WEEKLY HAPPENINGS FROM MONDAY 12/2/24 TO SUNDAY, 12-8-24

With thanks once again to family, friends and blogging friends for encouraging me to keep writing these journals. Here is this week's catch up and happenings. There is a bit of history in this one because of husband and son's trip to Arlington and The Museum of American History, and these sent me on a curiosity journey about the things they saw.

(This is part of Arlington National Cemetary where it overlooks the Pentagon. You can see the light colored building in the top center of the photo.)

 

Monday, 12/2/24: Our son needed to be in Washington DC. As he often does, he called his Dad and asked if he would like to go along. They left earlier than they needed to, after son suggested they visit his grandparents at Arlington first, as he knew his dad had been talking about it. They picked up flowers on the way.

This is where Major Walter Reed rests. You can read his biography here. He was the lead researcher who confirmed the theory of Cuban doctor Carlos Finlay's discovery that yellow fever is transmitted by a particular type of mosquito species rather than direct contact. The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, was named after him.

A memorial for the crew of the Apollo 1. I was curious about the latin phrase and found "Ad astra per aspera" translates to "A rough road leads to the stars."

They also try to take in a museum when they get together in DC if there is time. These photos were taken by our son at The Museum of American History. The above photo show the shoes Fred Rogers wore in his children's show Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. My son and I used to watch this together when he was young. It was wholesome and educational. We found out later that this show was also my dear daughter-in-law's favorite.

We also watched Sesame Street together, another great show. In the photo above the original Cookie Monster is shown, from 1969. A little raggedy looking. Maybe it would fall apart if they gave it a good cleaning? All joking aside, I am sure it has been cleaned. Next is the original Grover before he became blue, also 1969.

Getting away from children's shows and onto a more serious topic, in the following you can see the stovepipe hat that belonged to Abraham Lincoln. I found very interesting information on it. For instance, it was purchased from J. Y. Davis, a Washington hat maker. The maker's label is stitched into the crown. Lincoln added a black silk mourning band to the hat after his son Willie passed away in 1862. 

After his assassination, the War Department preserved the hat and other items left at Ford's Theatre. It was Mary Lincoln, his wife, who gave her permission for the War Department to give the hat to the Patent Office, which then transferred it to the Smithsonian in 1867. The Smithsonian's secretary, Joseph Henry, ordered the hat not to be exhibited because of the excitement at the time. It remained in storage until 1893, when it was lent to an exhibit at the Lincoln Memorial Assocation. It is now on permanent display at the Smithsonian. Lincoln was known for wearing a stovepipe hat, a traditional seven or eight-inch hat. His version of the hat was often battered, which may have been an intentional choice to suit his frontier image. I thoroughly enjoyed finding all this information, and am thankful technology has come so far that with a few steps we can open up a whole library of knowledge. 

Above is a photo taken in February 1865. There is an earlier photo of him (below) as a very young man (right photo) which you can see at this link. 

There was some doubt of its authenticity, but the article gives a strong case that it is him. If you go to its page, you will be greeted with a lot of advertisements unfortunately, but the photo is very interesting. Is it him or not? I am not sure. I looked at the eyes in both pictures, they seemed very similar. The photo below was taken in 1860. As you can see, he was once beardless. He grew one largely due to a letter from an 11-year old girl called Grace Bedell, who wrote to him during his 1860 presidential campaign, suggesting he grow a beard to improve his appearance and potentially win more votes. While Lincoln didn't immediately take this idea seriously, he eventually decided to grow a full beard after receiving her letter, and even made a point to meet Grace in person when he traveled through her hometown of Westfield, New York, on his way to his inauguration.

You will have to forgive me if I am going on a bit here. I have always had a great interest in history. In fact, when I first met my dear other half, I was taking history classes for fun.

Added note at 5.21 p.m. on 12-10-24: a lovely surprise, as after reading my blog post, Linda who hosts "Days to Remember", shared this wonderful photo she took, a statue of Abraham Lincoln meeting Grace Bedell in Westfield, NY. Linda said I could share it here when I asked. She also gave me a link you can see here to the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau where there is another photo. You can see what she said in the comment section and I am very thankful she sent her photo to my email. Thanks again Linda! It's a beautiful photo!

