My Week

Last Sunday, Easter, we went to see my son in Peoria as mentioned in my last blog post.  We noticed odd turds in his yard and Moe went crazy under his shed.  So since his brother goes up there on Monday, I had him take my trap.  On Friday morning he caught a small raccoon. 

I went to an SAR dinner on Wednesday evening where they presented awards and welcomed prospective members in the works. It's amazing that I knew people there through some of my historic reenacting. Same type of people who respect their heritage to the Revolutionary War.  They really want to meet my sons who are the real members and direct descendants of George Connolly the Patriot.  I also met Bill Lear (sp) who mention good things about a chaplain from Peoria named Justin Antweiler. I said I knew him.  Justin is the team leader at the Peoria Veterans Center where my son works.  I'll vouch for that.

I've got most of the relation tied to Patriot George Connolly except for one brick wall:  George W. Connolly b 1804.  Each document relating to the patriot has been scanned and linked to keep organized:

https://sites.google.com/site/connollypatriot/

According to Ancestry.com, the references for 1804 George problem are here and cannot be checked out:

History of Harrison County, WV

F864 431 442h ~ At the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library

Roane County History, WV

F864 R62 B622h ~ At the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library

WV Heritage Encyclopedia

Henry C. Adams  Memorial Library (Prophetstown) St Louis County.

Wednesday I did my Goodwill shopping trip and had lunch at the salad bar at County Market.

Thursday I took my props over to the Illinois Military Museum for a station presentation on battle field conditions from a woman's perspective.  I had asked if I could give the presentation as a practice of an upcoming presentation of Belle Reynolds at the Lincoln Home on May 17th and it was granted provided I keep it shortened. 

Friday my riding mower was picked up for repair so I can give it to Alan for his new house.  It's a little big for me anyway.

Saturday I went to Keokuk, IA for a Civil War Reenactment.
http://www.dailygate.com/news/article_6ee58b10-cbc3-11e3-aecb-0019bb2963f4.html
I modeled my brown dress in the Ladies Tea and Fashion Show.

 

Below I am standing at the base of the statue in Rand Park dedicated to Chief Keokuk.

This dress was used but like new when I got it on ebay. Bonnet I decorated myself from a felt form. Ha! I did the finishing touches of lace and flowers on the drive over.

I even had my picture taken with someone in high places.  Here's a picture that I took at the ball.  During the battle, the narrator told us about the history of the mini ball.  It was named after Claude-Etienne Minié not the fact that it was small.

Unlike some of the Civil War dances that I've been too, this is one of those occasions where some of those soldiers come in smelling of battle and campfire smoke. 

Since I got up late on Sunday, I went to the later Mass after securing a substitute reader in my place earlier.  The weather was nice the day before and my reenacting was distracted by the sound of motorcycles which I urged the need for wind in my face.  The weather was still nice when I went to church so I rode Wheezer but after church it was not so nice.  I noticed I had the following Kudos in the church bulletin:

OWLS Potluck attendees enjoyed our April potluck with our food entrée and all of the delicious side dishes. Thanks to Rosemary Connolly for sharing her Germany travelogue with us accompanied by pictures taken by herself, Dan Bedell, and Cliff Shehorn. We were able to enjoy the beauty of Germany and surrounding area through the presentation. Our committee deserves thanks for stepping in to oversee the evening: Ron; JoAnn Hefer, Mike Sharon Crowley, Jim  Pam Friel and Ken Gail Cardoni.

The rest of the church bulletin is here:
http://content.seekandfind.com/bulletins/01/0164/20140427B.pdf

My son came over with his dog for laundry day.  I fixed Teriyaki chicken from Aldi, broccoli, and some asparagus from my garden.

Monday morning I did the presentation of Belle Reynolds at the Illinois Military Museum for high school literature students that are reading a novel about the Civil War.  I will had a station from the women's perspective and there were civil war soldiers having stations as well.   They became my test audience for a presentation at the Lincoln Home on May 17.
I used an online stopwatch to time myself.  Program seems to run about 11 minutes.

