My summer swim bag was on the shelf in the sun room had a nest in it.
I know that the weather has been improving and up till now, I've had to pick up branches. I'm still picking up twigs from the lawn despite recent policing of the yard and little wind. I suspected that the squirrel nest that fell with a thud last month may be under reconstruction. I looked up and it wasn't the squirrel but there was my neighbor's hawk just breaking off a twig and flying to its nest. I'm pretty sure they are cooper's hawks.
While giving tours on Friday, I met Jean whom I know from state AMVETS conventions, came from Rockford with a school group. She was chaperone on a bus trip to the tomb today. Then their bus broke down and they stalled to get a new bus.
Saturday I went to a volunteer workshop at Lincoln's New Salem and then I went to a meeting for our Soldiers Aid Society. We are planning a parade like the Wide Awakes in Lincoln's days for the Illinois Humanities youth to recreate.
Sean came early on Sunday so he could go to a music practice. That was fine with me because I went to an afternoon "celebration of life" for a VFW member. I do like the time we watch TV while his laundry is running. I've been modifying an outfit that will give me a 1910 look. Much history can be learned from this era including WW1 which will the the centennial of our VFW namesake ~ Lafore Lock ~ who was KIA from Springfield. Either I'll wear this or a WW1 nurse.
I found a good sum of money in a purse I haven't used in a long time because its closure isn't good. Now I better put that purse back where I found it. I made a welfare visit to one of our members of Silver Sneakers who we haven't seen in awhile because he had a stroke. The group was asking about him. His wife came to exercise occasionally too. He belongs to a ROMEO club "retired old men eating out".
Tuesday was "Pig in a Blanket" day at the nursing home. Wasn't sure what that meant but then I heard the pig squeal. It was a 6 month old female pig named Charlie.
Applied for upcoming Medicare. After messing up online I had a real person call me.
I missed an appreciation dinner at church last Sunday because I had Alan and Sean over after my little trip. Alan brought my dog back. However, I got a little thank you gift the following Saturday at our Starry Night banquet that the youth held for the seniors. I got a book and a parish name tag. There was a slight misspelling with an e that I changed to o.
Tuesday I had a try on of a custom dress that I wanted copied from and extant dress.
It took forever to find the right fabric. I really preferred silk but thanks to Janet, she had this light wool with green in it. I'll be doing the collar and undersleeves but Rachel is doing the sewing.
Wednesday I had a very special "visit" with Sophie at St John's Hospital.
Saturday I went to volunteer orientation at Lincoln's New Salem Historic Site.
I like how this stump semi-hiding the water spout
Sunday I went to the Lincoln Tomb for the Death Day Wreath laying ceremony. I brought our AMVETS wreath.
Last fall was dry. I didn't have to cut my grass Aug-Oct. Then Fall came and I wanted to mulch leaves and the electric start Gas Toro wouldn't start. I took it to Kunz for maintenance. They said it would take 10 days. Meanwhile, I'm approaching leaf pick up deadline. I found a corded electric with a bagger for $50 and did the immediate job. Well now it's spring and the Toro that I had maintenance on in the fall will not start ~ again. So I did the back yard with the corded electric constantly tossing the cord back and forth. At least it starts when I want. Problem is that it's so narrow. I've tried a battery powered mower from Sears in the past and it had the same problem. When that one went for maintenance and they gave me a quote, I abandoned that sucker. The irony is that I love mowing my yard. Thanks to Facebook, I was advised to see if there was a chock on the left side by a friend owning the same Toro. I wasn't sure how to work that lever but after a few moments, it started. Glad I got the thick grass cut on the one fair day because the cold has returned.
I went to the Sangamon County Historical Society meeting at the library. I got to hear a nice presentation by Guy Fraker on the the Lincoln Circuit.
RIP Barbra Bush.
Prayers for my sister Kathy who is in pain and my sister Patty with a Squamous cell carcinom. ~✞ ~
A Civil War Tour to Southern Missouri and NW Arkansas
Thursday, April 5 – Saturday, April 7, 2018
Started off the night before turning my dog over to my son in Lincoln, IL (a halfway point). Well it wasn't supposed to be this cold this time of year. I was issued this name tag.
