Brooksville Raid--The Early Years

http://brooksvilleraidreenactment.com/
http://www.hernandohistoricalmuseumassoc.com/
Hwy. 50 West at the
Sand Hill Scout Reservation
(Across from Oak Hill Hospital)

Third weekend January annually

The Brooksville Raid—the Early Days

Our Brooksville Civil War event is one in which we participated for either twenty-two or twenty-three years…first as on-the-field re.enactors for many years. Early on Steve was a private with the 1^st Minnesota.  Most re.enacting groups in Florida take the name of an original regiment who fought or were garrisoned here…97^th Pennsylvania, 4^th Florida.  The First Minn never came to Florida, but the first guys to organize it were from Minnesota.  The original regiment has a dynamic history.  General Hancock sent them in at Gettysburg to “plug a hole” in the line.  Eighty-seven percent of those that fielded that day were casualties. (Remember casualties in this time-frame meant killed, wounded, or missing.)  They were said to be the first volunteer group.  The governor was sitting in a Washington office (maybe Lincoln’s) when the call for 75,000 troops went out to the northern states.  The governor immediately volunteered the First Minnesota. The original regiment also participated in Indian Wars before marching off to the East.  And, later they participated in squelching the riots in New York City.  Anyway, brothers Kevin and Sean thought our re.enacting group could easily mimic the original group.  Thus, our name. 

I worked with Dr. Tom as a field nurse and brought water to the troops.  He also wanted us to know basic first aid and CPR.  He was a para-medic in today’s life. The job of the field nurses were multi.  One was to make sure the participants had enough water.  This is Florida.  We dehydrate easily and unknowingly.  Our second task was to help with people who were injured.  As much as we try to practice all safety measures, things happen…from soldier “dying” on a mound of fire ants, to black powder burns, and an occasional broken bone.  The third thing is to look good to the paying public…this, of course, is good, but must come after the care of our troops.  Sometimes, however, taking care of the troops with real problems also looks good to the unknowing public.

Sometimes the first-aid being administered is in the confines of the field hospital while we wait for the professionals to come.   It looks real to the public, because, guess what, it is real.

Our surgeons and medical staff work really hard to make everything look real.  All kinds of props and makeup are used to portray as accurately the actual way life may have been under the care of a Civil War surgeon or nurse.  Our saw-bones surgeons often create the look of a real amputee or taste “pus” to see at what stage it has progressed,

However, all three examples happened with me as part of the nursing corps at Brooksville.  There have been some other incidents at other events as well in which the nursing staff really were working rather than just play acting. 

The ants:  Those of us who live in Florida know what to look for in finding fire ant mounds.  Others, not so much.  The fire ants are nasty teeny tiny little critters.  They will crawl on you and seem to all bite at the same time.  Their bite is a combination of an ouchy sting and a horrible itch.  Their sting is like a hot poker, thus they are called appropriately.  One or two bites are painful.  More can be dangerous.  The incident which I witnessed was a man who did not know for what he should be looking.  He took a hit and dropped to the ground “dead.”  Yep, right on top of a fire ant hill.  He had bites all over his legs and hands.  We packed him in ice until medical attention came.  The medics had to give him an antihistamine.  I never saw him again, but I am assuming that he was eventually okay, albeit very itchy and sore.

That same year, one young man loaded his black-powder rifle.  We believe that something was done incorrectly.  Perhaps it did not fire, and he reloaded.  There are others scenarios as well.  We do not know the reason.  When he fired it, it back-flashed—burned his stomach, hand and arm.  He was brought into our medical hospital where demonstrations of Civil War medicines were being carried out.  Doc Tom looked at him and ordered immediate ice placed on the burned places.  I was one of the holders of ice.  The public did not know the extent of the lad’s injury…they thought it was part of the show.  An ambulance retrieved him and took him to the local hospital that was less than a mile away.  Again, I think that things worked out for him.

A third injury in which I partook was a broken shoulder blade.  That particular year I did not dress in my nurses “uniform,” but had dressed like a lady with a hoop skirt.  The gentlemen involved was part of the cavalry.  His horse was galloping at a good clip, when the horse caught his hoof in a gopher hole and threw the rider.  The horse galloped off.  He was eventually recovered some distance away.  The rider, however, was withering in pain.  I sent word (we have a word to use when we need real medical attention).  The preacher’s camp was closest.  He came with some ice.  It was a hot, sunny day.  The rider had fallen where there was no shade.  We were concerned about shock.  I dropped to my knees to give him a little protective shade until the real medical staff arrived.

