My Week

Bug season! I had a lot of flies in the house and was swatting them like crazy on the windows. It made Amber hide because she remembers fear days.  I noticed that I couldn't find Amber.  She was hiding from all the violent swatting in fear.

Last Friday I took Amber to the Villas of Southpark for a Therapy Dog visit.  Some of the photos were shared on their Facebook page here.  

Amber is smiling after her little performance.

Tuesday evening I went to our second to the last flag lowering ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb.  It was 93 degrees and hottest for this season.  We do a drawing for a flag and certificate to be presented to an audience member.  We let one last person who came just slightly after starting, in on the drawing and he happened to be our winner.  We do this every Tuesday in June, July and August.  This year there are 5 Tuesdays in both June and August.

Wednesday morning I went to Mechanicsburg for agility practice.  I was pleased but at the end, Amber wanted shade so instead of going over the A frame, she sought shade under it.  Then I did a little shopping.

Thursday I did some sewing repairs.  It was still too hot to work outdoors.  My final segment of Agility 104 was that evening.  That whole class from start to finish was masked because of instructor choice. Now we have to mask inside per the club president. I will avoid masked events as much as possible.  Starting Monday, our Illinois governor is mandating masking indoors statewide.

Friday I attended a PGR escort from Girard, IL to Camp Butler National Cemetery for George Lapiana.  It was a hot one too ~ 93 degrees at 1pm.

This is a screenshot of the PGR mission for the fallen.

Amber got a bath Friday evening.  She seems to have little pimples on her nose between her eyes so I trimmed and washed that area more closely.  I was going to let her air dry with that wire hair of hers but she wanted a blow dry like in the past. I could tell because she wanted to hop up on the dryer where I used the hair dryer before. 

Saturday I planned to go to  a Catholic War Veterans State Meeting at 10AM.   I went to yoga at 8 believing I could make the state CWV meeting at 10.  At 8:02 and email comes (while I’m offline at yoga) that the meeting today was canceled and rescheduled for Sep 11.  I gave up other choices Saturday so I could attend this meeting and now nothing. I could have gone to a veterans parade in Waverly and Petersburg has an event also.   In the evening I went to a picnic with some old friend that worked at the Old State Capitol that are now retired.  I think I was the only volunteer.

Karen, Rose, Dennis, Chet, Pat, Carol, and Jenny

Sunday Alan came with his dog, Hank. He wanted to meet Sean's new puppy, Cosmo.  We had a puppy party.  Amber seemed shocked at the ruckus and was shivering.   Afterward I went to the club to practice for the upcoming tea cup agility with a few others that will be at trial next week.  Our volunteer organizer was a COVID shamer and made us sanitize in order to touch anything.  I hydrated well before leaving to help avoid a heat related headache which made a few bathroom runs.  I dared to mention the headache and immediately accused of COVID. Duh!  Headaches are listed among symptoms when walking into the clinic just to see if you read the list because almost everyone gets a headache now and then.  
I really don't want to head over to Capitol Canine especially because the board of directors had implemented the in-door policy 2 months before the Governor's mandate.  I don't usually attend those meetings during the summer because they conflict with the flag lowering ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb.  I have dropped a lot of volunteering because of this shit. I really needed the practice for next weekend and had to bear it.
I do fear China is getting away with murder. If COVID 19 doesn't work, they have a plan B (see video link).  How bout a nice game of chess, instead.  https://gettr.com/post/p7loz2c01b

My Week

 This week starts a new schedule at PowerWorks Fitness.  Some classes a little bit earlier to fit the instructor's work schedule.  Us retirees just have to get up earlier.  One of our instructors, Traci, got a job teaching preschool.  I asked if that would be a big difference to go from us crabby seniors to little ones.  She said no difference.

Tuesday evening I went to the Lincoln Tomb with the Soldiers Aid Society.  Here I am with Mary Hudgins getting the attendance count.  

