The Smithsonian has a display right now of Bibles and fragments from before the year 1000 AD. I really wanted to see them, because the display included a piece from the Dead Sea Scrolls. The display was at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. It’s right behind the main Smithsonian churchy-looking building.
The Dead Sea Scroll fragment was really cool! But I was dismayed to find out that I wasn’t allowed to take pictures of any of the old Scriptures. It was crazy dark in the room, and I guess they didn’t want flashes to degrade the papers any more than they already were. The docent lady did allow this picture of me standing next to the “no photos” symbol on the wall.
The docent lady suggested a picture next to the wall sign. She even ran and got a catalog for me to hold because it had pretty pictures on the front. She said that she used to be a journalistic photographer and she wanted me to get a good picture.
On the way out of the museum I saw something most exciting… Santa Claus! I had to get my camera out quickly. I was pretending to take a picture of the front of the museum, so he’s off to the side in this picture, but it’s clearly him. He’s got the white hair and beard, the jolly look in his eye, the glasses… he’s even wearing red! I didn’t want to harass him, because there were other people with him. (His bodyguards, I assume).
I’m really impressed with the quality of the ‘journalistic photographer’s photos. The blurriness is very artistic.
I LOVE the Santa guy! You know he lives for this time of year. My sister-in-law’s father does this, too, except that he’s not the real Santa – not like YOUR guy.
I always wished Grandpa Hummel would have grown his hair and beard out. he would have been an excellent Santa. Don’t you think?