London, England Today I went to the National Portrait Gallery, wherein you will not find two notable Americans. But there are famous Brits galore, and I challenge my local friends to identify all whom I showcase here.
However, today we Yankees also celebrate the birthday of George Washington, born in 1732. (The Father of our country must be turning over in his grave to see what time has done to our poor country. But, we will try to soldier on.)
Another very special American — in my book, at least — is my pal Don, who also celebrates a birthday today.
He is still incapacitated by a bad cold and spent the day in bed.
I made the outing to the National Portrait Gallery on his behalf. That was a fitting destination, as George Washington himself is memorialized nearby on Trafalgar Square, in front of the National Gallery, with a statue placed on a parcel of American soil.
How then to honor Don? There was no time to commission a statue. However, I was able to commission a bespoke poem from a clever young man who wasted no time being inspired by the occasion.
I’m certain Don will treasure it always.
Now, on to the museum. Yes, it has plenty of stiff and stuffy old kings and queens in all their finery.
But it has very contemporary collections of portraits, photographs and sculptures of people you feel you know.
From Nelson Mandela to the Beatles to Florence Nightingale, they are all here, in various media, captured in a moment in time.
Such a treat to see people of your own world staring back at you, though some I could have done without.
All in all, a lovely day, except for missing the birthday boy.
Happy Birthday Don. Sorry to hear you’re under the weather. Hope your day is soon brighter
There’s hope. I think tomorrow will be better!
Happy birthday to Don … Hope you feel better soon xx sarah
Sorry Don wasn’t up to going out today, and it is his birthday. Bummer! The trooper that you are got out and enjoyed the day. Yeah. Great picture of St Martin-in-the-Field. All ten of James Drake, my great, great, great Grandfather’s children were christened there from 1810 to 1828.
I know. I put that in just for you!
Thanks.
Happy Birthday Don Washington! Jo, that’s so sweet to have a special poem for the birthday boy. Very well deserved for planning all those fabulous trips and dinners all the time.
He really liked it!!
Your local friends took on the challenge….and failed to name a lot of theses faces. We think we saw…Audrey Hepburn,Tim Berners Lee,Germaine Greer, Maggie Thatcher, Elton John,The Beatles,Zandra Rhodes, French and Saunders,David Attenborough,Iris Murdoch,Alan Turing,Lee Miller,Lucian Freud,Dame Laura Knight.
Do we get a runners-up prize?
Hope the birthday boy is feeling better.
A and J
You did great! I’ll have to see if I remember who you missed!
happy birthday to the ailing birthday boy from your penthouse neighbor
happy birthday Don, sorry to hear you were sick on your special day. Lots of great captures at the Portrait museum, did not know that GW was on a patch of US soil!
So happy to see Iris in the N Portrait Gallery ! Hope you gave a quick genuflect for me.
Happy Birthday Don! Hope you’ll be on your funny feet again soon!