History of Aprons

I won't often do back to back posts, but my sister sent me this blurb called The History of Aprons. We reminisced a bit how our mom, both of our grandma's, and Aunt Vade (Vada) wore aprons a lot and our picture of them was with an apron. This piece depicts them pretty well. As a little aside, Aunt Vade was our Grandma Herron's sister and she was married to Grandma Kneller's brother, our "Uncle Charlie" we spent a lot of time with Aunt Vade and Uncle Charlie and loved it. Those people and that time reminded me of another lady from our past who nearly always wore an apron, Her name was "Ma Kettle". The Ma and Pa Kettle movies took that lifestyle to the extreme. Here is a clip of one of those movies to give you a taste (or another memory). Ma and Pa Kettle clip 

Ma was played by Margorie Main who was born in Indianapolis, so there's another Hoosier tie.

Here's the thing Barb shared with me and I'm sharing with you. I hope it brings back some memories to those old enough to understand and some "culture" to those too young.

The History of 'APRONS'

I don't think most kids today know what an apron is. The principle use of Mom's or Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few.

It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material.

But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids..

And when the weather was cold, she wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, she walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

Send this to those who would know (and love) the story about aprons.

REMEMBER:

Mom's and Grandma's used to set hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love

Hate is not a family value!

I saw this bumper sticker today and it really hit me in the face because the thought came front and center that there are too many families in which it is. There are families who are proud of their hateful attitude, be it toward each other or "us against the world" hate. It may be related to race, politics, financial "status", popularity, success. You name it. There is far too much "them and us" in this world. You know, "That's just the way we are......." Here is one of my favorite cartoons. You will have to wait for "Why can't we be friends".
Chub Chubs

So I walked by the driver side and their window was down and I said, "It is in too many families". The couple was not what you would call attractive, however they both smiled really big and he said, "Not this family". They were the kind of folks I would probably ignore if we met walking in a store, but they did make a mark in my heart.

So much of the pain in our world is centered around hate or disregard for others. Every person in this world is "different from me". Every person in this world is struggling in some way to live a peaceful, happy life. Far be it from me to work toward achieving happiness at the expense of even one of the other dear souls that God has put on this planet. (or solar system?) A former pastor often spoke a "personal proverb"... Every person we run into is there to teach us something. Or in other words, We can learn something from every person we meet if we look for it rather than set up our defenses, which is usually some kind of hate. I'm not advocating that we allow ourselves to be taken advantage of, but we should at least "Meet them in the middle" (Sorry Kelly"). I think I'm starting to go around this bush for the second time. I will close this corny post with my favorite scripture: Micah 6:8 Do Justly, Love Mercy, and walk Humbly with your God.

I've got spurs

As seems to happen more and more as age creeps up on me, I wake up with something running through my head from the past. This morning it was an old song, that anyone under 60 who doesn't watch old TV westerns would not know. "I've got spurs that jingle, jangle, jingle." To arouse memories in some and enlightenment in others here you go. Join me in sounds of yesteryear.

Blaine, listen up. It's your last chance.
No, there are also songs about lonely cowboys. We look forward to celebrating your Wedded Bliss to Jordan this weekend. Hang up those spurs as you jump in the pool.

Gene Autry I've got spurs

Lyrics

Yippy yeah, there'll be no wedding bells for today

I've got spurs that jingle, jangel, jingle
As I go riding merrily along
And they sing, oh, ain't you glad you're single?
And that song ain't so very far from wrong

Oh, Lillie Belle, oh, Lillie Belle
Though I may have done some fooling
This is why I never fell

I've got spurs that jingle, jangel, jingle
As I go riding merrily along
And they sing, oh, ain't you glad you're single?
And that song ain't so very far from wrong

I've got spurs that jingle, jangel, jingle
As I go riding merrily along
And they sing, oh, ain't you glad you're single?
And that song ain't so very far from wrong

Oh, Sally Jane, oh, Sally Jane
Though I'd loved to stay forever
This is why I can't remain

I've got spurs that jingle, jangel, jingle
As I go riding merrily along
And they sing, oh, ain't you glad you're single?
And that song ain't so very far from wrong

I've got spurs that jingle, jangel, jingle
As I go riding merrily along
And they sing, oh, ain't you glad you're single?
And that song ain't so very far from wrong

Oh, Mary Ann, oh, Mary Ann
Though we've done some moonlight walking
This is why I up and ran

