August 8, 2016

Although I did not have a book booth this year to sell LETTERS TO MARY, I was able to make it over to Dan Rice Days for a few hours late Saturday evening.  We got to Mom’s about 6pm, and visited a bit before we headed over.  There seemed to be less craft booths this year – possibly because they had upped the cost of renting a space.

After walking around looking at the wares for sale, we settled on French Fries and fresh lemonade for supper, then met up with the tour guide for the History Walk.  I’ve been on them several times in years past – both History tours and Ghost Walks – and they are amazingly fun.  I was happy to see that my friend Stephanie Wincik was taking us on the walk!  It was good to catch up with her, and follow her around Girard to hear about the history of the town, of Dan Rice and his circus, of the Underground Railroad and Rev. Shipman, and of the Battles family and the two museums that were their homes.  It was one of my favorite parts of the trip.

When I posted this picture of the ‘White House’ (Charlotte Elizabeth Battles’ home) I said that the person in front was the president!  And he could be – although he is in reality Ron Shafer who made the trip with me.  We both loved the History Walk!

The next day after dinner, we took a few pails (as Grama Crooks would call them!) and went berry picking in Mom and John’s side yard.  We picked blackberries (complete with appropriate number of scratches and jabs) and blueberries.  It made us feel like kids again, picking berries and having purple fingers, sneaking bites when no one was watching!

Freddie the cat was skeptical of us and kept his distance, but he was interested in what we were doing.  He was dive-bombed a few times by a hummingbird and did a total flip, which had mom and I laughing at his antics. 

It was a great trip, and we had a lovely visit, and it’s always very hard to go home and leave my darling parents waving goodbye in the driveway.  So glad for the fellowship and love when special hearts spend special time together!  Already looking forward to the next trip!