Sock Monkey Museum

The folks traveled to Rockford to visit the Sock Monkey Museum.  It is located in the Midway Village Museum.  Mama has never been a fan of the sock monkey until now.  She always thought they looked a little scary, but now she likes them.

Sock monkeys are made from "red heel socks" which were manufactured by the Nelson Knitting Mills beginning in 1890 in Rockford, IL.  The socks were unique because they were made without seams. Nelson Knitting Mills was the first company worldwide to manufacture socks. In 1932, the red heel was introduced to distinguish their socks from their competitors.

During the depression, Nelson Knitting Mills did not layoff employees.  They lowered the prices of their socks to keep everyone working.  Can you imagine that?  Mama said it makes her want to buy their socks for that reason alone. Nelson Knitting Mills sold their business to Fox River Mills in 1992 and the socks continue to be produced today.

The sock monkey was created by some clever crafters. In 1951, Nelson Knitting Mills started including instructions for sock monkeys with their socks. 

This is thought to be the largest sock monkey.

Knitting machine

The museum also had a display for the Rockford Peaches. This was a women's baseball team that started during WWII to keep people interested in baseball.  They won four championships and played from 1943 to 1954.  If you have seen A League Of Their Own, then you are familiar with this team.

The folks were disappointed in the exhibit because there was nothing about the movie. They thought they would say something about it and possibly show the real players and the people who played them in the movie.

Mama thought the sock monkey exhibit was pretty interesting.  There were other exhibits such as several doll houses and a re-created town outside. The town is closed for the season, so visitors are only allowed to walk around the outside of the buildings.  It is probably more interesting if you can go inside the buildings.

The cost of  the museum is $7 a person.

The Millhouse.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Did Not Get A Sock Monkey, But Is Really Hoping For A Mr. Bill Toy

Joey Vs.

Joey vs. The Bunny

Joey 0, Bunny 3
There is a bunny who is roaming the campground.  Mama says it is teasing me.  I just want to sniff it... honest.

Joey vs. The Vacuum

Joey 0, Vacuum 4
I hate the "shark".  I have tried to bite it three times.  Mama says I am going to get hurt.  Last week, I took off running while "the shark" was in action and I got tangled in the cord.  I ripped the cord from the outlet and bent the prongs.  Luckily, I didn't get hurt, but the cord was wrapped around my bad leg and I limped for a little while.  The vacuum definitely won that battle and maybe the war. 

Joey vs. The Fly

Joey 1, Fly 0
A fly kept bothering me, but I taught him a lesson.  I ate him.  BOL!

Yesterday was Scout's "gotcha day".  She has been here for six years!  I am five, so she has been around longer than I have been alive!  We celebrated with a family day.  The folks worked around the RV and Scout and I enjoyed lounging in the sun.  Do you know what we ate for dinner?

Prime Rib

Okay, we didn't eat the whole thing.  We only got a small portion of it.  Actually, we have been eating our share over the past few days because Mama said we shouldn't have too much at once.  We also had our yogurt treats "Elvis style".  Elvis style is peanut butter and banana.  We think they are good!

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Is Good At Catching Flies But Needs To Make Sure He Is Catching Flies And Not Bees

Varoom, Varoom

It seems like we are hearing a lot of varoom, varoom lately.   Mama has been venturing out more and more.  Tuesday, she reached her goal which was going to Target.  She had to travel a four lane road in traffic and with traffic lights.  She thought she would be smart and take a side street and avoid some of the traffic.  However, the side street turned into a four lane street and the speed limit was 45 mph.  Mama's top speed up to that time was 30 mph. She reached 35 mph but that was as fast as she wanted to go.  She said even with her visor on, the wind was making her eyes water.  Mama got a little scared because she kind of got lost. She knew she could turn around, but she really didn't want to have to go back that way.  She ended up making some turns and eventually she ended up back at the street she had left.  She took the way she knew back home.  She has decided she prefers riding in traffic rather than going fast.

Today, she headed out again and went to Petco, Walmart and Kohl's.  The trip is about 13 miles round trip.  It is the next town.  She said she needed socks. It sounds like an excuse to me. She wanted to buy shoes, but she doesn't have enough storage space yet to carry them.  She will have to wait until next week for that.  No, she didn't buy us anything at Petco, but I know she went there looking for a Mr. Bill toy for me.  I really want one.  I think that is what I am getting for my birthday in November.

We have not told you about our Emeals in a long time.  Last week, we had some really good meals. The pictures don't do the food justice since the food is on paper plates and/or foil.

Mexican Pizza - the tortillas are fried in oil and then topped with ground beef, refried beans. The second layer had picante sauce, green onions, tomatoes and cheese.

Mama said it was really good and Dad agreed.

Tilapia with Lemon Caper Sauce

 The folks had this a few years ago at a friend's house and Mama was delighted to make it herself.  The tilapia is breaded and then fried and the lemon caper sauce is put on top.  Mama added noodles as a side item.

Fantastic Banana French Toast with hash browns and sausage

Mama fixed this for breakfast instead of dinner.  The french toast is actually croissants.  Pecans and bananas are heated in the syrup which is maple syrup, corn syrup and brown sugar.

We have been using the Emeals program for two years and still love it.  We have had a few repeat meals lately.  Dad said "We did?"  I guess it is a lot less than if Mama was planning the menu on her own.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Likes When Mama Brings Him Lunch

Almost Wordless Wednesday - 9/25/2013

 

 Joey,
The Greyhound Who Enjoys A Sunbeam On A Cool Autumn Morning

Somewhat Disappointing House Tour & Buddy Gets A New Look

Sunday, the folks toured the Glidden House.  This house was owned by Joseph Glidden.  He invented barbed wire or at least is credited with it.  The folks toured Ellwood House a few weeks ago.  The man who owned that house became a partner of Joseph Glidden's. 

The house sits among apartments and commercial structures.  It is easy to pass by. It is hard to imagine that when it was built, it was all alone on the road.


The house itself was very basic.  It was not at all like the Ellwood House. Dad said this house was built before Joseph Glidden became wealthy.  They were allowed to tour just a few rooms.  Photos were allowed.

Blacksmith shop

He is trying to make a seahorse, but not having much luck.

 

The tour guide took this photo.  She said it would look really good.

She also took this photo.

This a Murphy bed.  It folds up.  It is the first time Mama has seen one that didn't fold into the wall.

 

The tour wasn't terrible, but it could have been better. The tour guide was very soft spoken and hard to understand at times. She didn't have a script and repeated herself many times.

Do you want to see Buddy's new look?

Isn't he cute?  Mama says it is a good thing she has a black scooter because if it was red, the nose of the greyhound would be red.  The decal is white and all the background color is Buddy.  We think it is perfect. The decal is from Skinny Hounds Designs.

Buddy's back rack arrived yesterday, but we don't have the right tool to install it.  We need a metric tool, so there will be a delay in getting it installed. When the back rack is installed, Mama can add a basket to it and then she can carry more shopping bags with her.  She only has storage under the seat now and that doesn't carry much.

Mama and Buddy went to town yesterday and they brought us back lunch.  Yum!

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Thinks Buddy's Decal Looks Like Him