The Monarch Has Emerged!

The newly emerged Monarch warming up in the sun.

Smoothies All Around!

No sooner had I returned from New York over the weekend, than the Soma Smothie I'd been anticipating for review had arrived. So I took a break from the loop frame delirium of the New Amsterdam Bicycle Show and immediately took it for a spin. Soma roadbikes are not very common here on the East Coast. So imagine my surprise when on my way home I encountered another Smoothie!





As I stopped to snap some pictures at the end of my ride, these gentlemen recognised me and we had a nice chat about their 650B conversions - one a vintage Andre Bertin and the other a Soma Smoothie ES with a Bontrager fork. I am so happy to be back home! Where else but in Boston does one encounter this sort of thing?







But enough about other people's bikes for now, and here is more about the one I am riding. This Soma Smoothie is on loan for review directly from the manufacturer. It is a 52cm steel frameset that was built up to accommodate my Campagnolo lever preferences, which was very nice of them. Everything shown on the bike is directly from Soma, except for my bag and pedals.





I have not weighed the bike yet, but (without saddlebag) it feels pretty similar to my vintage Moser - so I'd say around 21lb.Described as a road/race frame, the Smoothie nonetheless has eyelets for fenders and clearances for 28mm tires.






One thing it does't have? Toe overlap! That's right: Here is a stock 52cm road/racing bike with no TCO. They exist. I wear size 37-38 shoes and with 23mm tires there is a boatload of clearance (well maybe it's a small boat, but still). I can definitely fit it with 25mms without a problem, maybe even 28mm.




The pearly white colourscheme is adaptable to a wide range of aesthetics, from classic to colourful to stark. The TIG welded frame will not satisfy lug lovers but is solid and smooth-jointed. It is a versatile, unobtrusive frameset. A carbon fork is available in place of the standard steel one for those wishing to go that route.






This is not a review, so I won't go over the details of the build at this stage. But as far as first impressions (and mind you this is after just 25 miles), a couple of things stand out: First, it is smooth - as advertised. And I am talking about ride quality: very comfy over bumps and I do not feel any road vibration. And second, it handles tamely and predictably. No twitchiness and very precise cornering at the moderate speeds maintained during my conservative "shake down" ride.








The Smothie ES owner I met on the road is very happy with his bicycle, which he's got outfitted with 32mm tires and fenders. I will refrain from writing more about the bike I have on loan until I ride it extensively, but at under $400 for the frame, I am impressed so far. We need more of these on the East Coast and I hope some local shops will carry floor models in the near future.

Phend-Fisher Family Reunion Ledger - 1913

The Fisher - Phend reunion was held at McNaughton Park at Elkhart Ind. July 24 1913. About 70 being present. A fine picnic dinner was held at noon, After dinner the following programe was rendered.
Opening song.
Bless be the tie That Binds, with Gladys Shaw at the piano.
Prayer by L. S. Fisher pastor of the First Evangelical church at Elk.
Welcome by J. J. Phend
Solo - Walter Shaw.
Piano Duette Gladys & Edith Shaw
Reading Irene Walters.
Duett Fred Earnest & Mrs Fomy [?].
Solo by Little Miss Marie Lusher.
Election of officers. Officers Elected.
Mrs. John Earnest Pres.
Bertha Shaw Sec.Mr. J. J. Phend Tres.

Meeting adj. to meet the last Sat in June 1914 at Rodgers Park Goshen Ind.
Jacob Phend age 87 yrs old was the oldest present
Little Geraldine Lusher 5 mo. the youngest.




[Page 2]
People who attended the reunion at McNaughton Park July 24 - 1913.
Henry Phend Columbia City
Gladys Phend
Berniece Phend
Paul Phend
Garreld Phend
Susie Phend
C C Shaw 870 Tipton St
Vernon Shaw
Surelda Phend Elkhart
Gladys Shaw Elkhart
Leroy A Conrad New Paris
Lulu Conrad
Harley Conrad
Delta Conrad
Lucile Conrad
Ralph Ernest Goshen
Fred I. Ernest Goshen
L. A. Fisher
Samuel Fisher 621 Conne St Lawrence Kan
Jacob Phend Etna Gren Ind
Jacob E. Senff Bremen Ind
Della I Senff
Hilda Seff
F. A. Wehrly Nappanee Ind
Ivy Wehrly
La Mar Wehrly
Evelyn Wehrly
Fred G Phend
Harry Shaw
Sophia Shaw
James Shaw. Elkhart

