National Museum of American History

We had a Saturday afternoon with nothing going on so took off to hit one of the museums. It was a bit chilly out so it was nice to duck into someplace warm.  We were waiting for Taylor's friend to call him (they were hooking up to go to one of the art museums) but we got a good hour in before his call.

 The counter from the Greensboro Woolworth's where 4 black men were refused service.

These don't need any explanation

                             I can't even remember what section this was in but I loved it!

 They had a small stage area where they were showing old clips from USO shows.  I need to go back there by myself and just settle in to enjoy them all!

We didn't have nearly enough time to see everything so the whole museum deserves another visit.  One of the most amazing things is the original Star Spangled Banner that inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem.  No photos allowed; but it's behind glass, barely lit and breath taking to see.

We talked Taylor and his friend Logan into letting us buy them dinner at The American Indian Museum because I'd read they have the best food of all the Smithsonian's. They did have all kinds of different offerings from varying tribes and areas but MAN was it expensive!  We all got what they called an Indian taco (like Navajo tacos in Utah but about half the size) and a drink with the bill coming to $60!!!.  Sheesh.  I guess this is why the museums are free...so we can have some cash left to eat.

The boys had already seen this museum so they headed off but Tom and I stayed.  Have to say I was a little disappointed.  There wasn't a logical path or a historical story....just, I don't know....a mish mash of Indian stuff.  Guess we should go back and take a tour but even the small bit we heard from one of the guides (we weasel our way into groups sometimes) wasn't that interesting.

We're Official!

 We are used to having a big Superbowl shindig at my brother Jeff's house so when it is just the three of us (one of whom could care less about football) the day takes on a different tone.  After church I fixed our munchies/dinner trying to stick with the healthy eating plan.  Baked corn chips made from tortillas, guac, tacos filled with seasoned whole wheat rice, black beans and toppings...including vegan cheese.  Taylor got real sour cream, Tom & I got greek yogurt.  It was all good though!

Got a chance to Skype with the family back home when the power went out at the ballgame and we had some free time to check in and watch cute Nixon's face as he tries to figure out what the heck is gong on.

We never did have to change all our registration stuff out while we were in Alabama because it was a 10 month stint, but here, we knew we were going to have to do it.  We put it off as long as possible but our car registration came due so we had to move ahead.  DC DMV has a special Monday where they are closed except to new residents.  It was supposed to just take us 15 minutes but because we were missing something with our new address on it and social security #'s we had to make a trip back home. Fortunately it was only a couple of blocks away.  The car inspection process was really slick and I had done that earlier in about 20 minutes time.  Also, just up the street from us.  When we returned with needed paperwork it was time to have our eyes checked.  I read my 3 columns perfectly and then Tom read his 2 columns with great confidence.  Yep.  Two columns.  Couldn't even see the third column which was on the side of his eye that required surgery in AL.  We sat for 5 minutes while he turned his head this way and that, squinted, leaned....you name it, he tried to make it possible to see that third column.  After a few awkward minutes I told the guy behind the counter that Tom had recently had eye surgery and that's what was causing the trouble.  "He's still gotta be able to read that column" he said while trying not to roll his own eyes.  Finally, after what felt like forever, Tom mumbled some letters and the guy called it good.  He told me later he had to turn and read with the left eye because he couldn't see anything out of the right.  Um, that's not good.  Guess he'll be going back to the eye Dr. soon.

 Next, was updating our military ID's which were also expiring.  We headed over to Coast Guard Headquarters and the process was pretty easy but we also got a little tour while we were there.

Tom's been in the CG long enough that we know these people.  Have even attended functions at their homes.  He's planning on retiring from the reserves in the next year or so.  Of course, he's been saying that for several years and he's still there....so we'll see!

The Science Project

 So within days of Taylor's arrival he started talking about us saving our food scraps for composting.  Um, yeah, we live in a small apartment and though I have looked forward to the Spring when I can hopefully grow some veggies and herbs in containers....I haven't really considered composting.

Taylor said he had done the research and would be in charge.  So off we went and purchased these items along with a small container of worms to get started.

Holes in the bottom for moisture to drain and 1/3 full of soil, scraps and worms plus a bottle on top to add water.

Well, the first issue was the fact that I didn't want an entire crisper in the fridge dedicated to a plastic bag full of rotting scraps. And the fact that we're doing a veggie/fruit only diet means that there is PLENTY of scrap.  Secondly, once we put all those scraps in the bucket...there didn't seem to be enough worms to go through it. So we began searching the city for a place to buy more worms. Amazingly enough...worms don't seem to be a priority in Washington DC retail.  So Taylor found a worm farm online and within days his bag-o-worms arrived bringing 1,000 squirmy little friends to the bucket.

 Next problem.  This little project was originally in Taylor's closet where the worms could have dark and warmth.  However, once all the scraps were added....he didn't really like the smell in his room so he moved the whole process to the #1 bathroom.  Which was fine.....until the morning I walked in and found escaped worms on the floor.  Only a couple, but STILL.  After a few more adjustments, he decided he needed a better container.  So Tom got involved and after a visit to Home Depot they came home with this.....

