![\"Obviously](\"https:\/\/fromabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/2014-04-03-09.57.36.jpg\")
<\/a>Obviously they didn’t want to hear my insurance woes.<\/p><\/div>\n
Our final day in Washington DC dawned bright and beautiful. \u00a0We rose early, anticipating our 9:30 tour of the Supreme Court. \u00a0As those of you who follow this blog know, I have lost my health insurance, so I viewed this as another opportunity to plead my case. \u00a0After all, if the Highest Court in the Land<\/strong> won’t hear me out, who will? \u00a0Unfortunately, those nice people who run the Metro apparently weren’t aware of \u00a0my plight – or our schedule. \u00a0There was a huge back-up that caused us to miss our tour. \u00a0On the upside, we got to experience – and smell – \u00a0the local Metro riders at very close range. \u00a0Despite missing the formal tour, we were still able to view the inside of the building and see the Supreme Court chambers from the hallway. \u00a0It is MUCH smaller that you might imagine. \u00a0I mentioned this to my neighbor who has argued before the Justices and he agreed with me – he said he had been in small town courtrooms that were significantly larger than the Supreme Court. \u00a0So just like the First Ladies’ ball gowns, things are not always the size you would imagine. \u00a0As you can see from the picture (left) they apparently knew that I was coming ahead of time. \u00a0Of particular interest to us was the exhibit that depicts Sandra Day O’Connor’s\u00a0rise to the bench. Upon graduating from law school the only job she was offered was as a legal secretary! \u00a0\u00a0But she forged ahead and has been a great example of determination and fortitude. \u00a0 We visited the gift shop which sells all sorts of \u00a0Supreme Court mementos, but somehow I thought it would be hard to take the Justices seriously after seeing them on shot glasses and bobble heads. \u00a0We decided to bypass the tchotchkes\u00a0and move on.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Me…being totally ignored by the Speaker of the House<\/p><\/div>\n Our next stop was an appointment with Shelley’s congressman, Ron Barber. \u00a0Actually, our appointment wasn’t with him, but with staff that draws straws to see who has to lead the tours for constituents. \u00a0We made our way into the bowels of his office building finding, once again, that the office of a Congressman is not as large as you might expect. \u00a0Think of your dentist’s waiting room and you’re very close to the size of your elected official’s place of work. \u00a0We had a wonderful tour of the Capital Building<\/strong> – the artwork and statues are truly breathtaking. \u00a0The capital dome is currently under repair but even through the scaffolding we could see its beauty. \u00a0As we entered the National Statutory Hall we passed by the Speaker’s Office. \u00a0I wanted to poke my head in, certain that he, of all people, would be sympathetic to my loss of insurance. \u00a0Unfortunately, he wasn’t there. \u00a0Or so I was told. \u00a0They never let me get close. \u00a0But then, as if by miracle, as we were touring the Hall, we heard some rustling and sure enough, the Speaker was walking right by us to his office. \u00a0I shot up to the front of the crowd, jumping up to get his attention. \u00a0You can see his reaction in the picture (right). \u00a0Harumpt! \u00a0All I can say is, he’s just as orange in person as he is on T.V.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We moved on to the Senate Chamber, where we spent a long while, mainly because Abby loved being there and seeing all the goings-on. \u00a0Which, frankly, wasn’t much because they were in recess. \u00a0Senator Landrieu gave a speech with no one in attendance except the acting chairman. \u00a0It’s rather odd to see a Senator give a speech to no one. \u00a0Then again, the CSPAN cameras were on so for all I know people back in her state were listening with rapt attention. \u00a0Several senators, including our own John McCain<\/strong>, walked through the chambers while we were observing so at least we knew he was working…or passing through on the way to the men’s room.\u00a0 We then progressed to the House Chamber where I was almost taken down by Security. \u00a0We had been through security check lines every where we went in Washington but it would seem they are most sensitive when it comes to protecting members of Congress (which is a bit odd given their popularity level). \u00a0In any event, one half<\/em> of a foil from a stick of gum set off the alarms. \u00a0Sheesh! \u00a0 Once in the famous chamber, we tried to imagine State of the Union<\/strong> addresses from the past and where everyone sits. \u00a0As it happens, there was an active debate on the floor concerning the definition of full-time work. \u00a0Having spent my career in Human Resources I wanted to chime in with my opinion but I got the distinct impression they were not taking comments from the gallery. \u00a0Besides, I already knew the Security Guards on a first name basis. \u00a0One more disruption from me and I would have been touring the Capital clinker.<\/p>\n Our beautiful Capital, and the cafeteria serves a great chocolate chip cookie too.<\/p><\/div>\n Once our term on Capital Hill ended, we took a pedi-cab back to the Smithsonian American History Museum. \u00a0Unfortunately, several busloads of intermediate school kids had been let off there to further their education. \u00a0Here’s all I’ll say about that: \u00a0if you are going to send your child on field trip to Washington, they should be going on tours, not goofing around with their friends as if they’re at the food court of the local mall. \u00a0I think I’m getting old.<\/p>\n Finally, we ventured back to Bethesda and to Tommy Joe’s<\/strong> for dinner. \u00a0It was our luck that it was Trivia Night. \u00a0We named our team “Elementary, My Dear Watson<\/em>” and took second place. \u00a0It was delightful to play as a team; because we spanned so many decades between us, we got most of the answers right. \u00a0We only lost because we didn’t quite understand the bonus point system, which Abby tried in vain to explain to us. \u00a0We should have let the youngest of our group be in charge. \u00a0Anyway, we won a $20 gift card for our efforts. \u00a0And Watsons, being nothing if not thrifty, used it when we toured Bethesda the next day.<\/p>\n All in all, I have to say it was the trip of a lifetime. \u00a0Even though I made no progress<\/strong> regarding my insurance. \u00a0To spend five days with my niece was a gift – we have always enjoyed each other’s company so it was special to share this with her. \u00a0And I have to say that if my two great-nieces are any indication of the future generation, we’re all in good hands. \u00a0They “get” history and appreciate those who have gone before them. \u00a0And for the 26 miles we walked in four days, they were extremely kind about “waiting up” for their Old Aunt Sue.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Suzanne Sparrow Watson Our final day in Washington DC dawned bright and beautiful. \u00a0We rose early, anticipating our 9:30 tour of the Supreme Court. \u00a0As those of you who follow this blog know, I have lost my health insurance, … read more<\/a><\/a>