My Week

Lots of pictures this week. 
Tuesday I attended the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight homecoming with friends.  My usual selfie buddy was on the flight so here I am with Mrs Selfie and Liz and Chris:

Govenor Rauner has attended many of these homecomings and had many pictures taken with him but this was the first time I got in a picture.  He's very tall and my lips are saying "tippy toes".

I took Sophie on a TDI visit with her new pumpkin carrying coat costume.

This was at Reflections in Chatham.  Yeah Yeah, I tried it on for size when I got it and test walked to the stop sign and back but when it was the big day to show it off, Sophie gave me that "look".  She's such a trooper and eager to please me (oh, and tease me too with the toy toss stunt).  I may want to put a personal touch on the doll at the tail end sometime. 

Thursday evening I picked Sean up and we went to Peoria to celebrate Alan's birthday.  His birthday was the day before but he had his first induction meeting with the Sons of the American Revolution.  He got a plaque.  We had dinner at Obed and Isaacs which was a remodeled Presbyterian Church.

 The bar was in the center so I took a picture.  For appetizers we had Loaded Pierogies and Goat cheese stuffed dates wrapped in bacon.

I had Cajun Shrimp and Andouille.  Yum.  Sean had a lamb burger.

Friday I attended the Patriot Guard Riders escort for Sgt Douglas Riney who was a KIA from Afghanistan. The plane arrived at the Peoria National Guard. I cried when I saw his widow and children move to the casket before loading into the hearse.  Very emotional. RIP Sgt Riney and prayers for his family
The hearse looked futuristic with the curved door.  Most of the hearses around Springfield have a magnet on the side door for the branch of service but this was plain, sleek and simple.

I copied the collage below from facebook of the Central Illinois Fire Society because my Nissan is in the lower right.

I see my Nissan at 4:30 in this video but what it doesn't show is the supporters on the road side holding flags and signs including 2 nursing homes with residents on the road waiting in wheel chairs and blankets.

 On the way back I took a different route.  I stopped at Dicksen Mounds State Park.  This is where the early 1200AD Mississippian Indians lived.  At the orientation video, it said the climate was cool and some glacial ice was still present. The video and displays showed Indians in just their loin cloth.  Darn  I drove to the funeral rather than rode my motorcycle because I was cold.  The man at the desk insisted they were more acclimatized than we are.  Somehow I'm not buying that.
Not to make the day in total sadness, I shook it off at Rocky Horror the play version.  I passed out some sour cherries in the lobby at the Hoogland Center for the Arts just before the Rocky Horror Show.

Among the changes, I liked the new Egyptian sarcophagus used for the creature's table and the sheet cover for the table that held the sarcophagus which was later used as a shadow screen for the the sex scene silhouette.  Last year they didn't use a screen and it was too raunchy.
I didn't like the new costumes for the usherettes and transylvanians.  Previous year's outfits that were tux-like were better.  This year they wore a white shirt and a long tie with stretch pants.  I guess that was so that the extras would be uniform and accommodate the chubby one.

Saturday evening I went to the shadow cast, Theatre of Ted, at the Normal Theatre.  I made a real quick stop at the Halloween party at the nursing home where the residents invited the kiddies.  Every one knows that kids and pets brighten their day.
I found their party photos on facebook.

After the show with a cast member, Chris, who is the son of a lady in our Soldiers Aid Society playing Rocky.  Yep, I'm standing on the seat to equal the height out.

 Sunday morning I was the first reader at Mass.  Here's the audio.
http://usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm
Sunday evening I went to the VFW and got some pictures for our facebook page of the children's Halloween Party.  I just had to record the kids learning some line dance:

Monday we had our senior balance class at Powerworks and we were to wear a costume for Halloween.  I knew that later in the day I had 2 Therapy Dog appointments and that we'd go in costume so we went as Little Red Riding Hood and her grandma on a visit.  I wore my Sketchers rather than my granny shoes. 