Most of the medical scenarios are fun, as the surgeons get really gross and authentic.  Civil War medicine was brutal. Amputations were common.  The goal was to save as many lives as possible, rather than corrective, slower surgery.  It should be noted, however, that, as in the case of each new war, a great deal of new medical procedures, technology, inventions, medicines emerge to make life easier for the general public.  Play acting is fun and educational to do for the public.   But the real satisfaction for me comes when one has actually helped someone in a real situation.   

So, if you are looking at a medical scenario at a re.enactment, look carefully.  It might be real.

Job's Daughters Installation

 "And in all the land were no women found so fair as the Daughters of Job".  Job 42:15 KJV

Job’s Daughters Installation

Despite what you might read, we are NOT a cult. We don't even come close to the definition. Yes, we have secrets, but many of our events, including the installation of officers are open to the public. And, if one is concerned about the fact that we have secrets, almost every fraternal, civic or political group has some thing(s) that is(are) not generally known to the outside--SECRETS. And, I would bet that everyone has at least one secret, the world does not know. BIG DEAL!

I love Rainbow, and I always will.  I learned so much in those formative years.  It certainly helped me in my walk with God and love of Jesus.  I am also stating that I am a follower of a Jewish carpenter...a Christian, if you will.  I was before being part of these organizations and NEVER have seen anything that would contradiction/compromise my Christianity or God's Word, The Holy Bible.  If that were so, I would not be a part of it.  Having said that to the nutcakes out there who believe we are cults, I will continue my dissertation on a very lovely ceremony.

As I have mentioned before, I was a Rainbow Girl and like the Marines…one never really stops being a Rainbow.  I grew in Southern New England.  I never heard of Job’s Daughters until I was an adult and visited Rainbow Grand Assembly in Florida.  We did not have Jobies in New England…at least not in Southern New England…Connecticut and Rhode Island.  If I had the opportunity, I would have been a member of both.  Both organizations are for girls in their teens.  Eligibility ages are between ten or eleven or twelve…depending on the jurisdiction and a few other somewhat insignificant details.  Both are Biblically based. Both teach all kinds of good attributes.  

There are, however, differences between Rainbow and Job's.  The first difference between the two that is obvious is that Job’s Daughters have to have a Masonic affiliation…father, brother, grandfather.  Rainbow does not need the affiliation.  One can join as a “friend” of a Rainbow with a Mason, Eastern Star or Amaranth member signing the petition.  This person often might have been the father of the original Rainbow. Lynne was also a Rainbow girl, although she did not have the same opportunities that I had to be involved as much as I was. (Her father was military, and they moved often.)

I visited a Rainbow Assembly in Florida back a bit.  And was sorely disappointed (separate posting).

I later was visiting in Venice, Florida where a contingent of Job’s Daughter were serving supper for the local Masonic Lodge.  They were adorable.  I sat next to one of their advisors.  Long story short, I was invited to attend an upcoming installation in Tampa.  I talked to Lynne who was up for this venture.  At first Lynne was going to drive north; I, south.  But Lynne was staying at my house after Brooksville.  So, I followed her to John Darling Lodge. 

My friend Christina from Eastern Star was planning on going to this Installation to bring her two older daughters (and a couple of relatives visiting from Virginia. (As an aside Christina’s daughter could have been cloned from her older cousin…they sure looked alike.)  Christina is a Past Honored Queen of Job’s in Virginia.  So, we were kind of sure that we would know at least one person.  I had met and talked to some of the young ladies at the supper. 

When we got there, the very first impression was the friendliness of those present.  One sweet young lady who remembered me from the dinner, greeted me with a huge hug.  This experience was so different from my previous visit to Rainbow, who totally ignored me. It’s not the difference in the organizations, but, instead, the difference in the adult leadership.

The ceremony was beautiful. And, very impressive.  Each girl was escorted into the Bethel room by a gentleman…father, grandfather or a DeMolay boy. They are girls, so there was a bit of young lady silliness.  I listened to several before the Installation started.  They were talking about how cute “they” are.  We know that they had to be talking about the DeMolay boys (who were, indeed, cute).  But more time was spent on the solemn seriousness of the occasion.   