As for me, my day was not as interesting, but it was very nice all the same. The time always seems to go quickly. I watched an episode of a show on Netflix called Silo, but it was way too dark, literally and figuratively. I am not criticizing it because I recognized that the acting is excellent, but I won't be watching another episode. I don't mind sci-fi if I find a show I like. It's just not my cup of tea. I did laundry and that's not very exciting either, but I find it an enjoyable task. I was watching Silo when I folded everything up. I cleaned inside the fridge, same thing, not exciting but so nice to see it sparkle.

I am aware of my knee today and it is uncomfortable if I am up on it for too long, but there is no pain and that's a big plus.

Tuesday, 1/3/24: First thing we drove over to our Bahn Mi place, 'Bahn Mi DC'. An old story told before, but to refresh Gregg discovered it after driving home when he worked in Washington DC many years ago. It was always about a two-hour commute home with rush hour traffic, and it was a halfway stop which suited him to get out of the car and stretch. He was usually as hungry as all get-out, as many times he had no time for lunch. He had already been introduced to Vietnamese food by a work colleague and when he saw this place, he was very curious that first time. He passed it many times without stopping.

The place can be seen through the car window above (lefthand photo). We always have a car picnic afterwards.  You sometimes have to watch out for those hot peppers, but they can be very mild also, though I enjoy a bit more heat.

I have mentioned this before I know, but we have been driving here once a month for the last 30 plus years, ever since we moved here from California. It is a bit of a drive but has been on our rotation of places we go to, and it has never failed us. The rolls/baguettes they use are baked on the premises daily. These baguettes are a leftover from the French colonization in Vietnam during the mid-19th century up until 1954. (You can also buy a package of baguettes in the store.) There is an interesting history of the sandwich at this link. There are pop-up advertisements on this site. Also interesting, a history of the time when the French were in Indochina here in PDF form.

(I am not the only one who likes to take photos!)

I always ask Gregg to park facing the shop as I like to see who is coming and going. The fire station is next door, and six young firemen came out, all carrying their bags, and making their way back to the fire station.

We always order the meatball sub which is ground pork, nothing like the Italian meatball submarine sandwich as the seasonings are different even in the meat mix, and the veggies are very lightly pickled. You can take a look at this link which is on Yelp, and now an actual link to their homepage.

There is no seating inside and that's why we always have a car picnic. If we have too many crumbs then we use our mini vac when we get home and give it a once over. 

No breakfast as wanted to have a good appetite for what is truly Gregg's favorite sandwich ever. 100% he just said when I read that last statement to him. He enjoys reading all your comments by the way and  is now looking at the shoe recommends you have given. Thank you again for that, always very much appreciated. He is as bound and determined to get me a good walking shoe, as I am.

2.53 p.m. My dear other half has just gone off to Wegman's with this week's shopping list I put together. For a change I am adding a photo showing you what he picked up. I always enjoy it when others put their grocery shopping on their blogs. It gives me ideas.

After our busy time in the kitchen last week, we're not rushing to make new recipes. It will be easy fixings for a couple of days. For instance, I checked the freezer and we still have Trader Joe's shepherd's pies in there. 

We will have them for dinner. Frozen meals have come a long way. They are easy and tasty.  

Dinner: yes, it was TJ's shepherd's pies, along with a nice mixed green salad.

Snack: a crispy McIntosh apple. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed them as it's been a while.  This is also Gregg’s favorite apple.

Wednesday, 1/4/24: a slow start to the day. We both slept in. It is cold outside at 42 degrees. I am getting very comfortable being a hermit, even more so in the winter months.

Gregg's jaunt today was going to CostCo this afternoon and bought home what? I don’t remember one thing, except for that big bag of the popcorn we like. 

Earlier: 

Breakfast: I was downstairs by 6.00 and woke up hungry. Did not want to fuss so just popped a slice of rye in the toaster and had a small glass of orange juice.

