4th OF JULY…ITALIAN STYLE

Monday, July 29 – Ever do anything as crazy as celebrating USA's birthday Italian style? Marsha's mom was a full-blood Italian. Many of the family gatherings have an Italian influence. For the past many years, Marsha's brother, Rod, has had the "official" 4th of July celebration at his home. This year, he put a twist on the celebration. Rod asked us all to dress up "Italian" style (red, white and green) for the picnic. Don't have to ask Marsha or our daughters twice . As soon as Carrie arrived from Houston, Kelly, Carrie and Marsha hit the stores for their outfits. Well, here is the results of their shopping day
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Notice Paul's shirt…His Italian name is "Runs with Beer."

Carrie, Dave (His mustache some how moved up his face.) and Kelly

Need less to say, we won the "Best Dressed Family" award. Prize…delicious bottle of Italian vino.
In honor of the day, Marsha made a three layer Jell-O dessert using the Italian colors. She placed the Italian flag in Ohio. She called her dessert "The United States of Italy."



We had a wonderful day of celebrating the 4th Italian style.


On a little less fun note…time to give the 5^th Wheel a good scrubbing – top to bottom. Paul used Camco Blackstreak Remover (thanks Rick for your product endorsement) and a bucket of Murphy's Oil Soap & water. He used the good old “down on the hands and knees” method and scrubbed the vinyl roof with a brush. It came out looking sparkling and new!





He next moved to the sides and gave the a good scrubbing using his long handle RV brush and a sponge.



He let this all air dry for several hours and then coated everything with 303 Protectant. This gives everything a nice shiny finish and is a good coat of protection for fiberglass. He also used it on the rubber seals and the tires.



That should keep the 5^th Wheel looking good for the rest of the summer. Paul periodically wipes it down with The Solution – another product he likes – and will probably give it a good washing once more before leaving at the end of summer.

Bella is making new friends every day. These two stared at each other for a very long time.


Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

A LITTLE CATCH UP IS IN ORDER

Monday, July 22 – We have been enjoying our visits with family and friends. Sometimes we are having so much fun we don't have time to post. This summer it seems that many bloggers are having the same wonderful problem.

Below is a catch-up post on some of the things we have been doing.

In preparation for building a fence across the wall Paul constructed on the rear property line, he had a load of wood chips delivered. He wants to spread them around the fence to help with weed control. The fellow on the phone said he would bring out a truckload. We never imagined the size of a truckload. It was humongous! What will we ever do with all these wood chips?

Paul installed a vinyl fence along the rear property line. This is where he built the stone wall. The fence sits on top of the wall and provides plenty of privacy for our backyard.

The beginning.

There's really not a neighboring house behind us, but the fence provides a nice background for Marsha's flowers and gives us a “court yard” effect for our rear yard and patio.

He purchased the fence at Home Depot and so far is very happy with it. It installed as planned – once you get the hang of it – and seems pretty sturdy. We had a similar fence at our last house, and it still looked new the day we moved.

The fence comes in six foot panels and is six foot high. We have a 5 x 5" post between the panels. The panels are attached to the posts using brackets. The only thing Paul questioned about the assemble is that the posts are only eight foot long. That means only about two feet are buried. He used concrete in the post-holes so hopefully things will hold up. Hate to return after spending the winter in the south and find the fence laying on the ground.

Paul will miss talking to the neighbor friend but as they say, “a good fence makes for a good neighbor.” The fence is actually pretty good for the neighbor helping to hide our fifth wheel and giving his dog a little peace – he barks when he sees us outside.

Marsha got to work right away planting some flowers and plants to adorn the fence. Since it is getting late in the planting season, she will plant more perennials next year.

Paul spread those wood chips in front of the wall, along the backside of the mound, among the flowers on the north property line, and even spread them lightly over the gravel RV parking area. Anyone want some wood chips?

Finished product

Paul's purchase in Texas.

Quite a contrast.

A little Mexico in Canton.

A special shout out to Rick, Rick & Paulette's RV Travels, for helping Marsha with a crazy blog issue. She noticed that when she read their post a few days ago, several words contained underlines and appeared in blue. She left Rick this comment…

Question...I noticed that you have several words, such as weather, car, green bags, step, that are in a different color. When I place my mouse over them, a pop up comes up directing me to another site. Is this suppose to happen? Wonder what is going on here?

Rick emailed Marsha back the same day giving her a couple of suggestions. He said it was an issue called a 'Text Enhance' adware. Rick suggested she run Malwarebytes and look at her Chrome Extensions. Marsha found an extension called 'safe savEE'. Rick had never heard of this extension and suggested she delete it. WALA…problem solved. Thanks again Rick for your help in solving this blog mystery.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

 

FINAL STOP ON THE TOUR OF CANTON, OHIO.

Friday, July 19 – After all our outdoor touring with John and Pam, we took the tour inside…The Pro Football Hall Of Fame to be exact.

