11/5/21
11/3/21
Day Trip through Rural MO 2019
A day trip into rural MO.
We drove through Hermann, New Haven, Bonnets Mill, Chamois, Frankenstien, and Washington, MO.
We were almost to Jeff city.
We crossed and visited the Missouri, Osage, and Gasconade rivers and they were still very high.
We saw Rump 2020 campaign signs.
We saw endless American flags, billboards and signs promoting their white Jesus.
This is the Gasconade river still above flood stage.
We talked to a 77 year old man who just pulled this boat in from the water. He said the river had only recently dropped to this level.
It's still quite high.
He'd been out fishing but didn't catch anything and complained about Asian Carp.
I'd read about Asian Carp in the Missouri Conservation magazine and was actually able to hold a conversation about this highly invasive species with him. I was surprised to recall the details.
They cause serious damage to the native fish populations in the lakes and rivers that they infest because they out-compete other fish for food and space. They eat the alga which newly hatched fish need for food to grow into minnows. They are also thought to lower water quality, which can kill off sensitive organisms like native freshwater mussels.
They were imported by the US from Asia to help aquaculture and wastewater treatment facilities keep retention ponds clean but chronic flooding caused accidental releases that allowed these fish to escape into the Mississippi River system and migrate into the Missouri and Illinois rivers.
And now they are in the Gasconade river.
He told me they jump into his boat.
That's Cor-ten steel on the bridge.
The white gravel had recently been dumped there by the county to provide traction over the mud.
We drove through Hermann, New Haven, Bonnets Mill, Chamois, Frankenstien, and Washington, MO.
We were almost to Jeff city.
We crossed and visited the Missouri, Osage, and Gasconade rivers and they were still very high.
We saw Rump 2020 campaign signs.
We saw endless American flags, billboards and signs promoting their white Jesus.
This is the Gasconade river still above flood stage.
We talked to a 77 year old man who just pulled this boat in from the water. He said the river had only recently dropped to this level.
It's still quite high.
He'd been out fishing but didn't catch anything and complained about Asian Carp.
I'd read about Asian Carp in the Missouri Conservation magazine and was actually able to hold a conversation about this highly invasive species with him. I was surprised to recall the details.
They cause serious damage to the native fish populations in the lakes and rivers that they infest because they out-compete other fish for food and space. They eat the alga which newly hatched fish need for food to grow into minnows. They are also thought to lower water quality, which can kill off sensitive organisms like native freshwater mussels.
They were imported by the US from Asia to help aquaculture and wastewater treatment facilities keep retention ponds clean but chronic flooding caused accidental releases that allowed these fish to escape into the Mississippi River system and migrate into the Missouri and Illinois rivers.
And now they are in the Gasconade river.
He told me they jump into his boat.
That's Cor-ten steel on the bridge.
The white gravel had recently been dumped there by the county to provide traction over the mud.
11/2/21
10/31/21
In The Wild
I found this at the FP Goodwill store.
This is a rare blue Crown Trifari Necklace & Bracelet Alfred Philippe Blue Fruit Salad necklace and bracelet set from the 50s. Scored for 1.99, sold for $225.
Man, I love my gig.
This is a rare blue Crown Trifari Necklace & Bracelet Alfred Philippe Blue Fruit Salad necklace and bracelet set from the 50s. Scored for 1.99, sold for $225.
Man, I love my gig.
The Sixth Decade
Delighted to have found a scarf in The Wild that almost matches my 80s plaid jacket. I was wearing this yesterday in Cracker County, IL and was called a 'liberal mess' by a passing woman.
I suppose plaid indicates a uniform but bish, I'm much more to the Left.
I suppose plaid indicates a uniform but bish, I'm much more to the Left.
10/28/21
Ingenuity
From a generation of menfolk who had the ability to ideate via years of tinkering in the garage. Men who took Shop classes in high school and were challenged towards results and, as a result, had self esteem and confidence.
