respublica

Rose parade lineup

Every year we watch the Rose Parade and are most interested in seeing the float from the Lutheran Laymen's league. An arm of the LLL, the Petal Pushers, works on the construction of many of the floats as well as their own. Twice Dale was honored to ride on one of those floats and we all made the trip to Pasadena to watch.

1997, There's Dale at the church door waving. Collinsville's Phyllis Wallace was also on that float.

This year the Lutheran Laymen's float will be 90th in order of passing, third from the end. This is fairly typical of the Rose Parade organizers, participants change where they appear each year and last year the LLL was near the beginning. If you watch to catch a glimpse of some other entrants, here is the list in the order in which they will appear.

Test your reaction time

This is kind of fun. You wait till the hand comes up, you click it as fast as you can to see what age you are in reaction time. I've been 33 years old 95 percent of the time which makes me really happy. Something to wile away the dreariness outside.

Flood stage

St. Louis has been experiencing flooding this week as an aftermath to the 3 days of non stop rain after Christmas. Today Interstate 44 is closed in the southwest suburban area due to water over the highway. Other places are experiencing the same. I found it interesting to see how the River des Peres has risen. Actually, it's hard to call this a river since it was built during the 30's as part of the federal public works program as an underground sanitary sewer and storm drain. Most of the time this river is mostly dry with maybe a few puddles and parts of the river are used by bikers and joggers, but now it's close to overflowing on the outside.

The above picture is pretty typical of how the River des Peres looks most of the time along its route.

Lizzie took the next 2 pictures yesterday and it's close to overflowing its banks.

There are signs directing people to where the sandbagging work is going on.

Italian Beef in Belleville

This is exciting news. Restaurateur Mike Nasur will be opening a third Tasty's Chicago Grill in the former Hardee's on West Main in Belleville on January 11. He also has a Tasty's in Decatur and Peoria which offer Chicago style Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago hot dogs, gyros and more. 

This news will probably have me making the trip over to Belleville and I've always wondered why the St. Louis Metro with all its restaurants never got a good Italian beef place. These places are on every corner in Chicago and down here there are many transplanted Chicagoans who miss Italian beef. Lots of St. Louisans who have been to Chicago love the beef too. St Louis' idea of Italian Beef is kind of like pulled pork, shredded beef instead of sliced.  So Yay for this news.

Also Collinsville's Zapata Mexican restaurant is branching out and adding a third Zapata's in the former Pasta House in Fairview Heights.

Rain totals

3 of the most miserable of days which saw St. Louis and surrounding areas just inundated with rain, so much rain the water totals have set a record.

I can't count how many times I had to towel dry the dog this week and dry shoes and coats. Wet clothing is hanging everywhere and it was so dark our Christmas lights set to come on at dusk came on at noon each day and the River Des Peres, normally underground with puddles on top is now a roaring above ground river. But today finally looks like a dry time.

Funny with a lot of truth

From Rev No Respect:

" Him: No I don't go to church. I'm not wasting my time & money on some fantasy.
 

Me: Ok. I like your Star Wars shirt."

Say what you want about them but...

Uggs boots keep your feet warm and dry even in pouring cold rain. I'm thankful for them while having a dog who must get out several times a day even when water is ponded over grass and sidewalks and streets.

The Bell

This photo of the old campus bell hung with Christmas lights is one of my favorites and was taken by one of our seminary photographers, Mark Polege.

It's Areal here in St. Louis

Twas the day after Christmas and all through St. Louis rain poured down and poured down and poured down. 5 inches officially, more in various places which caused roads and homes and sidewalks and basements to flood. More today and tomorrow, much more tomorrow.

Watching the local weather this morning I learned a new word. Areal. Areal flooding. Which means a gradual rise in water over a large area. In other words, flooding coming to a huge area of the metro area. The standing water, deep in many places, has brought about constant warnings to just stay home from news people. Yesterday a main road in a populated and popular area flooded so badly rescuers were out in canoes getting drivers out of cars and businesses.

The good news in all this is the temperature. If we'd had normal late December below freezing temperatures, we'd have had 4 feet of snow.

The end of Christmas Day

A photo op just before all the Pittmans were about to head home after a day of eatings and toy playing. Darren's parents were here after driving up from Texas and this is a "two sets of grandparents" photo.

And the most popular gift--a Claw Machine which is like the machine you see outside grocery stores and has you put in a coin and try to maneuver the claw to grab a small gift. The boys played with this all day and the music which blares out over rode every conversation. Finally one of the adults realized there was a way to lower the volume.