7/17/04

   The last few weeks have been very busy, that is why we haven't had any posts. We just finished up our two week, intensive privy digging class. The photo above is of the last day where students were able to take what they learned in the class room(including mock permission getting, privy probing techniques, tool usage, etc.) and put their new skills to work.  We saved up all the bunk bottles from the last year and made random pits in a rented field for them to locate and dig. If anyone else is interested, the fall class signup is posted with only 30 spots left open. For everyone that has taken the class, the advanced course is also filling up.

    Sorry, I am just kidding. The pic above is from a group digging up a Civil War era encampment. There isn't much of a story this week and I needed to fill up some room!

    The last two weeks have been busy. I have been working every day, and Steve has been fulfilling some of his commitments. Although, he reported planting some bushes in the back yard one night and stumbling onto a pit in his back yard! It was a soupy mess, and he was getting out some blob top shards. He is waiting for the water to go down to do a better job finishing it.

    Only one 6 foot deep pit was opened up this week. It contained many unembossed bottles and broken pottery. One of the first things I found was the jumbo dolls head. I have never seen one this big. The crown of the head was facing up., I kept scratching at it thinking it was a stone. Good thing I didn't break it any worse that what it was. The other figurine in there looks to be a clown. It was found next to a broken souvenir cup that had a painted pic of a park in Delevan, WI. I am assuming it was a clown because, starting in 1847, Delavan was the wintering head quarters for the largest traveling circus in America. More interesting info can be found by clicking here.  It sure must have been an interesting town to live in!

    I kept a few bottles for the owner to check out. They included some green wines for the window, Vapo Cresolene, Horlicks Malted Milk, Kings Pharmacy, Carters Ink, and a fancy Ketchup.

    Ok, I promise some better digging stories next week. Steve and I plan to hit it hard on Saturday and find something good!