This was the previous week at the Dog Club with Crystal the Dobbie

Wednesday I took Amber for practice early before it got too hot. I was delayed by traffic standing still backed up for miles because it was the first day of school.  It was so long that I thought there might be an accident ahead. Nope, just cars getting into a school parking lot with no plan to zig zag the traffic in that lot to get them out of the way of travelers on the main road.  After practice I was asked to give Mary a hand doing some rearranging in the agility trailer at the club so I dropped Amber off first.  I tried to fix up some guide netting for the weave poles per my instructor.  It got hot in the afternoon so I didn't have time to test them till the next day.  Then there was so much dew on the grass that she didn't want to get  her feet wet.  Meanwhile she ran back and forth in the house trying to shake of a burst of energy.  I picked up some forever postcards to send out notices about the closure of our AMVETS post.  The post office was next to Salvation Army Thrift store and it was senior discount day so I had to look around.  I did get some plastic freezer mugs for drinks.  I've been breaking glasses and coffee cups like you wouldn't believe lately.   That night, I cried myself to sleep for all those that are taking part in green agenda of "population reduction" after watching this video.  There is hope for their eternal life should they choose.  My tears included the women of Afghanistan and the potential problems for our GWAT veterans. 

Thursday I got my hearing aids back after sending them in for warranty work.  I was told it would take  2 weeks but it actually was 3 weeks.  Still not satisfied that when the phone rings it doesn't pipe to my hearing aids. 

In the evening, I witnessed Sean adopting a new dog after loosing Mo 3 weeks ago.   He's a cute little 2 month old and very smart.  Sean has been calling him Cosmo.

After that I quickly got Amber to her Agility class at 6:30.  She did rather well and at the end of class, Debbie and I traded dogs for consistency and attachment to one handler.  I can see that we need to work on Amber's dismount from the dog walk.

Friday's exercise was at 7:30, a half hour earlier, so some were late.   We had breakfast afterward.  In the afternoon, I took Amer on a therapy dog visit.  Amber learned that she can go out the motion sensor doors at the Villas of Southpark.  I would normally perform in their sun room but it’s hot back there and she will shut down.  Friday evening I went to the dog club practice and masks required so I left.

Saturday I went to Galesburg for the Heritage Days.  I wore my new summer sheer dress that had just arrived on Thursday and made some quick alterations.  It had been worn only twice before.  Sometimes you have to wear it to an event before you know what other alternations it needs.  Here's the before:

A little big in the bust and long.

Here's the dress at the Heritage Days at Story Lake in Galesburg, IL

Seated at the Tea display under a tent

I still would like to replace the hooks that gape open and show my corset.  I have hook tape in my stash.  I'd also like to replace the floppy cuffs.  I found a dress with similar fabric on Etsy for $670.50.  Mine was worn twice and was marked down to $350 (originally 100 more)

Well this was a couch display for Mary Lincoln but the tea was artificial. Mrs Lincoln (aka Mrs Donna Daniels) referred another lady to me as an example for a proper hat on a day dress.  This lady is the coordinator for the reenactment in Princeton, IL for an event known as "Shadows of the Blue and Gray".  I went to that event many years ago but it's a long drive.

Confederates after the battle

Covered Wagon in the Confederate Camp

This year the weather at the Heritage Days was rather mellow like 81 degrees.  I had been avoiding cutting the grass because of the high heat.  Now insect bites and spider webs to add to that list of deterrent to the outdoors.  I did cut the grass just before sun down.  My contract with Lawn Doctor includes pest control and they came this week.  It's going to be a very hot week planned.

Prayers  for my sister with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome.  She's worried....I'm worried.

https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7897/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome 

Revelation 13:16

My Week

 Heavy rain Monday morning so we are in for a humid week.  I haven't had luck growing summer squash, melons or cucumbers in my rock garden but I have a pretty good cantaloupe on the side of my garage.  I finally got my certificates for Amber's Tea Cup tiltle on Monday.  I was beginning to doubt the achievement.

