It is difficult to put into words about how quickly I fell in love with the D.C. area. It is one thing to visit an area, enjoy what it has to offer, then leave it - as compared with working in the same area day after day. In Washington, I literally soaked up its history, its magnificent buildings and its beautiful monuments and parks.
Soaking up for me meant spending my lunch times (when not already committed), walking the "K street corridor," or to Pennsylvania Avenue, to gaze at its buildings and enjoy the views from the White House to the Capitol itself. Perhaps it meant a bus ride along Constitution Avenue to see the malls and monuments and people gathering around each of them.
I have two favorite monuments. One is the Lincoln Memorial. I cannot tell you how many times I stood entranced as I read the President's second Inaugural address, and those magic words, "....with malice toward none..." and "to care for him who shall have borne the battle..."
My second favorite memorial is the Vietnam Memorial. It was built while I was working in the District. I didn't know what to expect on my first visit, but when I got there and saw those thousands of names inscribed thereon, all I could do was cry.
I suppose one could say that I am a "history nut." That's why my present-day reading revolves around history - all kinds of history, including my U.W. textbooks!
More, later.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
HOUSE HUNTING
During my second week on the job, I spent time choosing an area in which to find a home. For some reason, Virginia seemed to have the most appeal, so that decision was made. My primary need was to be near public transportation. I had parking privileges in the office building but it was not a "freebie," so I opted for an express bus route into the District where the office was re-locating.
Shortly thereafter, dear wife and I spent our first weekend looking at houses, with the Washington Post as our guide. McLean, Fairfax and Great Falls were the most convenient locales from which to choose.
I spotted an ad for a house in McLean that was in our price range. The house was situated on the back of a three quarter acre lot and fronted with a circular driveway, which caught my eye immediately. It was of one-story construction, with cedar slab siding. Dear wife was not enthused at all. Earlier that day we had seen a beautiful two-story brick Georgian-style house in Great Falls that attracted her, but the price was more that we could afford.
On our way to Harrisburg we discussed the situation. When I said the Great Falls purchase would require her to work to pay the mortgage, she quickly withdrew her interest, but she still showed little interest in the McLean property. We eventually made a successful bid on the McLean house. Later that summer we moved, excited about living in the nation's capitol.
More, later.
Shortly thereafter, dear wife and I spent our first weekend looking at houses, with the Washington Post as our guide. McLean, Fairfax and Great Falls were the most convenient locales from which to choose.
I spotted an ad for a house in McLean that was in our price range. The house was situated on the back of a three quarter acre lot and fronted with a circular driveway, which caught my eye immediately. It was of one-story construction, with cedar slab siding. Dear wife was not enthused at all. Earlier that day we had seen a beautiful two-story brick Georgian-style house in Great Falls that attracted her, but the price was more that we could afford.
On our way to Harrisburg we discussed the situation. When I said the Great Falls purchase would require her to work to pay the mortgage, she quickly withdrew her interest, but she still showed little interest in the McLean property. We eventually made a successful bid on the McLean house. Later that summer we moved, excited about living in the nation's capitol.
More, later.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
WORKING IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL
After arriving in Harrisburg from overseas, dear wife and I adjusted quickly. It was time for me to head for Washington to accomplish two things: one, settle into my new job, and two, familiarize myself with the real estate market.
Late on Monday morning I arrived in the Roslyn, Virginia area, where the office was located. I walked into the reception area wearing a beret that I had bought in Paris, and asked, in a French-accented voice, for Mr. M_____.The receptionist took one look at me, excused herself, and left the area. I could hear her her say to others, "There is a guy wearing a beret, and asking , in French for D____. Shortly he appeared, we had a good laugh, and he took me into the office proper, and introduced me to the staff. The people, about fifteen of them were very friendly, and we got off to a good start, a start that never diminished during the entire time I worked there.
I was then shown to my office. It was quite a bit smaller that the one in Harrisburg, but it had a beautiful view of the Washington Monument!! Wow! I was really happy with my introduction to the D.C. area.
I spent two days in the office and then headed to Harrisburg to assist dear wife in preparing our home for sale.
More, later.
Late on Monday morning I arrived in the Roslyn, Virginia area, where the office was located. I walked into the reception area wearing a beret that I had bought in Paris, and asked, in a French-accented voice, for Mr. M_____.The receptionist took one look at me, excused herself, and left the area. I could hear her her say to others, "There is a guy wearing a beret, and asking , in French for D____. Shortly he appeared, we had a good laugh, and he took me into the office proper, and introduced me to the staff. The people, about fifteen of them were very friendly, and we got off to a good start, a start that never diminished during the entire time I worked there.
I was then shown to my office. It was quite a bit smaller that the one in Harrisburg, but it had a beautiful view of the Washington Monument!! Wow! I was really happy with my introduction to the D.C. area.
I spent two days in the office and then headed to Harrisburg to assist dear wife in preparing our home for sale.
More, later.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
PARIS IN THE SPRING
Our children, who had traveled to Europe with my Aunt Jerrie, urged us to take a similar trip, and by golly, we did.
Paris is my favorite European city. Our headquarters in Paris was the Hotel Madeline. It was close to the Champs Elysees and the Place de la Concorde, so much of our sightseeing was by walking. In addition, sitting in a sidewalk cafe having some cafe au lait and pastry gave us a really cosmopolitan feeling. The only negative aspect to our stay was the hotel charging us for our breakfast orange juice when it was clearly marked as part of what was included in our stay. The cashier wondered aloud why we were "fussing" about such a small charge, and I told her it was the principle of the thing.
Directly across from the hotel was a sandwich and pastry (gorgeous) shop where I first had what has become a favorite sandwich, the corque-monsieur. Believe it or not, I can get the same delicious sandwich in one of our local cafes. Wow!
More, later.
Paris is my favorite European city. Our headquarters in Paris was the Hotel Madeline. It was close to the Champs Elysees and the Place de la Concorde, so much of our sightseeing was by walking. In addition, sitting in a sidewalk cafe having some cafe au lait and pastry gave us a really cosmopolitan feeling. The only negative aspect to our stay was the hotel charging us for our breakfast orange juice when it was clearly marked as part of what was included in our stay. The cashier wondered aloud why we were "fussing" about such a small charge, and I told her it was the principle of the thing.
Directly across from the hotel was a sandwich and pastry (gorgeous) shop where I first had what has become a favorite sandwich, the corque-monsieur. Believe it or not, I can get the same delicious sandwich in one of our local cafes. Wow!
More, later.
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