[Page 3]
Edith Shaw
Grace Walter Hamilton St. Louis
H. J. Ringgenberg Garrett Ind
Kate Mitchel Goshen
Mrs. D. G. Walter
Chester Walter
Esther Walter
Mildred Walter
David Walter
Irene Walter
Mrs. Hazel Burer 317 Myrtle St.
Mrs Walter Slear Jackson, Mich.
Master Elliott Slear
Mrs Nora Lusher
Howard [?] Lusher
Vera Lusher
Marie Lusher
Helen Lusher
Geraldine Lusher
Walter R. Shaw - Elkhart
Mrs. Fred Calkins Crawford St. Elkhart
Mr. Fred Calkins
Mr & Mrs Alfred Kane Bristol Ind
Mrs. C. Gerard 322 S St Joseph St South Bend
Mrs Thomas McGowan New Carlisle, Mi
Mrs. S. L. Little 610 Gardner Court Elkhart Ind
Mrs. C. J. McGowan 610 Gardner Court Elkhart

[Page 4]
Mrs V. R. McGowan Garrett, Ind
Mrs Dora C Walters Elkhart
Mrs Bertha Shaw Elkhart
Jacob Phend Elkhart
Louisa Phend Elkhart
Mrs J W Slear Elkhart
Mrs C. Willson Elkhart
Moses Phend
Katharine Phend
Mr. E. G. Walters
= + = + = + = + = + =
As my research continues on the Phend-Fisher families I am able to "link" more of these people to their families. The entry for "Samuel Fisher 621 Conne St, Lawrence, Kansas" pretty much confirms that the Samuel Fisher I've found in Douglas County, Kansas is the right man. In 1910, he was living on Connecticut St. in Lawrence with his daughters Rachel and Ruth, assuming that "Conne" was used as an abbreviation for Connecticut.

The Phend-Fisher families gathered for a reunion in Elkhart County, Indiana almost annually from 1909 until 1943. Usually held at Nappanee, the events of the day were recorded in an old ledger book, now in my possession. Sadly, the fragile pages have turned brown, separated from the binding, and are, in effect, disintegrating. Some years more information was recorded than in others, but, for me, these pages provide a glimpse into the past. Spelling has been retained as it was in the original though some punctuation and paragraph breaks have been added. To view all articles in this series click on the "Phend-Fisher Reunion Ledger" label at the bottom of this post.

Funny Bunny Sunday

I dreamed that I took my favorite photo ever, and decided that the definitive title for it would be Funny Bunny Sunday. My husband pointed out (in the dream) that the picture was of our cat Ginger, and not a rabbit. "It'll still work," I said.

I sat with camera in hand for at least an hour, obsessed with recreating my dream. I waited for Ginger to do anything remotely funny-bunnyish. But mostly he was just interested in sleeping.


"You are not putting that on the internet."*


Kind of bunny.


Kind of funny.

Ginger loves to crawl up my husband's chest, arch his back high in the air, then settle very, very close to the face. I tease him. "That cat looooves you."

-----

*I was able to change his mind.

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P.S. I forgot to add a link to the Circus of the Spineless earlier. Sorry, Doug!

What the Rest of the Family Is Up To

While we hang out in South Carolina, the rest of the family is doing their thing in Florida and Illinois. The princess is growing up, like little ones tend to do. She is one of the happiest babies I've ever seen. Ashleigh is fantastic at sending me pictures and videos of the little peanut so I can see her smiles almost daily. Ashleigh is working tons of hours and still cooking up her daily feasts. I don't know how she is juggling it all, but she is.



Ambir is busy working, being a girlfriend and modeling. Yes, our super model is doing some formal modeling now which is no big surprise to us. She has always loved to be in front of the camera so it's only natural that she be paid to do so!



Aric is busy working and taking care of his own house and all the things that go along with that. He is also attempting to get thrown out of stores every chance he gets by having too much fun there by playing like a child (or fun adult). I don't have any photos of his craziness like dressing up like a cat, so I'll just have to visualize it. We are looking forward to seeing him very shortly.



Auburn is working two jobs and in her little bit of spare time she does things like jet skiing. It's a rough life! I thought it was so sweet that the only thing she wanted for her birthday is for Austin to come and visit her. Who would have thought that they would actually pick to spend time together someday?



We are here, still soaking up the goodness of South Carolina. We are enjoying it and we are also looking forward to seeing our Florida kids soon!

Dent-Blanche on ski

"TD, August 3, 1944 This route is very dangerous because of rock falls.

Crossing the bergschrund and rising through the couloir straight to the top. Halfway up it is slightly curved. A little below the curve, a very difficult passage requires pitons."

>

http://www.gillesleskieur.com/article-dent-blanche-first-ski-descent-of-the-wsw-couloir-118404628.html

Laurel Manor Recreation Center

This morning Donna and I went to line dancing at Laurel Manor Rec Center. I don't think I've taken pictures there yet, so I grabbed some shots while there. As always, the building is beautiful and so warm and inviting.



I really enjoy line dancing here. The instructor is wonderful and each week I am learning more and more.



Living the life in the lovely Villages!