Dear Readers,
You may remember a project I undertook two years ago. For about five months, I walked the streets of Old Town Alexandria and the Parker-Gray neighborhood looking for historical plaques and interpretive markers. For each marker, I posted a photo and small write-up.
After completing the survey, I handed Pamela Cressey, Alexandria’s Chief Archaeologist, a copy for their files and use. Walking away, I felt satisfied over finishing the project, but the thought of putting it all together in book form lingered.
Then one day last month I sat down with Don Hakenson, author of several books, for an interview about the historic Fairfax House near the Huntington Metro. Our conversation turned to my survey of the commemorative markers. Don asked me if I had considered writing a book about it.
On the ride home, I thought about my answer to him, which was yes. I had considered it many times, but never took the plunge.
Then, in one of those moments in life when you realize the time is right, the positive vibes surged forward. Right then and there, I knew it was time to commit to putting everything I had found into book form.
And so, the process has begun. It is both exciting and scary, knowing every “t” must be precisely crossed, and every “i” dotted perfectly. But if you never try, you never know. Or something like that.
Anyway, my regular blogging might be lessened as my focus shifts to getting this done. On the other hand, the work of verifying addresses is producing some interesting snap shots of life in Old Town Alexandria.
Here’s an example from a walk I took last Friday on one of my outings. There’s no marker for this one, but it’s an apt photo, one that says to me, the ingredients are there, you just gotta’ present it in a much better way...
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