Living History Program

 

 

Snow in Phoenix

It snowed in the Valley of the Sun today. Henry and I thought we done with snows days after we left Flagstaff, that wasn't so today.
Check out photos I snapped during my evening commute.  A normal 20 minute commute turned into a  40 minutes drive today in  all the rain and ice.  Just as I  reach our  neighborhood this beautiful Rainbow appears.

Click here:  Snow in the desert

Presidential Inauguaration 2013

YES, we were there to witness history! We had been excited about attending the inauguration after we leanned in  October that Henry had been chosen as one of  twenty Arizona Department of  Public Safety officers selected to the 2013 Presidential Inauguaration Security Detail.

Harrington and I left two days earlier than Henry so we could  spend time with Amelia(Sissy) and Clyde. Amelia and Clyde have lived in the D.C. area for over 25 years and they're great tour guides. I've visited my sissy numerous times in the 25  plus years and I'm still as excited and mesmerize with the sights of our nation's capital as I was my first visit. There's always something new and exciting to see or do during each visit.





We went into D.C. on Saturday to see the MLK Memorial to avoid the Sunday crowds. I think everyone else  had  the same plan because it was crowded. Many of the school groups and bands in town for inauguration and were out sightseeing on Saturday and with being MLK Day on Monday this moument was attracting large crowds



F.D. Rooservelt Memorial

• Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial ."The only thing we have to fear is fear itself....",
• Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial . "I was a drum major for justice, peace, and rightousness"
• World War II Memorial

Inauguration Day we were up and about  at  6:00 am. We wanted to beat the the crowds at the metro station,  It was a great thing we went Sunday night to purchse subway tickets because there were long line Monday morning at  the station.  Although there were large crowds at the station and on the mall, the  people were very polite and friendly.  The pleasant and engerized crowds drew our attention away from the friget  temperatuare and on to the vast sights and sounds on the mall inauguration morning.  It was cold out,but Thank God, the temperture wasn't as frigid as it was in 2009.

 

 


Amelia was well prepared for the elements

 

Inauguration morning : Henry's day began at 4:00 A.M. and ended about 6:00 P.M.

 

CNN on the mall



 

 

5th Sunday

Brendan and Harrington

 I operate the PowerPoint Presentations on 1st and 5th Sundays at  at church  and  I have to be there by 6:45 A.M. Since we were on  vacation I was determined to be there prior to 6:45 A.M and shock K2 (Ministry Leader) by arriving early without any tardiness due to a sleepy slow-moving  teenager. Who says its me not him that's the cause of delay in our Sunday morning departures . 

We picked up Brendan that morning and still managed to arrive prior to 6:45.. Can't say we made it early two consecutive Sundays  :)

Leaves Changing

12/24/2012

B.J chasing the wind (LOL!)

12/31/2012

It's January 2 and the leaves are finally changing colors in the Valley of the Sun. It has been wonderful to the see the leaves change color over the last month. Leaves falling is a sure sign that the temperature is dropping in the desert.   B.J. is having a blast rolling in them. I predict the leaves will have all fallen off by next week.

Steele Indian Park

Last Saturday I walked Steel Indian Park instead of my normal neighborhoood route.  Harrington had a training at church so to save gas and try a new scenery , I ventured out to Steele Indian Park. The park has  a rich Arizona history, so the next time you're in Central Phoenix check out the park.

History of Steele Indian School Park
In 1890, the Federal Government purchased 160 acres of farmland from a local landowner for $9,000. Federal officials opened the Phoenix Indian School one year later. At its peak in 1935, 900 students attended the school. Among its most popular features were its marching band, which was a frequent participant in local and statewide festivals, and athletic program. The federal government closed the boarding school in 1990.*
The city of Phoenix was able to obtain the land in 1996 through an intricate three-way land exchange involving the Baron Collier Company and the federal government.

The park is named after Horace C. Steele. He founded the Steele Foundation in 1980 to fund charitable, educational, and scientific programs; primarily in Arizona. The Steele foundation donated $2.5 million dollars to start development of the park and in 1997 the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board approved naming the Park for this successful businessman and philanthropist.
The park is designed in the spirit of the City Beautiful movement, a design theory that evolved at the end of the 19th century. Its basic premise is simple: city dwellers need passive, open green space in city centers to serve as a refuge from the physical confinement of urban living. The movement also held that open, public spaces are an essential element in nurturing civic pride and a sense of community. The park's design also pays homage to the site's Native American history. Many of the design elements, as outlined in the features section, reflect Native American concepts of life, earth and the universe.

Night Stalker

I believe this owl is out to get me and B.J.  I've seen him several times now perched on the electrical posts and street lamps around our house. One evening we walked an extra half-mile to remain out of  harms way. You do realize an owl can pick-up my little doggie and take him away to never return-again. I believed God will give me wings and speed like an eagle if that owl takes my baby boy, but I don't know if  he'll grant it for a little precious doggy.  Yes, he would because it matters to me it matters to him :)

Great Horn Owl's talons

 

Football Season is Over

 The season is over for Harrington's high school team. Once again Harrington demonstrated tremendous improvement in his football skills. The season was going well until Game 4 when my baby boy recieved a concussion. He delieved a spectualar tackle to  cause a fourth down for the opposing team and then was tackled so hard my baby said,"Mom, I think I really saw little stars" (LOL). I hate I missed the game due to Family Night at work, but glad I wasn't there to see my baby get hurt :(   I asked Henry if he was scared and  a course like any man "No, I knew he was  alright". 
Harrington was on IR(Injured Reserve) for four weeks. During that time he visited the neruologist and was tested several times by the trainer. He faithfully went to practice very day  and literally watched the others workout and practice. I could have found millions of things for him to do with those  wasted fours hours of time. Like study, study,  clean his room, cwalk the dog,etc..........

He was finally released from IR  to play Game 8 and got two awesome tackles.
Game 9  the season closer was the BOMB!!
Harrington had one, two, THREE, tackles and an amazing Inteception which the team scored after two plays. He was on cloud nine.. Henry says he didn't know the boy could jump so high :) and of course that big beautiful smile of his was plastered on his face the remainder of the game. YEAH! the team WON! 

 

#7 Harrington Harris has intercepted for the Madators

Madator's Cornerback  Harrington Harris has the ball!

Up and Running!

Run, Harrington ! Run !