Today Kelli and I met Roger, Sally and Lindy at the Town House Books and Cafe in St. Charles - a place to read and eat. What better combination than that?
Instead of appetizers, main course, etc., the menu is divided into Chapter One and Chapter Two. The build-your-own-sandwich section is a Writer's Workshop. You choose your main 
character (main ingredient), develop the story (what you want on it) and thicken the plot (add an extra).
The food was great - I had quiche, the others had sandwiches and chips - which were made from different kinds of potatoes, giving them a variety of colors.
From there we went to Bellevue Place in Batavia which is where Mary Lincoln was confined because her son thought she was insane. Presidential scholars have debated whether or not she really had mental difficulties or whether her behavior was a 
result of migraines and depression. Mary was able to talk herself out of her confinement in three months. While staying at Bellevue, Mary wrote many letters, letters that the Lincoln's son, Robert, supposedly threw away. He admitted he wanted to get rid of anything that had anything to do with that time of his mother's life.
Surprisingly, the letters have recently reappeared - and this year a new book will come out detailing Mary's stay at Bellevue in light of the new revelations.
Nearby is the Batavia Depot Museum and Mary's "room" is actually there - well, the furniture from her Bellevue room.
Just think, once upon a time, Mary Lincoln looked in this mirror.
After that we bought some ice cream and wandered along the river where we saw some umm ... interesting signs. I mean walking your bike doesn't sound like a lot of fun!
And here is my happy brother happily having fun with some rather stone-faced children.
A good time was had by all.
For variations on a theme - see my brother's post on the same adventure.
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