This is the video of my presentation which I use for self improvement.


My written script was shared with the Lincoln Tomb.  Now I have an offer to present Belle Reynolds first person at the Lincoln Tomb on my birthday.

After this presentation I covered the lunch hours at the Old State Capitol on their first day of the 7-day summer schedule.  Because I was busy performing as Belle Reynolds in the morning and dance practice in the evening I could only volunteer a short while to cover for their lunch hours.  There were storm clouds on the way to Metamora but I headed in the opposite direction for the most part.

Tuesday was the day I planned to give tours in addition the the request for additional help.  I went to find clips for my Welcome Home banner at Joanne fabric store.  Clipped them to the banner and put heavy duty string around letters/clock on the overhanging baggage claim sign.  Worked like a charm.
Here is a link to photos taken at the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight on April 29.
April Land of Lincoln Honor Flight 

Have a nice week.

My week

Thursday the handyman came to take down my weak attic ladder which I'm replacing with an aluminum ladder.  The replacement went up on Saturday with an assist from his son. 

Easter was spent with my sons.  I had intended to trailer up the riding mower but I couldn't get it started and it has a flat tire. Instead, we took him some more of the stuff in my garage.  We brought Sean's dog, Moe, with us since he hadn't met him yet.  Discovered some turds in the yard of his new house.  Moe seemed to be scratching at the ground under the shed.  There's a critter down there.  Next trip up he'll have the trap.  We ate at a local diner and it was pretty good.  My son wanted to eat at an Italian restaurant but is was closed on Easter.  Always looking for a place that has beer with the meal.

It must be spring because the ants are back by the kitchen sink.  I got this suggestion: "Mix equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar. The sugar attracts them; the baking soda kills them. They can't tell the difference between the two, so they ingest both. The baking soda mixes with chemicals in their little bodies and they literally explode."

My neighbors basketball net has a robin nest.

You know your yard is pretty bad when the brown grass patches show up on google Earth.  I've been working on that one patch at a time.
I have been rewriting my script for the first-person interpretation of Belle Reynolds for May 17th at the Lincoln Home Historic Site.  I'm learning something new.  Apparently she did have a uniform jacket with a major's braid like the stereotype vivandiere.   I'll prob put the blue jacket with gold braid on a dress form and wear my camp dress because I believe that's what she really would have worn.  I did pick up a travel trunk for a prop at Hobby Lobby.  Now the word is getting out and two other locations have wanted presentations of Belle Reynolds that are in the works.

Tuesday I volunteered at the Old State Capital from 10am to 3PM.  It was a busy day for tours and staffing was low.  They seemed to like the tour.  I got a compliment from one man in the group and his wife stressed that it was a good compliment coming from her husband because he was a history teacher.  

Afterward, I went to the shooting range with my son at the Lefthanders Club that he belongs to.

I've been redecorating my short brim bonnet.  I was looking at old photos of bonnets and more had flowers than feathers.

My Week

Tuesday morning I volunteered at the Old State Capitol.  There were many group tours that day so that's why I came in.  I was eager to add something new to my tour and messed it up.  I wanted to say that three former presidents have graced these halls:  Lincoln, Grant and Van Buren and instead I said Buchanan.  Kicking myself with guilt.  I left early so I could have lunch with the Womens Overseas Service League.  Then at 6PM I went to a meeting with the Soldiers Aid Society.  We were debriefed on the Civil War Fashion Fair we had at Edwards Place.  The second half of the program but another unit was full of 'bling'.  So much that "Sandra" had shown off a very expensive necklace on loan from Denny Jewelers.  So our leader passed around a bowl with toy bling rings to us at our meeting.

Wednesday morning I dropped my dog, Marley, off at the groomers.  I did have a coupon for that.  Then I enjoyed senior day at the thrift stores. My son's new dog chewed his Droid phone.  He said that Moe had that guilty look too.  I stood with the Patriot Guard Riders for a visitation for Bob Davies of the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight who passed away.  I left early so I could attend an AmVets meeting at 6PM.

