Monticello: A Thinking Man’s Place

Monticello, front view

Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello was my favorite tour. It was family-friendly, which meant it was geared toward children.  (Further translation:  it wasn’t stuffy and boring.)  The house was Jefferson’s design and it took 40 years to construct.  For his time, it was state-of-the-art, with the cisterns, ice houses, servant quarters, and indoor bathrooms.  Yes, indoor bathrooms.

Um, where’s the toilet paper?  The sink?

The bathroom wasn’t posh by today’s standards, but it’s better than trudging through the weather to get to an outhouse.  We learned a few fascinating facts about Jefferson:  he incorporated some aspects of European living into his home, like placing beds in alcoves; he founded the University of Virginia; he wrote extensively and was quite organized- he even cataloged the seeds in his garden; and he believed plunging his feet into a pan of cold water upon waking each morning was beneficial for circulation.  Maybe he was onto something- Jefferson lived to be 83 years old, which was unusual for his time.

Can you see why Thomas Jefferson loved to relax at Monticello?

After learning more about three early US Presidents, I realize that Washington and Jefferson were wealthier than the average American.  Many of our presidents have been wealthy.  I guess you have to come from money to be able to pay for the mudslinging campaigning that goes on to win the presidency.  However, as far as I can tell, Washington and Jefferson had money, but they also had integrity (which many modern-day politicians seem to lack.)

Of the three presidents, I most admire Abraham Lincoln.  I even watched six hours of documentary about him on the History channel after we got back from vacation.  He was a great leader that came from a modest background.  His family didn’t have money and his dad pressured him to be a farmer.  Lincoln wanted more.  Lincoln was more.  Nothing in his life came easy, but he didn’t quit.  To me, Lincoln embodies what many see as the American Dream:  regardless of your background, if you can dream it, you can make it happen.

Do you have a favorite leader (anyone- political, religious or otherwise)?  What do you admire about that person?

Meandering Around Mount Vernon

Main house at Mount Vernon

George Washington had a beautiful plantation estate right by the Potomac River.  The views were amazing.  Maybe I’m weird (well okay, I know I am) but as I stood overlooking the river, I wondered if the views changed much since Washington’s time.  Was I looking at any of the trees that were rooted in Washington’s time?

Washington interested me because he had a vision for this country and led men into battle to fight for that vision.  Rallying against mighty England for freedom took courage.  I look at the leaders of today, and I wonder how many possess that kind of courage.  These original leaders weren’t in it for money, prestige, or power.  (My, how things have changed :))

Of course George Washington is one of the founders of the USA.  While looking at the Washington Monument, one of my sons said, “I don’t get why it’s called the Washington Monument.  It doesn’t look like him at all.”  True, I’m sure his head wasn’t that pointy.  No, I didn’t say that.  I had to tell him a phrase I use often:  “I don’t know.”

Kitchen with all the amenities of the day

This view is enough to make one forget there is no microwave in that kitchen 🙂

What do you think is most notable about George Washington or Mount Vernon?

Presidential Life – Lincoln

When we went to Washington DC last month, we visited and toured the homes of 3 early US presidents:  Lincoln’s Cottage (Abraham Lincoln), Mount Vernon (George Washington), and Monticello (Thomas Jefferson.)  Unfortunately all of the places prohibited photos inside the main living quarters, but I do have some photos of the grounds I can share.

I’m going to do something different.  I will break this down into three posts, and I will publish one a day for the next few days.  Don’t worry- the daily posting is only for this week, for this series.  I will go back to my 3 or 4 posts a week after that!

Lincoln’s Cottage (on right) on campus of Soldier’s Home

Lincoln’s Cottage was the most modest of the three residences.  It was a smaller building on the campus of the Soldier’s Home, which houses retired soldiers even now.  To me, Abraham Lincoln is a fascinating president because of the incredible challenges he faced.  The Civil War had all the makings to divide a country, but he was determined to keep the union, well, united.  During the tour, the guide pointed out an interesting fact:  even staying away from Washington, in the cottage, he never could really get away from the presidency.  From one view of the house, he saw the capitol building, and from the view on the other side, he had clear sight of Arlington Cemetery and all the bodies being buried there – as many as thirty a day.

Lincoln did not  have a cushy run as president – he was in a no-win situation.  Whether he supported or opposed slavery, one side would despise him.  He acted how he felt was fair and honest, and he paid the price for it:  Lincoln was the first president to be assassinated.

Lincoln: Remembered true to life (statue was made to reflect his actual height)

Lincoln remembered larger than life. Lincoln Memorial is huge!

