Clandestine Bouquet

I hope you had a nice Mother's Day yesterday! I did. These are the flowers my husband gave to me for the occasion, plus dinner out. He 'borrowed' them from a couple of houses that just had more flowers than they knew what to do with. Of course, he did it in the dark of night. In my mind's eye, I can just see him scurrying around! It makes me smile. It is always so wonderful to get flowers of any kind. Whether they are expensive ones from a florist or the kind borrowed in the cloak of night. Whatever the age of the man though, old or young, it is such a romantic sight to see your man standing in the doorway holding a bouquet of flowers that he picked himself with you in mind.  Thank you, honey!

Talk to you soon,

Tammy

Blue Birds Are Back

 

Each year we are fortunate that bluebirds take up residence in our back yard. I say fortunate because--well, look at them! They are so beautiful! And their box is outside my kitchen window so I get to have my coffee each morning while watching them. As you can see, their set-up isn't the most attractive but it is functional. The metal pole the birdhouse sets on doesn't let Buckette, the black snake, get up there. The rabbit wire under the feed dish keeps the cats from jumping them when they aren't looking. The rock in the feed dish keeps it from being too wobbly. This set up works at our house and for years now we have bluebirds successfully hatch out each spring. I buy several thousand meal worms and keep them in my fridge to feed them every morning. I noticed this morning that

both the male and female were taking worms into the house so that means the eggs have hatched out! I'll step up the amount of worms I give them tomorrow. They are devoted parents. And are devoted to each other. The male will feel the female. He feeds her when she is setting on the nest. They get quite tame, too. When I go out in the morning to feed them, I call, 'bluebird, bluebird', put the worms in the tray and barely get two steps away when they come flying down to get the worms. This is definitely one of the cool things about living in the country. I like it out here. Even with all the water. 

Talk to you soon, 

Tammy

"The Raid On Rocher"

The Civil War visited Prairie du Rocher this weekend as the town re-enacted the most likely only documented skirmish in Illinois during the Civil War. "The Raid On Rocher", as it is being called, happened on April 6, 1864. Some Confederates from Missouri were in town that day and a Union Militia Cavalry unit came across the ferry into Illinois to capture them. They chased them around town and up the bluff. At the end of the skirmish two Confederates were killed and two captured and one Union soldier was wounded. But it didn't end there. The Union troops tore up the town, raiding the local store and stealing horses and guns from several houses in town. For the re-enactment we had the 10th Missouri Cavalry Unit leading the way. They brought 8 horses with them. It was an awesome sight! Many local townspeople took part.

We had soldiers and militia of every age shooting their guns and having a great time!

The central spot for gathering between skirmishes was the Creole House. Visitors enjoyed coming up on the porch and talking with the soldiers and the 'ladies'.



Below is a picture of Laurie Becker, the caretaker of the Creole House. I had her pose for this shot. Thanks for indulging me, Laurie!

Below is a picture of when the Union Militia caught one of the Confederate soldiers that was hiding in the bluffs. He put up quite a fight, but he was outnumbered.

Come join us next year when the town will be doing the re-enactment again! Talk to you soon,  Tammy