My Week

I went to the opening night of the Civil War musical.  Next week I'll go see One Destiny and Sherman
http://www.alplm.org/NewsEvents/News/OneDestinyandTheCivilWarMusical.aspx

My Rocky Horror Picture Show for Illinois has been updated.
http://webspace.webring.com/people/ec/congal/

I got a new carpet bag.  It's a lot bigger than it looks.  This should hide a lot of modern things.

Friday morning I went to the Old State Capitol for a photo shoot with other reenactors for next year's tourism guide.  Justin asked me to help a new summer hire with her her head wear from the wardrobe room and I found the perfect item for her.  Then I set up our afternoon tables for our Soldiers Aid Society as part of the summer "History Comes Alive".

Saturday I went to a Vietnam encampment reenactment.  Here I am with one of the set up tents.  It's not mine.  I just sat in the vacant seat.  I wore my Vietnam era shirt.

Sunday I went to the ABATE Downed Rider Benefit.  I donated my pink leather jacket and Harley Barbie to the ABATE Downed Rider Benefit.  I was told that all auction items were promised but not knowing how much.  I paid my $5 admission and got this as a door prize.  How appropriate to get a note book with a rose on it.  The humidity was so high I could feel my pores ooze.

I just weeded my garden which is difficult this late with tomatoes falling down.  Marley followed me everywhere.  Of course, she hopes that I'll scare a rabbit out of the bushes.
I did some clearing of crab grass in my garden.  Look what I found.

I'm  sautéing green peppers and onions in peanut oil, seasoned with pepper and bullion cube. so good. I added some green tomatoes that fell also.

I noticed while walking Marley, a house had bloomed the Surprise Lillies.  Then I wondered about mine.  They are coming up but much slower.
Well I went to a Parish Council meeting Monday night.  No...we don't have a council yet but we are setting one up and learning how to do it systematically.  My forehead was sweating during the meeting and the lady next to me put on a jacket.  I guess she was in direct line of the air conditioner. 
I had an opps....my appointment for a bone density test was for Wednesday not Tuesday but they took me anyway. Wheezer started squealing again but my mechanic was closed on the way home. I stopped by Harbor Freight and got free batteries.  Beautiful weather this summer so far.  But it's not over.
Well I'm getting ready to mail a box to my soldier.  Other Soldiers Angels have really had nice themes for their boxes.  I just send "sale of the day" stuff.

Have a nice week.  Off to mow the grass.

My Week

I had been waiting and watching for my star gazer lily to open and the day that it opened is was down.  Chewed by that rascally rabbit that's been in my yard.

Tuesday I took my car to Rugless Automotive to get an oil change and trip check.  I brought my own replacement wipers and filter.  They also said I needed brakes so I expected this.   They will drop me off but not pick me up so I rode my bicycle there.  I thought it was 4 miles but when I set the trip meter on the way home I clocked 6 miles.  I threw the bicycle in the back of the car.  Yeah, I have alternative transportation but I can't throw a motorcycle in the back of a Nissan Murano.

While stranded without transportation, my internet went down. Ahh!  I lost contact with the outside World.  I reset my modem and got frustrated. I had to call Comcast.  Comcast was recently in the news for their pushy salesman, who I might add, is not an isolated instance.   A refresh signal was sent to my router but nothing happened. I called and got a live person. However, she had an Asian accent. She did the same, (refresh) and I had an appointment set up for Thursday for a technician. However, I tried again on Wednesday evening and it worked. I canceled the appointment for Thursday. By the way, my cable was down for 4 days last month and I was not compensated on my bill. That's because it was cut by village contracted tree trimmers and not the cable company.


Tuesday evening I attended a Mary Lincoln Strawberry Tea at the Ramada Inn.  On arrival, a Lincoln impersonator greeted me with a "Boo" and I screamed.  I guess we won't do that anymore.  I learned a lot that I didn't know.  I saw this rare Tea Brick which originated during China's Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD).  This compressed form of tea was easily transported and could be shaved off for infusing. It was also used as money and some were marked in segments for making change.  Such usage ceased about a hundred years ago.  Today they are merely ornamental.

 I was most impressed that afternoon teas were so elaborately planned as we would do for a birthday party.  Invitations to friends were sent and even had themes such as strawberries, birthstones, etc.

