Our Wednesday...

Today was one of those days in Washington DC that just don't get much better. The weather was dreamy and Mom spent the entire day on the deck reading "Kite Runner." This is a book you can get lost in - and it has made the rounds in our family. It is a story that doesn't leave you and I know it is one of Tony's favorites as well as one of mine. I went out to check on her at one point and she remarked that "she could lose a crop sitting right here." And we got a good laugh out of that - my Grandmother had so many great sayings.

One time she was visiting Mom and Dad at the farm in Frierson and Mom and Dad had been working very hard to get this HUGE flower bed established. It was in the works - coming along but not looking so hot at the moment....and my Grandmother remarked that the flower bed looked like "Ned in the first reader." From then on - that flower bed was the "Ned Bed."

So - while Mom was pretending she was on the beach...Carol was busy teaching math concepts (not my favorite - but right up Carol's alley) and word problems. She must have been an examplary teacher because Caity whipped out a 100% on the assessment.

Flash back to the deck - Mom now eating lunch (peanut butter crackers) and still reading. And back inside - we discovered the brilliance of Filippo Brunelleschi and his construction of the dome on the cathedral in Florence using a herringbone pattern for laying brick. And the day continued in this fashion...Until....

We went for our gala evening at the National Postal Museum. It was a celebration of the success of the Breast Cancer Stamp. Mom heads up the Southcentral Region of the Embroidery Guild of America (E.G.A.). There was a national effort to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research by raising money through the needlearts. The Breast Cancer stamp was designed for needlepiont, cross stitch, fiber art, knit and crochet. Mom's region raised money by receiving donations to stitch an inch on the piece. And the other pieces were completed in similar fashions. So - this evening, the finished works were there to be presented to Mr. Allen R. Kane, director of the National Postal Museum. They will all be diplayed permanently by the National Postal Museum.

Ms. Betsy Mullens was in attendance. Ms. Mullens is the cancer survivor that thought of this stamp and with the help of Senator Diane Feinstein - it became a success. As of August 2006, the stamp has raised over $51 million dollars! Mr. Kane pointed out the significance of this contribution. In the museum, the two most valuable stamps in the world are on display and they are worth about $4 million each. So - compare that to $51 million! Senator Feinstein remarked that she expects to see all cancers eliminated by 2015!

We all left the event feeling proud, humbled and hopeful. A good combination!