These men were kids who learned about mechanisms and engineering while playing with their train sets.
My dad was one of them.
On either top side of this garage rear view mirrors had been mounted to allow a view of the alley when exiting.
These men were kids who learned about mechanisms and engineering while playing with their train sets.
My dad was one of them.
On either top side of this garage rear view mirrors had been mounted to allow a view of the alley when exiting.
Busch. The Maternal wing
My grandfather was William (Wilhiem) Busch.
First chair. STL symphony Concert Master.
During the Depression he travelled the country to chase work.
From Enright to Hortus Ct so his children could attend Roosevelt.
First chair. STL symphony Concert Master.
During the Depression he travelled the country to chase work.
From Enright to Hortus Ct so his children could attend Roosevelt.
10/24/21
I'm a Hollywood Darling
This man's father bought a hyper rare Orry Kelly necktie via the 1920s from me.
Kelly was making these while he was in NYC with the help of his then lover, Archibald Leach, who of course became Cary Grant.
He sent this photo today along with:
Hi Christian,
My son really liked his birthday gift! I’ve attached a photo he had taken at Hearst’s Castle. He is on one of their Boards. They had an event Sunday which gave him an opportunity to wear it.
The NY Times interviewed him about the tie during the event. I don’t know if/when they will use the interview. Thanks again!
Kelly was making these while he was in NYC with the help of his then lover, Archibald Leach, who of course became Cary Grant.
He sent this photo today along with:
Hi Christian,
My son really liked his birthday gift! I’ve attached a photo he had taken at Hearst’s Castle. He is on one of their Boards. They had an event Sunday which gave him an opportunity to wear it.
The NY Times interviewed him about the tie during the event. I don’t know if/when they will use the interview. Thanks again!
10/23/21
My Familiar
The crow slams into the window, drops to the sill, glances at me with embarrassment and hops onto the mantle.
I've had a bad day, loaded with physical pain but void of content.
Tears crash to my chest. The crow is watching my reflection in the mantle mirror. I can't stop crying. I am thinking of being in the ER today and the woman in the room next to me who wouldn't stop sobbing. I listened to understand her pain and realized she was crying about a loss.
At first I was annoyed since I was trying to read. When I became aware of my selfishness, I was very ashamed.
Now I am crying with frustration and about all I won't be able to righten.
Your eyelashes are sparkling, the crow says, there's glass dancing around your eyes.
I don't have any eyelashes he says looking in the mirror.
He sighs.
He does a soft shoe in the dust, a small sweeping of tiny steps, a hissing really, then he stops and takes a bow.
The bow is more of a harsh jerk, graceless. The crow blinks at me but just the once.
I smile.
Clean up the glass, he says, Wake up and smell the coffee.
I've had a bad day, loaded with physical pain but void of content.
Tears crash to my chest. The crow is watching my reflection in the mantle mirror. I can't stop crying. I am thinking of being in the ER today and the woman in the room next to me who wouldn't stop sobbing. I listened to understand her pain and realized she was crying about a loss.
At first I was annoyed since I was trying to read. When I became aware of my selfishness, I was very ashamed.
Now I am crying with frustration and about all I won't be able to righten.
Your eyelashes are sparkling, the crow says, there's glass dancing around your eyes.
I don't have any eyelashes he says looking in the mirror.
He sighs.
He does a soft shoe in the dust, a small sweeping of tiny steps, a hissing really, then he stops and takes a bow.
The bow is more of a harsh jerk, graceless. The crow blinks at me but just the once.
I smile.
Clean up the glass, he says, Wake up and smell the coffee.
Oct 2014
Bellie had been with me for 3 weeks. ABout one month before the tape worm inside of her was discovered.
My favorite Bird
I've only seen one Indigo Bunting in my life and it was in Sullivan, MO. It was a brilliant blue.
And then there's my collection of vintage illustrated bird books :)
10/20/21
Your Daily Golden Moment
Evidence that CBD treats have made her a different dog: She's added my shoe to the collection she's gathered and is pretending that it's not there when I asked about it.
