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Written by Patti Lynn
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Monday, 31 December 2007 19:00 |
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Happy New Year! We visited Washington, D.C over the holidays. It was a much more moving experience than previous visits. Chiefly, because we visited the Lincoln Memorial and took the time to read Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address and the Gettysburg Address which are huge inscriptions on the interior walls. While we were reading, two people stopped to only glance at the right wall containing Lincoln's inspirational words. I heard one of the two quip, "Just a bunch of words". I thought that was so depressingly telling. Most people were far more interested in getting pictures of themselves made in front of the statue than in reading those Biblically-based, time honored thoughts and ideals that have changed human destiny.  We also visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Memorial. They were both moving. The squad of ghost-like soldiers at the Korean Memorial was especially eerie and strange. All of those reminders of the lives given for the cause of freedom was indeed sobering and brought a renewed sense of appreciation for the America we call home.
The National Gallery of Art is a place in which I could easily take up residence. I never tire of the art treasures there. We perused, "The Art of the American Snapshot, 1888-1978" on display consisting of original snapshots. These snapshots are a spontaneous, chronological record of tragic, humorous and unexpected events, somewhat like I try to capture in my songs.  From snapshot collection I was especially struck by the beauty and whimsical expression of "Girl With Shell" by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux. 
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