Positive Lunch Table Monday

Day 7: I got off early today and was able to walk around the city for the first time on my own...Strolled to the White House where I quickly grew frustrated at the sight of anti-nuclear signs, thought of President Reagan and the way he approached Nukes (make them, keep them, let the world know we have them, but don't use them unless absolutely necessary!), and wished the White House was still occupied by the likes of him....I briskly walked across Constitution Ave starting to shiver and hoping to make it to the Washington Monument in time to go up. I raced across the fenced lawn surrounding the monument, waited for federal police to swoop in and arrest me... and smiled as the elderly guard mockingly shielded his eyes so I could get a ticket for myself and make it up on the last trip. I took pictures of the Union soldier's markings on the wall inside the monument, where he likely camped out for a short time during the war, and intently listened to the story of the statue of George that watches every patriot enter into the elevator that takes you up the monument so lovingly dedicated to him. Finally, I looked out over the capitol city, in all its beauty and grace. The White House, the Lincoln, the Jefferson, and the Capitol. Gorgeous. Unfortunately, the dreariness of the day kept me from coming close to capturing the view, so I chose my next stop for today's picture. The Smithsonian Castle. It was near closing time and completely empty. It gave me the chance to wander and ponder the history stored in its walls. The Miracle on Ice hockey helmet and gloves probably won as my favorites in there, but the structure of the West Wing itself is what really got me. Phew! What an exquisite room. In the daytime the light pours through the skylights and several of the surrounding windows, brightening the history for thousands to see. It is also where I will have my wedding reception. Someday.


Day 6: The words of our founders are plastered across everything from buildings to street signs around our Capitol city. I only hope and pray that they will be upheld in the years to come...

U.S. Treasury Department

Day 5: I love the columns all over D.C.

Day 4: My positive thought definitely had to be seeing this house. After visiting Fredericksburg and seeing where the Union was met with a terrible defeat, we headed across the river to this house. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln all stayed here! Clara Barton helped wounded soldiers here AND Walt Whitman wrote some poetry during the war here too...phew! Thought that was pretty sweet, and the house is beautiful :)