Happy Birthday to My Little Sis ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I'm the oldest. Frankly, I liked it that way, but mom and dad had other plans. So one day, on November 13 quite a few years ago, a little bundle was brought to our house. They delivered her the same day as our Sylvania black and white TV was installed in the living room, right across from the only rocker in the house.

When my little sis was brought home, I don't know what made me happier....holding her little hand while I rocked her and sang her a song... or holding her, rocking and watching Superman and Pinky Lee on TV.

Our relationship through the years hasn't always been smooth....most sisters don't have a heavenly match-up. In fact, if I see "white", she is usually seeing "black." So goes it. She can aggravate me, infuriate me, humble me, and shock and awe me. But I know she always loves me. And, I her.

This morning when I asked her if she was ready for her birthday, she replied, "I don't think in years since I don't feel any different. I look in the mirror and see time has marked me, so there's no need for me to mark time."

When I asked her if I could use this wonderful quote, she replied, "It will cost you Two Hail Barack's and an Our Michelle, who art so well dressed." That is my sister. Funny, intelligent, independent, sarcastic, irony running through her blood, and forever younger than me.

Happy Birthday, Cindy! Being your sister is one of the greater roads I take on life's journey. We have shared Pinky Lee, Superman, pets named Honey, Tiny and Buddy. You were my first dance partner, always the Bride when we played wedding, the alto to my soprano and the dish dryer to my dish washer. I hope your day is absolutely wonderful!! Now everyone....email her on November 13 at mpcoinc@comcast.net and wish her a great day!!!

INDIAN(A) SUMMER

1. The view of a perfect Indian(a) summer from our back yard, looking into the Salamonie State Forest.

2. Crossing the bridge at Cool Creek Park, Noblesville on Election Day, Nov. 4, 2008

3. Grave of Frances Slocum, Wabash County's most famous female. Cemetery is located near Somerset, Indiana. Taken over fall break, Oct. 31, 2008.

NEW FLASH ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~! ! ! !

Contrary to what I believed would happen, Barack OBama was elected president of the United States yesterday, and when I check this morning, NO ONE had rolled over in their grave! I humbly stand corrected!!!!!

Happy Halloween!!! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

What is more fun for the average kid than Trick or Treating!!! Bags of contraband candy carried back to the house in pillow cases converted into stash holders!!

Dismembering a pumpkin and transforming it into a ghoulish, lighted piece of fruit! Halloween is almost a trade-off for the end of summer and back to school....and it is the perfect intermission between Easter (that other candy-laden holiday of the year) and Christmas (which doesn't compare to any other holiday for guiltless consumption of all things sweet!!!)





Little Alison is going to be a Princess this year. All I have is last year's photo. Our little Angel went or trick or treating as a cute little devil!


We are going to have (from left): Gabi as a High School Musical Cheerleader (I think she looks like High School Amish with her long sleeved black top and tights to keep her warm); Dani as Doctor Destructo and Izi as a Crazy Little Crocodile!






Oh, squishy, gooey gobs of pumpkin guts!!!

If It's October, It's Apple Pickin' Time!!!!

My sister has an apple tree in her side yard. It's been there forever. I know I have taken a few apples from it in years past, but this year, with the economy being in the dumpster, I thought it was just plain dumb not to take her up on her offer of free apples....especially since she even picked them for me! Thanks, sis! She reports she has picked over 200 pounds of apples from this tree. Enough fall fruit to go around to family and friends!


Gabi helped grandpa peel the apples. We had a real assembly line going! Grandpa peeled, I cored, Grandma Behny picked out the small spots and started them cooking. Then, when they were all cooked and cooled, we bagged and froze. Only one bag bit the dust (or the basement floor), as I realized the bag wasn't sealed about the same time that mom reached for it. The worst mess was in her shoe....yes, it fell on her foot!


Three days before we did my apples, Izi and I went to MimiBB's to help her do her apples. This was such a walk down memory lane for me! How many times I have helped my Grandma in the kitchen. My mom looks so much like her, that this picture of Izi and mother made me miss my Grandma all the more!


When all the work was finished, Grandpa and Izi took a break on the porch and watched the leaves fall!






And finally, the Apple of my eye for this year or any other, my beautiful daughter, Kitty. She was going to a wedding when I snapped this picture of her.

St. Patrick's Bratfest - YOU ARE INVITED

Next Saturday, October 25, from 5-8 p.m., the St. Patrick's BratFest will be held at the Knights of Columbus lodge on Huntington Street in Wabash. You are all urged and invited to attend. Tickets are $6 for adults, and kids under ten are free! What a great way to experience authentic German food AND help out a good cause!

I have been a Friend of St. Patrick's since 2000. It is a wonderful, but very small, organization. We are lucky to have twelve mighty members at any given time, but we have accomplished so much since our formation. We are a non-denominationl group of people and our ONLY focus is to maintain and restore Historic St. Patrick's Church in Lagro, Indiana. The church was built in 1873. It was the third Catholic church in this little town, the first having been erected in the 1830's, during the height of the construction of the Erie Canal.

