Senior Discount? Yep!

Yesterday was my 55th b-day. As one of my friend wrote me, I can now get senior discounts. I don't know about that! Thank you to all who called me or greeted me on FB with B-day wishes!
I spent the day driving around Ft. Collins for the first time by myself. I stopped in the Barnes & Noble and then made my way to Whole Foods. I didn't do too poorly. I came back and watched a movie about Anne Frank on Netflix.
Today I went to Whole Foods again and they were have their annual birthday celebration. There was free cake and free samples and some bargain buys. A very busy place!
Tomorrow, Jeff A.'s grandparents are picking me up in the morning to go for coffee at....wait for it...Whole Foods!
I'm ending up Day 6 of 10 of doggy day/night care. I think we're getting to understand each other! Nattie doesn't like Jack roughing with Lucy and chases him. Lucy watches the neighbors through a hole in the fence. Jack wants to be outside a lot and know that when I open the pantry door it means treat time! Cricket just wants to sit by me. Today I got ready to go and was going to kennel them, but they were already in their kennels! I guess they know that when I change my pj's I'm going somewhere.
Well, the guys want to go to bed. So I'll write again tomorrow...
tlesr

Top of the Morning to You!

If you notice, I've posted this blog early in the AM. That's because Marie or Jeff didn't shut off their alarm clock. It went off at 4AM. Thanks guys! :) Not so bad, I'm a morning person.
By now, our time, Marie & Jeff and tour clan should be in Ireland and off to tour County Clare. The drive back from Denver wasn't too bad. Jeff set my GPS at the airport for Ft. Collins.
Yesterday I watched 3 movies: Letters From Iwo Jima, An American Werewolf in London, and Mrs. Brown. All movies I have wanted to see. M and J have Netflix. I also read more of the book, Mare's War.
The dogs are doing well. Last night I think Jack and Nattie were having a bark contest in their kennels. It didn't last too long and all settled down to sleep. I think today I will take each dog for a walk. They also like to go outside into the back yard. I think it's because they hope to get a treat when they get back in. Sorry!
Funny thing! I stubbed the middle toe of my right foot. There's a bruise there now. It looks really strange.
Well, I'm getting sleepy. So I will kennel the dogs and lay back down for awhile. You all have a grand day!
Theresa

Fish Tacos?!?

Yesterday, Marie, her friend Sarah, and I went to the newly opened Wahoo Fish Tacos restaurant in Fort Collins. Somehow, "fish" and "taco" just don't go together for me. Their motto says, "It's beach food no matter where your beach happens to be." The 'taco' part is that they use tortillas as the bread part of the meals. Has anyone else eaten at this place?
I had a combo platter of an enchilada filled with the Banzai vegetables served with brown rice and black beans. The Banzai veggies are a mix of peppers, onions, zucchini, mushrooms, and cabbage. There are 8 choices to fill your taco or enchilada with (chicken, pork, fish, steak, shrimp, mushrooms, vegetarian, and banzai veggies). Combo platters also include a choice of white or brown rice and black or Cajun beans. Toppings include cheese, enchilada red sauce, and/or Wahoo's green sauce.
The menu choices include appetizers, soup, salads, a Wahoo sandwich, combo platters, Wahoo bowls [filling over rice & beans], burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and a kid's menu. No Big Macs here! But they do serve onion rings and french fries.
BTW, Marie had a fish taco with rice and Cajun beans. Sarah had a blackened fish over rice and beans Wahoo's Bowl. We all liked the food. Well, enough of Wahoo's. And yes, I would go back again.
Today Marie and Jeff leave for Ireland. They are part of a 12 person private tour [all of the people are Jeff's relatives] of the Western and Northern parts of the island of Ireland. They fly into Shannon and depart from Dublin. I'll be driving them to the airport in Denver. They will be gone for 10 days. They actually arrive there tomorrow and right away start their tour. Terri A. and I gave them some hints and tips about travelling on the emerald isle. Terri has been there twice. Maybe someday I'll visit Ireland too. Since they are leaving, today starts my 1st day of dog sitting.
My Geoff is now the owner of a golden retriever puppy named Maggie. I'm not sure what to say about this.
Steve is expected to come to FC on July 1st. That will be nice!
I'll end this for now....
Love ya,
Theresa

Nauvoo-Hancock-IL

Marie says I should tell more about what I do on the trips......

