About 2 years ago, Meredith Morris telephoned to see if I had any interest in circling the tower at Washington Cathedral with her. She did not have to ask twice! We both double checked our records and then triple checked them with the Guild peal secretary. It would require some juggling, but was definitely manageable. Even as we began our effort, another ringer became only the third to circle the tower. But this small group was all-male; another milestone for us to tackle!

By the fall of 2002, we were down to one more bell each. Don Morrison, who has rung countless peals with us, graciously agreed to conduct. He even produced a composition especially for this peal! Finding a mutually convenient date proved to be a bit of a challenge (real life is such a nuisance), but we finally settled on Easter 2003.

If you've never organized a Very Important Peal before, this is the moment when you discover that you have LOTS of friends. In very short order we had 30+ potential names, and only 7 available ropes. Ouch! Along with the eager acceptances and the sad regrets, we had two acceptees who later went down with serious health problems.  (We're pleased to report that they're both well on the road to a full recovery.)

The most immediate issue in putting the band together was a willing volunteer for the tenor. (Sit DOWN, Richard!) Don didn't particularly want to, and our usual suspects were begging off at a furious rate. (Stop JUMPING up and down and waving your arms about, Richard!) Just at the point of desperation, we discovered that an English friend was going to be in America over Easter. A brief flurry of emails, and we had our willing tenor ringer. (PLEASE try to contain yourself, Richard!)

We entered the final weeks praying that no one contracted Bubonic Plague, that the weather held, that all the heavenly bodies stayed where they belonged, and that no one fell victim to airline strikes or travel crises. By Saturday night, all of our guests have arrived safely. Mercifully, the entire band turned up at the appointed time and place on Sunday, and at long last, "Look to. . . .", deep breaths, "Go Plain Bob Royal".  3 hours, 24 minutes later, "That's All." HUGE sighs of relief, big smiles, a quick round of champagne, and a few photos. We've really done it!

Special thanks to Don Morrison, Roger Savory, John King, Alex Taft, Greg Watson, Smiley, Mary Clark, and Richard Offen, who rang with us; Quilla Roth and Eddie Martin, who were with us in spirit and sat outside to cheer us on; and Sue O'Neill and Bruce Butler, who cheerfully agreed to be alternates.

And many thanks to all the ringers who have helped us get to this point.

Theresa Rice and Meredith Morris