Flat Stanley Visits DC

Trying to brand myself as a "really cool" great aunt, I took Flat Stanley to the National Capitol Mall yesterday. Now, for those of you who do not know Flat Stanley, he is a character in an elementary school book. Flat Stanley was, unfortunately, smashed flat by a falling bulletin board. Fortunately, because of this tragic accident, he can fold himself into an envelope and mail himself anywhere in the world. Therefore, he has become an interesting project for third graders. I received Flat Stanly from my great-nehphew Jake, who looks just like his father and lives in Arkansas.

So, Flat Stanley and I visited the Air and Space Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the national capitol. On Saturday, we are going to the World War II Memorial, The Viet Nam Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, AND to see the Cherry Blossoms, if, that is, Great-aunt Janis holds up!

We met extraordinarily wonderful and friendly people on the Mall, many of whom had read FS's book or met him in other interesting ways. I had a great conversation with a very good looking, older French man, made friends with Marshall from Sebring, Florida,  watched the lunch-time joggers, and shared the afternoon with thousands of tourists. 

Thanks to my friend Flat Stanley, I rediscovered the magic of the National Capitol Mall. I needed a little "shot" of patriotism and pride, and I found it. And it's about time.