Wednesday I did my usual shopping but I made time at 10AM to go to the Lincoln Tomb for the wreath laying anniversary of the Mary Lincoln Death day  known as Mary Lincoln Coterie Death Day Ceremony. Here are the wreaths and I asked this lady if I could get her lovely flower and sequin umbrella in the photo.  I asked if she every used it in the rain and she said once because of the circumstances.

Here I am with some reenactors before the ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb.

The other Rose is speaking to the Coterie just before placing the wreaths inside the tomb.

 I filled Wheezer's tank after the Veterans Assistance Commission meeting. I got 69 mpg. However, yesterday I told my mechanic that I haven't heard the squealing noise that I heard last year tonight I heard it. Cool morning. I had coffee on my bistro set outside my window. I walked from my house to the clinic to have blood drawn for a cholesterol check. I tied Marley to the bicycle rack. I found a penny and 2 treasure hunt tickets that were losers.

Thursday morning I went and had my blood test for cholesterol. I told her to talk to me.  She asked me what I was doing this weekend then I took a deep breath.  I told her about Bloomington, IL Civil War Days.
 I had a lot of vegetables that needed cooking.  I made mushrooms and sprouts sauteed in butter.  I fixed butter and carrots with a little bit of turkey bacon.

I had dinner at Robbies with the other reenactors.  Then I went to an ABATE meeting.  I invited Anne from the American Legion whom I found in the VFW bar to come to the meeting since her father was a member.  She got to draw the winning 50/50 ticket.  I came home and had a box in my door.  It was the Mauve work dress I got on eBay for $90.  It was used but in very wearable condition.  I put a lace collar on it and hemmed it up to my shortness and accessorized real fast and was able to wear it the next day.  There was a tag in the back that gave credit to Debra DiFranco for the Abraham's Lady (a famous shop in Gettysburg).  Although the dress was used, Debra is famous for great work and it fit me perfectly.

Here I am in my new dress in front of the Lincoln-Herndon Law office Historic Site.  Laura and I were the only members of the Soldiers Aid Society at the Old State Capitol that afternoon.  Our theme was toys so I brought my croquet set, and my orphan dolls.

The Old State Capitol has a nice antique, Civil War era sewing machine.

Saturday morning I went to Bloomington, IL  for the Lincoln Heritage Civil War Event.  Laura has a great presentation called "How Women Won the Civil War" and I talk of Love Letters and Onions. We switch off through out the presentation talking although it is really her show.  I had never put 2 and 2 together when Laura thought that there was sugar in the sugar bowl instead of chopped sweet onions to pass around. I just thought it was a nice dish for the purpose. That makes it even a better surprise when I offer them some. Some will partake and some will not but that's ok.   One of the rules of interpretation is the use of the senses and the onions cover smell and taste.

I brought my Civil War orphaned babies and begged the public for adoption or contributions to the orphanage.  One lady, who obviously had an adopted son because of his race, spoke to me about orphans.  She told me it took two years to settle the adoption.  She seemed very concerned about the immigrant children and their swift adoption potential after what she's been through.

In the evening the  33d Infantry Band played and I kicked up my feet around the dance floor....err...I mean grass tent.  I've attached one photo from the ball clipped from facebook. I did arrive late to the dance because we went to Le Roy, IL to visit briefly with my WW2 Honor Flight veteran.  Pop's wife, Carol, gave me a piece of her home made cherry pie with ice cream. That really hit the spot.  I removed my day accessories and added my gloves and added a double hoop to dance.

On Sunday, I brought Marley since the raccoon that she cornered on my back porch at 4AM was still hissing on my self. I thought Marley was chasing rabbits by the garden last two weeks and may have been, but she could have latched onto a coon.   At the encampment, I tied her up with a bowl of water.  She had plenty of walks.  She did good at reenactment and everyone loved her. When the boom booms when off for the battle, I took her to the bathroom so she could hide behind the commode like she does here.

I left after the last program (just before 3pm). I was very busy with flow of people and children on their treasure hunt. I had little time to spare to see other presentations or for that matter sit down and eat my pork sandwich curtsey of the event.  Saturday was that way too but the comfort box gave me more to discuss on Sunday.  You know the Soldiers Aid Society has a good booth/display when you can share stories about the Soldiers Aid Society with other reenactors and they learn something new.  I talk about my resentment toward the federals for taking my husband away to war and leaving me with his additional chores until I get a letter back describing the horror. Our Jeb Stuart reenactor related to this and shared a similar story in modern terms of people he knew at his local VFW. It's like an attitude of "my war was bigger than your war" syndrome going on. He learned from my abbreviated presentation tailored toward his advanced knowledge level. The same when I met a group of ladies in modern attire that are reenactors of a Christian Commission group in TX. I don't concern myself about those ladies incorporating what they learned into their group because the goal is a wiser public.

