This was the home of the National Women's Party where for decades the advocacy for the right to vote for women was the central focus. This home is in sight of the Capital and the Supreme Court. This is a new National Monument and they are still in the process of exploring how it will be displayed but the NWP had already used some of it for a museum so that portion remains until the NPS moves forward. The house is only open on Saturday and Sunday and has no parking.
A Harvest Story: The Man (two photos) /
What an interesting fellow. Tiny is 78 and been on the water for 58 years. He is captain, first mate, navigator, salesman, maintenance crew, janitor, fisherman and cook (and I am sure a few more titles). He is agile, talkative, hard working, nearly toothless, generous with his time and loves what he does. What he does is get to the pier about 3:30 AM and head out to the traps, harvest, rebait, eat lunch (often a soup) in the small cab of his boat, and return to unload the day's catch. He then cleans up the deck - visits with the other fisherman and workers and then back home to start again. He occasionally races the boat against other similar vessels - and if you are available this Sunday, you can watch!. I so enjoyed my short visit with him that I hope to see him again sometime, maybe even at 3;30 AM, who knows he might need a deckhand for one morning.
The Linda J, cleaned, refueled and ready for the next mornings work.
A Harvest Story: the Goal /
At least for the fisherman! I do not think the crab longed to be a part of an exotic dinner plate. Crabs are unloaded into shallow tanks with water coursing through the tanks. Buyers were waiting so no photos of the crabs in the tanks by the time we got there, 45 minutes - gone. A few were set aside for the steamer (bottom photo) where the crabs were prepared before delivery. Large cylinders with porous sides were lifted by a small crane into the water.
A Harvest Story: Secure (two photos) /
Tiny's boat, the Linda J, drifts the last couple of feet, with no wasted effort to put it right where he wants it. Lots of practice. Tiny told me he repaints the name of the boat every 2 or 3 years but the name came with the boat, his dad had already named it. The boat was barely tied up and he was up cleaning the decks.
Nice lines
A Harvest Story (two photos) /
This harvest is not pumpkins and corn but seafood. If you like dishes like the one below, you really need Tiny Firth. He has been crabbing and oyster dredging for 58 years in the boat his daddy had built in the late 1940's for $800 in Deltaville, VA. Here he is arriving at his docking space after unloading the early morning catch.
You don't get to eat this dish without someone like Tiny getting up at 3AM and heading 6 miles out to get the days catch.
Perspective /
This platform in the middle of the woods at the NC Museum of Art is supposed to let you see several other people on installations across the area. In the summer, not so much. What do you not see that is there?
“He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; he brings light to the deepest gloom." Job 12:12 NLT
Whirligig /
Vollis Simpson was a NC artist who created this fanciful whirligigs out of cast off parts. This one is 30 feet high and 20 feet across and everything moves at the least breeze. Each time I was ready to make a photo, it shifted again. There are lots of these in his home town and a theme park in central NC is being built by an ex-Disney designer with whirligigs as the basis.
Korean War Memorial /
If these men look cold, wet and tired, the sculptor did a great job. It was. Korea was not a "war" only in the narrowest of meaning. It is also not really over, a nearly 70 year truce may be unraveling. Any "next" war will be very different in many ways but the soldiers will still need to be there and will be cold, wet and tired.
Modern Times (two photos) /
Obviously this is one of the most recognized homes in the world, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. But much is different than on my first visits here as an adult in circa 1967 or 68. You can see several of those changes in this photo. And more clearly on the second one. You cannot today even approach the fence as they have a second one, nor walk on the street than runs on the back side. The fence is more secure, the gates bigger, the road in front is pedestrian only today, no cars, many more guards and security and note the roof.
More telling is being here on 9/11, note the flag at half mast.
There were at least four people on the roof with rifles and scopes
Maybe Two /
So this is General Pershing ensconced at Pershing Park across the street from the Willard Hotel. Pershing was in charge of the United States forces (AEF) in WWI. This is the second possible location for the US WWI memorial. They have had the commission to erect the monument since 1920, yes, nearly 100 years and still arguing. This site also qualifies for the NPS side of the photos because it is one of the scores of pocket parks in DC that fall under the National Park Service.
Your vote doesn't count but go ahead anyway!
Sorrow & Suffering /
October 1 in Las Vegas is another too sad reminder that evil and hatred are a part of the fabric of many lives and it has been that way since Cain and Abel. We may appear to be well-mannered and safely enmeshed in a complex civilization that mutes the terror of evil but the unthinkable is not far below the veneer of culture. I mourn for the thousands whose lives were forever altered yesterday: the dead, the wounded, their families and friends, the traumatized, the community and the responders who know best how frail life is and how thin is the veil that allows us to function.
I choose to trust. I choose to hope. I choose the one avenue that actually changes that trajectory. In Him life is different.
A cross in one of the smaller cemeteries in Colonial Williamsburg
Maybe (2 photos) /
So, this is the Washington DC memorial to the soldiers of WWI, erected shortly after the war. Is is located on the Mall not too far from the Vietnam Memorial. The difference is that it MIGHT be the US monument to WWI or at least the counterpoint of the same but the commission cannot make a decision. So for today, MAYBE. (It is on the Mall, so it does qualify for inclusion on this page.) Stay tuned tomorrow for yet more options!
The Silversmith /
This is Paul Revere's house in Boston. It is a part of the Boston National Historical Park that includes several sites. Admission to the house is charged and it is privately owned. The cost is nominal but we did not tour it because we were already short on time to see the various places. Cindy and I did go through this house decades ago, (Paul had moved out). I recall thinking it was not too authentic. So I waited for several minutes but could not get a short without people walking past so here we are... not a good shot but it is the place!
Silent Sunday Mill /
One of the more photographed sites, perhaps THE most photographed site on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It would have been a beehive of activity for generations but not on Sunday.
"You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 14but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work." Deuteronomy 5:13, 14 NLT
Cloudy Background /
Ben't Old Fort, while designed for protection, was never a fort but a trading post. It was the largest structure in the US between St. Louis and San Francisco for many years. The post was a very lucrative business that maintained peace for all parties for years. It was also renowned for its pool table brought here at great cost and effort.
Most Unique /
This monument at Moore's Creek National Monument near Wilmington, NC is unusual. It is to honor the women who attended to the soldiers after the battle. One woman is mentioned on the statue and she are her husband are buried here, but it is for all those who tended to the wounded at volunteers to serve. This lady, here called Polly, was but 16 at the time of the battle. It is, according to the ranger, likely they got her first name incorrect. But it may have been a nickname.
The Drum Fisherman /
He has a lawn care business about an hour from this beach and comes here often to fish but prefers the Outer Banks because of fewer people. He was not having a lot of luck this night, got only one big drum and was hoping for 8 or ten to make a "mess of fried fish." Nice guy hope he got his fish before it was too dark but I doubt it that night.
Look Carefully! /
In the midst of the swamp, trees and river is a bridge. It is, or was, THE bridge over Moore's Creek and connected the road to the coast from modern Fayetteville. In 1776 is was the site of a brief battle between Loyalists and Patriots and the Patriot's victory helped the young US toward victory in the Revolution.
Front Porch /
The view from the retreat I lead this weekend, Tough Work.
Space /
The expanse of the mesas cliffs and canyons at Canyonlands National Park are immense.