I've got spurs that jingle, jangel, jingle
As I go riding merrily along
And they sing, oh, ain't you glad you're single?
And that song ain't so very far from wrong
And that song ain't so very far from wrong

So I jingle, jangel, jingle all along

Songwriters: Reg Presley

(I've Got Spurs That) Jingle, Jangle, Jingle lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Authentic cuisine

The family gathered Friday night to eat at a new Mexican restaurant near our house. Casa Del Mar. Apparently it's a chain, but here's the local one:facebook.com/Casa-Del-Mar Urbana, IL
 Twas very good and reminded me of one of our favorites from our travels in Laramie, WY. I know I have featured it before. It's name is Corona Village. Probably the best Mexican place I've eaten in. Well that memory took me to one that I thought was funny. In Corvallis, we had a favorite Chinese restaurant named China Blue ran by a family. His primary purpose was making his customers happy. He was all over us to be sure we got what we wanted. Did a lot of take out from there also. It had been several years since we were in Corvallis, and in 2017, we drove the route 3 times from Mahomet to Corvallis and back. This gave us plenty of chances to visit China Blue. It was still good. Same food, but something was different. We only saw one oriental person there. We found out later that she was the grand-daughter of the original owners. So what else was different? Everyone else working there were..... wait for it...…. Mexican. The original family had retired and sold out to Mexicans. Now that was a bit strange, but they had bought the recipes and the grand-daughter helped keep it authentic. Oh here's their site: China Blue Corvallis.

My lectures were given in Ocotillo Hall

Georgia among the Cholla (teddy bear) cacti

Me and a saguaro cactus
While I'm at it, might as well give you a travelogue for that year. We started the year going back to finish our first stint at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ where we contracted to give the imaging course in the new veterinary school. Again many of my Facebook friends will have already experienced much of this with us. We had started it by doing 3 weeks from Thanksgiving to mid December in 2016, then ran home to celebrate Christmas, the back to start the year teaching 7 more weeks. Not a
bad place to spend the winter, but actually the locals complained that it was pretty nasty weather for them. We did enjoy the sunshine and the scenery was quite different for us. Most of the buildings on campus are named after local trees, cacti, etc. so we learned about the Ocotillo tree, the barrel cactus, and the cactus wren among others.

Desert Botanical Garden Luminaries

There were a couple of cool happenings while we were there. First was the evening light show at the Desert Botanical Garden. Then in January my cousin Dave (who winters there with his wife Jane) and I went to an annual crazy light show. I'm only putting a few of the pictures here. It's called Lights of the World and is apparently set up in Tucson as well as the south side of Phoenix. If you are in the area over winter, it is certainly worth looking up.

Dave and Jane and I with Lights of the World Entrance

OK, back to the trips to the NorthWest.

Eating at Black Butte Ranch, Sister's Oregon

The first trip to Corvallis was in mid to late April. Leaving winter behind and embracing green grass and sunshine without the cacti. We took a different route which led us to Nebraska City, barely out of Missouri and we stumbled onto the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Museum. It

was a really pleasant surprise. Aside from getting reacquainted with Corvallis and the OSU (west) folks..... OOPS. Did you know that there are 3 OSU's with veterinary colleges in the USA? Oregon State, Oklahoma State, and Ohio State. And the school colors for both Oregon State and Oklahoma State are Orange and Black.... Sorry, saw a squirrel.... Anyway, aside from that, I think the highlight of this visit to Oregon was that we finally ate a meal at Black Butte Ranch which was delicious with fantastic
 scenery and a waiter who entertained us with his story about moving to Oregon with his 2 kids from Alaska to get them a good education. He then plans to return to Alaska cause he just loves it there. We were told by Dr. Jana Gordon of OSU that it was a great place and we finally made it.

While in Corvallis we walked in the park and finally took some pictures of the Ballerina Statue that we had admired many times. Also on the way to Sisters, we did stop by our beloved Sahalie Falls.

 And now we have been to all the continental states except Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. I know I've told you this before. The cool thing is that in most of the states we have actually slept and ate and quite often worked with and visited local people so we really got a taste of the areas. Feel really blessed to see that good people are everywhere.

Georgia didn't make it, but one windy day, I ventured north a bit to visit the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm which was nothing short of spectacular. I got lots of pictures, but I think I'll let their pictures on the website do the job. Great to see, but lots of walking.

We did get to reconnect with the Pacific Ocean. It was a bit chilly, but some gorgeous flowers were out. It is also interesting that Here I am on the Pacific coast wearing a jacket that I bought in Hyannis, MASS. Hard to believe that I barely got out of Indiana until I was 19 years old. 


