My Week

Boy are the leaves falling.   They fall like a light rain in the breeze.  I walk Marley to a crunch under my feet and it's almost impossible to police her doo-doo among the leaves.

I got a new coffee maker.

I cleaned my old Gevalia coffee pot out twice through with vinegar.  The cord must have gotten wet in the sink when I dumped it to get the floating grounds out.  The next day I had to have coffee at Hardees.  Afterward, I found a Gevalia Basic Coffee for Two coffee maker at the Goodwill and it had the sticker color that made it half off.  I had picked up some number two coffee filters.  So far I like this coffee maker.  However, I wonder if I'll wear out the one side that makes a single mug.

Wednesday I helped out at the Old State Capitol while the staff was in training.  That evening, there was a volunteer appreciation dinner.  They took our pictures with a green background to add the Old State Capitol and emailed them to me.

Most just did a straight pose and some tried on costumes.  I just wore my blazer that I have all my historic pins and name tag.  We had to bring down that cardboard cut out of Abe for this pose.

Thursday was like my day off.  I hemmed two pair of pants, laundry, 

I cleaned my coffee pot yesterday with vinegar.  was going to rinse it thru this morning and the lights were on but the burner was cold and it wouldn't pass the water thru.  I went and got coffee at Hardees.

I gave my son a Lowes card for his birthday.  There's so much he'll need for his house like a replacement window that I had in mind.  They had a cute little card holder that looks like a black tool box.  At first I thought it was frivolous to get that too but then I figure it's a cute card and package and the card wouldn't fall between seats of the car.

Saturday I put the 3 by 5 flags on the bike and rode escort for the return of the Illinois National Guard.   They were returning from Kuwait.  There was a ceremony in Chicago and local here at Camp Lincoln.  When I saw the friends and family that were waiting for the solders to march in, I couldn't help but think of all the videos online of homecomings and hugs.  I got a little emotional seeing them and what was about to happen at the command; "dismiss".  I sure got teary eyed at this family reunion.  The awaiting families had wonderful signs to welcome them home. 

You can't see me but I was holding the second flag on the left.  The tall soldier on the right is Dave.  He is our American Legion Post commander.

Both Friday and Saturday I went to the midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.  One in Peoria and the other in Decatur.  I had a few shout-outs that gave me some moments of fame and hi-fives.

Sunday I read the first reading at Mass.  Since it was my younger son's birthday, my older son came over and did his laundry and then we went to Peoria to give him our gifts and had dinner at Granite City.  What a surprise!  We had the same waitress we had about 2 months ago for my birthday there.  She remembered us.  I ordered a "Supermodel Mojita" that was very good with all the peppermint leaves and lime.  I had Grilled Salmon Oscar and it was great.  Alan loved his gifts.
 He gifted me and Sean in return with a leather holster for our guns for our conceal carry.
Now to get my tickets for upcoming Rocky Horror Show (the play version) at the Hoogland later in the week.

My Week

I noticed that Marley is starting to get a little pudgy.  Since Bentley died, she's not had to play second fiddle to him during feeding.

On Oct. 14, from 7:30 to 11 a.m., the Military Museum will host a reception for volunteers from Springfield historic sites. The reception is a way to say "thank you" to those who have recommended the Military Museum to visitors and to introduce the Military Museum to those who have not been here previously. In addition to providing morning refreshments (coffee, juice, bagels, fruit, etc., (but not the typical military fare of chipped beef on toast or green eggs) and door prizes, the reception offers the opportunity to see the new Military Museum displays as well as those that have been our mainstays, such as Santa Anna’s leg and the Lincoln target board. The Museum is two blocks north of the intersection of MacArthur and North Grand Ave.  I got there about 8AM.
Then I left and I sat in as part of the crowd for a hearing about the Knox building in support of the demolition.  I had to leave at 12:00 for the Womens Overseas Service League meeting so I missed the outcome.  The eyesore will come down.

