This was one of the nicest Thanksgiving weekends. I got up on Thursday morning, celebrated the day with 9:00 Mass at St. Thomas. Back home and I began the drive up to Pecatonica, the car radio singing from a playlist of upbeat songs. When I arrived, on the sun porch, great niece and nephew, Lily and Jarrett, were watching "The Great Pumpkin" on a laptop. In the living room were several noble heads staring quietly into space and underneath the mounted deer heads were several people staring at the TV and occasionally shouting or moaning depending on what was going on with the Packers/Lions game. In the kitchen was daughter, Angela and niece, Michelle, putting the finishing touches on dinner.
When the game was over - Packers won - grandson Joel came out into the kitchen to carve the turkey. Those two years he worked as a chef at Eagle Ridge showed as he sharpened his knife and then methodically stripped the meat from the carcass. So cool to watch. Then THE DINNER. First we gathered in prayer around the dining room table, holding hands and giving thanks. Grabbed a plate and walked along the kitchen counter for our wonderful meal. Great food, great conversation and dessert. Grandson Tim had made a cheesecake, so good and rich, a one inch piece was filling, pies and apple dumplings and granddaughter Ellen's Turkey cookies. Truly a bountiful meal.
Just before I headed into Rockford to the hotel, the daughters who were there presented me with my early Christmas gift from all five of them. An I Pad 2. Joel had been giving me some advice on what to look for in a Notebook - I planned on buying one for when I traveled - but I never expected something as nice as this. What a great gift. Last night after several hours with Ricky in India with ATT, I am on the internet and ready to enjoy my new toy.
Spent time Friday morning at the hotel pool with John Evers - nephew by marriage. He was on dad duty with Jarrett in the pool. Then we headed out - Evers family to the Rockford Discovery Museum and Angela and I to the Art Museum. (The other family members had all gone home) A good mix of art. Two amazing Loredo Taft sculptures and a series of handmade quilts, made from scraps, obviously well used, definitely not made on a frame but oh so charming. Nowadays when quilting is often done by skilled artisans, these misshapen , unmatched squares and patterned quilts had a beauty all their own.
We also went to the museum to see Jane and Homer. Some years back, when daughter Maureen was digging in Eastern Montana, Vern and I had gone to visit the site. The day we arrived, Homer's ruff - he is a tyrannasourus - was found. So the last time I saw it was there in the ground and now it's on display in Rockford. Jane is the first young dinosaur this group from the museum found and Homer was found in the same area.
Lunch at Beef a Roo, a Rockford landmark and back to the hotel to nap. Supper at Angela and Tom's and then John and the kids went back to the hotel, Tom relaxed in quiet and Mich, Angela and I attended "Christmas Belles", the play at the Pecatonica Playhouse. Darling play, well done by the cast. When I was doing my first Chemo treatment, Angela had brought the play for me to read, and so I really looked forward to seeing it. I wasn't disappointed.
Up early Saturday morning, to make the trip back to Peoria - I was here by 8:30. Misty rain all the way. So glad to be home but I am so thankful for my life and the people in it.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Today is the First Sunday in Advent, which means that it is the beginning of the Church year - not the Hallmark year. The Priest's Chasuble is purple, all of the plants were gone from the Altar and there is an Advent Wreath in front of the Altar with one candle. Very austere, very solemn. Today was a little more arresting than usual because for the first time in about fifty years there are minute changes in the Mass for the congregation but quite a bit of change in the words of the Priest. And it's not really change but back to the words we said during Mass before Vatican II.
Change is good. It shakes us up. Sometimes we get pretty complacent in our lives but a new job, a new teacher, a new grocery store moves into the neighborhood and our routine can get altered.
Today we start a new season, and most of us will be spending the next few weeks altering our lives by decorating the house, preparing special foods and let's not forget going crazy choosing, buying and wrapping all those presents. My hope is that you will take the time to change someone Else's life by having a good word for that annoying grocery clerk, a small gift for someone who might not be getting one from anyone else and most of all, quiet time with the Lord - rest in the quiet of the Person that all this is really about.
This is a little story I read long ago that I love and it's a good lesson for this first week of Advent.
THE ELEVATOR RIDE
A mother spent hours Christmas shopping with her three children. They looked at numerous toys in several stores, and, of course, the children wanted everything they saw.
She was already exhausted from putting up the Christmas decorations, going to numerous Christmas parties, picking out gifts for her family and friends, making sure she didn't forget anyone on her card list, planning church activities and the Christmas dinner.
In one department store, the mother - carrying all her bags and dragging her three kids - pushed her way into a crowded elevator.
When the doors closed, she blurted out loud, "This is too much! Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be strung up!"
From the back of the elevator, a calm voice responded, "Not to worry, ma'am. We already crucified Him."
In Advent we await the Beginning, in a couple of months, during Lent, we remember the End. The cycle of life.
Change is good. It shakes us up. Sometimes we get pretty complacent in our lives but a new job, a new teacher, a new grocery store moves into the neighborhood and our routine can get altered.
