Cantigny: McCormick Museum & First Division Museum

~HAPPY 4TH OF JULY~

It was raining most of the morning, but we took a chance of it stopping, so off we went to Cantigny to celebrate the 4th of July. It's a beautiful 500-acre park donated to the state of Illinois by the late, great Colonel Robert R. McCormick (editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune). His Grandpa was Cyrus McCormick (famous inventor and founder of McCormick Harvesting Machine Company -- which later became part of International Harvester Company).

Here is a partial description of the place per its brochure:

In addition to vast formal gardens and picnic and camping grounds, Cantigny offers two history-rich museums: the Robert R. McCormick Museum and the Cantigny First Division Museum, fascinating for children and researchers alike.

Top 10 U.S. Library

Wheaton Public Library has a large interior banner for all to see. It proudly, loudly, and publicly declares it as a Top 10 U.S. Library. We agree with whomever judged them to be one of the best libraries in this country. They have a large, modern building with excellent resources and top-notch service. The adjacent grounds are also well-kept. See pictures below.
 Alas, after graciously allowing us to use their facilities and resources while our local library was being renovated, we must now wean ourselves of this lovely, helpful place.

PC Library is Finally Open; Celebrate with my Chanel Bag!

Poplar Creek Library is finally open for business ---  after 2 long years of expansion and renovation!! It's Bigger and Better than ever. It's good to be back on our own turf and see old, familiar, friendly faces. I used my Dark Green Chanel Classic bag for the occasion. I thought it quite appropriate to use on this special day.

Pet Rose-Hair Tarantula: Are you a Boy or are you a Girl?

I would ask the above question to then 4-year-old DS, AJ. There was an almost one-second gap as he pondered the question before he'd answer in an uncertain tone with "I am a boy". His response was always the same -- the slight hesitation, then the not-quite-so-sure answer. I thought it highly entertaining. I'd ask the same question almost daily, finally ending the session with MY firm and confident affirmation that he is indeed a boy, because God made him a boy, and NOTHING in the world would ever change that fact.

I want to pose the same question to Fluffly, our 5-year-old Tarantula. Depending on the answer, Fluffy will either drop dead at any moment because of old age (indicating that he is a Male Tarantula); or she, as a Female, will continue on for a few more years with the extremely boring daily routine of keeping still while waiting expectantly for meals to fall from cricket heaven.

So, what's the answer, dear Fluffy: are you a boy, or are you a girl??

ETA:  Still alive and kicking as of today, 06/18/2016; praise the Lord!