DC Visit Summary

It has been a busy few days in Northern Virginia. Visits to three different Smithsonian museums, a Nationals Baseball Game, and plenty of family time.

My retrospective tour of life included a visit on my brothers back porch with Lou Novack and Nat McQueen. I have not seen Lou in 26 years although we communicated off and on for the past 15 years or so, but our paths have never crossed. It was wonderful to catch up. It was fun sharing old stories with high school and scouting buddies. Not to short change Nat, but he went to TCU and lived in Arlington until four years ago, so we had less to catch up on. Lou did have to tolerate college football talk.

It was good to see my whole family. My nephew Zach and I had much scouting talk. I have found a true kindred spirit in my niece Ashley. Her parents would have much to fear if I lived much closer. My brother has much to fear regardless, she is going be a handful as teenager.

My sister and her family arrived in time to go to the Nationals game. Her boys Joe and Hunter are quite spunky. Hunter and I had a good walk around the ball park discussing the things that are important to soon to be seven year old. Joe was not very talkative with his uncle as he was in his last visit, but committed to doing better the next time. Life can be hard at times when you are eight.

It was clear that my mother was enjoying having all her children in one location. My brother and I did our best to reminder of why she should not enjoy as much, but she was not deterred. My sister-in-law Dudley watched, pretty much her only choice, from the sidelines.

Fun was had by all in honor of my Dad’s 70th birthday celebration weekend. Someday I will have to delve into my relationship with my father, but I am very proud to be his son. He also enjoyed having his boys and daughter around. Rumor has it the elder Shugarts had a grand time. I’m going with that.

I am heading back to Texas tomorrow.