I heard of a bridge just up the road.

It has been said that it was very old.

I yearned to see this structure of the past,

and take photos that I knew would last.

Upon the approach, feeling its ancient appeal,

Abandoned and silent these bones of steel.

I almost could imagine the horses and cart,

I creeped up so slowly to stand on its heart.

I wanted to cross to feel the ancient ghosts

Unsteady I tried getting half way at most.

But the past held me back, I could not go

As the bridge shook and teetered to and fro.

I will leave you alone this beauty of the past

to harbor your memories that I know will last.
 

 

Built in 1901, the Pratt Truss Bride is listed by the state of Illinois as a historic bridge because of its style. Truss bridges are known for their load-bearing elements, forming numerous triangular shapes holding the bridge through compression and tension.  The bridges were was to analyze for early 1900's engineers and used construction materials more efficiently than other designs.  The Pratt Truss style was found to be practical for spans of up to 250 feet and were commonly used for railroad bridges.  The bridge on Stagecoach Road spans 100 feet with iron supports and a wooden deck. There are not too many of those types of structures left in the state of Illinois. 

RETIRED?

So everyone is always asking me, "What do you do all day, now that you are retired?".   I always try to answer, "Everything I wanted to do when I was working, but could not fit it in".  I am usually busy from the time I get up until that short time after supper, when I am usually exhausted.  It is great to spend all day with your best friend, I mean Barry, (even though we do spend a lot of time away from each other since he gets up at 10:00 AM and I get up at 5:00 AM - Makes for a great retirement and marriage). I love to improve on my websites and help others build theirs. I have three businesses. ADVOCARE, which proves to be rather productive.  I love learning about nutrition and keeping healthy and helping others do the same. The photography business, which is more of a hobby, also can prove to be productive at times.  I try to exercise daily.  The third business is E-Bay.  Very time consuming, but I love getting bargains and making a profit.  I tote grandkids to school and home almost daily, and available for my "over the river" grandkids to babysit at the drop of a dime.  I love my grandbabies who are all growing up so fast.  I help my big grandson try to find purpose in life, helping him publish his book, and encouraging him to write another.   I enjoy the many luncheons with my past coworkers.  I love the fact that I can sit and relax and read a great book if I want. Spring/Summer time proves to be even busier, with gardening and walking in the woods.  I tried growing herbs last year and dried them.   Camping with family is always fun.  I always try to find a new craft, like the OLIBELLA hand and body scrub, which I still make for friends and family.  My last disaster was the concrete flower bird baths.  The new one that I am interested in hub cap flowers.  (I will post pictures later).  My last endeavor is joining the choir.  I love my choir and church.  The best thing about being retired is that I do not have to do any of the above if I don't want to. 

Check out my grandson's book on Amazon.  "Spilt Inklings"


 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/182-4258838-5711700?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=spilt+inklings