We dined last night chez R. Ellyn was there, as was Sarah’s cousin from Mankato, MN, Joanie, and her hub, Phil. Sarah prepared what she called a „comfort meal“: meatloaf, potatoes, broccoli, salad, ice cream and strawberries and macaroons.
Sarah’s family came to the U.S. from Gomeļas guberņa. Phil described his mother as „ a Jewish Southern belle“ from Maryland. Jacob sez that Rockford was founded in the 1860’s.
The old part of town looks quite substantial, reminiscent of C. Spgs. Our motel is in a strip mall in a now-standard version of American Commerce, 10 miles or so from Jacob and Sarah’s Salem Street domicile.
Name seen on the highway: AmericInn.
A thought process occurred during the night, having to do with meaning-making on a more meta level. It seemed quite insightful, something I was determined to remember. Bound and determined. But, alas, it seems to have slipped away into nothingness.
I continue to be amazed by how GREEN it is in this world. It feels almost surreal in its intensity. Perhaps part of the odd aspect is that it’s only grass verdure; trees and bushes have not yet leafed out.
There are 2 direct United flights a day between Rockford and Denver! Until it recently folded, Hooters Air also had 2 flights a day to the Queen City of the Plains. Jacob sez this is partly because Rockford sits equidistant to Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison, making it a bit of a hub.
There are several paintings in the R. house done by Rebecca in the distant past. I can better see / appreciate some of her struggles in the family, being a sensitive artsy type in a group that, as far as I can see, is not.
Daila’s family, along with Alice and Randolph, flew in last night. (I presume they‘ve made it.) They are to be staying here at the Baymont.
Yesterday I was thinking about the tremendous prejudice in our culture against agriculturalists, they being dismissed as Hicks. Why is there such prejudice against people who work with the land? Without them, none of the rest of our structures could work. Agriculture is a Different World. Perhaps that’s it, the Old Pattern of difference getting patholigized. And first generation county-to-town transplants probably more vitriolic in efforts to distance themselves from that world. Also, with the Media resid\ing in Urbania, they will hold their reality as Ground Zero, other forms seen as odd or wrong.