The Organ Grinder

Lotsa history today from the state of Virginia...starting with the Virginia Military Institute. Stonewall Jackson, George Patton, George Marshall. It's great to walk the grounds, and have the "kids" address you as Sir. Very respectful.

What isn't fun to see is what they do to their "plebes", their "rats", their freshmen. The rats have to twist their heads sideways at a half jog...never making eye contact with any of the upperclassmen. The theory is to break them down, before they can build them up. A long time ago we asked a cadet about his experience there. He said..."It's not a great place to go...but it's a GREAT place to be from."

Then we hit a couple of farm places, a fancy church, and finally...the state capitol. It is in Richmond. Behind Ohio...Virginia has produced the most American presidents.

We got to my nieces house at 5:30, and then she took us out to dinner at Virginia Beach. Seafood. Right on the bay...and yummy. I tried flounder for the first time. Very good.

My dad posed for the picture, but we didn't let him play the organ. I love the way he is reflected in the tiny mirror. See the entire instrument, and WAY too many pictures on my FLICKR PAGE.