Weekend in Boston

"Boston commands attention as the town which was appointed in the destiny of nations to lead the civilization of North America." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Faneuil Hall

Paul Revere’s House

Old North Church

San Antonio

April 16, 2018 (106/365) 

"Remember the Alamo!" ...and the Riverwalk, the ducks, the flowers, the margarita…

Honor

November 11, 2017 (315/365)

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.” - President Harry S. Truman

Since 2005, the Honor Flight Network has flown America's veterans to Washington D.C. where they visit the memorials to the wars in which they served. Last weekend, Lisa's dad, a Marine in Vietnam, was on the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. It was my privilege to write a letter thanking Paul for his brave service to our country. I have always wished that my dad, who served in the Navy during World War II, could have enjoyed this honor too. Thanks to Lisa’s dad and sister, who took my dad's dog tags along with them, that wish came true last Saturday. On this Veteran's Day, I am so grateful to Paul and Paula for sharing their special day with me and my family. And I humbly thank all of our veterans who have bravely served our country. 

Photos above taken by Paula Sockett or used via Creative Commons license. All photos edited by me.

French Friday: Le Pont Neuf

le vendredi 13 octobre 2017 (286/365)

« La vie est un pont, traverse-le, mais n'y fixe pas ta demeure. » - Sainte Catherine de Sienne 

Despite its name, Le Pont Neuf ("The New Bridge") is Paris' oldest bridge. It was named Pont Neuf to distinguish it from the older wooden bridges lined with houses that crossed the Seine in the 16th century. Henri III laid the first stone on May 31, 1578 and the bridge was inaugurated in 1607. The Pont Neuf spans the Seine in two sections, one of five arches joining the Left Bank to the Île de la Cité, another of seven joining the island to the Right Bank.  Along the top of the structure, there are 381 stone mascarons, each representing forest and field divinities, satyrs, and sylvains from ancient mythology. I think they are appropriately spooky for today's vendredi treize post!

French Friday: Saint-Jean-de-Luz

August 25, 2017 (237/365)

« Un Basque n'est ni Français, ni Espagnol ; il est basque et c'est tout. » - Victor Hugo

Saint-Jean-de-Luz, on the Atlantic coast of France just a few kilometers from the Spanish border, is an enchanting town with a rich Basque culture and a history that includes whaling, pirates, and a royal wedding (King Louis XIV to María Teresa, the Infanta of Spain in 1600). 

100

July 11, 2017 (192/365)  In 1917, the United States declared war on Germany and entered into "the Great War" (WWI), the Virgin Mary appeared to the children at Fatima (The Miracle of the Sun), the Russian Revolution began and ended, and on July 11th, Bertine Larson Moore was born in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

To put things in greater perspective:

• The average US wage was 22¢ per hour and the average yearly income was $368.

• Two out of every ten adults couldn't read or write.

• Only 6% of Americans graduated high school.

• The average US home cost $3200 and the average monthly rent was $25.

• Sugar cost 4¢ per pound, eggs were 14¢ a dozen, and a quart of milk was 9¢.

• Only 14% of American homes had a bathtub and only 8% had a telephone.

• The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph and gasoline was sold in drug stores.

• The world’s tallest structure was the Eiffel Tower.

• The American flag had 45 stars.

• The #1 song of the year was "Over There" and the top-grossing film was Cleopatra.

Happy 100th Birthday, Aunt Bertine! We love you!