Today we start a new season, and most of us will be spending the next few weeks altering our lives by decorating the house, preparing special foods and let's not forget going crazy choosing, buying and wrapping all those presents. My hope is that you will take the time to change someone Else's life by having a good word for that annoying grocery clerk, a small gift for someone who might not be getting one from anyone else and most of all, quiet time with the Lord - rest in the quiet of the Person that all this is really about.
This is a little story I read long ago that I love and it's a good lesson for this first week of Advent.
THE ELEVATOR RIDE
A mother spent hours Christmas shopping with her three children. They looked at numerous toys in several stores, and, of course, the children wanted everything they saw.
She was already exhausted from putting up the Christmas decorations, going to numerous Christmas parties, picking out gifts for her family and friends, making sure she didn't forget anyone on her card list, planning church activities and the Christmas dinner.
In one department store, the mother - carrying all her bags and dragging her three kids - pushed her way into a crowded elevator.
When the doors closed, she blurted out loud, "This is too much! Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be strung up!"
From the back of the elevator, a calm voice responded, "Not to worry, ma'am. We already crucified Him."
In Advent we await the Beginning, in a couple of months, during Lent, we remember the End. The cycle of life.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Native American Prayer
Hold on to what is good even if it is a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe even if it is a tree, which stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do even if it is a long way from here.
Hold on to life even when it is easier letting go.
Hold on to my hand even when I have gone away from you.
Hold on to what you believe even if it is a tree, which stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do even if it is a long way from here.
Hold on to life even when it is easier letting go.
Hold on to my hand even when I have gone away from you.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Anniversary Memories
One day in the early 1930s, Bernadine Burrell was driving her dad's car down Second St. in Peoria. Her new friend, Wanda Hartman was in the passenger seat. Wanda had recently moved to town from the Arcola area to live with her sister, Laura and her family. Bernadine spotted her boy friend, Russ Scovil walking down the street carrying a sack of groceries, and rolled down the window and asked if he would like a ride. He said yes, crawled in the back seat and Bernadine introduced her two friends. A couple of weeks later, Russ asked his good friend, Ralph Dixon if he would take Wanda out and double date with he and Bernadine. Ralph, who was extremely shy and not the fastest thinker in the group - gave this classic answer: "I can't take her out, I have a sore finger". (He was teased about this comment the rest of his life and said one time, it was just the first thing that popped into his head, as he was just to shy to go out with girls),
.....And now the rest of the story: The rest of the story, I suppose, is that Russ and Wanda eventually became a couple, got married, and had eight children of which I am the oldest. But there is more to Ralph's story as well. During WW2, he was stationed in Italy and sent my parents a post card from there. Dad's cousin, Nadine, was visiting at our house and the parents suggested she write to him. Nadine was one of the most loved of my Dad's family and had a great sense of humor. Her first letter to Ralph started: I am Mae West in Kate Smith's body - if you are too young to know who Mae West and Kate Smith are, ask someone. They corresponded until the end of the War. It was love at first write! I'm not sure but I think he came home on leave once during this time. He was not Catholic and while he was in the Army he took instructions in the Faith and was Baptized, made his First Communion and Confirmed all in one day at the Vatican and about a week after he got back to Peoria, he and Nadine got married and lived truly happily ever after. Wonderful, wonderful people.
I'm telling these stories today because November 23 is my parents 76th wedding anniversary. My sister, Suzanne and her husband, Jim Godfrey chose this day to get married as well. I'm thinking it's 28 years. Happy Anniversary to Suzi and Jim. And some people said it wouldn't last!!
.....And now the rest of the story: The rest of the story, I suppose, is that Russ and Wanda eventually became a couple, got married, and had eight children of which I am the oldest. But there is more to Ralph's story as well. During WW2, he was stationed in Italy and sent my parents a post card from there. Dad's cousin, Nadine, was visiting at our house and the parents suggested she write to him. Nadine was one of the most loved of my Dad's family and had a great sense of humor. Her first letter to Ralph started: I am Mae West in Kate Smith's body - if you are too young to know who Mae West and Kate Smith are, ask someone. They corresponded until the end of the War. It was love at first write! I'm not sure but I think he came home on leave once during this time. He was not Catholic and while he was in the Army he took instructions in the Faith and was Baptized, made his First Communion and Confirmed all in one day at the Vatican and about a week after he got back to Peoria, he and Nadine got married and lived truly happily ever after. Wonderful, wonderful people.
I'm telling these stories today because November 23 is my parents 76th wedding anniversary. My sister, Suzanne and her husband, Jim Godfrey chose this day to get married as well. I'm thinking it's 28 years. Happy Anniversary to Suzi and Jim. And some people said it wouldn't last!!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Thoughts on The Eucharist
Sometime in the late 1980s, I became an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at OSF St. Francis. This means I brought Holy Communion to the patients in the hospital. We Catholics believe that during the Celebration of the Mass, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. And in the Tabernacle are kept, in the form of unleavened bread, the Body of Christ to be taken to those who are sick or dying. This is called Viaticum - food for a journey. So many times, instead of ministering to, I was the one who received a blessing.