Also? She LOVES to rip up strands of beads.
Dawgs are wiley
Also? She LOVES to rip up strands of beads.
Dawgs are wiley
Humane Society Logo
23 years ago I owned a retail store on S Grand.
One day a woman at the counter was chatting to me about her gig at the HS and their recent move from across the street. How files hadn't been kept. We don't even know who designed our Logo, she said.
James Hogan designed it, I told her. Circa 1975 while he was teaching at FPCC.
He also designed the St Louis Zoo antelope logo.
One day a woman at the counter was chatting to me about her gig at the HS and their recent move from across the street. How files hadn't been kept. We don't even know who designed our Logo, she said.
James Hogan designed it, I told her. Circa 1975 while he was teaching at FPCC.
He also designed the St Louis Zoo antelope logo.
10/19/21
Art in Bloom, 2019
With BFF, Ms Scott. We actually met in the Wild circa 2015.
Art in Bloom prior to The Panic.
Art in Bloom prior to The Panic.
D-Con Mouse Trap fail
The mouse broke into the top of the trap to get the peanut butter instead of entering the trap door. Hahahahahaaaa.
Don;t waste your money unless you enjoy entertaining mice.
Don;t waste your money unless you enjoy entertaining mice.
10/18/21
Kathleen Pritchett writes about teaching at St Patrick's School in East St Louis
It was a wonderful experience for a student teacher. We were supervised by the nuns who were very understanding and helpful. I always enjoyed eating lunch with the ladies (nuns) because they were so honest and refreshing in their perspectives. 
The interior if I remember correctly was rather plain. But, there were glazed bricks in the hallways. And, of course it had that 'old school' smell: paper, varnish, glue. Everywhere inside the school was clean and orderly. The students were use recycled paper, crayons, glue, etc. which helped. (I brought used office paper for coloring time.)
I seem to remember a pretty courtyard in the middle of the school.
All of the basic subjects were taught in 1st grade. And,it was expected that the student would learn no matter how challenging. Older students from the upper grades were assigned to younger students who were having a difficult time in any given subject. It was done is such a kind and helpful way. And, of course, religion was taught.
The classrooms were large, but I remember the class I taught within had about 60 first-graders. We had them stacked everywhere! Now, the State of Illinois would not allow such numbers. But, I always remember all of the students from young to oldest, had such manners and respect. They were such happy kids who were full of love. And, St. Patrick's did not have many disciplinary problems. (Yes, the nuns could give a student the 'stink eye' one time and then, very few problems after that.)
Once, I had a tour of the old nuns quarters: very small bedrooms with a bed, table and desk with light. At one time, I suppose the school had many sisters teaching there and all the classrooms were open. There were about 30 of these bedrooms.
One older nun who I often chatted with told me how she hated the her heavy habit and all of the bells & whistles to it she had to wear. She told me hers was a dark brown color with several layers. She only had 2 complete habits. At the end of the day (especially after recess duty) , she would be drenched in sweat and had to hand wash her habit each evening. (She was very glad after 1965, the full habits were not required anymore for her order.)
I would daydream at times, imagining how the school looked and sounded in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. I did not go to a Catholic school during my elementary education, but my husband did. He told me many stories of his elementary days' antics. In the 50s, the tuition very very low per child. In the 80s, when my children went to a Catholic grade school,it was $225 per month for of my daughters. Now, it is like paying college tuition (especially in the St. Louis Catholic schools). The neighborhood was nice and full of wonderful people too. Often,the mothers or grandparents would help out during the day.
In all, it was one of my best teaching experiences. Today, modern school buildings do not seem to have the 'soul' of older buildings from past times. All the older buildings which had several floors are being torn down for the flat, sectioned type building. (Of course, fire regulations, etc dictate that.) It would be nice to find if someone has documented older schools in photographs.
Kathleen Pritchett
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)