The daughter in DC

I didn't expect to have such a good time in DC. I was impressed with the pagentry and formality of the memorials. I'm glad that our capital contains so much public space that is filled with the idealism of our country. Certainly our politicians don't always measure up to the quotes that are carved in just about every stone surface, but it is good that the ideas that our country started out with are there to show what we can strive for.



I really liked seeing Olivia sprint up the steps in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Here she is taking a picture of the big guy.

Olivia was also nice enough to take a picture with me in the Roosevelt Memorial.



There is a sculpture in a park called the Awakening. Olivia was one of the only kids who could sprint up the leg onto the knee with no hands. She had to try many time to get it right, but she was determined.

Washington, naked

Two things that I noticed right away in Washington, DC: lots of nudity and words carved in stone everywhere.

This is one of several huge urns that is in the park right across the street from the White House.


This mural is in front of the Kennedy Center.

We never get to see any nudity in public art around here- this is not Italy, that's for sure. I think some artful nudity is nice to balance out all the porn and soft porn that is all over the internet and in music videos... or maybe I'm just a perv.

Seattle Celebration

Olivia, Audrey and I have just returned from a week in the Northwest visiting Dominick, Stephanie, Sebastian, Mercedes, Nicholas and Dorien. While we were there, Stephanie and Dominick officially tied the knot in a wonderful backyard ceremony surrounded by their friends and neighbors.

Here is a shot of the whole family.


Stephanie and Dominick were gracious hosts even if I was a grumpy traveler. It was awesome to see everybody. Meme and I had fun hainging out at the pool and the lake with the kids. If you are interested in getting some of the pictures, talk to Audrey.


July is a great month to visit. The weather was awesome- no rain, no humidity and not too hot. They don't have grits or too much air conditioning, though, but the views all around are spectacular. With our first step out of the airport back in Jax we felt the familiar humid air. Home sweet swamp.