When the church was dedicated by Bishop Dwenger in 1873, there were 300 active Parish families. By 1999, the congregation of St. Patrick's had declined to the point that the Diocese of Ft Wayne-South Bend decommissioned the church from its Parish status to that of Oratory (House of Prayer). The church was in danger of becoming just another old building, until FOSP member and long-time St. Patrick's parishoner Ann Driscoll, worked tirelessly to establish the church as part of the National Registry.

• The small top picture shows the rear of the church, with the organ and circular staircase.
• The Main Altar (first picture) showcases St. Patrick of Ireland in the stained glass window.
• The Side Altars are of St. Mary and St. Joseph.

The organ has great historic value and has been written about in many regional periodicals. Built in the 1840's by Henry Erben, a New York City organ builder,the organ had not been used since the early 1940's when the pipes had fallen prey to thieves looking for scrap metal.

In the spring of 2004,Hal Gober, a Canadian restorationist, came to Lagro, disassembled the organ and carted it back to his workshop for a full restoration. The restoration was over $60,000....all of it raised by Friends of St. Patrick's through fund-raisers, donations from the community and others who love the old church. The Organ was dedicated in 2005 and in the summer of 2007, St. Patrick's hosted the American Historical Organ Society for a day in June. The organ was the main focus and a wonderful recital was given. Over 200 organ enthusiasts joined us for the concert and dinner afterwards.

St. Patrick's biggest problem is that of money. Of course, we know we are not alone. There are many worthy causes wanting some of our donated dollars. We feel, however, that the church has so much historical significance.....most importantly, Mother Church of the Wabash River Valley and, we believe, the Crown Jewel of the little town of Lagro, Indiana.....which takes us back to Bratfest '08.

The food is just wonderful! German Brats (beer marinated!), authentic warm German potato salad, calico beans, Black Forest Cake, and many other side salads and drinks. This year, we have added grilled hamburgers to the menu. Polka music, bar available for beer and wine, and great company!!! Please join us! If you are unable to attend but would like to help us keep St. Pat's on the historic road map, email me. I have suggestions for you!!!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!! SAT. 10-25....5-8 PM....BRING YOUR APPETITE & $6.00!!!

A Visit with the Princess of Noble(sville)

We received a phone call from the Queen of Noble(sville). "Help," she cried. "We've been invited to spend a weekend away but the Princess will have no one with whom to play!"

So we packed our bags quickly and off we went to visit our Princess, Alison.

Our mission was two-fold: To keep Alison busy so as not to miss mom and dad, and to be indulgent grandparents for 48 hours.

The Queen had left a detailed listing of what the Princess should (and should not) eat, what the Princess should (and should not) drink, what to wear, when to nap, and suggestions for dealing with the Princess' mercurial temperament from time to time. Thanks, Queen for taking time to make the list! Yes, I did read it and followed it most of the time! :=)

As we waved goodbye to the Queen and her King, Papaw and I made a list of all the places we could visit with Alison and all the fun things we could do over the weekend.

Before we ventured to any place fun, Papaw had

a job to do, and that was fix the Princess' castle.

The doorbell had quit ringing, the fireplace had quit firing, the phone wouldn't ring, the fridge wouldn't light up and the oven wouldn't "bake". It was frightful to think what could be wrong. After much probing and prodding with an assortment of tools, a corroded "D" battery was found at fault.

Papaw replaced the battery and as you can tell, the playhouse is now good as new. This is one of the bedroom windows that the Princess and her Paw are looking through.

On Friday night we went to McDonald's to play, and to Target to look at all the holiday decorations. We came home and took our bath, then went to bed so easily that Mimi was astonished! Night one complete....All day Saturday and Saturday night lay ahead.

We decided to spend the most of Saturday at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. It is such

a wonderful place to visit! From the mammoth

train engine in the basement that was used in

Madison over a hundred years ago, to the Carousel on the top floor that was once in Broad Ripple Park, the museum is filled with interactive adventures for young and old. We spent quite a lot of time at Playscape. This is for the under two set and has lots of water toys, climbing toys, sand, steps, noisemakers and never less than 200 small fry running around. The worst part about the Children's Museum is having to share the fun with the very people the Museum was built for!

We ended our day with rides on the Carousel. Alison chose the lion and then a tiger. Since she is under three, she has to ride the stationery

animals. She much prefers the carousel animals
to go up and down. So, after leaving the Museum, we drove to the park in Noblesville which does have a carousel with horses that go up and down. A couple of rides there, a few swings in the swing and down the slide a few times and we were ready for ice cream.

When I asked Princess Alison what kind of ice cream she wanted to get at Mary Moo's, she said "blue." As one can readily see, "Cotton Candy" blue ice cream was available. It did wonderful things to her lips, and later her neck, hands and jacket.

By Sunday morning, Alison was ready for the Queen

and King to return home. She spent a restless
night and tossed and turned, calling out more than once for mommy and daddy. And, while we were glad that our weekend had gone so well, we told Alison that another fun weekend is only a phone call away!

Thanks Alison for sharing your world with us for a couple of days! We had fun and will treasure the memories we made in the world of Princess Alison!!!