The city sued the building owner more than two years ago, asking a judge for a demolition order. Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Pete Cavanagh granted one in the spring of 2012, but John Eglaston, a Chicago area man who purchased the property for $75,000 in 2008, convinced Cavanagh to rescind the order. Eglaston gave the court a report from an engineer who proclaimed the building structurally sound.  Eglaston vowed to convert the structure into apartments. 
City wants Knox Flats flattened
Here is the victory announcement in the State Journal Register.
http://www.sj-r.com/article/20141014/NEWS/141019747

Wednesday I was the rifle bearer for the color guard at the Chatham Glenwood High School's homecoming parade.

Thursday I left the house at 8AM for a PGR funeral for Perk Chumley.  What a remarkable WW2 veteran.  He was a POW and when back to Germany where his plane crashed and returned with parts of the aircraft including the shell with the serial number.  This was on display at the funeral home.  I saw his handwritten diary and it can be found online here:
http://www.merkki.com/chumleyperk.htm
Since I was in the Air Force.  I held the AF flag.

In the evening I went to the ABATE meeting.  

Friday I went to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum as part of our Soldiers Aid Society to support our unit presenting the colors.  I didn't need my purse but I did need my car keys.  I used the clip on my keys that I usually hang on a belt loop and hung the keys on a ring of my hoop crinoline.

Saturday I had a nice ride with the Legion Riders (4 bikes, 5 riders, 2 in a mini van) to Boatel.  I thought it would be cold so I wore my warmest leathers; the jacket with fringe which had to get a
pony tail tie on the return trip to keep the trim from slapping my face.

In the evening I went to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum's Spooktakular evening with Abe.  I spooked the wax figure of Mary on inaugural night.  Flash photography was not allowed but this took rather well.

Sunday I went on a short ride with ABATE to Contact Ministries for a Christmas toy run.  I dropped off a battery operated lion and donated $20.

John snapped this photo.  Later, I noticed that there was a hole starting in the bottom of my favorite motorcycle boots.  I dropped them off to be repaired.

I am positive there's a critter under my shed.  The floor is rotted and there are openings.  Not sure how to go about replacing the shed at this point.  Perhaps someone can clear out the old shed and build new shed.  I think a concrete foundation would prevent a bad floor next time.  Both Marley and Moe stick their noses under small openings under the shed.  They know!

Monday I went out to photograph "Flat Dan" in the Springfield area for another Soldiers Angel to send to her adopted soldier, Daniel.  I took a picture at the WW2 Memorial  and at the Lincoln Tomb.

After that I sawed some lumber that I can use in the fireplace this coming winter.  I shower and off to stand in a flag line for PFC Gabby Yokum.

Gabby died in an auto accident along with two others and another in the hospital.  Very sad indeed and so young.  Many turned out for this funeral despite this photo being taken before the mourners arrived.

Monday night was a VFW meeting night.  Good folks there.  All for now.

My Week

This has been a moist week.  Mother Nature is trying to prepare our trees for winter. 

Wednesday I got my shopping in and had lunch with those state employees that were former co-workers.  I wanted to show my new hair cut to them.  I picked up a nice pair of jeans and a hoodie with the Milwaukee 105th anniversary on it.  It doesn't say Harley on it but does have the eagle.
In the evening I went to our AmVets Meeting at a new location at the lounge in the County Market.  It was nice and quiet there.  I learned that one of our life members had passed away.

Thursday I gave tours at the Old State Capitol.  That started off wrong.  As I entered the underground parking garage, there was a car stuck at the ticket gate and the gate wouldn't go up.  Well, there's no backing out of there because it's downhill and curved from the street.  I had him tucked in.  So I run to the other end where the exit is and get the attendant while wearing my period dress.  By the time I got back to my car, there were about 4 cars behind mine too.  We got in. 

In the evening I went to our Catholic War Veterans meeting.  On the way home about 9:40PM, the van in front of me hit a deer.  The deer got up and struggled off and the van pulled over up the road under as street light.  I had stuff all over the car when I hit my brakes.

