Saturday 9: Happy Memorial Day

A very Happy Memorial Day weekend to you and yours!

I am happy to again join the Saturday 9'ers to answer questions given to us  at Samantha's Saturday 9 blog post.  Click the link and join us.

Saturday 9: God Bless America

Unfamiliar with Deanna Durbin's rendition of week's tune? Hear it here.

Memorial Day is the federal holiday designated to honor American service people who died in battle. 

1) Memorial Day was introduced after the Civil War. Originally called Decoration Day, this is when memorials, as well as the graves of veterans, are to be decorated with flags and flowers on this day to show our appreciation. Is there a war memorial in your neighborhood?

There are none in my actual neighborhood but there are three in our city.

• Caddo Parish Confederate Memorial (Civil War); Dedicated 1904 and it's future is uncertain at this time.  All legal action to keep it has been denied.  Sad!  Who actually thinks removing beautiful old statues will change history.  

• Veteran's Memorial (All Wars); Dedicated November 2001

• World War Memorial (World War I); Plaque Dedicated November 11, 1923

2) Andrew Johnson, our 17th President, was in office the first time Memorial/Decoration Day  was celebrated. Have you ever met one of our 45 Presidents?

No

3) According to the AAA, more than 30 million Americans will hit the road this weekend and drive more than 50 miles. Will you be traveling far from home this weekend?

No plans at this time, but who knows.  We may decide a short road trip is in order at the last minute.

4) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food?

In the south, a picnic is not a picnic without fried chicken, potato salad, watermelon and lots of sweet iced tea.

As a child though, we loved packing up pimento & cheese and peanut/butter sandwiches and picnicking together as a family.  Those were sweet times.

5) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on?

BOTH!

Temperature is supposed to reach the 90's and feel like 100 today so in our home every room has a ceiling fan (even the master bath) and the A/C never cuts off.

6) Though she's belting out one of America's best loved patriotic songs, Deanna Durbin was born in Canada. Is there anyone in your family or circle of friends who wasn't born in the USA?

No, we are all native born Americans and proud of it!

7) No longer a household name, Ms. Durbin was once one of the biggest stars in the country. One of her most popular films was 1937's One Hundred Men and a Girl, which was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. Recommend a movie that you really like, but don't think many Saturday 9ers have seen.

War Room is one of several really strong movies written and produced by Kindrick Brothers Productions.

8) Back in 1938, Deanna Durbin had her handprints cemented in front of the TCL Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd. Have you ever visited that Los Angeles tourist attraction?

I have not

9) Random question: What food did you hate as a child, but enjoy now?

Okra

Wednesday Medley: Road Tripping

It is Wednesday so time to join other "Medleyers" to answer Terri's questions revolving around a National Day.  Today's topic happens to be one of favorites.

Click HERE to join the discussion about road tripping.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL ROAD TRIP DAY – Friday Before Memorial Day

1.  Have you ever done a spur-of-the-moment road trip?  Where did it take you?

Interesting you should ask because my Monday blog post was about a spontaneous road trip to the historic town of Jefferson, Texas.

Read all about it HERE!

2.  If time and money wasn't an issue, what roads would you choose to travel and how long would you be gone?

Our first choice right now would be up the Blue Ridge Parkway into the northeastern states. 

Another trip on our bucket list is out west into Arizona and surrounding states. 

We would also love to go back to California and travel Hwy 1 along the coast and go up north from there.  Several weeks should take care of each of my dream road trips.

3.  When you go on a long road trip, what snacks and beverages do you take?

Our favorite snack for road trips is cheese and grapes.  We also take lots of nuts.  The only beverage we take is water, but Dick loves to stop for coffee along the way.

  Do you pack a picnic?

If we plan to travel straight thru to a destination then yes, we do pack a picnic to eat in the car.

 Does the back seat turn into a nest? 

You have evidently seen our back seat.

If it is just a short road trip, then no, the back seat stays neat and tidy other than the necessities.

However, if it is an extended trip like when we go to our son's home in Indiana for a couple weeks, we will have an overflowing back seat.  Neat but overflowing.  We have an Avalon so the trunk, though large is always full of luggage and stuff; the back seat holds our hanging clothes, chill bag and/or ice chest, camera, laptop, etc.  We truly look like the Clampetts!

4.  Please tell us about something interesting or strange you have seen on the side of the road.

Other than the occasional piece of furniture or someone's garbage I can't think of anything specific.

5.  Who does the driving when you head out in the car?  Do you stop in the rest areas along our Interstate highways when you have to use the facilities, or do you choose a fast-food restaurant or gas station instead?  Not TMI... inquiring minds want to know!

When we first strike out, Dick always drives.  When we do stop either at a truck stop or Interstate Rest Stop, I usually take over.  I do the majority of the driving on long trips.  We kid and say only one of us has to drive at a time that way.

