Scale Models in Springfield; Flowers and Recognition at Church

Early Saturday morning (16 May), I drove to Marion Morris' house in Maplewood. There, I got into Morris' minivan with Jim Triola and David Thomas to begin traveling to Springfield, Missouri. We of IPMS Gateway were going to MOSS CON, the annual contest and vendor fair presented to IPMS Missouri Ozarks Scale Specialists. 

Along the way, we picked up Randy Kleeschulte and continued on our journey., stopping in St. James for breakfast at McDonald's. After about three and a half hours of travel, our party arrived at the Arc of the Ozarks facility in Springfield, where MOSS CON took place. Six other Gateway members traveled separately to the show.

After paying our admission and registration fees, we made our way to the contest area. I brought three models--two aircraft and a ship--to enter. After placing the models on the contest tables, I started to make my way around the room, talking with people I knew, purchasing some raffle tickets, and browsing among the contest models and vendors.

I had my camera with me to take pictures of the contest models and general show scenes for Gateway's Facebook page. I bought several kits and a paint brush holder from vendors and won two kits in the raffle.

Midday, I and several other attendees volunteered to judge contest entries. This contest used the Gold-Silver-Bronze system, in which each model in a category was judged by its own merits instead of in competition with other entries in the category. A model could receive either a Gold, Silver, Bronze, or no award, and there were no limits to the number of such awards that could be given out. I helped judge automotive models and it worked out well at my end. The judges placed comments with each entry of what was good and bad about it and what award, if any, it earned. Neither of my three contest entries received any awards.

Seven of my Gateway mates won awards in the contest, so I was proud of them. I made sure to highlight their winning models on the club's social media. Overall, the contest drew 313 entries from 82 modelers.

Late that afternoon, I joined with Morris' group to pack up our things and leave for home. We stopped in St. Robert for dinner at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers before dropping off Kleeschulte and then returning to Maplewood. I got my items out of the minivan and put them in my car before driving home. It was quite a fine day.

The next morning had me at Eliot Unitarian Universalist Chapel for Sunday service. Julie Rodriguez and Joan Burke joined me for the service, which featured the annual Flower Communion--a tradition in Unitarian Universalism. Julie brought some flowers, so she gave Joan and I a flower each from the bouquet. At the appointed time, parishioners brought the flowers up to the front of the sanctuary and placed them in glass vases. There were several vases filled with flowers that day.

After this communion, the church recognized its new members from the past year. The 32 new members--including me, who joined in February--came to the front of the sanctuary to be recognized. Each of us received a copy of the book Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies. It was great to see this recognition given by the congregation to its newest members.

After the service, there was lunch in Adams Hall. This was followed by Eliot's annual Congregational Meeting in the sanctuary. The meeting approved three new members of the Board of Trustees and three new members of the Nominating Committee. We also discussed the proposed budget and other church matters.

Julie and Joan had to leave before the meeting ended, as Julie was seeing her son Dave and granddaughter that afternoon. I left church after the meeting to go home. After starting to post photos from MOSS CON onto IPMS Gateway's Instagram and Facebook, I bought groceries from Walmart.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

IPMS Gateway: IPMS Gateway Chapter

IPMS Missouri Ozarks Scale Specialists: Missouri Ozarks Scale Specialists scale modeling | Missouri Ozarks Scale Specialists

The Arc of the Ozarks: The Arc of the Ozarks: Serving People with Disabilities in Missouri

Eliot Unitarian Universalist Chapel: Home

Catching Up After Over Two Months Away from Here

After over two months since my last post here, I finally got myself to sit down and post up here for you all.

On 14 March, I attended the Missouri Professional Communicators (MPC) meeting at the St. Lois Artists' Guild. Patty Prewitt, who had been freed and given clemency in 2024 for the murder of her husband 40 years before, spoke about keeping up hope while in prison through writing. I bought a copy of her 2025 book Trying to Catch Lightning in a Jar: Letter from Prison, which she signed for me. It was quite an interesting program.

In March, I got in touch with a financial advisor from Thrivent, who had reached out to me via LinkedIn. We have met via Zoom and received some recommendations from her regarding my investments. She also set me up with a colleague who does Money Canvas, a three-week online program on budgeting. The second session is this coming week.

