![\"The](\"http:\/\/perrellas.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/The-gift-shop.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/a><\/p>\nAs it were, the cold drove visitors into the center so I primarily sold hot beverages, keeping things flowing by bagging and refilling the shelves.\u00a0 It suited me, keeping me happily moving all around greeting the celebration visitors. I was completely spent by the end of the day from all the activity but awoke ready to face the crowds the next day, even with the Texas weather being as uncooperative as possible for such an important celebration.<\/p>\n
John helped in several areas on the farm, giving visitors the low down on what life was like in the 1850\u2019s, what part pigs played for survival, the living conditions of Anson Jones\u2019 slaves and his favorite (besides eating the farm cooked meals) was working with the Oxen under the guidance of Bruce, an employee.\u00a0 Bruce stopped for a drink, 1850\u2019s style, from a farm grown hollowed out gourd.<\/p>\n
The second day was slow so I was able to visit the farm and get a shot of John walking\u00a0 Slim, a Pineywoods Oxen, out of the farm pasture to the pasture next to LilyPad.<\/p>\n No rain the first day allowed local musicians to play inside and out.\u00a0 The Lone Star String Band, a group of professionals, played in the visitors center and down on the farm.<\/p>\n A giant team of Longhorn Oxen stood by the visitor center entrance and allowed celebrators a photo op.\u00a0 They stood patiently for hours while people milled around them.<\/p>\n Several noted local authors came to sign their books; Sharon with The Burning of Brenham,<\/p>\n Garlyn with The Donkey Boy, Father Forgive Them and The Rachel Plummer Story<\/p>\n and Laurie with Magnificent Sam.<\/p>\n Our local bee keeper, Lorelei, brought displays,<\/p>\n Paula the laundress and Happi the soap maker gave demonstrations,<\/p>\n our neighbor and fellow volunteer Richard was a period interpreter and was showing off his mug made from real horn,<\/p>\n and a whole group of Interpreters shared stories of 1850\u2019s adventures while throwing back a cold one (soda) at the Inn.<\/p>\n The second day had fewer visitors so John and I were able to take a break and walk the area, visiting some of the farm demonstrators.\u00a0 Dave the blacksmith was an entertaining fellow with impressive forging skills.\u00a0 Using period style tools, he fashioned dozens of cooking and hardware items, then used a copper rod to demonstrate the making of a tiny masterpiece.<\/p>\n The resulting awesomely beautiful copper leaf was presented to me to hang in LilyPad.<\/p>\n In the Barrington Farmhouse, Betty was demonstrating tatting.<\/p>\n We wandered to the side field where the Texas Army was headquartered, complete with period tents, furnishings and all participants in period dress.<\/p>\n The camp even had its own blacksmith for repairing wagons and making tools.<\/p>\n Along with their two canon\u2019s which were fired off during the celebration, the group was living as they had back in the late 1800\u2019s. Although they were scheduled to stay the weekend, the chilly soggy weather chased them all back to their \u201creal world\u201d homes.<\/p>\n An enjoyable celebration even with the never ending dampness that stayed both days.<\/p>\n The event marked the highlight of the preceding three months volunteering. Best part of the experience was the absolutely amazing staff\u2026friendly and helpful\u2026loved being in their company.<\/p>\n Packed up and ready to move on to our \u201chome base\u201d, we said our good-byes and departed, the drive being a few easy hours on smooth roads all the way to Rayford Crossing RV Resort. Home again, home again jiggety-jig.<\/p>\n Time to enjoy family and friends, revisit doctors, stock up on supplies and plan our next roadway direction. Our objective, to visit as many family and friends along our route as possible before reaching Massachusetts.<\/p>\n This time our \u201cIt\u2019s Always Something\u201d wasn\u2019t even our fault but we are still stuck with part of the cost. Unless we find the exact mower that hit us and they admit to the accident, we will end up paying the $500.00 deductible for which we hadn\u2019t planned. I argued that it would be covered for a car hit-and-run, but they came back with \u201ca motorhome isn\u2019t considered a car\u201d. It would be covered if a vehicle hit a \u201csticks and bricks\u201d house but they stated \u201cbecause it is mobile, it is not considered a house\u201d. Tried every conceivable scenario but all my arguments were lost causes. Ah, the joys of paying all that money to insurance companies just in case something happens, then having something happen and finding out you are not totally covered.<\/p>\n Soon we leave the comfort of our familiar surroundings for the first leg of our trip. The music in my head starts softly a few days before our departure, picking up Willie\u2019s smooth crooning words, On The Road Again.\u00a0 When we leave Friday morning, the song will be pumped up so loud, the windows will vibrate as our wheels creep away from our site.\u00a0 New England, here we come!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Texas Independence Day Celebration preparation had begun months ago and the final touches were being put in place by our Trustees and all of the staff. The trustees had worked hard and long hours setting up all the fire rings, … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 <\/a>\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n