My Week

Tuesday I noticed that there would be a wreath laying at the Old state Capitol at 2:30.  I messaged the manager about it since the site is only open Wednesday through Saturday.  He said he'd open special for the Vietnam Veterans Convention that was in Springfield and asked if I could help out.   I said sure so I wore my VFW shirt.  They noticed I wore my VFW Post 755 shirt and we got into a conversation.  I told them my husband was a 3 tour Vietnam Vet.  Then when the gentlemen learned that I was a Vietnam Era veteran they tried to talk me into joining them too.  I don't need to join another group especially restricted to a particular time frame that will eventually end.  I see this happening to our Korean War veterans group as they dwindle.  In evening I gave my presentation of Distant Memories and received 2 tips.  I wore my modest dress and the new shawl that I got in the mail the day before.

I keep saying I'll stop adding to my historic wardrobe with the end of the sesquicentennial of the Civil war but I ordered new shoes.

Well I came home via Chatham Road over I-72 which the bridge is down to a single lane controlled by a traffic light. The light is not in sync in both directions. We ended up head to head with on coming traffic in the single lane.  I was not the lead car but about 4th when our light turned green.  My side ended up loosing the stare off and about 12 cars had to back off the bridge.  That's insane.

I've been planning a pilgrimage to the tomb of our VFW Post's namesake, Lafore Lock, who died in WW1 on Oct 18, 1918.  I thought we'd start small and build up to the 100th anniversary of his death in 2018. I've learned that his unit is still active and they may be interested in participating.  I've asked our local reenactors to attend.

Wednesday my new prescription arrived from Express-Scripts. I take Prevastatin before bed.  I was afraid of having cramps in the middle of the night but so-far I haven't.  I have noticed a change in my body oder but it could be the heat and humidity.

Thursday was my house cleaning day.  The house may look a mess because everything that was on the floor is on tables and chairs for cleaning beneath.  Then I noticed that the furnace needed changed.  Bad Bad Bad! It was dirty.  Besides, I never noticed there's an arrow on the filter for a right way to install it.

Saturday morning it rained but I walked my dog before it hit.  Then it cleared up.  I drove to the Patriot Guard "Meet and Greet".  I had recalled that the parking lot at Top Cats had a gravel lot and after a recent rain I drove rather than rode.  However, the lot had been paved during the remodeling.  We had pulled pork and cole slaw.  Once again it was top heavy with ride captains so it was a greet the captains and a few flagliners.  I did finally see Dan, the state captain.  It was nice to see Fat Fred again.  Then I left to got to see Servant's Tour of Edwards Place. I had asked if I could take photos or video when I purchased my ticket and it was granted.  Here Annie tells of her situation before entering the historic sight via the rear entrance.

This is the upstairs video:

This is the dining room:

Here is a video from the children's room

Mrs Edwards is a strict boss.  Get a close up of the belt when she addresses Miss Rose:

I came home and turned on my air conditioner!
Sunday I read the second reading at Mass.  Fr John gave a sermon about the loaves and fishes and how we can all do just a little bit and clean out our closets for St. Martin de Porres. Ironically, that's what I'd been doing this week after moving all the reenacting stuff around.  After my son did his laundry, I went to the Downed Rider Benefit in Athens.  I brought Sophie with me but she had to remain outside the gate.  I did get her to meet and greet to test her with others before the exam next week.  She did pretty well and only jumped in the beginning.  I had donated a few things to the silent auction like the Harley Barbie and Ken dolls that I was trying to sell on Craigslist.  I know that Ken doll brought in at least $45 and Barbie at least $25 when I looked. 

All this rain has made the humidity very high.  Even when I wear my sunglasses they fog up just blinking.  Be thankful you can't smell me as I write this.  I've never experience such before.  Now we have heat advisories for the coming week and I have to wear my period dress for Distant Memories outside.

I got a call to show up at Tuesday's Vacation Bible school at 9:15 to receive a bunch of cards for our soldiers. I'll bring a box that I've half way prepared for dispatch and tell the kids OUR story about Soldiers Angels.

My Week

Whoo Hoo.  I got an email from my adopted soldier, Alex.  My letters and packages are making it through and the address must be right that I got from Soldiers Angels.

