Capital Hill, Washington, DC
The National Gallery of Art is Closed during the shutdown of the Federal Government, Washington, DC
Museum closed, Washington, DC.
Lincoln Memorial, also closed, wink.
John: Are you crying? Over a car commercial?
Shelley: Sniff. No. Sniff. Maybe. That little girl grew up so quickly. And during all of those years, her mother kept her safe in their Subaru. But it’s not really about the car. It’s about how fast kids grow up. Like Matt and Andrew did. Now Matt’s teaching in Kuwait and Andrew’s in Vancouver married to Ash. I understand how Simendea (Ash’s mom, who lives in Bali) feels. I really do. We’re so far away from our kids. Sniff. Sniff. Sniffle.
Brian, Simendea (Ash’s parents), Amanda, (Ash’s sister), Ash, Andrew, Matt, me and John
John: We’ll see them at Christmas.
Shelley: That’s over two months away.
Shelley: Sniff. Sniff. Oh Sniffle.
John: Shelley, we have never seen one “Law and Order” episode. How in the world can this commercial make you cry?
Shelley: Because John one of the cops is retiring. Look, he’s carrying his box out of the office one last time. It’s so final. What if he never sees his friends again? What if he never makes new friends? Like us? Sniff. Sniff. Sniffle.
John: Oh thank God. “The Voice” is back on.
Adam: First of all you know I love both of you. You know that, right? This so hard. This part of “The Voice” really sucks. I hate my job. But I choose… I choose… Tessanne Chin.
Shelley: Ohhhhh…. Sniff. Snif. Sniffle.
John: Again?
Shelley: I can’t help myself because, sniff, sniff, sniffle because…
John: Because?
Shelley: Sniff. Because the “Tina Turner Sound A Like Singer,” Donna Allen, just lost in “The Battle Rounds” and no one picked her up. What were they thinking? Now she’ll never win “The Voice.” She was singing for all of the 50 plus people out there. Like me. She spoke to me. She said,
“Shelley, you are never too old to go for after your dreams.”
And now her dream is dead. Mine too. Sniff. Sniff. Sniffle.
John: I didn’t know you had a dream.
Shelley: I don’t. But that’s not the point. Sniff. Sniff. Sniffle.
John: And I thought you liked Tessanne Chin more.
Shelley: I do. Imagine if she had lost?
John: Dear God. Come here. Euhhhh…. You’re all sweaty.
Shelley: All that crying gave me hot flashes. Whew. All better now. Thanks.
John: …
Shelley: John?
John: Yes?
Shelley: I think reducing my HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) prescription by half is going really well. Don’t you?
Shelley and John
Donna and Tessane: Timeline photos
Honey Did you See That? 
LOL poor john…..and i cried too when munch left …that show always makes me cry ,but i laughed when he answered the phone HoMICIDE (life on the street ).
LikeLike
I’m a mess. 🙂
LikeLike
lol.
LikeLike
Thanks!! I bet when this is all over John will laugh too. 🙂
LikeLike
of course he will.
LikeLike
Hilarious!!! Love your adventures. Lol. Xoxo. Safe travels
LikeLike
Thanks so much for reading. Very happy that I entertained you. Good thing I’m not a moody person because then poor John… 🙂
LikeLike
Oh no! You were here during the shutdown. That sucks. Hope you still got to see some other stuff and have a good time. Perhaps it was the shutdown that had you a little emotional?
LikeLike
We were still out of luck on the way to Virginia Beach and through Kitty Hawk and Roanoke Island. There were definitely tears, but more of the “Are you serious?? Get it together.”kind. Oh well. I think everything is now open. But our motto is not to turn back. Next time. John definitely had a beer or two that night. A Waterfront, Autumn Ale. 🙂
LikeLike
Your conversations always make me smile. And I’m loving your photos! You’re in my old stomping grounds … but sure hate seeing the gates closed to visitors and tourists.
LikeLike
Hey Cindi. Although it sucked, I felt worse for the people furloughed. At the WWII Memorial the Rangers were there because they volunteered. Still it was an amazing day. How is it that Washington was your old stomping grounds?
LikeLike
I lived between Baltimore and Washington for 15 years – it was a great place to raise my daughters. You passed my old house if you traveled Interstate 95. I loved heading into the city for the day to explore the museums! My youngest daughter lives just north of Baltimore, so I still get back to the area – but haven’t been to Washington since I moved to Norway in 2007. (Ironically, another blogger I follow is about two days ahead of you enjoying her travels of the US East Coast … so I had several days worth of Washington DC photos to enjoy!)
LikeLike
It is truly a small world if we passed by your old house. What a difference between there and Norway. I’m going to have to look at the bloggers you follow and see what she recommends. Maybe next time everything will be open.
LikeLike
If you haven’t found her yet, I was referring to Hayley and her blog tall tales – my travels near and far. She’s from New Zealand, and her writing style is as humorous, enjoyable, and smile-causing as yours. 🙂
And now that you’re both south of Washington, the shut down is over. Figures.
LikeLike
I looked at some other one, but am definitely going to look up Hayley. But not here, internet took 5 minutes to load a page. arrrghhhhhh…..
LikeLike
I did find her. She is definitely a fan of NASCAR! Wow!
LikeLike
It’s interesting to see photos and read words of the places I’ve been around, but never been *to*….like NASCAR. 🙂
I think all travel bloggers can agree that slow (or non-existent) internet when traveling is the most frustrating aspect of life out of a suitcase!
LikeLike
Slow internet is the curse of modern man. Arghhhhhhh!!! Have been to some car shows, but never NASCAR. Maybe should put on the list???
LikeLike
Songs get me, some I only have to hear the first phrase and I’m away…….! and I’m way, way past menopause!!
LikeLike
Excellent. Good to know there’s no light at the end of this tunnel. I want pictures of when you hold your grandchild. 🙂
LikeLike
This completely cracked me up!!! I cry about everything lately — especially that show Parenthood. I cry when my kids are at school, but then I cry more when they’re home. Safe travels!
LikeLike
Like water works. I don’t even try to hold back. What’s the point? Apparently I can also look forward to more whiskers on my upper lip too once I am completely off. Yay!
LikeLike
I feel ya! Those Subaru commercials are something, though. Clever marketing. See you soon (almost to FL!)
LikeLike
Aren’t they??? Sniff. 🙂 I might have asked you before, but where do you live in Florida? I definitely need to meet you and those boys of yours. 🙂
LikeLike
That was such a sad picture of you both alongside of the “closed” signs in DC.
“A pox on both your houses,” as someone famous in government once said. (who said it???)
LikeLike
Dang you. I’m going to say Shakespeare. But hang on, I’ll look it up. Ta Dahhh!! The old english teacher in me is still there. However, there is a debate on the word pox. Back to you. What is the other curse that was thrown out?
LikeLike