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Early on West Coast! I happened to wake at 4:30 this morning, in our Airbnb. I was tempted to turn on the TV, since everything happening in D.C., is 3 hours later. But the owners live above us, I slept a couple hours.  I lowered the volume at 6:30 and studied the images from bed.  Totally missed the Trump's departure. They are really gone from the White House, now. They chose not to attend the inauguration. Melania did not give Jill a tour. Theatre Room It's so weird not to be in our own home. We tiptoed around and made coffee. I didn't know 2 weeks ago, that many women would be wearing pearls today, or I would have packed mine. What a fun way to support our new Vice President. I wore slippers instead.  Don and I took our coffee and a box of biscotti to the Theatre Room. Our Airbnb is missing a lot of things, but it does have a media room. How odd to celebrate Biden's Inauguration with just the 2 of us, in this crazy Hollywood Room. Arrivals We were cozy and warm as we watched the colorful coats arrive!  Cold in D.C., but sunny. Then clouds and about 3 snow flurries. Then sun! Statuary Hall We watched the arrival of many, walking through this special space. I've "visited" Statuary Hall with my TV, throughout the pandemic. I watched guests arrive for RBG's service in September. I cringed at angry mobs invading, on January 6. This is where the post-inauguration lunch would have been, if there'd been no pandemic.  Today, we watched the arrival of the Pences. I appreciate that the VP attended. Was Trump already on the golf course in Mar-a-lago? Or was he peeking at his TV? Our New Vice President It was so exciting to watch history being made, in our cozy theatre seats. This is our Vice President. The first woman vice president! A woman of color.  What a relief to see this day, finally unfolding. So Long Ago The Obamas arrived and I couldn't help but remember.  I remember watching the inauguration with my mother, in 2009. My mother had Alzheimer's but she was giddy watching the celebration. "It will be so nice to see children in the White House again!" The Bidens Don and I wanted to cheer when we saw the Bidens. I hate being quiet in someone else's home. I wanted to cheer and whoop! We've waited so long. But, I have no clue about our neighbors. There's a pandemic, so we haven't met face to face. I didn't hear booing from above.  It sad to think about how much this special day has been altered. No Inauguration Balls and no gigantic crowds. I'm glad the Biden's have experienced some of this before. They are clearly fine without the festive hoopla. There's way too much to focus on from here on out. But it's still sad. Masks We'll always remember this odd inauguration, with expressions hidden by masks.  But there was no hiding this smile! Former Presidents It was nice seeing these 3 former presidents greeting each other. This stolen image shows no character, but on TV, their body language looked warm and upbeat and gracious.  I wish President Carter could have made a Zoom appearance. Music I'm sure many had unkind things to say about Lady Gaga's clothes and J-Lo's shout out in Spanish. Some were probably confused to see Garth in his cowboy hat, celebrating with this liberal crowd.  But I loved it all. Don and I didn't shout out, but for a moment I attempted to sing softly. Garth asked the crowd to sing along, for the last verse of Amazing Grace. This Land... We needed a box of Kleenex when J-Lo sang, "This Land is Your Land". (Don shared his napkin) This is the song I sang in grade school, but I never listened to the words.
I wondered for a moment if Jennifer Lopez would add the version I discovered a few years ago. (Woody Guthrie had some words against D. Trump's dad, in the 1950's) But she moved gracefully into "America", instead. Show Stealer Young poet laureate, Amanda Gorman stole the show with her poetry.  Such power in her gentle voice. She spoke like a prayer or a song. I read the words later and was even more moved. What I'll Remember The day continued, but we had to break away by noon. We're in OR to help our pregnant daughter and son-in-law with their move.
But I'll always remember this funny dark room and our blankets and coffee. I'll remember the huge feeling of relief after Kamala Harris and Joe Biden were finally, finally sworn in!
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Not-So-Happy List
Cancer, Covid & Coronary... I started this complaining list/blog, in May 2016. I posted 200 gripes about my breast CANCER and then I was done. On March 13, 2020, I started venting all over again, when another disease (starting with a C) interfered with my life. This time it was the invasion of COVID and it affected every person. I ranted for a year, until I got my COVID vaccine in March 2021. CORONARY Artery Disease was the reason I restarted this blog on September 26, 2021. This time it was my hubby Don, who was dealing with a worry that started with the letter "C". Coronavirus and Cancer, Coronary Artery Disease! All are evil, but none can totally get me down... if I vent! I usually end up feeling a little more positive at the end of each post! Navigating This Mess! The most recent post is at the top, from coronary posts in 2022, back to cancer posts in 2016. To find past posts, look below the "Archives" section, to find "Categories". Archives
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