God Save the Queen

 Once we heard that Queen Elizabeth's health was failing on Thursday, we were all listening to the BBC with baited breath to hear what was going on.  When the news came out that she had passed, I have to admit - I was sad.  

Maybe it was all those "Majesty" magazines that my Aunt Mary saved for me over the years.  Or that we share (and I gave my daughter) the same name.  Maybe it's that I always wished I was Canadian. Or that I've celebrated every royal wedding (and some divorces)... Or maybe it's that I'm an old fashioned kinda girl that loves Tradition.  Either way...the death of Queen Elizabeth impacted me.  So when I heard that the British Embassy was open to the public to sign the condolence book, the kids and I talked it over and decided we'd do a half day of "real" school and spend the other half paying our respect to the Queen.  

The location of Embassy Row dictated us parking by the British American School and hiking through Rock Creek Park to get to the British Embassy.  While I saw that we had to walk through a park or walk ALL THE WAY AROUND the Naval Observatory on the map, I didn't get that we were LEGIT hiking  to get to Massachusetts Ave.  Think old growth forest in the midst of Washington, DC.  Woulda thunk?

We came out of the trail on a side street and had absolutely no idea where we were.  After looking around - we saw we were directly in front of the Danish Embassy - so we figured we were going the right way.  After passing the Polish, Sri Lankan, Brazilian and South African Embassies, we saw a statue of Winston Churchill - and knew we were in the right place.  

We found the British Embassy.  Surrounded by pleasant middle-aged men in British military uniforms.  We waited in about a 30 minute queue to wait to sign the condolence book.  Having never been in an embassy before, it was a neat experience.  Listening to a young British woman, who had this embassy has her second posting, she relayed the story about how she left last night to go home and was amazed during her walk to the flat,  that life was still happening outside - because inside the embassy, it had stopped.  There were no pictures allowed while we were inside, but I was super pleased when Caroline pulled out her notebook instead of her cell phone to document the moment.  

As we entered the Embassy and passed the reception desk, the hallway was lined with small flower arrangements sent from other embassies.  The flowers were mostly white and there were many lilies.  The scent was almost overpowering.  After waiting in a line almost 40 people deep, we were able to sit at the table with one of three condolence books.  The table was a long rectangle, covered in a royal blue cloth.  There was a simple bouquet of white roses and a framed portrait of the queen just next to the book.  We wrote our messages and then headed out.  

In front of the British Embassy, there was a collection of flowers for the Queen laid around the stone Union Jack with about 5 reporters with cameras and microphones interviewing folks as they exited.  

We took some pictures and were on our way...and were glad to take the time for an adventure like this.  

This week's blog post is brought to you by a rainy day.

 As a kid, I loved rainy days.  As a baseball player, I love them, too.  

I love the feel of the mist as I stand in the batters box.  I love hearing the ground squish beneath my feet while running through the outfield.  I especially love the feeling of knowing I won't get a huge strawberry bruise on my backside from sliding because the ground is soft. 

Being the proud manager of a 10u baseball team, I wanted the boys I coach to know that feeling, too.   However, today is NOT the day.  I wandered out on the infield about 3pm, only to be up to my ankles in mud.  Hopefully we can get a gusty breeze to dry things out in time for tomorrow.  

Coaching is wonderful.  It is truly a gift.  I love baseball and I love teaching.  When combined, it's a little slice of heaven.  That being said, Benjamin is playing more 12u than 10u - leaving me coaching a team that my kid isn't on.  Which is okay.  The strain of having me be in a different place than the boys, Sam, Caroline & Jim is tough, though.  

But sometimes the stars align and I get to see moments like this...and it makes my Mama Heart burst.

Last game, Benjamin got to lead off.  1 for 2 with a single.  Not bad for a kid that just turned 10. 

Here's Tater.  Hitting 4 in the order.   Getting plunked ALL the time.  It's almost like he's the Little League equivalent of Kevin Youkilis

My heart is full. 

"Hey Dillhole - Coach said you couldn't shake me off.  I know where you sleep.  Do what I say." 

And then this happened.  Starting public school, ending public school, starting homeschool, Jim starting grad school, a new job, a cross country move, a pandemic and 5 years later...we get this