Button, Button, Whose Got the Button

Do you remember the game, Button, Button, Whose Got the Button we played at parties as children?  It was a popular game and everyone loved trying to guess who the button was given to.  Well Muscatine, Iowa, is or was at one time, the pearl button capital of the world.  They manufactured 37% of the world's pearl buttons.  We visited the button museum to see how it was done.

In the late 1800's a German immigrant trying to begin a career decided to harvest the clam and mussel beds and turn the pearly looking shells into buttons.  He would drill plugs and turn them into buttons through a process he perfected.  People laughed at him, but he soon proved them wrong.  Before long, everyone was jumping on the bandwagon to collect shells and begin their own button making business.  The deep and thick beds were soon depleted within thirty to forty years.  Many species became extinct and the industry then turned to making plastic buttons.  China took over the button business and the factories closed down in the 1960's. 

Display cases show the hundreds of varieties and colors of buttons that were once popular.  Videos and pictures tell the story of this great industry's rise and fall before we were even born.  People loved to collect buttons and sew them on their jackets.  Many button collections have been donated to the museum.

We asked the guide how to tell the difference between pearl buttons and plastic ones.  She said to hold the button to your cheek.  If it was cold, it was a pearl one.   There were barrels of plastic buttons we could purchase by the cupful.  I held them to my cheek.  They also felt cold to the touch.

Our lesson on buttons was in Muscatine.
It's a tidy town with cool things to be seen.
There's a lock, river and grist mill so keen.
With lots to do in this town so nice and clean.

Blossoms Beautiful

Spring brings so much beauty as the trees, bushes and flowers begin to bloom.  It takes great planning to select stock from the many varieties of trees.  As the days warmed up in April each tree took its turn to burst out into gorgeous colors.  I wish I knew their names such as Magnolia, flowering crab apple, pear, and such.  Each one as unique in color and flower shape as the people on the earth.

This walkway from the Women's Garden to Main Street takes visitors toward the Main Street of Historic Nauvoo.  The Grounds sisters work on it often to keep it looking pristine and perfect.
An up-close Magnolia? blossom and the rest of the tree is inviting all to view it up close.

A carpet of violets covers the ground near the Stone Arch Bridge stairway.  This photo doesn't come close to seeing the lavender color and sweet smell.  The tiny violets popped up in many places.  It was as if they were saying, "Forget me not."

Out our second floor bedroom window is a lovely view of the Mississippi River as the trees are budding out.  This tree with lilac look-a-like flowers that grow on the bark is gorgeous.  I thank the many botanist husbandmen that nurtured starts and cuttings from all parts of the world years ago  to create these amazing trees for all to enjoy.

Stopping the Sabbatical Stretch & Sweeping the Stairs

Hi and I'm back!

I've been in Nauvoo, Illinois, on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for fifteen months.  It's been busy here and I work five days a week six hours a day.  At first I was so exhausted when I got home, I had a nap every day.  Gradually, I was able to stay awake the entire day.  I found many other things to occupy my time.

I neglected my blogs which I loved keeping up.  Instead emails worked out.  Yes, there are fifty plus people on the mailing list.  How many read my letters?  I have no idea.  Many say they really enjoy them, others I hear nary a word.

I could never figure out how to down load pictures to the laptop.  The Apple one died, and now I have a little Chromebook and didn't think it could do it, but the day has come that I now am back in business.

This photo is the stairway down to the stone arch bridge by the Great River Road in Nauvoo, Illinois.  When we arrived in March 2018 it looked all cluttered with leaves.  That bothered me, but I never took the time to do something about it.  Now fifteen months later on a cool Saturday afternoon, I took broom, dustpan, and rake.  In an hour it was swept and scraped clean. 

It looks so much more inviting now.  When new guests stop to see the beautiful stream at the bottom of the stairs, they won't have to step over this mess.  It is almost as lovely as the scene that greets them below.    See you next time.  

The River Road signs beside the military flags and tribute are a must see. 

My sabbatical stretch I will now stop.
Posting weekly or more, watch this blog pop!
See the fun sites, events and horses clip, clop.
You'll see what abounds in Nauvoo.  Hip! Hop!

Anniversaries Abound

Today marks what would have been the 69th anniversary of my parents, who married in 1948.  My brother married on September 14, 1972, 45 years ago.  I chose
September 13th a year later, marking 44 years.   Little brother, Nile also we'd in September, on the 16th.   His marriage only lasted a few years, unfortunately.  Big sis, Sandy's big day was August 17th.   I guess you could call it the Avenue of the Anniversaries.  

Where have I been?   I retired six weeks ago today.  My computer/laptop/IPad  at home isn't as state-of-the-art as at work.  I can't figure out how to attach pictures, so until I do I'm just posting thoughts.  

I'm Retiring!!!

It's true! I'm all done with work and quitting.

Yes, ending my 25 year career and flitting.

To become a homemaker.  Do some knitting.

Like a dragonfly, I'll be around flitting!

Alliteration Lover

I'm reading "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles and love it.  He writes with lots of alliteration that rolls right off your tongue and pops pretty much off the page.  