Remember in my last "My Week" blog that I mentioned a blood test?  Well that resulted in a prescription for cholesterol medication...at least for a year trial.  It makes me feel old but yet many younger than I have more meds than this.  I told my son and didn't even know that he was on cholesterol meds and blood pressure meds for his headaches.

Tuesday evening I skipped the Lincoln Tomb retreat ceremony and went to an event at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.  Mark DePue, head of oral history at the presidential library, interviewed Abner Mikva and moderated questions from the audience. C-SPAN cameras joined us for tonight's presentation by Abner Mikva, who worked in all three branches of federal government and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He discussed Lincoln, Obama, his Mikva Challenge program and more

 Outside there was a pushy man protesting "No more Gun Laws" but guns were not discussed during the presentation.
Wednesday our exercise instructor showed us photos of her baby's ultra sound.  Fr George noted the angle of the baby's foot and other markings made the baby look like a rabbit.  Now we think she'll give birth to a bunny.

Thursday I went on a mini-day trip with the Marine Bank Mariner Club.  We went to Contigny Park and Naperville Settlement.
While at Contigny Park, folks were busy setting up for a Rock for the Troops concert with the Lt Dan Band.
Here are the pictures that I took:
This was on the wall at the visitors center as a gift from Amvets.

 The man at the front desk looked at a man among the three of us and asked if HE WAS A VETERAN and I raised my hand too.  He gave us a little pin that said "Thank you for your service from Cantigny Military Museum"

 This was inside a mock up of the inside of a ship whose hatch had a movie screen and when the movie was over, the hatch dropped and we walked right into Normandy beaches.

 This was my self timer photo.  It's the only sign that said Cantigny France but I wish it was clearer.

 Here's where we had dinner on our way home in Dwight, IL.  There was a windmill in the back.

 Some of the people eating our fried chicken dinner at

 School teacher was demonstrating teaching math to a young feller at the Napersettlement schoolhouse.

 This was taken with my self-timer on my camera from the steps of the Cantigny Mansion just before our tour time.

I got an offer from one of the ladies in my exercise group to do the Wimmer Cemetery Walk in Auburn on Sep 26.  I'll know more later.

I went to my doctor appointment at 1:15 and I'm in good health.  (BMI, BP, heart beat, et)  Afterward I went to the Old State Capitol to catch up on our History Comes Alive til closing.  After that I went to bike nite at Halls Harley Davidson and met up with some of our Legion Riders.  Of course I didn't ride my motorcycle because I had a change of clothes to do between the Old State Capitol and the biker-look.

Both Sat and Sunday I attended the Lincoln Days at Bloomington so I've been going through my reenacting stuff and organizing.  I clipped this photo for the news media site at
http://www.pantagraph.com/gallery/pantagraph/photos-lincoln-s-festival-in-bloomington/collection_22865b4e-27fe-58aa-a057-6e744d91814d.html#10

I pinned the skirt up (known as skirt lifters) for the dance.  After the dance I drove 1 1/2 hours home in my underpinnings.  I don't think I liked being in a corset over 12 hours.  Monday I washed the dress but pressing all the pleats was a big chore.

We presented a Tableau Vivante both days narrated by Laura.   The tableau is like a still photo.  I played Amelia whose husband, Sam, was leaving for war. 
On Saturday, Larry (above) stood in for this since all the soldiers were fighting at one of the other locations.  In the last act I represented the reading of his last letter. Other ladies stood in the picture for comfort.   On Sunday I recruited one of the members of the 21st Illinois and his regiment followed to watch in the audience.  Actually, they did a little heckling of their regimental sergeant but it was good experience for them.

We introduced ourselves to a lovely lady named Robin and when I introduced myself, she recognized my name from facebook's "Civilian Civil War Closet" and had friended me as a result.  The ladies drooled over Robin's starched, detailed petticoat that she had made with tucks going parallel and horizontal separated by lace.   I would never do such fine work for a petti which is normally  covered.  I asked about her lovely light sheer dress and she said it was by Deborah DeFranco.  I told her that I had one made by her too and that I wore that dress last year to this same event last year but it was more of a working dress.

