August & the End of Summer

Anna & Aidyn at the Capitol
 August was family month with several visits both from and to family members.  It was also the end of summer classes for Anna, who was very excited to finish her anatomy classes.  She relished her two-week summer break and began the fall semester on August 25.  Here are some of the highlights.

The beginning of August marked the conclusion of cousin Aidyn’s visit.  It was also one of the hottest weeks of the summer in DC – perfect for seeing the monuments via bike (Aunt Theresa’s idea).  Fortunately, it cooled down for an end of the week visit to the Supreme Court, U.S. Capitol, Air & Space Museum and a Nationals game – all with Anna.  This also marked Anna’s first trip to the Supreme Court and the Capitol despite growing up in the area (you would think there would have been school field trips but that was not the case).  It was a good day out, even if the Nationals are in last place (everyone still enjoyed the President’s race at the game).  Aidyn concluded the trip with his first solo flight back to Ohio and back to school.

The second week of August was a trip to Ohio to visit Grandma and Grandpa.  Anna, Grandma & Theresa along with Grandma’s friend Verginia headed to Shipshewana, Indiana, which is a large Amish community.  Theresa & Anna enjoyed the large flea market and auction and met up with Grandma later for lunch and visits to various Amish stores (Anna noted the Amish romance novels in the Amish department store).  Anna did find a new pair of sneakers.  Grandma was very excited to find that she had picked the same pair of shoes, just in a different color! Grandma has been a bit discouraged about her limited choices of footwear these days but was feeling good knowing she is trending with the youngsters again!

Driving in Amish country definitely required full attention as there were horse & buggies along with bicycles (regular and electric) everywhere (apparently the Amish community are big bikers).  The next day the ladies went to a local flower farm to enjoy a morning tea party.  Anna also enjoyed going to the cat rescue with Grandma to play with the cats.  In between, there was lots of good fresh vegetables from the garden and of course sweet corn.  As a bonus, they found a treasure trove of old slide photos thanks to a slide viewer (a gift from Mrs. Paulus that Theresa picked up).  It was a nice visit with lovely weather.

ABBA Tribute Concert
Joe and Theresa made an unplanned visit to Long Island for the funeral of Joe’s cousin-in-law, Ed.  Ed & Marguerite were married the year before Joe and Theresa.  While sad, funerals always provide the opportunity to see family and friends, which is exactly what happened.  A big thanks to Aunt Mary for hosting.

In other summer activities:

  • The summer of concerts continues.  Theresa & Anna attended an ABBA tribute concert at Wolf Trap, where they concluded they really needed more sequin clothing and go-go boots.  Joe & Theresa attended a sold-out Train concert, also at Wolf Trap.
  • Theresa continues to volunteer at Wolf Trap.  Her stints included filling in as a waitress on Yacht Rock night (this was a reminder of why she was not a very good waitress) and working in the concession stand with Anna’s former high school Spanish teacher (Theresa was able to demonstrate her expertise with the soft serve machine). 
  • Lots of gardening, including flowers from an extra plot.
  • Theresa & Anna headed to DC to enjoy a delicious Indian meal for restaurant week and the African American museum.  They were greeted by National guard troops in the streets and even more security as they picked the day that all of the European leaders were at the White House.  The museum was fantastic, and their timing was good as later that week the Administration announced the results of their review of exhibits.  Let’s just say they will be changing.  Ironically, a columnist from the Washington Post went to visit the museum for the same reason we did and has a great review.
    African American Museum


    School is back in session.  Labor Day is this weekend.  The weather is delightful.  Happy end of summer!

Quick trip to Long Island
Sold out Train Concert


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