On 17 April, I joined Julie, Joan, and few others at a table for Eliot Unitarian Universalist Chapel's Trivia Night at the Crestwood Community Center. The questions had to do with water and what creatures live there. Out table ended up in the middle of the pack, it was all good fun.

Speaking of Eliot, I served as a greeter on consecutive Sundays (19 and 26 April) for the 11:15 am service. This involves passing out orders of service, getting questionnaires to first-time visitors, collecting and totaling offerings, and helping keep the sanctuary in good order. I really enjoy this volunteering and look forward to doing more in the coming months.

Work has been going well. We have the usual turnover of staff as they move up and on, but business has been good. Last month, I participated in a corporate focus group with other automotive detailers from the St. Louis area, which was most informative and helpful to the group staff.

CITY SC has stumbled through the start of the season. They aren't doing very well, but as a supporter, I must keep hope. Julie has usually gone with me to the home matches as Energizer Park, proceeded by the St. Louligans Street Party at Schlafly Tap Room. We've also gone to away match watch parties at 2nd Shift Brewing. (There's one tonight.) For the latter, Julie has lately been bringing her dog Molly along. 

Julie and I get together just about once a week for dinner, a CITY match, or something else. Our relationship is still going strong.

Matters with scale modeling in general and IPMS Gateway in particular have been fine. I have lately been splitting workbench time among three models: 1:200 scale Artemis I rocket (sister to Artemis II that recently flew four astronauts to the moon and back), a 1:350 heavy cruiser USS San Francisco (given to me by a fellow Gateway member for our club's "buddy build" this year), and a 1:48 F-111A I have rescued from my "shelf of doom."

One week ago (2 May), I worked a morning volunteer shift with the Greater St. Louis Book Fair, a charity used book sale held at the Greensfelder Recreation Complex. I started out straightening the stacks of books as they got moved around on the tables. Later, I helped collect books left in bins by each row of tables for them to be restacked on the appropriate tables.

The next day, I staffed a table for IPMS Gateway at the Midwest Model Vehicle Association Spring Model Car Show at Kirkwood Community Center. I gave out flyers for our club and answered questions visitors had about us.

Things around the house are going well. I have to do some slight repairs as necessary, but overall, the place is holding up well.

Later.

Links to Websites of Entities Mentioned in this Post:

Missouri Professional Communicators: Missouri NFPW affiliate | Missouri Professional Communicators | Clayton

Thrivent: Why Thrivent | Thrivent

Eliot Unitarian Universalist Chapel: Home

Crestwood Community Center: Crestwood Community Center | Crestwood, MO

St. Louis CITY SC: St. Louis CITY SC

St. Louligans: Saint Louligans – Supporting Soccer in the St. Louis Area – St. Louligans – Supporting St. Louis Soccer

Greater St. Louis Book Fair: Greater St. Louis Book Fair

Greensfelder Recreation Complex: Greensfelder Recreation Complex Ice Rink - St. Louis County Website

IPMS Gateway Chapter: IPMS Gateway Chapter

Midwest Model Vehicle Association: IPMS Gateway Chapter - MMVA Page

Weekend of CITY Soccer and Church Greeting

Mid-afternoon yesterday (7 March), I was off to Julie's apartment to pick her up and bring her to Downtown West St. Louis for that night's St. Louis CITY SC match. I parked my car on a lot south of Enterprise Center (where the Missouri Valley Conference's men's basketball tournament was taking place) and then Julie and I walked 0.5 miles (0.8 km) towards Energizer Park. We browsed among the activities taking place there before going across the street to the Schlafly Tap Room for the St. Louligans Street Party.

Julie and I got dinner from the Cluck Oink Moo Sliders food truck--we each got two sliders with French fries--and took in the festivities of the party. I bought some Schlaffle raffle tickets but did not win the prize. However, the money is going to a good cause, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, that night's St. Louligans Charity du Jour.

Just over an hour before kickoff, the St. Louligans and Fleur de Noise rallied with STL Santos and St. Louis City Punks for a few minutes of chanting before setting off on our march to Energizer Park. After filing our CITY ramblers with soft drinks, Julie and I found places in the North End to await the match.