Friday I dropped off a basket for Stephanie who also volunteers at the Old State Capitol.  I had an extra and the reticule was not working for her cell phone.  I went to Camp Butler to take a photo for a stone request on Find-a-grave.com.

Saturday I went to a Cemetery Walk in Carlinville.  It was cool but not cold.  Photos are on my public facebook album here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10204013026118728.1073741864.1615723034&type=1&l=3c0f4195be

I went to County Market to use my penny pincher coupons before they expire and they had a sale cart for wine and I got a Beaujolais wine for cheese and crackers. 
I also got some that goes with chicken or turkey which I'll have to save for thanksgiving.

 Sunday I attended Mass with the Catholic War Veterans.  Before Mass, I requested permission to  read a message to the congregation about who we were.  Most of what I had was directly from the national website but the priest read through it carefully.  He even looked at my pins as if to find anything that could go wrong.  He offered a red stool behind the podium for me to use since many of those with hearing aids tend to also sit in the back of church.

Then I cooked lunch for my son and myself.  I realized that the pint of milk I bought the night before was expired.  I don't use much milk and when I get some it ALWAYS expires in my refrigerator.  So I get small bottles.  I took it back and got my $1.19 back and went to the Dollar General and got the same for $1.39 and it has lots of time on it.

I recovered a director's chair.  Here's the before picture.  Can't use the letters on the back of it.

Here's the new:

I also have this nice reproduction throw that will be good for Civil War. 

As I get my electric blanket out, I found a hoard of 7 pillows.  That does not include the pair on my bed and my guest bed. May be time to pick a favorite.

For years I've been wanting a tie for my husband's uniform which is in a display case missing just that one item.  Now I have one thanks to a fellow legionaire.

I close this weekly report with my dance practice in Metamora.  I stopped to spend a little time with my son to see how his painting is coming along and it doesn't look very far.  The practice went well and we had a few changes with the Jackson Reel and the part about the "hey".  In some ways it seems simpler because we don't have to worry about who initiates this figure eight routine but on the other hand we have to get out of the center before the opposites cross center.  I had some good waltzing lessons.  I gave our leader heads up on a birthday among our group.  Yep, Larry knew it was me who ratted him out. 

My Week

I had my car washed with all the bells and whistles and ready for the rain on Thursday.  Tuesday morning a pretty good fog going on as I walked the dogs.  Yes, dogs.  I am dog sitting for Trinket.

I got to finish the newspapers that I picked up from the recycle bin and pull the comics and puzzles for the soldiers boxes.  Sean also gave me the military times so I need to separate those into boxes.  I have my end of month Soldiers Angels report to submit.

Tuesday evening I went to an event at the Lincoln museum for a presentation on Mary Todd Lincoln and 19th century spiritualism.  

http://alplmfoundation.tix.com/Event.aspx?EventCode=683192

I spent a lot of money at the sutler in Danville.  I got a hair net, cage hoop, brown bonnet to go with my dress, petticoat, waist clip for the fan, and a scissors holder.   $256 but these items was very reasonable compared to those other places including ebay.  I mean really, a $65 bonnet!  Cheapest on ebay is $85 and poor.   A $35 petticoat that's over $55 on ebay.  Although I have to hem it up be pleats in the middle.  I need to hem that petticoat (among a lot of other projects but I have white thread on the sewing machine).  Not to mention, I had a dream that 2 "Stitch Nazis" came in the middle of a night to measure one of my pleats.  I swore I used a ruler but they said I measured the wrong way.  Then I woke up and saw the silliness.

I'm dog sitting Trinket, a sheltie, for a few weeks.  I had t teach her how to use the doggie door flap.  She had a nice run with Moe (Staffordshire terrier) on Sunday when my son brought his dog over.

Village utilities will be tearing up my lawn to fix the street light that's been out over a week.  I have little flags marking utilities on my lawn.  When a man asked to put a sensor like clamp on my faucet, I moved the recycle bin and found a baby bunny.  Normally I see toads.