On the bus, Jeannie gave us the following quiz to loosen us up:
1. The Lake of the Ozarks was created by damming what river
2. What city is the Missouri state capitol?
3. What would you call a person from Missouri?
4. In what Missouri museum would you find the world's larges pair of underwear?
5. Mark Twain's boyhood hom is in what city?
6. What is the nickname for the state of Missouri?
7. Name tow food and or drink items invented at the 1904St Louis World's Fair?
8. Stubborn as a Missouri_______
9. Invented in 1899 at St Joseph, Missouri...this food product makes it easy for people everywhere to have flapjacks and syrup for breakfast?
10. Missouri experienced a series of powerful earthquakes in late 1811 and early 1812. What is the name of the fault along which these earthquakes occurred?
11. How many states border Missouri?
12. Name them.
13. What are the large rivers flowing through Missouri?
14. What Missouri city was the starting point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition? (actually IL)
15. What types of attractions can be found in and around Hermann, MO?
I won't go on to the extra credit since this was only fun.
Our first stop was to pick up our local expert guide, Bill.
He also gave us an evening lecture in the hotel's conference room. He would not take a stipend but rather asked for a donation to the park's restoration.
Wilson's Creek visitor's center: i
Field hospital "The soldier may forget the horror and blood of the battle but the cheerful happy scenes of the campfire he will never forget" ~ Private Carlton McCarthy, 2d company Northern VA.
This was unusually embroidered Navy enlisted cap.
Anna Elizabeth Steele, John Ray's step daughter died by typhoid 1862.
Wilson's Creek in the spring lacked the leaves this time of year so it was much easier to see places that were pointed out to us. Actually, we were told that many trees were invasive species and there would have been hardly any there having been used as building material and fireplaces. There would have been cornfields.
Here's a picture of me at Bloody Hill at Wilson's Creek on stop number 6. As you can see, this is the day that had the best weather.
Friday we headed for Pea Ridge (named after wild peas). My phone was locked up so I didn't get many photos but wished I had gotten a picture of the reproduction 3/4 scale ambulance wagon in the visitors center like this one.
We were all grateful for Ranger Dave who took us through the park. His description of what happened was easy to follow. He is a veteran of the Iraq War and still serves in the National Guard as a historian.
Here's a picture of me at stop number 5.
Here we are walking out to the east overlook of the battle field. My pictures of the overlook seemed dark but you can click HERE to see better photos.
Here we are at the reconstructed Elkhorn Tavern. It was a focal point between roads and a section of the road was part of the Trail of Tears. I'm next to the lady in pink on the right of this group photo.
This parking lot had only 2 memorials representing the union and confederates. More pristine than Gettysburg with all the memorials.
Afterward we had lunch saw Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, AR. It's mostly an art gallery but the guide knew our mission and catered a tour around early American. Here she explained the hidden and political meanings of portraits. I thought this was interesting picture of refugees.
This painting was titled "War News from Texas" (click for background video) 1848 by Richard Caton Woodville. She explained the hidden meanings. I had to laugh when Francie thought there was a hidden meaning in the cup was a modern camera. I didn't let her live it down. It even came up later when our reenactor at Pea Ridge had a cup hanging from his gear.
ceiling art.
This art was huge and reminded me of the Colossal Colon only this was an alphabet. It's called Alphabet/Good Humor made of painted fiberglass and bronze (1975).
We also saw the Bachman-Wilson House there. It's a Frank Lloyd Wright house much smaller than the one in Springfield. Bedroom was so compact that it reminded me of a camper. Our group admission sticker was good for 10% off in the gift shop ~ the most expensive gift shop I ever entered. There was a fancy women's blazer with a tag of $1525.
Then went to the Cooper Chapel. Approaching the chapel gave me a dejavu moment like I'd seen this before. Our guide explained there were others so maybe I saw on like it. The architect is Fay Jones and he built others.
Here is Ann telling us about the history of the chapel.
