Playing Catch Up

I feel like I am on a treadmill – running but not getting anywhere.

While in Dunkirk New York I went into a Verizon store and bought a phone with internet. I can tether my phone to my computer and have internet access wherever I am. Not unless I am in a Verizon dead zone. What I was not expecting is unlimited internet and I asked the salesclerk three maybe four times, “are you sure it is unlimited.” Then I got on the internet and double checked. Then my son, James aka Rusty told me to call and ask – which I did. I just don’t want a bill that my great great grandchildren will be paying off. It is unlimited.

Now I am really behind on my posting because I have been dependent on campground internet. For those that frequent a lot of campgrounds know that the majority of campground internet doesn’t work or is unbelievably slow. I am not complaining because I am just happy to have it. Now I have it all the time and I am trying to play catch up.

I received a nice comment from a couple asking me to go to a restaurant in  Westfield New York. I was in Clyde Ohio when I received the comment. I will say this – I did eat at the Westfield Diner and it is a great place to eat. Mom and I try to avoid restaurant chains and frequent the smaller cafes. The majority of which have great food with great prices and Westfield Diner is one of them. It had great service, conversation, and wonderful food. I just wish I received the comment sooner and I wasn’t so far behind on my blogging.

I promise you this I will catch up!!!! This will be a fairly long post because it will cover everything from my New York Trip. So grab a cup of joe, sit back, and read…. Or just skip to the bottom and look at the pictures. Tomorrow my post will cover Northern Ohio and I will be caught up.  I hope… knock on wood.

In Westfield there are two statues commemorating  the meeting of Abraham Lincoln and Grace Bedell. On October 15, 1860, a few weeks before Lincoln was elected President of the United States, Grace Bedell sent him a letter from Westfield, New York, urging him to grow a beard to improve his appearance. Lincoln responded in a letter on October 19, 1860, making no promises. However, within a month, he grew a full beard. He later met with her.

The following is the text of Grace Bedell’s letter and then Abraham Lincoln’s letter.

Hon A B. Lincoln...

Dear Sir

My father has just home from the fair and brought home your picture and Mr. Hamlin's. I am a little girl only 11 years old, but want you should be President of the United States very much so I hope you wont think me very bold to write to such a great man as you are. Have you any little girls about as large as I am if so give them my love and tell her to write to me if you cannot answer this letter. I have got 4 brothers and part of them will vote for you any way and if you let your whiskers grow I will try and get the rest of them to vote for you you would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and then you would be President. My father is going to vote for you and if I was a man I would vote for you to but I will try to get every one to vote for you that I can I think that rail fence around your picture makes it look very pretty I have got a little baby sister she is nine weeks old and is just as cunning as can be. When you direct your letter direct to Grace Bedell Westfield Chautauqua County New York.

I must not write any more answer this letter right off Good bye

Grace Bedell

Springfield, Ill Oct 19, 1860

Miss Grace Bedell

My dear little Miss

Your very agreeable letter of the 15th is received - I regret the necessity of saying I have no daughters - I have three sons - one seventeen, one nine, and one seven years of age - They, with their mother, constitute my whole family - As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affectation if I were to begin it now?

Your very sincere well wisher

A. Lincoln

One of the cemeteries we were told about by our neighbor was the one in Ripley New York. It had beautiful old stones and wonderful epitaphs. Then we drove to the newer cemetery – it still had some old stones. Both had soldiers from the revolutionary war buried there.

Another stop we made was in Lily Dale New York. The following is information I took from Wikipedia and the Lily Dale website:

Since its establishment in 1897, Lily Dale has been recognized as the largest Spiritualist development in the world. It is located in Chautauqua County, New York, USA.

The community provides a series of seminars and meetings throughout the year. There is a museum, The Marion Skidmore Library, Lily Dale Museum and Historical Society, bookstore, shops, and a snack bar which had delicious wraps. There is a Lily Dale pet cemetery located at the entrance to the Leolyn Woods, a towering old-growth forest. Included in the gate fee is admission to a variety of daily and weekly scheduled events: mediumship demonstrations, thought exchange meetings, and healing services, among others.

Spiritualist is defined as one who believes, as the basis of his or her religion, in the continuity of life and in individual responsibility. Some, but not all Spiritualists are mediums and/or healers. Spiritualists endeavor to find truth in all things and to live their lives in accordance therewith.

The religion does not denounce God; the common belief is that individuals should form their own relationship with God for guidance. Many Spiritualists believe their abilities are a gift from God.

I was looking forward to visiting Lily Dale.  The history of the town intrigued me. When you walk into a place – a building, a town – you get a feel of it.  The feeling of Lily Dale was flagrant commercialism.  I hope the purpose and the message they are sharing with those that come there is one of hope and not entrapment.   I am thrilled to see the town surviving and the folks working hard to restore it.  That is wonderful.  I know there are a few that are sincere and that is encouraging. 

What I find interesting is when I mentioned that I was going to Lily Dale and folks caught only a glimpse of what my religion is, I have been invited to church more times than I can count.  Thank you for the invites but I don’t believe in organized religion. 

Click here for pictures of Lily Dale New York.  

Click here for pictures of St. Anthony’s Cemetery Fredonia New York

Click here for pictures of Grace Bedell and Abraham Lincoln

Click here for pictures of Quincy Rural Cemetery Ripley New York Cemetery

Click here for pictures of Ripley New York Cemetery

Click here for pictures of Forest Hill Cemetery Fredonia New York