Thursday morning I went to the funeral for the escort to Camp Butler Cemetery.  The weeping willow trees were turning green first.  Then I went to the luncheon for the funeral.

In the evening, I went to our Catholic war veterans meeting.

Friday I gave a presentation to our church's OWLS group (Older, Wiser, Lovable, Seniors) about the parish pilgrimage to Germany last October.  I wore my little German dress.   After that I went to let my son's dog in the back yard for a little bit since he went to a Cardinal's game.

Saturday morning I went to the St Louis Civil War Ball.  We toured the Magic Chef Mansion.

these photos were clipped from Facebook.

Then we toured the Missouri Botanical Gardens.  This is a selfie with my camera's timer.

Dinner and change for the evening ball that ended at midnight.  During the Civil War, there were triplet dances with one man dancing with two ladies since many men were away at the war.  This is one of those dances.  That's me on the left with the dark blue dress. I just recently added lace under the sleeves.  I love this dress but it is so difficult to put the bodice on with hooks and lacing up the back.

 

Post by Kristen Bergquist.

I'm at the beginning of that video dance.

Post by Kristen Bergquist.

Miss Rose at 1:30 on the Gothic Arches Dance

Sunday morning I got up at 6AM so I wouldn't miss Palm Sunday Mass.  It was a nice service and I was a Eucharistic Minister.  I came home and took a nap until my son came over to do laundry.  I asked him to try and start my Toro mower not that the grass is turning green.  He couldn't start it either so he helped me load it in my car to take to the dealer.
I then went to take the Easter Baskets that I prepared for the mentally disabled kids at Hope School.  I didn't ride my motorcycle because I just got up from a nap and didn't have time to gear up.  Besides, I live closer to Hope School than the rally point they depart.

Once again I had to feed my dogs by hand because he comes to me to follow to the treat jar.  I popped the cork on my souvenir bottle of wine from my trip to Ste. Genevieve, Bulduc.

Having difficulty starting my electric push button on my new Toro Mower.  My son helped me lift it into the car to get help at Kuntz mower service.  However, it likes to roll in the back.  I stopped by Harbor Freight for some chocks.  They were all too big for my need so I settled on a bristle boot brush to put between the wheels.  worked like a charm.

I have been picking asparagus.  Someone suggested wrapping them in bacon.  Yum.

I presented a wreath on April 15th for our Catholic War Veterans on Lincoln's Death Day

Since this is Holy Week:

A cold snap went through here too but no snow in Springfield.  However, I had dance practice last night in Metamora and it stuck on the ground there.

My Week

Ah, this is the week that the grass turned green.  Means mowing soon.  I have to find time to get the riding mower up to my son for his new house.

My dog, Bentley, came to me begging. I get up and follow him where he points to the counter (where the treat jar happens to be). So, I kneel down by his untouched dog food bowl. I hand him a few nuggets of dog food (not that cheap stuff either). At first, he sniffed and ran to the counter. But eventually he ate from my hand and so did Marley. They finished the bowl out of my hand. Kids...sheez! Don't they know that there's not treats until they finish their dinner?

Wednesday morning I went to Camp Butler for the first Unaccompanied burial for veterans that had no military honors.  This was very moving.

Thursday Morning I went on a trip to Ste Geneviève, MO with Little Flower Parish. It rained hard that night and one missed the bus due to a power outage and couldn't get her car out of the garages.  It rained most of the day and I got emergency text alerts about severe weather and flash floods.  However, it cleared up when we needed it most to tour the historic settlement.

Saturday morning I went to a meet and greet for volunteers at the ILES House historic site.  I had time to kill between that and a At 2PM  presentation on Lincoln in the Black Hawk war.    I went to Lowes and picked up an attic ladder.  I also stopped by Hobby  Lobby and got a wood trunk and some lace for reenacting.

new additions to my Civil War closet:
New parasol.

 I found this fan at a thrift store and cut off the pink plastic.  I couldn't get all of it out so I used a seam ripper and then re-sewed the straw.  I believe it is fancy, period correct.  Most seem to use a style that is shaped like a spade.