I continued doing this at OSF until a couple of years after Leah died and I was assigned to bring the Eucharist to a patient in the room where she had had her final stroke. While saying the Our Father, tears welled up and I told Father Tom, the Chaplain, I just couldn't continue and he asked if I would consider doing the same at Methodist Medical Center. I did until my knee surgery. For a lot of years, I took Communion to shut-ins at St. Patricks Parish in Washington and recently began doing the same here in Peoria. What a gift to be able to bring Our Lord to others.
A few years back, while Vern and I were visiting our daughter, Lora in Wisconsin, she and her husband, Randy took us to the museum in Milwaukee to see items from the Vatican archives. One display was of beautiful Chalices - the cup used by the priest during Mass that holds the wine. Some of these were hundreds of years old and very beautiful with carvings and jewels. The thought by many in the Church was that the more beautiful the cup, the more glory to God.
In the center of a shelf, in the middle of all this magnificence, was a small stemmed glass and the lid from a tin can. This was the Chalice and Paten - the plate used to hold the bread - of St. Maximillian Kolbe. Maximillian Kolbe was a Polish priest who because he helped many Jewish people was sent to Auschwitz, where he was starved to death. At the prison, the inmates were given unleavened bread to eat and some of the guards would clandestinely bring wine to him and he would say Mass and distribute Communion to other Catholics imprisoned there. Of all the Chalices I have seen, Maximillian Kolbe's simple glass and tin lid are what touched me the most. It is not the vessel but what it contains. And couldn't that be said of us: it's not what we look like but what we are.
By the way, the word Eucharist is from the Greek and means Thanksgiving
I continued doing this at OSF until a couple of years after Leah died and I was assigned to bring the Eucharist to a patient in the room where she had had her final stroke. While saying the Our Father, tears welled up and I told Father Tom, the Chaplain, I just couldn't continue and he asked if I would consider doing the same at Methodist Medical Center. I did until my knee surgery. For a lot of years, I took Communion to shut-ins at St. Patricks Parish in Washington and recently began doing the same here in Peoria. What a gift to be able to bring Our Lord to others.
A few years back, while Vern and I were visiting our daughter, Lora in Wisconsin, she and her husband, Randy took us to the museum in Milwaukee to see items from the Vatican archives. One display was of beautiful Chalices - the cup used by the priest during Mass that holds the wine. Some of these were hundreds of years old and very beautiful with carvings and jewels. The thought by many in the Church was that the more beautiful the cup, the more glory to God.
In the center of a shelf, in the middle of all this magnificence, was a small stemmed glass and the lid from a tin can. This was the Chalice and Paten - the plate used to hold the bread - of St. Maximillian Kolbe. Maximillian Kolbe was a Polish priest who because he helped many Jewish people was sent to Auschwitz, where he was starved to death. At the prison, the inmates were given unleavened bread to eat and some of the guards would clandestinely bring wine to him and he would say Mass and distribute Communion to other Catholics imprisoned there. Of all the Chalices I have seen, Maximillian Kolbe's simple glass and tin lid are what touched me the most. It is not the vessel but what it contains. And couldn't that be said of us: it's not what we look like but what we are.
By the way, the word Eucharist is from the Greek and means Thanksgiving
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Remembering Thanksgiving
There are really two wholly American holidays. July Fourth and Thanksgiving. We celebrate the Fourth with parades, flying flags and bratwurst, as we should. These days it's not so much our declaration against the tyranny of taxes but our independence to speak our minds, worship as we please, and the freedoms from want and fear. But as Father reminded us at Church this morning because we have a global media,we are more aware of the famine in Somalia and the strife in Equador as well as the persecution of Christians in Muslim countries. The four Freedoms that we have taken for granted for so long are slowly eroding away.
Last week our daughter, Maureen, was here to go with me to the Doctor - another good report - and the next day,she and I went on a Field Trip. As we traveled to Springfield we noticed a lot of houses already decorated for Christmas and we talked about how we seem to go from Halloween to Christmas bypassing the wonderful holiday, Thanksgiving.
Later in the day, we were discussing our ancestors and talking about one of them, William Bradford, the Governor of the Plymouth Colony. She printed out the following guote of his:
"And afterwards the Lord sent them such seasonable showers, with
interchange of fair warm weather as, through His blessing, caused
a fruitful and liberal harvest, to their no small comfort and rejoicing.
For which mercy, in time convenient, they also set apart a day of
thanksgiving...By this time harvest was come, and instead of famine
now God gave them plenty...for which they blessed God".
Governor Bradford as the civil authority recognized Thanksgiving Day in 1623. This date is almost 150 years previous to July 4th, 1776
I propose that we do not decorate, do not buy or do not plan Christmas until we have taken time to give thanks. Thanks for the fact that we are a country, for the most part, without strife, famine and persecution. Thanks for the fact that we can get on a plane, train, a bus or get in the car to go over the river and through the woods to be with those we love or are related to - and sometimes it's both. Thanks for the fact that we can - or cannot - watch the Packers and Lions play football even if you are a Bears fan. Thanks for good health enough to enjoy all of the above and enough wealth to live as we do. So if it's turkey and all the trimmings or Smelt, because that's what you can afford, give Thanks. Our God is good.
