My Week

Well Summer has officially Arrived on Tuesday

With restrictions lifted last Friday, I went to Powerworks for "senior balance" class on Monday.  In the evening I went to the VFW meeting.

Sophie had her nice clean up at Bubbles of Fun.  She really needed it because she hadn't been groomed since March. I was charged  $40 instead of $25. She had a different groomer. It was a comedy of errors. They couldn't find my name anywhere. Last month they thought I was a no-show for May 19 when I asked for an appointment on Jun 19.  I made that appointment date because I had my doctor visit the Friday before and expected restrictions lifted.  I made an appointment for the following Monday.   I assumed Bubbles of Fun remembered that I pick her up at 10AM so I can take her to a TDI visit afterward.  I shouldn't have assumed that. I rescheduled that visit  at the nursing home for the afternoon.  It went real well I I used the umbrella stroller.  A staff member helped me when she needed to be picked up.  When I picked her up, I later noticed a bit of dried blood where her nail was trimmed.   I later found a new groomer nearby and very reasonable thanks to John P.

Tuesday evening I went to the flag ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb.  I saw a fox at Oak Ridge cemetery before the flag lowering ceremony
Afterward I went to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight homecoming. The WW2 veterans that are regulars had a birthday among them and a lady dropped off a card and a cup cake but couldn't stay.

While waiting for the homecoming, my hearing aid battery died and I mentioned I'd have to go to my car and get a battery.  One of the WW2 veterans gave me one of his batteries. :)

Wednesday I gave tours at the Lincoln Tomb in the afternoon.  On my way there I saw Chuck at the War memorials on my former motorcycle that I sold him so I stopped by.  He seemed happy with the bike and wanted to know more about the blessing of the bikes decals.   Tours had a steady crowd.  Rubbing the nose of Lincoln is supposed to bring good luck but there's always someone taking a picture with the finger in the nose.  That brings bad luck I think.  I guess I'll add that to my tour spiel.    Even as I gave tours on Wed, someone wanted to go behind the utility door in the rotunda which has nothing but utilities, handouts, and a toilet (maybe a ghost).  People like the forbidden.  This photo I stole off of flicker illustrates "the forbidden zone" appeal.

Thursday I took Sophie to Reflections for the first time in a long time.  The residents missed Sophie and me. In fact I think some worried about me.  Afterward I stopped to meet with a new groomer referred by a friend. On the way back I took a picture of a cute girl scare crow.  I had to be careful stopping to take this picture since it's on a blind curve.

 Friday I helped out at the Old State Capitol with our History Comes Alive: Soldiers Aid Society exhibit.   We had a nice steady crowd.  I wore my new corset.

It reminds me of the medical braces for back surgery that I've seen.

I had a nice conversation with a docent from Iowa Old Capitol that gave tours. Both of our sites had the same architect: John Francis Rague of Springfield, IL.  Rague also designed the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield.   I told her that I was pleased she came and that I'd never been to their site.  I told her I used to feel a little intimidated by all the Lincoln scholars that come here for conferences.  I realize that they may be wise and knowledgeable but they need to see the site layout to what they may have known.  I remember giving a tour to our Grant persona and the interest that went with it.  I too love seeing sites and sometimes I know what will come out of the mouth of our tour guide but unless they ask the group, I dare not offer a reply so that others in the group may think. 

In the evening I went to the Elijah Iles house for a discussion on Thomas Lincoln:

There was a good turnout.  The parking lot told me so.  I ended up sitting on the steps since the seats were full.  The presentation was similar to this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2fXTCANghw

It's hard to get my family all together but we were at the ribbon cutting for the Vet Center in early April.  Even Alan smiled!  I have a "Spondy Smile" since this was about a week and a half before surgery.

 

More on the spine: 

Exercises to Avoid With Spondylolisthesis 

Why Some Indigenous Cultures May Not Have Back Pain

Understanding Rehabilitation and Care Following Posterior Lumbar Fusion

My Week

Warm weather brings out the firefly's. 
Tuesday I went to a meeting with the St John's Hospital Samaritans at 9:30. Then I went to a Womens Overseas Service League meeting (WOSL) at 12:30.   In the evening I went to the Sangamon County  Historical Society dinner/meeting at 5:30 at the Clayville historic site.  They served caramel vodka on ice stuffed with lots of peppermint stalks.  I tried this with my morning lemon and honey.  The dinner was to appoint a board of directors.