 This dress is coming from England and is a bit pre-Civil War.  That will be good after this 150th anniversary of the Civil War is over.  I may want to add a Bertha collar.

Now I want to finish my trim on my summer straw bonnet (I'll put that picture in next week's blog) and put some trim on my widows weeds for the upcoming Lincoln Death Day commemoration on Apr 15th.
Saturday I was pleased to receive a thank you card from one of the veterans on the Honor Flight who thanked me for the letter in his "mail call" sack.

Sunday morning I went to our Catholic War Veterans Mass.  I met two of the ladies that were on my trip to  Ste Geneviève.

Sunday evening I got a call from Clara Wright whom I know through the Old State Capitol.  She asked me to be guest speaker for a balloon launch the day before Memorial Day.  Last year was the first event and they sent up 200 balloons with names of loved ones for $1 donation.  I had referred Clara to the American Legion last year for help with her idea last year.

My Week

I attended the adoption of SJR3, "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" in Illinois, on March 25th with Representative Kifowit. I sat with fellow veterans in the Speaker’s Gallery to hear the resolution (Senate Joint Resolution 3) being adopted. 
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=3&GAID=12&GA=98&DocTypeID=SJR&LegID=69405&SessionID=85

I recall going up the elevator that one of the cleaning ladies told us that there were too many and the elevator may not move.  Later in the week some tourist were stuck and it made the news.
Dozens Trapped in State Capitol Elevator:
http://wics.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_16367.shtml?app_data={#.Uzm_29aiGsw.email

Boy I forget how short I look to others.

I came home and had a nap.  Then I got my Welcome Home Banner that I use for the Honor Flight and off to a meeting of the 114th Illinois Infantry's presentation about the Soldiers Aid Society.  When that was over I went to the airport which was nearby and welcomed back a bunch of veterans returning from the Honor Flight.  The usual clips that fell from the ceiling holding my welcome home banner were gone.  The banner is not really tape friendly.  I got it up and ready well before time.  Then, just before the veterans came out, it fell.   I think that I can string it around the letter on the sign

Wednesday is senior discount day at both the Goodwill and Salvation Army.  I found a tin cup at Goodwill that was perfect for reenacting.  I've been looking for one.  Then I stopped at Aldi for needed dog food and I really needed some cash back because my wallet was empty.  Well I can't JUST get dog food.  I found Ruben bites in the freezer section.

In the evening I went to the meeting of the Interveterans of Sangamon County meeting.  I updated their website.
https://sites.google.com/site/sangamoncountyinterveterans/

Thursday morning I met with my tax preparer appointment at 10AM.  Yep, I've got to write a couple of checks to the Feds and state.  Then I went to my volunteer day at the Old State Capitol.  I was warned it was a slow morning but boy did the crowds come in the afternoon and I was there until 4PM.

Friday I went to a PGR mission to honor .  It was to be a long one in the cold.  I could only take about 40 minutes and I had to leave.  Came home and it was good because a got a call from Polly who thinks she can help me settle the differences I need to enroll my sons in the Sons of the American Revolution.
https://sites.google.com/site/connollypatriot/

To be added to my lenten scene is a resin figurine of the Last Supper.

Saturday I packed up my car with display items for the Civil War Fashion Fair.

The show was held on Sunday and was even nicer than the year before.  I just loved the displays and the promenade program.

 This was my personal display with black wreath, cap, reticule, mourning hanky and tear bottles.

This lady was telling me about the vintage and delicate mourning bonnet that she has.  Very interesting.

Saturday evening I went to the Lee-Jackson ball in Belleville.  It had been postponed from last January due to weather.  On the way down there, I stopped in at the VFW and met very briefly with my old friend, Fat Fred.  I stopped at Scott AFB and breifly stopped at the exchange.  I got some earnings since I have many missing pairs.  I like the ones that fully enclose so I don't loose them.  Also having something Victorian helps on a dual purpose. Needless to say, I felt tired during the Fashion Fair on Sunday afternoon.  I didn't get to bed till 12:30 and then was the first reader at Mass in the morning.

