The Professor went to meetings today so I explored the Corcoran Museum

and walked past the White House alone.  Even though there

is no one you know is in the pictures, I hope you will enjoy them.  

In 1983-84 the Professor worked at the office of the US Trade Representative in the Old Executive Office Building. The Professor worked across the street in in the Winder Building.  The ghost lore is that on a quiet night you can
still here Abraham Lincoln pacing the floor waiting for a telegram from the latest battle in the Civil War.  The Winder Building used to be the post office in those days.

Over the years, various myths have grown up around the Civil War history of the Winder Building. Some of these myths were enshrined on the historical marker that was placed on the building in 1950. According to one legend, Lincoln was fond of visiting the Winder Building to read telegraphs carrying war news from the front. However, historic evidence indicates that the Telegraph Office was located in the old War Department building across the street (site of the present-day Eisenhower Executive Office Building), and that the Winder Building did not have any military telegraph wires connected to it. It is also unlikely that Lincoln reviewed military parades from the building’s wrought-iron balcony. 

Next time I am in the area, I will have to look for the historical marker.



The last time that we were in Washington, the Old Executive Office Building or the Eisenhower Executive Office Building was having a face lift.  I definitely approve of what has been done to it.  The building and grounds are beautiful.  

I arrived at the Corcoran Museum several minutes before the museum opened.  I took the opportunity to walk to the "backyard" of the White House.  

I had not been there long when police came to ask everyone to leave the sidewalk and the fence rail.  I have no idea what was going on in the President's backyard, but the street in front of the Corcoran was blocked off.

This photograph of the Washington Monument was taken from the "back" of the White House.

You can see the Washington Monument behind the White House and through the trees.  This shot is from the other side of the building.  August 24th, was the 200th anniversary of the British burning the White House during the War of 1812.

This park across from the White House is Lafayette's Square.  It is part of the White House grounds known as the President's Park. I did not get a picture of the statue of Lafayette because the sun was behind him so he was deep within a shadow.  The one out of 5 statues that I took is of Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau. 

Because of its location across from the White House, it is often the scene of protesters.  When I was there Chinese people were protesting against the selling of human organs in China.  

The Corcoran Museum of Art.  It is closing its doors on September 28th.  The artwork will be distributed to various museums including the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.  

This is the other lion by the doorway.  He looks a little too much like a lion to draw many admirers.  Online almost all of the pictures are of the sad lion.

Nottoway Park and Hunter House

The Professor took me exploring this morning.  We went to Nottoway Park which is only a few minutes from the townhouse.  It is huge with lots of tennis courts and baseball diamonds. There are trails to walk on and a children's play area.  We wondered about the house with a huge parking lot in front.  It is apparently available for receptions and has rooms to stay in on the ground floor.  

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/hprs/hunterhouse.htm

Hunter House at Nottoway Park.  Can be rented for receptions etc. 

Pictures taken Monday, September 1

First Trip on the Metro in 2014

The Professor with the U.S. Air Force memorial behind him.

With the Pentagon in the background

It took us just a little over ten minutes to walk from the townhouse to the Metro entrance.  We went into the Pentagon and at the Metro store there we bought two senior passes and put some money on them.  Of course Dad put both passes in his breast pocket. 

We got some Advil and Crystal Light at Costco and a couple of new make-up brushes at Marshalls.  We finished our trip to the big city by having lunch at the food court at the mall. 

About three we decided it was time to get on the Metro before the prices and the people volume went up at three thirty.  We hurried down the escalator just as the train for the orange line was about to leave Roslyn.  Dad jumped on the train and the doors closed with me still on the platform.  

Of course, my pass was in his pocket.  And he did not have his phone with him.  I had mine. 

Three lines go through there.  Blue, Orange and Silver.  The 11 minutes until the next orange line train came went by at a snail's pace.  Finally it came and I got on.  Still a little worried about connecting with the Professor again. 

For some reason that I don't understand, he got off the train at the next stop.  I assume he was planning to get on the same train that I would be on.  Instead he hopped on a train, only to discover that he was on the Silver Line that now goes to Tyson's Corner.  

He managed to get off before the Orange and Silver tracks split.  And actually got on to the same train I was on.

I came up the escalator from the train in Vienna and was delighted to see the Professor. ( I was worried about being held captive in the Metro.)  On our 15 minute walk back to the town house, I heard about his adventures in taking trains.  He rode on three different ones from Roslyn to Vienna.  I made my trip on one.

So apparently  the two of  us should not be left on our own.  I don't think we had one problem on the metro in Paris.  

Next time has got to be better.  

New Girl in Town

June Elizabeth Neves born August 18th, 2014

at the William Beaumont Medical Center, Fort Bliss, Texas

7 pounds 7 ounces and 18 inches long

This bundled up arm is supporting the stent for the IV.  June figured out how to keep 

her pacifier in with that stiff arm.  

June finally at home with her family after five days in the NICU.