6.  Please share something with us about your week so far.

My weekend in Dallas was so much fun.  I was able to see Granddaughter Ava Grace do an amazing job on an acting audition Saturday morning, and then ride out the terrible afternoon storms at home before going to the dance competition that afternoon and evening.  She and friend Chandler did so well.

Sunday, we celebrated Granddaughter Cassidy's upcoming 23rd birthday with lunch together before I started my 3-hour road trip home.

This week will consist of morning trips to the gym and then days spent on whatever projects I can find.

Friday night we plan to go to the Little Theater to see "Legally Blonde."

I am also reading a book I bought Sunday entitled "2 Chairs" by Bob Beaudine.  Bob spoke in church at Prestonwood Baptist Church about the book and I bought a copy for all three of the men in my family.  I decided to read it before Dick could get to it.

Bob stresses the importance of making one-on-one time with God every day.  Not study or meditation time, but a real sit-down, let's visit kind of meeting time.  I look forward to implementing this.

May you have a great rest of your week.

Sunday Trip to Jefferson

A few Sundays ago Dick suggested we take a road trip after church and lunch with friends.  He didn't have to ask twice.

We decided on the small town of Jefferson in East Texas, which is only an hour away.  It had been years since we had been there and really didn't remember anything about it.

Along the way we found this interesting sight.

We weren't sure of the significance of all the old bikes but assume there is an intriguing story there somewhere.

We also saw this relic of a school house.  We found the stonework of interest and later saw several homes in Jefferson made of the same material, so it must be a local stone.

A sign of desertion.  I hope that last piece of mail got picked up.

Little did we know that the re-enactment of The Andrews Raid was wrapping up that day.  Our late arrival had meant we missed the final battle.  We hoped the right side won.

I did learn something about this battle though.  Evidently, it was the Civil War's most gripping railroad story and took place aboard a live steam train and is called "The Train Battle of Port Jefferson."

We did get to see the dismantling of the two camps and enjoyed seeing some still in costume walking around the village.

The first attraction upon entering Jefferson from the south is the 

"1879 Howe Truss Lighted Bridge".  Of course we didn't get to see it lighted but I'm sure it is a sight at night when lite.

We parked near this bridge and started our walking tour through the old downtown and so enjoyed seeing the business district with its historic buildings.

The original County Courthouse is definitely a historical landmark.  The bikers were out on this gorgeous day.

The Main Street is lined with old buildings and because this is a tourist town, most still contain some sort of business although few were open on Sunday.

This store has served East Texas as a hardware Store and a General Store since the 1870's and the inside is still authentic.

This building with the flower garden balcony reminded us of New Orleans.  Wrought iron balconies are a common sight here in Jefferson also.

If we had not already eaten, this might have been temping.  It is an 1880's building and the history behind the Cornbread Sandwich can be found HERE.

The building which now contains the Jefferson Historical Society Museum was constructed in 1888 - 1890 as a Federal Courthouse and Post Office.

Jefferson is home to more state registered historic structures than anywhere else in Texas, many of which are also listed on The National Registry of Historic Places.

One of these is the The Excelsior House.  It has been in continuous operation longer than any other hotel in the whole state of Texas.  That says a lot.  If you like antiques and southern charm, this is the place for you. 

Right across the street is the Historic Jefferson Hotel.  It was built in 1851 but is currently closed for renovations.

Another historic building boasts the town's Golden Era Mural.

Evidently the Garden Club of Jefferson provided personal tours for the weekend, or just maybe a fancy mode of conveyance.

There is only a block that separates the business section from the residential.  This stature serves as the line of demarcation.

The Stearns Fountain was given to the City of Jefferson by the children of Jacob and Ernestine Sterne in 1912.  Cast of pure bronze, it is the statue of Hebe, the Greek goddess of youth.  It is still used as a water source for horses, cows, dogs, cats, and people.

On the right side corner of the fountain is the Carnegie Library.

Built in 1907, it is one of four libraries in Texas, from the original 34, to currently operate as a library.  Some early fascinating facts can be found HERE

The following pictures are of the many historic homes we were able to see from our self-guided tour.  I have learned since that there is so much more to see of Jefferson, and that calls for another road trip.

One must take care walking on the sidewalks because of the tree roots tearing up what appears to be very ancient concrete.  But, it was such a lovely walk.

The Schluter House is a lovely Colonial-style home and was built in 1856 by F. A. Schluter, who was one of the first six settlers in Jefferson.  This private residence sits atop a small hill at the end of a main street and overlooks one of the towns small parks.  There is also a Schluter Building on Main Street.

There are over 26 Bed & Breakfasts in Jefferson and each is unique.

We found the old walls and steps to some of the homes very interesting and doubt they see much use.  But oh the tales they could probably tell.

I hope you enjoyed seeing Jefferson, Texas as much as we did and I will let you know when we make a return trip.