Sunday I carpooled and picked up Mary to go to the event.  At least I didn't have to be alone.  I picked her up in Springfield in pouring rain but the weather map showed that it was better at our destination.

Monday I didn't have dog training but I will next week and it may be the last lesson before the TDI  test tentatively scheduled for Aug 1st. 

Then in the evening I went to a VFW meeting and when I got home, I sat on the porch and stared at the stars. An hour later, when I went to bed, it was pouring rain.  Well I hope this is all over now. 

My Week

On the plus side of things, this has been a cool July so far allowing for windows open and less air conditioning.  Down side of the bill will be an increase in our water rates due to poor decisions by the village board.
SIUE CAB is showing Rocky Horror Picture Show on August 27. Let's do the Time Warp Again.
After the retreat ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb, I located Lafore Lock's tombstone at Oak Ridge.  He died in WW1 and is the namesake for my VFW Post.

I'm trying to organize a pilgrimage to the tomb on his death day, Oct 18.  Not sure what we'll do but I thought we'd park near the memorials about 2 blocks away and those that can't walk can drive there but there's limited parking.  We could then place a flower or penny.

Wednesday I got up late and missed my exercise group.  So I did a little shopping and lunch at County Market.

Thursday I had back to back meetings.  I went to the meeting of the Lincoln Monument Association and we listened to a "go-to-meeting" with "Client Focused Media".  They will help market our not-for-profit.

Then I went to a meeting of our Catholic War Veterans.   Not too many showed up and Mary and Jerry were a little late due to the Legion Convention.

Friday I helped out at the Old State Capitol for our History Comes Alive program.  I had dropped off my dress the day before so I could ride my motorcycle and change.  We had a short parade-like ride for the American Legion convention at 5PM.  Then we went to the Firefighters Club for "bike night" and guess who showed up....Governor Rauner.  He's a pretty tall guy.

Bike nights are always great for "people watching".  I came home at "deer-thirty" cautiously but it was close to home.  There's no way to get home without passing through a deer crossing area.

Well it looked a bit nice out when I got up at 6:30 so I made coffee and sat on the front porch with my laptop. I heard the rumble of thunder and looked around the garage and sure enough, storm. Quickly got dressed and took Sophie for a short walk down before feeling the rain drops. Lady came out for a jog and I told her she wasn't going to make it because I felt the drops of rain already. Oh there goes our plans.  But wait....I went for a quick ride with the Legion Riders for lunch in Athens at the Boar's Nest.  We left about 2:30 with rumbling clouds but the worst was not in the direction we were heading.  But not for long.  I got home just in time to let the dog out and mow the grass in the front and felt a few drops mowing the last small patch of grass.  Mind...it was a neat job...just a rush job.

Sunday morning I rode to Christ the King parish for our Catholic War Veterans memorial Mass.  I read a statement of who were were and what we were about.  Afterward we had breakfast at the Knights of Columbus.  Sophie barks at the strangest things. My neighbor has elevated his yard waste for the upcoming storm and it wasn't there before so Sophie barked at it.

Had my fasting blood test just before exercise. Hadn't eaten since 4PM so it was a drag in addition to this heat so I had breakfast at the new Chatham Cafe.  It was open house with free coffee and danish.  I ordered a feta spinach omelet with hash browns and rye toast and had to take some home.

I watched a movie on Hallmark called The River Runs Wide.  Then I realize it's on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70XvpT9YlQ0


I cleaned out my garage for the upcoming storm so I can fit my car in. 
Packed the garage for the upcoming tornado watch. Packed the garage pretty tight. But if I want to mow or ride or drive everything will need to be removed to get to stuff in the front or sides. It's so hot and humid that my glasses fog up when I go out. LOL.  You don't want to know what's in front of those headlights.  Actually, I think I can reach things on the shelf better than reaching for a ticket at the parking garage.

The Dr needs to renew my prescription on Friday during my annual physical. No worries, I have 2 mo supply and they usually send 3 more months thru TRICARE.  I'm a little overstocked.

Next Thursday I go on a trip to Naperville.

My Week

The problem with summer is mosquito bites, gnats and chiggers. I got a wand zapper from Aldi.

