Remembering. . .

Memorial Day 2003

Street Action

For years, I've complained about my yard washing out creating a hazard for people getting out of their cars.
At one time, this gully was 13 inches deep---my brother bought several bags of rock which we poured in the space because I was afraid that someone would break a leg getting out of their car---especially if it snowed and they couldn't see that it was not solid ground.
The city put orange cones out at one time and put dirt in another time, but neither was really a solution. The curb was crumbling as was the pavement under the black top.
So, yesterday, we had a sign put in our yard not to park on the street today. . .



So, at 6:30 AM we could hear the roar of the trucks. Soon, the fun began. . .I was torn between wishing my grandchildren were here, and thankful they weren't here. Instead I'm doing a blog so they can see the excitement. (Photos are in case the video doesn't work---this is my first time doing video)


Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Watch out YouTube!

Dance Recitals

For almost 20 years, our daughters took dance at Krupinski's Academy of Dance. I kind of miss the dance recitals and am hoping that some day I can watch my granddaughters strut their stuff. The photo above is of Rebecca at a dance rehearsal probably 1979. I think the song was, "Let me twirl my baton for you; it is bright and shiny new. . ."
This photo probably in the mid 1980's is one of my favorites because Rebecca (above on the right) looks so excited and confident that she is gorgeous!
Rachel, above is obviously doing, "Sunny Days, sweeping the clouds away. . ." and this is 1982.
This costume and dance number above was one of my all-time favorites. I think it was called, "Rio". I can still picture the dance step with them swiveling on their front heel. Rachel almost missed it, if I'm not mistaken---she was getting over chickenpox.
1984 Winter Recital was held in the new big studio. I'm so happy Leah had bows on each side of her head---sure helps identify her in the photos.
I conclude with this photo of Leah in 1989. . .not sure of the dance number---I've already given the girls the dance programs. . .but, she looks a little nervous doesn't she? I welcome comments and clarifications from any who attended these recitals---including my daughters. . . watch what you say, girls, I have MUCH worse photos I could have put up.

Kimmswick and Mastodon Historical Site

Recently we went on another trip through Parkway Community Schools to Mastodon Historical Site and Kimmswick, Missouri.
My "big" question was, "What is the difference between a mastadon, mammoth and elephant?"
Fortunately, I'm not the only one to ask that question---there was an entire display class showing the difference. Another question I had concerned the extinction of animals that lived in that time period. Apparently at least three species (above) are alive and living in my back yard. . .not the elephants---the rabbit, field mouse and vole.
Mastodon's trunk, tusks and ear size are very different from elephants---I'm sure the ears are a reflection of the climates since larger ears are found in warmer climates.
These teeth are of the mastodon (left) and mammoth (right)---while the mastodons ate leaves from trees (preferring coniferous), the mammoths were grazers and chewed grass.
Above and below you can see other anatomical differences between the two extinct animals.
Our next stop was the Anheuser home (yes, of Anheuser-Busch) in Kimmswick.
Although this had originally been the summer home of the family, Fred and Mable Ruth Anheuser lived their permanently before their death. We'd hoped to take a tour, but the docent was ill, so we just walked on the grounds.
I immediately noticed Bevo the fox who is seen around A-B properties. He was perched on a wall just up from the Mississippi River.
Looking to the right of Bevo was a pecan tree which reportedly was there when Lewis and Clark came this way. Behind it is an area known as Windsor Harbor.
Here I could see old steps which led down to the "banks" of the Mississippi River which was a main highway many years ago for travellers.
Then, we went to the Blue Owl Restaurant which has been featured on the Food Network. The waitress above was rattling off the desserts: 41 pie flavors, 20 types of cakes and another 26 kinds of cheese cakes. Dessert was included with each of the entrees on the chalk board.
We, of course, chose the levee high apple pie---plain on the left, caramel topped on the right. Actually, we took them home, but they were warm when they were brought out to us.
After lunch, I walked around the historic river town looking in the shops while Dave. . .

Seemed to be content to sit, nap and digest his lunch.

Brother Mel Meyer

We recently visited the Marianist Art Gallery on Vianney High School's campus. I hadn't been there since 1973 when I purchased this:
It was an old military shell casing.
The artist was Brother Mel Meyer
Brother Mel is still producing beautiful sculptures which I can't really afford any more.
He was very gracious in greeting our group and showing us his studio.
A lot of his work is of a religion nature (he belongs to the Marianist Order).

Most of his work is from "found objects" AKA "junk".

But some of it is just beautiful creativity.
As we were leaving, I was drawn to this outside:
I got close enough to read an inscription:

"Claim life from the grasp of death"

Visualizing and Stick-shift Cars

This is for a traditional car---if you look below, you'll see my VW has a different configuration.

I was reading an article on Snopes about a POW who played golf in his head for 7 years. When he was released, he played a better game than he'd ever played before. Studies have been done that the brain "doesn't know any difference in actually practicing something or mentally practicing something." It's called visualization. I've tried to teach it to my reading students for many years. I can attest to it working with me and a stick-shift car.

As a teen-ager, my parents did what most parents in the 1960's did, they found a "rust bucket" for their children to drive. My first car was a Studebaker we called "The Roach", but my second car was "The Green Bomb". I don't remember the model, but it was green, had a muffler that fell off with some regularity, windshield wipers that didn't work when I used the gas pedal, heat only when two wires were clipped together. AND, it was a stick shift on the column!

I can remember the dread of stopping on hills---the fear of rolling backwards or screaming forward if I gave the car too little or too much gas when taking off. Once, my friend/cousin Susan had to get on the floor and help me operate the pedals with horns honking behind us.

Then, I went through a period when I didn't have to drive a stick-shift. Anytime I was with someone with one, I'd watch them and go over the process in my head. I did this for several years: watching and practicing. When I married, one of our cars (like the Volvo pictured above but in a mustard gold color) was a stick-shift and it was like hitting a hole in one! I could drive it with no effort!

Since then, I've heard that boys drive stick shift cars easier than girls because they pretend to drive cars, make the shifting sounds of the motor as children. I think Eli will be an Ace driver! He has been doing this since he could barely stand!