Last week our daughter, Maureen, was here to go with me to the Doctor - another good report - and the next day,she and I went on a Field Trip. As we traveled to Springfield we noticed a lot of houses already decorated for Christmas and we talked about how we seem to go from Halloween to Christmas bypassing the wonderful holiday, Thanksgiving.
Later in the day, we were discussing our ancestors and talking about one of them, William Bradford, the Governor of the Plymouth Colony. She printed out the following guote of his:
"And afterwards the Lord sent them such seasonable showers, with
interchange of fair warm weather as, through His blessing, caused
a fruitful and liberal harvest, to their no small comfort and rejoicing.
For which mercy, in time convenient, they also set apart a day of
thanksgiving...By this time harvest was come, and instead of famine
now God gave them plenty...for which they blessed God".
Governor Bradford as the civil authority recognized Thanksgiving Day in 1623. This date is almost 150 years previous to July 4th, 1776
I propose that we do not decorate, do not buy or do not plan Christmas until we have taken time to give thanks. Thanks for the fact that we are a country, for the most part, without strife, famine and persecution. Thanks for the fact that we can get on a plane, train, a bus or get in the car to go over the river and through the woods to be with those we love or are related to - and sometimes it's both. Thanks for the fact that we can - or cannot - watch the Packers and Lions play football even if you are a Bears fan. Thanks for good health enough to enjoy all of the above and enough wealth to live as we do. So if it's turkey and all the trimmings or Smelt, because that's what you can afford, give Thanks. Our God is good.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
DESSERTS
Do you get the idea that if there is cooking to be done I want it to be as easy as possible? You are so right.
This recipe is from Sue Sepich. I haven't tried it but she says its wonderful and her husband, Steve, said it was great. I'm a "One piece of pumpkin pie a year is enough and make it a sliver" type person but I think I'll take it for Thanksgiving dinner at Angela's just to experiment.
Easy Pumpkin Pie
16 oz can of Pumpkin
1 can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp each of ginger, nutmeg and salt.
Mix together, pour into prepared pie shell and bake at 425 for 15 minutes and then 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until knife in pie comes clean.
This recipe is from Beth Doolan. For years, there were four couples of us who would meet on Sunday nights at our house for a Bible Study/Wine Tasting group....but that's another story. Someone would always bring dessert. Beth brought this one time. It is such a pretty presentation and good too.
Chocolate Lasagna
Cool Whip
Ice Cream sandwiches (I prefer Kroger brand)2 boxes for a 9x13 pan
Chocolate Syrup
Caramel Syrup
Heath Bar Pieces
Put a little whipped cream in the bottom of your pan. Cover pan with a layer of ice cream sandwiches, Spritz caramel sauce over ice cream. Cover with whipped cream. Sprinkle half of a package of Heath Bar pieces. Another layer of sandwiches, caramel sauce, whipped cream. Sprinkle the top with the rest of the Heath bar pieces and drizzle chocolate syrup over top. Refrigerate. Can be frozen.
I have been making this dessert for me lately. A 4 oz pudding (they come in cups in the refrigerated case at the grocery store, six to a package). I prefer vanilla or butterscotch. A little Heath Bar Sundae Shell and Reddi Whip on top. Looks pretty and tastes yummy. The puddings come in chocolate flavor as well and I suppose you could use your pretty stemmed glasses, layer the pudding in the different flavors, cover with the shell and whipped cream and that might make an elegant looking dessert. Just saying!
This recipe is from Sue Sepich. I haven't tried it but she says its wonderful and her husband, Steve, said it was great. I'm a "One piece of pumpkin pie a year is enough and make it a sliver" type person but I think I'll take it for Thanksgiving dinner at Angela's just to experiment.
Easy Pumpkin Pie
16 oz can of Pumpkin
1 can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp each of ginger, nutmeg and salt.
Mix together, pour into prepared pie shell and bake at 425 for 15 minutes and then 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until knife in pie comes clean.
This recipe is from Beth Doolan. For years, there were four couples of us who would meet on Sunday nights at our house for a Bible Study/Wine Tasting group....but that's another story. Someone would always bring dessert. Beth brought this one time. It is such a pretty presentation and good too.
Chocolate Lasagna
Cool Whip
Ice Cream sandwiches (I prefer Kroger brand)2 boxes for a 9x13 pan
Chocolate Syrup
Caramel Syrup
Heath Bar Pieces
Put a little whipped cream in the bottom of your pan. Cover pan with a layer of ice cream sandwiches, Spritz caramel sauce over ice cream. Cover with whipped cream. Sprinkle half of a package of Heath Bar pieces. Another layer of sandwiches, caramel sauce, whipped cream. Sprinkle the top with the rest of the Heath bar pieces and drizzle chocolate syrup over top. Refrigerate. Can be frozen.
I have been making this dessert for me lately. A 4 oz pudding (they come in cups in the refrigerated case at the grocery store, six to a package). I prefer vanilla or butterscotch. A little Heath Bar Sundae Shell and Reddi Whip on top. Looks pretty and tastes yummy. The puddings come in chocolate flavor as well and I suppose you could use your pretty stemmed glasses, layer the pudding in the different flavors, cover with the shell and whipped cream and that might make an elegant looking dessert. Just saying!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Finding Uncle Fred
When Anna was older and came to live in southern Missouri in the early 1960s, Clara and another sister, Mamie were getting ready to sell the family home in Kansas City and came across two letters that Fred had written to Clara but Anna had hidden them from her. Clara went ballistic - many times - and poor Aunt Annie, slightly senile at this time, caught the brunt of her anger.