The outgoing Honored Queen was the Installing Officer for the new Honored Queen…her sister.  The girls wear white robes with the top three officers each wearing a beautiful purple robe.  I was really impressed by the whole occasion.

After all the various portions of the ceremony were finished, we were invited to the dining room for “refreshments” which turned out to be a meal.  Grilled hot dogs or hamburgers.  Various salads.  Mac and Cheese.  Cookies.  And, of course, a special cake for the new Honored Queen.

I am happy and feel blessed to have made the trip.  As it turned out, Lynne and I knew several of the gentlemen who have been at other related events and occasions.  We also met and talked to several others…some Rainbow and majority Rainbow girls, some parents of Job’s.

One of my favorite things about being a member of the Masonic family as both and OES and Amaranth member and an “old” majority Rainbow is visiting and meeting new people.  I don’t really see strangers as strangers, just acquaintances that I have not met yet.

I had put together a couple of gift baskets to be auctioned off at an upcoming ball for Christina’s mother.  I had not brought them to the last meeting that I attended for Eastern Star.  They traveled a long way, but were delivered to Christina for her to take to her mother for her to take to the ball.  So, I accomplished a second  thing, somewhat by accident. 

After the meeting, Lynne went south to home; I, north. I felt good.

pictures later

Presbyterian Women (USA)

Presbyterian Women (USA)

We had our monthly meeting of Presbyterian Women at Dale’s house today.  Usually, we meet at Church, but occasionally we meet at someone’s home.  These meetings are always very special.  Dale’s home is the family homestead filled with antiques.  Like me, she has a like for cobalt colored glassware with an entire cabinet pretty much devoted to it.  I recognized many of the patterns from my own love of Depression Era glassware.

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Dale's aloe bloom

Molly's aloe bloom

One of her rooms is a huge living room/family room with a stone fireplace.  The house is on a large acreage land.  She has several aloe plants in her yard; one is in bloom.  We also have aloe plants, recently in bloom. I think, however, they must be a slightly different variety.

We celebrated Christmas with our annual Christmas party.  A “cookie exchange” was our main refreshment.  Surprisingly in this day and age when few people bake, most of the cookies were homemade.  We not only exchanged cookies, but we also had several “cookie stories.”

I believe Dana said that she does not bake as a rule.  She had a recipe from her mother.  They were peanut butter cookies.  She never realized that one rolls the peanut butter into balls and then takes a fork to flatten.  She tried to flatten them once they came out of the oven.  They did not look perfect, but WOW, were they ever good!  Her hospitality, hot apple cider, and perfection as a hostess far outweighed the not-quite-perfect-looking (but very yummy) cookies.

Candace brought a plate with three types of cookies—molasses, chocolate and an oatmeal/peppermint.  She had no trouble with the latter two.  But the molasses cookie recipe came from a very old cookbook that had directions that were, well, old and not very detailed.  After mixing the molasses/butter and the dry ingredients together, it was like a very watery soup.  She kept adding flour, and more flour, and more flour until the consistency came close to what drop cookie dough should be.  The cookies actually came out pretty well, they were very moist.  But she said that with all that flour, maybe a tad more ginger and cinnamon could have been added.  They tasted good to the rest of us, however.

Maria promised to make some cookies like no ever tasted.  Bet they were good, but unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, she was not able to make it.  I guess she was right, no one ever tasted the likes of them.

Then, there is Catherine’s tale of woe.  Catherine had planned to get up at five am to make her special pineapple ribbons.  That was her first mistake!  They are a rolled cookie.  Somewhere in her moving here and there, her rolling pin disappeared.  So, she used a glass to try to roll them out.  She said that did not work too well.  Her pie crimper, which she also felt was an essential tool, was also gone.  So, she used a knife.  Again, she felt this function did not turn out too good and did not make for good-looking cookies.  I know we eat with our eyes, but I can close my eyes and taste the yummy easily.  The next thing that happened was that those particular cookies are supposed to have a glaze on them.  She had forgotten to buy milk for her glaze.  After four horrible hours of trying to get her project correct, she went to the store.  I would have loved to try her cookies, but the store-bought’n  ones were okay, too.

