CHAUTAUQUA, anyone?

The Chautauqua organization came to Ruston in 1889. The site of the first Chautauqua has been marked. The marker is just south of the south driveway into the Bridge Baptist Church on Vienna Street.

The very start of Louisiana Tech University came from the Chautauqua Ruston organization. Here is a link to a very good article about the Ruston Chautauqua by a local historian, Wesley Harris. Ruston Chautauqua History. 

At this time the Ruston Chautauqua is having four weekly meetings on the history of this area. Last Tuesday I attended a lecture on the "The History Of The Old Wire Road" The road followed the running of the telegraph line across North Louisiana.

Mrs Carolyn Espeneth has extensively researched the subject and gave a very informative talk. I enjoyed the talk....and the cookies and coffee.

The French Legion of Honor.

Garland Decell, a resident of Ruston served in the American Army in WW II in France. He fought in some of the fiercest battles with distinction. For his service in France the French Government has awarded him their highest medal; the Legion of Honor.

The French Consul in New Orleans came to Ruston today to present Garland with this honor. It was at the Rotary Club meeting. I was invited to the meeting by Tom Grazas (Starbuck Buddy). Tom was the MC for the meeting. I am grateful that Tom invited me. He even mentioned me from the podium. I wonder how much I owe him.

Gregor Trumel, French Consul and Tom Garzas, MC.

Consul Trumel and Garland Decell.

Garland Decell

Presentation of the Legion of Honor.

Vital Signs

Trying to get blood pressure below 120. My Doctor has approved doubling my blood pressure medicine. Hope that will do it. I have just increased the dosage. In the meantime I have gained weight! Heading for my high of 255 pounds. Should increase my steps up to four or five thousand.

Date	BP before rest	BP after rest	Temp	Weight	Steps
10/6/2015	155/73	134/64-70	97.8	246.5	2600
10/7/2015	147/99	145/67-71	97.8	245.5	4100
10/8/2015	161/77	133/60-71	97.9	245.5	6000
10/9/2015	156/64	142/67-77	98.3	245.3	4400
10/10/2015	167/69	134/68-71	98.1	244.3	3200
10/11/2015	167/84	142/75-67	97.7	244.3	2000
10/12/2015	150/77	124/69-76	98.2	246.1	1500
10/13/2015	162/76	139/72-69	97.8	246.1	2700
10/14/2015	169/82	140/73-72	97.8	247.5	2000
10/15/2015	170/74	155/76-77	98.0	248.3	2100
10/16/2015	176/74	135/76-77	98.0	248.3	2300
10/17/2015	190/83	138/73-71	98.1	247.3	2900
10/18/2015	146/89	141/70-70	97.7	245.9	3100
10/19/2015	179/99	159/74-69	97.6	247.3	1900
10/20/2015	154/75	142/62-70	97.6	246.6	3400
10/21/2015	146/69	130/68-75	97.8	248.1	1300
10/22/2015	138/66	125/57-71	98.1	248.7	2400
10/23/2015	160/74	128/67-71	98.0	248.0	2300
10/24/2015	143/62	122/60-73	98.5	248.0	3100
10/25/2015	147/75	122/63-69	98.3	249.2	1100
10/26/2015	161/77	138/68-67	97.8	250.6	1200
10/27/2015	154/74	133/72-65	97.9	250.5	2600

A man and his dog. John and Midnight.

I first met Midnight in October, 2006 when Jackie and I moved from Washington to Ruston. He was about two years old. I knew Midnight through his teen years, adulthood, and old age. I grew very fond of that guy. It is with tears in my eyes, a lump in my throat, and an ache in my heart that I write that Midnight passed away this morning. Midnight lived to be eleven. The average life expectancy for a lab is ten to twelve years. Midnight had a full lab life.

Midnight was the Adams family dog. John and Kerry. He loved his family. It was a pleasure to watch how close they were. And how well they communicated.

If possible Midnight was with John every minute. If John was working in one spot, Midnight would lay done beside him. John had many a trip over Midnight. 

Here are some pictures of Midnight's last living hours. The Doctor said that Midnight had a terminal case of cancer. 

Ethan Charles Newberry is 15 years old.

Ethan is the oldest of my nine great grand children. His birthday was on Sunday. Ethan is on the Cross Country Track Team at West Monroe High School. He is doing great and we are very proud of him. He is on the left in the front row of the picture below of the Track Team.

Cross country racing is not all fun and games. See picture of Ethan below.

Ethan with Mom, Dad, and two younger brothers.

Ethan behind the old Prunepicker.

Ethan with Paw Paw and Maw Maw. 

Re-enactment of the Battle of D'Arbonne Landing.

Saturday afternoon I witnessed an re-enactment of the Batlle of D'Arbonne Landing. It was a grand affair with at least a hundred men and three cannons that fired for some time. There was an infantry skirmish with casualties. There were a lot of tents in the woods that housed the re-enacters.

Spectators.

There was a store tent for buying uniforms, etc.