Ohio, Day 2

 Day 2 started with a trip to the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame.   I was kind of ambivalent about going.  I don’t remember song lyrics, singer names, blah, blah blah.   I know I like what I hear as I am listening and my brain moves on.    I am so glad we went.  It was awesome.   At one point I was bopping with headphones on listening to Freddy Mercury.  

Anyway, enough of that visual…..We were in line in time for our 10 am timed admission.  The website says 2 1/2 hours to 3 hours for the tour.  The first floor we toured has a changing exhibit and also the history of R & R starting with its roots in church and gospel music.   It. took us almost two hours just for that floor alone!   It was overwhelming to say the least.  

The entrance was lined floor to ceiling with autographs.  

Saturday Night Live was the first exhibit.   I used to think I was really doing something if I stayed up to watch Saturday night live.   These days…..I am watching the inside of my eyelids when it is on the air.  It was really neat to see some of the skits and clothes from the shows.   Justin Timberlake’s leotard from his “All the Single Ladies” skit with Bobby Monihan and Andy Samberg.  Hilarious!  

Kenan Thompson’s jacket from his “What’s Up With That” skits as Diondre Cole

And so much more.  Many pix I took had too much glare and reflection.

After the SNL section, we wandered our way through the music that proceeded “Rock ‘n Roll”.  The gospel singers, the folk singers, Blues, Motown, Country, Memphis and so on.  

So in no particular order and with photos of musicians and bands forgotten.   The sounds, the pictures brought back many memories.  Music, like your sense of smell, can take you back to time long forgotten.    I made sure my kids were introduced to music through school instrument programs because, I cannot carry a tune in a bucket and birds fall from the sky if I do more than mouth the words in church!

Sister Rosetta, hailed one of the founders, from 1948. 

Mahalia Jackson

 

Hank Williams

Piano played by Jerry Lee Lewis showing how he wore the ivory right off the keys.

No introduction needed, just look at the white glove and know.

One of Michael Jackson’s Grammys

One of Lady Gaga’s outfits

Always a Beatles Fan….

From the original Ryman Auditorium Theater, a pew, c. 1895, Nashville.

Fats Domino

And his domino shirt!

No explanation needed.  Thank you, thank you very much.

Patchwork coat worn by Jimi Hendrix

I thought this was touching.   This poster of Rev. Franklin and his daughter, Aretha……

The Supremes, The Temptations, Berry Gordy, The Miracles……

Turquoise guitar, why?   I don’t even know who’s it was but it is my favorite color.  LOL

Harry Styles suit

“THE Blue Suede Shoes!

The final exhibit on the top floor was dedicated to Paul McCartney and Wings.   I can’t help but have the music “Live and Let Die” playing in my head.  

Original writing of  “Uncle Arthur”

And for my s-in-l, John Prine, one of his favorites.

You know me.  I’ve always have to get the scenery in.  A view from the 5th floor of the Hall of Fame out over Lake Erie.  

After the tour, we walked to the waterfront and had a relaxing lunch outdoors.   As you can see by the sky, the weather was beyond gorgeous.   My view was of the Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Looking out over the lake, a wee lighthouse in the distance.

You can’t be on a stitching retreat trip with going to a cross stitch store.   This trip had us visit the Crafty Ewe in Broadview Heights, Ohio.  It was a great store, super well stocked and a variety of charts from the common and popular ones to the not familiar ones.   Lots of models on display which is always a great thing.    I made a few purchases.    Like I need another strawberry…..but you can see I brought two!

Rose, one of the early, if not an original member, opened her house for a Meet and Greet the night before the event started.   So kind and generous of her.   There were about 15 of us that showed up.   To say her needlework in beautiful is an understatement.  Her needlework is museum worthy.   She is not only prolific she is also impeccable with her stitching.  Her gardens were beautiful and welcoming.  I found what would be my stitching spot very quickly.  

Look at this unique way she displayed her  REVERSIBLE piece.  Not the best pic.  It is hanging from the molding in an over-sized doorway so the back and be displayed.  

And to think, I am not even scratching the surface of all the framed pieces and the beautiful cabinet/s of smalls.   Just stunning and absolutely motivating!!!  How wonderful it must be to sit and stitch here and be surrounded by all your beautiful work.

Thanks for traveling along with me……

Next up, the event and drive home

Ohio Trip - Day 1

First and foremost, we all had a great time at the Western Reserve Sampler Guild Retreat in Middleburg, OH.   What a great group of stitchers.   It was fabulous to see so many Zoom friends in person.   So much laughter.   So many awesome table gifts and door prizes.  And yes, there was stitching done.    

