After Rappy’s death on Friday, I learned my mom’s aunt (my great aunt) Ruth died on Saturday. She had been ill but was improving and her death was unexpected.
Then yesterday came home to learn Mike’s uncle Gary died Sunday in a motorcycle accident while visiting Florida.
I will be off from blogging this week and possibly next as we deal with these deaths and mourn our losses.
I know Mike and I are aging when he suggests we stop and stretch our legs. Mike is the KING of let’s get there driving. Back in the day a 12-18 hours was a day’s drive to him. Keep in mind he didn’t believe in stops to pee unless the car also needed fuel. All meals were to be consumed in the car on the interstate preferably purchased via drive thru window at the same exit as the fuel/pee stop. I was expected to sleep so I could drive and shockingly this transfer of power took place ideally at a fuel/pee stop. When the press story came out about the astronaut that wore diapers to make the drive to attempt to kill her rival I cringed thinking Mike would get travel ideas.
Ahh but now he and I can see 50 much easier than we can look back to 40 because it’s closer you see. On our last trip south he suggested stopping at the Boone Tavern to stretch our legs. I eagerly jumped at the chance! Yes! YES!! A walk would be wonderful instead of caged in car seat pondering if I lost bladder control in the new car’s heated seat would it electrocute me? But yes heated seats made sleeping on the go more snuggy.
So we took the Berea Kentucky exit to the Daniel Boone Tavern. Slight diversion here – Mike served on the USS Daniel Boone SSBN-629 so his interest in seeing a tavern related to Boone was one rooted in his submarine days. We take the exit, fill up with gas, get directions as to how far it is to the tavern, and head in that direction. Signs declare it Spoon Bread Days in Berea but other than that we saw no signs of it. We thought it’d ended earlier on that Sunday.
We find the tavern and are surprised to see it’s a still operating inn. Parking we take a short walk to look it over and are disappointed to learn Daniel Boone himself had nothing to do with the inn. It was just named for him. **SIGH** Oh well we looked it over, I made pictures, went to the bathroom, got a drink and we were on the road again. I did it all at the stop fearing the disappointment might end this delightful new trend. I must note we did not stop to stretch our legs on the way home. Then again we left at 3 am so Mike could be home in time to watch the University of Tennessee football game on TV. We had a travel deadline and couldn’t spare the time to see the first KFC, maybe next time. Until then enjoy the pictures of our one stop to stretch our legs.
Oh, I do adore stained glass windows. I think that’s partly why I long to work with the Czech glass beads of various types. I like the gem like quality and wide diversity glass offers. On our first visit to the Kemper Center was to tour the Durkee Mansion the stained glass windows caught my eye then. On our recent tour of the Kemper Center proper I got to see them through out the center. It was a tradition from the earliest classes to design, commission, and donate a window with the class motto to the center upon graduation. Some windows in the campus chapel were donated as memorial or honors for individuals by families or groups.
The earliest windows were made in Germany. I can’t imagine they were cheap to have made there and shipped here. I’m sure the project took all senior year if not started in their junior year. Later windows were made in England such as the Angel and Mary one. Still not cheap I’d bet. Then later ones than that were made here in the US. I’m sure it was a be thing to have your class window come in and be installed.
We were lucky when we toured the center that it was very bright day. The sunlight through these windows was amazing. I can’t say the images did it justice but it gives you a good idea of how lovely these works of art are.
Time to look back today. What made up 2011 for me? Big changes in some ways. Aaron graduated high school
and moved to Madison for his freshman year of college.
While he was on his cross country senior trip, Mike and I went to Tennessee to move Mom & Dad from the farm
to a condo in town.
Not many pictures there because we were working hard. But here’s the condo with their new Cube, yes my parents have a Cube and LOVE it!
I tried to make my hobby pay for itself. I think in the end I just expanded my bead hobby. Oh well it’s fun and I get to spend a Saturday every month during good weather outside with my friends.
During the year we lost two beloved gentlemen from our families. Mom’s Uncle Herbert Rolen. We’ll all miss Unkie.
Mike lost his maternal grandfather Dale McAllister. We’ll miss Grandpa Mac and his ardent politics. He was what we call a yellow dog Democrat – meaning if even a stray yellow dog ran as a democrat Dale would have voted for the canine.
Well there was much more – plumbing problems that were fixed, dead vehicle that wasn’t but was replaced. New aliments diagnosed in the kitties and managed. Basically all the stuff that makes up the passing of a year.
Until 2012 my friends! You know where to find me, would love to hear from ya!
Mary Louise Eklund 