Weather: Sunny and warm this morning and not to hot. It has been raining almost every afternoon since I have been close to home.
Where I walked today: Real close now I walked in Willoughby, Willowick, I am almost through Wickliffe.
The ”Safe house” where I stayed: When I left George’s in Austinburg. May 19th to May 21st then home for Dr. Sakina Rose’s http://www.ocpm.edu/ graduation then back in Austinburg May 23rd and 24th. Lisa Link and Family Monday 5/25 then her sister Alynn & Rhea Mahle House in mentor http://www.city-data.com/picfilesv/picv11790.php Tuesday and Wednesday 5/26 and 5/27 (Gee My head is spinning just looking at it written out like that.)
Who walked with me: My son Dan was my driver 5/27 the day before was Jason Reed who teaches and works with young men at St Ignatius High. http://www.ignatius.edu/ Jason was such a wonderful and attentive driver. It was as if he was raised in a different era: Such door holding and holding my arm as I stepped out of the car, going to get the car after we had lunch. What a guy! We were quite a crowd today Khadijah Muhammed, Gloria Fearon, Sakina Rose, Jamal Houble, Son Robert and Daughter Teci www.linkedin.com/in/lbaldwin Her kids Helena and Alex. Thursday 5/28/09
One thing I really want you to know: All four of my grown children Martha, Robert, Letitia and Dan will be in attendance for the big celebration on May 30th. Here is a prayer to the weather gods to let it be sunny for a few hours this Saturday. Martha www.Marthasouthgate.com Made a comment on my blog http://joansouthgate.blogspot.com/ How exciting. She told me about a website to look up when I get home. http://www.thedefendersonline.org/ sounds like it right up my alley.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
May 25
Sally and I did a relay yesterday. That means that since we did not have a driver Sally walked alone, for a while then I walked a while as we took turns driving. As I was waiting in the van for Sally a guy came up to me to ask if I was having car trouble. I said no and explained what we were doing. His Name was David Crookshank. He told me about Ron & Kay Wright who have a house that is a documented underground railroad site. It is the Seth Marshall house in Painesville OH.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Went to church with George, his sister Jo from Tennesee and Sally. All white choir, all white UCC church and the opening hymn is Lift Every Voice and Sing. Lovely.
After church we talked with 93 year old Margaret Ticknor and her daughters. Although she is small, rather frail and has had a stroke, today, during our brief conversation she was alert and engaged, even correcting some details of Austinburg's rich history. Her daughter, Ginny was pleasantly surprised. Later Ginny gave an exciting tour of the Cowles family home. Ginny is an historian and tour guide, who showed us many authentic artifacts and one room, a study, that had been kept in its original state as stipulated in Betsey Cowles will. Betsey was an amazing strong woman who was one of the first female students at Oberlin College, an abolitionist and a suffragette. And her strong sense of history has made it possible for the family to still have all of these important pieces, furniture, books, documents, journals and stories.
After church we talked with 93 year old Margaret Ticknor and her daughters. Although she is small, rather frail and has had a stroke, today, during our brief conversation she was alert and engaged, even correcting some details of Austinburg's rich history. Her daughter, Ginny was pleasantly surprised. Later Ginny gave an exciting tour of the Cowles family home. Ginny is an historian and tour guide, who showed us many authentic artifacts and one room, a study, that had been kept in its original state as stipulated in Betsey Cowles will. Betsey was an amazing strong woman who was one of the first female students at Oberlin College, an abolitionist and a suffragette. And her strong sense of history has made it possible for the family to still have all of these important pieces, furniture, books, documents, journals and stories.
Labels:
abolitionist,
Austinburg,
Church,
history,
Oberlin College
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Date: May 20 2009
Weather: Weather http://www.weather.com/is again bright and sunny/blue skied. It is the warmest that it has been yet. I came back from my walking today and looked up at the temperature flashing on a sign that was by the road and it said 86 degrees. Whew! No wonder I was dripping wet today.
Where I walked today: Crossed the state line today. Pennsylvania to Ohio. Hmm or was that yesterday? The days run together sometime.