CITY (0-1-1 after losing 2-0 at San Diego FC the previous weekend) was hosting Seattle Sounders FC. Saint Louis University men's soccer head coach Kevin Kalish brought out the match ball, then walked over to the North End to wave a large flag and pound the big drum. Kalish's Billikens reached the NCAA semifinals last fall.

The match started off well for CITY, in that they had most of the possession and made some nice scoring attempts. However, the match was scoreless at half time. Seattle took the lead two minutes into the second half and held on run out 1-0 winners. A disappointment for sure to CITY and its supporters, though some positives came out of the match (including having 70 percent possession). CITY will regroup and play at Los Angeles FC this Saturday.

Julie and I walked back to the parking lot and I drove her home before I returned home. Overnight, our clocks moved ahead one hour to Daylight Savings Time/.

This morning, Julie messaged me to say she would not be able to come with me to church today, due to a sinus headache. Thus, I drove myself to Eliot Unitarian Universalist Chapel for the 11:15 am service, where I would serve as chief greeter. (This past week, I responded to an email appeal from Eliot for greeter help this Sunday.) This was my first service as a full greeter, having shadowed a greeter two weeks before. Today's stint went off without a hitch, and I helped to collect and count the offering money for the church. After the service, I finished shutdown procedures before relaxing at the coffee and fellowship time. After nearly an hour, I headed home.

Later.

Websites of Entries Mentioned in This Post:

St. Louis CITY SC: St. Louis CITY SC

St. Louligans: Saint Louligans – Supporting Soccer in the St. Louis Area – St. Louligans – Supporting St. Louis Soccer

Schlafly Tap Room: Schlafly

Cluck Oink Moo Sliders: Cluck Oink Moo Sliders | Food Trucks In | St. Louis MO

Colorectal Cancer Alliance: Colorectal Cancer Alliance | Prevention, Support & Research for Colorectal Cancer

Energizer Park: Energizer Park | St. Louis CITY SC

Eliot Unitarian Universalist Chapel: Home

2026 Season Opener for CITY SC

Last Saturday (21 February) saw St. Louis CITY SC and the rest of Major League Soccer (MLS) begin the new season. I left for downtown west St. Louis for the match late that morning. Julie could not come as she was recovering from recent shoulder surgery.

After parking just south of Enterprise Center and walking about 0.5 miles (08 km), I arrived at Energizer Park. I saw the Budweiser Clydesdales being prepared to parade before the match. At the stadium's Lou Fusz Plaza, I saw fans milling about, live music being played, and the Energizer Bunny posing for photos with fans.

I then made my way to the Schlafly Tap Room, where the St. Louligans were having their pre-match Street Party. After getting a can of Schlafly Kolsch beer, I ordered chicken tenders with corn on the cob and fries from the Heaterz Hot Chicken food truck. Additionally, I bought Schlaffle (raffle) tickets from the St. Louligans, whose Charity du Jour Saturday was the Josh Yaro Foundation, which provides educational necessities for children in Ghana.

About one hour from kickoff, the St. Louligans gathered with the other supporter groups--Fleur de Noise, STL Santos, and St. Louis City Punks--for a brief rally before marching into Energizer Park. We settled into our places in the North End for the match. Olympic heptathlon champion Jackie Joyner-Kersee brought out the match ball before walking to our end to wave a flag and beat a drum.

CITY came out in their all-gold Tina Turner Kit, which will be their alternative strip for the next two seasons. The match against Charlotte FC went well. After a scoreless first half, Marcel Hartel put CITY on top in the 60th minute. However, Charlotte leveled it 13 minutes later and the match ended drawn at 1. Still, for the first match of the season with several new players, CITY played well.

The next morning (22 February), I was at Eliot Unitarian Universality Chapel for the early service. I shadowed one of their greeters for that service, since I had indicated that I would like to volunteer to be a greeter a few times a year. It went pretty well, learning how to offer service programs to attendees, count adults in attendance, and collect offerings. Julie was in the audience for that service.

Right after that service, I joined with eight other new members in being formally welcomed by the associate pastor and the church board. After starting the ceremony in the sanctuary, we moved to the pastor's office for the membership book signing. (Julie took videos of this ceremony on her phone.)