Wednesday I rode Wheezer to Camp Butler for the Unaccompanied Burial Ceremony.  I found a new route there on Ridgley Road to avoid traffic.  

I know one of the 11 being honored at the unaccompanied burial on Wed. Bill Sherer who worked at the Old State Capitol is one of the names on the list. 

Here is his obit:
http://hosting-20192.tributes.com/obituary/show/Louis-William-Bill-Sherer-101540849

or here too:

http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/sj-r/louis-william-sherer-bill-condolences/171821064?cid=full

Wednesday evening I went to our Legion Riders meeting and we discussed the results from hog roast benefit for honor flight and the upcoming German Dinner.  Since I was hot and perspiring, I had left my windows down overnight and did it pour rain.  Now I'm drying my car out before then next round of pouring comes.  So God wanted me to clean my carpets in my car.  A friend on Facebook warned rain is on the way. I had to do a few errands like dropping food off at the Food Pantry and mail a box to my adopted soldier.  While at the post office, I bumped into Dan who knew about this and he's not even on Facebook. I wondered if my back side looked wet from driving to the post office

I made some great pasta fazul.  I used everything I got on my last trip to County Market:  onion, can of navy beans (it was a marked down dented can), orzo wheat pasta, onion, and Ekridge smoked sausage with the Penny Pincher coupon.  It was very satisfying.

Saturday I woke to a cold house of 60 degrees and didn't want to get out of bed.  I went to a few garage sales.  Nothing much to bring home.  In the afternoon I helped with the joint Legion Riders/axillary German Dinner.  I made a publicity commercial with Bozo the Great Dane who has a hurt leg.

I was exhausted waiting on tables.  We had such good attendance that we were out of rouladden early. I was waiting to cut my hair so I could braid it for my German dress.

Sunday I fixed jambalaya, buttered carrots and buttered eggplant.  I'm still getting odds n ends from the garden.  Then I went to Big Lots for their 20% off sale.  I got my dog food and stuff from my soldiers box.

I watched a video online of the same presentation on Women in the Civil War that I saw in Boscobel's Civil War Reenactment by Shelby Harriel.  I was impressed with her presentation in a Confederate uniform.

Above impression scanned from an article by Tricia Hill appearing in the Boscobel Dial from 8/14/14.  Here is part 1 of her presentations and slide show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VcWQuEtsUg
She has a facebook page called "Forbidden, Hidden and Forgotten" here:
https://www.facebook.com/ForbiddenHiddenForgotten

I'm also watching a PBS special that was recommended by someone from our Soldiers Aid Society based on a book called This Republic of Suffering: Death and the Civil War by Drew Gilpin Faust.  I found it online here:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/death/player/
 
Monday I went to a PGR mission for Larry Joe White, 67 US Army Vietnam Veteran Greenfield, IL.  There was a lunch reception at the Baptist Church.  Then I came back to Springfield and had my tires air checked because I had a light come on for tire inflation.  Then I got my hair cut at Great Clips for Wigs for Kids. Great clips no longer partners with Locks of Love. Instead they partner with wigs for kids because they don't charge. Drawback is the min length is 12" instead of 10.  I see that they are more restrictive and won't take gray hair. 

I see by their website that I may include a generic letter to the recipient of my wig.

 My dear child,

I understand you are going through a difficult time.  Please accept my hair that I had cut just for you.

I refer to this as my reenacting hair as it was long enough to style for my Civil War woman's impression.  I chose this time for the end of season (mostly ended).  Hence I'll be wearing a bonnet to hide my short hair.

My first coming out with short hair was at our American Legion meeting.  Men generally prefer women to have long hair and I could see it in their reaction.  Others appreciated the donation of my hair for you and knew it will help you temporarily overcome the stares you may be receiving at this time.


May God Bless you,

In the evening I went to an American Legion meeting.  I got a recruiter pin for sponsoring a new member.  I didn't know I'd get a pin. 

Well, it's that time of the year to take the summer quilt off the bed and put the big comforter on the bed.