Tuesday, November 30, 2010

How A Modern Family Communicates

The Bear is well enough now to have moved off the upstairs couch and onto the downstairs recliner where he can watch Netflix or play video games.

Pastor Dad has been up and down, but for the last couple of hours he has been more down than up and is probably in bed for the night. His Blackberry is somewhere nearby because he won't be asleep for quite some time yet.

I am playing researching on the computer far from the germs folks who are resting. Ahem. My Twitter is open and so is my email.

Ding! I received a Twitter message. It also went to email because it was a direct message from Pastor Dad who is - you know - all the way down the hall in our bedroom. The message he sent me was, "Your phone rang" meaning my cell phone, of course.

My phone was hooked up to my charger in the bedroom so I went back there, spoke briefly to Pastor Dad to make sure he's feeling okay (he is), and checked my phone to see who had called me.

Well, no one had called me, but someone had definitely sent me a text message. You guessed it! That would be The Bear: the guy downstairs in the easy chair. He must be feeling better because he was asking specific questions about the kinds of soup we have on hand.

I did what any mother of my generation would do when her child doesn't make the effort to come up and ask personally. I sent him a reply on my cell phone.

I thought this was funny, but I'm guessing the techno geniuses would think it even more so. I bet they're laughing all the way to the bank!

Matilda Tewksbury, Hidden in Plain Sight (Case C)

How well do you know your neighbors? Even if you are fairly well acquainted chances are that you are not related to them. Such was not the case a few generations ago. Except for the occasional lone wanderer, families had a tendency to stick together. This is very helpful when it comes to genealogical research.

However, sometimes a researcher will encounter a family or person that seems to disappear. Such was the case of Matilda Tewksbury. She could be clearly identified through 1880 but then nothing more was known about her until her supposed death in 1912. Where was she in those intervening years?

Locating the missing person's relatives often aids in the discovery of those individuals. This seemed to be the most logical step in finding Matilda. Her last piece of recognizable information was in the 1880 U.S. Federal Census where she was enumerated with her husband, Thomas Tewksbury, and their 7-year-old daughter, Nancy J. Tewksbury. They resided in Scipio Twp., Meigs Co., OH, page 2.

Click image for larger view

Nothing more was known until we discovered the headstone that she shared with her husband, Thomas. It showed that he died in 1893 but that she survived until 1912. The search through the census abstracts for 1900 and 1910 failed to show anyone by her name in either Meigs or the neighboring county of Athens. Since Tewksbury is often either spelled wrong on the abstracts themselves or transcribed incorrectly in indices I unsuccessfully performed a visual search of Athens and Meigs counties in Ohio and a few counties in nearby West Virginia. (Note: the 1890 U.S.Census was almost completely destroyed by fire.)

Since state death records were standardized in Ohio on December 20, 1908 it seemed reasonable that Matilda's death certificate would be on file. One was not found at the Ohio Historical Society Archives Library. At this point I began to wonder if the date was wrong on the grave and that perhaps she had died prior to 1908.

I began to compile a list of her known relatives. Both of her parents were dead by 1880 but several of her sisters were married and living in the Meigs-Athens area. It was not known how many children Matilda had borne since Nancy J. was the only one listed on the 1880 census. There was plenty of time between then and Thomas' death in 1893 to have given birth to more.

This led to the possibility that she was enumerated incorrectly in future census years. Often a widowed mother living in the household of her married daughter was erroneously ascribed the surname of the household and not her own. In other words, if Mother Smith lives with Son-in-law Jones and Daughter Jones she might very well be named Mother Jones in the census. I did another visual search, but this time looking for anyone named Matilda. Again, this was unsuccessful. 

Matilda's living siblings were found in the 1900 census. None had a Matilda in their household or living next door.

Returning to the known daughter, Nancy J. it was discovered that she seemed to have disappear also. Obviously, genealogy is usually worked backward, meaning from child to parents. In this case, it was known that Nancy's middle initial stood for "Josephine" and that she had married by 1900. Thus began a search for her and her husband as well.

Josephine, her husband, and their family were found living north of Athens in Bearfield Township, Perry County, Ohio. When I glanced at the entry of the family living above them my eye was drawn to the name "Matilda."


Click on image for larger view


There were several crucial pieces of information to be gleaned from this abstract. First, Matilda had remarried. Second, she had given birth to only one child. That would be Nancy Josephine. And third, she, her daughter, and her daughter's family had moved from Meigs County sometime after 1893, which was when Thomas' death was recorded there.