A couple of months ago, I got rummaging around on Ancestry.com and checking records that they had, located Alfred Julius Beeker - Uncle Fred. From census records and his WW1 draft card, he had lived in Yellowstone, Seattle, Spokane and finally in Wenatchee Washington. I got the following information from the Wenatchee Genealogical Society from the Wenatchee Daily World, February 16,1942:
: ALFRED BEEKER
Mr. Alfred J. Beeker, 59, died at his home, 1102 So. Columbia St.
early this morning. Mr. and Mrs. Beeker attended church services
Monday night and he apparently was in good health. His sudden
death came as a shock to his family and friends.
Born in Kansas City, Mo., March 4,1882, he spent his early life
there and later learned the plumbing trade. Later, he moved to the
Pacific coast and spent several years in Washington, Oregon and
California. He has resided in Wenatchee since 1936. On Dec. 20,
1941, he was married to Miss Ramoth Phipps in Wenatchee. He
was a member of the Christian Missionary Alliance church.
Surviving is his widow of Wenatchee. Services will be announced
by the Hennesy mortuary.
In another small blurb it says that services were held at his church and burial in the Wenatchee cemetery.
My first thought when finding this information was how much Vern would have enjoyed knowing about Uncle Fred and then I remembered that where he is, he probably already knows and has enjoyed a great reunion with this uncle so beloved by his mother. Finding Uncle Fred makes me think of the broadcaster, Paul Harvey who always said: "and now for the rest of the story". Getting married at age 59 and dying a little more that two months later? I'd love to know "the rest of that story"!!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Gallimaufry
RANDOM THOUGHTS
Yesterday I went to a luncheon and style show to benefit the Peoria Historical Society, Lovely historical clothing, terrible cold chicken and a good and lively mix of women at our table. The best thing was spending time with someone I most admire, Gloria LaHood. Gloria is the person who got me involved in Peoria history and what adventures we've had, from hand kissing Frenchman to voyageur re-enactors in loin cloths. She and I were introduced to the table as "The Godmothers of the Trolley Tours". About 12 years or so, Steve Tartar, the PR person for City Link, the bus company, drove us to Moline and we took one of their trolley tours. On the way back to Peoria we decided that our city's history was so rich that we should propose the same type of bus tour to the Historical Society and City Link. It was slow starting, just three of us did tours, but now it's a must-do for tourists in the summer in Peoria. The best part was what we learned from those taking the tours. Some of the new tours, written by others, are wonderful and it makes me proud to have been there in the beginning.
*****
While I was waiting for Gloria in the lobby of the Sheraton downtown, a young black man came walking out with his little daughter, she was obviously under two years old, so precious. He was all dressed in black and at one point he bent down to pick up her up and he was wearing his pants so low - as some tend to do - that his pants fell down. Here was this handsome young man, holding his daughter with one arm and his pants up with the other. You can not believe the urge I had - or maybe you can - to take that little girl and tell him to pull his pants up and tighten his belt!!
******
I got this picture in the mail yesterday of great granddaughter, Edie, age three. This is her first school picture - nursery school.
Isn't she pretty? Maybe there is a little bit "Mall girl" there but she really looks like her dad.
*****
Tomorrow I am having a CT scan of my lung. They suspect "increased activity in the base of the lung" so whatever happens I am ready. I asked Father Taylor this morning to pray for me tomorrow and he said: "Would you like to be anointed?" I answered: "Absolutely!" He anointed my hands and head and as usual my Catholic Faith sustains me.
*****
By the way, the title of this piece, Gallimaufry, is a Shakespearean word that means hodge-podge. It's a good title for my random thoughts so I'll probably use it again, when I have odds and ends to say.
Yesterday I went to a luncheon and style show to benefit the Peoria Historical Society, Lovely historical clothing, terrible cold chicken and a good and lively mix of women at our table. The best thing was spending time with someone I most admire, Gloria LaHood. Gloria is the person who got me involved in Peoria history and what adventures we've had, from hand kissing Frenchman to voyageur re-enactors in loin cloths. She and I were introduced to the table as "The Godmothers of the Trolley Tours". About 12 years or so, Steve Tartar, the PR person for City Link, the bus company, drove us to Moline and we took one of their trolley tours. On the way back to Peoria we decided that our city's history was so rich that we should propose the same type of bus tour to the Historical Society and City Link. It was slow starting, just three of us did tours, but now it's a must-do for tourists in the summer in Peoria. The best part was what we learned from those taking the tours. Some of the new tours, written by others, are wonderful and it makes me proud to have been there in the beginning.
*****
While I was waiting for Gloria in the lobby of the Sheraton downtown, a young black man came walking out with his little daughter, she was obviously under two years old, so precious. He was all dressed in black and at one point he bent down to pick up her up and he was wearing his pants so low - as some tend to do - that his pants fell down. Here was this handsome young man, holding his daughter with one arm and his pants up with the other. You can not believe the urge I had - or maybe you can - to take that little girl and tell him to pull his pants up and tighten his belt!!