Funny part of the evening is that my wrist corsage came off during the dance and the Velcro got stuck on another dancer. At the next available pass, I plucked it off and threw it in the direction of my table.

Monday morning was nice so I took Marley for a walk to drop off my utility bill payment.  Good timing because the clouds came later and so did the wind.  You know, the kind of wind that blows the hulls off the emerging leaves on the trees. 

My Week

I have a lot of things ready to send to my soldier this week.  Last Thursday, I got a box returned from one of our lady soldiers.

I'm getting excited about Spring.  I turned off the heat and it was 55 degrees when I got out of my electric blanket one morning.  I put air in my bicycle tires on my way to voting in the primary on Tuesday.
I finished work on a carpet bag that used to be a purse.  I had to change the handle and put wood dowels sewn into the fabric.  The opening isn't real wide but its still nice to hide non-appropriate things at a reenactment.

Wednesday evening I substituted my daily exercise with line dance lessons.  As cold as the night was, I worked up a good sweat and had fun doing it.
We learned "Hello Good Morning" and "Waltz Line dance"




Beautiful easy waltz.



Walked the dogs.  Well that was a successful walk (according to Marley)

Ok, I got the seat off the little motorcycle and hooked up a regular battery charger rather than the trickle it's been on for 2 weeks.  I checked and the needle on the charger didn't move.  I plugged it into a different outlet and the needle moved.   Wheezer started but thanks to the outlet by my faucet not in the garage.  Wheezer started when I got back from the ABATE meeting.  On top of everything needing repairs, I think I'll need an electrician.

Lately I noticed that my right hand was stained with pink.  I couldn't think of what might have done this.  Friday, while walking the dogs, I noticed it again.  I had just gotten out of the shower too.  Then it occurred to me....the new purple hair brush.

I've been needing new flooring pretty bad because Laminate is separating. Ideally, I'd like to have tile as the other half of the house has and that could go well over $7K. I do have other home repairs like water heater, closet door replacement, and an attic ladder that will cut into my home repair budget. My other option is carpet which I picked out at Lowes and has a 10% off special, but they will not place the remnant of 12 tiles by the fireplace because the tiles were not purchased there. Deal breaker!

Friday was nice so I turned my veg garden over and left a few young dandelions impaled in the sun on tomato cages. LOL

Finally got my little 250cc Yamaha started and rode about 8 miles around the neighborhood. It's real finicky and I should have left 'him' on a trickle charge all winter. Had him on the trickle for over a week and nothing happened. Then a full charger (yeah you know how I hate removing the seat) and still nothing. Then I tried a different outlet and WHALLA! I need an electrician too apparently to fix the outlet in the garage.

Saturday was very busy.  First, I went off to a volunteer training meeting at the Elijah Iles House from 9:00 - 12:00.  Then after that, ABATE meeting for those that want to do a Safety and Education lesson on motorcycle safety for high school drivers education students.  The ABATE volunteer orientation ended early enough to attend the funeral for Major Ried Nannen at Camp Butler with the Patriot Guard Riders.

Saturday night I went to a History Trivia Night to help support the Lincoln Troubadours, a group of high school and college students who perform Civil War-era songs at historic sites during the summer for tourists.  I decorated our table with a table cloth and candelabra as I've seen at other trivia events but we were the only table with such spirit.  I didn't realize until after this photo how nice our team looked with Lincoln in the background.  I believe our team came in 4th place.