I now began a search for a marriage record for Matilda Tewksbury and Charles Stoneburner; I also resumed my search for her death certificate under the name of Matilda Stoneburner. I was partly successful. The marriage search revealed that Mrs. "Tillie" Tewksbury married Charles C. Stoneburner on December 3, 1894 in Meigs County. But the search for her death record was again futile.

Knowing that Matilda had remarried once, I thought that perhaps she had done so again. Perry County records revealed that her second husband, Charles Stoneburner, had died February 28, 1902. I searched the marriage books for Perry, Meigs, and Athens counties and found record of a marriage between Matilda Stoneburner and W. B. Rickey on April 20, 1904 in Athens County. She and W.B. were enumerated there in the 1910 census. Their home was near the cemetery where her first husband, Thomas, was buried. Matilda had returned home.

From that point, it was easy to find that Matilda's death had taken place on April 21, 1912 in Athens County, Ohio and to order her death certificate. Her tombstone showed that she was the wife of Thomas Tewksbury but it omitted information to make it possible to trace her location during the years that she survived him.


The search for Matilda Tewksbury's death certificate illustrates several things:
  • it is important to pinpoint the whereabouts of the individual's family members if possible even if they are not in your direct ancestry line.
  • it is beneficial to begin at the last known location and make your way into the neighboring counties for information. Think of making concentric circles outward.
  • it shows that widows might remarry but still be buried by their first husband. This could cause a surname discrepancy between the headstone and death certificate.

Monday, November 29, 2010

In the Zone

The Bear had a basketball scrimmage tonight at a school quite a distance from our house. We left plenty of time to get there and were the first to arrive.

I settled at the top of the bleachers. I wanted to rest my back against the wall.

I was there by myself for awhile. Parents that I knew chose spots nearer the court. I waved, but I didn't join them.

As the varsity and jv teams alternated halves I watched from my perch. Most of the time our guys were "in the zone."

Suddenly, so was I. Somehow I found myself in the Valley Girl Zone! About 25 teenaged girls rushed to the top of the bleachers and joined me.

So . . . like . . . what's it like in the Valley Girl Zone? Groan! I would gladly have given up the prime real estate if only there had been a way to make an exit. But there wasn't. I was surrounded by a group of girls who like said the weirdest things, and like had the weirdest haircuts, and like really, when is this going to be over?! because they were like so hungry!

Oh, and they smelled like each and every one of them was wearing Bath and Body Works scents. Different scents.

Between the silly girl talk, overpowering aromas, and the rain that began falling outside I developed a sick headache. So even though it was dark and rainy when we left I let the Bear drive part of the way home. I think he felt like he was truly in the zone tonight, too, because he was stunned and thrilled when I handed him the keys. Then I just zoned out for awhile.

You can do likewise now because we obviously made it safely back home to our own comfort zone. And I'm mighty glad that we did. Like fer shur.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Take Ten in '10, Week 48 Reading Schedule

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Bible Reading Schedule for November 29 - December 5, 2010

Monday, November 29th
Ezra 7, 8
Psalms 110, 111

Tuesday, November 30th
Ezra 9, 10
Psalms 112, 113

Wednesday, December 1st
Nehemiah 1-3
Psalms 114, 115

Thursday, December 2nd
Nehemiah 4-6
Psalms 116, 117

Friday, December 3rd
Nehemiah 7, 8
Psalm 118

Saturday, December 4th
Nehemiah 9, 10
Psalm 119:1-16

Sunday, December 5th
No reading. Complete any that were missed.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Local Genealogical Researcher Available

I often do genealogy research for others. Until recently, this has been as an unpaid volunteer helping people obtain membership in lineage societies. This experience has been mutually beneficial both to the 50+ individuals whom I have helped and also to me as I have become more familiar with local resources. Now I am available to assist clients with research specific to the Cincinnati/Hamilton County, Ohio area.

Research will be done contractually at an hourly rate. There is a minimum retainer equal to a 2-hour fee. There is no extra charge for copies or the postage to mail them. The minimum deposit must be paid in advance. Additional hours will be billed separately with the client stipulating on the contract the maximum number of hours he is willing to finance.

