Dreaming Under the Willow

The Willow trees are out and as I passed one yesterday

I thought about the one from my childhood.

My neighbor Lola, who was like my Grandmother had one.

I use to just go sit under it.

I wish I had a picture but I don't.

But it is a happy memory.

Do you have a memory of a tree from your childhood.

I am ready for spring

here is my Mom and Lola and our shared cat Bomber

Do you see all her flowers?

She worked out in the garden night and day even in her 90's.

I learned alot  about flowers from her.

As I look to the left of this picture the Willow is there.

Look at Lola's corn crop!

The tomato plants are in our yard that Mom and Grandma are checking out,

do you see peering out from around Grandma?

My Mom grew up in Detroit and they lived in a apartment.

When they moved back home in 1939 they always rented so my Grandparents did not have flowers.s.

My Mom loved our yard and she still took care of it by herself until she died.

Lola gave us starts of Lilac's, peonies, surprise lilies and more.

Luckily I was smart enough to bring a start of the peonies when I bought my house 20 years ago, so I have a piece of Lola here.

I went to the flea market with my Brother and SIL last weekend had a great time.

So thinking of those blooms I picked up 3 little pottery vases for $10.

I think the 3 will hold some of those pretty flowers that will be in my yard this spring and summer.

Maybe I need to plant a willow in my backyard to dream under?

A Wee Bit of Irish Learned from My Mother in Law

I don't claim any Irish, hey.... we were Scotch and we just dropped by Ireland on the way to America!

But my MIL is Irish

Beasley and Sullivan

When I married my husband I realized she collected Belleek and she had Waterford Crystal.

So I thought I would share this picture of her today, one of my favorites.

I don't remember what she said the occasion was but she was opening up her home for a house tour and she was displaying her Belleek.

Beautiful pieces

but what amazes me is, how did she collect this and keep it intact raising 8 children!!? 6 of which were boys!

After my in laws moved to a Retirement Village she gave all her daughter in laws pieces.

When I graduated from High School my Grandmother's neighbor gave me my first piece of Belleek which was a vase, seen in the center of my collection here.

I was lucky to be given the pink shell Belleek pieces from my MIL collection

go great with my French St Patty's postcards I picked up in Paris a few years ago.

Think I will go call my MIL, wish her Happy St Patrick's Day, thank her for the Belleek and tell her how much I love her!

100th Anniversary Pyrex

Pyrex is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

And they may of caught on that some of collect Pyrex?

They came out with anniversary pie plates, measuring cups and some dot bowls.

There is a Corning outlet not far from 1515 so I went in and promptly purchased 

10 pie plates! My girlfriends are giving their daughters the items for Easter.

They did not have everything just white, blue and turquoise dot bowls, measuring cups and the pie plate. So one of my friends ordered on line more items......lime green measuring cup and dot bowl for me! I wish they would of done pink. Pyrex said they will introduce more items this year.

Anxious to see them.

love the graphics so I may just hang this on the wall at 1515?

What do you think are you going to pick some up for yourself?

Another Honor

Well, I have not posted in a month, the time goes by fast and so much happens.

My cold came back and was worse and I actually called in sick to work Tuesday.

They have been changing our benefits at work, and may I say not for the better.

Seems to add to my insecurity of how life will be the next few years.

I had 520 hours of Extended Illness time banked, well they have taken the banks away from us.

All those years I had it, never calling in ill or being out for a extended time over the last 30 years.

I find it very sad.

The month was also personally sad for me. When i was a Head Nurse I had the same Assistant Nurse Manager, my dear Minnie.

I use to kid Minnie and tell her "I know how long you have been at the hospital because it is the same age I am"

Yes she came to the hospital as a 18 year old and retired in 2004 after 44 years.

She passed away, and it was hard to realize someone I shared all the happy and sad things of managing 125 employees was gone from my life.

Not only that but the twins (Susan and Sheryl) lost a young man who they treated as a son.

He was only 33 and had a allergic reaction to a antibotic and just dropped dead after telling his wife he did not feel well. He has 6 year old twins that Susan and Sheryl treat like Grandchildren.

So I keep hoping March delivers more happy times for those I love.

So here is the happy news!

yesterday I received a letter from the IL State Historical Society that 

The Charleston Riot Committee is being honored at the annual awards luncheon, held at the Old IL State Capital.

The play that was written for our event also is being recognized with a award.

Speaking of the Charleston Riot

In February my friend Harold Holzer, Lincoln Scholar was at the St. Louis Civil War Roundtable.

So I was able to go hear him speak.

Was so glad to see him and we did my first ever "selfie"

I need not to put my chin down but UP next time!

Harold recently received the Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize for his outstanding work and recently published book "Lincoln and the Power of the Press"

Hope this find you all well, have missed you and hope to be back to catching up with all of you.

I need to pull myself up and dust myself off.