This 'n that!!

Hi - did you think I had given up? No such luck! I did not realize it had been so long since I had posted, but I have a pretty good excuse (at least I think it is). I forgot my password and misplaced the booklet I had written it in. So, today, I just took a chance, and voila! I came up with the right one.

To touch a little on a few of my last posts - I mentioned how the transportation problem really gets in my way. Well, that is kinda working itself out. I did get to go to the one genealogy meeting, and would still like to go to more, but so far no one has come forth and offered me a ride. I have found several at pinocle who are willing to give me rides. One man shares my philosophy on this ride business. In order to participate in the activities at the Sun City Lodges (Orchard Creeek or Kalaga Springs) you have to live in Sun City and be a homeowner. Well, since I am considered a "co-owner" with Artiemae I have my membership in the homeowners association. So, I can participate in these things. One gentleman who plays cards has been coming to pick me up and bring me home. As he said last night (and I thoroughly agree with him), "If you live in Sun City, you cannot be more than about five miles at most from any of the other members, and that is surely not too far to go to make it possible for someone to take part in the activities." He is a really nice man. I have spoken to his wife on the phone. She doesn't play cards, but encourages him to go. Now, I don't know if it will become a regular thing or not, but he has started putting our garbage out at the curb when he brings me home. That is really nice of him. And yes, I am playing cards regularly on Wednesday evenings. We usually have about 7 tables (28 people). And surprisingly, it is mostly men.

I mentioned about the skeletons rattling in my closet. Well, I have had confirmation of the one who served time for "carnal knowledge", and I expect confirmation of the other things. Kinda makes you wonder just who lingers in your past. Maybe I will find someone really notable. But heck, I already have that. After all, I have known all my life that I am a direct descendant of the pioneer Daniel Boone. I don't think I have ever mentioned that these two ladies I am dealing with in finding all this family history are all sorta "related". The first one is in Washington state. I found her by accident - she wasn't who I was looking for, but knew that person. She and HRR are not blood relations, but they share a common aunt & uncle. She is the person who sent me that address in Florida to get in touch with. That lady is the ex-wife of one of HRR's aunts' grandsons.
. Again, none of us are blood related, but are all family connected to each other. Small, small, world.

I also mentioned about finding the video I had made of my trip to Washington in 1994. And, I did have it transferred to a CD. Unfortunately, it only plays on a CD player. I can't use it on my computer without some special equipment. Now, if I can just get some of those scenes copied to stills I'll really have it made. It is so neat to watch that video and see all these people, and they are actually talking to each other. I hope someday my kids, grandkids, and greats can really appreciate what this video means. Several years ago, about 2004, I wrote a small book of stories about when I was a kid. I also included a chapter on my Mother, one on my Father, and on on my wedding day. I have since written some more, but it is still on the computer. I have never printed it out. I gave copies of the book to each of my kids, and to each grandkid, and I hope they will read and enjoy this as well as the video.

Since my last posting, we have had an addition to the family. No, not as you usually think of. This was a wedding. My granddaughter, Ruth, married Andy Smith on August 14. It was quite a different wedding than what we usually think of, but very, very, nice. They were married in an outdoor ceremony at 10 am, with only the immediate families (about 25) present. Then, they had the reception in the evening with many of the rest of the family and lots of friends there. At the wedding, they had no attendants. Ruth had a beautiful ivory satin strapless gown with a wide red satin ribbon as a belt. The whole theme of the wedding and reception was red and white, with a little country thrown in. Very different, and very nice. And, believe it or not, the reception was held in an abondoned milking barn. Of course they had spent hours cleaning it up, but it made a nice setting. A really nice day.

And, you know what, my birthday is coming up pretty soon, and I am becoming quite an "antique" but I am certainly not ready to give up on this world. Heck, I can't. I might miss something exciting in my family. I still have four grandchildren to get married, and the great grandchildren just keep coming. I can't leave yet! Shoot, I have four more great grandchildren coming within the next year.

Well, I think this is enough for now,

Later, alligators -