March and April, 2009
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MUSE INDEX Dropdown menus LINKS Previous issues What's New Who's Who Birthdays and anniversaries Muse readers' own websites Muse History Mar-Apr Photo Gallery Nancy's Quilts |
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE: CLEAN SNOW IN THE MORNING - BEAUTIFUL VISITOR (Nancy Murdock) Click WITNESS TO HISTORY (Colleen McKay) Click QUICK UPDATE - A FEW SMALL CHANGES (Christel M. Murdock) Click GOOD TIDINGS TIMES TWO (Natalie Murdock) Click POEMS (Charles Frost) Click Part 2 TEXAS VACATION (Margery Aukstikalnis) Click SETTLING IN (Mary Murdock) Click JUGGLING HOUSES (Pauline Joubert) Click HERE IN MINNESOTA (Rick Murdock) Click Part 3 MADDY HOWLETT - THE WHOLE STORY (Sean Howlett) Click PREVIEW OF NEW WEBSITE (Darrel and Mary Murdock) Click MARK YOUR CALENDAR (Nancy Murdock) Click CHANGE OF VENUE (Sgt. Timothy C. Murdock) Click CREATIVITY FOR BIRTHDAY 77 (Nancy Murdock) Click ORIGINAL SONG AND VIDEO (Missi Sargent) Click KRISTA'S LATEST VIDEO (Bob Murdock) Click |
2008 Gallery photo Quilt index |
her coat of many emblems
near the Capitol Gallery photos |
Colleen McKay I was there on the Mall, where the 44th President of the United States was sworn in. I got up early and went to work for two hours. However, there was a slight problem, besides ice on the windshield that had to be scraped. My 1993 VW Fox outside door handles on the driver side, front and back, do not work. I have to open the passenger door, lean over, and open the driver door from the inside. It was so cold at 5:45 am that the latch on the passenger door froze in the open position. I had to hold the shoulder harness to keep the door closed on the 2 mile trip to work. Luckily there was hardly any traffic that morning. My journey started with a bus ride from in front of work to the West Baltimore train station. I had ordered the special MARC train Inaugural tickets which came on January 10th. There were about 15 people on the platform with me. This was the second stop; the train started at Baltimore’s Penn station. There was one stop prior to arriving at Washington DC Union Station. I took photos of the bus driver, the people on the platform, the people on the platform took a photo of me, the train conductor, the crowds, and signs welcoming the new first family. The woman on the platform who was African American told how she was just so happy this was happening. She did not believe it could happen. She stated she remembers not being able to shop at Hecht (a department store bought by Macy within the last five years) because of the color of her skin. Her parents told her as a child not to cross Baltimore Street; one side was white, the other colored. Experiences of this type were mentioned by President Obama in his Inaugural address. About 60 years ago, his father would not have been served. There were placards: “This way to Inaugural events” at the train station. I had no tickets for a secure viewing area. I was trying to get to a Jumbotron. It took an hour and forty five minutes to get to 18th and Constitution behind the Washington Monument to get to my viewing area. This is about two miles which I could easily have walked in 30 minutes except for the crowds. It was like “March of the Penguins.” If you were in the middle, it was not cold, since we were packed in like sardines. I bought an old campaign button for $1.00 that said “Yes We Can Barack Obama 2009.” I thought it was very enterprising of the young man to have obtained buttons that were passed out free probably and sell them. As I was walking down Louisiana Ave I was handed a small pin with Barack Obama’s face, 01 20 09, and New York Times on it. I figured that along with the First Family three inch diameter badge I got at Ronald Reagan airport on my way to California on Jan15, there were enough pins for my jean jacket. The jean jacket has a collection of pins from places I have been and events I have attended. People were in a good mood, even though we were standing for hours. Everyone was just so happy to be there and witness Barack Obama’s swearing in. My good mood was slightly tarnished whenI tripped about 100 yards from where I was going to stand to see the Jumbotron. I did not have my gloves on. I scraped my palms and hit my knee and shin. It hurt when I was helped up by fellow citizens. But my knee worked and just the shin hurt. I slowly walked to where I had a good view of the Jumbotron. When I tried to take a photo of Senator Feinstein on the Jumbotron, I realized that I had smashed the camera and it would not work. I could not believe it. I would not be able to photo document my experience of being on the Mall. Why couldn’t I have tripped leaving instead of coming? My section of citizens was not as gracious as President Obama when he