Clinton Library

We are three sisters that did NOT vote for Bill Clinton.  But we had a great time at the Clinton Museum when Carol went down there for a meeting with her fellow GT teachers.

I'm someone who hates to admit that I often finds museums boring, but I found this museum fascinating as a review of the history, and now I aspire to visit all the presidential libraries.

They had a special exhibit called "Washed Ashore" with art created from plastic collected from the seashore in the Pacific Northwest.  I cannot imagine the diligence, talent and skill required to collect the pieces, organize them and then envision these wonderful creations.  

We ate lunch at "42" with a high school friend of one of Carol's colleagues who was actually the scheduler for Bill Clinton when he was in the White House.  I really enjoyed hearing her stories.  And the food was fantastic!

At first we didn't want to pay to have our photo taken in the Oval Office Replica, but then we decided we couldn't pass up the opportunity to use it for future memes!  The whole day made a great memory!

And yes, I sat in the middle in the "president" spot.  This is just the way we normally arrange ourselves for photos (though we messed up when climbing into the shark).  It may have also been a slight "power move" on my part.  The world will never know!

I'm Gonna Be a Grandma!

The following poem is one that Rebecca and I memorized when she was in kindergarten.  This was also the year that I found out that Noah was on the way.  It's a sweet little poem and one that I remember my mother quoting when I was a little girl.  

The Secret
by Anonymous

We have a secret, just we three, 
The robin, and I, and the sweet cherry-tree;
The bird told the tree, and the tree told me,
And nobody knows it but just us three

But of course the robin knows it best
Because she built the - I shan't tell the rest;
And laid the four little - something in it --
I'm afraid I'll tell it every minute.

But if the tree and the robin don't peep,
I'll try my best the secret to keep;
Though I know when the little birds fly about
Then the whole secret will be out.

So I thought it was so sweet and creative that Rebecca gave me the knews of her pregnancy by showing me some poems she had re-written in the style of her favorites (including some decoy poems to throw me off), and then including this as her last re-write.

The only problem was that if she was expecting a loud reaction, she didn't get it.  Her poem said it was a secret, so I just kept my excitement to a stage whisper!  I'm glad she told the rest of the family within minutes, because just like the little kid in the poem, I'm not so good at keeping exciting secrets! 

Capri

We only had a few days to spend in Italy, so besides Rome, I could choose just one other place - and it couldn’t be too far away from Rome.  I chose Capri.  Believe it or not, my inspiration was two children’s books - one I read very long ago -  the Happy Hollister’s title “The Punch and Judy Mystery,”, and one that I read to the children when we homeschooled using Sonlight entitled “Red Sails to Capri.”  Those books may have been my starting point, but the photos on Google sold me.  I had two things that I hoped to check off my bucket list while in Capri - swimming in the Blue Grotto and riding on a scooter on windy Italian roads (that second one was totally inspired by Roman Holiday).

We took a train from Rome to Naples and then were supposed to catch a ferry to the island of Capri.  Well, we managed to get lost on the way to the ferry port and spent a very hot hour wandering around hauling our luggage through a fish market and arguing.  I had imagined some wonderful pizza for lunch from the birthplace of pizza, but instead we arrived at the port hungry and cross.  And there was not going to be another ferry for four hours.  I was beginning to second-guess our destination choice, but once we arrived on Capri the magic began.

We stayed in Anacapri and explored the island for two days by motor scooter and by boat.  Swimming in the Blue Grotto (illegal but worth it) was unforgettable.  Our photos don’t do it justice! We also swam in other grottos when we boated around the island.  So fun!

We loved strolling and eating out in the little town of Anacapri and finally had some real Italian pizza.  We were not huge fans.  Also tried the local drink, Limoncello.  Terry loved it!  Our favorite food on Capri was homemade waffles with a variety of fillings, but our favorite spot was A Curtiglia.  We had a fantastic view of sunset there.

Honestly, I don’t ever think we’ve had a two day trip that was more fun.  What with breaking the law to swim in the grotto and hanging on for dear life on the back of a scooter, it was quite an adventure!

Roman Holiday Part 2

Our original plan was to see the Sistine Chapel on this day.  But after waiting in such a long line for the Colosseum and reading that you are normally packed in like sardines as you look up at Michelangelo's masterpiece, we decided that we didn't need to see it that badly - especially not during peak tourist season.

Instead, we decided to have a little more Roman Holiday fun.  We went to the church of Santa Maria to see the "Mouth of Truth."  The line to make a photo there was quite short - probably 10 min. or less.

Aren't we just like movie stars?

Well, maybe not.  But it was fun.  I read that they think that this round artifact is really a drain cover from the time of Hadrian.  Right after we had these pictures made, we donated 1 euro each to see the tomb of Adrian in the crypt below.  I thought they said Hadrian.  Since I have seen his wall, his gate, and his aqueduct, I thought I might as well see his tomb.  Turns out I would have a chance to see the real thing later that day!

Then we walked along the Tiber to St. Peter's square.

Next we took a serendipitous trip to the top of St. Peter's.  We thought we were in line to see the Pieta, but instead we were in line for the steps to the top of the basilica.  Way better than the Pieta!  The views were incredible! Here's a view of the dome halfway up.  I was really excited that I could read enough Latin to know what it said in the words that circled in gold. (Hint: It started with "Tu Es Petrus")

Then on the roof:

The residence of the Pope.  Actually, I've head that the current Pope lives in a smaller apartment instead.

We even picked out the Colosseum in the distance from here.

We did finally get to see "Peter's tomb" and the Pieta inside.

So apparently Michelangelo sculpted this at age 26

so much opulence!

Next we saw Hadrian's Masoleum.  Apparently, it was multi-purpose -  masoleum, fortress, castle, pope's residence, and now a museum.  

There were lots more steps to get to the top.  Terry complained about all the steps, but then I pointed out that this is the urban version of hiking.  He doesn't mind climbing a mountain for a view, what's climbing a few steps?  The views were good!

Hadrian's Bridge