******
I got this picture in the mail yesterday of great granddaughter, Edie, age three. This is her first school picture - nursery school.
Isn't she pretty? Maybe there is a little bit "Mall girl" there but she really looks like her dad.
*****
Tomorrow I am having a CT scan of my lung. They suspect "increased activity in the base of the lung" so whatever happens I am ready. I asked Father Taylor this morning to pray for me tomorrow and he said: "Would you like to be anointed?" I answered: "Absolutely!" He anointed my hands and head and as usual my Catholic Faith sustains me.
*****
By the way, the title of this piece, Gallimaufry, is a Shakespearean word that means hodge-podge. It's a good title for my random thoughts so I'll probably use it again, when I have odds and ends to say.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Our family has a long proud military history. Our ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War, The War of 1812, The Civil War and several of my uncles fought in WW2. The brothers and brothers-in-law saw action in Korea, Viet nam, Formosa and in peace time. Nephews too, were - and are - in the service to this Country. Three of them in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This post is about a military member of my family through marriage. The picture on the left is of my father-in-law, Anthony Mall.
Antonio Mel was born in the Lombardy region of Italy and came to America with his mother, Regina, and three siblings in June of 1892. His father, Giovani, had arrived in April of the same year. The family settled in Kansas City, Kansas. Grampa John was for many years a farmer. As the children grew they helped too. Very early in the morning, Tony and his brother took the wagon and team filled with produce they grew, and they had loaded the night before, into the Open Air Market in town. Restaurant chefs and cooks and housewives, would come buy their product and when they had sold everything, the boys would get back in the wagon and start home. Just heading the horses in the right direction, Tony and Ladd, would crawl in the back and go to sleep. The horses knew the way.
Mustered into the Army for WW1, he was sent by train to Fort Washington, Maryland - across the river from Mount Vernon - and then to France. He was wounded in a battle in the Argonne forest. He seldom talked about his time overseas except to say it was a long time ago.
When he arrived home, he and his friend, Bill Curran, took a boat, guns and clothing down to southern Missouri and built a cabin on the White River. They lived off the land for a year and then he came home, he married his sweetheart, had five children and fourteen grandchildren. He loved his family. Grampa Tony always had time for any of us. His family loved him right back - they still do through their memories.
He only went to third grade in School but was one of the smartest, wisest men I ever knew. He loved to read and especially books about the military. One of the things I loved most about Vern is he gave me a chance to know this wonderful man.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
WORDS
A favorite quote:
Soft words sung in a lullaby will put a babe to sleep. Excited words will stir a mob to violence. Eloquent words will send armies marching into the face of death. Encouraging words will fan to flame the genius of a Rembrandt or a Lincoln. Powerful words will mold the public mind as the sculptor molds his clay.
Words, spoken or written are a dynamic force.
Writing of Napoleon and his Italian campaign, Emil Lidwig said: "Half of what he achieves is achieved by the power of words."
Words are the swords we use in our battle for success and happiness. How others reach toward us depends, in large measure, upon words we speak to them. Life is a great whispering gallery that sends back echoes of the words we send out! Our words are immortal, too. They go marching through the years in the lives of all those whom we come in contact.
When you speak, when you write, remember the creative power of words. ......Wilfred Peterson
Monday, November 7, 2011
REALITY
On just about every talk show these days, someone is discussing the K-family and their misadventures. Their show is known as "reality" TV. Tell me what is real when there are at least 30 people behind the cameras; sound, photographers of all kinds, make up, hairdressers, folks, that is not reality! I have never watched one of the K-people and the only reality show I watch is Dancing With The Stars and one of those K's wormed their way in there.
Reality is our niece, Claudia, the mother of six, whose husband is a dairy farmer and she is an ER nurse. They are planning a wedding for one daughter and two other daughters are expecting babies. The youngest daughter is a senior in high school. Still, she and several nurses found time to go to Joplin, and help out after the tornado. Meds, mayhem and manure, that's part of her reality.
Our daughter, Angela, is also married to a farmer, a grain farmer. While he is driving a tractor or combine and dealing with drought or flooding - depending on the season, she is flying around the world in a capacity as a marketing manager for a manufacturing company.
When I talked to her Thursday, she was in Florida, just after Easter, she was in Brazil. She is active in a local theater group and on the Arts Council for Rockford, Il.
Our daughter, Alissa, the sales manager for a tree company in San Diego has taken his sons and and her sons and put together our family. A full time job, a sports mom, an avid gardener and every night, dinner on the table.
Dear friend, Sue, is dealing with the loss of her best friend to lung cancer, the week after her dad was diagnosed with the same disease and her mother had her last chemo treatment for breast cancer. Sue cleans houses for a living. She is one of the most kind, caring people I know and her worst habit is always having time for others.
Real life doesn't have cameras around unless you're taking pictures of one of your kids playing ball or a beautiful sunset.