It was a 7-hour drive but we broke it up with some stops along the way.   I left my house Wednesday morning at quarter to o’dark-o’clock (5:45 am).   We drove in the rain almost all the way to Pittsburgh - 5 hours.   Our first stop Washington, Pennsylvania, we visited the John Bradford Home.   

John Bradford lived in Washington, PA.  He led the Whiskey Rebellion.   His home was built in 1788, Bradford lived here until 1794.  Following the collapse of the Whiskey Rebellion, he fled to Spanish West Florida.

I am always fascinated by the workmanship of the ornate woodwork.

One of the two original fireplaces in the home in what was their kitchen.

How long did it take to make a shirt?   Apparently a year and a day!  And to think, we get next day delivery!

There was a loom in the lady’s sewing room.   It is used by a volunteer who comes in weekly to weave.  It would not have been original to the house but is of the period.

Sewing room supplies

Beautiful quilt on the child’s rope bed.

Awesome coverlet on child’s bed.

Young girl’s sampler

Beautiful master bedroom with our guide Amy standing by.

Amy showed us the details of the fabulous man’s stitched waist coat from 1776.

Under the hacking flap/slanted pocket flap of the pockets the owner’s name was embroidered.

Layla, our downstairs guide, showed us the dining room.   Both our guides were really great and full of knowledge.    Layla told us the dining room was the more expensive of the house.   With the linens, china, tea boxes, crystal, pewterware, etc., we could understand why.

Detail of the needlework on the dining table.

The parlor was used for Mr. Bradford to meet clients. As an attorney, he met many clients here.

Lovely moldings and trims in the parlor definitely to impress his guests.  The box in the foreground above is a cooler.  It is mahogany with a brass lining. 

Across the street was a museum dedicated to the Whiskey Rebellion.  In the late 1700’s, whiskey was distilled and used as currency.   In the east, grains were grown and sold to distilleries.   In the west, which at the time was the western boundary of Pennsylvania, most had their own still and sold whiskey for profit.  

Below is a replica of what a still would have looked like.   The director and employees of the museum traveled to Mount Vernon to copy George Washington’s still.   Geo. Washington Rye Whiskey is still made using his 1788 equipment, method and recipe.

Alexander Hamilton, the first US Secretary of the Treasury, drafted and proposed the excise tax on domestic whiskey in 1791.  He needed money to pay down Revolutionary War debts. 

In the west, the news of an excise tax was meant with disagreement.  An anti-tax resolution was send to Congress in 1792.  Delegates hoped to have Congress reconsidering the excise tax.  In the east, many in the government still believed in a peaceful solution.   Congress did modify the act, reduced rates and allowed for monthly payments.    Payments were based on still capacity and not actual production.  The government only succeeded to further alienate the western citizens.  The westerners felt it was a burden placed on them by the wealthier easterners and bankers.

Hamilton viewed the rebellion as a challenge to national sovereignty and advocated the use of military force to establish authority. 

The first time a sitting President led federal troops, Washington and the Whiskey Rebellion

Washington sent envoys to Western Pennsylvania to offer amnesty to the rebels for oaths of submission.  Many who had little involvement with the rebellion, took the oath and were issued certificates proving their allegiance.   

In July 1795, President Washington issued the first Presidential Pardons to two men (leaders?) involved in the Whiskey Rebellion.

Back in the car and onto Green, Ohio.   This was a very dangerous and as well as an overwhelming stop.  

What a beautiful store.  It was only surpassed by the fantastic staff at the store.   I really value good customer service and this was head and shoulders above good.   They must be used to reining in the googlely eyed overwhelmed customers.   So bright, so well laid out, so many models, so inspiring.

A bit of whimsy above and below.   The relish on the hot dog just cracked me up!

Just an awesome place to go and dangerous to the credit card was as well.  

Look at those sumptuous wool colors!!  I simply could not get them.  ;-). It may look like I did not show restraint but truly I did! 

We ended our travel day with checking into our hotel - Tru by Hilton/highly recommend them - then to Fatheads Brewery for dinner followed by a lovely drive through part of the Cleveland Metro Park - stellar green space with winding roads, trails, waterways and greenery.  A very different driving experience than the turnpike driving earlier in the day.   

Today for me will be unpacking, laundry and some flower bed time.

Thanks for stopping by and traveling along with me.   Part 2 of our trip coming soon.