Keep Your Toes Pointed - Just In Case

In 2000, the film O Brother Where Art Thou was released, starring George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, and John Goodman.

The story, based loosely on Homer's Odyssey, follows three convicts through their bitter sweet, comedic adventures after escaping from a Mississippi jail during the Great Depression. No mistake - Homer's Odyssey.

The album O Brother Where Art Thou was awarded the Grammy's Best Album of the Year in 2002. This is american folk music showcasing many performers including a few older recordings. One of the songs on the album was titled Down In the River to Pray, and is sung by Alison Krauss, a blue grass singer, song writer, and musician. The origin of this spiritual is unclear. A couple of days ago I listened to this music and this morning I am still going around singing it. Does a song ever stick with you like that?






Down In the River to Pray

As I went down to the river to pray
Studyin about that good ol' way
and who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord show me the way!

O sisters let's go down
Lets go down, Come on down
O sisters let's go down
Down in the river to pray

As I went down in the river to pray
Studyin about that good ol way
And who shall wear the robe and crown
Good Lord show me the way

O brothers let's go down
Let's go down, Come on down
O brothers let's go down
Down in the river to pray

As I went down in the river to pray
Studyin about that good ol way
And who shall wear the star and crown
Good lord show me the way

O fathers let's go down
Let's go down, Come on down
O fathers let's go down
Down in the river to pray

As I went down in the river to pray
Studyin about that good ol way
And who shall wear the robe and crown
Good Lord show me the way

O mothers let's go down
Come on down, don't you wanna go down
O mothers let's go down
Down in the river to pray

As I went down in the river to pray
Studin about that good ol' way
And who shall wear the star and crown
Good Lord show me the way

O sinners let's go down
Lets go down, come on down
O sinners let's go down
Down in the river to pray

As I went down in the river to pray
Studyin about that good ol way
And who shall wear the robe and crown
Good Lord show me the way





Some Christian denominations sprinkle the heads of babies. I believe that is a public commitment of the parents before God and others to raise their child in the Christian faith. In some other denominations, a child or adult joins the church, then shortly later is baptized by immersion. Similarly, this is a public testimony of the individual's faith and commitment.

My mother was baptized in 1919 in a small Florida lake, on a sunny, summer day. The thing she remembers most is that she, and her best and life long friend were baptized in the same service. The church that I was raised in had a baptistry, and when I joined the church at the age of 9, I was disappointed that I would not be baptized in the lake. Then as now, I think an outdoor setting seems so natural and a part of God's world. However, I too, have a nice memory of being baptized with my life long, dear friend.

Being a member of my church and getting ready to be baptized that night meant a great deal to me. Having said that, I must tell you that my thoughts at that moment had little to do with my faith. I was nervous and afraid that I would be held under the water too long, would run out of breath, and that this would happen (see picture below).

July ATC swap

Debbie of Mosaic Magpie sent this pretty ATC to me for the July ATC swap. As you can imagine I was delighted.

























The blue toile de Jouy makes a lovely backdrop for the bright red heart.























Because I am new to the ATC swap connection, and want to learn more about the construction of these cards, I asked Debbie how she made the card. It was so well put together that it seemed to be of one layer with the exception of the little heart which she had stitched on. Well, to my surprise it has seven layers including the heat/bond and the heart.

Each month there is a different theme - this month's was "Sisters."
Thank heavens for me this is not about how artistic you are, but about having fun.
If you think that you would like to join in the snip, stitch, and/or glue experience please click here Blissfull ATC Swap for information.

Thank you so much, Debbie.

Ring, Rang, Rung

Our state is having its primary on Tuesday; then more than likely there will be a run off election - only to be followed by The Election in November.

The more information our household gathers on the hopefuls, the more cynical I become. Except for extreme opinions on a few subjects, most of the candidates sound basically the same. They all want what is best for us (bless their hearts), a chicken in every pot, and a bright and promising future for our children (almost sounds like the Miss America contestant's replies). Other than "I have a plan," I have not heard much detail how these promises will materialize.

I have never understood the tactic but it seems that all candidates are using robo calls to the max. Do they honestly believe that I am going to vote for someone because I have received another annoying phone call? Frankly I will be be glad when it is all over and we can put the elections aside for a while and my phone will not be ringing incessantly.


9:00 am



















9:05 am



















9:08 am















I think you get the idea.




