sticking it to the man

Good morning. I had one of the most unique, sumptuous afternoons yesterday. In little Greenview Illinois there is a community center, a bright yellow building that has CIA on it's sign. Every February they have a chocolate cook/bake off. It is opened to the public for taste testing, bingo, door prizes and picking out the people's choice awards on the most favorite dish. Oh, and then there is an auction after the crumbs settle. I was hesitant to go, my daughter Emma begged, pleaded and finally reasoned with me...



"Mom, chocolate! Need I say more?!"


Forgive me, but I said-

"Emma, is this church lady fun or kind of an adventure into chocolate?"

(She said she'd have to get back to me on that, calling just two hours prior to the start time.)

Well, I just have to tell you- it was an adventure!

These folks get together every year, trying to out do the previous year's entrants, and literally drench you in chocolaty morsels. You grab your plate, fill it up with as many as fifty samples, stagger back to your chair with the weight of an unbalanced load and start to nibble

. Ever been in a room full of people full of chocolate?! Pardon me, please- but you would have thought an orgy of ecstasy was going on!

"MMMMM....oh-my-God!!!...have you tried this one, it's...it's...it's...decadent, I feel a sin coming on!"


Church ladies included- everyone was moaning, rolling eyes, licking fingers, smiling- and I forgot my camera!!! Young and old were all in agreement-

Chocolate is good for the soul.


Fifty-fifty tickets were sold upon entrance, there was a little old gal there who'd sell 'em to you- 2 bucks apiece or 5 bucks for an arm length. She'd say-"Put out your arm dear." By golly I did, and thank the lord above, I have realllllly long arms- I must have had 12 chances for the drawing!
Now that's hometown goodness all rolled up into one afternoon.

At the commencement of the event, an auction was held. I had my eye on a homemade Angel Food cake- I didn't care what it might cost me (the proceeds were going towards this fine community's spirited celebrations-all inclusive) I had to have it. For thirty five dollars, I won my Angel Food- and that is precisely what it was- oh my goodness! I truly have eaten half of it already, half! On top of all the chocolate!

I ended my day at this fine affair by bidding against a local politician on a strawberry cheesecake. I ran the bid up, watched him to see just how far he might go...finally- he won and paid dearly. The fellow next to me said he was sorry that I had lost the bid, that Rich Brauer (a pretty decent individual in my book) always came to the auction and bidded accordingly, often going after the most scrumptious home made goodies. I winked at my neighbor and said-



"Oh contraire! It's not every day you get to make a politician pay out the wazoo..."


My neighbor just looked at me a little nervously...he wasn't sure if I was serious or just kidding....

Anyway- it was a day made for fun- old fashioned, belly rubbbing fun, with a fine finale of sticking it to the man....


Take care-

Illinois Fall Lament

Good morning.

I took a drive Sunday- wanting to test my trusty truck and camera to lament with me on an Illinois Fall day. It was as intense a drive as the colors were. Intending to drive the Illinois River back roads- I instead drove within a frame work of roads I hadn't taken before that still might connect me eventually, to the loose navigation I had used on past road trips.

In comparison, the Mississippi is a mighty river alright- many times I have crossed over her on meandering canoe trips and catfishing. The Illinois river is equally mighty, perhaps though- not so much in terms of length and width. Her might is more intimate- her byroads and crossings not so triumphant but equally memorable. All the little towns along the banks or way- like Havanna, Petersburg, Salisbury have doors that might remain mostly unlocked. The art on the walls of the homes that are scattered in those villages might be more folksy, reminiscent of homegrown and homemade. If the Illinois River were a lover, perhaps she'd be a bit more shy and shallow to the bigger river ways of romance.

A small grove of trees seemingly ablaze in gold- along the backside of the Sangamon River, East of Salisbury.

Stubby- guide dog extraordinaire. The Sangamon calling to him...some deep doggy tune apparently.

The Trading Post-Oakford Illinois. If ya haven't been...ya got ta go. I take all my out of state visitors here...once. And then it's completely up to them if we go again. We always do.

Motto:

Only in Oakford.

Old Coke sign on The Trading Post.

Another common sight in good Ol' Illinois. Silo, Oakford.

Setting sun outside of Greenview Illinois. Good old truck.

Combine behind me, finishing up the day's work.

Day is done.