Research is limited to the following repositories:
  • The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (including newspaper microfilm)
  • University of Cincinnati Blegen Library (which contains the regional archives)
  • Probate Court (marriage records)

Each of the above facilities offers limited services. Some or all charge a nominal fee for copies. You are encouraged to contact them first to see if you can obtain what you require directly. If it is determined that you need additional assistance please contact me at Karabeth6@gmail.com for more details. The email consultation is free, but specific questions pertaining to services offered by the above research facilities will be ignored.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

With An Attitude of Gratitude


Those that gather around this hearth wish all that gather around yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

May the Lord of the Harvest continue to bless us as He did our Pilgrim forebears.

And may we never forget to thank Him, the Author of all blessings!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Not One to Kill Time or Waste Money

I received several gift cards for my birthday in October. I saved them until such a time as I could decide how to spend them. I was really careful not to misplace these cards! I wouldn't want to discover them again in a couple of years like that Bob Evans gift card (and which is still going strong, I might add). :)

I waited.

And I watched.

Then I went!

Last night the Bear attended an activity at a friend's church located about an hour away. The activity was from 6-10 p.m. but I wasn't about to drive all the way back home in order to turn around and go pick him up a couple of hours later. I didn't want to just kill time - which is something that seems to pass away too quickly on its own, I fear - so I used it to shop.

I'm glad I did!

Having gift cards during a recession means more bang for the buck. Since the merchants want to entice the shoppers into the store before Black Friday I was able to buy several things.

With my money I was able to buy a brand new coat, a new pair of boots, a new pair of heels to match an outfit that I bought at an outlet store last spring, and some . . . um . . . unmentionables. Well, okay, I'll mention them anyway. They are long johns of the female variety.

I paid $0.00. I like that price. My sales receipt showed that I saved $184.11. Most of that savings was on the coat but a sizeable portion was on the boots also.

I really, really needed these things. My brown suede parka (the one that made me look like Pepper's twin when we were out for walks) had a zipper malfunction that I couldn't repair. This new coat won't be used to tour the neighborhood with Pepper as I'll be wearing the wool coat that I've owned for years. (And have received numerous compliments on even though I paid $5 for it years ago at a thrift store, but which can now transition into the position of dog-walker coat because I'm tired of re-sewing the lining!) The walks are also the reason for the "unmentionables."

Then there are the boots. I've had my old ankle boots since we moved here in 1999! They've served me well, and they will still be used for those times when the snow is only a few inches deep, but in recent winters the snows have almost required hip-waders!

Finally, the taupe shoes are to replace the ones that were old and well-worn. And Pepper-chewed. At least that pair of shoes was already ready for the garbage before she gnawed them. Others that met the same fate retired prematurely.

Perhaps I didn't save the economy since this cash was in the store coffers already, but I feel like I used my own time and money wisely last night.

I shall now have no fear of the snow, for this member of my household, anyway! At least as far as clothing is concerned.

Take Ten in '10, Week 47 Reading Schedule

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Bible Reading Schedule for November 22-28, 2010

Monday, November 22nd
Zechariah 12-14
Psalm 104

Tuesday, November 23rd
Malachi 1, 2
Psalm 105

Wednesday, November 24th
Malachi 3, 4
Psalm 106

Thursday, November 25th
Ezra 1, 2
Psalm 107

Friday, November 26th
Ezra 3, 4
Psalm 108

Saturday, November 27th
Ezra 5, 6
Psalm 109

Sunday, November 28th
No reading. Complete any that were missed.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Researching Daniel Crossman Brings Cause for Thanksgiving (Case Study B)

In Case Study A I gave an example of how false information can be spread quickly via the Internet. In this one I would like to show an example of how this same medium can be used to make surprising discoveries!

At one time, Daniel Crossman was only a name found in an old genealogy book while researching another family line. He was mentioned incidentally as the father of Freelove, wife of Nathan Slater. (Source: Memorial of John Slafter, by Rev. Edmund F. Slafter, c. 1869, page 90.)

The next piece of information was also found coincidentally while researching Nathan's father, Benjamin Slater. Rev. Slafter's 1869 work noted that Benjamin was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. This led to research in the Daughters of the American Revolution Patriot Index which can now be found online as part of their Genealogical Research System (GRS) found here. Clicking on the icon next to the name of his descendant, Edith Mitcheltree, brought up her ancestry through another one of her patriot ancestors, Daniel Crossman and his wife, Alice Brett! Since the online transcribed application states that there are additional unverified generations that were not transcribed I purchased a copy of Mrs. Mitcheltree's application. (Source: DAR Application of Edith Luse Mitcheltree; Daniel Crossman, patriot ancestor. Notes: 1.This Benjamin Slater is no longer recognized by the DAR as a patriot. 2.Older applications such as this one cannot be purchased online and downloaded as more recent applications can.)