Our Soldiers Aid Society may not have a big tent like the others at encampments but then our story would not have taken place in a tent but rather in homes and churches and in our case, the senate of the Old State Capitol.  I'm not really excited about camping anyway but some tents look rather comfortable inside and those are the ones that must be closed for public view because they are modern.   I really loved my new corded sun bonnet that I got from Treadle Treasures this weekend over a straw hat too. The straw was rough and itchy. Straw hat tends to go to the side and not flat as would be properly worn too. Marley did well except for the cannons. I took her to the bathroom where she hid behind the stools just as she would at home during a storm.

 The coon was gone when I got home.  I had hung my dress overnight on the back porch to air and did not like the hissing when I got it and ran in. So I had to interact a coon in the soldier's camp stew. Isn't extemporaneous good? I also learned that my wicker stroller folds down too. The little girls loved the dolls and they can hold them but I have to be careful about the girls taking the adoption too seriously. Hmmm!

Although exhausted, I went to Mass Sunday evening at 5PM at the cathedral.  I then stopped by Walmart for medicine for my fever blister and poison for that coon. I picked up some poison because this is not the first time this happened and I don't want a relocation to result in the return of this horrible creature.

Sunday evening I had a revelation on my Belle Reynolds script closing - that being about the  spectators with picnic baskets and parasols at Bull Run and Manasas and how our attitude evolved during the Civil War.  Belle went from camp follower to nut job. Now to polish the story.

I'm eating yesterday's leftover onions with an egg.

 "Arguing with stupid people is like playing chess with a pigeon. You can be the best chess player in the world, but they're still gonna knock over the pieces, shit on the board, and strut around with their chest out. "

My Week

This has been a busy week.  I got a new couch at the Goodwill. It was marked $100 but it was senior day and I got it for $80.  After cutting the wet grass and dragging in clumps of grass, I realized that Marley would do the same and I'd need to get a cover for this.  I used one of the 20% off coupons for a cover from Bed Bath and Beyond and got a dark brown pet couch cover.

I'm trying out some Angry Orchard Hard Cider Cinnful Apple.  It's Gluten Free.  I've been really concerned about our wheat. 

Wednesday evening I went to an AmVets meeting.  Our group got a discount just for putting my location on Facebook.  Glad I brought my laptop.

I had to go to Marine bank for help setting up my online banking.  I needed reset.  then they ask stupid questions for me to set like "What is your oldest sibling's middle name?"  Ann --- too short.  Then they ask "What street did you live on in 3rd grade?"  56....too short. 
Who was your best friend in grade school? Nobody.  List goes on.  Finally found some I could answer like my son's MN.

It took me 2 days to cover a cardboard box for my mourning wreath.

I found a few dolls for the wicker stroller I got in my last blog to represent our living history example/sympathy for the orphans.

I'm a delegate for the Illinois American Legion Convention.  I heard speeches by politicians.  The man behind me told me that the mayor's speech was the same speech he gave to the VFW convention.  He promoted Springfield.  In the afternoon, much of the convention slowed down and I helped out with our Friday afternoon series of "History Comes Alive" at the Old State Capitol.  I stayed until 3:30 and went home to get the motorcycle out.   I rode my motorcycle in the short parade through Springfield with the Legion Riders.

Saturday I could have gone to the Legion and entered my motorcycle in the Legion Riders bike show like I did last year but there was some rain.  Then I got an instant message that Larry and Shirley would be going to Vandalia Heritage Days to dance so off I went.  There was rain up north at the Waconda Civil War reenactment.  I stopped at the Visitor Center and was given a token to light the fire breathing dragon.  She probably rewarded me for showing up to the heritage fest in period attire.  I stated for the Freedom Fest street party that followed.

I thought it was a little odd that the guide gave all his eye contact to the couple from Decatur and not a glance at me.  I was there for a tour as well but I may have been intimidating in my period dress.  The tour was informative and he did know his stuff.  Unlike the tour that I give (at capitol #5), this place still has the original floor.  Here are some pictures from Illinois's 4th capitol.

This event is fairly young and still not quite popular especially with an event going on in Waconda, IL in the North at the same time.  However, it is muddy there.  I wore the new cap that I just finished but I took off my sleeves since it was after 6PM and in the 90s.

