The List

Hello,

Because I do not work today, right after Leroy left, I made my usual to do list. There is such satisfaction in crossing off items so I feel that I have accomplished something. Instead of working on items on  the list I saw dust on a stand in the living room. When I got out the swishy duster it seemed that more and more dust exposed itself. From there I tackled almost everything in the apartment. After dusting like that I needed to vacuum. After all, where does the dust go? I really do not see so much clinging to this duster so it must be in the air or on the floor. Besides I had not vacuumed in a few days. So what is the solution for my great list? After I finished the dusting and vacuuming I wrote them on the last and then crossed them off.

The list is looking quite fine because I did not have such time consuming items on it. Make the bed, make lunch, eat lunch, wash dishes, and brush teeth would happen no matter what else happened. It looks like a very productive day when I look at all of the things crossed off my list.

If I had had a list at work yesterday afternoon/evening I would not have been able to cross off many things. It was Election Day. The polling place is in the library meeting room. Because it was not a major election I felt there would not be such an increase in library business. I was alone and in the seven hours that I worked I dealt with 90 people. Two people wanted library cards while one person needed to have their card updated. I only mention that because they take more time than just checking out books. Then there were at least four patrons who were on a search for books that were specific, but they did not know the name or it was on a specific subject. I should have made a list that had help people, get new cards, say hello, and check out books. Lots would have been crossed off.

Paula

Clarification

Hello,

This is just a short note as I get ready to vote and go to work. I had planned to walk to vote but only made it two blocks before I felt sprinkles. Since it is a mile away I turned around and came back home much disappointed as I had been anticipating a pleasant walk. I am voting, but I do not know much about many of the candidates, sigh, such uninformed voters is not good for the world, but somehow I did not do my home work. Should I choose the nicest sounding name?

I also want to clarify that I did not go back to DC, but just related some of the experiences that we had while there. Somehow it is difficult to write about every interesting thing at the time that it is happening.

Something I believe I did not relate is that we watched their robotic vacuum work. On the second day we heard this motor running in the kitchen without a clue what it was. Stephen had pointed out his new toy so we were not unfamiliar with the appearance. Leroy soon figured out that it was the vacuum doing its job. It was fun to watch it move, bump something, and spin around. There goes the sweepers job.

Paula

In DC

Hello,

Just one last story about DC. We went to a church close to the White House as that would put us in the right territory for our garden tour. As we exited the church the secret service moved in to “sweep the building”. We had a little refreshment after church. Walking back towards the White House to go on that tour we found the street in front of the church blocked. Stephen speculated that Obama was going to attend the later service. We hung around for some time watching as those wanting to participate in the later service went through some security. None of us wanted so badly to see who it was that we were willing to again go to church so we waited and watched as three SUVs drove up and circled around. After a bit a limo did come up, but no one ever got out of it. We wonder if they also stopped at a side door and that is where they entered the building.

I am certainly not skilled at seeing presidents in person.  The closest I have come was in Slovakia. Bush gave a speech there, but I was far enough away that I could not make identification with my eyes and was only able to see him on a screen. It seems to me this hardly qualifies as “seeing” him. Good thing that does not matter much to me.

Tuesday, the 22^nd of October Leroy and I flew into EDT causing us to eat early and go to bed early. Rising time was about what we were used to. On Monday the 29^th of October we flew back to Iowa and CDT meaning that once again we wanted to eat at another time. We still went to bed a bit early. On the 3^rd of November we have once again changed eating and sleeping times as it is now CST. Seems to me we could have planned this a little more efficiently. Oops, I forgot, Sarah did some more drastic changes and I should not even notice an hour swing forward, back, and back. We have both sensed some alternate rhythm to our lives and movements. But we can deal with it. In a week it will be normal, right?

Paula

Back in DC

Hello,

Back in DC we had a nice time even if not quite as exciting as the trip home. Each day we walked Lexi to school. I find that to be a pleasant walk even if she is very concerned about getting there on time. On the walk home many things attracted this girl’s attention, flowers, bugs, people, and beautiful leaves. The leaves were so pretty that we carried quite a few home putting them under the pumpkins on the front stoop. One of these pumpkins they even grew. It was quite bumpy and nice especially sitting on its nest of red maple leaves.

Most days we, or perhaps just Leroy, picked up Natalie. We took her sometimes, but other days Stephen dropped her off on the way to the Metro. All in all it was great to spend time getting to know these girls.

