Dearest Family --
We got back from Washington and New York last night and things are gradually getting back to routine today since we got a good night's sleep in our own little beds. But we did enjoy getting away again for a few days and were real lucky with the good weather.
We picked Harold up at the Commissioner's office Friday morning (no school for MV or MY because of a teacher's conference in Blanchester) -- in fact there had been no school on Thursday as the weather had been so bad Wednesday -- they had to let out early to get the buses safely on their way and since it was -7º with so much freezing and thawing of the icy roads it was foolish to have a couple of hours delay to heat up the buildings for the few hours they would be in session.
But back to Friday we got on our way around 11 AM and reached Washington about 8:30 PM that night. Saturday was a big day for we had to be at the White House for their special tour at 8:15 AM. The Reagans weren't on hand to greet us as they had gone to Camp David to relax and brush up on his special speech he's to give later this week. The girls then took off on a self-conducted tour of Washington with transportation furnished by buses at various pick up points when they were ready to travel on. They got quite a bit in -- Arlington Cemetery, Kennedy Center, and the capitol including senate and house office buildings and ended up at the Visitors center (old Union Station).
Dad and I took off for Gaithersburg for Joe and Barbara's wedding and I was glad to get to see Virginia and all her family. The wedding was just the immediate family and then we all went to another place for the reception and luncheon. There were more activities Saturday evening and Sunday but we decided that had been plenty as we had gotten to see and talk to most all of them.
After picking up the girls we went to see Louise Robinson and her beautiful apartment on Mass. Ave. and then decided to all go to a Korean restaurant not too far -- the food was very good and we all shared the different foods. Mie Young was most helpful here. MV had spotted a Swanson Ice Cream Factory so went there for dessert bringing back memories of our past visits to the Mesa, AZ area. Louise pointed out various places of interest that the ordinary person would never find or get to see on most sight-seeing trips in and around Washington.
The next morning we were up early and went to a small Methodist Church in N.J. en route to NYC, where we arrived around 2 P.M. Traffic was unbelievable in the city -- someone told us later that the weather was so nice that everyone decided to take a drive. Did go to the Toy Show that afternoon and then for supper went to a new place in SoHo district of NYC. Dad really drove us all around the various sections of Manhattan to give Mie Young an idea about NYC. She didn't prefer it to Seoul -- even thought N.V. looked better and thought she liked Dayton for a city better.
The next morning (Monday) Dad had an appointment with one of the salesmen for breakfast so we walked up to 60th and 3rd Ave. visiting various little and big stores along the way and also watched them ice-skating in Rockefeller Plaza. Both days were beautiful -- so nice after the below zero weather we had just a few days before (didn't need my long johns I had paced to keep the chilly air away).
That evening we met Dad and went to a highly recommended Korean restaurant quite close to the hotel where again we four all tried different things and shared. We had a hibachi on the table where we were able to grill our own meat to suit our own tastes. We are learning to do much better with chop sticks and didn't even have forks. The cold vegetable salads (especially the cooked spinach) were good but find the kimchee (pickled cabbage) still a bit too hot for our tastes. The girls can always manage to save room for Ice Cream especially from Howard Johnson -- Mie Young's favorite place to get Swiss chocolate almond. This was Patriots Day and they had had a very short parade on 5th Ave. and many people shopping for Geo. Washington Birthday bargains. We didn't find any but enjoyed looking at dresses for 1275 and a little less just on the rack.
I love the Barnes and Noble book stores which they now have all over the city but didn't get down to the one that is the first and largest at 16th St. The girls went back to the hotel early to rest up but I browsed a little longer there -- found a restaurant guide to NYC by Myra Waldo whose other books we have often found useful (South America being the first). That is one of the ways we decided on the Korean restaurant we went to Monday night. It was also favorably reviewed previously in the New York Times but it always pays to have two agree on the merits.
MV, Mie Young and I had gone to a new pizza place at noon Monday recommended by some strangers we met trying to find a restaurant open -- so many were closed because of the holiday. MV had calzone Stromboli (egg, cheese and ham in a pizza doubled over and baked which I thought the better of the two we ordered and I enjoyed the minestrone soup. Many people were watching them being made and baked just inside the window.
Tuesday we left New York a little after seven stopping at Chock Full of Nuts for my usual nutted cheese on raisin bread. The girls had tuna fish salad but thought it tasted more like chicken salad instead. We had rain most of the way home but that's easier to drive in than glaring sunshine. We had supper at the Blue Drummer in Washington Court House -- would like to have stopped in Newark but girls had missed one day of school and we wanted them awake for today so got home at a real reasonable time and were in bed shortly after nine last night.
The weather is still damp but on the mild side and hopefully we won't get much more winter. Heard this morning we had something similar to last year and then had below zero weather in March, soooo.
Found everything in good shape here and real pleased to find Mother Uible's African violet with so many blossoms and blooms -- just hope they are still producing when the plant is returned to her.
By the way, noticed on the Good Morning America show that there is an afternoon special coming up on March 4th about two young people in wheel chairs which sounded real good. They usually have good things on the afternoon specials.
Also heard that they are having a week long special feature on Amtrak on the evening news -- not the one we usually watch but will try to catch it -- I keep thinking this is Monday so may have already missed some of them or perhaps its next week on ABC.
Larry Penn and his girlfriend Rae McGraw were married at our church Saturday -- MV was asked to sing and think she would have like to stay home but did come with us this time without too much prodding. Dad had breakfast down at the Gramercy Park but couldn't think of the name Rosario to ask about him (father of friends from Hudson Guild). Don't think she (MV) called anyone but the Thompsons are in the West Indies at this time of year.
We would still love to go to North Carolina to pick you up, Mother Uible, but the girl's vacation is April 16-21 and they are trying to not miss any more school than absolutely necessary. We might be able to leave here as soon as they get out of the 15th (Wed.) if that would help.
Looking forward to seeing the Morgans at this time next month -- wish they had longer but thankful for as much as they do have. Missed Catherine's call last Friday but hopefully will get to talk to her this week. Please tell Wendy how much I appreciated the Valentine with a little girl talking on the phone -- she does a good job and must take after her Aunts Roberta or MV.
Hope that you are able to get that Friday off when the Morgans will be in Chicago (Mar. 20th), Serena. Wish that John and Carol might have more time but not knowing when Amtrak gets to Cleveland we will be seeing them at lunch (or if is it is late, then at dinner) - At least they will be able to get together for a short time. Thanks for your offer to drive up to Cleveland, Carol, but guess Dad has cancelled out on his Toy luncheon that day as it is too indefinite. In case something should come up, I'll definitely keep you in mind and you can either bring Brooke or make arrangements if that's your preference.
Just took some time out to put some yogurt in the oven for Dad as he hasn't had any homemade in quite a while. Guess I'm near the bottom so will close
With much, much love to all of you --
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