The "Good" Old Days...

This past weekend, we happened upon a hidden "Old Town"

approximately 30 or so miles from our home.

This site was the original square, 

but after a fire burned most of the buildings, 

the "businesses" were relocated several blocks away.

What's left at this site?

the jail

That's it. 

But the historical society wanted to reconstruct the area,

so buildings were brought in from surrounding towns.

a post office

a general store

a corn crib

a railroad station

and 

a school

Being in education for many years, this two room school house caught my attention.

One side was for grades 1-4

the other side for grades 5-7.

And these rules were posted on their historic website:

 RULES FOR TEACHERS 1872

*  Teachers each day will fill lamps, clean chimneys.
*  Each teacher will bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the day's session.
*  Make your pens carefully.  You may whittle nibs to the individual tastes of the pupil.
*  Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly.
*  After ten hours in school, the teachers may spend the remaining time reading the Bible or other good books.
*  Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed.
*  Every teacher should lay aside from each pay a goodly sum of his earnings for his benefit during his declining years so that he will not become a burden on society.
*  Any teacher who smokes, used liquor in any forms, frequents pool or public halls or gets shaved in a barbershop will give good reason to suspect his worth, intention, integrity and honesty.
*  The teacher who performs his labor faithfully and without fault for five years will be given an increase of twenty-five cents per week in his pay, providing the Board of Education approves.

really?

RULES FOR STUDENTS

Good students in early schools were expected to earn more than high marks.  There were many rules to follow and duties to perform.  The schoolmaster really was the 'master' of his pupils.  Children were told to obey the master of the school even if obedience meant having to stand still while being strapped.  Here are a some rules for students.

*  Respect your schoolmaster.  Obey him and accept his punishments.
*  Do not call your classmates names of fight with them.  Love and help each other.
*  Never make noises or disturb your neighbors as they work.
*  Be silent during classes.  Do not talk unless it is absolutely necessary.
*  Do not leave your seat without permission.
*  No more than one student at a time may go to the washroom.
*  At the end of the class, wash your hands and face.  Wash your feet if they are bare.
*  Bring firewood into the classroom for the stove whenever the teacher tells you to.
*  Go quietly in and out of the classroom.
*  If the master calls your name after class, straighten the benches and tables.  Sweep the room, dust and leaving everything tidy. 

source

hm...

times have sure changed!

Now, if I have spurred your curiosity for this little "Old Town", check back with me.

I took many interesting pictures of the different structures. 

And... there's more...

mystery

scandal

corruptness

and yes,

even

terror.

Stay tuned, the plot will thicken!

A little bit of this and that...

If you are still here reading,

welcome.

If you are still here reading,

you must be a bit eclectic...

like me.

You see, I can't seem to stay on one topic for too long -

I get bored.

So this blog has stayed true to itself.

It's

"a little bit of this and that."

Today it's all about hydrangeas.

I love them.

But...

I haven't had much luck with them in the past.

Until this season...

I've finally let God be in control.

duh...

I did nothing but plant it and water.

tada

amazing.

Photography...

I hope no one thinks that this post is going to be a tutorial on how to improve your photography skills, 

because....

it's not.

You see, I've been blogging for approx 4ish years

purely as a way to document a few things.

If anyone happens to follow along,

that's great...they are most certainly welcome.

However, 

this blog is not a money making machine,

nor a competitive type endevour,

simply me and my life.

So as I look over the hundreds of posts

the photography has indeed improved.

a little.

Through the billions of posts I've read over the years,

I have learned quite a bit from the "professional" bloggers.

And, in the name of 

"self improvement"

and 

because I'm so very v.i.s.u.a.l...

I wanted to "focus" (ha) on my
skills.

Here we go,
...always in progress...

Purple Cone Flowers

We have new little visitors.

They are flitting and flying about.

I don't really know how they are getting their food, 

the cones on these flowers are quite stiff and brittle.

However, they must be getting something they need

or these guys wouldn't be playing, "King of the Purple Cone flower!"

What special things are you seeing out and about?

Let me know, I'd love to hear about your world!

Galveston, Texas

It's been a while since we just "talked", you know a random post about life...

so here you go, no party, just me and my life.

Galveston, Texas

I love the place.

No kidding.

It's the history, the resilience of the people, the seagulls, the pelicans,

the salty air.

I've been making trips to Galveston for as long as I can remember.

Not necessarily to the beach (go figure) but just to hang out.

For the past 20 years or so,

 it's been a Mother's Day tradition to attend the Historical Homes Tour.

Sometimes there's quite a crew of us, other times just the traveling trio...

my mother, sister, and me.

Since my mother and sister were coming from an opposite direction to the island 

we drove separate cars. They took the Boliver Ferry, I took the interstate.

With the ferry, there's usually "wait time"... sometimes a short wait, sometimes longer.

Today a relatively short wait for them so

I had a few extra minutes on hand.