It includes 2 Rubbermaid containers....one for drainage and one for housing our little worm community.  Some netting that will allow for breathing and drainage but hopefully preventing escaping.  Taylor is still making adjustments and I am still flipping the light and doing a quick scan of the bathroom floor before entering....but for now, we're a thriving little apartment of agriculture.

Museum Of Natural History

When Taylor was small we brought him to this museum.  He had a 'thing' for dinosaurs back in the day.  I mean he was crazy about them and could do a velociraptor impersonation at three years of age like no other!  

 Last time we were here Taylor got tired and bored pretty quickly so at 19, to have him actually read and look at all the exhibits was a great way to spend a few hours on a cold DC day.

 Check out all the color around Utah!  Yep...we had dinosaurs.

I could sit and stare at this for hours.

This was the seating for a short film on chimps.  Hee hee.

Photo of The Hope Diamond just doesn't do it justice.  I'm not a big jewelry gal, but this is pretty gorgeous!

So there was a "make yourself a neanderthal" computer program.  Line up your eyes and mouth with the design on the screen and click the button.  I posted this as my profile pix on Facebook for a few hours but took it down because it was creeping people out.  Can't see why!

Small South American orchid exhibit.  Gorgeous on a cold day.

Taylor wanted to walk down to the Washington Memorial before heading back so he could get some photos to send to friends.  I'm still trying to learn how to download photos from phone to computer so I'm still using my old fashioned camera!

I'm so glad that Taylor is here with us.  He's been looking for jobs and had his first interview a couple of days ago and is supposed to hear by Monday.  He also has a friend who got here about a week before Taylor did and is working as an intern at the Capitol.  They are both music lovers so have been to several shows at a popular DC venue called The Black Cat on U Street.  He misses all his friends but I think the city is growing on him.....

Inauguration 2013

First, let me say that I initially had no intention of going to the inauguration.  I hate crowds.  HATE them.  I get claustrophobic and want to run screaming from crowds.  Sitting in my warm living room watching it on tv seemed just peachy to me.  However, my friend Dalliss, who from the moment she found out where we would be living promptly had proclaimed she would be camping on our floor the night before said event so she could walk over, without even trying...she convinced me to go. I knew that if I didn't take advantage of this rare opportunity I would kick myself on behalf of Taylor as well.

In fact, the night before we ended up having a sleep over.  I had already told Dalliss and her daughter Jalene that they could stay, then Tom told one of his co-workers she could stay as they both had to be at work at 3 AM for the festivities.  So we spread out with beds, blow up mattresses & recliners and there was room for all.

Around 5AM sirens and voices acted as an early alarm.  I looked out the window and the sidewalks already looked like this!

We got up, readied ourselves with a little breakfast and warm layers before heading out to join the crowds walking to the Capitol.  We didn't leave our place until 8:30

 The streets were closed off so there was plenty of room to walk.  Lots of souvenirs lined the streets as well as an air of excitement as we got closer to The Mall.

News Agencies in Place

15,000 porta-potties in place

Exuberant volunteers lining the mall with happy welcomes

Robin Meade (in purple) reporting from amongst 'the people'

 We worked our way up the mall as close as we could to the Capitol.  You needed to have tickets for the spaces close up but we managed to get up next to the 2nd big screen.

Taylor, moi and Dalliss.  Jalene came down with something and didn't attend.

Love this dude checking out Taylor.  He DOES get second looks.

We were in front of the National Gallery and in an area that wasn't shoulder to shoulder.  We even had room to sit for an hour or so.  However, the morning had started out very pleasant but got progressively colder right before the ceremony started.

The volunteers came through the crowds with flags for everyone

 It was great to people watch, and people listen.  I got goose bumps just entering the mall area with such an air of excitement in a peaceful gathering.  A huge population of African-Americans in attendance and it was easy to get caught up in their anticipation of the inauguration of this particular president on Martin Luther King Jr.'s holiday.  Once Obama started speaking it was like a revival with call and response from the audience.  A lot of "oh yeah", "amen",  and "yes sir" from all around us.

Well, then there was James Taylor!

No matter how you lean politically, you can't help but get caught up in the transition of power, the peaceful re-commitment to the people of this country and this brief moment in history in our nation's capital.

We headed out a little early as did a lot of people. For whatever reason....the introduction of a poet just invites people to leave.  The temp had dropped considerably and even with a foot warmer my toes were freezing. Dalliss split off from us to find her way to an open Metro to get back to Vienna and Taylor and I walked home.  We spent the rest of the afternoon in our warm apartment with hot soup, grilled cheese (salad for me) and naps before the parade.  Tom got home around 4pm to watch with us and have dinner before having to head back to work at 9 PM.  Overall a great day and so glad we had the opportunity to enjoy it.