Saturday morning we awoke to some snow on the ground at our hotel in Springfield, MO. This is the view from the bus. As we headed North-East on I-44, there was less snow.
After a stop at Rolla we head for Arcadia, MO for lunch at the Abby Kitchen. Oh and the smell from the bakery was wonderful. This is a former Ursuline Academy turned bed and breakfast. Very nostalgic. https://www.arcadiavalleyacademy.com/
I notice that the stairway resembled a rectangular style known for pulling between the floors of stairs. I found an old function of that design HERE. See the stairway at 2:42 on this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=153&v=m-WX3h8nVyY
Here's a history of the college. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHFw7dDzzTc
Afterward we went to Civil War Battlefield in Pilot Knob state park and earth works of Fort Davidson.
Devil's Icebox is what the rock on the hill is called. In the center of the fort is the crater made when the union left and blew up the remaining arsenal so that the confederates wouldn't get it.
Our volunteer tour guide demonstrated his musket. He explained that his love for this place goes way back to when he was a boy and played in this park.
Our bus driver, Kevin, was excellent driver. He was safe, had the latest technology, and made the best turns in places I never thought of.
I missed my little dog, Sophie, so my son sent me this photo.
I think she missed her little dog bed at his house that she usually falls over the edge (on purpose).
This rain is removing the hulls from the trees and soon the leaves will open. However, since Easter is early this year, I will not see a flowering dogwood tree in time for Easter. I think that the season is on the Orthodox calendar because Palm Sunday there will fall on our Easter Sunday.
Poor Alan had plumbing problems at his house. It's a bath and a half house and the toilets were removed for 3 days. I don't know what he did but he said he'd rough it. It looks like my brakes and struts will cost more than Alan's Roto Roter job.
Wednesday I had a therapy dog visit at St John's Hospital. I dressed her up in her Easter finest dress but took it off for the petting session. It was a child's sundress modified.
On my way home, the oil light came on so it was time for a change. Since it was 4pm, I stopped by One Stop Auto with Sophie in the waiting room.
I had my oil changed Wednesday at 4pm at One Stop. Friday I vacuumed my car and noticed an oil stain in the drive. Now I hadn't driven much since Wednesday because my car was overnight Thursday at Checkpoint for brakes. I took it back about the leak. Something about an aluminum valve. This happened last time I had the oil changed at One Stop. Prior to this I went to Jiffy Lube but it's now closed. So Friday afternoon I went back to One Stop.
Thursday I got an appointment so I dropped off my car for brakes, rotors and struts. I had to leave it overnight but got a ride to the UIS Vietnam Commemoration.
After the ceremony they asked for a group photo of the Vietnam Veterans and Vietnam era. I wish I dressed up more but just back from exercise group and depended on a ride while my car was in the shop.
I think I look chubby at this angle
Sad part is that it's the same people showing up at these events. We know they're out there because they wear a ball cap saying such but where are they at events?
I got a ride to Holy Thursday evening Mass. I did something different and wore my black chapel veil. Father washed the feet of the RCIA candidates plus a few.
Friday I was scheduled to help with the fish fry but just before I was supposed to go, I had a painful belly ache. I tried to walk it out but the pain was too great. Guess what? It was gone by the end of the fish fry.
Saturday I went to the 8AM beginner yoga class. Brenda conducts this and our senior class. More were there than our Thursday class. Then I did a little shopping since it was still early in the morning. The parking lots got full fast. I got some things for Easter dinner and an exercise outfit. I picked up a purple hyacinth for the flowers on the altar. The flower wasn't opened when I bought it but another lady in the store reassured me it would open for Easter. If it's the one I spied up there, it opened for Easter like she said. I helped great the people as they came through the doors along with a few other greeters. My feet were cold until about mid service. Of course, that meant the pews were full except for the middle. I got a family to move for one more. They had teens. I noticed teen girl and boy with the "Pew Art" card. I happened to have a 5 color pen in my pocket and offered it. They smiled and rejected it.
I watched the live Jesus Christ Superstar on TV.
It was still snowing in this picture but getting too dark to take a picture soon of my *flowering* dogwood tree on Easter.