Recently, the television networks took off several long running soap operas and replaced them with reality shows. I couldn't believe it. When we were newly married and our lives were washing diapers, folding diapers and changing diapers, not necessarily in that order, we lived for those soaps. After we had watched the adventures of Bob, Lisa and Penny, we would get on the phone and discuss what had happened. Their lives became the bright spots in our lives. Wait a minute, that's what people do who watch reality shows. Soooo, I admit, the more things change, they stay the same.
Reality is our niece, Claudia, the mother of six, whose husband is a dairy farmer and she is an ER nurse. They are planning a wedding for one daughter and two other daughters are expecting babies. The youngest daughter is a senior in high school. Still, she and several nurses found time to go to Joplin, and help out after the tornado. Meds, mayhem and manure, that's part of her reality.
Our daughter, Angela, is also married to a farmer, a grain farmer. While he is driving a tractor or combine and dealing with drought or flooding - depending on the season, she is flying around the world in a capacity as a marketing manager for a manufacturing company.
When I talked to her Thursday, she was in Florida, just after Easter, she was in Brazil. She is active in a local theater group and on the Arts Council for Rockford, Il.
Our daughter, Alissa, the sales manager for a tree company in San Diego has taken his sons and and her sons and put together our family. A full time job, a sports mom, an avid gardener and every night, dinner on the table.
Dear friend, Sue, is dealing with the loss of her best friend to lung cancer, the week after her dad was diagnosed with the same disease and her mother had her last chemo treatment for breast cancer. Sue cleans houses for a living. She is one of the most kind, caring people I know and her worst habit is always having time for others.
Real life doesn't have cameras around unless you're taking pictures of one of your kids playing ball or a beautiful sunset.
Recently, the television networks took off several long running soap operas and replaced them with reality shows. I couldn't believe it. When we were newly married and our lives were washing diapers, folding diapers and changing diapers, not necessarily in that order, we lived for those soaps. After we had watched the adventures of Bob, Lisa and Penny, we would get on the phone and discuss what had happened. Their lives became the bright spots in our lives. Wait a minute, that's what people do who watch reality shows. Soooo, I admit, the more things change, they stay the same.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Little Kids
Don't you love quotes from little kids? I love to hear their honest minds at work.
Some years ago, four year old Kevin, told me he had gone to the natural science museum in Chicago. I asked him if he had seen any real live mummies. He answered: "All of the mummies are deadies". Never spar with someone smarter than you.
Three year old Gabe, told his mom he didn't want to go to Lowe's recently, because Finkelstine was there. Finkelstine/Frankenstein, it's all the same when you see those scary Halloween displays.
His cousin, Eli when questioned if he had washed his hands after going to the bathroom, answered: " Why? I just touched myself ".
Samantha, who is five and lives across the side street from me, said to me Wednesday night, while she and big sister, Rachel were making chalk drawings on my front patio: "Wouldn't it be great if you were my grandma and lived across the street?" How sweet is that? Both of her grandmothers live in other towns.
One of my favorite new stories comes from my friend, Sue. Her across-the-street neighbor has two little boys, Trevor, 6 and Tanner,4. The family had a dog, Sadie before the boys were born and some years back, their neighbors were moving and decided not to take their dog, Max. So the family inherited another dog. Within the last few months, both dogs died. One Sunday recently, the dad announced he was going to church and asked who would like to come along, Tanner said he would. On the way there, he asked what would they do in church and the dad answered "see Jesus". While the dad sat in the pew, Tanner stood on his knees and looked around. Finally he asked: "Where's this Jesus?" His dad commented that "Jesus was all around us" and others sitting around them in the Methodist Church added that Jesus loved us and answered our prayers.
Later in the day, the parents were in the kitchen when Tanner walked in backpack over his arm and his teddy bear in hand. Dad asked: "Son, are you going someplace?" The four year old responded: "Yes, I'm going to go find this Jesus guy and get my dogs back!"
I wish I had written down all the wonderful stories I've heard about kids over the years. They would have made a great book. Wait a minute, a fellow named Art Linkletter did that years ago!
Earlier this year, great-great nephew Easton got a Nintendo DS for his fourth birthday. It's not what he says but his reaction which is pure joy.
Children are proof God still has hope in the human race.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Doing Laundry
RECIPE FOR WASHING CLOTHES
1. Build fire in back yard to heat kettle.
2. Set tubs so smoke won’t blow in eyes if wind is pert.
3. Shove one whole cake of lye soap in boiling water.
4. Sort things. Make 1 pile colored, 1 pile white, 1 pile breeches and rags.
5. Stir flour in cold water to smooth. Thin down with boiling water. Starch.
6. Rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard then boil. Rub colored but don’t boil. Just rinse and starch.
7. Take white things out of kettle with broom handle. Then rinse, blue and starch.
8. Spread tea towels on grass, others on fence.
9. Put rinse water on flower beds.
10. Scrub porch with soapy water.
11. Turn over the tubs to drain.
12. Go put on a clean dress. Smooth hair with side combs. Brew tea.
Sit and rest. Rock a spell. Count your blessings… anonymous note c.1900
I love this 'recipe' from 1900. When we moved into our new house on Maxwell Road on our first anniversary, in the $1000.00 of furniture that we bought from Illinois Furniture was a Maytag wringer washer. The basement in the little house had concrete built-in wash tubs, very modern (this is 1957). Before we had moved in, Vern had put up metal laundry poles to string clothes lines. Now, in those days, a woman was judged by how she hung her laundry. Sheets, pillowcases and towels on the outside lines and trousers with pants stretchers in them to make those sharp creases as well. Underwear and shirts on the inside lines. Sox paired together and towards the end of the inside lines. And in the very coldest weather, below freezing, we strung lines in the basement.