A few of my favorite quotes by “Wise Lincoln”:

A house divided against itself cannot stand.

Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

A few of my favorite “Humorous Lincoln” quotes:

If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?

Marriage is neither heaven nor hell, it is simply purgatory.

I don’t like that man.  I must get to know him better.

What are your thoughts about Lincoln?  Do you have a favorite quote? 

A Moment’s Notice

A moment is

a breath,

a heartbeat-

a moment waits for  no one.

A moment slips

through fingers,

fades away-

Another moment takes its place

A couple nights ago, my older son told me about this “really awesome sunset” (his words, not mine.)  He doesn’t normally admire sunsets, so I figured I’d better check it out.  I agreed it was pretty, so I ran inside (yes, I actually ran,) put on slippers, and grabbed my camera.  I snapped the first photo right when I got outside.  The second photo was taken after several minutes of unsuccessfully searching for higher ground.  The sun had already dropped below the horizon.  A moment waits for no one…no matter how pretty the sunset.

*****

Speaking of photos, I’m still sifting through 629 photos from our Washington DC trip, so I’ll post on that soon.  Thank goodness we are in the digital age – that would have been 26.2 rolls of 35mm film,  I would’ve had to buy another carry-on bag just to get it home!  In the meantime, here’s a funny vacation story about names, kids and GPS navigation:

During our vacation to Washington DC, we used GPS quite a bit.  The woman was quite bossy and had to recalculate often (apparently, hubby listens to her about as well as he does me :razz:)

Periodically, we heard the boys break out in laughter, the giddy kind that comes from being over-tired.  After a couple days of this, I finally asked them what was so funny.

When my older son caught his breath, he explained that the GPS lady said a bad word.  Brace yourself for this…here’s a peek into the minds of my children:

What the GPS lady said:  Turn right on Harry S. Truman Dr.

What the kids heard:  Turn right on Hairy A$$ Truman Dr.

Why, oh why, did Harry Truman have to use his middle name?

(Out of curiosity, I researched Truman’s middle name.  I had no idea that the “S” didn’t stand for a name – his middle name was just “S”, in honor of both grandfathers (one with the first name of Solomon, and the other with the last name of Shippe.))

It was a test of my parental strength to not give in and laugh with them whenever the GPS directed us to turn onto that street.  But the damage is already done.  I’ve been ruined.  I may forever think of our 33^rd President as “Hairy.”

Sigh.

SuziCate (at The Water Witch’s Daughter) recently got a laugh, compliments of voice commands.  Have you had a funny (or frustrating) encounter with technology?  If so, please tell about it in a comment. 

We can never laugh too much 🙂 Have a beautiful Wednesday!

Art of Anticipation

Being able to observe our surroundings and anticipate its effect on us is a useful- even life-saving skill.  We do it every day without even thinking about it.  Our kids chase a ball toward the street and then we spot a car coming and tell the child to stop.  A stranger lingers outside the store observing shoppers and we don’t exit alone.  We know that when there is a mud puddle, our boys will stomp in it.  If there is chocolate in the house, I will eat it.  All of it.  Well, you get the idea!

Generally, my ability to anticipate is pretty keen, but the next few pictures are evidence that I have room for improvement 😛

Photo taken of waterfall from underneath the Natural Bridge (AZ)

Photo taken of waterfall from underneath the Natural Bridge (AZ) after a little breeze

Photo taken of waterfall from underneath the Natural Bridge (AZ) after the breeze gains strength…right before I stuffed the camera under my shirt and hunched over to keep it dry!

To quote Nancy at SLTW, “Ah….that’s better!”

It’s going to be sunny and hot today, so I’m hoping the power of suggestion and the memory of being sprinkled with unexpectedly cold water will help.  Being one to look on the bright side (no pun intended); if I still lived in Phoenix I could expect 110 degrees.  Since our move a little north, we are blessed with a forecast in the mid-nineties.  We are even luckier to be heading to Washington DC tomorrow, where they are expecting temps in the eighties – and chances of rain!  Rain….I hope it rains – we don’t see much of that here in Arizona.  I’m even bringing my umbrella that has seen only sunshine since my visit to New Orleans in February 2012.  I know, this means it definitely won’t rain now.  Maybe someone will wash their car to counteract my preparation?

Monday is normally when I post a new segment to Darlene’s Story for the Trifecta writing challenge.  If you stopped by looking for that, I’m sorry to disappoint!  This week is a Community Judged week for the responses and I didn’t feel right posting a response when I know I probably won’t get to read much.  I’ll continue the story in two weeks, when I’m back and settled from vacation!

Have a beautiful day!