Opportunity is right around the corner

You've heard that phrase before, "Opportunity is right around the corner!".  So have I.  It's not usually encouraging.  I usually hear it after I've had a door slammed, or what I thought was the best opportunity ever, fall apart or blow up in my face.  Yes, you know what I mean. 

But today I'm going to look at it differently.

I was on the bus this morning, on the way in to the office.  I enjoy watching people as they get on and off the bus, cross the street, dressed for the office, tourists with their families, walking, on bikes, and driving their cars. 

This morning when the bus arrived downtown, one of the side streets was blocked by several big black cars with lights flashing.  The motorcade!  They were in front of one of the downtown hotels, apparently waiting for someone of importance to emerge, so they could transport them in safety.   I've seen this a couple of times since I've moved to D.C., and usually there is a large crowd that quickly gathers around them. 

The traffic light changed and the bus proceeded to the stop at the next light. In this city scene out of my bus window, I watched a young man taking snapshots of the buildings, an elevator, and his friends.  He was excited as he showed his friends the pictures he just took.  He had the look of being from out of town, and was excited by everything he saw. 

He didn't know that less than one block away was something one hundred times more exciting than an escalator to take pictures of.  Only a few feet away from him and his camera was possibly the President of the United States, maybe he was even with his family.  And no crowd had gathered, so it would have been possible to get a picture or two. 

He didn't know. 

Opportunity was right around the corner.

Today I am going to remember that opportunities are everywhere.  We often don't see them, even when they are close by. 

May we all see and take advantage of opportunities today!

A Capitol Fourth

I packed it all in on the 4th of July this year since I'm now in Washington, DC.  I wanted to see and do as much as possible.  I did, and I was so tired afterward!!!  But I'm so glad I did it. 

Got a late start, the buses were late, and couldn't go down close to the parade route, so I caught the end of the parade. 

Shirt says: "I am the American Dream".

Taking pictures with his ipad....

I stopped to take a break and get a snack at the Ronald Reagan building,

and wander around...

Then walked over to the National Museum of American History.

The line was across the front of the building, but it moved quickly.

I saw Superman's costume, Archie Bunker's chair, even Howdy Doody is here...

but the best part was...

My favorite puppet of all, Bunny Rabbit!!!!!!

Oh, I am so excited that I saw Bunny Rabbit!!! . :)

Skateboarding, celluloid, girl scouts

Old Glory that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814

and inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star Spangled Banner

The exhibit was wonderful. 

Yeah, check the bandages on her ankles, she marched in the parade all right...

Judy Garland's ruby slippers. Teeny, gotta be size two!

Gary Kuhn's computer?  No, I think he's still using his...

On the way to the Washington Monument...

So, when I got to the west lawn of the Capitol for the PBS concert, I had a seat by this little mouse's house.  He would go in his hole, then poke out and look at me, then get a little closer to me each time.  I know he just wanted to be friends, but when he got a few inches away from me,