Category: books

Maryland and DC

Last week, Jeff and I did something we’ve never done before. We dropped the kids off with friends and drove out to Maryland to see his parents for a few days. It was our 15th Anniversary on Wednesday and their Anniversary on Thursday.  They have been serving in the Maryland Baltimore mission since last Spring and we finally made it out to see them. Part of the fun was surprising Jeff’s Mom. She had no idea we were coming. After the 11.5 hour drive, we took it easy the evening of our arrival. But the next day Jeff and I took the MARC train into DC and went to everything we could manage in a day. Here are a few highlights (mouse over the pictures for location):
Capitol Building

A beautiful building, for sure.  I was not as impressed by the huge luxury vehicles various politicians were getting out of and their self-important air.  Nor was I impressed by the Presidential motorcade we saw three times, stopping traffic with the multiple police escorts and more large vehicles surrounding their 2 or 3 limousines.  Give me a break!

Lincoln Memorial

We got to DC pretty early, before most museums were open, so we walked from the train all the way down to the Lincoln Memorial.  It was a beautiful, cool morning.  That afternoon when it warmed up, we were glad we’d made the long trek early on.  It was worth it.

Vietnam Memorial & Washington Monument

We didn’t go up into the Washington Monument, but enjoyed the various war memorials in the area surrounding it.

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Night at the Museum, anyone?  We also visited the American History museum, but somehow didn’t end up with any pictures worth posting.  My favorite exhibit there was the actual flag that flew over Ft. McHenry that inspired The Star Spangled Banner.

Real bird in a fake tree

This was in a sculpture garden.  The bird doesn’t seem to mind at all that the tree is made of metal.

National Archives

We saw the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence.  The constitution is huge.  I guess I never realized it was written on such big paper!  And the men had such beautiful handwriting!!  The document is in surprisingly good condition.  Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about the others.  They are so faded that the names are completely unreadable.

Monet (museum of art)

At the museum of art, we saw several Picasso’s, Monet’s (like this one), Renoir’s, Van Gogh’s, etc.  Many of the pieces were so beautiful.  Others resembled things my kids have brought home from elementary school art class.  What do I know!?

After a long day in the city, we walked back to the train.  We were lucky enough to catch an express and I was even luckier to be sitting next to a man who, in telling me about his son, said, “He’s about your age, 25? 26?”  I laughed and told him I’m 39.  He leaned over later in the ride and said, “You’re not really 39 are you?”  Considering the fact that I felt more like I was 60 after walking all day in flip flops (don’t ask), I was happy to have found a new best friend.  Ha!!

Overall, it was a great day.  We slept great that night, air mattress and all.  More to come.

6,477,923

blue eyesThat’s how many words Spencer read this year.  In fact, he read the most of anyone in the school district and was recognized at the board meeting tonight.  Our schools participate in the Reading Counts program and Spencer had 1,430 points!!  If you want to get technical, he actually had 1,443 points (and a few more words) but he selected the wrong author on one test and inadvertently took the test for a retelling of Treasure Island worth 4 points instead of the original book which was worth 17.  In all, he read 75 books, and these are books like the Harry Potter series, the Redwall books, Fablehaven, and the Chronicles of Narnia, to name a few.  Not exactly quick reads!

Fifth grade wasn’t very challenging so Spencer would usually come home from school homework free and climb into his “comfy place” on the couch.  Some days he’d read for hours, always tuning out the world around him.  He definitely inherited his Grandpa’s love of reading.  Way to go, Spencer!

I’m sure Spencer would be up for some recommendations since he’s read everything in our house (at least once) and then some.  Reading is obviously his favorite pastime and we’ve got the whole Summer ahead of us…

Book Recommendation

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I just wanted to give a thumbs up to this book.  I didn’t want it to end.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

Here’s a description of the book from Goodreads:

January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb.

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society–born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island–boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.

Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.

Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is one of the most delightful books I’ve read. I will admit that about 12 pages from the end, I peeked at the last page because I just couldn’t stand it anymore and had to know what was going to happen. I loved the way it was written, as a series of letters, and find myself wanting to be witty and charming and take up letter writing myself. Loved it!

View all my reviews.