My Slater research now segued into the search for Crossman ancestors. Mrs. Mitcheltree's application contained the names of Daniel's parents, Joseph Crossman and Margaret Turner, which was the additional unverified generation. Having her full application in hand also let me see what proofs she used to document her lineage. These always provide clues for further research. One of the items she mentioned was a family letter which may no longer exist, but if it does, someone may post it on the Internet one day. That happens occasionally.

Armed with names and general dates and places for births and marriages, I performed multiple searches via books and on the Internet. The first find showed that Daniel and Alice married in 1778 as generally stated in Mrs. Mitcheltree's application but now the specific date and location of June 4, 1778 in Easton, Massachusetts were known. (Source: Vital Records of Bridgewater, Massachusetts to the Year 1850, Volume 2, page 59. This book can be seen through Google Books here.)

Another reference pertaining to Nathan Slater stated that his wife, Freelove Crossman, was from New York, therefore more proof was necessary to ensure that this was indeed the right family since no one else in the Crossman family had any documentation to place them in New York.(Source: History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, c. 1895, page 811 found here).I consulted the 1850 census. It confirmed that Freelove, the wife of Nathan Slater, was born in Massachusetts. (Source: 1850 US Federal Census, Cranberry Twp., Butler Co., PA; page 138, line 24.)


A search of the birth records of Easton Massachusetts confirmed the names of Daniel's parents to be Joseph Crosman, Junior and Margrat [sic] with a specific birth date for Daniel given as Monday, 2 May 1757. However, no birth record for Freelove was located. (Source: LDS microfilm #1059951 entitled "Easton, Massachusetts, Bristol County, Births, Deaths and Marriages by Families, 1697-1847" transcribed by John A. Maltby, c. 2002, found here. Daniel's birth was originally on page 23.) Joseph Crossman, Jr. married Margaret Turner on February 26, 1756. (Source: Vital Records of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850, Volume 2, page 100. This volume can be read on Google Books here.)

But the search that truly surprised me was when I typed "Daniel Crossman" and "Alice Brett" into the Google search engine and found myself directed to the page for The Alden Kindred of America! After all, the surname "Alden" speaks for itself! (Source: website here. Note: When I checked the genealogy page at the Alden Kindred website recently,there was a broken link. An identical search would not generate the same results today.)

After further research in Plymouth Colony and Mayflower records, it was determined that one of Daniel's Crossman ancestors did marry one of the descendants of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins. The analysis of this union is now included in the "Mayflower Five Generations Project" and the discussion by Alicia Crane Williams pertaining to the Crossman-Alden link is found here.

This is just one example of how the ever-expanding Internet has changed the face of genealogy for the better. Technology gives genealogists many reasons to be thankful.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

An Understatement

The Bear and I stopped at the grocery store today for a few quick purchases. We separated inside the door and dashed to opposite ends of the building in pursuit of our desires. As we met at the check-out I did a double-take as I saw the items in his hands:
  1. a red bell pepper
  2. a green bell pepper
  3. 2 jars of sliced jalepeno peppers
Noticing my upraised eyebrow and quizzical look he said, "What??? I like peppers!"

That may qualify as the understatement of the month.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The Hardest Words to Say

It is hard to say good-bye to a loved one when the next time to meet is unknown. It doesn't matter whether it is seeing the person off at the airport, or walking away from their bedside when they are seriously ill, or paying final respects at their graveside.

I'm looking forward to a time when there will never be a need to tell my loved ones "good-bye" again. For that matter, "See you later!" will also be obsolete.

Praise the Lord that such a day is coming!