Tuesday morning I took a new tour, "Abe and Mary Quite Contrary".  Mostly locations that are now parking lots.

I was really proud of myself Tuesday evening. My presentation as Rose Herrmann, during Distant Memories at the Lincoln Tomb brought a tear to the eye of one lady in my audience.   This is the script but be aware that I can edit it to keep current:
http://ivetret.blogspot.com/2015/06/distant-memories-program-at-lincoln-tomb.html


Wednesday's discussion was whether our Legion Riders should meet on July 1 or the second Wednesday.  My vote was the first Wednesday as scheduled and already on the post calendar.    Whatever, I didn't go.  

Friday I stayed home and sat the "grand" dogs.  Well, I had Hank over and went to my son's house to let Moe out.  I thought it would be too much for me and Sophie.
I was warned that Hank liked socks so I closed the spare bedroom used to store stuff including mis-matched socks.  Well, instead Hank found my reenacting gloves.  Meanwhile, the clumsy pup knocked over a plant stand with a start for a mosquito plant.

I sure hope my son's had a great time at the Cardinals game with their friends even though the Cardinals lost.

 Hank also liked licking my glass of wine.  Perhaps it was because a portion of the proceeds go to a no-kill shelter.

It looks like the celebrated Independence Day on July 3d was a Friday this year so many had the day off to compensate for a weekend holiday. 
Alan gave me a dog mat that I needed to sew.  It was tough to fix and get into my sewing machine with it's large size and padding.  The mat really needed a serger but I only have a zig-zag stitch to keep it from fraying.

In the morning I put the big flag on the back of my motorcycle and went to Mass at Oak Ridge Cemetery across from Lincoln's Tomb.  I think I lost the foot cap to my tripod stool in the soft soil at the cemetery.

After that I went to the VFW for the 4th of July celebration from noon to 3PM.  My door prize was a golf shirt with the VFW logo.  Of course it was a small that doesn't fit most members but it was perfect (after I shorten it) for me.  I got a patriotic painted star for my house in the silent auction.  My idea of "face painting" was something like a tattoo.  I asked for a bad-ass rose but I think it looks like pansies.

Actually it tickled.

In the evening I went to help with ticket sales at the Iles House.  Apparently the food sold out earlier than our stock because the weather was nice and it was also on a Saturday this year.  I liked Lady Liberty. 

The evening was so nice and the turnout so nice that food sold out fast.  Here I am with the new acquisition to the house, a  girandole.  It's a nice 1840-1860 era prism candle holder.  The main parts were cast in metal to denote historical or popular figures attached to a marble base.  Castings were sold to many companies but assembled differently by each.  The Logan family girandole is known as "Paul and Virginia" probably the most common girandole.  The design for the "Paul and Virgian" mold was from a 1787 romance novel by Bernadine de Saint-Pierre. (1737-1814)  The novel tells of star-crossed lovers of misalliances whose mothers have sought refuge in tropical French colony Isle De France (Maurtitus).  Raised as siblings, Paul and Virginia develop a deep love broken by Virginia's return to Europe.  Virginia tries to return to him but dies in a shipwreck.

This item is an ornate pickle jar with tongs that is also new to the house this past winter.  I guess there were some special healing properties in eating pickles such as vinegar.
 

I got home in time to change, eat, and walk Sophie down the street to see fireworks.  I had to see this future therapy dog dealing with people and stress of fireworks.  I liked how she looked to me for support with all the noise all around. I came home and finished a little wine that was left.  Watched some Saturday Night Live that had a Christmas special on!

Why do people say "Happy Fourth of July"? You don't say "Happy December 25th" or "Happy January First". While people around the world have July 4th, only we in the United States recognize it as the anniversary of our Independence. Why don't people recognize the holiday - Independence Day - rather than the date on which it's observed?

Monday I shipped a box to a lucky lady in the military.  Funny think is that her description says "airman" but location was "navy".   It can happen.

I just got back from my 4th session of dog training with Sophie.  We have much improved but now we need to focus on recall and not licking.  Sophie has an appointment with Bubbles of Fun on July 31st so she'll be pretty for her exam day.  She stresses me.