4th of July & Philadelphia Streets

Having just returned from a great learning experience in Philadelphia, it was fun then to celebrate the 4th of July. Of the different "Colonial America" places I've been to repeatedly in the East, Colonial Williamsburg is my favorite, followed by Boston (a great walking town. Beacon Hill is my favorite place. I like staying at the Holiday Inn there because it's so close to Massachusetts General Hospital's great cafeteria and then just a short run to the Charles River, where I love to run! The old cobblestone streets and original colonial homes of Beacons Hill is a favorite too).
But in a close 3rd place, comes Philadelphia. This was my 4th trip there and probably my best so far. Carol Berkin, a great history professor from NYC, taught these day-after-day seminars. She is an amazing author if you've read her, and an equally amazing instructor. The new Constitution Center was the classroom. In and of itself, it's a fabulous facility. This blog features one of many (me and Alexander Hamilton, he was small, but what a intellect) of the bronze figures in the Hall of Signers (to the Constitution) and is worthy of the time taken to visit. Also, Society Hill area, near the Holiday Inn on 4th and Arch street where I stayed, (similar to Boston's Beacon Hill) The photos with this blog are of that area.
Be well, do good...

Wyoming Pioneer Trek Just Before Turning 50

(I may have been required to dress in Pioneer garb, but I'm sporting a Perry Ellis hat!)

I just returned from a 4 day history re-enactment along the Oregon/Mormon/California trail in Wyoming. We pulled handcarts in nearly every kind of condition, including SNOW BLIZZARDS on June 11th. The wind was horrific, the days wet and cold, the nights freezing. But this made the experience all the more authentic. I walked on the same trail as did my ancestors 150 (approx.) years ago. My dad's grandmother (the Brady's) fled mob persecution in Nauvoo, Illinois and made that trek first. Dad's great-grandfather (Peter/Peder) left Denmark as a young man on the Forest Monarch ship from Copenhagen/Liverpool/New Orleans, up the Mississippi River and then on foot across that trail a few years later. My Mom's great grandfathers (both Jensen and Holman) likewise left Denmark, on different ships, made their way up the Mississippi and likewise trekked that trail. My wife's Danish ancestors also made that trek. To walk in the footsteps of these remarkable people was not only surreal, but somewhat emotional as well. I'm in awe of their faith and veracity, their courage and strength.

I turned 50 today. My wife and 2 of our kids still living nearby and/or at home had a great little noon cookout for me. The best part of my day(s) is being with them. I found this bookmark I had made a few years ago in my scriptures this morning. I quote from what I had written:

"...I'm sure we have to live in faith, and trust that He knows best for us & has a plan for us, and that this plan is better than the present "here & now". Joy. No anxiety. No pain. No sorrow. No hurt. No angst. Something better than this. But -- if I have to go thru all of this to get to that something better, I'm so glad I have Genia, Brittany, Chelsi, and Kip to go thru it with, together, because they make it bearable, they provide a safe harbor for me. And I'm thankful to God for His giving/sharing them with me." (And I now add "Roger"our son-in-law.)

And so at age 50, that's where I'm at. My faith isn't perfect. I still struggle, I have questions. But I've not thrown in the towel. I find valor in keepin' on keepin' on. My life is good. Rich. And having friends and family, ~be they but a few~ to share with, is icing on this Birthday Boy's cake!
Be well, do good...

Daddy/Daughter Date in DC

Me and my buddy Tommy Jefferson

Eating out at "Windows Over Washington"

Dad and Daughter at Jefferson Memorial

I just returned from a great Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC with one of my daughters. The kids went to DC when they/we were younger, but this particular daughter recently expressed a desire to go back. (In one of her college classes this year she had read "Night", by Eli W. and wanted now to visit the National Holocaust Museum. I had seen it twice in recent years and so offered to take her, tour it with her. As expected, it was a sobering, but a most memorable learning experience.) Additionally, we attended the National Memorial Day Concert on the west steps of the U.S. Capital. It was a great concert!

One of my daughters and I at the PBS Concert

After the concert we were surprised that our subway train had closed. So rather than take a taxi, we opted to walk/see the Memorials along the National Mall at night. The Lincoln Memorial is always spectacular at night, but so too was the new WWII Memorial with its fountains. The long walk back to our hotel in Crystal City took 1.5 hours, but I had been going on runs in this area repeatedly on previous D.C. trips so I knew the way.

I especially enjoyed yet another large city "Parade" exhibit.... Crystal City/Pentagon City area was hosting a fun "Planes on Parade" (like these exhibits I have seen in various cities: Cows on Parade in Kansas City, Salmon on Parade in Anchorage, Buffalo on Parade in Salt Lake City, Pigs on Parade in Cincinnati, Mustangs on Parade in New Mexico, etc.)





The following day we sat curbside at the beginning of the annual National Memorial Day Parade. This too was enjoyable.

We walked then to the impressive Jefferson Memorial, one of my favorite places, and decided to rent a 2-seater paddle boat. We had a "spash"/blast paddling in the Tidal Basin of the Potomac. Returning to the west end of the National Mall we walked the path along the VietNam and Korean War Memorials. Thereafter, we had supper at one of my favorite buffets in DC: George Washington University Hospital Cafeteria, ha ha. It's great food!...and just steps away from the Foggy Bottom subway stop on the Blue/Yellow subway line.) Later that night we subwayed our way up to Chinatown and walked around before returning to our Courtyard by Marriott hotel back near Reagan National Airport. Our room overlooked the Potomac, we had an enjoyable stay there, albeit initially somewhat noisey as thousands of "bikers" were in DC for the Memorial Day weekend, vets honoring those missing in action/prisoners of war(s). The weather was wonderful the entire time. But the best part was being with one of my kids. They grew up all too quickly! This was a rare opportunity to forge memories with her.