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thess 4:13-18 (KJV)

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Take Ten in '10, Week 46 Reading Schedule

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Bible Reading Schedule for November 15-21, 2010

Monday, November 15th
Zephaniah 1-3
Psalm 96

Tuesday, November 16th
Haggai 1, 2
Psalms 97, 98

Wednesday, November 17th
Zechariah 1-3
Psalms 99, 100

Thursday, November 18th
Zechariah 4-6
Psalm 101

Friday, November 19th
Zechariah 7-9
Psalm 102

Saturday, November 20th
Zechariah 10, 11
Psalm 103

Sunday, November 21st
No reading. Complete any that were missed.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Mind Games

When under stress the brain has the power to conjure up some strange scenarios! We've reached the stage where we can laugh about yesterday afternoon's "alarm." Actually, we'd reached that stage about the time the last slice of pizza disappeared an hour later. Over dinner I asked Pastor Dad and The Bear what went through their minds when they returned home and found me gone. These are their responses.

Theory 1:
That you (that would be me) had taken the dog for a walk, then had fallen and were lying somewhere hurt.

Hole in the theory:
Normally I can't stop while going about my daily chores without that dog bumping into the back of my kneecap, but yes, I can see your point. She's a female dog, but she's no Lassie.


Theory 2:
Your car wasn't here so we figured you'd parked it somewhere in the neighborhood in order to take the dog for a walk, something happened, and the dog made her way home.

Holes in the theory:
Um, our subdivision isn't that large so if I'm going to chauffer the dog around it kind of defeats the whole purpose of "taking the dog for a walk," doesn't it?



Theory 3:
Yes, but it is still possible that Pepper ran off, you were hunting for her, but in the meantime she'd found her way home.

Holes in the theory:
The dog was inside the house and the last time I checked, she didn't have a door key.



We've had a lot of fun talking about the scenes they imagined when they came home and found my purse and its contents nearby the dog who just happened to be catching forty winks across my pillow! But if I ever really do get hurt while walking the dog I'm glad I can count on my guys to come to my rescue since if I learned anything from this escapade (besides to make sure I have my phone with me at all times) it is that none of us has very much faith in the dog.




.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Cause for Alarm

Stressful events have been going on around here lately.

Last night several local fire departments battled an apartment fire a few miles away. And today an ambulance and fire truck zoomed past our house in their apparent need to get somewhere in a hurry. The alarming sirens were everywhere!

You know, just another day in the 'burbs. Not!

And I've been a bit "off kilter" the last few days. I'm blaming my hormones - or the lack thereof - for most of it. Due to my "nerves," as we euphemistically call my agitated state, Pastor Dad gallantly offered to take The Bear to basketball practice. I gave my assent and the motion was passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned.

Soon after they left, I also left. I took Pepper for a walk. I did this for several reasons. First, it gets her some exercise, which was really necessary today because . . . Second, I was going to be leaving for the library and this would require some of Pep's pep to be expended so that I could literally get out the door without her.

And third, I was being nosy. I wanted to see if there was any visible reason why an ambulance and a fire truck came careening past my house today. (There wasn't.)

Taking Pepper for a walk is not easy. And I'm not talking about the actual walk itself. I'm talking about getting her out of the yard. Our perimeter has an invisible fence and there are only two ways to get that dog past it. One is by picking her up bodily and the other is by putting her in the car and driving her. I always choose the latter for obvious reasons. I receive enough battle wounds without actually trying to manhandle a rambunctious canine who doesn't have enough sense to know when you're trying to do her a favor! So the first part of the walk was accomplished via car.

The walk being done, I took the dog back into the house and proceeded to load essentials like driver's license, spare change, and library card into the neck pouch that had just moments ago held things like doggy treats and pooper-scooper bags. The purpose for the library visit was to catch up on some volunteer work that I do for the local genealogy society. I don't like to take my purse with me because it is hard to keep an eye on it while preoccupied between the stacks and copy machine.

The free afternoon seemed the perfect opportunity to get this done. I expected to be home before the guys reappeared.

Things never go quite as planned. There were parts of the assignment that I did not understand so I worked a bit slower than usual. When I left I realized I had stayed longer than I anticipated which meant it was getting dark outside. There would be no dinner waiting for the guys when they got home. I discovered that I didn't have my cell phone to tell them of my delay but I didn't think it important because I still expected to be home before they were.

I was mistaken. And as soon as I pulled into the driveway I knew something was wrong. Pastor Dad's car was gone, both garage doors were up, all of the lights were on, The Bear was darting out the front door as soon as my car came to a halt, and Pepper was running around like a maniac. Okay, that last one is pretty normal, but the rest of the stuff isn't. I inquired as to the nature of the emergency.

It seems that I was the emergency!