Tuesday I went to Joliet for a correction clinic on dogs in New Lenox.  I carpooled with Rose Hutches.  The AKC Judge in the photo was Diane Trost.  She was doing unofficial trials with help for correction.  It was 15 minutes of training for $10.  I told her that after 3 years of training, I was told in June by at least 2 others that I was to be commended for getting a terrier this far.  Diane said "look around at trials.  Do you see many terriers?"  That made me think a lot.  I haven't seen any.  I've been surprised by some that did trial that I wouldn't have expected but never thought of terriers because they are so active and need an outlet.  Well, Rose Hutches said she has seen terriers do it in St Louis.

Rose took these photos and I think I look down too much showing a lack of confidence.

Tuesday evening I went to the Lincoln Tomb for the flag lowering ceremony.  Not too many showed up but there was a convention of the Marine Corps League in town.

I'm wearing the hoop that I painstakingly covered each wire with twill trim during this past winter. I'm still unsatisfied with it's shape and the fact that the petticoat sinks between the rings exposing the underpinnings.

Here's the proud photo of the hoop after I hand sewed twill around the wires.  Looks good until I try to put it under a dress and petticoat where the fabric gets sucked in.  Not enough rings to lift a petticoat and skirt.

I may as well pay out for a good hoop at http://www.woodedhamlet.com/costume_accessories/CagedCrino.htm
Wednesday I went to Mechanicsburg for agility practice.  We did a virtual trial on "novice jumpers".  We did well consistently on 2 videos so it should pass when sent to a judge.  I realized when I got home that we had 2 legs on jumpers so that should be a title.

Wednesday afternoon I went to the nursing home and Amber and I did our skit: Amber's Christmas Story.  This was a reschedule skit originally scheduled in July.  I had to reschedule Santa to read the poem also. Apparently he didn't mark it on the calendar as a "firm" appointment.  The activity director read the poem. It went well anyway. 

In the evening we had an AMVETS meeting and only 3 people showed up.  It's time to close this post before we dwindle away and our treasury can go toward better use.

Thursday I went to the dog club for practice.  I started to join the group practicing rally and was told to put a mask on.  Instead, I left.  I'm tired of inconsistent masking policy. I was invited the day before and masking was not mentioned. So I am busy cleaning  my house and downsizing so it won't be so messy when I die of COVID.  I  canceled my volunteering at the Abraham Lincoln Museum until the mask mandate is lifted.  In the evening we had a meeting of the Catholic War Veterans.  I brought the items for the table at the fair to let veterans know about CWV.   

Friday afternoon I went to a Mariner (bank's name) Travel Show.  I had planned to go to coastal Maine this August which was canceled and the trip for next year was outlined.  I doubt that I'll be able to go out of country again.

Saturday I went to Yoga class.  New instructor today.  I did a bit of work in the garden since it was pleasant and watched the AKC Premier agility online.  My local dog training club is the host sponsor for the event that took place at the state fair.

Sunday was veterans day at the state fair. I carpooled with Pat Schad since I had a parking pass inside the gate.  I normally man a table in the "Veterans Expo" building but when Dept of Veterans Affairs said it was a masked building, I backed out.  Some other members of the Catholic War veterans manned our table.  

 

Dale and Chuck with our CWV table

 

Dale and Chuck with the CWV table

Dan selling our cookbooks

We had a little time to kill before the parade so I went to Ethnic Village section.  There was Larry and Shirley Hackman, from our Civil War dance group, dancing to the music of

Dennis Stroughmatt et L’Esprit Creole in the gazebo. I remember their music from the Old Courthouse in St Louis. This is not an uncommon occurrence for the Hackmans. Shirley danced but has been riding a motorized chair for the the longer haul. So I did one dance with Larry and during the dance, I got tapped out by another lady. I was not hurt but pleased to share this moment with Larry to another. I know Larry didn't mind either. Dancing is the spirit that is happiness.

 

I walked and waved at the crowd in front of our Catholic War Veterans truck with flags on the back during the Illinois State Fair Veterans parade. 

Of course I had to take a picture of my VFW 755 comrades that walked right behind us. 

After the parade, I went back to Ethnic Village to watch the Springfield International Folk Dancers to the theme of Israeli dance. Note the planter on the bottom left of this picture. I saw a humming bird frequent the purple flowers there. 

