My life in our Nation's Capital..................

I emigrated to America in 1962.................my first home was Washington, D.C.  Coming from a small, old fashioned, English seaside town, arriving in this nation's huge bustling capital was a bit overwhelming to say the least! 

My hometown of Torquay in Devon, England - May 2011

I traveled with another young woman from my hometown.  We worked together in an insurance company office.  It was she who discovered we could come to the USA to work as secretaries, if we signed a contract with a particular employment agency, agreeing that we would stay at least one year in D.C.  


Being adventurous, I soon found myself being interviewed.  After taking shorthand, typing, and secretarial skills tests, and being accepted, I headed to the American Embassy in London for the day-long interview/medical exam etc. which enabled me to get clearance to 'cross the pond' and seek employment. (I had to apply for a Green Card the day after arrival which gave me legal immigrant status). I worked two jobs all Summer, heading to a waitress job after the long day in the insurance office, to save my airfare. I'd never flown on a plane, lived in other than my parents' home, or even crossed the English Channel (which was right on my doorstep) to visit Europe.  But, adventure I did...........leaving for London on a wet October morning, a week before my 19th birthday, hugging my tearful family goodbye, stepping onto a plane bound for New York City, and from there to Washington, D.C. 

.......The old and the new........

Fast forward almost 49 years.......and here I am back in the old capital, enjoying the places which enthralled me so long ago.  Some haven't changed a bit.  Others have disappeared from view as modern buildings have shot into the skies as in all large cities.

Sadly the Washington Monument is closed following damage during a rare East coast earthquake of August 23, followed by the visit from Hurricane Irene last week - cracks have appeared and water damage has occurred - so it's deemed unsafe for tourists.  This monument was visible from my bedroom window during my first months in D.C. when I lived just a few blocks from such places as the White House, the awesome Smithsonian Institution, and most of the national monuments and memorials. At night I loved watching the blinking lights from the pyramid-shaped top of the monument, wondering at times what on earth had possessed me to come so far from my quiet home and my loving family to this large noisy city!

Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument from the car as we dashed into the city under the cloudy skies.

Why was I here this week?  

Beautiful banner outside our Washington hotel.

I wish I could say it was for something creative and artistic, such as revisiting The Phillips Collection where Renoir's amazing  Luncheon of the Boating Party is exhibited, and will soon be followed by Degas's Dancers at the Barre: Point and Counterpoint. I love impressionist paintings and these two French artists are among my favorites.


This quick overnight visit, a 4 hour drive from home, disallowed much sightseeing, shopping, and dining - other than a nice supper with our nephew.  Our reason was to visit the Vietnamese Embassy to apply for a visa!  Yes, another trip coming up later this year. Following the Antipodes adventure, Paula and I will be heading to Thailand and Vietnam!  More on this later.

Luncheon of the Boating Party, 1880-81 ~ Pierre Auguste Renoir

Nature boy, and girl.............

This is one of my most favorite shots ever.  I didn't realize just how lovely the background was until I was going through the photos I took of Jasmin and our friend Cullen - lucky guy who actually lives year round at Lake Almanor.  This was the drive we took to Round Valley Lake.  Cullen is now in college - we've enjoyed his company for the past three years when we've stayed in Northern California.  

When Paula had us all hop in the car and drove us off to scenic spots in and around Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park, Cullen often accompanied us, camera in hand of course as we all are avid photographers. 

Here we were actually on Mt. Lassen.  Jasmin and Cullen tried hard but couldn't budge this huge volcanic boulder.

Can you imagine growing up in this beautiful place?  Jasmin on Mt. Lassen - snow still remaining even in August, but temperatures very warm.

Cullen looking across the mountains and probably realizing how fortunate he is to live here - mountains, lakes, all the beauty of Nature right on his doorstep.
Don't you love when young people go out and enjoy the great outdoors - so much better than spending Summertime in front of a computer screen!


I'm off to Washington, D.C. this morning.  Have to see an embassy person about a visa - another big trip being planned.
Enjoy your Labor Day celebration - see you soon.

TIME...........................

............where does it go?  Why is there never enough of it?

Perhaps you've been following me for a while so you know I stay quite busy for a 'senior citizen'. Yes, I am one of them, how did that happen?  Age doesn't really bother me, it's just a number on the scale of life.  I certainly don't feel old.  I try not to act that way despite the little annoying aches and pains that crop up now and then, the wrinkles from so many years of smiling (smile!), and the grey hairs which, by choice, I have my delightful hair stylist turn into my red 'crowning glory'.


So this isn't going to be a post about aging, more about finding time to do everything.  Perhaps I'm slowing down or, more likely, I'm taking longer to accomplish things because I procrastinate a little more. Knowing I don't have to be up at the crack of dawn, something we earn once retirement arrives, and can 'put things off' because there's always a free day sometime in the week, gives one some leeway in the busy scheme of things.


So, where is all this leading?  Right here of course to my booth at SuzAnna's Antiques.

I've been here almost 12 months as a dealer and it's been a wonderful experience.  I've learned a lot about antiques and vintage lovelies.  Sharing many hours chatting with other dealers, as well as Susie and Jenny the great mom and daughter duo shop owners, has been a big part of my life.  Even when my dear friend Vanessa decided to leave our shared booth I thought I could perhaps carry on.  However, being a "shopkeeper" of sorts takes time, and a lot of commitment, and now I just don't have much of either due to a busy travel schedule the remainder of this year and all of next.

A sale is in the works.  I'm tying up loose ends at the shop and will be vacating my booth at the end of September.  Fortunately SuzAnna's usually has a list of people waiting to rent space so I know someone will move in.  I'll be sad leaving but of course it won't be 'goodbye'.  I'll always be a shopper if not a dealer, stopping by to treasure hunt when time permits, and always ready to chat with the gals. 

Meanwhile, shopping right now revolves around 'gear' and packing it into duffel bags.  No satin evening gowns like this vintage beauty hanging at SuzAnna's!  


I'll soon show you some of the wild things I'm readying for the sub-Antarctic voyage..........take my word they're not very pretty, stylish, or by any means elegant, but they're certainly necessary! 


All photos taken at Suzanna's Antiques, Raleigh, North Carolina.