Shattuck, Lale and I went out for dinner tonight.  Unusual for us to go out… but necessary.  Why?  Because neither of us wanted to cook.

We decided to go to ‘The Kitchen’ on Brookhaven circle. I have searched far and wide for a real German Schnitzel,  but… as we learned in the Wizard of Oz… one only needs to look in their own backyard to find what they are looking for… unless you are West Lewis, Sr… then you have to go to Oz to find your pair of ruby slippers.

On previous travels to Europe, I sought out only one entrée… German Pork Schnitzel… I love a slightly breaded Schnitzel with a lemon, mash potatoes, and… of course… a German Bier (no I didn’t misspell it this time).

Lale and Shattuck both loved ‘The Kitchen’.

www.thekitchenonbrookhaven.com

 
(the below pics were taken in lower Germany 2004 AD)

 



When we arrived home, Shattuck sat in bed and read his books.





I picked Shattuck up… and he butted my head… thanks little Bruiser.

Last night Lale and I went to the home of the Pace Family to enjoy some Christmas cheer.  Shattuck stayed with Mari at the Lewis home… he played with Anne Hartmann and West.

The food was great!





All West Lewis wants for Christmas is a red camel hair jacket.




Shattuck and I woke up the next morning to go to the annual St. John’s meeting.  Lale stayed behind to tide the house and put up the Christmas tree.

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor,” Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325.

Below is an image of the St.Nicholas Church in Myra.



He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day.



Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas’ life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.

READ STORIES OF ST NICHOLAS:  http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=38

St. John’s Episcopal Church Reading of the Story of St. Nicholas

Tomorrow is ‘Cyber Monday’… the largest internet shopping day of the Year.  Uncle Albert and I have been preparing for the past several months for the launch of our new website… www.bluepew.com

This is a site where Church goers can shop online in over 300 stores and a portion of their purchases will go to their Church.  There are a few minor kinks we need to work out before we are 100%, but for the most part he is ready to go.

Check out the site!

www.bluepew.com






Albert set up a Zazzle account to order Blue Pew Gear….


create & buy custom products at Zazzle

If you know the enemy and know yourself,
you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

If you know yourself but not the enemy,
for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.

If you know neither the enemy nor yourself,
you will succumb in every battle.

– Sun Tzu

Shattuck and I dropped Lale off for a wedding shower and headed out to do a little recon…

We are in the heart of the Mid-West.  Settled by Germans and Scotch-Irish.  I’ve been searching for an authentic German restaraunt that serves my two favorite things… schnitzle and beer.  I’d heard of just such a place… unfortunately… it was located in the heart of darkness… the town of Lincoln.

Lincoln is a sleepy little town… it made Shattuck fall right to sleep..



This is Anywhere, USA located along Route 66… with a vibrant town square.  The people look normal… but don’t forget we are deep behind enemy lines.



Shattuck enjoyed a little schnitzle and water…




Shattuck and I stopped at a replica of the old circuit courthouse.  This would have been where Lincoln tried cases and gave speeches for his eventual run for political office.



This is only a replica of the original courthouse.  The original was purchased by Henry Ford and moved to Dearborn, MI to Ford’s Greenfield Village.  Henry Ford collected homes and buildings from across the country that he felt were historically significant and moved them to Greenfield Village.  He purchased the Logan County Courthouse for $8,000.

http://www.thehenryford.org/village/historicdistricts.aspx





For whatever reason… anywhere in this area where Lincoln actually walked is sacred grown.  Even a refabricated building where he attended court twice a year…



Lincoln was a lawyer who traveled around on a Circuit.  When court was in session here in the town of Postville (now Lincoln) in Logan County, IL; he would be there to represent his clients.  All legal business was done on an semi-annual basis.  The Circuit Court was held in the building that stood here.

Amazing… no formal education… no legal education….  Lincoln just decided to be a Lawyer… clerked for a while… and went to work.  Then became President of the United State.  At least one good thing came out of his Presidency… Thanksgiving Holiday.



Shattuck decided to sit where the opposing Lawyers would have sat during a trial upstairs in the old courthouse.









There were some Newspaper clippings from the Illinois Gazette from 1848… interesting reading.  Maybe these Mid-Westerners have some wisdom to share.




Shattuck and I learned a lot on our travel to Lincoln.  On our way home, we drove through miles and miles of corn fields.  We were in the heart of our Nation’s bread basket.

It occured to me that in my life time, we have exponentially increased the farmer’s level of productivity through technological and agro genetic advancements.  Then I was reminded of what the tour guide in the Logan County Courthouse said about the population during Lincoln’s time.  The entire County was only 2,500 people and now the town of Lincoln is 15,300.  The level of productivity in the way of farming has allowed our Nation and the World grow to a massive population.

Question:  What would happen if for one Year our abilities to grow food were cut by 1/4th?  Maybe at this moment prices would be effected but there would be plenty of reserves.  What would happen if the modern day equivalent of the potatoe famine were to take place?

Gold will definitely be the next bubble.  Will food someday be one as well?  These are the questions Shattuck asked on the drive home.

SHOW ME THE WAY BACK TO DIXIE!

Shattuck spent Thanksgiving in Springfield.



Time for a group photo of the children…



Line them up one by one…

 

Fix their hair…



Ask them to stay still…



One last adjustment…. wait for it…



C-H-E-E-S-E

Shattuck stopped in St. Loius  on his way to Thanksgiving to see Mary Kate.



He wasn’t in the mood for a photo shoot.

Shattuck went to Rosedale last weekend to visit his Great Grandmother Nan.



He found the toy closet… how many generations of toys are in there?  Shattuck’s grandfather’s toys, his father’s toys and books, and now…. his toys.  He went straight for the old phone… I wonder if he’ll know why it doesn’t have buttons.









The next day, Shattuck woke up in his Grandparents home…



… Shattuck wanted to see what the dogs were doing…



“Hey dogs… what do you see?”



After lunch, I took Shattuck outside for a picture under the Ginko tree… his Mother and Grandmother were not happy about his apperance… so he had to change clothes…



Now he’s more presentable.















Mrs. Lee Aylward stopped by to see Shattuck.  Ben was in town over the weekend, but he had to fly back to Costa Rica for work.

Shattuck, Lale, Fletcher (Dog), Mintie (Dog II), and I all packed up and went to Cleveland, MS for the weekend to attend a wedding party for Brig Aylward.  Surprisingly, Ben flew in from Costa Rica that morning for the party and flew out this morning.

Shattuck, Lale, Fletcher (Dog), Mintie (Dog II), and I all packed up and went to Cleveland, MS for the weekend to attend a wedding party for Brig Aylward.  Surprisingly, Ben flew in from Costa Rica that morning for the party and flew out this morning.