Right after that, we each had our photos taken for the church bulletin board. Our membership will be made official by the board when it meets next month.

After coffee and conversation at the church, I drove Julie home for lunch with her roommate Joan and two others. We then played the card game Cards Against Humanity, an adult game I had never played before. It was fun and I would not mind playing this game again sometime. I came back home late that afternoon.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in This Post:

St. Louis CITY SC: St. Louis CITY SC

Energizer Park: Energizer Park | St. Louis CITY SC

Major League Soccer: MLSsoccer.com - The Official Site of Major League Soccer

St. Louligans: Saint Louligans – Supporting Soccer in the St. Louis Area – St. Louligans – Supporting St. Louis Soccer

Schlafly Tap Room: Schlafly

Heaterz Hot Chicken: Heaterz Hot Chicken

Josh Yaro Foundation: Education in Ghana | The Josh Yaro Foundation

Eliot Unitarian Universalist Chapel: Home

Cards Against Humanity: Home - Cards Against Humanity

Into February 2026

After being bedridden at New Year's with influenza Type A and catching up with personal and business matters in January, I was happy to turn another year older this month.

My birthday (7 February) began with a haircut at Great Clips, followed by hair coloring at home using Just For Men. I was ready in mid-afternoon when Julie came by to begin the birthday celebration. She gifted me a handsome ring from Helzberg Diamonds, which I love. I told Julie I owed her a ring.

Julie then drove me to Maggiano's Little Italy at The Boulevard in Richmond Heights for dinner. We had such a wonderful meal, enjoying great food and service.

Following dinner, we browsed among the stores at nearby Saint Louis Galleria. Julie and I bought books at Barnes & Noble. Then, it was on to downtown St. Louis for the evening's main event.

Julie surprised me by taking me to The Boom Boom Rom, a burlesque theater on Washington Avenue. We had refreshments in the lobby before the theater opened for us and the other ticket holders for that night's show. Julie and I had a table right by the stage and I got a crown for my birthday.

The Boom Boom Review we saw was their signature burlesque show, with a mistress of ceremonies and the five dancers of the Boom Boom Bombshells. Over two hours, the dancers performed a high energy, teasing show.

Just after the intermission, I was on stage with other audience members celebrating milestones (birthdays and upcoming wedding or divorces). It was interesting, for sure! Later that night, Julie and i posed for a picture on stage.

After the show, Julie and I tipped the dancers as we left the theater and then got back into her car for Julie to drive me home. This is a birthday I won't soon, if ever, forget.

The next morning (8 February), I attended a service at Eliot Unitarian Universalist Chapel in Kirkwood. It's Julie's congregation and I will be joining it later this month. I stayed after the service for coffee and conversation.

After church, I headed to Leviathan Bookstore on South Grand in south St. Louis. There, soccer historian Dave Lange and St. Louis soccer legend Ty Keough were signing copies of Lange's new book "St. Louis Soccer: An Illustrated Timeline." It has some 150 moments in St. Louis soccer history from 1875 to the present. I chatted with Dave and Ty for a bit before they signed my copy, which I then paid for before leaving the store.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in This Post:

Great Clips: Haircuts Near Me | Check In Online | Great Clips

Just For Men: Just For Men: Hair Color For Men | Beard Dye | Gray Reduction

Helzberg Diamonds: Fine Jewelry: Shop Luxury Jewelry | Helzberg Diamonds

Maggiano's Little Italy: The Boulevard | Maggianos.com

Saint Louis Galleria: Saint Louis Galleria - Shopping Mall in St. Louis, MO

The Boom Boom Room: The Boom Boom Room - downtown, St. Louis, MO

Eliot Unitarian Universalist Chapel: Home

Leviathan Bookstore: Leviathan Bookstore

Dave Lange--Reedy Press: Dave Lange – Reedy Press

Christmas 2025

Christmas has come and gone for 2025. It was my first holiday without my mom, who passed away in October, so it was a bit rough. Still, I was able to make the best of it.

Off work on Christmas Eve (24 December), I got some Christmas cards in the mail with my annual newsletter included. These mostly went to my brothers and a few others who had already sent me cards. I also did some last-minute shopping. that night, I was at Julie's apartment. We and Joan (Julie's roommate) had Chinese takeout dinner, when watched a couple of Christmas themed episodes of The Office (the British original) on TV. Then, we watched Monty Python's Life of Brian. Funny movie.