thanked President Bush for his service. There were boos and groans, which I thought was inappropriate. I listened to his speech. What struck me was that he did not list a battle of World War I or Vietnam. But I hope we do as stated by the resident: “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America”. After singing the Star Spangled Banner, I started back to Union Station on the non-parade side of the mall. Before leaving, a DC resident took my photo by the Jumbotron. I gave her my card to email me the photo. She did, along with some other photos of the crowds and the Jumbotron she had taken. I went in the Museum of African Art, which was one of the museums opened as a warming station. There were people sitting on the floor; one man was writing postcards. I went in to use the restroom. I did not want to use one of the 5000 port-a-potties on the mall. A staff member come over and let women take over the men’s room on the ground floor. It was just two stalls but better then standing in the line for the women’s rooms. Outside the Museum was a sign about the Inauguration. I had another couple take my picture with Harry II, my bear. A young couple asked if my bear was friendly, because they were there with a bear also. She took a picture of Harry II and me with her significant other and their bear. I passed out another business card and hope that they will send a photo. As of Jan 30 2009 I have not received these photos. I got close to the Capitol. A stranger took photos of Harry II and me with the Capitol in the background. I received these photos. I forwarded one to my friend in NC who had knitted the mainly red, white, and blue scarf. I got into a mass of people walking towards Union Station. There were people trying to get to a METRO platform. There is a METRO station at Union Station. One lady said she thought they were just closing METRO stations and sending people round in circles until the vendors had sold all their stuff. The vendors were not lowering prices to the people who were trying to leave the area after the ceremony. We were stopped outside the station with no one telling what was going on. In the huddled mass I shared some almonds with a woman who stated she had not eaten in hours. She had listened to the reports not to bring things because it would slow up security checkpoints. We finally started moving into the station. It was a stop and go process, letting just so many people into the station. Although I had a ticket for PENN line at 5:16 pm on the # 4 Train, because the station had been closed they were just counting people as they went through the doors onto the train platform. I was #79. I don’t know how many passengers could get on the train. When the train was full, we pulled about 4:30 pm, towards Baltimore. At some of the stops, the train pulled in and people in the front half got off. Then the train moved so the people in the back half could get off. At other stops, including mine at West Baltimore, we were told to move towards the center of the train until we saw a conductor, because only those doors would open. On the platform was a reporter and a TV camera from WMAR, the Baltimore ABC station. Two women and I were interviewed about being in DC. I made it onto the 11:00 pm news about hurting myself ,breaking my camera, and depending on the kindness of strangers to send me photos. I called Bob and Nancy about 7:00 pm and asked them to tape the news. My recorder was broken and I did not think I could stay up that late. I was correct - I fell asleep. When I saw the newscast recording on Friday Jan 23, no strangers had yet sent photos. Now two out of four have sent photos. I thought for sure I would have photos from the couple with the bear. It was a sea of people excited to be there. Everyone was friendly. I think it was a testament to the change in America that there were no arrests. I know of three other coworkers and one coworker’s son who were there also. So many people around the world watched it on TV. We were all witnesses to history. |
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Christel M. Murdock Hello Muse Editors! ;) I looked back and realized I haven't sent in my musings in a while, so I thought I would simply do a quick update. Life is pretty much the same since I last wrote in. A few small changes. Alison and I now volunteer at our church every Sunday morning doing media and lights, which has been a really fun and rewarding experience! We have made new friends and I have learned so very much! Alison and I joined the church softball team and I just LOVED playing! I played the position of catcher and found myself supported happily by my teammates, even though I had never played softball before and wasn't very good. I got good coaching from the boys (and Alison), and I improved and learned to