Cabelas, WWII and Supporting Friends

Hello my friends, how is your weekend going?  On Thursday Dayle and I went to visit the new Cabelas sportsman store.  Oh my goodness.. what a place!  I walked in and immediately started snapping photos.. this is the front entry.. for an outdoor store?  Amazing!

And then this is what you see, the main aisle, with stuffed wild animals all down the sides at roof level.. with wood beams and skylights.  And I heard water falling.. and I was drawn towards the "mountain" at the other end...

There were a family of bears...

And majestic Mountain Goats.

I didn't photograph ALL the animals along the way, but there were many!  I reached the "mountain" and it was covered with MORE stuffed wild animals and there was a waterfall winding down.. see that elk?

And big huge bear mid-roar.. 

Mountain sheep, a badger, mountain lion/cougar and a beautiful antelope.  

There were more stuffed animals around the whole building up on a ledge.  Here is a moose couple.

You could walk through a tunnel under the mountain and view two aquariums with fish that you might try to catch if you buy a fishing pole.. :-)

The 2nd one had rainbow trout in it.

We walked around like two country rubes going ooooh and ahhh.. look at that!  I was looking forward to seeing what they had in cast iron cookware.  They had big ones and little ones - and I'm on the hunt for a bigger one than what we have - but I will wait until we find an old one.  The new ones are so rough!  The old ones are smooth.  Dayle was interested in the gun department - during which I waited for him in the snack bar area and caught up on Scrabble on my iPhone.  :-)  We eventually found something to buy, a bag of orange slice jellied sweeties.  :-)  Lunch out and a stop at Home Depot and home.  Fun day.

Now - when I was talking to my brother Rob the other day he told me that our Mother had given him two books that were our Dad's - he kept one and gave the other to his twin sister, Roberta.  It told all about the World War II era of Iwo Jima and Japan that my Dad went through, and his name is in the book.  So, I went on Amazon and found a First Edition of the book and now I own a copy too.. it arrived yesterday.  I am happy that the dust jacket was with it, but it's in delicate condition - is it okay to have it laminated or is that a no-no?

Dayle spent a long time last night looking through this book and telling me things.  I look forward to reading it and learning what my dear father went through.  I have to say that my Dad brought home a Samurai sword and Japanese rifle which we grew up looking at from time to time.. and during a move of my dads they came up missing.. obviously the movers.  Isn't that sad?  Here is the cover of the hardbound book - it's bigger than I thought it would be and quite heavy.

The government apparently sent one of these books to each of the soldiers who served.  I will treasure this book of my father's history.

On to a new subject - I'm doing a CAL (Crochet-a-long) with Sue at Mrs. Micawber blog.  She is very talented and knows techniques I've never even dreamed of.  But thanks to Sue.. and stretching my brain into some knots.. lol.. I know them now.  This is called Limpet Mitts.  See the shell shapes in the lower part?  Those are limpets.  She is going to post the next part today.. can't wait.

And now some sad news. I want to let you know that my friend and the maker of my sterling silver crochet hooks is very ill.  His wife Molly, who is his life partner and fellow artisan, sent me some information that I asked if I could share with you.  From Molly:

"John has end stage pancreatic cancer, and it is in his lungs and lymph system.  At the beginning of June they told him he had weeks to months to live.  He is still up and about and is still coming to the smithy every so often.  He has taught me how to make the things he makes and I will be carrying on the best I can.  I am giving him home hospice palliative care with the help of Hospice of the Northwest.  We feel very blessed to have this time together.  

I have only been telling a few people about this.  I guess it would be nice to get emails of support."

--- my friends, please say a prayers or send your good wishes to try to ease his pain.  I know they would like to hear from you, to wish them well.

Click here to Email John and Molly 

Above a photo of John and Molly many years ago and below is John not long ago.

Here is my collection of their sterling silver hooks.  They are like magic to use - smooth, perfect of function, warming to your touch and beautiful.  I am glad I will have these to remember John and think of Molly.  To see their website click HERE.

And so, I am going to pick up my size H silver hook and work on finishing my red shawl today.  By the fire.  Chinese leftovers for lunch.  And life is good.  I hope you have a happy day ahead of you, enjoy your weekend.  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)