Saturday, October 24, 2009

Getting Back to Work

I am not a person for long vacations. I get too antsy. Our vacation in DC was wonderful, and we capped it off by playing golf for a couple days. But, I have to admit I am anxious to get back to work. I have never taken a vacation for longer than a week (except for our honeymoon). There is something about the daily grind that I find so appealing.
I also like to come home a day or two before I go back to work. It gives me time to unpack, do laundry, and get paperwork straight before I go back to work.
I guess this is a little strange, but I find it so relaxing to be sure my life stays in order. That's a good part of what vacations are for, I figure.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Keeping Our President Safe

I am essentially pretty naive, I guess. I knew the security around the White House had been kicked up since September 11, but I had no idea of the extent. Sure, I expected to see the shooters on the roof. But, I was taken aback by the fact that Pennsylvania Ave is completely closed off for a few blocks, as it passes in front of the grounds. OK, that makes sense. So, we walked along the sidewalk (and fence) to the point where we were standing directly in front of the White House. As I paused to get a picture, the guard started moving the crowd to each side, making sure there was no one standing directly in front of the building (in other words, we were separated by at least a city block). Then a small motorcade went by, after which we were allowed to walk in front of the building again. (The kids coming home for lunch? Who knows.)

We walked back down Pennsylvania, past the Treasury building (which was also blocked off), and at the end of the blockade there was a spot where cars and trucks could enter (a delivery entrance, if you will). At that point, the vehicles were stopped and searched, including opening hoods and trunks, and a complete search by bomb-sniffing dogs. We watched as three or four vehicles were cleared. An amazing process.

Now I see why it was so difficult to score tickets for the tour. I don't disagree with any of these efforts, mind you, but it does detract from my image of the White House as being open to the public. Still true in fact, but it loses something as we strive to protect our president. Sad...

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Arlington National Cemetery

Today we visited Arlington National Cemetery. It was quite a walk....I didn't realize it was that big. We saw the Kennedy graves. What a contrast between the spot where John, Jackie and Patrick are buried, (with the eternal flame and all), and the simple white crosses that mark Bobby's, and now Ted's graves.




We went on to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We saw the changing of the guard, which was pretty impressive.

But then we watched a wreath being placed by a couple of students from the Walker School (I don't know what the occasion was).
The two young boys who carried the wreath to the guard will likely remember that moment for the rest of their lives.
The rest of our time there was spent just enjoying the beauty of the setting, and marveling at the number of graves. Most of them were simple white plaques.

But, there were other, more impressive stones as well. We were surprised to see a home town name that we recognized. I had no idea Joe Loius was buried here.



Sunday, October 11, 2009

A Beautiful Weekend

I haven't been feeling too well for the past few days. Nothing serious, just a low-grade virus that is keeping me a bit under the weather. I have spent several hours just sitting in a chair with my laptop, and putting the finishing touches on our plans for Washington DC.

That means I have also spent a good deal of time staring out the window. Fortunately, this has been such a beautiful fall, so far. And, I'm lucky to have several full size windows in my house. Seems like no matter where I look....


The colors are beautiful!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

My Husband the Chef

The hubs has been watching The Food Network, and has taken a real interest in experimenting with new dishes. Today he downloaded a recipe for Chicken Parmesean, and had it ready and on the table when I got home from work. He had forgotten about my yoga class, but I was easily convinced to skip out for the night. I will double up on my sessions next week. It was worth it. The meal was delicious!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

A Long Commute

I am praying for a very, very mild winter.
Right now, the only complaint I have about my new job is the commute. It is nearly 45 miles. And, so far, I haven't found a route that makes it easy. The ride in the morning isn't too bad (only about 45 minutes or so), but that is at 6AM, before the freeway backs up. The evening ride is an hour and 15 minutes, no matter what I try. The freeway is stop and go. If I take Schaefer to Coolidge, and then my old route up Woodward, there is far less traffic. But, I can't go over 35 miles/hr for most of the trip. Telegraph is faster, but then I have to go west to go east, which just seems silly.
I can only imagine what ice and snow is going to do to complicate things.
I am praying for a very, very mild winter.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Planning for Vacation

The hubs and I have decided to stop talking about visiting Washington "someday", and do it now. We have been planning, each in our own way. He has gathered more literature about the DC area (and, when I say area, I mean anything within a day's drive!) than I will probably read in my lifetime. I have scoped out the most expensive hotels in the heart of town, and dreamed of being waited on hand and foot. I'm sure we will meet somewhere in the middle eventually. After 25+ years of planning vacations with him, I know we will end up with something we will both enjoy.

While I'm at it, I have been reading up on various events in American history to get me in the mood. We haven't been able to score tickets to the White House yet, but I did get an invite to see the Senate in session at the Capital. Might just do that....

Sunday, October 4, 2009

The Brooksie Way

Our neighbor and golfing buddy, Warren, decided to run in the Brooksie Way this year. This half-marathon is run in memory of L. Brooks Patterson's son, who was known to his friends and family as "Brooksie". It begins and ends at Oakland University, but at one point it passes pretty close to our house (well, about 2 miles away).
So this morning I met up with his wife, and we walked down to where he would be making his final turn toward the finish. At this point he had run about 10 miles, but he still looked like he was going strong, and gave us a big "thumbs up" as he passed us. I couldn't resist getting a picture that I could email to him later.
Running isn't my thing, but I understand there is also a group that walks the 10K course. Maybe that would be a good goal for me to work toward. I could sure use something to get me back into shape. Frankly, the 4 mile walk there and back was about all I could take for today!