Big Boy No. 4014 ~

Big Boy came rolling in to town Monday morning.  What a sight to see!!!  I knew there would be a crowd, but I had no idea it would be that large.  I had told Sue we needed to get there about an hour early, and when we arrived there was no parking for 2-3 blocks.  Thankfully her son dropped us off and parked the car.  I heard that people who were closest to the tracks started arriving at 8:00 am, three hours before the scheduled arrival time.  

What a patriotic crowd.  Several times the people on both sides of the tracks began chanting USA, USA, USA.  It brought a lump to my throat and it was hard not to tear up.  Makes me proud to be an American.

If you are on Facebook, look up the Lorain page.  You can find some amazing pictures and videos.  It will pass through our area in July on its return journey.  It won't be stopping here in Lorain, but I do hope to see it passing by.

Some good news.  I AM BRACE FREE!!!  After the ortho doctor gave me the good news, I told him I would have broken down in tears had he said to continue wearing it.  I feel like a new woman.

My mantra ~

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Odds & Ends ~

How can I be busy all the time meeting myself coming and going, but not have anything to blog about?

Ernestine after she enjoyed her pup cup.  She sure does love them.

Isn't this cool?  I need to be on the hunt for another vintage funnel.  I have a couple but use them as planters.

A couple evenings this past week there was a chance that the northern lights might be visible.  No luck the first night and the second night was cloudy, but did get this moody picture looking out on Lake Erie.

Tomorrow Vernon Junction Sue and family are heading up to see Big Boy.  An historic event not to be missed.

Then in the afternoon I have an ortho appointment.  If the doctor says to keep wearing the brace I just may lose it!!!  Five weeks is about four and a half weeks too long 😢

That's it for my pathetic post.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Big Boy No. 4014

 

Big Boy No. 4014 is the world's largest operating steam locomotive.  Twenty-five Big Boys were commissioned exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad, the first of which was delivered in 1941.  These massive locomotives were built to haul heavy equipment in support of the war effort, normally operating between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyoming.   No. 4014 was retired in December 1961 after traveling 1,031,205 miles.  Of the eight remaining Big Boys in existence today, this is the only one still in operation.  It is 133' long and weighs 1.2 million pounds.  It is making a cross country trek in honor of our nation's 250th birthday.

The exciting news is that it is making a 15 minute "whistle stop" here in Lorain.  How wonderful that our humble city is part of this historic journey!!!  You can read more about it here.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Obsession(s) ~

 

Last summer I must have sold at least 6-7 wooden bowls.  I loved them but they were just hidden in a cupboard.  Am I sorry I sold them?  Yes and no.  I just have too much stuff and less is more, right?  (Now that's funny!)  That did not stop me from looking at them when I would see them out and about.  I resisted . . . until yesterday.  I just could not say no to the repairs on this one.  

Hard to believe we now live in a throw away society.

And crocks?  I needed another crock like I needed another hole in my head.  Need I say more?

I also love old children's blocks and how could I resist for only $3.00?

I am finally getting a bit of yard work done.  Went to the garden center today and bought some more annuals for my pots.  Now to get them planted.  Some days condo living sounds heavenly, but most of the time not so much.  I would miss playing in the dirt.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Up next ~

 

I don't know about you, but I am feeling more patriotic than normal with our nation's upcoming 250th birthday.

I am in the process of binding that darn deer rug and thought I would go back to one of my WIPs.  I have several to choose from 😕.  But since I have all my red, white and blue wools pulled from hooking the patriotic smalls and I found this pattern in my stash, that's up next!  I haven't hooked anything for me in honor of this milestone birthday.  In a few weeks another patriotic one will be started at a three day class.  

I am not even sure when or where I got this pattern, but I am guessing I have had it for at least ten years.  About time, isn't it?

I am still in this darn brace.  Hopefully for only a week and a half more.  I have been hesitant to dig in the yard, sure don't want to mess up my healing, but have finally started planting some of my annuals in pots and edging the gardens.  They are totally out of control.

Just a few pictures . . . 

I just discovered I have baby birds in my lilac bush.  It looks like there are three, no idea what kind, and by the way they are filling the nest guess they will fledge soon.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery ~

Donna Hrkman rug
Perhaps my all time favorite hooked rug.

I have been to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and Los Angeles National Cemetery in California, but had not been to the military cemetery located in my backyard.  Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery is about an hour from me. I had passed the sign pointing the direction there many times.  DSO and I finally made the trip and paid our respects last week.

The Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in the city of Rittman, in Medina County, Ohio.  Administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, it encompasses 273 acres, and as of 2024 had over 50,000 interments.

Visiting a military cemetery is so moving and having visited the gravesite of a friend's husband made it even more so.  

On this Memorial day, please remember our veterans, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may be free.  May God bless our veterans.

It is the
VETERAN,
not the campus organizer
who has given us the freedom to assemble.

It is the
VETERAN,
 not the lawyer
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the 
VETERAN,
not the politician 
who has given us the right to vote.

If you can read this,
thank a teacher,
but thank a VETERAN
 since you are reading this in English.

Please take a moment 
to honor a VETERAN today.
Please remember . . .
FREEDOM ISN'T FREE.

May God bless this Land
that I love.

ETERNAL REST
GRANT THEM O LORD,
AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT
SHINE UPON THEM.

Lauren

At long last ~

This antique adaptation was started at rug camp in January in Florida.  Geez, it took long enough, but I did hook lots of other things in the meantime.  I just was not happy with the rug.  Sue gave me some insight as to why I didn't like it.

THIS!!!  The large deer looked like he was wearing a saddle blanket.

Off it went.

Much better!  And so close to finally being finished with it.

Sometimes a rug is just painful to finish and I will avoid working on it for weeks (or years 😁).  But finally . . .  

A good steaming will even out the loops and lumpiness.  Then on to the dreaded binding.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren