Change

January 24, 2009



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Change



I have always tried to keep our blog free of politics, there are plenty of political blogs out there and while I make no secret of my political leanings, I also have great respect for many people who hold beliefs very different from my own. The events of the past week have been so inspiring to me and to so many who worked so hard to bring about real change for our country. Thus, you may have to forgive me if I veer towards anything of a political nature in this posting.

Martin Luther King Jr. Picnic

Mike Mongo celebrates Inauguration

Personally after having watched with great excitement the peaceful transition of power over the past week, it all really seems to have transcended politics and reached us at some primal level. When Kathy & I took my mother Marta to see Barack Obama speak at the Miami Book Fair two years ago, I realized right away that we were witnessing something special and I knew I was listening to a future President, I just had no idea it would happen so fast. It has been an amazing journey and one that will hopefully lead our nation back towards peace, prosperity and respectability.



William Stafford



So much has been written on the inauguration that there is not much to be said. I would like to thank our friend Bob Muens who left the warmth of Key West and his work on the Literary Seminar to arrive in DC just in time to join the masses on the National Mall to partake in all the glory and excitement of the big day. He has graciously agreed to allow me to post a few photos from his perspective in this posting.

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* Bob Muens

As for Key West, there were a number of celebrations to mark the day, beginning the day before with the annual community picnic and parade in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Howard and I took a break from the office to head down for lunch. It was amazing to see what good spirits everyone was in. The sense of community and good spirit was palpable and it was a great little event.

Howard

Greer Nolan & Gae Gannister

Inauguration Celebration



For inauguration day itself, we opted out of attending any of the celebrations ( Key West High, The Grand Key Resort or Little White House) and watched the ceremony at home joined by Kathy’s father Jimmy. It was wonderful to see.

Richard Hatch & Mike Mongo



While we watched the actual inaugural and related activities at home, we did venture out to the Inauguration Celebration dance party hosted by Richard & Suzanne Hatch at their newest restaurant, Salute on the Beach. It was a good crowd to be partying on a Tuesday night and once again – everyone really seemed in a celebratory and hopeful mood. I just hope this new exciting spirit will not be lost too soon and that we can make some headway on the many obstacles that we face as a nation.

* Photos courtesy of Bob Muens

Martha Barnes