 The lady who played the bass fiddle in the band told me there was a sad song about Rose Connolly. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXBrg-o2i6E

Click here for lyrics.  It's also known as "Down in the Willow Garden"

It was also the night of the "Super Moon"

Sunday I went to Mass with the Catholic War Veterans.  I was surprised to see Mark McDonald singing as cantor for Mass.  He is famous locally for his PBS show, "Illinois Stories".   Afterward we went to have breakfast at the Knights of Columbus.  I burned lunch so my son went out to Hardees.


I'm making alterations to this purple brocade dress that I got for $75 for the upcoming event in Bloomington.   It was made by Made by Servant & Co. Gettysburg PA. The back cord had to go and I had to let the bodice out.  The waist band is fine.  I'm putting in some hook tape on the bodice which will make dressing a bit easier.
  As always, everything needs shortened for my 5' stature.  I  noticed that the hem is uneven from that trim around the bottom and I'll have to measure top down rather than fold bottom up.  It's also double layer from the trim on the bottom to help with symmetry which is good but harder. Ug!

My Week

Wednesday I went to Camp Butler for the Unaccompanied Veterans Burial that is held quarterly.  The weather was pleasant.  I jokingly asked Bruce when we were done if we were supposed to ride out over the stones (someone lost control and got hurt last time).  He said he told them we weren't going to do that anymore.

I came home and weeded my garden.  I swear the crab grass wins.
In the evening I helped serve lemonade for ceremony commemorating the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 at the IL Old State Capitol.  I didn't realize when I was asked to help how political this was going to be.  The governor was there too.  I didn't stay for the whole ceremony because I went to a meeting with the American Legion Riders.

Thursday I went to Peoria to meet up with a seamstress who will fix my dress.
I fixed green beans with bacon and split peas

Also a two cucumbers.

Friday was the fourth of July.  I went to a veterans memorial Mass at Oakridge Cemetery just below Lincoln's Tomb at 10AM.

Channel 20 News on the Mass click here:

After that I went to the Old State Capitol from 11 to 4PM.  Those that were there kept saying that this Friday really felt like a Saturday.  In the evening I went to see fireworks down the block with the McCoy's.  They have a great view and food.  Graham has a mini museum in his basement of findings with his metal detectors.  He is an authorized dealer in high end metal detectors.

I sent a package to a female soldier on Tuesday and I adopted another soldier for the duration of his tour on Thursday.  I sent a box to him on Saturday.  On my way, I lowered the windows on my car and forgot that I had my window flag on the rear window.  I heard a clunk and realized what I had done.  Well, I will back track on my way back afterward.  It wasn't there!  When I got home, I found the flag fell inside.  Now isn't that odd.

I got a check in the mail for $25 that I won in a drawing from Catholic War Veterans Calendar purchase.  This paid for the price of the calendar.  It did not pay for last year's calender.
Tuesday I went to a PGR mission for Ralph Hickey, a West Point Academy Graduate from 1959.
As you can see, there were very few friends and family present.

I think if today had not been for PGR, the veteran would have a lonely send off.

 We had 6 motorcycles escort his cremains from the church to Camp Butler without a hearse or little funeral flags on top of the cars that followed.  So you can see we had to obey traffic laws.  No gun volley just taps by the two active duty honor guard.  Afterward I caught the tail end of a meeting with the Womens Overseas Service League.  We have a new associate member (because she did not serve overseas).

I came home, ate leftovers, and then off to pick up a regret that I didn't pick up the day before at an antique store.  This will help with our living history and explaining the many orphans.  Now to cover the seat and find some nice baby dolls.

I then went to the Civil War Retreat at the Lincoln's Tomb.  I met Sue Giese from Wisconsin group of reenactors called "Historical Timekeepers".  That was quite a pleasure since I knew her daughter through facebook.

My Week

June is a quiet (somewhat lonely) month in this neighborhood because school is out and houses are empty.

I adopted a soldier last Wednesday, I sent a letter on Friday and I just got home Monday from sending him a box.  An hour latter, I come home to an email that he has a mail stop.  

I was disappointed in the straw bonnet that I made (decorated)  so I decided to get a Muslin corded bonnet to protect myself in the sun while reenacting.  I got it from Treadle Treasures on Etsy.

The cording in it helps hold it up.  That and starch.  I'm working on a straw bonnet using the $75 bonnet that I bought on Saturday as a pattern.  I'm using straw place mats for the frame.

