A Memorial Day visit

When we were in Virginia, and visited my parent's gravesite, we discussed where Carl's father was buried, and decided that we should try to go there and visit while in Illinois. It turned out that the day we chose to go was Memorial Day, a good day to visit the cemetery. 

Carl's father, as well as his father's parents, are buried at Mount Emblem Cemetery in the northeast part of Elmhurst, Illinois.

Entry to the cemetery -- barely visible is the windmill that makes the location distinct.

At the entry to the cemetery, there was an awning with a lady handing out flags and roses for us to decorate the graves on Memorial Day.

Carl thought he might be able to remember where his father's grave was located, but since it had been 30 years since he had last been here, after a short time of driving around, he decided to go to the administration building for help.

The administration building is located next to the windmill. The lady in the administration building was able to look up his father and grandparents, find out where their grave sites were, and give us maps to help to find them.

Overview of the cemetery and driving directions to the correct areas of the cemetery

Carl's father was buried in the Veneration area. There were round cemetery markers at the ends of the rows that we could find in the grass, and then walk down the row to find his marker. (For future reference: site 456 on row 55/56.)

Carl's grandparents were in the Twilight section. (For future reference, site 1928 on row 89/90.)

We were also able to pick up an additional flag at the Administration Building.

We found Carl's father's marker pretty easily. There were some plants starting to overgrow it on the edges that we cleared off as best we could (we should have brought gardening tools to help).

We put one of the flags that we had been given on Carl's father's grave site. His father had been in the Army in World War II.

Carl at his Dad's grave site

We had a harder time in the Twilight section finding the numbered markers at the ends of the rows. We thought we were close, and Carl walked one row while I walked another, looking over to the next row too, but we walked the whole length of the section without finding the grave sites of Carl's grandparents. We went to the other end and easily found the numbered marker -- we had walked the right row, but somehow missed finding their grave markers. So, we walked that row again, looking more carefully. This time, we noticed that some of the markers were covered by debris...

... like this...

... and when we cleaned it off a little, we found Carl's grandparent's grave stones. This is his grandfather's; it is interesting that only the year of birth and death are shown, not the month and day. The emblem is of the Masonic square and compasses.

Carl placing the flag at his Grandpa's grave. His grandfather had served in World War I, but that was not noted on the stone.

We put the rose that we had been given on Carl's Grandma's grave. The emblem on her stone is the Eastern Star, a Masonic appendant body.

Now their two grave stones have been cleaned off.

Carl at his grandparent's graves.

Looking across the section where they are buried

We were glad that we had chosen Memorial Day to make this visit.

Long Grove, Illinois

When we were at Steve and Shay's last Friday, they mentioned that a Christmas movie had recently been filmed at Long Grove. Carl thought it might be nice to visit there -- he remembered an area of town to walk around and wanted to show it to me.

There's an 8'6" bridge in town -- glad we don't have Gracie with us!

We found a parking lot and started walking around...

We went into the Sock Monkey Museum -- who knew?

Sock monkeys all around!

Up on the rafters...

... in every corner...

This was the "Mayberry" room -- sock monkeys of all the folks who were on the Andy Griffith Show!

I think there must have been someone who collected Mayberry stuff...

... which also included sock monkeys...

... and they donated items (autographed pictures) to the museum (this one of Morgan Brittney with "Opie")...

... autographed picture of Barbara Eden with "Barney" and "Andy".

Commemorating 50 years of Andy Griffith Show

There was also a shop where you could purchase sock monkeys...

Sock monkeys all over the place!

On the ferris wheel...

Outfits that could be purchased for a sock monkey...

Various empty "shells" of animals that could be stuffed.

A train set...

... Carl making a call for help!

... and Superman and a friend (sock monkey) came to help!

Outside the store and museum

We also stopped in a Chocolate shop!

Heading out of town via the 8'6" bridge!

We didn't find the exact place that Carl thought he remembered, but we enjoyed our visit to Long Grove.

Photogenic Kitty

Miss Kitty likes the front dash of Gracie for her morning time... 

Carl says that this is her statue-pose.

Maybe she is thinking about the fact that cats were worshipped in ancient Egypt, and she thinks the custom should start again!

Here's a picture and write-up about an Egyptian cat statue: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/544118

Appointments and repairs

Particularly when we're in one of our "home-type" locations, it seems that we spend a lot of our time either getting to doctor appointments or getting repairs done... Elgin is one of those places... so far, Carl has seen a doctor about knee pain, 

... and the Jeep went into the shop to get new front brakes.

As we all age (Gracie and the Jeep included!), it seems to take more and more attention to keep everything in working order!

Little boy Carl and his brother Steve

While we were at Carl's Mom's room at Windsor, we saw some pictures of the boys (Carl and Steve) when they were young. The pictures didn't have writing on the back, so we're not certain...

We are pretty sure that this is Carl's first birthday.

We're not sure but think this may be Steve...

... and we think this one also is Steve.

And this is Carl and Steve.

It is fun to see old pictures!

Meeting Addi

One of the things we were most looking forward to as we visited the Chicagoland area was getting to meet Carl's new granddaughter, Addison Rose, as well as spending time with her mom and dad, Shay and Steve. Friday was the day we were able to visit with them...

Papa gets to meet Addi!

Proud dad, Steve

Giving Papa a halfway grin!

Grand-dog Indy is wanting to have access to Carl's lap too!

Carl enjoying his new granddaughter

She got a little fussy...

... but she enjoyed being up on his shoulder for a little while, too.

Patti got to hold her for a little while too!

Somehow we missed getting a picture of Shay and Steve together with their beautiful daughter -- we will have to remedy that the next time we see them!