The ”Safe house” where I stayed: George Barnum’s house in Austinburg OH now Andi is here with me as well.
Who walked with me: By myself today.
One thing I really want you to know:
Did I mention that I lost my phone? My driver Glenda helped me get new cell phone at Radio Shack. Slow process clerk hung up on adding minutes on line. I am so tired, so is she. Now Glenda has to drive all the way back to Toledo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo,_Ohio when she drops me off at George Barnum's house in Austinburg.
This very old brick (Perhaps 1800's) house is filled with period furniture http://ararefindllc.com/18th19th_century_period_furniture and old photos in a worn black paper album where you insert the corners of the photos into black triangle stick on, much like the one we had when I was a child. There are framed larger family and team or staff group pictures framed on the walls. George says that he has only owned it a couple years. He is working in Washington DC right now, but I can’t wait to hear his stories about the pictures in this house.
I found a book called BEING DEAD IS NO EXCUSE The Official Southern Ladies to hosting the Perfect Funeral, http://www.undergroundhumor.com/books/being_dead_is_no_excuse.htm not old or Victorian, but lots of fun. I am exhausted; I sit down without exploring to settle in and wrapped in a heavy flannel cotton sheet and beautiful quilt. I read and giggle myself into a sound sleep. I wake four hours later wondering and frozen. Now I search and find the thermostat and turn it up to 67. Brrr! Also figured out the radio and listened to NPR opera in background as I sorted my medicine pills into weekly container and checked maps and receipts. ALONE. I lived alone a long long time so this was relaxing (once I was warm and could munch on a chewy granola almond and cranberry bar.) http://www.videojug.com/webvideo/how-to-make-cranberry-almond-chewy-granola-bars
Where I walked today: Crossed the state line today. Pennsylvania to Ohio. Hmm or was that yesterday? The days run together sometime.
The ”Safe house” where I stayed: George Barnum’s house in Austinburg OH now Andi is here with me as well.
Who walked with me: By myself today.
One thing I really want you to know:
Did I mention that I lost my phone? My driver Glenda helped me get new cell phone at Radio Shack. Slow process clerk hung up on adding minutes on line. I am so tired, so is she. Now Glenda has to drive all the way back to Toledo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo,_Ohio when she drops me off at George Barnum's house in Austinburg.
This very old brick (Perhaps 1800's) house is filled with period furniture http://ararefindllc.com/18th19th_century_period_furniture and old photos in a worn black paper album where you insert the corners of the photos into black triangle stick on, much like the one we had when I was a child. There are framed larger family and team or staff group pictures framed on the walls. George says that he has only owned it a couple years. He is working in Washington DC right now, but I can’t wait to hear his stories about the pictures in this house.
I found a book called BEING DEAD IS NO EXCUSE The Official Southern Ladies to hosting the Perfect Funeral, http://www.undergroundhumor.com/books/being_dead_is_no_excuse.htm not old or Victorian, but lots of fun. I am exhausted; I sit down without exploring to settle in and wrapped in a heavy flannel cotton sheet and beautiful quilt. I read and giggle myself into a sound sleep. I wake four hours later wondering and frozen. Now I search and find the thermostat and turn it up to 67. Brrr! Also figured out the radio and listened to NPR opera in background as I sorted my medicine pills into weekly container and checked maps and receipts. ALONE. I lived alone a long long time so this was relaxing (once I was warm and could munch on a chewy granola almond and cranberry bar.) http://www.videojug.com/webvideo/how-to-make-cranberry-almond-chewy-granola-bars
Labels:
books,
Ohio,
safe houses,
walking,
weather
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Date: May 19 2009
Here I am walking on a rainy day in my red raincoat.
Ok evening of the 18th actually.
Weather: A lot warmer today and sunny. Good walking weather.
Where I walked today: near the Pennsylvania, Ohio state line.
The “Safe house” where I stayed: Glenda dropped me off here at George Barnum’s house in Austinburg, OH. Now she is headed back to Toledo, OH. I will stay at George’s house alone tonight. My new driver Andi Schmidt will be here in the morning.
