Rosy Ramblings

Hanging with friends from Georgia, Carol and Carlos.

Spent a couple of hours in the Museum

Tour of Springwood with Ranger Bob

Beginning of tour at the Wallace Visitors Center.

Springwood

Drove through grounds at CIA.

Children’s Hour.  Wine and cheese near dusk in front yard at FDR Historic site

42nd wedding anniversary.. 

 Bride, Groom, Bridesmaid.  42 years later. Selfies are hard after vino!

Awesome day with special, dear, dear friends.

Led two tours of Springwood today and backed up 2 more. Busy day with 50 folks in each tour. But all was fine and enjoyable. But tiring..like teaching a brand new class of students. 

Some sweet person left ER a flower today.

Friends from Georgia arrived and we are headed out for a beer and dinner

Then to Wallace Center for webcast. Excellent presentation  Ken Burns is so incredibly articulate.

THE VIETNAM WAR WITH KEN BURNS AND LYNN NOVICK Moderated by Cokie Roberts

For all of us who are dog lovers, I thought Fala deserved  an exclusive blog. 

Murray the Outlaw of Falahill 

FDR with Fala. (August 8, 1940).  Paw in Hand

Life-size statue in museum.

Dog tag…White House

Fala White House Dog  MGM movie

Ok..it is cold today.  In the 50s, windy and cloudy. I am going in search of another sweater. Found one at a consignment store (thanks Michele)

I backed up some tours today which means that I stayed on the 2d floor of Springwood and answered questions. So between tours, I decided to make videos of some of the bedrooms and the lift.

The noise you hear are from fans.

FDR bedroom.

ER bedroom. 

FDR  Boyhood bedroom. 

 
FDR wheelchair in the lift.  The lift was installed for the purpose of moving heavy trunks used for travel.  FDR used it to pull himself to 2d and 3d floors using the ropes. It was never motorized. 

Sunday is a day when many in our country worship in various manners.  Sunday is often a day for prayer.

So I thought it was appropriate to share President Roosevelt’s eloquent D-day prayer, June 6, 1945.

(Video from the Map Room, FDR Museum)

For the entire prayer,  (7 minutes)

Remembering a Great President .

Continues to give me hope for better days

 

Went back to Top Cottage..my 5th trip so far to my favorite site.  Took the Roosevelt Ride today, no hike.

My friends, Dick and Linda, went along. It was their first time and it was really fun. Our Ranger was Victor, who is a marvelous storyteller.  Stories about deer tracks, Camel cigarettes, grave digging.  Too funny and too long to write about, but be happy to tell, when I see you.

Then to lunch at Nic L Inn in Poughkeepsie, right on the banks of the Hudson

A gorgeous day, sunny, warm.

Even the multitude of geese were relaxing and feasting on apples in FDR’s front yard.

I hiked from Val-Kill to the top of Dutchess Hill to Top Cottage. It is about only 1 mile,  but near the top, it becomes very steep..almost 45 degrees.  No wonder the Queen was terrified.

But I had my hiking stick and was off.

Nicely marked trail. Tulip Poplar was FDR’s favorite tree.

Such a lovely, peaceful view.

Can you guess what that is on the table next to the sofa?
Afternoon on the porch

Chilly day..at last!!  49 degrees this morning. Beautiful blue sky!

Every morning, as I begin my day, walking  up and down the driveway from Springwood, I am reminded to be thankful for that ability.

Bench along driveway. Sit in the warm sun.

Peaceful morning videos

At ER’s grave, the morning after the Memorial service.

For my book group friends, since I have been chosen to lead a discussion of a book about Frances Perkins, I spent some time in the FDR Archives this morning looking at her collection. It is a very small collection as most of her papers are at Columbia.

Only 2 photos are here.

1935 signing of Social  Security Act.

Jan. 1931. 1931 Eleanor Roosevelt has tea with the Chautaugua Women’s Club with Mrs Percy Pennypacker (chapter president) and Frances Perkins (State Industrial Commissioner) in New York City

Also I found this document.

Report to the President on Ten Years• Achievements in Labor and Social Improvements -Dec. 31, 1943. 

“In the period 1933-43 the Government of the United States of America during your Presidency has constantly sought to improve the lot of the working man, his wife and his children, and has related to it publio welfare ot all the people of the United States.”

The report is 55 pages and, no I did not read it, but did download, if I ever so desire. 😊

Too pretty to be inside today. Heading outdoors.

A very lovely birthday service for Eleanor this afternoon.  Held in the Rose Garden at her grave. 

David Roosevelt, grandson of FDR and ER and son of Eliot Roosevelt. 

I had the opportunity to speak to Mr. Roosevelt, mostly about traveling to Campobello. 

Park Ranger Fran with David Roosevelt. Fran is “my boss”.

Ranger Bob..he has been a mentor to me.

Deacon Gail Toback, St. James Episcopal  Church, Hyde Park. 

Before the service, I handed out programs and helped NPS set up the wreaths.  

Special day!

It was a busy day today, leading tours and backing up other tours.   My 2:00 was  a motor coach.  Very nice group from Wisconsin…had 50 folks…not easy but I was ready for them 👍

Never know who you will run into. Former Governor of NC, Jim Hunt and his wife, Carolyn.  They were part of a river cruise up the Hudson. Just way cool!

Looking directly into sun..squint

I LOVE giving tours, answering questions, recommending books. Got nice applause after tours today.  I am getting better. 

But it is SO HARD to cover what I want to say in 1 hour. I need  at least 1 week. 😊

 Later this evening I had the pleasure of meeting  3 couples staying at the motel. All in their 80s and meet annually for a reunion. From Boston, Cape Cod, and DC.  They were all sitting in the lobby, drinking wine,  so ,of course, I wandered over and said, this looks like a group I need get to know. No shyness here. They invited me to join them, shared their wine and we had a delightful discussion of FDR, WWII, Japan, George Marshall, Truman, Wallace, Byrnes, etc.  We will gather again tomorrow after ER’s birthday party  to enjoy more wine and conversations..The Children’s Hour, 🍸