I finished a ribbon head piece for reenacting copied off another that I bought.  Now to have the "wear it" test.

Maybe I shouldn't tell my friends that I get help with the housework. I just say this because they think I'm cured because I get around but I still have bending and strength issues. So I tell them so that they understand. Then I get a solicitation for help too.  I let my cleaning lady know because she has connections.

Wednesday I didn't feel that well...a lite spondy pain.  I had lunch with Michael at County Market.  Since it was Flag Day, I couldn't help but notice the beer display that looked like a flag.

   I stopped by a few thrift stores for senior day but left empty and that's kinda good too.  In the evening I went to our AMVETS meeting.   We needed the rain because there were cracks in the ground.  We have dinner but I ordered a breakfast crepe. 
A rain storm came during our meeting and John's (our WW2 veteran) car window was partially down. I need to wash my car but I'm glad I put it off.

Thursday I went to an ABATE meeting.  They seemed glad to see me after a long absence.  This could be a problem because my 5 year membership expires in July.

Friday afternoon I had my 7 week check up and all restrictions lifted. But I explained I can't pick things up off the floor. So the PA dropped a pen for me to get and I couldn't get it. So I'll be having some physical therapy soon.  I'm free to go on a trip.  Hope I can get down to get things without using my toes or a grabber.  Don't get a grabber at Harbor Freight.  Cheap:

My house had a Friday cleaning too.  Mary Ann borrowed my cowboy hat for a themed party with her friends.  I couldn't find my cowboy boots though.  I think I got rid of them.

Saturday I went to Bright Star Equestrian barn to take a quick tour.  These horses are used to help children and veterans with PTSD.   I've always liked horses because of he romance of the old days.

I got a check for $50 in the mail for winning a CWV raffle.

Then I went to Saturday evening Mass for seniors with anointing of the sick, dinner by students called "Starry Nights".  Followed by a match game led by the children.

I started working on my lineage chart for potential membership with Daughters of the Revolution (DAR) through my mother's Sturdivant line.  It's a crooked ladder.  I've been linking all of the ancestors to their source.
https://sites.google.com/site/deansturdivant/
There is a problem with wife of James Sturdivant that I descended from.   Something about Fannie Callis vs Nancy Brintle.  Apparently Fannie is the correct wife and she's the one that produced DAR heirs.  Well when the book on this family research comes in the mail, maybe that will help.

My Week

Monday I finished some lace undersleeves for my Civil War dress and repaired a tear in the hoop from the past weekend.  In the evening I went to the American Legion meeting.

Wednesday I missed my lunch date due to work calling it off but I did some shopping and found a lovely dress.

Thursday I went to the Old State Capitol for a special invite-only tour of the historic clocks.   The clocks were referred to as "table box".  Clock peddlers rode on horseback with a clock on their chest and back.  The clocks would have a paper inside about it's maker.

The Black face clock in the State Library is a Chauncy Jerome clock dating 1838.   Chauncey Jerome (1793–1868) was an American clockmaker in the early 19th century. He made a fortune selling his clocks, and his business grew quickly. However, his company failed in 1856, and he died in poverty.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chauncey_Jerome

The colorful clock in the Secretary of State is a gold leave by Seth Thomas.
https://clockhistory.com/sethThomas/company/

Eli Terry got a patent for the mechanism but lost the patent on the clock's actual design.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eli_Terry

The grandfather clock in the Supreme Court was not made in America.  These were known as "long case clock" until the song came out in the 1880s.

I never heard of the song "My Grandfather's Clock" so I found it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=15&v=ectJBP4saNc

The clocks without a moon were less expensive.  The moon/sun rotation helped the farmers.

The clock in the Law Library had a sad life because the flake came off the mirror and bottom plate was replaced with plain glass.  This clock dates to about 1820 by John Birge before the merger.
http://www.clockguy.com/SiteRelated/SiteReferencePages/JohnBirge.html

The clock in representative Hall doesn't fit the time.  It's a galley clock from the '60s. This clock is from the Ansonia company.

The clock in the Senate dates about 1880-90 possibly Newhaven.