Who walked with me: Marilyn S. one day and then I walked alone the next couple of days.
One thing I really want you to know:
I am so full of wonderful stories; I often think that I have told a story to Teci when I was actually talking with my son Danny. In any case here goes: We were just letting me off at my beginning spot and the car behind honked to be let through. I offered a news/flyer and they pulled off and I stepped off. Way down the road I looked up and thought I saw a dog walking toward me, and then, when my old pre-cataract surgery prescription glasses finally focused, it was someone on a bicycle pedaling for all he was worth towards me in the wide berm. And he stopped right in front of me smiling to beat the band and extended a cold can of Pepsi. There was this adorable young kid in tee shirt and torn-knee jeans, saying, "That was my sister and me in the orange car...and I had to come and meet you. I need to give you a hug." I of course was ready to melt how wonderfully sweet and loving. A teenager, actually graduating teen, Jacob Heitzer. "You are so inspiring, I want to do something like that but I don't think I ever will. I want to bike across the country, from California to the east coast... but I don't think I ever will” I told him I thought he would someday just find the time and maybe with some friend just be able to plan and to do it. I told him about Doris Haddock http://www.grannyd.com/ (he never heard of her and not enough people have) who walked across the country when she was 90 years old; her mission was campaign finance reform and she had been a social justice activist all of her life. When she got to the east coast, a terrible snow storm blocked her walking so she sent back to her home in New England for her cross-country skis and skied 100 miles to keep her appointed time in Washington DC. Jacob hugged me again twice more and I told him I knew he would bike across the US someday probably long before he was 90. Reminds me of my daughter’s friend Robert Owens who got on a bike at 10 and never stopped riding. He belongs to a bike club http://www.majortaylor.com/
He said, you are so inspiring then asked for another hug which is exactly what I needed from him.
JACOB HEITZER WILL CROSS THE US ON BIKE AND IT WILL BE A GRAND ADVENTURE; PROBABLY WITHIN THE VERY NEXT FEW YEARS.
Do you know why I am so sure of this? I think it is because any teenager that would chase me down by bicycle has great determination
Weather: A lot warmer today and sunny. Good walking weather.
Where I walked today: near the Pennsylvania, Ohio state line.
The “Safe house” where I stayed: Glenda dropped me off here at George Barnum’s house in Austinburg, OH. Now she is headed back to Toledo, OH. I will stay at George’s house alone tonight. My new driver Andi Schmidt will be here in the morning.
Who walked with me: Marilyn S. one day and then I walked alone the next couple of days.
One thing I really want you to know:
I am so full of wonderful stories; I often think that I have told a story to Teci when I was actually talking with my son Danny. In any case here goes: We were just letting me off at my beginning spot and the car behind honked to be let through. I offered a news/flyer and they pulled off and I stepped off. Way down the road I looked up and thought I saw a dog walking toward me, and then, when my old pre-cataract surgery prescription glasses finally focused, it was someone on a bicycle pedaling for all he was worth towards me in the wide berm. And he stopped right in front of me smiling to beat the band and extended a cold can of Pepsi. There was this adorable young kid in tee shirt and torn-knee jeans, saying, "That was my sister and me in the orange car...and I had to come and meet you. I need to give you a hug." I of course was ready to melt how wonderfully sweet and loving. A teenager, actually graduating teen, Jacob Heitzer. "You are so inspiring, I want to do something like that but I don't think I ever will. I want to bike across the country, from California to the east coast... but I don't think I ever will” I told him I thought he would someday just find the time and maybe with some friend just be able to plan and to do it. I told him about Doris Haddock http://www.grannyd.com/ (he never heard of her and not enough people have) who walked across the country when she was 90 years old; her mission was campaign finance reform and she had been a social justice activist all of her life. When she got to the east coast, a terrible snow storm blocked her walking so she sent back to her home in New England for her cross-country skis and skied 100 miles to keep her appointed time in Washington DC. Jacob hugged me again twice more and I told him I knew he would bike across the US someday probably long before he was 90. Reminds me of my daughter’s friend Robert Owens who got on a bike at 10 and never stopped riding. He belongs to a bike club http://www.majortaylor.com/
He said, you are so inspiring then asked for another hug which is exactly what I needed from him.
