to the beach.  She also said to tell you that Maryland is a great state fo history.  All the domestic wars can be traced to the ground of Maryland including the war of 1812http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0cpKzDoOdA&feature=related

Lois, who says no one is named Lois anymore, had a fabulous time and still thinks of the trip.  Thanks to a loving husband and son! A job well done Charles.  A job well done.

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!