Wednesday, June 4, 2008

L-O-N-G Day

Today's Greeting

MAGIC!!


Here's a wrap-up of my day...I got up a little later than usual, because I stayed with my grandchildren last night till very late - then drove back home.
This morning my husband had a medical meeting to attend in DC, so I drove him to the closest train station - about 20 miles...Then went to the store because we had a load of hand-made Amish rockers being delivered, and I have to store some at home...Got 2 of the chairs in my Pacifica and brought them home, then went back for 2 more...Unpacked several more deliveries and got them all scanned in and priced and out for sale.
During all this there was a terrible storm (I like "weather", but this was something else!)
Left about 4 to go back to the train station -had a call that the storm had caused probelms and the trains could come no farther than the 4th stop back....Now I'm not even sure where that station is and the traffic was beginning to really get crazy and the cell phone circuits were all busy...I tried to set the GPS, but the little "burgs" all run together, and I had it set for the wrong one, so the street number where John waas waiting didn't show up. Finally it dawned on me to try another city name, and BINGO!
So now to get there in the rush hour traffic, with storms and half the western suburbians (There are well over 2,000,000 people living beyond that station) trying to go pick up someone there. Trains coming out of Washington every 10 minutes had had to leave everyone at that one station although their cars were further out where they had left them, and there were people everywhere - sidewalks, in the street - really mobs of tired, wet people all over the place.
So it took about 2 hours to go 2.5 miles after I got off the freeway. I found my guy, and we began to try to maneuver back - all in all it was a 4 1/2 hour trip, with nothing to eat and no pit stops - couldn't get off for fear of never getting back into the line of cars. Traffic lights were out, which didn't help.
So the upshot of all this rambling is that I posted your greeting and one old, but favorite, photo.
Tomorrow will be easier ....well maybe it will. Barack Obama will be at Nisson Pavilion, which is very close to my house and store. They are expecting >25,000, so once again traffic will be snarled. I'll have a time getting home from the store, though it's only 3 miles!
Smile, Helen.

14 comments:

Jayne said...

Oh my Helen... what a day you had. Ugh. Nothing worse than that much traffic, unless it's in stormy weather. Glad you all got home safe and sound, and hope there was a nice glass of merlot at the end of your day.

Sandpiper (Lin) said...

A nice post, Helen! Great pictures that you shared. You are awesome with a camera. The birds love you. I heard about the awful weather passing through down there. They were covering it on CNN (?) yesterday afternoon. Lots of tornado and thunderstorm warnings. I'm glad you're okay.

kjpweb said...

Awesome picture - dreadful day, huh?
Glad you managed anyway! Cheers, Klaus

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Helen:I'm glad you had time to post with that mess. The flower is certainly beautiful.

Oh how I hate to hear of snarled traffic, I spent so time in Huston, TX and there were always traffic back-ups.

Mary said...

Poor Helen! What a terrible day to deal with. I hate traffic. Beautiful hummingbird picture and the flower card is another winner! Hope your day brightens up.

John Theberge said...

Nice photo of the hibiscus and the composite you put together with the hummingbirds and petunias is very interesting also.

Unknown said...

I understand your comment and appreciate your daily treks to my site. It is prefectly okay! Hope you have a wonderful week!

NCmountainwoman said...

I'm glad you made it home safely and that, despite the horrible day, you could say to yourself, "Smile, Helen, smile."

The pictures are lovely, as always.

abb said...

Hope tomorrow is better! Love your hibiscus card - beautiful!

(Just want you to know, I come by everyday tho I can't always take time to comment.)

Shelley said...

Both of those pictures amazed me - I think you have the "magic" touch!

Eve said...

I love my little small towns even more now!!!
Hope things are slowing down a bit Helen.

Naturegirl said...

I hate the rush hour traffic!! I love your images today!

Anonymous said...

I'm exhausted just hearing what you've been through. We saw the damage from your storm on the news. Glad you are home safe. Love the hummingbirds!

Stacey Olson said...

Wow, and I don't even see one car in 2 and a half miles.. So glad you are all home safe.. I would be a nervous wreak with that many people around.. Sounds like the weather is crazy everyplace.. have a great weekend.