JACOB HEITZER WILL CROSS THE US ON BIKE AND IT WILL BE A GRAND ADVENTURE; PROBABLY WITHIN THE VERY NEXT FEW YEARS.
Do you know why I am so sure of this? I think it is because any teenager that would chase me down by bicycle has great determination
Monday, May 18, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
May 17th 2009
Weather: Cloudy but not cold. Good walking weather
Where I walked today: Near Lake City PA
The “Safe house” where I stayed: Tom and Barbara George They are members of Holy Cross Church. We went to 8 am mass this morning. Yes I said 8 am! The church is in the round like a theatre. It is really exquisite, there were beautiful sculptures throughout. One of Jesus on the cross, except there was no cross, so interesting. I was told that the sculpture originally had a cross except that it was too heavy to display with the cross, truly striking without it. This is one of the many churches that Teci called back in March and they connected me with my hosts Tom and Barb George.
Who walked with me: Both Hope and Glenda were drivers so that they both had a chance to walk with me. I think both Teci and Sally were kind of worried to leave me “alone”. There was no reason to worry. I am well cared for and having a grand time.
One thing I really want you to know: Remember a special Underground Railroad home that I mentioned? Well we went back to the house to take some pictures. I wasn’t sure if my friends the Deiners still lived there. I met Albert and Shirley Deiner when I walked back in 2003.
Here’s the story and it is a great one. I was with Hope and Glenda and we pulled into the drive way thinking that we would take some pictures even though no one seemed to be home. The Gals got out first and then Shirley Deiner walked out on to the porch. She just appeared. We hugged each other like long lost relatives. Shirley kept saying to me “It’s a miracle. I saw in the paper that you were here but no one knew how to reach you.” I didn’t even hear you knock. If you had come by 15 minutes earlier we would not have even been home.” I found out later that Shirley had even called the paper in Erie PA to see if they knew how to reach me.
I have met and reconnected with so many kind, loving, wonderful, people. I have run out of words to describe it all. I spend much of my time saying wow, wow and wow. Teci tells me that she made sure to call the Deiners and invite them to the May 30th celebration.
Where I walked today: Near Lake City PA
The “Safe house” where I stayed: Tom and Barbara George They are members of Holy Cross Church. We went to 8 am mass this morning. Yes I said 8 am! The church is in the round like a theatre. It is really exquisite, there were beautiful sculptures throughout. One of Jesus on the cross, except there was no cross, so interesting. I was told that the sculpture originally had a cross except that it was too heavy to display with the cross, truly striking without it. This is one of the many churches that Teci called back in March and they connected me with my hosts Tom and Barb George.
Who walked with me: Both Hope and Glenda were drivers so that they both had a chance to walk with me. I think both Teci and Sally were kind of worried to leave me “alone”. There was no reason to worry. I am well cared for and having a grand time.
One thing I really want you to know: Remember a special Underground Railroad home that I mentioned? Well we went back to the house to take some pictures. I wasn’t sure if my friends the Deiners still lived there. I met Albert and Shirley Deiner when I walked back in 2003.
Here’s the story and it is a great one. I was with Hope and Glenda and we pulled into the drive way thinking that we would take some pictures even though no one seemed to be home. The Gals got out first and then Shirley Deiner walked out on to the porch. She just appeared. We hugged each other like long lost relatives. Shirley kept saying to me “It’s a miracle. I saw in the paper that you were here but no one knew how to reach you.” I didn’t even hear you knock. If you had come by 15 minutes earlier we would not have even been home.” I found out later that Shirley had even called the paper in Erie PA to see if they knew how to reach me.
I have met and reconnected with so many kind, loving, wonderful, people. I have run out of words to describe it all. I spend much of my time saying wow, wow and wow. Teci tells me that she made sure to call the Deiners and invite them to the May 30th celebration.
Labels:
Church,
miracles,
Newspaper,
Underground Railroad,
walking
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