Flea Markets and Battlefields

 We started our day with some flea
market hopping and I scored big!

This beautiful Bakelite bracelet, in my favourite colour, 

a vintage tobacco tin and two cool little decorative finials.

But the coup de grace - two vintage locker baskets 

with the number tags still attached!

Then a quick lunch and we spent the afternoon at the

Wilson's Creek Battlefield, 10 miles southwest of Springfield.

The second major battle of the Civil War

 took place here on August 10 1861.

The Confederacy won the battle and
 this was influential in Missouri's decision to
support the Rebels during the 5 year long conflict. 

It was strange to stand on the steps of the old 

Ray House and look out over the battlefield.

Today, 152 years later, the sound of cannon fire
 and cry of human suffering has been replaced by the

clatter of cicadas and the sussuration of the summer breeze.

Remember What it Cost

As you go to the polls tomorrow, take a moment to reflect on the brave women in this country who secured the right to vote 90 years ago. They were beaten, chained, force fed, and treated like criminals - and all this was within the law of the time. And women's suffrage is only one example of what people across the world have done to have the right to vote. There are still places where people risk beatings or death. Places where people will walk 5, 10, 20 miles to reach a polling place.

Can you believe some here choose to say "I'm just too busy"?

Exercise your right tomorrow and thank those who suffered so you can.