I got a courtesy card for a free 15 minute massage (Powerworks is co-owned with Chatham Chiropractic adjacently located).  If that's what I need, I may want more.  My neck has been sore for over a week despite the neck exercise.  I understand it's $35 for a half hour massage.

I got a call that my sun room work begins on Wednesday so I guess I better move things around and dig up the hostas.  I need to dig up the canas before the frost to accommodate the upcoming work.  No matter.  The humming bird season has passed and only butterflies come to the red flowers.  So I'm thinking of things that need to be done.  I had my oil changed at One Stop in Chatham and got a veterans discount.

One final thought:  Everyone wants to be special.  Yes we are.  But does that "specialty" mean a non-Christian burial?  As a genealogist (well in a way I am a researcher), I regret throwing away ashes like they are waste material.  Sure, some say that the deceased would have wanted it in that special, affectionate place where the ashes were scattered but the ashes are not on consecrated grounds.  Nor will the burial be listed on findagrave.com. I scream "cheap next-of-kin".  Part of the problem is that WE need to plan for the ultimate end wish.  That is not a Christian burial practice either as this article states:
https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/final-resting-place-vatican-releases-instruction-burial-cremation

My Week

I'm not into sports much.  I have enough other activities that kill the time away. But I am happy for the Cubs going to the world series.  In 1945 a Billy Sianis brought Billy the goat to Wrigley field and wouldn't let him take it in. So in jest he said I hope you don't even get back to Series and hence known as the curse.

 Tuesday evening I went to a pilgrimage to the tomb of Lafore Lock who died in WW1 in France.
Our VFW was named for him.

After zumba, I went to the Goodwill on my usual jaunt.  I found a pair of zumba Shakers.

In the evening I went to Iles House Fireside Chat "The First 20 Years" Springfield History by Linda Garvert. Linda recently retired as Director of the Sangamon Valley Collection at the downtown Lincoln Library. She will provide a fascinating journey through "The First 20 Years," namely, of the history of our own city of Springfield. She will focus on the people, places, and events that created the shaped this place. http://ileshouse.org/event-2354129
The video was later uploaded here:
http://www.abrahamlincolnassociation.org/porchsidechats/EstablishingSpringfield.mp4

 I was looking for my window cleaner since I'm cleaning curtains.  I find the can of WD40 first and remember that when I was trimming the roses yesterday, that the clippers was getting rusty so then I had to find where the clippers were.  Then I saw the cabinet doors still open under the sink and remembered the windows.

Thursday evening I went to the Legacy Theater for a live screening of the new Rocky Horror Picture Show.

 Producer showed respect for the old school fans and the newbies.  I missed the "elbow sex" thing.
I didn't like the opening costume for Frank with that big dial.  You can see it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5_mxUuj_jw
Columbia was tap dancing with boots but it was good.  The woman in the suit with Tim Curry as the criminologist was not listed in the credits but I think she may have been an original cast member too.
The full episode is now online:
http://www.fox.com/watch/787153987875/7815088128 

 Friday I was at the Lincoln Tomb in the afternoon and changed into my period dress there in the residence. I think they locked the door with me inside. I unlocked it to get out and set off an alarm. I didn't see staff members around so I called Justin. Then I went to the Lincoln Home trick or treat.  There were a lot of kids and a car show by the Cool Cruzers.  A lady recognized me from Rocky Horror Picture Show Thursday at the Legacy theater.  That was a surprise.

Saturday morning I didn't want to get out of bed because it was cold I checked the temperature in my bedroom and it was 59.  I went to yoga at Powerworks which has the same instructor as our senior yoga class.  Deborah was ok with it and kept up. 

Sunday morning I was a substitute reader at Mass.   We sang "One Ohana" at the end of Mass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMP-j31Yr88

Then I left for the ABATE toy run to Contact Ministries.  Here's a photo of me on the ride.  I donated a marshmallow gun shooter that was new in the box at Goodwill for $3 but it was marked $30 on the back of the box.  One of the guys said I should have kept it for an ABATE meeting fun.

