#259 A Monticello Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is the perfect time to visit Monticello.

Normal people are busy cooking or eating or watching football on Thanksgiving Day and don't even think of a trip up the little mountain to visit Jefferson's home. But if you sign up for the Johnston Visitor Plan, you're bound to get some creative thinking!

Besides, the cooking, eating, and football watching all come later!

Thanksgiving Day at Monticello meant a low number of visitors, a high number of temperature degrees, and a terrific holiday tour guide. Ah, the beauty of the JVP.

The University of Missouri grad among us (in the center of the photo) was surprised to learn Jefferson's original headstone sits on the MU campus. Jefferson's heirs presented the carved stone monument to the first university founded in the Louisiana Purchase.

Jefferson wanted three accomplishments noted on his tombstone:
1. Author of the Declaration of Independence
2. Author of the Virginia Religious Freedom statute
3. Father of the University of Virginia

Our three Thanksgiving Day accomplishments:
1. A little history lesson
2. A little football
3. A little food

Yours in thankfulness,
Mary

#258 Happy Thanksgiving

As we docked in Spain last Thanksgiving, we found ourselves thankful for:
• Calm seas
• A port in a storm
• Non-Navy showers
• A quiet year for pirates
• Mature college students
• Food prepared by others
• Ropes to keep the library books on the shelves
• Cameras that start up quickly from the off position
• Batteries that last and last and last and last
• Friends who follow our travels and post comments to our blog
• Buses with bathrooms
• Clean drinking water
• Plumbing
• New daughters
• Old friends

Now that we’re docked in Virginia, we find ourselves thankful for:
• A library with with no need for ropes to keep the books on the shelves
• Thanksgiving Day football with the Indianapolis Colts
• Kelly’s ability to swim should he be thrown overboard
• Walking to work
• Family holiday visits
• Old friends who follow our lives and stay in touch
• New friends who have welcomed us to Virginia

Yours in sincere Thanksgiving,
Kelly and Mary

#257 The Day After GIS Day

In the wake of GIS day, I invite you to take a look at some of the best GIS Day cakes from around the world paying particular attention to the Virginia entry.

Yours in counting the days until GIS day 2008,
Kelly

#256 Hug a geographer!

Tomorrow is GIS Day.

But then, of course, you all knew that.

According to GIS Day 2007, "GIS Day provides an international forum for users of geographic information systems (GIS) technology to demonstrate real-world applications that are making a difference in our society. More than 80 countries will participate in holding local events such as corporate open houses, hands-on workshops, community expos, school assemblies, and more."

At UVa, the Scholars' Lab staff is celebrating in their own spatial way with a speaker, displays, and a GIS Day cake! Andrew Greene from the Office of the Architect will speak on "GIS at the University Scale: How the Office of the Architect Plans for the Future of UVA using GIS."

Kelly would tell you all about it himself, but he's way too excited on GIS Day Eve.

I plan on celebrating by hugging a geographer.

Yours in celebrating appropriately and geographically,
Mary

#255 Melissa, is this you?

Lynn, Mary and baby Melissa.

That's how this 1989 photo is labelled - Lynn, Mary and baby Melissa. I know who Lynn is. I know who I am. But who the heck is Melissa? I remember well that cool Bike Acadia t-shirt and those always cool extra-large eyeglasses, but I'm afraid I've forgotten Melissa.

Melissa, could you help me out? Now that you're 18, could you identify yourself and allow my brain to start working on another task?

Yours in faulty memories,
Mary

#254 Erika and Mary together again

On October 31, Erika and I worked the reference desk together at Alderman Library. We were dressed in funny clothes and giving out chocolate.

The last time we worked the reference desk together we were on a ship. We were dressed in funny clothes and trying to find chocolate.

Thank goodness Kelly is usually around to snap photos of these momentous occasions!

Yours in reunions,
Mary

#253 Nate is a teenager!

1994, posing at his christening party

1995, relaxing at home

1996, threshing in Springfield

1997, imitating a lion

1998, visiting the lions at the Kansas City Zoo

1999, speeding on Lois Street

2000, protecting Indy from fires

2001, running in Glacier National Park

2002, ice skating in Springfield

2003, hanging out with The Duke in Fort Worth

2004, enjoying nature at Bellingrath Gardens

2006, visiting his beloved aunt and uncle in Indy

Happy birthday Nate!

And come see us. We want to take your picture.

Yours in celebrating 13 years,
Aunt Mary