Moved beyond words to stand on Utah and Omaha Beaches last week, visit the American cemetery, & spend time in churches that bore witness as aid stations/refuge. Beyond words except for these etched into the wall below: “To these we owe the high resolve that the cause for which they died shall live.”

The sky is their playground — aleays incredible to have the Blue Angels do a flight demo at the Naval Academy. Hanging in my office here are pics of my Granddad (USNA 1926) when he was one of the Nine High Hats, the original 1929 version! They tied their wings together for stunts…

Spent an inspiring, active day with The Aspen Institute’s Center for Rising Generations & Georgetown Univ experts in adolescence & young adulthood. Many thanks to the incredible Dr. Jen Woolard for including me & the Naval Academy in this effort to enhance student engagement & flourishing.

lots of big toys landing right outside my office window this morning 🚁

Tiptoeing through the tulips with Chris and Charlotte this morning! 🌷

Happy 25th to my baby! Smart, kind, hard-working, and one of the funniest people I know — we love you, Will. 💕

I have tariffed the penguins that are on Heard Island and which you were probably assuming did not export goods forgive me they were taking advantage of us so cunning and so cold

monday mornings should always include manatees 💕

testifying before the appropriations committee in Congress 8 years ago today — I do believe that was my “wtf” expression when asked an incredibly wrong leading question about military sexual assault 😶

another sunrise on Sanibel, another heron bestie on the beach 💕

First time being taught in any branch of the military, but so honored that it's by of my favorite science/art hybrids, @heatherkellyphd.bsky.social, & under the banner of happiness. And to be taught alongside my genius former teacher & current friend, Rita Dove. More art/science integration, pls.

During my Dad’s nuclear submarine interview back in the late 1950s, the infamous ADM Rickover asked him to recite his favorite poem. It was INVICTUS by Henley, which has inspired countless Midshipmen and servicemembers (and Nelson Mandela) over the years. Today in our Science of Happiness class…

bringing spring to the office 🌼

The level of maleficence today is almost overwhelming. I bring to you a sunbathing Henry as partial antidote. 💕

CAPT Andrew Ledford and I were delighted to welcome Dr. Arthur Brooks to the Naval Academy this afternoon to guest lecture in our Psychology of Happiness class. Midshipmen and Superintendent were absolutely delighted. Fabulous reminder of crucial links between leadership, happiness & performance. ⚓️

I am thrilled to share this announcement: the United States Naval Academy is the first military service academy to serve as a government liaison to the Face The Fight military/veteran suicide prevention coalition! www.usna.edu/NewsCenter/2...

I’m at the point where autocorrect is used to me typing “fuckery” and just lets it slide…🙃

digital palette cleanser and throwback to when Henry met the most handsome fellow in the world 💕

Both The Gulf of Heather and actual Heather are temporarily calm this morning…🌊☀️🌴☕️

I was a National Symphony Orchestra apprentice (flute) as a public high school student in Arlington. Spent magical hours sitting alongside incredible musicians for rehearsals and many, many more as an audience member over the years. Thank you to all who made The Kennedy Center what it was. 💕 📸: KC

giving a mid-term on a pretty bleak, drizzly day in Annapolis: 94 cupcakes waiting to make some Midshipmen a little happier as they write about the science of happiness 🧁

one of my coworkers would like a snack — ignore any emails appearing to come from me asking for cheese 🧀

Really fun to see all 244 Midshipmen who will go surface warfare in a few months pick their actual ships tonight, one by one! Ziggy the iconic Naval Academy dog was present, as were the Chief of Naval Operations ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and my boss, the Superintendent ⭐️⭐️⭐️— two remarkable SWOs. ⚓️

GOATALLY great way to spend the day: with Midshipmen, goats, horses, roosters out of central casting, and sassy farm dogs 🐐💕#NavalAcademy #TeamBill

Trans Lifeline crisis hotline for the trans community 1.877.565.8860 @translifeline.bsky.social

Trevor Project suicide crisis line for LGBTQ+ young people 1.866.488.7386

CAPT Andrew Ledford & I are thoroughly enjoying co-teaching the 1st Psychology of Happiness class at the Naval Academy. Just finished up a week of exploring the tricks our brains play on us (hello, cognitive psychology) and how once we understand them, we can work around them to thrive.

I may have worked in and around politics for 25 years, but I can’t think of somewhere I’d rather be today than on a mountaintop in Palm Springs — as always with these two, we were #awed and #odd (seemed like the perfect spot for splits 😆)

girlfriends are good for the soul 💕 #PalmSprings

Hoping for a peaceful transfer of power back home in DC — meanwhile, college besties and I are peacefully transferring a bunch of cocktails down our gullets by the pool in Palm Springs for the long weekend. 🌴☀️🍹💕

co-workers are slackers #HenryAndGeorgette ❤️

Do you need something to read tonight in the snow? A THOUSAND FEASTS by @nigelslater.bsky.social is a lush, beautiful collection of jubilation-meets-mindfulness moments, little sensory jewels of taste, sound, smell, visuals. It will delight and make you crave mangoes and fresh sketchbooks. ✨

Happy 119th Congress to all who celebrate! I’m out of that biz now but I caught up with some favorite former fellow veterans’ committee staffers today (by the way, if you love the Dole Act thank these two women). Here’s my secular benediction for everyone on the Hill starting this new session…

Happy New Year! Finished this just in time to toss it on our bar and wish you all a year of joy, adventure, and purpose. Stay sparkling. 💕🥂🍾

year in review: some of the best animals I’ve hung out with in 2024 💕

smoke from the cannon outside my office window going off every hour on the hour in honor of Jimmy Carter

Very excited for our main textbook to arrive today — feels real that I’ll be co-teaching my first class at the Naval Academy in 2 weeks! Not part of my job description but couldn’t pass up bringing The Science of Happiness here. 🤓📚

wishing you all joy (and chocolate) ❤️🎄

Not a creature was stirring, not even a Henry — until Georgette discovered the cheese board 🎄🧀

What a treat to bring our adult kids to the White House this morning! Thank you, Terri T for this but more importantly, for your stunning work these 4 years as Special Assistant to the President for Veterans Affairs. A rarity in this town, the only thing bigger than your intellect is your heart. ❤️🎄

Dear Santa letters from odd little animals 🎅#inklings

Every now and then I still miss it up here. Lovely evening with National Military Family Association honoring SECDEF and HASC’s quality of life panel. 🇺🇸

OHMIGOD WE WONNNNNN!!!!!! #ArmyNavyGame #SingSecond

AT THE GAME 💕🐐⚓️🏈🇺🇸 #ArmyNavyGame

Obviously we want to get the rate to zero, but finally we’re heading in the right direction with this drop. www.aol.com/us-military-...

Pep rally at Navy tonight to kick off Army-Navy week! Poor little Army mule going up in the bonfire, ridonculous drone show, fireworks, and of course my guy Bill 🐐 #GoNavyBeatArmy

You know I post every year on Pearl Harbor Day because it’s an “alive day” for my grandparents, father, & aunts as well as a day of remembrance for the world. They were stationed at Pearl, living in quarters on Ford Island’s Battleship Row when it was hit. Granddad was commanding a squadron of PBYs.

A lovely start to the season — my boss, Vice Admiral/Superintendent Davids and her husband hosted an evening at Farragut House. Happy to see one of my first work besties who’s off doing a fellowship🎄💕

Pink Christmas cheer has appeared in my office for the Midshipmen and herons who wander by!🎄💕

Henry and Georgette don’t ascribe to the concept of personal space 😆💕 cc @darthbluesky.bsky.social