 On our way home, we finally got things worked out to visit Oregon's Painted Hills. Again we got some great pictures, but I decided to let their website show you the beauty. Well, I am including one picture.

Thought you would enjoy my selfie prowess. 

Yes that's my finger covering my face. 

At least it's a good picture of Georgia.

Just a peek at the Oregon Painted Hills

On our first visit to Laramie back in January of 2008, we got snowed in for 3 days.  That seemed sensible being January and all. However, on our trip home this time (2017) it is May 18. Yup, they got us again. It's a good thing that we like Laramie.

However before we hit Laramie we did another bucket list item. Georgia had always wanted to go to

Downtown Park City

Olympic training center

Park City, Utah where they hold Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival at the Egyptian Theater.  We were always working against some deadline and I thought it was more "off the path" than it was. I got enlightened, so this time we made it. Another spectacular sight that is worth the effort although I would not want to be there when the crowds arrive. Not like our flatlands with sprawling parking lots. Georgia got some great purses which she uses still Fantastic, got them in Park City, Utah...…. at TJMAXX. LOL

So the second trip of 2017 is finished. I got to go to the annual Silver Lake High School Alumni Banquet to reunite with many of my high school classmates. Not bad for a bunch of 75 year olds, huh? So sad that we lost Marilyn the next winter. She worked tirelessly to keep the class together. I'm sure others will pick up the baton, but can't replace Marilyn.

Had a great Father's Day picnic with the family at Lake of the Woods. Since we moved to Urbana from Mahomet, I wonder if we will still go to Lake of the Woods or do somewhere else. 

Hurricaine Matthew had pretty much wrecked the Maverick where we typically went every other 26th week of the year. This year was Rod's family's turn. Since we couldn't go to Florida, Rod and family got a nice place on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri for several days. They asked us to join them and we had a great time with great scenery and boating. . 

With the arrival of August we headed back for Corvallis. This time we made it back to one of our favorites, Florence, Oregon. Since we had been there a new seafood place had developed in Oldtown which is a favorite place for us. It had been recommended by a friend and it lived up to the recommendation. It appears to be a chain, but a good chain. It's Mo's, and it's just down the street from Georgia's favorite clothing shop, Bonjour. The owners must be 7th day Adventists because we got fooled and found they were closed on Saturday, so all Georgia could do was peer in the window. The boardwalk was nice and filled with booths. The 5-Pine shirt I'm wearing will become significant in a bit.  One of the great things about being semi-retired is flexibility. Yes, we went back on Sunday so Georgia could shop. Found some really great outfits.

Back at the Poultry Building in Corvallis, Dave had planted a rose bush that I hadn't noticed before. Don't know if it was the time of the year or what, but these blooms were astonishing. You know that roses tend to change shades as they mature. Well these change color from red to orange. I had to ask Dave what they were: Joseph's Coat Roses. I WILL have to get some of these. 

I'm about worn out from this posting, so I'm going to save the trip home and the last trip to Corvallis in October for the next posting. Sorry, I told you there would be more about 5Pine soon. Gonna have to wait for the next time. Hopefully I haven't made you dizzy with the "out of order" travel all over the place.

I just stumbled into something I need to share. How many of you know who Doug Kershaw is??? Well, here is an introduction if you don't and a trip in the wayback machine if you do.

Doug Kershaw

Fun on Facebook.

Below is a conversation that took place recently on our Homeowners Association Facebook page. I knew that there are several housing additions with the same name as ours around the country. This lady got bit by that fact. I am changing names to protect the ego. Enjoy

Sandy Ridge Homeowners Association

Jane:

March 5 at 7:58 PM

We just moved here and we have a large amount of trash that we need to put out. Can somebody please tell me the rules on this? Thank you

Margaret: Welcome to the neighborhood! There are two garbage companies with similar names. Area Disposal and Area Garbage Service. If you are signed up with one of them already you can make arrangements to have a large pick up. You can get recycling curb pick up service for an extra fee. I use Area Garbage Service and they offer once monthly and twice monthly recycling pick up. Hope this helps!

Jane: Margaret: Thank you so much!!

Marty: Welcome to Sandy Ridge! We are very happy here!

Jane: Marty Thank you so much! It’s been a week of us living here and it’s so quiet and peaceful. We love it! We are excited for the summer so our children can play outside.