I really haven't ridden my motorcycle much and now the season is nearing an end.  I've listed it for sale on craigslist but got junk responses.  It's a hassle with the glasses, helmet and now hearing aids to be removed every time I stop.

I read online that dogs dream too and they tend to dream about their owners.  
http://www.professorshouse.com/do-dogs-dream/
Well Monday morning, I heard Sophie bark in her sleep.  She may have done this before and I may have missed it been sound asleep myself.  It was a little different than her regular bark just like a human who sleep talks in a of lower voice.

Monday I picked up 14 recordings from Lutheran High School for the "Voice of Democracy" before going to a TDI appointment at St John's Hospital.   Then I went to the VFW post to help bus tables for the Pre-flight banquet for the Honor Flight.

Thought for the day:

The true test of free speech is unpopular speech. That doesn't mean we can't individually condemn it, only that it shouldn't be condemned by force of law.

My Week

Well the geese are flying south and the pumpkins on the porches are being eaten by squirrels.
Tuesday evening I went to the Old State Capitol for a reception for executives at HSHS.

I got a recliner at the Salvation Army for $32 on Wednesday (senior discount day).  I got it home in my SUV but Alan got it from the garage to the house while I was at St John's Hospital with Sophie.  Well it seemed appropriate to schedule our family portrait for the church directory when Alan would come down from Peoria to drop his dog, Hank, off while he goes on a trip to California to visit with an old marine buddy that he misses.  Hank stayed until Tuesday.  We did fine.  Sean let his dog play with Hank in a way that doesn't work with a little dog like Sophie.

Friday morning, after exercise, I went on two PGR missions at Camp Butler NC:  Peggy A. Hoskinson and Albert Olin Oller, 72, US Army Retired, Kincaid, IL.

Saturday I went to our Soldiers Aid Society workshop and meeting at the Old State Capitol.  I made a 3 cornered reticule at the workshop.  I put the finishing touches on it on Sunday.

Material was from a pillow case from the Salvation Army.  Next I'd like to make a travel bag that we may call a duffle bag. 

Monday, Springfield set a record high of 88° and a record warm low of 69°. Old records were 86°, 64° respectively.  It was very windy trying to take the leaves down but instead it took a branch down on a wire and my neighbors and I were out of power for a half hour.

I took Sophie on a TDI visit but she barfed in the car afterwards.  Probably the drive and the weather.  It's a good think I line the seat with a towel. 

In the evening I went to our VFW meeting and afterward I updated our facebook page with information. 

Tuesday the village is flushing my hydrants.  Bracing myself. 
https://www.chathamil.net/press-release/2016-10-18-water-main-flushing-program-todays-area-see-below-starting-now

"When the eyes of the soul looking out meet the eyes of God looking in, heaven has begun right here on this earth."...A.W. Tozer

My Week

Wednesday morning I stood in a flag line at Camp Butler for the unaccompanied burial.  There was a shot of me in the news. 
http://foxillinois.com/news/local/local-cemetery-helping-veterans-families-get-closure
 I had lunch with Michael and did a little shopping.  I found a spooky Halloween head that chews on a rat.

In the evening I took the little motorcycle over to the high school to scoot around traffic for the Titans Homecoming parade.  Our American Legion post led the parade with the colors.  Photos of the parade here:
http://jjackmanphotography2016.pixieset.com/homecomingparade2016/

 Thursday I went to yoga for seniors followed by senior TRX.  There's little break built in between these two classes and hard to roll up the mat, put my shoes back on, hydrate and pee between classes. There were only 3 in our our yoga class but 7 in the TRX class.  Yet I'm told by one of the 7 that our instructor said she'd cancel the TRX class if she didn't have more students!  Meanwhile, the first 10 minutes into the TRX class, she's doing a one-on-one with another lady as in "personal trainer".  Needless to say, I wad not very motivated.  Oh, and the temperature difference between the two rooms:  yoga - cold, TRX -muggy.