Well, what's a girl to do?

take pictures

Yep...that's just what I did.

As I was driving along Broadway, the flowers in this cemetery were a new sight.

really

Never in my 52 years do I remember seeing such quiet beauty.

It was breathtaking.

Our tour this year had two special homes that were in the "restoration in progress" state.

The first was originally apartments 

but a single family has currently purchased the entire site for family gatherings. 

(apparently large gatherings!)

The shell shaped carved stone planters are its defining glory. 

The red arches were once on open breezeway separating the east and west wings.

However, the area is now enclosed 

with a kitchen specifically designed for that space.

In the back were two carriage houses, "next "on their proposed schedule for restoration.

Note the sand bags below...a true dose of reality. 

The first floor flooded during Hurricane Ike...

I guess they are staying prepared.

Don't you know those bricks have quite a story in themselves?

We moved on to the second house "in progress." 

and the owner was there to greet us.

She said that it had taken her one year to get to this stage.

Just look at that foundation...

it looks very secure.

As we were walking through the interior, it was clean and well organized.

It always amazes me how far some of the houses have to be stripped back...

all the way to the lathe board.

The owner hopes to have the home

on tour next year.

I sure hope so...it's going to be a beauty!

Stay tuned for more Galveston treasures!

Peter Rabbit

In the children's book, Peter Rabbit, 

source

I always felt sorry for Peter because he was obviously very hungry

 and Mr. McGregor's wasn't too accommodating.

Now, I don't have a garden myself

so my opinions are plainly swayed.

Because, I'm sure, that IF I did have a garden,

and worked and worked for it be

successful,

I most likely wouldn't want little bunnies

eating my produce either.

I get it.

But, in the magical world of Blogland,

I can invite Peter to dine with me,

right?

So here's my table this week...

It's all about Peter

and he's welcome to eat until his heart's content!

The luncheon plates with their simple design fit right in...

the trellis reminds me of Mr. McGregor's fence.

However, the "fence" on these dishes is easily hopped over!

All the produce on this table was from a local farm...a "U-Pick" farm.

It's a favorite!

As all bunnies, 

my Peter also has a watchful eye.

But he needn't worry,

this red leaf lettuce and kale are his to enjoy.

As are these strawberries...however, 

I might have to try one or two for myself, they look super yummy.

And let's not forget about the green beans...oh my.

 As I finish this post, look who's visiting again, my morning friend!

I think I'll name him ...

yep...

Peter 

or

how about 

Petunia?

Thanks so much for visiting!!

I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday.

Drop by for loads of inspiration!

Desert Rose...

Do you have a set of these dishes?

Chances are fairly good that you might have a set tucked away 

somewhere in your stash.

Yes, they are Franciscan's Desert Rose,

I've read that they are, and have been, the most popular pattern in America.

These particular dishes, the ones on my table, are actually from my maternal and paternal grandmothers.

This pattern was their pick when they were young (most likely when the pattern first came out.)

Or they could be from my mother's set when she and my father married in the 1950's.

It's obvious Desert Rose is a family favorite...

 but I wasn't even interested in joining the tradition.

Silly me...

because now, they are indeed a favorite.

They are a happy pattern...

perfect for spring time,
don't you think?

Thanks for dropping by!

I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her

Tablescape Thursday.

Be sure to visit there as well for loads of inspiration!

Fun facts about this pattern.

Franciscan Desert Rose hand-painted earthenware is an American classic that, according to Bob Page and Dale Frederiksen, authors of "Franciscan: an American Dinnerware Tradition," is one of the most popular china patterns in history.

1. Identification

   • Franciscan desert rose broad-rimmed plates feature scalloped edges. Pink roses and green leaves sit in relief upon a cream ground. Flowers are joined by briar-lined vines around the rim edge.

   Gladdings McBean

   • Franciscan's parent, Gladdings, McBean & Co. (GMcB) was founded as a Los Angeles clay building products manufacturer in 1875. GMcB developed malinite, the basis for its creamy-colored earthenware in 1928.

   Franciscan

   • With the acquisition of Tropico Pottery in 1922 and Catalina Pottery in 1937, GMcB entered the pottery business. The Franciscan pottery line premiered in 1934 and the FDR pattern was introduced in 1941 after Franciscan's 1940 "Apple."

   Changes

   • In 1984, FDR molds and production lines were moved to England by their new owners, Wedgewood Ltd. In 1987, the pattern was acquired by Johnson Brothers, who produced a limited line of 60th anniversary pattern pieces in 2001. All production moved to China by 2004.

   Considerations

   • The malinite formula or original Franciscan molds are not used in Chinese-produced FDR dinnerware. Antique stores and replacement clearinghouses offer many American and English pieces.

more: http://www.ehow.com/facts_7444523_history-franciscan-desert-rose.html#ixzz302CdzGxb