On the up side, I have been making my own straw bonnet based on historical originals seen on Pintrerest. Below there's a photo of the straw bonnet that I made.  Beneath it are extra straw place mats like I used.

Before I went to Dance practice in Metamora Monday evening I picked up this wood Bistro at Aldi.  Good and I can take it to reenactments.

I was disappointed to be cut from a few dances that we practiced and Jean Meyer put us in a few that we didn't (couldn't) practice without a group interaction.  We failed those and got cut from those particular dances on Saturday's performance.  We will still be in the Virginia Reel and Circle Waltz.

The rain just started after 10PM when I got home.  I slept thru most of it and didn't realize how much we had over night.  We had 1.77" of rain but there was 3.04" in Springfield in a 2 hour period.  The garden and Bentley's grave have really settled from the rain.

I went to the Red Cross on Outer Park to see some antique wooden RC dolls.  The Red Cross does not want to give them up because they have the Red Cross uniforms through time but do not have the means to repair/store them.  I suggested "on long term load" to the museum who can care for them properly.  It's a win-win if the museum goes along with the idea.

Red Cross Volunteer Uniform 1917-1939

The dolls were found in a card board box.

I went to the Tuesday retreat at the Lincoln tomb.  I drew the winner to receive the flag.
I gave my bonnet to Margurite to try if interested in buying.  I decorated it well but it doesn't fit me and my bun. I was proud of how I decorated it.  I was better than the one she was wearing.  I came up with a better one at Jacksonville which I've been using as a model for the straw one I'm making out of place mats.  I'll show you even though it's not yet done.

Wednesday I went to the Interveterans Council of Sangamon County and updated the website.
https://sites.google.com/site/sangamoncountyinterveterans/

I got a nice bistro set at Aldi that is period correct.  Only $50.  Rock the Dock is Fri night.  Good place to ride the Wheezer.

I had killed a big cricket in my kitchen and the following night, it's spouse was there to haunt me through the night with loud chirping. The following night he got sprayed and I slept well.
Thursday I stayed home and only out to go to the mail and walk the dog.  I did some things around thoe house.

Friday I went to the Old State Capitol for our Soldiers Aid Society portion of "History Comes Alive" known as "Window into a Woman's World".  Each week we try a different theme and it was crafts. Now I don't knit and most of what I do requires modern sewing machine.  I did find a collar that I could hand sew.

In the evening I went to "Rock the Dock" on Lake Springfield for the band and fireworks.  It's usually crowded so I took my little motorcycle for easy access.  They still charged me $5 to park.  Oh well, it goes to charity.

Saturday I wiggled into my pink ball gown and went to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. The 10th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry Regiment Band played at 11 a.m., and the Metamora Courthouse Illinois Civil War Dance Society, 2 p.m.  Some of us danced outside earlier at 11.  Some of the dances were limited to the experienced dancers. I would practice off to the side while the experienced dancers did their stuff.  As for the quadrilles, there's no way to practice without the team work of other couples.  In that case, I watched.

The audience participation dance was the Patty Cake Polka and I had pre-invited a man to start the dance while I waited on the side.  It is a progressive couple dance so new partners are exchanged.  As we rotated around, I was paired with a man who was missing part of his arm.  I was in hesitation about doing the patty cake hand slap.  He did fine with his little arm.

Afterward there was a reception at the Vachel Lindsey home all day for Jeanie Battles who is retiring.  
I rode Wheezer to church.  Then I stopped by County Market to pick up a steak for lunch.  I'm fixing the zucchini that I got during the Interveterans Council meeting with a recipe that I found online here:
http://healthyrecipesblogs.com/2011/12/17/zucchini-cakes-recipe/

I broke a mirror in the bathroom so I will take that panel for repair. 

I went to Mr Battery and got a new battery put in my Dell.  I told him the PC was giving a low voltage warning.  He put his tester on the little battery and agreed readily. I brought it home and the warning went away.

On the way back I stopped at Big Lots.  Oh and I found .50 cent bags of candy.  Some for the soldiers but they had my favorite soft licorice.  I got em all.

I bid on a purple Civil War dress that originally was purchased from Servant & Co. Gettysburg Pa (now sold and changed to Memories Past).