Afterward I started to do my chores:  Staples to print letters for the upcoming Honor Flight, flu shot at St John's Hospital as required for their volunteers, then visited Roy on the 11th Floor, status of Monday's TCI visit to the activity director on the 11th floor, paid my trash hauling bill, tried the Eco Cell phone recycle kiosk in the mall which swallowed one of my 5 old phones, dropped the other phones off with Sean so he can recycle at an in-city program, then TDI visit to Reflections.

The neighbor paid to have a tree removed that was on the boarder between our properties but that the access was on my side of the fence.

Friday evening I went to Lincoln's New Salem for the candlelight tours.  Continues on Saturday and Sunday.  Carol took this picture of me so that I could make my profile photo on facebook a promo for the following evening's event.

There was a lot of people going through the Johnston cabin .... even a loud cricket.  Despite the big parking lot, many cars had parked on the grass.  In fact when I arrived early, there was a car parked close and some were reserving a spot next to it with lawn chairs so a friend could park there.
Here is the tour of New Salem so you can understand where the cabins are:
http://abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/newsalem/salemtour.htm
Here's a C-SPAN video on the park:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?283793-1/lincolns-new-salem

Saturday evening I went back to New Salem and this time I was assigned to the Lukin House which was the cobbler.  My interpreter partner that was scheduled left me so I was alone but the site manager filled in on the shop side form the middle part of the program (7pm to 9pm).  I learned the difference between a cobbler that makes shoes and cobbler that's a square pie.  There was a reenactor from Indiana that said "it's nice to see someone in a corset".  I take that as a compliment.  This was a little darker building than the Johnston house the night before because the white wash seemed to make that building brighter.  I used my $30 lantern I got at the gift shop.  I'm not totally happy with the pegs.

It sure seemed easier to get fires started in the cabin's fireplace more than my own at home.  Could be the wood. Sunday I got home about 9:45. Poor Sophie was probably lonely had it not been for Sean on a laundry run and Moe she would have been super lonely. I fed her late.  Sunday I was at a different house, the Hill Residence, one of the wealthier of homes in 1830s New Salem.  Note that I didn't know in advance which house to prepare for.  I was paired up with Katy.  Here she is fixing a problem candle.  That's my mug and lantern int the foreground.

Saturday afternoon I took Sophie to the Boo Bark in the park for the Animal Protective League.  I dressed her as Little Red Riding Hood and I as grandma.

This is the costume in the add:

It came with this soft basket but I found a small real basket.

The winner was a couple that dressed their dogs as Hillary and Donald and they wore black suits like secret service.  There was also Veruka and her dog as a Wonka bar.

Sunday was very busy,  Catholic War Veterans Memorial Mass at 9:30 St Cabrini, then we had breakfast/lunch at Parkway Cafe,  then I helped  the Lincoln Monument Association table at the Oak Ridge Cemetery Walk, and back to New Salem Candlelight tours.  
Monday after exercise I went to a cooking demonstration at Powerworks where I exercise.  I really can't remember what we made but it had salad and squash.  I had lunch with my son at Panera. 

My Week

Monday evening I went to Metamora for our dance practice.  Kay knew I had been starting to volunteer at New Salem and gifted me some finds from her thrift shopping:

Here's a photo taken last year at ALPLM's "Pets in the White House".  I never saw this before until Larry Hackman with our Metamora dance group saw me in the Woodford County news as a promo for this year's event.

While on my Therapy Dog visit at Reflections, another man with a Labrador came in while I was in the day room with a group and I didn't get a look. Then had a specific resident. When they left, I carefully let Sophie meet Sheba and her handler. Sheba is 13 years old. They've been working longer than us but we both had our TDI scarves. He had a Memorial badge and I have St John's hospital badge. 
They were fine til Sheba left and Sophie barked. It was her happy bark tho. Besides residents have asked if she's always quiet.
Tuesday morning I went to the Veterans History Project sponsored by the Secresary of State Jessie White.

Tuesday evening I went to the special opening for member of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum's new exhibit "Rare and Rarely Seen".  This temporary exhibit brings out stuff from the archives. 
These are seals on the oldest item in our collection, a document written in 1274.