No matter the trouble, I, Molly enjoyed all of them several times over.

The fellowship in this group is super.  Lots of laughter. 

But reviewing ones house. Fellowship, cookies and partying are not the reasons for our meeting.  We have a short business meeting; then, we move into Bible study.  Each month someone volunteers to lead the lesson. This year we are studying the Beatitudes.  I was excited at the subject matter when I first heard it.  We use a standard book recommended by the Presbytery.  In my opinion, it is AWFUL.  How can anyone mess up something so beautiful as the Beatitudes!!?  Our lesson was presented this month by our hostess.  Thank you, LORD, for giving us Dana. She went outside the book, did a lot of research and presented a wonderful lesson that produced lots of discussion.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.  Matthew 5:6

Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Luke 6:21

Pumpkin Festival Pioneer Trades Village

As mentioned in the previous blog, the best, in my opinion, our very special pioneer trades village. Those in the village this third and last weekend included:

Frisky, Springer Spaniel, star of the show. Frisky travels with us to most of our events. He is a good dog. He likes people and attention, but not too much. Too much scares him and makes him jittery. Often he sleeps under a table. In this village he slept in Lynne’s tent with his nose poking out from underneath. Just enough to get a fair amount of attention, but also to be safe and secure. Many times people do not even know that he is on site. The only time he barked all weekend was after dark on Friday when Barb and Don drove up. He is kind of a watch dog, but sometimes, we just watches.

Lynne, basket weaving, gourding, crocheting, coordinator of the village. At this event, Lynne primarily weaves pine needle baskets made from Florida long leaf pine trees. It presents a great demonstration. Part of the overall process is to collect the pine needles. They have to be gathered at just the right time. Can’t be on the ground too long as they become brittle, but they shouldn’t be green either. Lynne dyes some of the needles…black, burgundy, teal, purple. And, of course, natural. She stitches either with raffia or waxed linen thread. One of her specialties is a tiny miniature basket that can be worn as a necklace. Sometimes she adds beads, hemlock cones, or tiny feathers for decoration. She offers for sale everything she has created, including her shawls. The shawls are crocheted with an acrylic blend variegated colors. She makes them extra long. Then if one is sitting on a cold seat, one can tuck the point under them to keep the seating part warm. Very versatile. Crocheted Victorian items…collars, snoods, purses, mitts. Gourds…painted, beaded and decorated. Jewelry...earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Very talented lady!

Beth, basket weaving. It is always good to see old time trades passed to the next generation. Beth is Lynne’s daughter. She is following in her mother’s footsteps in making baskets. Although she is left-handed and Mom is right-handed, she was able to look at one of Mom’s baskets and convert it. Beth’s baskets are primarily a reed type. She likes to use color…lots of purple and blue.

 

Paul (and his alter ego Ernesto), the blacksmith. He is a lot of fun and has a heart of gold (although he tries to hide this part of his personality). Ernesto terrorizes Miss Elizabeth. Ernesto is loud and oft obnoxious. Paul, on the other hand, not so much. Although he can make anything in iron, his specialty on site is personalized horseshoes. He gave me one for my birthday at our dinner which was held Saturday night with my name correctly spelled. The bellows is (are?) huge. When he cranks it up, it produces lots of smoke and fire. He demonstrates with the coals and anvil. And sells lots of iron products.

Danielle, the creator of brooms. Danielle demonstrates the making of brooms in our earlier days. She uses straw, intricately woven and tied. The broom handle is wood. It is tied with cord. A foot pedal is helpful in her process. She sells her finished product. Through her meddling (I think), the Sweeney Family Band came and sang “Happy Birthday” to me. Thank you, Danielle. It was fun.

Deb, the potter. She likes to tell people that “mud is good.” She plays with it regularly on her potter’s wheel. Her creations are for sale. On site, her specialties are small and utilitarian…cups, mugs, bowls. But, she will make larger items by special order. The audience likes it when she makes a heart shaped bowl, which is done quite easily upon making a round bowl on her potter’s wheel. The finished products after glazed and fired are usually in brown tones, but sometimes she makes several items in cobalt blue. I noticed that by Sunday afternoon, I think, all the blue items were gone (sold).