I'm glad to be home now, however. It's colder here, the winds blow, and it is not nearly as green as the Atlantic Coast. But it is quiet and peaceful here, and I've a garden to till and plant!
Be well, do good...

Ah, SHIPROCK, what a run!

The Shiprock half-marathon/marathon was a blast. Taken by bus from the small town to Shiprock out to the middle of no where, runners are dropped off at the most amazing place: these ancient rock formations/walls just south of the "Shiprock". My goal was to do the half-marathon, my first, in 2 hours or less. My time was 1 hour, 50 minutes.


My Danish Garden

My Danish stork, "Jord" (yord)

Overlooking the garden with Danish Naval banner

Newly planted...

Summer is finally here!

When I went to Denmark I was amazed at these wonderful garden plots outside of Copenhagen. People ride their bikes there, work in their gardens, rest/eat in their small garden cottages, and cultivate warm-weather plants in their sunken greenhouses. I've replicated this very thing, complete with red/scarlet Lupines, as the Danes have. The south border of my Danish Garden is a hedge of lilac bushes. Taken from starts from all 4 of our grandparent
s homes (Rasmussen, Bodley, Mickelsen, Vandruff), this is their 4th year. This is the 1st year they will bloom. My two weeks in Denmark were in early June when lilacs and lupine were in bloom and rhubarb was being harvested. I've been planting seeds in peat pots for my summer garden. Every year I try new seeds as well as those that have given me success in the past. This year's "new" seeds include a variety of melons. Our growing season is so short here that I'll grow them in the greenhouse. Hopefully the heat will aid their growth to full maturity. I'm excited too by growing, for the first time, all heirloom tomatoes. One, called "Peach" is yellow with peach-fuzz. Also, when I was at Colonial Williamsburg one time, Christmas holiday time, they had these amazing wreaths made from dried flowers. Since then I've grown Cockscomb for that purpose. I first saw this amazing red-scarlet variety at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. I'm looking forward to an early summer harvest of rhubarb. I'll cook/mix it with fruit from the strawberry patch to make this amazing syrup. The Danes do this to serve with Aebleskiver (golfball-sized Danish pancakes that I make). I planted 5 pear trees last summer, knowing that our area is zoned too cold for them but hopeful that they might live. 3 died during the winter and 2 have survived. Joined by 6 producing apple trees, I hope to someday yield a nice pear harvest as well.
On the Lamptable...
....I'm currently reading "Infamous Scribblers" a history about the beginnings of journalism in America during Revolutionary War times. I just finished Cokie Robert's "Founding Mothers", a great read by a really great author/journalist. I've started A Brilliant Solution, as part of the required reading for my fellowship award seminar in Philadelphia this summer. The author, Carol Berkin, will be presenting most of lectures in Philly. I've admired her work as seen on various PBS presentations in the past few years. Awaiting on my lamp table near my bed are my next two reads: "Fire and the Covenant" about the handcart pioneers during their ominous winter trek in the mid 1800's. We'll actually be re-enacting that trek in early June, I'm "Pa" to about 9 kids assigned to our "family". Also to be read is Nathaniel Philbrick's award winning book, "Mayflower". My daughter saw/heard him speak at her college. I've seen him on CSPAN's "Book T.V." program. I've long wanted to read this book!

So I stay busy. Just returned from New York City where my son performed at Carnegie Hall. "Mass of the Children" by John Rutter is an amazing work. I'm seldom moved to tears by music, but this work is unlike anything I've heard, it was simply beautiful. What fun to experience this, watching my son perform. I'm off to D.C. again in a few weeks. My other daughter is coming with me. I'm looking forward to that trip.
Be well, do good...

Training for the Half Marathon

At near 50, I'm training for a half marathon. Yeah, that's right. In about 6 weeks I'll be out on the Navajo Nation Reservation running past Ship Rock (New Mexico). I've ran 10k's before, but this will be my first Half Marathon. The ole' knees aren't what they use to be, but I'm cautious in my training and basically just having a lot of fun!
Also, I started playing the Cello about 4 years ago. The family has been more patient than the family pets: 2 cats simply could not endure the noise I made, they abandoned ship and left us. But I'm actually in a local college Symphony Orchestra now and well, it's the violist next seated next to me that now wants to abandon ship. We're preparing for our Spring Concert and I'm enjoying the experience I'm having as I learn to play (sort of) Hayden, Bach, Vivaldi ,etc.
I reached my goal of seeing all 50 states before I turned 50. Yip! While I enjoyed seeing all 50 I have to say my favorites are the Pacific Northwest. There's just something really nice about Port Angeles, Washington and the Strait of Juan de Fuca that took me to Victoria, British Columbia. That's probably my favorite trip. Oregon, in August, is a close 2nd favorite. I didn't really care too much for the South, in general. And I'm extremely fond of the Chesapeake Bay area simply because I love all the American Revolutionary War history stuff that is there. Jefferson's Monticello, Colonial Williamsburg, and Washington's Mt. Vernon, Boston, New York (both the city as well as the Hudson River Valley and the Adirondacks around Lake George), Vermont, and New Hampshire are all places I've made repeated trips, I've loved returning to those places..........
But the Southwest, where I live, is still where I prefer to stay. The sun shines here nearly everyday of the year. I like that best. Bloom where you are planted......well, yeah. I'm not a flower, but the idiom works.
Be well, do good...