At the Last Lecture

 We are cruising into Jacksonville. I brought my crocheting with me to do while I listen. Rick made connection with the lecturer. Her sister lives in Charlottesville. 

We are all part of the DNA data base of FBI

Women’s history is about making the invisible woman visible. 

Picture is of women On the poach of the McDonald House. 

The Catholic Church gives them money to come.

Tells about her history and relationship to McDonalds and Scotland. 

Her theme is Objects  can reveal the story of the past. 

Martha Ballard. Look up her book. 

Sadie Palmer waters is the woman the lecture is about. 

Life is short Art is long.

Found framed miniature paintings. Found her grave with stone with her body carved. 

Her husband is wealthy in oil and trade. They lived in wealth neighborhood. Shows her house. Episcopalian.and her art school she shows picture of school. Looks up  information and  finds her  I iTunes painting. Portrait of Sadie. By Francis davis Millet.

She is holding a pink rose. Talks about Millet . He has an artist colony in England, the cotswalls.

Famous artist, writers.

   Male dominated world. She shows house. Good friend with Sadie’s teacher.

They paint “the nude.” She goes to men’s art class with only men. She is also paints with illumination. 

Now we are going to learn about how to disembark. No later until 3 o’cock in the morning.

Keep your eyes always on your luggage.

Must be out of your state room at 7:30. Taxis park by monument.

At first lecture

 The lecturer is talking about the new ships. We are on the Eagle. I do not have my booking number so I cannot connect to the portal yet. Sometimes too much food is served. 

We are a flag ship and must follow health and safety rules. Always connected to Coast Guide. Toilet sounds powerful but please do not put anything in toilet except tissue paper. Three older women just came in.  Now, Chris is explaining announcements. There is a table with descriptions of excursions. We have two drivers with us for all excursions. There is water onboard the bus. 

Dr. Mary MacOgden. Very knowledgeable. —she is wearing high, high heels, a bright orange blouse. Snap shots of what we are going to learn this week.

She loves all things southern. Professor in history, daughter went to navel academy. Husband is also in military. We are on the ship. We will also tender. Saint John’s very old. We will see and be in lakes. River flows north. Home to many American Indian tribes. It has a Spanish foot print. 

3500 lakes in the watershed. Estuary where there is brackish water. It is dredged by Army Corps of Engineers. 30 pump stations. Seminole have six reservations. Tribes have billions of dollars. 

Fight between black and red tribes. 

1711 is when the Spanish settle.Timacuas, extremely tall people.

Tattooed themselves.

Found3500 canoes one thousand year old. 

Peat moss bogs, found bodies. 

Mound culture. Shell mounds. 

First  sanctuary city was Saint Augistene.

Northerners wanted to see odd wild life,

27th state to enter the Union.

Amelia Island

 Fun Day,!We woke up early and ate breakfast. I ate qieche and a waffle and a crispy slice of bacon.

Rightnow I am in the 2nd floor meeting room. Chris is setting up the microphone. 

We are going to play “name that tune”.

 

We took the trolley and this afternoon a boat to Cumberland Island. Only thirty seven people live on this island.

Today we Cruise thee river

 We just were part of a moving ceremony where all the Veterans on board were given accolades and a flag pin. I was impressed. They played lots of patriotic songs and the cruise director read parts of speacher made by a minister. 

Rick sat close to me. They want to. Ethan’s to talk to each other and tell war stories. They served chocolate covered strawberries and mimosas, orange juice with wine, champagne and a red drink. I ate one strawberry and a cookie. I wrote post cards and sent a text message to families. I Brought my crocheting with me. 

green Spring Cove

 Everyone is moving south to this small town. We walked in the jail and into the cells.

We heard lots of stories from our guide who wore 

A top hat.  In the late 18hundreds there were lots of beautiful hotels but they fell apart. 

There is a military base. We saw the long docks where the military boats. We’re docked. Now they are gone.

We saw the springs and a swimming pool. Lots of famous swimmers here. 

Freezing Cold

 The whole east coast is  experiencing a cold spell. Right now I am sitting in Rick’s office to stay warmer. Our heating bill was $100. Rick is worried about next month. He thinks we should keep doors open.

I painted a picture of a blue bird with my new acrylic paint. I bought new small plastic bottles.  I looked through a box filled with Walker’s pictures and mementoes.

I watched TV and learned about the reaction to Trumps Inaugural address. He freed all the criminals who took part in the January 6th riots. He is going to deport all illegal aliens. Some people do not know how he will locate them. There are several millions.

I must write to bill Snow.  I have tried to pay USAA bill but the site is closed. 

The lake is frozen. It has been frozen for several days. The Washington Post is beside me on the chair 

We are in Jacksonville Florida

 We will take the American Eagle down the

Saint John River, Walker and Bess took us to the airport. Walker also took Hallie who left at 6 am.  I am sitting on our bed. I sent a text to everyone with this picture.

We Board thebAmerica. eagle soon

 We cannot board until 11:30. We have been resting and reading in our room at the Hyatt Regency.  We can see the ship few our room window. I sent two post cards from Jackensville, one to California and one to Crozet. I am reading a book one minute Memory Booster. I want to keep my mind sharp and I think this book will help me.

I am unimpressed with Jacksonville but impressed with all the people who work in the hotel. They are all from foreign countries. 

The Next Day

 Last night we ate fish and chips. I was cold all night long and had trouble sleeping. Today we ride in a jeep, called a tuck, tuck. 

We have a lovely view of the river , bridges, and three tall buildings. Two are apartment building, one is the American Bank. The television just came on. 

We are constantly bombarded with stories about Trump and all the changes he is making to the Federal government. The most heinous is the creation of DOGE the Department of Government Efficiency. Elon Musk is at the head. He has not been elected just appointed by Trump. 

Rick is exercising in the gym. I think he slept better than me. I brought my crocheting with me and am making a scarf. I think I lost one needle. I hope I can find it. I am reading a book called, Help me Lord, I am having a senior moment.