The next morning, we had breakfast and awaited the arrival of Joan's daughters. They came and brought presents to add under the tree. We had a nice dinner featuring baked ham. 

Then, we all gathered to open presents. I got an autographed copy of Lane Boyd's book "Way Beyond the Blue," the Memoirs of Colonel Jackie Jackson, USMCR and a St. Louis CITY SC ornament from Joan's daughter Brittany and her spouse Ashley. Both gifts were most welcome.

I gifted Julie a $100 gift card from Massage Envy and a robe I bought the day before at Walgreens. She loved both items.

We then had dessert and hung around the apartment before Joan's daughters departed. Julie and I walked her dog Molly around the apartment complex before I headed home.

There, I opened the presents placed under my tree. They had arrived in the past few days via Amazon. From Julie, I got a dark green pullover sweater, which is most welcome.

Rick, on behalf of himself and my late mom, gifted me three books. One was "BFI Film Classics: All the President's Men," a monograph on one of my all-time favorite movies. Another was "The Second Manassas Campaign," a history of the American Civil War campaign in eastern Virginia during 1862. Lastly, I received "Picture Show: Classic Movie Posters from the TCM Archives," a highly illustrated book. 

Besides these books, my brother sent me the 2026 This Day in Military History calendar from History, and a $25 Panera Bread gift card.

I relaxed at home that night, as I had work yesterday (26 December). It went well, with not too much traffic.

Later.

Websites of Entities Mentioned in This Post:

Laine Boyd, Author: Amazon.com: Laine Boyd: books, biography, latest update

St. Louis CITY SC: St. Louis CITY SC

Amazon: Amazon.com. Spend less. Smile more.

Panera Bread: Home | Panera Bread

Catching Up After A Lengthy Absence from Here

I apologize for not writing any posts here since mid-September. It's like I mean to post something, yet for some reason I cannot bear myself to do so. Many times, it's because I am so tired when I should be in good condition to write on this blog. Anyway, here's what's been happening to me of late:

Work at Enterprise has been going well. It gets hectic at times, but generally all works out in the end and my work in automotive detailing is appreciated by my colleagues.

Life with Julie is still going strong. Our dates in recent weeks have included late season St. Louis CITY SC matches, Band Together concerts in October and December, Garden Glow at Missouri Botanical Garden, and meals at various restaurants in the area.

I had two medical procedures in September. First, I had a colonoscopy, which found a polyp that the doctor said was caught in time. I'm fine now with another colonoscopy recommended in five years. Then, I had an echocardiogram done on my heart. It showed a bit of a heart murmur, but the doctor assured me that it is normal for my age and no real concern. I also got my eyes examined and new glasses.

In October, I ran in the CITY Spring 5K run in St. Louis. It started just est of Energizer Park, went to Downtown St. Louis and back to Downtown West and ended inside Energizer Park. I completed the run in 32:05, a 10:19 per mile pace. It was quite impressive considering I didn't do all that much preparation for the run.

In late September I made a weekend visit to Charleston, South Carolina, where I visited my mom in the senior living facility there. She was not much responsive, due to a a stroke earlier this year, but we did recognize me. I stayed with Rick and his wife Melissa, and they all appreciated my coming down for the visit.

Just under a month later, Mom died peacefully in her sleep at age 85. Her body was cremated and her ashes brought here to St. Louis this month. A memorial service for her was held on 7 December. My brothers, their spouses, and a few of their kids came in town for it. Julie was also present as were other family friends. The next day, her remains were interred next to that of my dad (who died in 2014) at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

It was sad that Mom passed away, although I am glad it came peacefully for her and that she is in a better place.

Last November, I began a two-year term as Director of Local Chapters for IPMS/USA, having stood unopposed in the e-board election this year. It's keeping me busy, especially now with chapters renewing their charters for 2026. I did finish a couple of models last month for IPMS/Gateway's contest, so that was good

Now to get ready for Christmas. I still need to send out greetings and get presents. It will be a crunch, but I think I can do it.

Later.