When we were in Keokuk, IA, Dad and I travelled to Nauvoo, IL. My grandmother (Dad's mom) - Blanche Ann Eid - was born there in the late 1800's.

Nauvoo was started as a Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) settlement by leader Joseph Smith. However, Joseph died [murdered while he was in a Carthage, IL, jail] and the Mormons left Nauvoo. They left for a new place (Utah) in 1846 under the direction of Brigham Young.

Many of the Mormons just left homes, etc., and joined a wagon train headed to the West. In time, the Mormon Church has regained much of the property in and around Nauvoo and it is now a tourist attraction and an important city for the Mormons. A new Temple has been built there within the past 5 years and the homes and businesses of early Mormon Nauvoo have been restored.

LDS is not the only religion practiced in Nauvoo. There is a large population of Catholics and a Catholic school as well. Of course there are Protestant churches too. My grandmother's family was not Mormon, but French Catholic. After the Mormons left, other settlers moved in.

"Main Street Nauvoo" [Mulholland Street] offers the Old Nauvoo Hotel that serves delicious meals. There are other businesses that cater to tourists and Mormons alike. We shopped in a Mormon book store, a kitchen/snack shop, a custard shop, and Dad went to an antique shop. There are many more, plus a public restroom! The Visitors Center is modern and gives a history of the LDS Church, history of Nauvoo, and info about today's LDS Church.

The area is also rich in grapes and vineyards. The oldest winery in the state of IL [Baxter's Winery] is located in Nauvoo. Dad and I went to Baxter's Winery and participated in a wine tasting. Of course, I purchased a couple bottles of wine! My Aunt Ruth Ort Sherrill's family owned and operated a vineyard in the Nauvoo area.

My interest lies mainly in the genealogy building or Family History Building operated by the LDS Church. As all genealogists know, the Mormons have compiled vast storehouses of family histories, and not just of Mormon believers. I was not able to look up any info, but will on some future trip.

Well, if you want to know more about the LDS Chrch, the Mormons, Nauvoo, etc, just Google it or check Wikipedia online!

BTW: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! to all you Dads out there! Especially Stan S., Darrell R., and Steve R.

Until next time...

Theresa

Rocky Mountain High

This is my 3rd day [of 14+ days] of being in Fort Collins, CO! I followed my sister, Tina and her family here from Iowa on Thursday. They left for a Range family wedding in Colorado Springs. I'm staying here with my daughter, Marie and her husband, Jeff. I will have to drive back to IA alone.
HOWEVER, Marie and Jeff are heading to Ireland next Tuesday for a 10 day trip with Jeff's Hall family. Yes, Ireland! I'm watching their 2 dogs - Jack and Lucy - while they are gone. I brought along my dogs, Cricket and Nattie. So, we have a mini kennel going here! Hopefully, Steve will be able to travel over here for July 4th.
Last week I spent 4 1/2 days in Keokuk, IA, with my dad, Stan Sherrill. We stayed at my mom's sister, Aunt Mary Margaret's apt in Keokuk. While there we visited with my Dad's brother and wife (Dewaine and Ruth); cousins (Bobbie C., Carla B., Louie C., Bonnie M., Billy C., & Blake C.); toured Nauvoo, IL; visited Illinois's oldest winery; went geode hunting and found some; went to the courthouse for legal documents; visited the old Grover & Blanche Sherrill home in Hamilton, IL; and visited various family gravestones in cemeteries in IL and IA. It was a very busy 4 days! It sure looks like I have been doing a lot of travelling! I guess I have! I really don't mind the driving if I can take breaks now and then. You sure get to see a wide range of gas prices - any where from $3.43 to $4.00 per gallon.

It was was very nice to see the relatives again. I don't get to visit with them as much as I'd like. It seems we are all too caught up in our lives. I discovered the grave sites of my great grandparents - George Washington Sherrill and his wife Mary Matilda Skiles at the Greenwood Cemetery in Hamilton, IL. Uncle Dewaine told us a story for when he was a young man riding the railways to look for work in the late 1930's and he played his harmonica, too! We even went to a fish fry where we could eat all the catfish or carp we wanted. Right there on the Mississippi! My Mom sure would have enjoyed the trip!

(My Dad - Billy, Bobbie, Blake & Carla - Sharon & Aunt Mary Margaret)

Until Next Time....

Theresa