There is another idea I have about voting.




















Perhaps it would be easier to narrow my list by only
including candidates that do not make robo calls!



If you, any loved ones or any friends are running for political office, I hope a good sense of humor is one of your attributes.

Meigs' Old Red Barn

What possible connection could there be between two Renaissance palaces in Rome, Italy, and Meigs' Old Red Barn in Washington, DC?

They were two of the inspirations that were instrumental in the building of the barn. US Army Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs was given the job of architect and engineer to construct a fireproof building for the expanding US Pension Bureau. It was to serve as headquarters for the bureau and also to be a suitable space where Washington's political and social functions could be held. The construction took place between 1882 and 1887.



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The Palazzo Farnese began with the design of Antonio da Sangallo the Younger in 1517, for the Farnese family, was completed to Michelangelo’s specifications in 1589, and was the inspiration for the exterior brick work. This palace is now the French Embassy in Rome, Italy.



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Meigs chose to break away from the typical architecture of Washington buildings, Greco-Roman, and based his design on Italian Renaissance. This building was not to everyone's liking and some were reported as saying, "Too bad the damn thing is fireproof!"

More than 15,500,000 bricks were required to complete the Pension Bureau. This "new" building design and the color of the bricks were probably some of the reasons it was nicknamed Meigs' Old Red Barn.

Unfortunately, the building sits smack dab on the edge of the sidewalk, and you have to cross the street and walk away from the building in order to get a good look. This picture was taken from the far side of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and the Judiciary Square Metro Station.




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The frieze, sculpted by Caspar Buberl, is a parade of Union forces and medical units in the War between the States, and encircles the entire building.




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The Vatican's Palazzo della Cancelleria, with its arched galleries opening to a central area, was the inspiration for the interior of the bureau.




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The Grand Hall with its central fountain and its magnificent Corinthian columns towering 75 feet make it a popular destination for large gala events, including many Presidential Inaugural Balls from 1885 until the present.

From the outside people do not often realize how tall the building really is; so you do notice visitors walking in, eyes opening very wide, mouths and jaws dropping as heads tilt back to see the height of the ceiling.




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Photos from a few gatherings.




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The building was meticulously designed with its windows, vents and open archways so light would fill the Great Hall.




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The building was used for government offices until the 1960's, and was so terribly run down that it was scheduled to be demolished. Thankfully the conservationists put pressure on Washington, and the government sought the advice of architect Chloethiel Woodard. Her suggestion was to establish a museum dedicated to the building arts. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. It took over a decade but in 1980, by an act of Congress, the museum was created as a private, non-profit institution. Meigs' Old Red Barn officially became the National Building Museum.

It is a museum of architecture, design, engineering, construction, and urban planning. Some displays are permanent such as Washington: Symbol and City, an overview of her monuments, and neighborhoods. Of course there are many temporary exhibits, hands on displays, and the large area in the Great Hall even accomodated an Amish barn raising. On one visit I saw a miniature version of the White House (our President's home while in office). Looking through the windows you could see more of the White House than you see on the tours of the actual residence, and it was complete with furniture, electricity, thumb nail size tv's, and rose garden. This is the ultimate dream of any doll house enthusiast. Sorry, this does not come in a boxed kit sold in the museum book/gift shop.

The National Building Museum is one on my favorite places to visit when in DC. If you get hungry and you haven't finished looking around, don't worry, there is a cafe at the end of the building on the main floor where you can grab a bite to eat, sit down at a table, and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings while you renew your energy and relax your feet. For me it is always an ethereal experience.



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photo credits:
1.wikipedia
2.wikipedia
3.www.nbm.org
4.www.fotopedia.com by jesnik
5.oops - lost credit
6.www.nbm.org
7.mine
8.www.nbm.org
9.www.nbm.org

America - 234 years young - July 4, 2010

There are different ideas concerning the direction America should be headed. Some want to proceed along the path that the President is leading, others fear that path is hurting us and will lead to continued breakdown of our country. These two ideologies represent such opposing beliefs that many compromises would be seen as detrimental to either cause.

Despite the differences in the vision for America, and the consternation that is felt by many, most of the citizens throughout our fifty states celebrate our nations 234th birthday. America, Happy Birthday!



God Bless the USA - Lee Greenwood




Boston Pops - musical show prior to fireworks




New York, New York, 2008