House Sitting

Friday was a "what do I do with myself?" kind of day. There were so many options as to where I could park myself and work on my writing. I went from here to there and back again. The hardest part is not being able to smoke inside.

I ended up going for a walk and photographing the wildlife and then went into town for dinner. I had the tastiest Blue Cheese and Portabella Mushroom burger with fries and cottage cheese at the "Bierstube".

Saturday morning was comical. I think the dogs usually steal the show but they aren't here this weekend. These cats are not graceful like cats should be, knocking things over and I heard a "thump, thump, thump" coming up the stairs at 5:30 am. Tigger managed to climb upstairs with a sticky mouse trap in tow, complete with mouse attached. Once I pealed it from his leg, the sticky stuff stuck and everything he came in contact with was getting stuck to him. Including my morning paper as I was trying to read it.

I thought the mouse was dead but noticed it wriggling around, I couldn't just throw it in the trash like that. I don't know how long it had been stuck but I didn't think it was very humane to let it starve to death. It may sound gross but I took it outside and drowned it, quickly putting it out of its misery.

Now, I hear a lot about the mischievous corgis that live here, but they are out of town and I left the bathroom door open, thinking there was nothing the kitty's could get into (there were no mouse traps in the bathroom). When I came downstairs to park myself on the screened porch, I found the cap to my toothbrush. I wonder if they have a stash of treasures hidden somewhere in the house too. Ella, one of the dogs, has a stash under the master bed but that's another blog that belongs to my cousin: Ella's Cache.

After all the excitement, I decided to head to town, in the rain and check out all the shops I am always passing on my way here, saying "I should stop there sometime". I removed my books from my book bag and put my camera and extra lens in it (I didn't want to look like a tourist). LeClaire was very reminiscent of Galena Illinois, except I found the prices more affordable (My legs and feet were aching just like Galena too).

I'm a bit homesick but I've gotten a lot of writing done and will be leaving first thing in the morning. Well, maybe not "first thing" as I tend to be up around 5:00am, but shortly there after (I have to have coffee first). I never did get to take a nap in the hammock, its almost tempting to sleep in it tonight but I'll pass. Right now all I have on my agenda is to take a bath in the jacuzzi, I'd kick my self for passing that up too.

Peace
Liz

Liking LeClaire

I'm house sitting for my cousin in LeClaire, Iowa. I don't live far from here, just across the Mississippi River in Moline, Illinois. It's maybe a thirty minute drive. Every time I pass through downtown, I tell myself that I should stop sometime and check it out. I'm a regular visitor to Galena, Illinois and its beginning to resemble Galena with all the art and antique shops popping up.

Well today I finally got around to visiting downtown LeClaire. I parked at one end of town on "The Great River Road", locally known as "N Cody Road" and walked up one side and back the other, hitting every shop in both directions. I had my eye out for a couple of things I've been wanting; a butterfly wind chime and a cabinet for the bathroom. I figured I would have better luck with the wind chime. Being on unemployment, even if I did find a cabinet I wouldn't be able to buy it.

As luck would have it, I found a tin crafted, butterfly wind chime hanging outside the third shop I think I went to, "LeClaire Antique Appraisers", only $10.00. When I entered the shop, there was a woman trying on a vintage, 1920's dress for a garden wedding. The ladies were discussing whether or not it was appropriate for a garden wedding. I thought it was perfect but went about browsing. I was a bit disappointed when she decided not to buy because she was afraid to have it cleaned.

I left the shop with the butterfly wind chime in mind and continued on. When I crossed the street at the opposite end of town, I needed to rest my feet. I walked down to the riverfront where a pavilion allowed me to park myself and take some pictures. I watched The North American Pelicans, they stop on the Mississippi as part of their migration every year and hang for a while. I've taken a full day before, hitting all the parks and dams along both sides of the River, taking pictures.

While I was resting, I saw the "Antique Archeology" van; a blast from the not too distant past. I had dated one of the Archeologists" a few times. Back then, they were being scouted for a show for "The Discovery Channel" and I sat through a few of the pilot episodes. It looked like they were doing well, they had a brand new van. They didn't make the cut for the cable channel but they now have a site on the internet where you can watch them make their amazing, antique discoveries.

I wanted to visit the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum but passed, I had seen it as a kid but not in such a pleasant environment. I figured it was time for lunch instead. I stopped in a popcorn shop and drooled for a moment over the counter but passed on the chocolate truffles. As it turns out they came from Largomarcino's, which I love but we have the original Largomarcino's in Moline, just down the hill from my home. I passed on "Happy Joe's" Pizza, I've had that before; who hasn't if you're from the Quad Cities. I'd also been to "Sneaky Pete's" years ago but its just not the same if you aren't with someone wearing a tie (they'll cut it off of you and hang it from the rafters).

I found a little cafe' called "Lydia's" and had one of their specialty sandwiches, "Sierra Chicken" with chips and a pickle spear. I sat outside on the balcony behind the building, again it reminded me of Galena but with a much better view and the sandwich was great. I wish I could remember what the green stuff on it was called. Since I passed up the chocolate, I grabbed a chocolate, chocolate chip muffin to go and headed for the Antique shop to buy the wind chime. All that was left were art shops so I figured I'd make my purchase and go back to the arts and crafts just to browse.

The last of the shops were my favorite; pottery, unique jewelry and interesting gifts. I'll be heading back here around Christmas time for sure. Its not as far as Galena and the prices, I thought were more reasonable. And yes, there were a few cabinets for the bathroom, but the prices, though reasonable, were not cheap enough for me.


Peace
Liz

Links of interest:
http://www.visitleclaire.com/
http://leclaireiowa.gov/
http://leclairechamber.com/

My Favorite places:

http://www.antiquearcheology.com/ - Watch videos on how they find their treasures!
http://www.artsworkia.com/ - My favorite shop!
http://www.razzleberriesgifts.com/ - I loved their fishing lure jewelry!
http://www.riverpup1.com/ - For all your Corgi needs.