My Week

Leaves are just beginning to turn but I'd give it another week.  I tried to put off mowing hoping I could mulch leaves.  I had my tree cut down but I'll bet my lawn will not be void of leaves.

I've asked Google Maps to update the Street View of my house since I live alone.

Our Wednesday morning agility practice was canceled the day before because of predicted rain.  So I  booked my slot  in our exercise class.  The clouds came but not the rain. 

Thursday I usually don't go to they gym since the post COVID schedule is just cycling which plays very noisy music for my hearing aids..  So I realize that I could do something that usually conflicts with that hour by going to Mass.  I need to mow the grass which I've been putting off because I'd like to mow leaves at the same time.  I don't know how long I can put that off.  Well, I did have my  tree removed but I expect some leaves to blow in my yard.

In the evening on Thursdays I’m assisting with a station at Agility 101 mainly because it’s outdoors and unmasked.  Even better that the class has a break week on my trip.  Well tonight they wanted to do it in doors due to patches of rain clouds and I shook my head no.  It wasn’t raining but the grass was wet in the fenced area outside.  They let me do my station outside.  I wore my trusty rubbers.  Most dogs did well.  One dog is deaf in our class and I'm not sure how to help so I trust the handler to do it her way.  I was teaching “go around” the stool.

Saturday I went to Kampsville Old Settler Days.  I found an  old photo from the last time I visited from I believe 2006

 Here's my recreation in the same location for 2021.

A double barge

My $5 carriage ride

Bunch of dummies

A pioneer lean-to shelter

Miss Calhoun County posing by the Illinois River

My patriotic pose with a Betsy Ross flag. I submitted this photo to DAR.

Westbound ferry while I was headed east across the Illinois River

Sunday, Sean and I watched a movie called the Black Sea.  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2261331/

A neighbor was cutting down a tree by herself and I later noticed some potential firewood by the curb.  I pulled it to my log pile but it will be too fresh in early winter. I hear it will be harsh and might even have black out moments.  We will survive.  

I got Alan's Birthday present early.  He wanted a Rigid Grinder which they carry at Home Depot. Not in stock here but they have one at his local store.  I used a veteran discount too.  At least he got a gift he wants.

 

 

 

My Week

 Monday I picked up a near new civil war A frame tent that included the poles.  Between that, new tires, and a Bose radio, I think I've spent enough.

Tuesday morning I had a bone density test at 8:30.   Of course we wait in our car till called.  That finished in time to go to a 9:15 Blue Mass at the cathedral.  I didn't know it at the time but the Mass aired on Facebook Live.  

On the way home I stopped by for an estimate on tires.  Yep, they're in the yellow zone.  I will be getting a  better Cooper tire on Thursday.  There is a shortage of tires and One Stop Auto will have to order and pick them up on Thursday.  Then at 1:30 I took Amber for a trick dog performance at the nursing home.

Tuesday evening I rode my bike to the Village of Chatham board meeting.  I haven't ridden my bike in a long time because I'm usually walking dogs or need the car to haul something.  I went to witness a surprise announcement for Les Morgan of our Legion post as volunteer of the year.  He deserves it.  He's active in so many things. 

Mayor Kimsey and Les Morgan

Wednesday morning I took Amber for agility practice in Mechanicsburg.  In the evening I participated with the color guard for our Chatham high school homecoming parade.  I ended up watching Alan's dog, Hank, while he went to St Louis to see comedian, Bill Burr.  Our other rifle bearer, Dale,  got exhausted near the end and had to step out.  Fortunately he got to ride on that maroon truck for the VFW right behind us.  That rifle is heavy and a few subtle transfers to the other shoulder helped.  My arm was sore the following day.

Wow, I'm shorter than I feel

Thursday evening I assisted our club's agility 101 class.   Class is coming along just fine.

Friday I went to Morton IL for field trips for students.

Schedule

 I didn't stay overnight but got home on Friday about 2:30.  School gets out early.  I came back on Saturday and was able to use my laptop and the Wifi at the VFW post to attend a virtual meeting of the Quincy Veterans Home Advisory Council at 10.  The 33rd Regimental Band played  at noon and I got a little bit of dancing in.  Then it poured and General Grant had to give his speech indoors.  

 I hear we got 3/4" of rain.  Meanwhile I was worried about my tent.  After the generals speech, I got out of my dress into some knee length shorts to take it down and get my props and table in the car.  