run faster every week. At the end, I was becoming known for running when people told me to stop... I knew I could beat the ball to 3rd base or home, and I did - every time! We also joined the church kickball team but, because I am starting classes, I will only be able to play when we have late games... Alison and I have this thing we've concocted with some of our friends... it's our "list of 2009" - this is a list of things we would like to accomplish this year - things we've always wanted to do, but haven't gotten around to, or facing fears, or whatever it might be. The ones I've accomplished so far are build a fire w/o matches or lighters (flint and a knife), take a painting class, go to Las Vegas and bet at a table instead of slots (facing my fear)... others I have yet to accomplish are white water rafting, wear a wig for an entire day, learn sign language (just started that class yesterday, and do a beach cleanup... I have a ton of other things on my list, but I think you can get the idea from that. I am currently studying the motorcycle handbook to get my motorcycle permit so I can ride a scooter for fun one day this year. So, as I've said, I'm also taking classes. I already mentioned American Sign Language, which I am soooo excited to be learning, and I am also taking an introductory course to Administration of Justice. These are both for personal fulfillment... I don't plan on making a career out of them, but I would love to be able to communicate with non-speaking, signing deaf people, and I have a passion for Crime Scene Investigation shows... and thought I would try to learn more about what's behind them. Yesterday, I was passing through the stacks of books in the school bookstore, and in the Administration of Justice Section, there were books on criminology, fingerprinting, forensic photography, and forensic technologies... I got so giddy! I cannot WAIT to get to those classes! I have also been approved to be a mentor for foster youth in the county system. Right now, I am in the "matching" phase. All my paperwork and background checks have been completed, and they are coming up with some children for me to select my mentee from. This is another thing I'm so excited to begin soon! Anyway... I didn't sleep well last night, and I'm finally yawning, so I'm gonna attempt a nap :) Wishing you all the best, and the best to all our family and friend musers who get a chance to read this! |
"Wipeout" |
Natalie Murdock [Ed. Note: Natalie called Feb. 8 with some bad news, the day before her 24th birthday. She had lost her purse when she'd left it in the wagon at WalMart while she was packing the car with her purchases. We felt really sorry for her. Yesterday I mentioned it in an email to Jim Slivka. He wrote back, giving his condolences. Then today Editor Bob passed on a new message from Natalie, which you can see below.] Feb. 10: Hello! Thanks again for the b-day present. I'm going to use it to buy clothes for my new job which I start on Wednesday. By the way....after 2 years at Eckles Auto Body, I got a different accounting position a a place called Pathway Financial, a debt settlement company. I'm super excited. My split from Eckles was so amicable that they asked me to still work there on some Saturdays, and gave me flowers :) Anyway, more good news. While I was out to dinner with my best friend Jaimie, I got a phone call from my Dad......a young couple returned my purse to my house!!! My faith in humanity has been restored :) - Maybe this place is still a good place after all ;) Love you guys!! NaTT Jim's response to the latest chapter: "Amazing!!" |
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Charles Frost Dear Nancy, Janice and I are so enjoying your poems. You were evidently captivated by cold, gray, rainy mornings -- does that say something for the Baltimore climate? And I've seen the fragility of flowers, particularly that of peonies, at "High Ledge." Haven't authored much in the way of poetry. One love poem to Orrel -- must have raised unrealistic expectations there! Apparently lost. A poem about the morning fog at "High Ledge" -- apparently lost in a computer virus mishap. When I was doing the reunion newsletter for my shipmates I tried to include a poem about the sea in each issue. John Masefield, naturally, "I must go down to the sea ... " Then, too, a very thoughtful one about the automation of lighthouses that ended on the thought of no one on shore watching anxiously during a storm for those in peril out there on the water. And, of course, poems of comfort and consolation on the obituary page. Those wonderful librarians at York, Maine, and Truman State found gems in their searches. My, you've put together some fine thoughts. Thanks for sharing them with us. Charlie |
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