Here are the questions (in part since they were on slides in image and sound)
Round 1 ~ Thinkin' Lincoln
1) What was the last year for the Lincoln Wheat Penny? 1958
2) What was Lincoln's middle name?  None
3) Who was Lincoln's vice president for his first term? Hannibal Hamlin
4) What was the pen name that Lincoln used?  Aunt Rebecca
5) Robert Lincoln attended which prestigious college?  Harvard
6) Where did the Lincoln's stay on their wedding night?  Globe Tavern
 7) What did Lincoln get a patent for? expansible buoyant chambers
8) The day after Lincoln was shot, how many days did Booth evade?  12
9)  What was Lincoln's dog's name?  Fido
10) How many years is 4 score and 7 years? 87
Round 2 ~ Lincoln Land Logos
1) Hanning Electric

2) Boys and Girls Club
3) Armbrusters
4) Downtown Springfield Inc
5) St Johns Hospital
6) NAACP
7)
8)
9) Springfield Ballet
10) Contact Ministries
Round 3 ~ Patriotic Songs
1) Washington Post
2) Army
3) El Capiton
4) Liberty Bell March
5) Call to the Colors
6) Semper Fidelis
7) Stars and Stripes forever
8) To the Colors
9) Fanfare for the Common Man
10) 1812 Overture

Round 4) Illinois State Fair
1) Where was the location of the first state fair?  Sacred Heart Griffen
2) When was the main gate built? 1910
3) Why was the fair canceled in 1893? Columbian exbodition
4) what caused this building fire in 1917? unsupported dome
5) When was the slide at the fair introduced? 1868
6)  What is the name of the 30 ft Lincoln statue? Rail Splitter
7) Who is the Orr building named for? Chicago journalist
8) What was the cost of admission when the fair opened in 1853? 25cents
9) Which celebrity never performed at the state fair? (multiple choice included Bob Hope) Marilyn Monroe
10) When did the Springfield Mile begin? 1910
Round
1) Which president had a 7 seat hot tub on the White House lawn?  Clinton
2) Which president did not live in the white house? Washington
3) Who was president during the 1976 bicentennial?  Ford
4) Which president is on the $2 bill? Jefferson
5) In Disney's hall of presidents, which president talks?  Lincoln
6) What is the most common first name of our presidents? James
7) Which president was the first to fly in an airplane? Rosevelt
8) Which president was a bachelor? Buchanan
9) Which 2 presidents are buried in Arlington NC? Kennedy and Taft
10) Which president was ambidextrous? Garfield
Round
1) What was the 16th state of the Union? TN
2) What is the atomic #16 element? Sulfer
3) Bosses day is the 16th of which month?  October
4) What game has 16 pieces per side? Chess
5) What is the smallest square number that equals 16? -4
6) USS Ticonderoga mission in 1972?  Apollo 16
7) Who was the 15th president? Buccannan
8) What is 16 in Roman Numerals? XVI
9) Who originally recorded 16 candles?  The Crest
10) Where was the superbowl played with San Fransisco 49s v New Orleans?  Pontiac Superdome
Round topic "In Lincoln's Kitchen"
1) Lincoln would snack on this out on the lawn?  corn dodger
2) What was this called that Mary used to cook on?  Spider frying pan
3) What was Willy's favorite?  White Fricassee Chicken
4) What kind of tea came from J. Bunn Company? Gun powder tea
5) What was a common thickener that Mary used? Coopelsing lass
6) BBQ...how served?  by hand on bread
7) what did they call stew?  Burgo
8) what did they call relish? Piccalilli
9) What was Lincoln's favorite food?  fried oysters
10) Chafing dish? cooked oysters
Round ~ Illinois Trivia
1) Where did Route 66 end?  Santa Monica
2) Where were IL previous 2 capitols located?  Kaskaskia and Vandalia
3) What is the IL state snack?  popcorn
4) Homany counties does IL have? 102
5) What is the IL state fish? Blue Gill
6) What city has the largest Lincoln statue? Ashmore
7) What is the IL state dance?  Square dance
8) Ray Crock opened the first MacDonald s in 1955 where?  Oak Park
9) How many electoral votes does IL have? 20 10) Dick Van Dyke started where? Danville
Round 9 ~ Something about Mary (audio ID)
1) "Mary in the morning" = Glen Campbell
2) "Along Comes Mary" = The Association
3) "Bloody Mary Morning" = Willy Nelson
4) harmonica: Mary this way = Bruce Springstien
5) "Mary makin way into the night" Kenny Chesney
6) "Mother Mary comes to me" = Beatles
7) "What will my Mary say?" = J Mathis
8) "Proud Mary" = CCR
9) "Mary Mary where ya goin'?" = The Monkees
10) "I look at you starts shine" = Taylor Swift

My Week

Well Sean brought Moe home from the Sangamon County Animal Shelter.  This is the photo that was posted on the "Friends of Sangamon County Animal Shelter" facebook page.