"...it was hosted by the high or the humble..."

'impression of an imperious young lady'

'human beings are so capricious, so complex, so contradictory, that they deserve our consideration...'

Every page is plum packed with alliterations.   Even the chapter headings all begin with A or a group of A words.   I love this kind of writing.  Amor has my vote.  I must also read his best selling book,
'Rules of Civility'.  

I am now in the mood to alliterate.   All in an Awesome DayYeah!!

Sign for the Skinner Cemetery

At the Skinner Cemetery we hung a sign,
Where we found graves of relatives so divine.
We're honored to be part of their great vine.
To serve and meet them would be super fine.

It is interesting that Jane & John Skinner's birthdays and death dates are within a few days of each other (birth May 28th & 30, death June 27 & 28). We were there on June 29th, to clean the graves and place a sign we had made to mark the place of our beloved ancestors.   Allan made the sign and did a beautiful job.    We traveled to Nounan, Idaho, to clean graves, repair headstones and hang the sign.   What a beautiful day it was.

 We, Patty Anderson, Sandy Sadler & I, joined Jim,(my brother) & Elaine Crane and family in a service project at the Skinner Cemetery. What a joy! — with Elaine Crane and Patty Anderson.

Ministry, Miracles and Majesty

That's what I heard in Linda Burton's talk on March 25,2017 in Mesquite.   She also said, 'distracted, doubtful, and discouraged'.  In addition to 'sinful, sorrowful or soul-stretched', inviting us to 'accept the Lord's invitation to drink of His living water, as did the certain woman at the well.   She asked us 'to do the same as we bear our own certain witness: "Is not this the Christ?"'

In an effort to overcome doubt, discouragement and being distracted, I have turned to the conference talks of our leaders.   Although reading the scriptures, daily prayer and church attendance are vital in finding joy, I have found I need more to keep me close to the Lord.   This is my very own ministry to myself.   It really is a miracle to feel and know that I am being watched over by loved ones.

To feel the majesty of the Atonement of Jesus Christ through the gift and presence of the Holy Ghost, comes when we specifically work for it.   I used to talk to myself, but then I had to find the solutions and answers.   Now I talk with the Holy Spirit and get the answers that bless my everyday actions.

This means I have to acknowledge and thank Him for these great words of wisdom and blessings that flow down continually.   It takes effort and constant work, but is worth it.  

Another miracle is the opportunity to memorize, The Living Christ.  Created in 2000 for the commemoration of Jesus Christ's birth.   It has been a challenge and blessing to learn more about Jesus, his life and the great gifts he has given to all his children on the earth.   If you want to know more, go to LDS.org. 

Priceless Piano Lessons

I got to teach piano lessons, Yeah!

I want my grand children to learn music so they,

Will enjoy this talent for ever and a day.

It was so fun to hear them laugh and play.

Here's Emma plinking away at the free piano their neighbor gave them.   She just wanted to use her three fingers.  No matter how I tried to get her to follow the book's directions, she wasn't interested.   It tripped her up when she got further in the book.   It was a great time spent together. 

When Jacob saw Emma playing the piano, he wanted to do it, too.  He is a fast learner and very smart.  He did a great job and hopefully will sit down and try it more and more.  

It was different being the teacher instead of the student, but I loved it.  

BHS Girls Lunch

The BHS girls got together for lunch.
We talked, laughed and even did munch.
It's been forty-seven years is my hunch,
Since high school where we were a bunch.

Here are the ladies that attended this year.  Our group gets smaller and smaller, but it is fun to see each other.   We don't think we look 65.  I made the mistake of wearing a short sleeve shirt.   I always wonder why women my age do that, because our arms are quite big and are not attractive.   Well I guess we just don't see ourselves in the same light, until we do.   

Trell second from left in the back always plans and notifies us.   She is the best.  as well as Kris Bodily S., Trell T.B, Julie, Sharon W.W. Shanna H.W.; Front row Pauline B., Billie N.K., Me and Sharon O.B.

Great Grandparents Graves

In Idaho I found my great, great grandparent's grave.

Their birthdays are this week. I know they were brave.

They left England and to loved ones, they did wave.

Thanks to their example, their posterity tried to behave.

 On a quiet hill in the Skinner family cemetery, of southeastern Idaho, my great and great, great grandparents have patiently waited for their posterity to come.  We did, this weekend to discover these beautiful headstones and learned of their sacrifices and faith.   We visited sites along the way in Providence and Logan, Utah; also, Paris and Nounan, Idaho, towns where they lived, worked and spent time in.

I imagined they followed along with us, were at each location,  perhaps prodding us forward, helping us find our way.   Someone pointed out the long forgotten graveyard.  Through farm fields, we drove

then walked through wet grass to  reach the spot.   A dozen or so graves stood tall waiting for us. 

 Their first cabin isn't far from the cemetery.

What an exciting day. 

Grantsville Softball and Senior Night

Grantsville girl's state softball is today.
Catcher, Brayle, & three other seniors play.
They're hoping for a win, but come what may.
These gals are awesome in every way!!

 The rest of the team give the seniors a gift.  These fun yellow softballs with their names and numbers on are really cool. 

