Trip to Washington DC

It's been awhile since my husband and I have traveled far from port in Eastern Washington—on the Idaho border where we live. But when Southwest Airlines handed us two flight vouchers during an unscheduled flight delay last Thanksgiving, it opened the skies for a

U.S. Capitol Building

(We accessed from underground via a tunnel system,

thanks to an intern in our congressman's office at

the Rayburn House Office Building across the street;

just contact your district's congressman for information)

future trip (other than our usual jaunts to Utah and California). Vince and I just couldn't resist seeing a part of the country we've never seen before. And what better place could there be to visit than Washington DC, with the election just around the corner? But all politics aside (because Washington DC offers so much more), I discovered a writer's paradise when it comes to research and entertaining new ideas. Virtually all of the museums (with the exception of a few private ones) are free and exceptional in quality.

We began our Smithsonian tours on the fourth floor of the National Museum of American History and worked our way down through decades of history in about 4 hours. But we could have easily spent a day there—me, maybe two. We just had too much to fit in (only 3 days in DC). And with a background in American Studies, that wasn’t easy for me. The Americans at War display is especially good. It covers the Revolutionary War and upward through present day wars. What a thrill it was to see a life size model of one of our founding fathers, George Washington, wearing his original Revolutionary War uniform—blue wool coat, breeches and knee-high black boots; he was surprisingly tall and long-armed . . . Others are similarly depicted and the authenticity of each display is impressive. http://americanhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/exhibition/flash.html?path=1.3.r_763

Washington National Monument.
(A constant presence wherever we
went; larger than expected; closed
for repairs due to earthquake Aug)

The display of the American flag created after the War of 1812 is inspiring. The flag is spread out flat under glass like a giant bedspread, all tattered and torn but as proud it seems as those who made and fought for it. It's the same flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled banner. "Oh, say can you see . . ." Can't you just hear it?

Moving on to other displays depicting our era and culture, I discovered Julia Child’s complete kitchen. What fun! I know of no one else who has made cooking such fun, French no less.

Unfortunately, the rest of the display was blocked off  from view (for remodeling), but I could still hear Julia’s cute accented speech in my mind. “Bon appétit!” Wasn't Meryl Streep's recent interpretation of Julia in the movie Julie and Julia great?


 Another section documents the lives of our past presidents (and current); the gowns of the first ladies also displayed here are a rare visual treat; you really get a sense of the culture and fashion of the day. Grace Coolidge’s flapper-style dresses are especially stunning, and I understand she had a personality to match. And Michelle Obama's inaugural gown is lovely. 
 

We also did a quick tour of the Natural Museum of History, which is wonderful for families with children because of all the bones and dinosaurs (and mummies if not too gross). I’m afraid I rushed through this section too fast to benefit. Many of the skeletons are cast replicas, so that was a disappointment. I did think the precious gem exhibit was rather interesting. The famous Hope Diamond is on display, which I loved seeing since I had to research precious gems for a famous ruby I invented in my book. There is an amazing story behind this diamond. 


Perhaps the biggest highlight, since Vince is a pilot and I’m his passenger occasionally, was the Air and Space Museum. Holy moly

Apollo II - space capsule

. . . the actual lunar capsule that brought Neil Armstrong and his crew back home from the moon is on display! Where were you when they first landed on the moon in 1969?   was sitting at a switchboard taking calls as a long distance telephone operator

for Pacific Northwest Bell in Tacoma, WA. One by one, my co-workers and I were given breaks so we could watch the moon landing on TV. Pretty exciting day.

And Orville and Wilbur Wright’s original plane and Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis! I had forgotten how much I love Lindbergh’s wife (Anne) and her writing, although I’ve only read one of her books, A Gift from the Sea. Anne Lindbergh wrote twelve more, I discovered; I plan to read at least two of those books, North to the Orient (1935) and Listen! The Wind (1938); both describe her and Charles’ world travels in their Lockheed Sirius airplane (purchased in 1929). I can’t wait. Anne was Charles’ co-pilot apparently and sat behind him in their tandem cockpit. My pilot husband who built a tandem RV8) of course found this interesting as well. Although I'm far from being his co-pilot; does 'white-knuckle' ring any bells? Well . . . needless to say, we visited this museum twice.

The Wright Flyer (Orville and Wilbur Wright 
were bicycle builders and mechanics by trade)

Vince at his favorite museum :)

Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, 1st soloflight ever across the Atlantic Ocean



Admiring the Charles and Anne Lindbergh display
(Behind, a replica of the Lockheed Sirius plane they flew)

Aviator face masks (with oxygen tubes) worn
by pilots in the 1920s and 1930s

We also saw the Holocaust Museum, which is a sobering, emotional experience. That there are those in existence today who still believe this ghastly period in history never happened to Jewish people just boggles the mind. The massacre also included non-Jews who were judged by the Nazis to be racially, religiously, culturally, mentally, and socially inferior; as well as bystanders who attempted to help and were arrested. Few children survived the holocaust, I learned. At the Auschwitz Concentration Camp alone, the policy was to exterminate all children under 15! The museum gives each visitor a passport with the name and biography of someone who had actually died, adding to the effect. There is also a special area designed for families with young children. I didn't have time to see this section, but I've been told it's exceptionally well done.