I sold my walker that I used about 2 weeks when I had my surgery over 4 years ago.  It's a good quality walker  and just taking up space.  I tried to post it on FB marketplace but the post got censured 4 times as medical equipment. I'd seen another out there tho. I used Nextdoor app to sell instead.  I need to sell Mad magazines from the 1990s next.

RANT

Ya know, I still keep rolling over in my head about Nancy Pelosi saying she is Catholic.  In a way, I can see her try to align pro-abortion with the democrat party view but to try to justify it as if she is a spokesperson for the church and to follow her with it to the polls  so is crazy.  It’s like she thinks she’s the pope and approves abortion as health care.  Then the icing of the cake was the article about “real presence”.   Like someone “bought into it" belief.  It takes faith  to  believe this  way.  It’s like putting catholic on her resume like a college education with a fake diploma.

My Week

Monday evening I went to the American Legion meeting and took pictures using Gary's camera of the swearing in ceremony of officers. Tuesday morning's yoga class we did something a little  different. It  was a breathing exercise in one nostril and out the other. Tuesday afternoon I took Sophie to  the nursing home.  After that I went to the Flag Lowering Ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb.

Then there's my selfie afterward

 

Here's an enhanced close up

 

Wednesday was Sean's 25th anniversary of  going to boot  camp.  I took the dogs to the new dog park at Centennial Park.  It's all nice and new and has water but no shade.  There are young trees but no shade yet.  I like  that they had weave poles and an A frame.  The big dog side had a teeter that I didn't try..yet.

Thursday I went to the club twice: open practice at 11AM and evening agility class at 6:30.  The members  had lunch together at  Sangamo Brewing Company.  I must admit I lack patience with these reverse looped jumps.  I can't stop yelling "nooooo" and it's scaring Amber.   Please  Lord, give me this ability. It's the only thing left in life for enjoyment during this pandemic.

I am going to try gluten free again. but those chips are. interesting having cilantro and sun dried tomatoes in a tube. It wouldn't be a trip to Aldi without picking up lots of wine. I even got frozen chocolate covered bananas. 

I'm stocking up on things like soup for the up coming food shortage.  I also got a big fan.  The fan I got at Big Lots years ago is not holding up very well.

ex-military warned to prepare
There's a few things I want from County Market like chow mein that is not carried at Aldi. 
Many will catch on late I'm afraid and I will only share with Sean and Alan whom I love sincerely close.

Thursday I was crossing the street with my dogs and a young lady stopped  in the middle of the road to hand me a beautiful rose.  I needed and explanation and she said she liked the dogs and that she worked in a flower shop.  Noticing there were many more roses, I explained that there was a nursing home down the street that would love to have them and off she went.  Then I bumped into some little girls 1/2 a block down and they liked my dogs.  I gave them the rose I was given and told them to give it to their grandmother.  Problem solved.  In the evening I went to agility class.  I had some frustrations with jump entries from behind/wrapped around.  Poor Amber listening to me cry "Noooo".

Saturday I went to the car show as part of the color guard for the opening  ceremony of the Powerlight Abe Lincoln Car Show.  I've done the a couple times in years past.   Here are a few picture that I took.

Widow: Amber Oberhiem accepts a check for Fallen Police

Back to the Future

Haunted House Hearse

Old Police Cars as a Memorial to fallen officers

little Messerschmidt.

 

Sunday I volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister, something I haven't done in awhile.  I figure that they would be more needy since most of the parish attended Mass the evening before at the picnic.  I didn't go to the picnic since I attended the 33rd regimental Band to dance at the Old State Capitol at the same time.  When Sean came we watched a Disney movie and when he left I spent the rest of the evening watching Gone With the Wind.  A lot of rain overnight.  The garden needed it.

 

My Week

 Monday morning at Powerworks prolonged Ann's 90th birthday party held on Sunday with another group photo.

Tuesday I took Amber to do tricks at the nursing home. In the eving I  dressed up for the Flag Lowering ceremony

 Amber ran AKC Fast Cat trial in May and the professional photographer's photos has just come in.

