Galena

Before last weekend, the last time I spent time in Galena was with my Mom (sniff, sniff). The year was 1996, the year she was diagnosed with lung cancer - but when we took the trip, she had not yet been diagnosed. We were still oblivious. We had met Paul's sis Pat Vorwald and daughter Sarah in Galena. Amy was going with them for a few days while Mom and I traveled the area site-seeing.

Streets of Galena today

I remember shopping antique stores and visiting General Ulysses S. Grant's home. I found an antique creamer in the shape of a West Highland White Terrier that I fell in love with...but it was $60. Far too much for our budget! Mom bought a cute flamingo to put in their Florida place. We continued on our way - traveling to various scenic sites in NE Iowa that only Mom could put together. Bellevue, Bily Clocks, and Governor Larabie's Mansion in Clermont. We finished up in Independence looking for her relatives' cemetery plots (goulish - no?). Then we headed to Paul's hometown, Earlville, to collect Amy who had been delivered there, and headed home.

Later that summer, we traveled to Pat and Dave Vorwald's in Freeport, Illinois - driving through Galena - and we stopped and purchased that creamer. I couldn't stand to leave it behind. It was meant for me. I'm glad I got it! It's been a lasting momento of that trip - the last fun thing I did with Mom. When we cleaned out our parents' home, I claimed the flamingo to pair with the Westie. They make me smile.

My prize Galena possessions

Galena today has developed into an even nicer destination to visit. The quaint main street is so lovely! There are great stores and many little restaurants. Now I'd like to go back again - and I don't want to wait 15 years.

Handsome dude in window

Pals and Marrow

We were in Galena this weekend with my old pals Paula Bacon and Chris Deardorff Colletti, along with Chris's husband Larry Colletti. Paula, it seems, has a time share and decided to waste some of her points on us! And we're glad she did.

We took off about noon on Friday, driving to Galena, arriving about 5:30 PM. Galena is just across the Iowa border past another of my fave communities, Dubuque. Paula had flown into Chicago from her home in Austin, TX that morning and rode up to Galena with Larry and Chris who live in Downers Grove, a Chicago suburb. We were just getting settled into our beautiful WorldMark Club condo east of town when Larry, Chris and Paula joined us after they picked up a few groceries for breakfast the next morning. Hugs all around.

Let me tell you about these ladies. They have been friends of mine for a long time, since we went through grade school together - lots of history there. Even though Chris and Paula weren't into sports and I was, we managed to stay friends through high school. By my senior year, they were they people I hung out with the most. When it came time for college though - we all went different ways. Chris and I hooked back up when we both lived in Omaha for a time. No matter what, our shared history of growing up in A-town, slumber parties, school, dances etc. has bonded us forever! Plus we all grew up to be pretty fun!

We each got our own 1 bedroom condo, complete with a 2-way living room/bedroom fireplace and a great big whirlpool tub. There was also a nice big swimming pool and hot tub, workout area and game room. It is a very nice facility! We decided to meet at Collettis place for drinks before we headed out for supper at Vinnie Venucci's, an Italian place on Main Street in town. I mixed up Lemondrops for the gals - which they enjoyed if I do say so myself. After supper we wandered up the street a bit, and then headed back to the condo to sit in the hot tub. Paul and Larry watched the yawner of a Game 7 World Series game.

The next day (Larry Colletti's birthday!) after breakfast at Paula's (we forced Chris to get up early...she's normally a late-to-bed, late-to-rise kinda gal), we headed to town for a day of shopping and hanging out. We had a bit of chocolate, and loved the vintage store that contained goods from our era (damn...we're now vintage!) Of course there were football games going on, so there were plans to check on scores throughout the day. It was gorgeous out! We ended up standing in a sports bar watching then end of several games. Larry attended Missouri, Chris - Iowa, their daughters Annie and Kate - Illinois, and all you readers know where my heart lies - with ISU (and anybody playing against the Hawkeyes...haha).