Library of Congress

 Lastly, we toured the Capitol (thanks to our district congressman), the Library of Congress (wow—another amazing research source); the Lincoln Memorial (hmm…for some reason I thought it was bronze like the penny (ha-ha); Vince thought it was bigger), the National Monument (damaged in an August earthquake), the Viet Nam Memorial (quiet, sobering), and the White House lawn on Pennsylvania Avenue (last of all). A funny thing happened at the Library of Congress that we still laugh about. Vince and his brother were shushed by a librarian at the Library of Congress. Vince is rather proud of that moment . . . but then, he and librarians have never quite gotten along. (A date at the library when we were sixteen is one of our best stories).
 

The White House was a special treat, because as we were walking towards it, three (?) ‘White House’ helicopters (Vince saw four) suddenly appeared overheard and landed on the other side. We didn’t see the president or the first family, but there was definite excitement in the air (and security personnel were everywhere on top of buildings and on the ground). 

Vince and brother on path to Lincoln Memorial

  

Lincoln Memorial

Statue on grounds at Vietnam Memorial

White House (Pennsylvania Avenue); next time we hope
 to tour; tours are limited and difficult to get due to
 high security; apply well in advance.

Protestor across street from White House

Old Ebbitt Grill
(Food and service great!)

We left for dinner—one block over across from the Department of Treasury—to a restaurant called Old Ebbitt Grill, which I dubbed “Old Debit Grill.” The evening (our last night in DC) was topped off by a protest march that paraded by in front as we waited. They moved so fast, I'm still not sure what exactly they were protesting.



Protest Marchers





Weather was hot and muggy for the first week in October (high 70’s, low 80’s) all three days, and our legs got a more than expected workout (hotel was wrong about walking distances!). But it was SO-SO worth it. I came home with a renewed sense of patriotism and a pride in our country’s achievements, despite all the flack in the news and uncertainty our nation faces right now. An intern from American University, the young man who gave us a guided tour of the Capitol and House of Representatives, did a great job instilling hope in our country’s future leaders.

Go to DC if you’ve never gone before . . . I don’t know why we put this off so long!

Copyright 2012 © Sharon Himsl

Sharon M. Himsl

Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011. 
Published with Evernight Teen: 
~~The Shells of Mersing

The Charles Schulz Philosophy

(I like this a lot. It further underlines my feelings about the importance of being ourselves. Good to remember in our writing and other endeavors. Not always easy to do!!)

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip:

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world. 
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners. 
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant. 
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize. 
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress. 
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. 
These are no second-rate achievers. 
They are the best in their fields. 

But the applause dies . . .
Awards tarnish. 
Achievements are forgotten. 
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school. 
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time. 
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile. 
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson: 
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with
the most credentials, the most money...or the most awards. 
They simply are the ones who care the most

''Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!"

Sharon M. Himsl

Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011. 
Published with Evernight Teen: 
~~The Shells of Mersing

Always be Yourself

Some years back I visited the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute in Pendleton, Oregon. I have never forgotten that afternoon. The institute is one of the best Native American museums I have ever experienced. The museum (actually 3 total) spans 10,000 years of history on the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla tribes. The Living Culture Village was the most memorable, but all of the exhibits were interesting and instructive (I was a student of Native American history at the time). 

On a postcard purchased there, I was drawn to the words of Coyote, a popular mythological character in the legends of many Native American cultures. Coyote is often the playful, mischievous, trickster character in such stories, but he plays an important transformative role as well. I love the wisdom he imparts in the following:

"They call me Ispilyay.

Well we are brothers.

I am the same thing.

The people saw him,

and said, "Oh, another one!

Don't be another one.

Always be yourself."

So why is this important to me? A writer's work is scrutinized under a 'powerful microscope' before being published--by critique partners, agents, and editors, and sometimes our families and friends. I cannot help but wonder, when it is all over with, what is left of mine in the final manuscript. But of course, it is all part of the long polishing process in making one's work better. I am quite blessed to have some very adept and efficient readers who have my best interest in mind and want to see my book published. But when I get discouraged with the process, it helps to remember that I really only need to worry about one thing: being true to the story I wish to tell, which in essence means being true to myself.

Copyright 2012 © Sharon Himsl

Fantasy or Reality?