Other photos that didn't make the $10 each download cut are on this link with watermarks.  You can also see pictures of the other dogs that were there.  I chose #9 and #12.

https://www.kdrphotos.com/CanineSportingEvents/Lure-Coursing/GCWC-0521/Amber/?fbclid=IwAR0sWDuCBryQ0N9nEQHcJs-IvCwflqsRqnUNsFjKuBQfvHHIfdZKBr-rheY

Wednesday I went to exercise class but left 15 minutes early to make a dental appointment.  Actually he said it is a chipped porcelain crown.  That explains pain free.  He said I could live with it.  But he’s checking with insurance.  I had lunch at Mission BBQ.  I was there for the anthem that is played at noon. In the evening I attended an interesting presentation ~ the technology and light that makes all the magic work at the ALPLM.  Jeff Nevins explained the complex interplay between computers and the lights, sound and rigging, the way technology has changed since the museum opened, and his team's hard work to keep everything running smoothly.

Thursday I turned in my hearing aids to see if the factory can fix the blue tooth on them.  This could take up to 2 weeks.  Meanwhile I'm using my older hearing aids.  Answering my phone will be harder. 

Friday I went to a Patriot Guard Riders' mission but didn't do the escort to the cemetery.  The deceased was "Terry" Emmett, a member of the local Hog Chapter.  Well only 5 of us were in the flag line. The rest of the Hog Chapter members showed up in motorcycles but didn't ride with Patriot Guard Riders.  They like so associate more as 'friends of the family'.  PGR did what we call a "walk through" tribute by saluting the fallen.  I did not participate in the escort to the cemetery.  I had to be back in time for a grooming appointment at 11:30 from little Miss Fluffy Butt.

 I've added DAR to the organizations that I belong to on Together We Served.  Click for full military career.

I was planning to go the a Vietnam reenactment encampment but it got canceled due the Illinois pulling back on the COVID restrictions.  I did attend Saturday morning Yoga class.  It rained nearly all morning.  The rain also cooled us  down significantly.  We had temperatures in the 90s with humid heat indexes all week and then it dropped to 63.  Well we did want things to cool off but more gradually would ease the shock on how to dress,

Sean and I watch La Révolutionon Netflix. I might have to re-watch because it is a French movie and I had subtitles. Partyly a cross with the French Revolution and Voodo.  I don't think I'll  finish the mini-series.  It was too gory. We did pause the video when there was a loose, black and  white, pit bull running along the next door neighbor's fence along with their lab.  The neighbor put their dog inside and Sean held the dog by the collar which had a phone number.  The  neighbor dialed the number as Sean relayed the number through the fence.  The owner showed up in 5 minutes.  I'm not strong enough for an active pittie. 

I went to a one-on-one practice at the club for the September obedience at 3pm with Rose Hutches.  She can pull out some unique distractions like the cowboy hat for the "sit for exam" portion and a hand scratcher that makes sound while doing the walk around.  and then changed afterward to dance in Peoria with the Civil War dancers to the Peoria Municipal Band.  I wore the green ball gown that I recently fixed.  I still don't like it.  The bodice is horrible to put on over my head and get my arms in the sleeves.  The hoop I usually wear made the dress too short so I opted for a tulle type petticoat which settled on the way to the event.   I give up. You can see me sitting on the bench.

I think I'll save the trim and toss the dress.  I still have 3 other ball dresses.  If I ever get another, it will have to have a hidden front opening.

The girls and I have a guinea pig named Blanch. Just like the Golden Girls: Rose, Blanch and Sophie. Sophie is way too curious and I don't know what would happen if they were together. I reinforce the grazing time with a dog fence around the guinea pig.

Amber on the other hand is more interested in what is under the porch. There's a mouse hole there.

 For those who have been vaccinated with the "mark of the beast" and have regrets, there is hope for your souls here:

https://maryrefugeofholylove.files.wordpress.com/2021/08/life-saving-video-god-will-heal-people-of-the-covid-19-vaccines-maryrefugeofsouls-pdf.pdf