General Grant, Miss Rose, and Alex our host

Men waiting for the dance to begin

33rd Regimental Band

I did get home late for a short walk with the dogs and lay out my tent in the sun room to dry. 

Sunday morning Mass at 8AM and at 1PM I went to the blessing of the pets by Fr Joe at St Joseph the Worker.  It was great seeing all the dogs and a few cats in kennels.

Getting ready

Fr Joe leading prayers over the blessing

Amber with her blessing medal

Cosmo with his blessing medal.  I believe Sean was hoping for some divine intervention on this active little fella.

Sophie with her blessing medal

Sean and Cosmo's first blessing by Fr Joe

Then I joined the local German-American club called Dank for a tour of the Marbold Mansion.

I got home in time to grab the girls for the Capitol Canine Walkabout at Southwind Park.  After the walkabout we went for Dinner at Motorheads Bar & Grill.  I had quinoa shrimp.  

 It was a bit spicy but mixing the spice in with the quinoa lessened the burn.  Definitely would get this again.

My Week

The cornfields are being harvested.  There is husk duskings on my car  and I'm a few miles from the  nearest field.

Tuesday was Sophie's turn to go to the nursing home.  I was corrected that the place that I visit is considered "assisted living memory care".  Something about "nursing home" means higher care more employees.

Wednesday evening I watched a zoom meeting called "A No-holds Barred Interview With President/General Ulysses S Grant".  The questions were pre-selected so the chat feature was useless. 

In my training with Amber, I  have trick dog goals as   follows:

*ride skateboard with 3 feet on

*jump rope

*back up on stairs.

*read cards

Thursday I had my annual doctor visit followed by a shingles shot.  Technically I don't need a prescription but my pharmacy felt more comfortable having a script and an appointment.  In the evening I went as an  agility assistant in the basic class we have.  My station was to target paws on the bucket.

I was asked to do a little video for #stillserving that was independent of the copyrighted story on News Channel 20.

 

New neighbors moved in on Friday.  I just said a brief hello as I walked the dogs.  In the afternoon,  I took Amber to Villas of Southpark to perform tricks.  It was a real nice trick dog visit at.  3 in the audience.  Amber did real well.  She. Tries to wander off but I instead have her go around a chair of the spectator to satisfy that wander. I did introduce her drum for the first time.

Friday afternoon  I took Amber to  the assisted living facility to perform tricks.  Before going in, I walked her around the building.  She caught a big grasshopper.  I had to pry it out of her mouth before entering.  She performed well and there were 3 in our audience.  Not as many as the other place but more voluntary.  I introduced her new trick, the drum.  Well she really doesn't play it but puts the drumsticks on the head.  

Friday evening I went to our club for practice.  I'm starting to practice now for the next level of "Novice" which involves "stand for exam" and the "one minute sit in a group".  Amber did a perfect recall.  Since Debbie and Pixie won last week's costume contest at Pawsapalooza, she got a $50 gift certificate at Scoup du Jour.  No way cold she consume that much so she invited us afterwards.

 

 

 I was so excited to see my new custom reproduction hoop arrive from Needle &  Thread in Gettysburg.

Saturday I thought it would be a nice idea to drive to Clinton, IL for the "Apple and Pork" festival since it was such a beautiful day. Well after an hour drive, I found it so crowded and the traffic so bad that once I made it though to the clear, I headed home for the Chatham Jaycees Octoberfest.   I especially liked the red cabbage with apples.  These were the contestants for the costume contest.  I won first place.  I did see a few other young ladies walking around that  could have added to the stage.  I figure that when they saw me walking around the crowd that they didn't have a chance.  Heck they could have taken second or third because they would have split the category into male and female.  Besides, Brian and Brad were Jaycees working the event.

 The following were from the Octoberfest's photographer on Facebook

Oh, and I must add that if this young lady with skin came on stage, she would have won.  Sexy always has an edge. 

I stayed to watch the sausage toss and the beer barrel throwing contests.  There was also a wiener dog race.  

Sunday I watched a movie called "The Twelfth Man" on Netflix.  It's the story of Jan Baalsruds of the Norwegian Army during  WW2 and the Nazi's were wanting him badly.  The other 11 were executed.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2020/03/30/12th-man-stayed-alive-true-history-behindnetflixs-subzero-survival/ 

Full  harvest moon

Photo credit to RT Mewes.