Clay vases author purchased in 
Kota Bharu, Malaysia

Happy New Year! I wish I could claim credit for the following inspired thoughts. I heard this discussion on talk radio a long time ago, took notes and posted it on my bulletin board. While cleaning up my office recently, I discovered my notes and thought how perfect for the start of the New Year. It goes something like this . . .

There are four stages in the transformation of an idea . . . into reality:

1) Fantasy Stage (dream an idea). This is the soaring stage where you let your imagination go the limit. It sends me running to my computer or notepad to jot down an interesting character, a plot or funny incident before I forget. No editing, nothing pretty--just get it down. Sometimes it's a newspaper clipping, a picture, something someone says, or even a dream I've had that inspires me. 

Enjoy this phase and only share it with fellow dreamers, for only they will understand. This is your creative time.

2) Clay Stage. Ask yourself, what are the things that need to be done to develop your idea? What are the things I can feasibly do today, tomorrow, and this year? Seek the advice of others but only from helpful entrepreneurs. This is hard butt-busting work, but I love this stage. This is where I take a serious look at an idea, expand it into possible chapters and characters, and begin to work out the intricacies of plot, conflict, character development, and theme. I enjoy the research and the process.  

This is where a dream takes shape, like clay in a mold. 

3) Firing Stage. This can be scary. Here your dream is finally put to the test. Be brave and courageous. You may find yourself returning to the clay stage, but always keep your eyes focused on the dream--the ultimate goal. Inch forward (if that is all you can do).  This is where I finally bare my underbelly to fellow writers to check my progress. It is the hardest stage of all for me. Did I do what I intended to do? Do they like what I've written, or is it back to the drawing board to edit, revise and try again? For me the temptation is to stay in the security of the clay stage. 

Don't give up, because the next stage is just around the corner. 

 4) Finishing Stage. The submission stage . . . another challenge for sure, with query letters and finding an agent or a publisher, but this time you have a product in hand!


I'm in the Firing Stage and ready to submit my book to my writers' group for review (next week), but it's not the first time this book has been critiqued. I believe it is close if not ready for submission. I am so close to the Finishing Stage, I can taste it. How about you?
 

Copyright 2012 © Sharon Himsl

Sharon M. Himsl

Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011. 
Published with Evernight Teen: 
~~The Shells of Mersing

Scenes of Christmas

                Copyright 2011 © Sharon Himsl

Sharon M. Himsl

Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011. 
Published with Evernight Teen: 
~~The Shells of Mersing

Focus - Stay the Course

Josiah, Asher and Elisha with Grandma Sharon

I am back from California after spending 2-1/2 weeks with two adorable grandsons, so Mom and Dad could adjust to the birth of son  number three. Looking back when I first took on 'nanny' duty taking care of my daughter's two children for 3 weeks in July (while Mom finished her Master's degree) and my son's boys in Calif. in August for 3 weeks (while Mom was in China), I realized that I had committed over 8 weeks of my time this year to young children. The need was there and I would not change it for the world, but it was more than challenging trying to meet a book goal this fall (i.e., November), added to the fact I also came down with a case of pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough.

Huh?--you might say. A year ago I would have told you this is a childhood disease, but so many parents are opting not to vaccinate their kids these days (Washington and Idaho being two of the worst offenders; I live on the WA/ID border), adults are suddenly vulnerable to this serious respiratory disease. Doctors now recommend that adults get the Dtap vaccine, because--guess what? More and more adults are coming down with it, especially those who work with children.

Well, I have no idea how I came down with it (fortunately, my grandchildren didn't succumb). It is a serious disease and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It took weeks to recover, and then on top of it--after feeling better and suddenly getting my energy back, I went bicycling and fell, whereupon I broke an already sore and stretched rib (due to coughing) and added to my recovery (more than 6 weeks!). On top of this, a beloved nephew died suddenly at age 30.

The potential setback in my writing was all there, lining up in perfect order, standing there at the finish line yelling and threatening to stop me in my tracks, but guess what? It didn't happen. My faithful writing coach got me through, encouraging whatever time I could eke out in writing as well as exercise. So, here I am with a completed manuscript (80,000 words) in hand, and except for line edits (2 more weeks to go), it's almost ready for review by the writers' group I belong to. I am now researching agents and publishers. I am so excited, and once again have proven that life events do not have to deter you from your writing (or any goal for that matter).

Focus, it is all about FOCUS. Moreover, I also have greatly enriched my life experience, which continues to be an excellent resource for future character and plot development. I can still hear the pitter-patter of little feet and those precious giggles and untold tears. Will their voices show up in a new book? Who's to say at this point--I don't know. But use what you have been handed, I say, and stay the course, whatever sail you have set. Your writing will soar to new heights--at least that is what appears to be happening to me.

Copyright 2011 © Sharon Himsl