There were snacks and wine and introductions and then we saw the display.  I was surprised to see Cheri Hubert (AKA Purple Girl from PGR) there from Jacksonville whom I hadn't seen in a long time.
Wednesday after exercise, I looked for a lantern at thrift shops for the upcoming Candlelight Walk.  Nothing but I did find a folding rocking chair.
At 1:30 I had a TDI visit at St John's.  I got mail returned on Wednesday from my adopted soldier that I sent on 7/23/16.  I'll probably get a lot more returned mail.
In the evening I went to the Interveterans Council Meeting.

Thursday after exercise I went to an appointment at St John's Hospital at 10:30.  I met with Shayla the activity director who showed me around.  She resembles Sophie but is afraid of dogs.  I told her I'm a volunteer and I have a personal wish to convert her.  In the afternoon I had a TDI visit at Reflections and then went to a PGR flagline for Charles Vernon Woodworth.

Friday I volunteered at the Lincoln Tomb.  There were many bus tours so at least it wasn't boring.   I worked up an apatite and had dinner at the VFW ~ shrimp.

Saturday I met with Rex and Ken at the Meijer parking lot to carpool to carpool to Quincy for the Veterans Home Advisory council meeting. Yes, this is the place that was in the news for Legionnaires disease.   Rex said he's having a hard time finding a light blue windbreaker that the Korean War Veterans wear with all their patches.  I told him I'd keep an eye out for one.  At the meeting, we met the new director of the veterans home.

 The new director, Troy
--> Culbertson, introduces himself and happenings at the home.  He was kind enough to radio for a gulf cart to pick up the two Korean War veterans and myself to have a quick look at the "All Wars Museum". 

 Check presentation

 The commander of our Catholic War Veterans post 1916 presented a $500 check to the Quincy Veterans Home.

The museum.

Rex standing by the Korean War display.

Artist recreates photos of IL Vietnam KIAs.

I fixed my last summer squash for dinner with onions and butter.  Yum.

Sunday we had some new procedures at Mass so I peaked in at the Saturday evening mass to observe.
Oct 3d is the feast day of St Francis of Assisi so Sunday at 1PM we had a blessing of the pets at the statue of St Francis.  It was really nice to see my fellow parishioners with their extended family for a special blessing. There were even two guinea pigs.

Sophie and I went to the pet blessing on Sunday. I asked Fr John if he still had his cat and sadly .... no.

More photos here:
http://www.stjoschatham.org/photos/view/id/19695

I fixed spaghetti and meatballs using black bean spaghetti and turkey meat balls.  That spaghetti is too mushy and I don't think I'll make it again.

Monday morning, at our senior balance class, Dr Sammy wore these neat muscle pants.

Well, you should see her glutes!
Then I took Sophie on a TDI visit to Regency Care and St John's Hospital on the 11th floor for transitional care and hospice for the first time on that floor.  This visit started out somewhat normally and the first bed was a rejection at first but when the man saw Sophie he pet her briefly.   Then another rejection then a room with an acceptance.  While in there, a wife of a patient in another room came in and said she recognized me from the Chatham American Legion and that her husband would love for my to stop by.  I asked if he was in the room with the "no pets" sign and she said it is but that he would welcome me.  I was adamantly briefed to pass the rooms with the signs by.   She said the sign was there from last week when a big black dog was visiting and he didn't feel well.  Although I didn't recognized the name she gave me for her husband, I immediately recognized Roy from the American Legion.  He knew there was a meeting that night too and really regretted not being able to come.  I explained that therapy dog handlers fell under HIPPA  law but under the circumstances I asked if I may tell the post that we met and he wished that I would do that.  I went on to another room where 2 sisters were visiting a fellow sister about to undergo a procedure.  The two recognized me from the Old State Capitol when they visited last June for our encampment.  They recalled the program on Civil War hair styles and two of their Postulants were demonstrated upon.  I remembered we told them of the history of nuns as nurses during the Civil War.