Once Again... Feb 14

The day of love is approaching soon. Love, of course, in the commercial sense. I hope you've been exhibiting love at every instance over the past year nonetheless!

My best friend once carved "Love always. Question often." It's stuck with me for years.

Nonetheless, I need your input for Feb 14. All ideas are welcome - please leave your response in the comments section of this blog!

I'll update with new pictures soon.

Purpose, revisited

It's often important to go back and revisit some old thoughts. Here is one I posted several months ago:

"Keep a clear eye towards life's end. Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God's creature. What you are in His sight is what you are and nothing more. Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received... but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage."

- Saint Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226, Founder of the Franciscan Order

Her Favorite Place

 


Mmmmmm.... Your favorite place! You may not have been able to experience it in reality, but hopefully this will provide a virtual experience of some sort! 

"The Broker" vs. Abramoff

I'm currently reading "The Broker", another John Grisham classic. Interestingly, the current mess on K Street with Abramoff has several parallels to Grisham's story - it's actually quite timely to be #1. So the question is: Does Grisham know something we don't and is he trying to tell us something in his book?! Did he know about the Abramoff scandal before it broke?!

Of course Grisham does not know anything more than we do today. But, it's a great book for the current time.

More interestingly, the person sitting next to me a flight this evening was reading the same book and agreed that there are several parallels between the book and mess at the sewage known as K Street.

The K Street Gutter

K Street NW, Washington DC = a sewage.

The Washington Post reports "One of Washington's top lobbying operations will shut down at the end of the month because of its ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former House majority leader Tom DeLay.

Alexander Strategy Group, which had thrived since its founding in 1998 thanks largely to its close connections to DeLay (R-Tex.), will cease to operate except for a relatively small business-development division, Edwin A. Buckham, the former top DeLay aide who owns the company, said yesterday."

Ford's Theater

 

This is where Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth. 

Rock Creek Park

 

Aaah yes, take a stroll through Rock Creek Park with someone you love... it's lovely! 

The White House

 

Sorry, the President's in Texas... 

Squirrel with good taste!

 

Do I need to say anything more than check this picture out?! 

The 'Tops'

 


Little and Big Round Top from the site of Pickett's Charge. 

Pickett's Charge

 

This is the site of Pickett's Charge as Confederates approached Union soldiers, only to be destroyed one at a time. 

Artillery

 

More "bang bang" 

Artillery....

 

Artillery from Little Round Top... pointing towards Death Valley. 

Union General

 

Directing battle, a Union general is captured standing on top of Little Round Top. 

...Death Valley...

 

Here's another view of Death Valley with Seminary Ridge in sight. 

From Little Round Top

 

This is a view of Death Valley from Little Round Top. It's very moving to know that thousands of soldiers died here in 1863. Seminary Ridge and General Lee's line of soldiers were in the distance. 

Devil's Den

 

The group of rocks in the center form the so-called Devil's Den. 

And another view..

 

Can you spot the Confederates? 

From Big Round Top...

 


I recently visited Gettysburg, PA and took a hike up Big Round Top. Here's a view from the Union stronghold.