Elizabeth, the spinner. Miss Elizabeth often uses cotton to spin. She brings cotton bolls, picks the seeds out, cards it (this takes it from boll to a workable piece to spin) and then spins it into thread (which will eventually be used by a weaver to make cloth for clothes). She has a collection of spinning wheels. Most of them have one treadle, but she has one with a double treadle. She does not bring that one out, however. She also has a drop spindle which was often used by men on Naval sailing ships to make the thread for canvas. Elizabeth explains that there are various shades of cotton—white, of course, tan, brown, and a greenish. They cannot be grown near each other because there tends to be cross-pollination. Cross pollination causes produces new and different colors. Once the cross pollination happens, the cotton cannot go back to its original color. Elizabeth demonstrates only and does not sell any of her products.

Doug and Helen, the tanners with the tepee (in which they sleep). The tepee is the number one photographed part of our village (Frisky was second). It is empty except for the bed. When the flap is open, people are welcomed to walk into it. People do some awfully goofy things to have their pictures taken in the confines of the tepee (or sometimes just outside). Fingers behind ones head to look like feathers (??!!??). Sitting crossed-legged. Sometimes, just plain silly poses. Every parent seems to want to photograph their young’uns in front of it. Doug tans hides using the traditional method on site. Captured heat is part of the process. They also do some really great hand beaded works of art. The products that he sells are beaded items and other Native American chatskas (that’s sort of a mixed metaphor, I guess).

Steve V., the candlemaker. Beeswax. Steve has a variety of beeswax items. Molded beeswax. Blocks of beeswax. But his on-site specialty is dipping candles, which he sells. The candles are yellowish in color and have a great aroma. They last much longer than other waxed candles. He also carries honey “straws” in various flavors. One of my favorites. In his other life, he is an IT expert.

Darnell, the wood carver. He uses various types of wood, some rather exotic. These woods range in color from tan to brown; from reddish to black. Spoons—for stirring, measuring. Bowls. Rolling Pins. Crochet hooks—various sizes. Tatting shuttles in two sizes. His on-site specialty is small utilitarian items—small spoons and such. Darnell and I have done a fair amount of business over the years.

Butch, the ginner. Most people have no idea what a cotton gin is. It is a machine which removes cotton seeds from the cotton boll. Butch uses a portable version. The credit for the first gin in this country is given to Eli Whitney. However, it really was invested hundreds of years ago in Egypt. I’ve been known to tell people in describing the ginning process that Eli said (tongue in cheek, of course) “Get your cotton pickin’ hands off my gin!” Butch is a demonstrator only (no sales).

Kathy, the spinner. Kathy and Butch are married…still sort of newlyweds…a couple of years. They are truly a well matched couple…full of fun…and great musical talent. Kathy is not the person that the first impression gives one. She appears quiet. Ha! She has a great sense of humor and seems to love practical jokes. Kathy spins all types of natural material. Cotton (most often, since Butch is sitting next to her ginning). Wool. Linen (flax). Dog hair (Samoyed in its pure white color is the preferred). She might even use wolf or cat hair if the strands were long enough.



Articles made from thread spun by Kathy
Cotton and linen mostly



Crocheted from Samoyed dog hair spun by Kathy



 

Barb, the quilter. Barb and Don are a long-time married couple. Barb quilts…all hand stitched. She has the quilting form set up at the front of the tent. They have a rope bed which they display with the “doors” of their tent opened. They also have a table with chairs in their tent. No place like home. She has made some really beautiful quilts over the years. From king to baby. She has osome on display on the walls of the tent as well as the one on which she is working.

Don, the horn carver. The early sailors carved whale bone and tooth. Scrimshaw. Don does similar work only he uses land based horns…cattle, etc. His carvings go from the simple to intricate. Powder horns. Decorations. Barb and Don demonstrate and do not sell.

Terry, Mr. Monty’s Toys. All low tech, no tech toys. Most are made of wood. A great toy store. Parasols. Guns. Yo-yos. Toys, toys, and more toys. Some of the staff can sometimes be seen playing Graces or rolling a hoop. Too much fun to be work. All items are for sale.

Greg, the American Civil War sailor. I love Greg’s presentation. He always wears the navy uniform of the era…sometimes his white jumper; sometimes, the blue. He discusses various armaments (some guns, rifles, cutlasses (swords, etc.) and cannon aboard ships). He has many examples that he displays and demonstrates. Depending on the weather, he also displays several prints of the Civil War. His history presentation of the Navy in the earlier periods of our country is inspiring. If you ever see Greg, ask him about the insignia on the top of his cap (not this straw hat, but his white cap). During the American Civil War, we were just moving from sailing ships to power (motorized) ships.