Twelve years and six daughters later, when we moved to the old farm house in Washington, the laundry room was on the first floor - the basement was really a hand dug cellar and I got my first automatic washer, we already had a dryer both made by Kenmore. I continued to hang out my sheets - still do, in warm weather.
In this little house, the laundry was in the basement and I am too old now to go up and down stairs - or so I tell myself, so the first thing that was done was an attached single car garage that was used for storage is now a laundry room, bathroom and guest room. I love it.
Some years ago, daughter Angela suggested I start a website telling my favorite things and call it Auntie N's B&B. So from time to time, Auntie N will do just that. When I wash sheets, quilts and linens, I use Mrs. Meyers lavender scented laundry products, which makes the laundry room, bedroom and linen closet smell great. You can buy those products at Kroger, Hyvee and on line, Mrs. Meyers.com. For everything else, I use Seventh Generation products and they can be bought at most grocery stores.
There is nothing quite like folding sweet smelling clean clothes and when I'm done, I too, sit and rest, rock a spell and count my blessings!
1. Build fire in back yard to heat kettle.
2. Set tubs so smoke won’t blow in eyes if wind is pert.
3. Shove one whole cake of lye soap in boiling water.
4. Sort things. Make 1 pile colored, 1 pile white, 1 pile breeches and rags.
5. Stir flour in cold water to smooth. Thin down with boiling water. Starch.
6. Rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard then boil. Rub colored but don’t boil. Just rinse and starch.
7. Take white things out of kettle with broom handle. Then rinse, blue and starch.
8. Spread tea towels on grass, others on fence.
9. Put rinse water on flower beds.
10. Scrub porch with soapy water.
11. Turn over the tubs to drain.
12. Go put on a clean dress. Smooth hair with side combs. Brew tea.
Sit and rest. Rock a spell. Count your blessings… anonymous note c.1900
I love this 'recipe' from 1900. When we moved into our new house on Maxwell Road on our first anniversary, in the $1000.00 of furniture that we bought from Illinois Furniture was a Maytag wringer washer. The basement in the little house had concrete built-in wash tubs, very modern (this is 1957). Before we had moved in, Vern had put up metal laundry poles to string clothes lines. Now, in those days, a woman was judged by how she hung her laundry. Sheets, pillowcases and towels on the outside lines and trousers with pants stretchers in them to make those sharp creases as well. Underwear and shirts on the inside lines. Sox paired together and towards the end of the inside lines. And in the very coldest weather, below freezing, we strung lines in the basement.
Twelve years and six daughters later, when we moved to the old farm house in Washington, the laundry room was on the first floor - the basement was really a hand dug cellar and I got my first automatic washer, we already had a dryer both made by Kenmore. I continued to hang out my sheets - still do, in warm weather.
In this little house, the laundry was in the basement and I am too old now to go up and down stairs - or so I tell myself, so the first thing that was done was an attached single car garage that was used for storage is now a laundry room, bathroom and guest room. I love it.
Some years ago, daughter Angela suggested I start a website telling my favorite things and call it Auntie N's B&B. So from time to time, Auntie N will do just that. When I wash sheets, quilts and linens, I use Mrs. Meyers lavender scented laundry products, which makes the laundry room, bedroom and linen closet smell great. You can buy those products at Kroger, Hyvee and on line, Mrs. Meyers.com. For everything else, I use Seventh Generation products and they can be bought at most grocery stores.
There is nothing quite like folding sweet smelling clean clothes and when I'm done, I too, sit and rest, rock a spell and count my blessings!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
I'm Baaack
October 25th, about 3:00 in the morning, I decided to go to the Journal Star website to see what the local critic had said about Wicked. We had seen it on Sunday afternoon. On their site was a headline about if they were making a movie of the musical, who would they cast. I clicked on the site and watched my screen disappear to the lower left. The next day my I T specialists, S-I-L Gregg, daughters Mary and Maureen all tried to help. Hard to do when you live miles away. Made a call to Clynt, the computer guy. He was truly busy and said it would be at least a week. So tonight, about 9:30 p,m., he got me back on line.
Cannot believe how much I missed the computer. Several times, I would be watching something on TV, and wanted to know more detail on a subject and thought, "I'll look it up" Wrong!! No E-mails. I had to write a report for a meeting and wrote it in longhand. Thank God the copier was still working.
How this machine has changed our lives. What has Bill Gates done to us.
Cannot believe how much I missed the computer. Several times, I would be watching something on TV, and wanted to know more detail on a subject and thought, "I'll look it up" Wrong!! No E-mails. I had to write a report for a meeting and wrote it in longhand. Thank God the copier was still working.
How this machine has changed our lives. What has Bill Gates done to us.
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