The banjo clock in the the Governor's reception room is very valuable.  This is a 'First American" clock.
http://www.clockguy.com/SiteRelated/SiteReferencePages/EHowardHistory.html

The clock in the governor's office is pure enscrolled tablet by Eli Terry Bristol, Connecticut made.  It has an ivory key hole.  This clock was made with claw feet to put on a shelf or mantel.  (see photo attached)

The clock in the Office of Instruction has an ivory key hole and a painted scene from 1820.  Finials are intact. Unfortunately the key to this clock is unknown and we can't read the paper documents inside.  It uses brass works.  (see photo attached)

The "finials" are the points on the top of the clock
I took only 2 pictures of the fanciest clocks.

 This is the clock in the office of Public Instruction but the key is missing so the paper information cannot be read.

Thursday evening I went to the Catholic War Veterans meeting.

Friday I went to a few yard sales.  I had been looking for an umbrella stroller so that I wouldn't have to bend over and pick up Sophie on visits.

Friday I volunteered at the American Legion Homecoming festival from 4:30- 9:30.

Saturday I went to the Crown Plaza for the State AMVETS Convention.  Sunday I returned for the swearing in of new officers.  That was after I went to church with the Catholic War Veterans.
My Hollyhocks are blooming and so is my Easter Lilly but it's getting run over by over growth.

I may look fine after surgery but this photo illustrates my ability

 

I just read another blog about recovery here:
http://frame.bloglovin.com/?post=5689805423&blog=10233875&frame_type=feed

My Week

The warmer weather has arrived.  Air conditioner is on and off as the weather permits.  I do have a whole house ceiling fan system that stretches out the climate control.  This next week will be a real scorcher.

Tuesday I was "stood up" by a landscaping company.  It's the second so far that has stood me up.  So I posted a landscaping need on facebook in Chatham Central.  Plants are getting out of control and will not make it till I'm able to do better next year. I need to contain the mint and sage.  I have tulips and hen and chicks to plant.  I also have more asparagus roots to plant.  I needs a simple landscape for someone who can't bend.

Tuesday evening I went to the Lincoln Tomb for the first of the summer Flag lowering ceremonies.  I didn't dress for it but pretty much came as I am in stretch pants. 

Thursday I took my mower in for maintenance since I found kind neighbors to lift it into my Murano.  Sean said he didn't have a problem with the mower running. However, it's overdue for an oil change and sharpening. Maintenance is important. Believe it or not, I like cutting the grass but it's a chore I must give up this year.

In the evening I went to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum to see a presentation by Sidney Blumenthal called 'Wrestling with His Angel: The Political Life of Abraham Lincoln Vol. II, 1849-1956'.  It was very interesting and a lot of details.  Half the problem of the Civil War was the struggles before the war and how Lincoln pondered the problems before making decisions.  Very wise man.

Friday I went to give tours at the Lincoln Tomb from 10AM to 2PM.  There were quite a few buses and the interpretation of the tomb came right back to me after being away for awhile.

I got my historical dress laid out for the weekend Civil War in Pittsfield, IL.  My cleaning gal came over and now I feel comfy.  I can remove my sheets but can't bend over to make my bed and Mary Ann did made my bed  She recently had her picture on a local bill board on Route 4.

I did get a little sewing done while listening to other programs.  I still cant bend.  There was a ladies fashion show and I was last because I was seated.  My dress crochet and hair net was the last to observe.

I went back to Pittsfield on Sunday after church.  It was Pentecost and about half of the congregation wore red.  I like to think that it was my idea to wear red years ago because I wore red then and told Fr John I liked that I said I got with the program and match the vestments of Pentacost.  I fixed a pasta dish with gluten free macaroni.  Not bad.
Afterward I went back for day 2 of Lincoln Days in Pittsfield.  There were over 40 LEAD (The Spirit of Lincoln Youth Academy) students in the group getting a crash course in Lincoln from various counties.

I know the students were rushed though on a hot day at Pittsfield Lake.  There was a light cloud cover but that only held in the heat from the day before and the humidity was high.  I heard from Heather Wicken that one had to be aided because of heat stroke.
While I was speaking, Sara Watson held up a sign and I couldn't read it with just my period reading glasses.  She told me 5 minutes. I probably could have read 5 fingers better than her piece of paper.  I think it was only a 15-20 minute presentation.  Many visitors seem to come for the battle and leave. 
The buffalo knats were horrible and I got bit on my neck.  Later I tossed away a tick.

Well I have a little sewing repair on my hoop casing that ripped.