We ended up the night at a brew pub, getting a drink and a bite to eat. They had an interesting menu that included...marrow with crackers. Yum...NOT! We did end up with a meat and cheese tray that included venison and buffalo sausage that Chris couldn't bring herself to eat. Paul was incensed. Not really.

It was entertaining to see all the costumes. Galena hosts a fantastic Halloween Parade - that we could almost see from our table! I did wander out to the street to check it out a couple times. Thousands of people lined the narrow main street. Lights, costumes, floats - even bands. It was all really awesome on a warm night for late October. I saw a couple dressed in boxes that said Barbie/Ken - with plastic on the front. I asked "Ken" if he was anatomically correct. I can't help it...these things just pop out of my mouth!

ISU vs. Texas Tech scores popped up on the TV at the bar we were at - couldn't believe we were leading! Headed back to our condo to again sit in the hot tub, while Paul watched the 2nd half of the game. I didn't want to jinx the team by watching...they had done so well without me in the first half!

This a.m. we had breakfast at a place on mainstreet and then it was time to say goodbye. I was sad to leave - such fun to see my friends again. I hadn't seen them for several years, and then I got to see them in July for our class reunion and now. When will we see each other again? I think we better make this type of get-together an annual thing!

Raindrops on roses

My Westie pitcher and Mom's flamingo both hold a place of honor right by the television in the living room. (TVs are muy importante in my family)

I know...things are just things. But being surrounded by my things...and most importantly the memories those items help me recall, brings joy to my life. Living in Waukee during the week - I miss my boy and my doggy. And my things.

In the dregs of winter, I thought I'd take time to document a few of my favorite things (sung in the Sound of Music tune...poorly by me) around my house.

I love my Moki cream pitcher. I purchased that pitcher in Galena, Illinois on a trip with my mother. She and I always had a great time when it was just the two of us. We laughed a lot. I appreciated her historical knowledge and she always did her research before trips and was the tour director. She liked my driving skills.

That trip, we first met up with Paul's sis Pat and her daughter Sarah who is Amy's age. Amy went with them and Mom and I went on our little journey. We started in Galena - touring General Grant's home there. The town's main street had a lot of cute shops - and I first saw the pitcher - a Westie just like our Moki dog - then. Mom scoped out a flamingo at the same antique store. She purchased her find, but I was hesitant to spend $50 on a pitcher - so I left it.

After a night in Galena, we made our way on the Illinois side up to a little town in Wisconsin that Mom had read about. There was a ferry there - an out of the way spot, that few people would ever find. Leave it to Mom! You had to press a buzzer to let the pilot know that people were waiting. Even then, we had to sit for a while. A carload of old women drove up - they were on a day trip from Dubuque. We enjoyed visiting with them. Finally the ferry drove up.

Next we visited Governor Larrabee's Mansion in Clermont, Iowa - another historic site. We stopped at Bily Clocks Museum in Spillville - very interesting, and ticky tocky (lots of clocks). We headed to Marquette, Iowa next where I had my first visit to a Riverboat Casino - $2o in losings. We stayed on a hillside of the river there at a place with a pink elephant by it. Mom did her homework! Who know one could have such fun vacationing in Iowa? Mom didn't overdo it on the alcohol on our trips.

The next day we headed to Independence, Iowa where Mom spent many childhood summers at relatives. We spent quite a bit of the day, walking through the cemetery looking for graves - finally, in defeat with visited the local library to look up the location of the graves. Mom told me more about her childhood than I'd ever heard before. I wish I would have paid more attention. I thought I had lots of time.

If I recall correctly, Mom and I then met Pablo and Jud in Earlville at Paul's folk's place. Mom took off for home and Paul, Jud and I headed to pick Amy up in Freeport, Illinois at the Vorwald's. On the way back we went through Galena and I got my pitcher - so glad it was still there! I had lusted after it ever since I spied it! The kids got stuffed animals like they did on many trips back then - Beanie Baby times ya know.

That fall, Mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. A death sentence it turned out. I dearly treasure that trip with Mom and the treasure I found on that trip.