My Week

June 16th, I got a call that the Kovaleski's were heading through my way.  Seeing them made my day.  Tom got his mini-Army homecoming escort between Jacksonville and Springfield and he took this as he peeled of near the Springfield exit. He left Ft Lewis by bicycle but that road trip canceled in MO with major repairs for the bike.  I wasn't sure of the route nor when they would come through Illinois till I got the call.  I treated the 5 of us to lunch at Subway. Seeing them was long overdue and wish I could have convinced them to stay the night.  I think they were getting homesick and wanted to skeedadle.  It was long overdue.

Monday evening I went to the VFW meeting.  Officers were sworn in.  Plans being made for the 4th of July.

Tuesday morning I got an early call that my 11:30 dental cleaning was moved up to 9:30 because of a cancellation.  I quickly showered and got on the Wheezer.  Afterward, I stopped by my old workplace since it was close by.  In the evening, I went to the Lincoln Tomb for the flag lowering.  It was pretty hot. I gave our Queen of the Soldiers Aid Society a decade that I made like mine for her CIG pin.

Wednesday I made the rounds to the thrift stores for my senior discount.  I got some hard to find items like a blouse with 11 buttons.  Seems that Joanne store doesn't carry mass quantities of buttons with minimal inventory.  I would need four cards of button for my period dress.  I was able to sew them in time for Grierson Days Civil War reenactment on Saturday (see below),

 I just adopted "Spc Brian". There were 278 awaiting adoption. After the adoption I went back to check the number waiting to be adopted and it reads 277. http://soldiersangels.org

My garden seems to be coming along fine.  Most seeds were old and dated.  The seeds that never sprouted were replaced with discounted leftovers from Ace Hardware.  I got 2 eggplants (left side of the picture).  Never did that before but I do enjoy eggplant Parmesan.  I would like to expand the garden a few more feet for next year.

Thursday I went to the Old State Capitol but they didn't seem to need much help.  I did go because our seamstress is there on Thursday and she told me a few weeks ago she could help with a problem waist on my dress.  However, that priority got backed up.  Since there were plenty of people there already, I left early.  In the evening I went to an ABATE meeting but because of the start of the state party, we didn't have a quorum.

Friday I helped out at the Old State Capitol and assisted our Soldiers Aid Society.  I put my brown print dress on and popped a button.  This is the same dress that I got the new buttons (from a thrift store blouse) but had not yet sewn them on by Friday.  I fixed that later in the evening so I could wear it on Saturday.  Saturday I was able to wear my brown print dress because the buttons were there.
The rain came about 4PM and ended just as the ball was to get underway.  Reenactors get a meal ticket at one of the vendors for up to $7.  I had a meal of BBQ ribs and saved the bones for Marley.
I bought a summer Gody's 1864 summer bonnet from the Ladies and Gents Emporium (tent).  I had regretted not getting one at an earlier event.  Here are some pictures from the fashion show.

This lady sitting next to me kept feeling my hoop bumping into her space while I sat in the shade during the fashion show. She kept looking down at her basket and explained that he had lost her fan that matched her parasol. I told her that Battenburg was not Civil War and she just said it depends where you are. Then I looked at her sparkle, purple nails and realized it didn't matter to her.

After the battle, the president gave his famous Gettysburg Address.

The ball was held at the Nichols Park Pavilion which is officially closed pavilion because of renovation but the inside was opened specifically for this event.  A few photos from the ball.

Here are my friends Kay and Richard that I took from the stairs.

I just knew that this one would show up to haunt me.  I look hot and flushed but the building was air conditioned.

Well, I too felt a little guilty in the "period correct" World of reenacting but mine were less obvious.  I didn't wear my proper underpinnings because of the heat.  After the ball, I showed my true colors and took off my dress and hoop showing shorts and cami.  I was however, still wearing my socks and Balmoral boots.

Actually, I wish I went to the ball more like this:

I toured the the Governor Duncan Home.  Mrs Duncan was only 4' 5" and the curator showed a stick of her exact height.
Here are a few photos that I took in the home.

 Really interesting and delicate bonnets.

 This was a weeding gown worn by Elizabeth's daughter.  Very delicate.  The curator told me she had carefully cleaned it as best she could.

 This was interesting because I've never seen an antique wooden exerciser.

There was a rainbow over Nelson Park as the ball was begging to get underway and the guests were arriving.

Sunday morning I went to Mass on the little motorcycle.  I fixed manacotti and salad for my son and me.  I went to Aldi for a few ingredients for Ham and Navy Beans Emeril Lagasse recipe.  Aldi only had red pepper and I used a ham steak slice instead of ham hocks.  It smells good and tastes good.