Busy Day! Constitution Week, Sister's Garden & More

Yesterday was a busy one!  First I took this photo of this beautiful Begonia that Dayle has wintered over 2 winters.. funny thing, it was such a cool, damp Summer for most of it that it just now bloomed and it's September!  But isn't it yummy?

Then I packed up some things for a museum display that my friend Dorothy and I installed in a case at the Veteran's Administration Hospital that is high on a hill overlooking Portland, Oregon.  We have done this for 7 or 8 years as members of the Portland Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Below is a bit of history...

WASHINGTON, DC - Sunday, September 17, 2006, begins the national celebration of Constitution Week. The weeklong commemoration of America’s most important document is one of our country's least known official observances. Our Constitution stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout history to maintain their liberties and freedom, and to ensure those unalienable rights to every American.

The tradition of celebrating the Constitution was started many years ago by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). In 1955, the Daughters petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into Public Law #915 on August 2, 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The aims of the celebration are to (1) emphasize citizens' responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution, preserving it for posterity;  (2) inform the people that the Constitution is the basis for America's great heritage and the foundation for our way of life; and (3) encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787. 

I collected several appropriate items for the display over the years.  Here is the whole display.

On the bottom shelf we put some plates and books.

The other half of the bottom shelf, on the left is a proclamation by our Portland City Mayor stating that they officially support this display and the week of celebration.

The upper right of the display are a copy of the Constitution on parchment that I picked up when visiting Philadelphia and the Liberty Bell.  Next to the paper are a pair of antique "spectacles" such as would have been worn by the signors of the Constitution, an antique inkwell, (I have an inkwell collection that I love) goose feather "pen", and an antique brass inkwell, from my collection.

On the upper left are a pair of soldier figures that I found on eBay, depicting soldiers as they would have looked as part of the Revolutionary war.  Next is one of my favorite things, an antique wooden "writing box" with 2 inkwells, pen rests, and drawers for nibs and sealing wax.  I also brought this neat old hourglass.  I wanted to show what they might have used when signing the document.

Dorothy and I with the finished product.

Here is the lobby of the VA Hospital (our display on the right).  There are flags on display from our 6 services - Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.

Then when I left there I stopped by to visit my sister, Denise - to see how pretty her yard is looking.

They just had these neat "curbs" put in the yard and the grass will fill in and behind it will be bark dust.

Here is her new fountain and the flowers are filling in.

Her backyard flower pots.  She also gave me lunch of tomato with mozzarella and her fresh basil, baked chicken,  grilled fingerling potatoes and strawberry covered panna cotta for dessert!

Then I went on to my daughter's house to watch my older granddaughter while she took the 3 year old to the doctor to check on something, which turned out fine.  Then they packed their things in my car and I brought the girls home for a sleepover - for 2 nights.  They're here now and so sweet, playing with our collection of toys.

My Hibiscus is in bloom, this poor spindly plant has given me pretty flowers for years.

Well, off I go to play with the girls.  Thanks for visiting!!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)