Lunch: Gregg fixed cheeseburgers on toasted rye bread. He bought a loaf yesterday.  Having them on rye was a new adventure (we forgot to buy hamburger rolls). We have discovered rye is one of the breads we can have. It has been a long time since we tried this type of bread. Surprisingly good with our meal. He makes great cheeseburgers, just wasn’t sure about using rye bread. There will be no hesitation next time.

Dinner: Scrambled eggs and a few slices of steak leftover in the fridge, again put together by my dear other half and no fussing. Excellent! 

Snack today, at two different times: a small banana and 1/4 cup of plain yogurt (mid-afternoon). 

Also, a bowl of our healthy popcorn (early mid evening). We are being good, at least most of the time!  

Heading to put the kettle on for a hot cup of tea. It's chilly in the house and I am enjoying the beautifully crocheted throw-wrap my sweet daughter in-law made for me.

Even though I have to be careful with my knee, I noticed I was getting around better today. I can’t wait to get outside and do some serious walking. I would have to wrap up really well if it is cold like this. I am a wimp with the cold. I keep thinking of Huntley Meadows, I miss that place.  It is a great goal to look forward to.

Not much going on outside with the birds, a few squirrels, a Carolina Wren and a few Grey-slated juncos. I always notice a difference when we try a particular birdseed. Any recommendations? It is okay, not as popular as the bag of no mess sunflowers kernels I buy, but they eat that so fast. 

Thursday, 12/5/24 - 6:06 p.m: supper has been served but first:

Breakfast: Weetabix and the usual fixings. 

Lunch: no lunch as we decided to fix another favorite, our cheesy vegetable and corn chowder. I started peeling and cutting up veggies at noon and munched on a few carrot sticks while preparing them. I posted the recipe at this link. It was definitely a fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants day. Gregg was at the stove and I was reading out instructions from my usual spot at the kitchen table, with us both preparing the ingredients first. The vegetables were cooked in the stock I made just before Thanksgiving and what was left was frozen. It was easy enough to take it out of the freezer and put into our soup pot. It thawed out on a low heat in no time as we were getting the other ingredients prepared. He had to add 4 cups of milk to make the cheese sauce (we often make a double batch so that we can freeze portions for another day), but we only had enough to get to almost 2 cups. I ended up giving him the last of my almond milk with a few reservations. I suggested we make the rest up by adding the broth out of the pot that contained the vegetables. That fixed the problem. Also wondering if using homemade chicken stock made a difference. We had eaten our bowl of soup and pronounced it better than ever. When I saw the 2 cans of cream-style corn on the counter, unopened, I rolled my eyes. They were supposed to go into the pot just before serving, a normally loved addition but we didn’t miss it at all. With the other additions it made a great tasting soup. Wouldn’t hesitate to do it this way again even though it is called cheesy vegetable and corn chowder. 

Dinner: Soup!

Gregg's shopping trip today took him to the Asian grocery store. He loves looking around that place.

Lots of wonderfully fresh produce and Sriracha Hot Sauce below. We already have some in the fridge. He likes taking photos as much as I do.

He bought Thai basil leaves, green onions, green leafy lettuce, pork chops and some pre-cooked noodles.  They are a lot more reasonably priced than our regular supermarkets.

No sports on tonight. No TV on today at all. We are both more into reading this evening, and for me reading and blogging.  

Friday, 12/6/24:

Breakfast: same as yesterday, Weetabix with all the fixings.

We were out mid day and can I say yay? I was eager to get out. I bundled up as it was bitterly cold with more biting wind. We needed milk and my almond milk, so Gregg asked if I would like to go to Wegman’s. To celebrate the break in my hermitage, he said I should pick out flowers. 

I chose a small seasonal vase which is on the kitchen table. 

I also picked up a birthday card that I need to send out this week, and I think I ought to get going on the Christmas Cards as I am way behind, especially for the overseas ones. 

We looked vicariously at all the cakes in the bakery, and these apples. Very tempting but we are not ready to buy for the 25th yet.

These yummy looking apples actually come from our northern neighbors in Canada by the way.

“Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread and pumpkin pie.”

~Jim Davis~

"You know when you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake."

~Bob Hope~

"I don't like a too perfect cake. You want it to look like it came from your kitchen and not the cake case in your bakery aisle."

~Claire Saffitz~

"Stressed" spelled backwards is "desserts". Coincidence? I think not!"

~Author Unknown~

They really do a great job and it was fun to just look at all of the designs, and of course I took a few photos. 

Other things on the shopping list were eggs, a couple of McIntosh apples, rye bread, two Ciabatta rolls to go with our soup for dinner, tomatoes and this.

I saw a recipe where they added a little to scrambled eggs and I knew Gregg would be intrigued. He makes great scrambled eggs which we will be having in the morning for breakfast. We always eat a slightly bigger breakfast on a Saturday, usually nearer noon. The rest of the cheese we can use for things like stuffing pieces of celery. It is only a small container. 

I like to look around where they sell all the plates and seasonal crockery, just for browsing, and by this time I was using the small cart to prop me up. I sat down on one of the benches near the cashiers, and waited for my dear to check out. Not too many people so he was fast. 

We heard from the physiotherapist's office, and I have my first appointment in the beginning of January. I will be going once a week for 12 weeks. A nice young lady set all of them up on the phone. I was surprised they did that for the full 12 weeks, instead of doing them as we go. I guess they get very busy and don't want to break the week to week sessions.

Dinner was our veggie chowder, and we also ate the ciabatta roll.

We had our first Christmas card today from across the pond, one of my cousins and her husband. They always send pretty cards, and I have been getting them every year for the last 49 years. I always enjoy them. It is the first one on the mantle, next to Bobby Bulldog and Winston Churchill Bulldog. These were gifts from my son many years ago.

The sun was casting a pretty shadow on John Bull Bulldog, also a gift from my son. I got them individually one year on Mother's Day, my birthday and Christmas. I have shared them on here before but not for a long time.

I came up to bed early as I was dropping off to sleep sitting up.

Saturday, 12-7-24: 

Breakfast: Weetabix and usual fixings.

Lunch and Dinner was combined: Gregg made a pasta sauce and we had it with cheese tortellini and a cucumber salad.  

It was a quiet day and I can't really remember what all we did. I do remember a beautiful sunset. We took a couple of photos and then great minds thinking alike, our son sent several that he had taken. I'll share them sometime.

He and our daughter-in-law were out having a coffee and pastry at their favorite spot, and he sent us a photo of this cute scene at the table next to them. I had never seen a water dish quite like this portable one. Very clever! Sweet doggie was having a quiet snooze as you can see.

Sunday, 12-8-24 at 4-27 p.m: son came over early. 

Breakfast: Coffee and lemon-poppyseed muffin, courtesy of son. Thanks son!

Lunch: I fixed poached eggs on toast, a favorite with my two lovelies. We had avocado also, and orange juice.

Dinner: Gregg fancied a trip to McDonalds for a cheeseburger. He didn't have to twist my arm.

Our son leaves anywhere between 11 and 12 on Sundays, depending on when he picks up our daughter-in-law. He entertains us with his week and with people he has met.  Nothing personal or confidential, just delightful stories. Like his dad he is definitely a people person and knows no strangers.

We drove over to McDonalds and drove back, that was our day.

A lot of talk about food in these daily happenings, but when I start bungee jumping, it will be a little more exciting. Yes, I jest, I would not bungee jump in a million years, not even when I was young. I don’t even cartwheel except in my head. These two cardinals are in shock at the very thought.

I need to thank my dear husband who encourages me to do these. He enjoys reading my blog at the end of each day, and reading your comments is part of that.

If you have read through this giant missive through to the end, I am impressed beyond words, thank you! If you have skipped most of it, I truly don't expect you to read everything and thank you! It's just fun for us to keep in touch with family and friends, let them know what's been going on in our world, plus we can read back on our daily happenings sometime down the road, and enjoy even when it's very mundane. I much appreciate you coming along. 

Have a great week everyone.