Marty:  Jane, what street do you live on, how old are your children, and finally, how did you get lucky enough to move during one of the coldest weeks?😂 We moved the week before Christmas TWICE, and in November once! 😀

Jane: Marty we have twins, 1 boy and 1 girl. They are almost 15months old. It has been a very cold move that’s for sure. We live on Sweetbriar.

Fred: Hi Jane ! we don’t have a Sweetbriar in Sandy Ridge - are you located in Mahomet IL?

Margaret: Don’t unpack yet if you need to move to the “real” Sandy Ridge! 😁

Jim:  Fred there is a Sweetbriar located in Bloomington...

Jane: Marty  I’m not sure now haha

Jane: Pine school is in my backyard.

Margaret: You’re definitely not in Mahomet, IL. Hope you have great neighbors like us wherever you live! 😊

Jane: Margaret: Hahahahah I’m in Ohio. Hahah

People wonder why we old folks often check and recheck to be sure we are talking with the correct people, etc. Our world has become so instant and superficial and our conversations are on the fly. I have spent lots of  "wasted time" wading through Sandy Ridge, Silver Lake, Urbana, etc. in many different states. It does pay off to pay attention to the details.

No I'm not dead

I realize that it has been a long time since my last post. Somehow my account got messed up and I couldn't get in, but they got that all fixed. Also in the meantime, I became addicted to Google Calendar which really helps keep our life straight. We continued to travel and work around the country letting us spend time in all the continental states except Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. We haven't given up hope of getting there.... bucket list?
During 2017 we actually drove back and forth to do 3 stints at Oregon State as well as driving to Phoenix for a "new" gig of teaching the imaging course at the new veterinary school at Midwestern University (Yes, Midwestern in Phoenix). That University has a base campus in Schaumburg, Illinois with a medical campus in Glendale, AZ. A really nice job and spending from Thanksgiving to March in AZ with a quick trip home to do Christmas with the family.
We didn't care for that travel back to Illinois in December with a rush Christmas and another rush back to Phoenix over the Christmas/New Years week, so worked out a deal where Amy Roth Jones, a newly boarded radiologist taught the Fall part for the second year. However on our way down Just before New Year of 2018, Georgia came down with pneumonia our first day on the road when we only got to Alton, IL (A suburb of St. Louis.)  I had a big day of teaching while Georgia was in the hospital in Alton, so Greg came down to be with her while I rushed off to Glendale to get things set up and teach 3 hours before grabbing a quick sleep and early take off to drive back to Alton. That was a miserable deal because by driving nearly straight through, I gave myself a bug and I could hardly talk, then had a head full of snot for several days. We got Georgia out of the hospital, Greg back home and us on the road again to Phoenix. The warm Southwest weather was welcomed, but when it was over and we came home, we had one of the coldest, nastiest, Aprils I remember.

The highlight of that trip was a stop off in Waco to see first hand the Magnolia complex. Georgia had become quite a fan, so that was a bit of a blessing.

The timeshare at the Maverick Resort in Ormond Beach, FL that Georgia's folks had left for Georgia and Nan had been an issue the past couple of years because the Hurricane .... I think it was Matthew.... Had pretty much wrecked the Maverick and it was unusable for 2 years. We did salvage a Florida vacation with Rod's family through Nan who got us in contact with her former neighbors, the Turners who had a place on Jenson Beach which is a couple of hours further south. Had a great time with Rod's, Ava, Mahala, Nan and her Grandsons Kreighton and Kaeman.  One day we ran up to the Kennedy Space Center and got wowed.  We did stop by the Maverick on the way home to see the progress. It is now open and ready for Business... Jeff and Pam are going to use it this summer.

Georgia and I have curtailed our travel because she has not been well. In fact we have done no more teaching since coming home a year ago from Midwestern. Another major even in our lives has been the move. We loved our 2 story house with a large basement and back yard garden and lake, but late in the summer, she nearly fell down stairs several times. We thought..... This can't be... So had no hesitation to start looking for a single story home. October 27, we moved to a "flipped" house in Urbana, just a few blocks from where we built the first house in Myra Ridge Addition in southeast Urbana. Full circle for sure. As much as we enjoyed living in Mahomet, this is probably more practical and of course, we don't need to worry about falling down a flight of stairs.  Now if we can just get through this cold.

From past posts, you will see some new people in the Christmas Group Photo below. We had to do it outside because we didn't find a place in the house to pose everyone. Thankfully the weather cooperated. Wonder what the future will bring.