Gertude Derks Consort of the late Bartholomew Bless – Born March 5, 1824 – Died February 23, 1892 – Requested in peace
it’s cut onto the side of a stone for someone else. Bart Bless Sr. is nowhere to be found in the vicinity. However, the son and daughter-in-law, or perhaps grandson, is buried 20-30 feet away.
Hi readers. Thanks for coming by for a read.
Jeanne’s got spring break from her daytime job this week, and my electronic brain I use for a heart these days is defragmenting. So Jeanne’s taking this occasion to show me around some KS/MO sightseeing Mecca places. Likely as not there’ll be all manner of highbrow cultural stuff, but yesterday it was Weston, MO [all of it that didn’t burn down in 1859, or has been built since the town burned down], and Leavenworth, KS.
That tombstone at the top was in the Weston graveyard and said so much about Weston, humanity, the history of the human race, ethics, morals, compassion, and other matters we could have stopped and I’d have used it as a launchpad for this blog entry, waxed poetic and philosophical until I was sated.
But we didn’t stop there. We went to the overlook in Weston State Park and looked, me breathlessly, at the mighty Missouri River flowing below. Read the initials carved inside various hearts carved on trees back when the world was young. Looked at old barns and whatnot.
Then drove across the river to Leavenworth. Visited the only old timey Army Surplus Store in Christiandom carrying on the tradition of old odors of mildew, ’98 Mauser bolt action rifles, coal scuttle helmets, and clever posters about huns and loose lips sinking ships.
Afterward we drove to the VA Hospital, discovered a 600 acre ghost town of memories of US military veteran aches, pains, and infirmities. Heck of an interesting place.
By which time I was worn down to a small frazzle. We didn’t visit the National Cemetery.
But today after she worked half-day on her usually night job she took me to see the Westport battleground. Biggest Civil War battlefield west of the Mississippi River. Covered with houses and large other sorts of buildings built between Appomattox doings and now.
Just driving around that 53 square mile battlefield looking at all the houses wore me down to a small frazzle.
Luckily, tomorrow I’m going in bright and early for another eccocardiogram, chest xrays, blood lab work and something else I can’t remember right now. At the OTHER VA Medical Center nearby somewhat. The one that didn’t lose the Spanish American War.
Old Jules
So Far From Heaven 
Nice to hear you’re still at it. 🙂
Muchas Garcias. J
😀
Jeanne is so thoughtful. You are still making me grin- “Likely as not there’ll be all manner of highbrow cultural stuff,”.
I love the thought of the two of you out hither and yon, examining, perusing and speculating on history and back stories.
Hi elroyjones: She’s a good companion ….. allows me to explain what all’s gone on behind almost anything i come across without me having to know it beforehand. J
hahahahahahahahahahaha!
I recall going into Weston a few years ago while traveling. I had heard it had great antique stores, and it does. The downtown was very interesting and well cared for, I thought. The thing that intrigued me was being stopped to pay a “toll” for going over the bridge into town. It seemed quaint and part of Weston’s charm. I’ve always found cemeteries good places for lunch and pondering. Never have seen a stone with an acknowledgment of a consort. Very interesting stone to come across.
Hi Teresa Evangeline. We didn’t enter by a toll road, but it was Saint Pattie’s Day, so maybe the booth was lying in the grader ditch dead drunk. Plenty of that headed into Weston as we motored out. Gracias, J
Glad you got to visit the “Mighty Mo” and area. Nice countryside, for sure.
Hi Swabby: Yep but I’d hate to have to eat a catfish came out of it. Gracias, J
Hi Old Jules,
The comment thing acts strange tonight. Just wanted to say it is tomorrow already and I hope all your test and appointments went well today.
Blessings, Mary
Mary: The comment thing always acts strange as nearly as i can figure. Gracias, J
Best of luck amigo
Thankee earthstonestation. J