 Brayle, Mom, Dad and the coaches pose for pictures.   So fun. 

 The seniors also have a poster made of them.   Here's Brayle standing by her poster. with her last name on it, in uniform.   How cool is that? 

Home run, Brayle Crosman. Her 7th this year.
Leads the region in them. Let's all give a cheer

Well the Grantsville varsity won their first state game with Juan Diego, 12-2 in five innings.   Brayle is being congratulated for her home run.  She has seven this year and leads the region.  She is ranked in the state, too.  

Mango Madness

We've all seen wild and crazy hairdos, right?
This one pictured, looks like it has the blight. 
Even fruit can have an attitude with fright.
Here's my mango man standing tall with might.

I love mangoes and making it have an attitude, just seemed like the thing to do.  Then I ate it.  Yum!  

Gorgeous, Groomed and Green

I love seeing all the yards and lawns green.
They don't need water yet.  Isn't that keen?
Thanks to all the rain, it's a velvet groomed scene.
Each way you look, there's growth on everything.

 I love the spring.  The blooming bulbs and ground covers bring such lovely colors to everything.  Having planted them in the fall, they to the job, before we have to. 

 We have mowed our lawn at least five times and not watered even once.  Isn't that terrific?   Our water bill shoots up and out of sight, because we have to use culinary water.  I hate it, so if it's a hot summer, it doesn't take long for our spring nourished grass to turn.   I would too, after being spoiled all spring. 

Here's my great son and his family in my back yard.   They are more beautiful than the yard, but show it off well.   His sons are growing like crazy, too. 

Playing for Plymouth's Patrons

Yep. I played for Plymouth's patrons last week.
Not used to their grand, I started our meek.
A few residents stepped inside for a peek.
Soon I was going at it like a real Greek.

After delivering Meals on Wheels to many of the residents at Plymouth Senior Assisted Living, I asked if I could practice on their grand piano.   "Of course", came the replay.   So I drop by when my skills are neglected and try my hand at their gorgeous grand.   How much better I sound and feel sitting at this masterpiece and feeling almost as good.   

Handy and Heroic Are These Hands

Hands are so handy.  They mean and say a lot.
Used for waves, high fives and fix things on the spot.
They paint, button, zip, write and lift a tiny tot.
Can shake, wash, scratch and eat your fill with, or not. 

I heard of a teenager today that recently cut off her hand in a shop class with a chop saw.  Her partner matter-of-factly, picked up the severed hand and comforted the gal.   The teacher acted quickly.  Life flight was called, to transfer her to a hospital in Salt Lake.   A sixteen hour surgery reattached the hand and many are the prayers for the youth, that it successfully will be reestablished to work again.   It may never be the same, but if it having some dexterity and mobility is more than nothing.  

The things our hands can do are innumerable.  Without them we are handicapped beyond belief.   Let's hear it for our hands today.  

Full of Fantastic Flowers

Many trees are blooming based on their inner clocks.
We enjoy the beauty along roads for blocks.
Some stand out & appear to be giving talks.
Mine reminds me of my mom's snowy white locks.

  

I cannot get enough of the beautiful flowering trees in rainbow colors and then some.   One of my favorite things of spring.  It goes on for weeks all bursting out in their scheduled time.  Our crab apple trees are just now bursting out.  There was snow covering the blooms this morning.  Hopefully it wont ruin or shorten their life.  

The Tuscany Was a Freebie

An invite to a restaurant and it was free.
Of course, I was going to the Tuscany!
Never been there before.  I was filled with glee!
Had to listen to a lecture, not agree.

Folks my age get lots of invitations to hear about retirement and so forth.   I was being choosey who I was going to listen to.   Then the Tuscany restaurant was listed, I called immediately.   You bet!!

 I took in the whole experience:  entry, bathroom, hallways, kitchen and of course the banquet room. 
I ordered salmon (my favorite) and cheesecake was the dessert.   Yeah, the lecture was a little boring, but who cares, it was the Tuscany.  

Bidding Farewell to the Bishopric

We were asked to be in the bishopric skit.
Where we honored these men.  It was a hit!
Allan and I sang, danced and did our bit.
His first ever part & teeth he did grit.

Jennifer E. the writer, director and honoring dignitary, presents a token of appreciation from the ward members for the six years of service these four men gave to build, support and assist those in the River Ridge 4th Ward.  

We were part of a group of six to perform a fun skit she wrote.  Learning half dozen songs with new words, our parts, some antics and more in ten days, wasn't easy.   We suffered through it and came out A-Okay.  Working with people for many hours helps endear you to them and give a feeling a great accomplishment afterward.  

Allan has never done anything wild like this before.  Although he was none to happy to do it, he felt pleased to have participated in a good cause.  

Cousins Catching Smiles

 

Some don't like their pictures taken and won't smile.
But, we get an off-guard one, once in awhile.
He gave his cousin a gum ball.  It's in style.
Two happy boys and a photo's beguile.

 

 

 

Hunter and Henry sharing a happy moment, because his cousin bought him a big gum ball and helped him do what a buddy would do.  Who wouldn't smile!!