When they got home, they found Pepper in the house alone and the contents of my purse tossed about on the bedroom floor. I suspect that Pepper used the discovery of this unexpected bonanza to search for spare mints or change. Whatever. The man, the boy, and the dog all know that I don't usually leave the house without my purse and certainly not without my wallet or phone.

No one remembered that I had stated my intention of going to the library but everyone remembered that I was going to walk the dog. They also knew that the car was involved. I'm not sure exactly why they thought I'd forgotten to actually take the dog with me but they did. Pastor Dad was driving through our neighborhood looking for me.

Thankfully, I arrived just a few moments after they did or more vehicles with sirens might possibly have made their way into the neighborhood today. Pastor Dad pulled into the driveway shortly after The Bear called off the (wo)manhunt.

Once we'd all settled down a bit (and ordered pizza) we discussed the events of the day. Perhaps I'm a bit too quick to blame my stressful feelings on hormones but I think Pastor Dad might just have been a bit too quick to blame my absence for his feeling of panic, too. It seems that he had allowed The Bear to drive to basketball practice today. On the interstate.

You do remember that the boy just got his learner's permit last Friday, right?

Mmm-hmm.

Trouble(d) in River City

I've got a list of people I want to nag. But I'm not going to do it because I can hear Jesus saying, "(Insert my name in here), thou art careful [anxious] and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Adapted from Luke 10:41-42

Like Martha, this gal in Cincinnati needs the reminder to set down her anxieties with their accompanying attitudes in order to sit down for awhile at the feet of Jesus and receive an attitude adjustment. Maybe then she'll realize that He doesn't need her help to get everything under control.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Take Ten in '10, Week 45 Reading Schedule

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Bible Reading Schedule for November 8-14, 2010

Monday, November 8th
Jonah 3, 4
Psalms 85, 86

Tuesday, November 9th
Micah 1-3
Psalms 87, 88

Wednesday, November 10th
Micah 4, 5
Psalm 89

Thursday, November 11th
Micah 6, 7
Psalms 90, 91

Friday, November 12th
Nahum 1-3
Psalms 92, 93

Saturday, November 13th
Habakkuk 1-3
Psalms 94, 95

Sunday, November 14th
No reading. Complete any that were missed.

Friday, November 5, 2010

He Already Drives Me Crazy

But now he'll also be driving me anywhere that I allow him to drive the car.

The Bear has achieved that long-awaited milestone (for him, anyway) known as obtaining a driving learner's permit. I'm praying that all the progress made getting my blood pressure numbers back to where they belong will not be all for naught.

Just kidding. (Sort of.)

I Didn't Need A Quiz To Tell Me This

I resisted. Then I caved. I took the quiz. I figured it was safe to come out from hiding now that the elections are over.

I'm a capitalist! My creed is to turn the market loose and let it do its job. Free enterprise, and all that jazz. If you make a product then you have the right to the profit. And I have the right to buy it or not buy it. You also have the right to keep your profit instead of subsidizing others in their unprofitable ventures. And if I do want to buy your product I have the right to wait you out in the hopes of getting it at a bargain price (bonus points if I can use a coupon!).

As for the quiz itself, I did not like that some of the questions were of the "When did you stop beating your wife?" variety. Too many broad assumptions.

I was relieved that I didn't receive the "Republican" tag. The GOP and I started messy divorce proceedings a few years ago when it openly invited strange loves into our tent. The fact that it both called me names and tried to stick me with alimony payments hasn't helped our relationship much either. Right now I'm practicing tough love and hoping it will see the error of its ways. Otherwise, I'll end up being a politically conservative but personally liberal Independent (which means I don't mind generously donating money to help those who are struggling - and I often do - but I prefer to cut out the bossy government middle man who seems to have really sticky fingers).

Anyway, I like the Capitalist designation better. I'm a home economist, not a party gal.

You are a





Social Moderate
(41% permissive)

and an...




Economic Conservative
(75% permissive)

You are best described as a:





Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid
Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test



Capitalist





Thursday, November 4, 2010

Thankful Thursday

(Orange zinnias and decorative grass taken 10/10/2009 at the Cincinnati Zoo)
Posted by Picasa

I love autumn! I also love winter, spring, and summer. I know! I'm so fickle! Or maybe I'm just thankful for each season that God gives as it comes along.

I remember reading or hearing a sermon by a famous preacher (Swindoll, perhaps?) that compared the earthly seasons to our journey of life. I was too young at the time to understand just how true that analogy is but I've lived long enough now to experience it first-hand.