Caption read "Moe went home today with a new dad that is just crazy about him. Moe is a very sweet powerhouse of a dog. He is going to be a wonderful best friend."

I got a call that the part for my High Efficiency washer would cost $381 plus $80 labor.  I got a top of the line $700+ washer at Sams in June 2010.  That angered me.  Of course they wanted to sell me a new one.  I went over to Lowes and got a low end model that was on clearance.  It's the old agitator with a bigger barrel.  Only because I cannot find a sturdy ringer washer.   Since I was already in town, it was not out of my way to see Moe in his new home.  He was gassy.  We walked him around the block and he only pee'd.  Then once in the back yard, he made a dump.
Thursday the new washer was delivered.

Here is a link to the washer I bought:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_395153-83-GLWN2800DWS_0__?productId=3662066&Ntt=washer+ge+gtwn&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dwasher%2Bge%2Bgtwn&facetInfo=

Thursday evening I went to the Catholic War Veterans monthly meeting.  I was nominated to lay the CWV wreath at the Lincoln Tomb for the Death Day ceremony on April 15.

Bentley is resting on my lap. Hard to type like this. Come to think of it, I was watching Marley bark at the trash collectors and wondered when the last time I heard Bentley bark.

Saturday morning I left the house in period dress for the Annual St Patrick's Day Pardade.  I walked with our Soldiers Aid Society.

Carol and I had hankies which we waved like was done in the Civil War in support of our soldiers.
There was a big crowd because the weather was so nice.  Afterward I dropped off some supplies for the food pantry at church (while still in period attire).  Went home to walk the dogs and found a little time left in the beautiful day for a lovely motorcycle ride around the village and the lake.  It was the first ride of the season and I still got the lean in me.  Actually, I still had my hair in a period style while riding.  After the ride, I let it down and there were lovely waves in my normally straight hair.  I'll have to style that way more often.

Sunday morning I went to 11:30 Mass with the Catholic War Veterans.  It was a Spanish Mass but we had a handout in both English and Spanish.  Sacred Heart Church is one of the oldest and most beautiful but with age means repairs are needed.  Fr Chiola was the celebrant whom he has a problem with the prayers given to veterans by the Interveterans Burial Detail at Camp Butler in conflict with the Catholic Church's final blessing at the graveside service.  I noticed he didn't stay to speak to any of us after Mass.  On the other hand, the other county burial details do not force their own chaplain on family.  Others just conclude the final flag folding, rifle volley and taps as required by DoD.

Afterward I picked up my son and went to Pekin for a fundraiser "roast" of the State AmVets Commander, Paul Kerby, at the Moose Lodge.  We had prime rib.  It gave me an opportunity to take some things up to my son's house.

I put my final wood in my fireplace for the last cold day (I hope).  After the nice weather we had Saturday, we had another dip in the temperature. It's supposed to get nice after this and then I can clean out my fireplace.
I'm getting a Victorian Tear Vial on Ebay for my mourning attire. This is the one I will be getting in time for our Victorian Fashion Fair at Edwards Place.

tear vial or lachrymatory

Tear bottles reappeared during the Victorian period of the 19th century, when those mourning the loss of loved ones would collect their tears in bottles with special stoppers that allowed the tears to evaporate. When the tears had evaporated, the mourning period would end.

My sister sent me this video that she used for her exercise class.  I love it.  I had to get up and jive to it.  "Happiness is the truth"

I had a handy man down the block stop over to help with a few things because I'm making a list.  I need a new closet door and attic ladder.  While here, I pointed out the new light bulb in my ceiling light that wouldn't work.  He screwed the bulb in straighter than I did.  :)