Christina, inkle weaving. She uses the inkle weaver to make belts. Her goal is make a belt or two each year.

Future Customer Playing with one of Steve's Wagons

Steve, the woodworker, (my Steve). Steve’s special talents are rustic wood creations. His folding tables have been sold up and down the East Coast to re.enactors and modern day campers alike. Several sizes and designs. Wagons—to carry kids and small enough for kids to carry their dolls, bears and other toys. Rifles and revolvers. Eagles for wall display—with and without holes to save state quarters. And, a very big ET CETERA!

And Molly, the yakker—that be me! I don’t have any special "trade" talents.  Since I held the camera, no pictures of me are here.  Oh, well! 

Lynne has taught me to use the inkle weaver and knitting loom. This year I used the loom between lectures on various flags used by this great country. It is such an easy process. Yet, I have managed to mess it up. So, before I can try it again, it needs to be redone for the last couple of rows.

I am, however, an amateur vexologist (study of flags). I love my country’s various flags. Two of my favorite early American flags are the “Bennington” flag and the “Star Spangled Banner.” It is appropriate to call any United States of America flag the “Star Spangled Banner,” but this phrase was first used in 1814 in a poem which became our national anthem.

The true/first “Star Spangled Banner” is the flag which Francis Scott Key saw in the Baltimore Harbor in 1814 while he was held captive on a British war ship. That flag, made of cotton and wool, was 30’ x 42’ hand sown by the Mary Pickersgill and members of her family (including an indentured servant)  of Baltimore to kind of say “in your face” to the British. It is the only United States official flag that has more than thirteen stripes. When Vermont and Kentucky came into the Union after the original thirteen, Congress had issued a resolve that the flag would add one star and one strip for each new state.1795-1818. When the next four states came into being, Congress revised their resolve to use thirteen stripes for the original colonies/states and add a star for each new state.

Part two of this lecture is to ask each person when a star is added to the flag. Most people say that it is added when the state ratifies the Constitution or when they become a state. This is only partly true. A star is added only on July 4th of any given year. The star is added on the Fourth of July after a state has become part of Union as a state. So, if a state where to become a state on July 5th of a year, they would have to wait until the following July 4th. (This was verified by a visit to the Quartermaster Museum in Ft. Lee, Virginia earlier this year). In 1959, for instance, both Alaska and Hawaii became states. Alaska, in January. So, she got her star July 4, 1959. Hawaii came later in the year (December, I think). Her star was added July 4, 1960. So, our ever changing flag had forty-nine stars for one year.

I always have something historic to discuss. Sometimes, I tell about Florida long-horn cattle (the fifth most endangered domestic breed). Sometimes, I tell why University of Miami is known as the hurricanes and why their mascot is an angry ibis (well, I don’t really know why he’s angry, but I do know why it was an ibis). I oft talk about Florida Crackers. Some people believe this phrase is derogatory. But it is no more derogatory to the descendants of Florida Crackers than my being called a Yankee descended from those early Yankee traders (the first Yankees—when the word was first used--came about in the seventeenth century, not the nineteenth).

A lecture on Confederate flagS. Right, there is not one Confederate flag. There is NO such thing as THE Confederate flag. There are many. Like the US flag of which there have been many changes due to adding a new star for each state, the Confederacy had many flags.

God has given me an incredible mind for history and trivia. Sometimes, I feel like I have a capacity for a bunch of useless information. But, people never walk away from my tales. So, perhaps, it is not so useless after all.

At the end of the day on Saturday, we pool our tables and bring a covered dish whereby we dine by candlelight. Doug and Helen traditionally grill corn which, of course, gets slathered with real butter. (Yum). Butch somehow manages to give us our hot protein. Our first weekend, it was pork barbecue and smoked pork butt; the second weekend, I understand, it was ham. This last week it was in the form of turkey. Gravy. Cornbread and Cranberry Dressing. Cranberry Sauce. Cuke Salad. Pea and green bean salad. Brownies. Pie. Rolls and Butter.  A proper feast to celebrate the big SIX-FIVE with special friends!!!