On Saturday a house boat tour was on the docket. These are boats of various sizes that people live on instead of owning a home in town. Many of them commented on the community and how much they liked that. These people have downsized although some did have more things in a storage facility. I could certainly take lessons from them.

Before the boats we got to see Stephen’s new office at Bread for the World. They have a great view of the city from the 12th floor.

At lunch we met Sarah just back from her trip to South Africa. She looked quite fine even though she said, “There was so much turbulence most of the way home that it bothered me.” I thought she was awake and alert for going from time zone to time zone.

Paula

On Saturday in DC

Hello,

We had lunch at the Native American Museum. It was an interesting place to eat. Many or maybe all of the food is from the Native American cultures, both south and north. I had some Quinoa with cauliflower. I found it to be tasty, but I am not sure where the cauliflower was as I never saw it.

The Padres went home while Leroy and I stayed and toured the museum. It was recommended that we start with the theater presentation on the fourth floor. We sat in a circle and there were three projections of separate, but related movies to watch. It was well done. Things above were in the sky and sometimes there were shadows on the lowest level that were perhaps an eagle flying overhead. The film lasted about 20 minutes.

After that we perused the exhibits on that floor. It took quite a while causing even Leroy to stop reading so many things. We also looked at most of the next floor down. By that time we were tired and felt that we could not absorb any more. I would also recommend this museum to anyone who has time while in DC.

After we asked which side of the building we should exit, we found the Metro stop without further difficulty. It is an easy walk. I am not really a big city dweller, but I do like the availability of good public transportation. I also find it interesting that anyone we have asked for help in this city is very accommodating to us. Maybe that is because it is such a tourist spot and they learn how to notice that someone could use some help.

Paula

Back in DC

Hello,

Back in DC we had a nice time even if not quite as exciting as the trip home. Each day we walked Lexi to school. I find that to be a pleasant walk even if she is very concerned about getting there on time. On the walk home many things attracted this girl’s attention, flowers, bugs, people, and beautiful leaves. The leaves were so pretty that we carried quite a few home putting them under the pumpkins on the front stoop. One of these pumpkins they even grew. It was quite bumpy and nice especially sitting on its nest of red maple leaves.

Most days we, or perhaps just Leroy, picked up Natalie. We took her sometimes, but other days Stephen dropped her off on the way to the Metro. All in all it was great to spend time getting to know these girls.

On Saturday a house boat tour was on the docket. These are boats of various sizes that people live on instead of owning a home in town. Many of them commented on the community and how much they liked that. These people have downsized although some did have more things in a storage facility. I could certainly take lessons from them.

Before the boats we got to see Stephen’s new office at Bread for the World. They have a great view of the city from the 12th floor.

At lunch we met Sarah just back from her trip to South Africa. She looked quite fine even though she said, “There was so much turbulence most of the way home that it bothered me.” I thought she was awake and alert for going from time zone to time zone.

Paula

Long Day

Hello,

I had been thinking that I left Detroit at 2:30, but it was really 3:40. Even with the time zone change I did not have so very much time to get home and then go to work. We had planned on using the buses, but I would have just missed it so once again I called our landlady and “begged” for a ride. She said that we have done so much for them that she was happy to return a favor.

Just fifteen minutes before my co-worker had to leave; I arrived to take on library duty. It was great to be there. Somehow it seemed that I had been away longer than a week.

My work was over at 8:00, but Leroy’s plane would not land until 8:50. Because the airport is on the way home, I stayed at the library and looked at my personal email, Facebook, etc. I pulled into the cell phone lot to find that I was the only one there. By 9:00 one other car showed up and about five minutes later Leroy called me. Other people were waiting, but they just parked in front of the building.

This flight was not full with a only bit more than half of the seats taken. Leroy said that the voucher for the evening meal was bigger than the one he had gotten for lunch. He was able to spend it all and feel satisfied with what he got.

He tells me that he was lonely after I left. I unfortunately took one of the magazines with me as I had it in hand. So he was soon out of reading material. Walking is not so easy when he had to carry his bag with him, but he managed.

It was a long day as we had gotten up at 4:00 am EDT and the day was over at 10:00 pm CDT. But all in all it was not a bad day, after all, we earned more money than we have ever done before in one day. Now can we make that best use of those airfare vouchers? I certainly hope so. Miriam tells us that we can spend all the money if we take enough trips, but Leroy cannot put his two vouchers together on any trip.

Paula