Old entrance

New entrance

Since opening in 1963, the Pro Football Hall of Fame was expanded in 1971, 1978 and 1995, and completed major exhibit gallery renovations in 2003, 2008, and 2009. We have watched the original 19,000 square-foot Hall of Fame museum turned into over 83,000 square feet of beauty.

It was later in the afternoon when we arrived at the HOF. We did not take a tour but did visit the gift shop. It is huge with every type of memorable one can image. If you can't find what you are looking for, they don't make it…bottom line!

2014 Super Bowl hopefuls. Marsha is such a dreamer.

Okay all you true football fans. Who is the guy in the next photo. Answer at end of blog.

The Hall of Fame Game is played in a historic high school stadium called Fawcett Stadium. The Stadium was open so the guys just had to walk onto the field.

The boys talking about what they would do in a 4th and goal situation.

The game will be played in just a few short weeks. Here are the enshrines for this year.

We had a wonderful few days with our friends Pam and John. Thank you so much for stopping by. Thanks for the delicious dinner you bought us at the Irish Exchange. We especially enjoyed the beverages…hehe.

John, Pam, Marsha, Paul

We will give more information on all the HOF events in another blog.

Answer to the photo: A much younger and much skinnier….Mike Ditka. How did you do?

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

"THE MOTHER OF PRESIDENTS"…OHIO

July 17 – Did you know that Ohio is known as "the mother of presidents?" Can you name the eight presidents that came from Ohio? Answer at the end of the blog.

After our fun time at the Canton Garden Center, the "Tour of Canton, Ohio," with Pam and John continued on to the William McKinley tomb.

McKinley was born in Niles, Ohio, but he called Canton home throughout his adult life. His election in 1896 launched an era of Republican dominance that continued until 1910. The circular, domed granite building rises 96 feet above ground and measures 79 feet in diameter.

In 1896, McKinley easily gained the Republican nomination. He addressed selected delegations at his home in Canton in a "front porch" campaign.

Wm. and Ida's home in Canton. The "front porch" campaign took place here. It now serves as the home to the National First Ladies' Library.

McKinley was elected president in 1896 and 1900. McKinley governed during a period of intense American expansionism.

Two "want-a-be presidents" but never-will-be.

Some of President McKinley's accomplishments are:
--Dingley Tariff Act of 1897 which raised import duties
--Gold Standard Act, which based the currency firmly on gold.
--Clayton-Bulwer Treaty to permit construction of a canal in Central America.

McKinley was shot two times by anarchist Leon Czolgosz while the president was visiting the Pan-American Exhibit in Buffalo, New York on September 6, 1901. He died on September 14, 1901. Czolgosz stated that he shot McKinley because he was an enemy of working people. He was convicted of the murder and electrocuted on October 29, 1901.

The bodies of McKinley and his wife lie side by side.

Their two young daughters, who both died as a child, are also laid to rest here.

Looking from the top of the 108 stairs.

There is also a McKinley Museum next door. We did not have time to visit it.

Presidents from Ohio
9th – William Henry Harrison
18th – Ulysses S. Grant
19th – Rutherford B. Hayes
20th – James A. Garfield
23rd – Benjamin Harrison
25th – William McKinley
27th – William H. Taft
29th – Warren G. Harding

How did you do in naming the presidents? More on the rest of our tour in our next blog.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

 

CANTON, OHIO TOUR - PART 1

Monday, July 15 – Sightseeing with Pam and John was on the menu for Saturday. Marsha had planned a ”Tour of Canton, Ohio” this morning. Paul, the tour chauffeur, started the trip by showing John the best way out of town...LOL They'll be heading North on I-77, and Paul wanted to be sure John could easily get to the proper on ramp.

That accomplished, we headed to the Canton Stadium Park to enjoy the beautiful gardens. The park features a softball complex, a playground, 68 acres of nature and picnic areas, a duck pond, The Canton Garden Center, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Fountain, and a 1.5 mile rubberized walking track with exercise stations. There's also a Children's Garden, located outside of the Garden Center Building.

Our first stop was the Canton Garden Center.

The grounds of the Center contains a children’s garden, carillon bell tower, stone garden and waterfalls, rose garden and a eternal flame to President Kennedy.

Upon our arrival to the gardens, we were greeted with the beautiful sounds of the Carillon.

President Kennedy's memorial stands at the front of the Garden Center's main building.

 

We especially enjoyed the Children s Garden which is well done. They have animals hidden among the plants and an unusual dance on music box. John played a nice rendition of “This Old Man.”

Cute bird bath

Anyone for a little hopscotch?

Kids at play.

Marsha found herself a little friend to pet.

John, Pam and Paul with their special friend.

The grounds contain a feel, taste, see, and hear garden. We had a wonderful time roaming the area and enjoying all the beauty.

We will continue our "Tour of Canton, Ohio" in the next blog.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!