After the dishes are cleared away, Kathy, Deb, Doug and Butch pool their musical talents and instruments for a concert/jam session for the rest of us to enjoy.

I learned how to do farfees this weekend. We are not sure of the spelling…farfee, farfe, farfy, farfie (all of which spellcheck did not like). But, anyway they are fun.

One of this group learned about farfies in college (glad to see that her or her parents money was well-spent). She has since taught others. It simply is a wad of clean toilet paper, soaked in water. Then tossed to the nearest receiver. That could be a fellow student’s wall. Or a dorm corrider. Or it might be someone’s trailer or car. Or perhaps the ceiling of one’s employer. It is a good way to get over a funk. It can give one a good case of the giggles. It apparently can stick for some time (usually until someone finds it and removes it physically). Well, pre-tearing down, a bit of farfeeing happened. Some found it almost immediately. But a couple of farfies stayed up for several hours that we know about. They may still be there for all we know.

Lynne brings an incredible amount of stuff. She has a van and a trailer, both full. Five women and Steve (he helped a lot with pulling stakes and other tuff work) broke down her tent and camp with an incredible amount of speed. The event was over at five. She was home shortly after seven. That is packing all her inventory, striking the tent and its contents, packing the van and trailer, stopping for groceries, and driving the forty miles to home.

Many hands make light work.  Cliches are cliches because often they are true.

Happy Trails to You! (song originally written by none other than Dale Evans).

See y’all next year!

Leland Eutace Taylor, Jr. 2/15/1930--10/18/2011

My friend Lynne's Dad passed late on October 18, 2011.

When Lynne and I met several years ago, my Dad had already passed.  His name had never come up until one day when I was babbling about my Dad and mentioned him as "Lee."  Lynne jumped in and said "What's your Dad's name?"  Leland, why!  "That's my Dad's name too!"  We found that it was incredible that two friends had fathers with this most unusual name.  We also soon figured that their birth dates were both in February.

A few years later I met Lee.  Lynne and her family (husband, daughter and father) came to our home to dine.  He oozed with charm. (I have told him many times that he was a charming dude).  He told Lynne that with my bizarre sense of humor, I was "kookie!"  This is a label I wore well in his presence.  It seems that over the years I often made him laugh.

I was raised to call my friends' parents (and other "older" folks) "Mr." and "Mrs." unless asked to do otherwise.  I called him Mr. for many years.  Finally, one day he told me to call him "Leland."  Although, most other people called him Lee, I did not receive permission to be quite that casual. So, even though in my mind, he was Lee, I called him by the name that he had asked me to call him...Leland.

He was a veteran in two branches of service--the Marine Corps and the Air Force.  His last job was that of a printer. 

Through an unfortunate set of circumstances, he landed in a VA facility about three years ago.  He had been scammed by a bimbo (this is all too prevalent to much too many elderly people, especially Vets) and went to the VA to get help.  His health was beginning to fail;  they hospitalized him.  Eventually, however, this became his permanent home.  His hope was always to get a new truck and move on.  But, life did not give him this opportunity.

About six weeks ago, he moved to the Hospice floor.  His lungs were starting to give out on him.  His brother came from New England to visit.  His oldest granddaughter spent several days.  And his daughter stayed with him for two weeks.  Everyone told her to go home, which she finally did.

Steve and I visited him a couple of weeks ago. We had a great visit with him.  He was a brother Mason, so Steve and Leland were able to discuss this a bit.  Steve had witnessed what he thought was an unusual EA and told Leland all about it.  And, of course, I was there for "entertainment value."  He looked good, laughed a lot and smiled even more.

Saturday evening, Lynne got a call.  We were working.  Lynne is a demonstrator of "pioneer trades"--basket weaving, weaving, inkle weaving, and a whole bunch of other things.  The "pioneer" village in which we were working includes weavers of many items--baskets, cloth, belts--spinners, a cotton ginner, a tanner, a potter, a wood carver, a Civil War US Navy lecturer who brings an amazing collection of armaments and a store complete with old fashioned (low-tech, no-tech) toys.  Dad had taken a downward turn.  It would behoove Lynne to come in the near future.  Lynne had had a rough weekend up to that point.  Her husband had been very ill on Friday.  Those of us who were with Lynne voted that she should not drive the almost four hundred-ish miles until Monday morning.  She really needed to go home and check on her husband.  And, hopefully, get some rest.  We won.  And definitely correct in our analysis.

Monday morning, I left the event (see separate posting early next month) and drove home.  She called.  She was about an hour behind me.  I live seventy miles or so from Dad, so she often uses our house as either a stop-off point or a motel.  She shares the room and bed with Betsy--one of our cats.  They seem to have a good repore.  I drove to the facility and met her there.  It seemed as though his passing was eminent.  I spent the afternoon with them.  

Lynne spent forty hours by his side, holding his hand most of the time.  His three granddaughters called and Lynne held the phone to his ear so that they could say their good-byes.  By this time, he was not verbally communicating, but his expression changed.  One knew he was hearing them.  Serenity!

When he passed near eleven p.m., Lynne called.  Steve and I went to the VA.  I did not think that she could drive back to our house with the stress and late hour.  Also, a good call.

That's when I found out exactly how wonderful that facility was.  One of his nurses, Irene, had sung "Amazing Grace"!  I had missed this, but they had waited for me for everything else.  And then the very dignified ceremonies started.  He had been drapped with a red, white and blue hand made quilt which included the names of all veterans at that were residents of that VA facility who passed in 2011.  At the end of the year, the quilt will be hung in their memorial hallway.  The night nurses and staff came in.  An electric candle was lit and would stay lit in their hallway on a special stand for three days with a card stating his name and service.  They presented Lynne with a red silk rose and told her what a privilege and honor it had been for them to "serve" him as a veteran and person.

A short time later, an honor guard assembled.  The night staff walked with the quilt covered bed down the hall.  The color guard stationed near the elevator played taps and then soft music on a CD.  When the bed arrived, "Present Arms!"  (I'm tearing up again just writing this!).  This is about 12:30 am (after midnight). 

The honor guard is on call 24/7.  From what we understand, most members of the guard detail are residents of the VA facility.  The gentleman issuing the commands was dressed with a red shirt and a red, white and blue tie and lived locally.  This gentleman's wife, we were told, is a veteran, too.  So, she understands his leaving at strange hours.

Another gentlemen (a resident) was a double amputee in a wheel chair with a sparkling personality.  He offered his hand to shake to Lynne and me.  Lynne is a hugger (me, not so much).  So, he ended up getting a hug from both of us. 

It tugged at my heart to see these gentlemen saluting Lynne's Dad as he moved to the elevator.  It will send chills up my back for years to come. 

The floor on which he resided for the last three years (minus the last several weeks) presents a memorial service for those who passed in the last month.  Messrs. Taylor, Morrett, and Turner were honored.  Dr. L. Kendrick D. Min, the officiating Chaplain, is a retired navy veteran who also had done some early boot camp training at age nineteen at Army Base, Fort Dix, New Jersey, where Steve also did his boot camp.  The service was simple, very nice and very moving.  We pledged to the flag with an honor guard (men who were confined to wheel chairs).  We listened to a hymn sung by one of the residents in a beautiful baritone voice.  We cried.  And had a couple of chuckles. Present arms!  Reflection time for each of these vets were given to other men on the floor and family members.  Taps!

When Lynne and I visited the Veteran Affairs officer last week, he told us about a veteran who recently passed who had been on the Bataan Death March in the Philippines during World War II.  We are guessing that perhaps it was Mr. Morrett even though the VA officer was very careful not to mention a name.  I find it wonderfully amazing that someone who survived that horrific time lived to be in his nineties.  My mother went to school with someone who had been on that march.  He passed in his early forties (I believe).  His early demise was blamed on the bad treatment that he received from the enemy.

The Lake City VA is one of the most beautiful (the personalities of the personnel) and caring places that I have ever seen.  I think that because of its small town nature, it is probably one of the best places to reside outside one's own home.  Even members of staff not directly concerning the health of the veterans are wonderful.  Two members of the engineering department (Lyn and Michael) helped us with Lee's motorized chair.  I cannot say enough good things to say about the facility and staff.

Lee will have a memorial service with Masonic rites sometime in the near future at the Masonic Lodge closest to Lynne and her family.  His final resting place will be at a National cemetery.  Semper Fi! Rest in Peace, Leland!