Each season has its own trials and blessings. As a child progressing through the Springtime and as a young woman enjoying the Summer season I could never fully imagine the joys that come with having grown Blessings (that's my children) and my little Grandblessings (their children). If I had failed to grow older I would never have experienced this beautiful Autumn season of life.

As I contemplate my life's Autumn season a few things immediately come to mind for which I am thankful. Here are a few just for starters:
  1. My parents and in-laws are in reasonably good health.
  2. My life's partner has been with me since the early Spring season of our lives and he helps to divide my burdens and multiply my blessings.(Here the word "blessings" does not pertain to my children, although I can see how the multiplying of those blessings could apply here, too.)
  3. My house has not been emptied of the sound of my own Blessings' feet. How nice not to have an empty nest yet!
  4. We have a house on the hill (literally!) that shelters us from the elements.
  5. My body's heater hasn't gone too haywire yet. (Note to you Summer girls: no blankets needed to keep you warm at night.)
And some that pertain to this literal autumn season:
  1. The impatiens that survived the drought of summer (and picking by a certain grandblessing) are still showing off near the sidewalk. :)
  2. The red geraniums are looking especially vibrant against the backdrop of fallen leaves.
  3. The cups of coffee and hot tea are particularly appreciated now.
  4. The beauty of the trees has not been as spectacular this year due to the lack of moisture but some of the maples were as gorgeous amongst their dull-colored neighbors as cardinals are beside winter-plumed birds at my bird feeder.
  5. The summer chores are over and the autumn ones are under way but the shorter days and longer nights help to slow my body's busy pace just a bit. This might be mere perception, but it helps me transition toward sleep instead of thinking I must complete more chores before day's end.
  6. The dark evenings mean more time spent snuggling with a good book instead of working in the yard.
Every season has its beauty and every season has its work. Some seasons require longer days and more stenuous labor to complete the tasks at hand and some allow more time for rest and reflection. I'm positive that the Lord that created us and the seasons designed us to enjoy everything in its time.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

What Characters!

 
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Our Charming grandblessings (my new designation for the girls and their cousin, Fen) sat patiently through church Sunday evening while their Grandad preached. I'm sure they were only a little bit anxious to get out there and beg for candy. :)

As promised, here are the pictures of them in their costumes. Okay, Fen managed to sneak into a couple of pictures, too. He likes his cousins and I did manage to get one shot of all of our grandblessings that wasn't totally blurry or where some face wasn't totally blocked by a costume. It isn't easy to get a picture of 5 children, two of whom that are under the age of 2, and several of whom that should've been dressed as wiggle worms instead of literary characters.

Literary characters? Of course! What would you expect from our family?

Well, okay, Disney characters would be a good guess, too, but even Disney characters first appeared as characters in great children's literature, you know!

This year Polly was Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. She carried a small stuffed dog to represent Toto and was wearing red shoes for her ruby slippers. I suggested that Aunt Princess' little dog, Fergie, would've made an excellent Toto if Polly could only keep her in the basket, but then, isn't that one of the problems that the original Dorothy had, too? The substitution would make the costume so authentic.

Tigger was Cinderella, blue headband and all. I neglected to see if she was wearing glass slippers under her dress, but if anyone could keep such accessories clean, it would be Miss Tigger. She was all smiles Sunday evening which just added to the beauty of her costume.

Sweet Pea was Little Bo Peep again. I noticed that there was no stick in evidence this year. Wise deletion! Miss Sweet Pea seemed to be tired by the time we were taking pictures but she did agree to pose for one solo shot.

Little Lili was dressed as a duck long enough to get a few pictures taken. She wasn't too thrilled with the whole thing, but then, perhaps she's never read the book about Ping. I suspect that by the time she knows the story she'll be old enough to associate the whole "dressing up as a duck thing" with candy instead.

(Note:  I think you can click on the photo collage to enlarge it.)

Monday, November 1, 2010

Do You Gnome?

Get it? Do you know 'im?

Sometimes I'm so clever that I can hear your groans all the way through the Internet. :)

So . . . Who is this little fellow hard at work mining for candy and toys?


Why, look here! It's Fen! He's so adorable even if it does look like he's never shaved a day in his life. Which he hasn't. Obviously.

I was sorry that my camera was not handy to capture a picture of him in his carseat.  He was wearing his hat (which was standing straight up), sportiing a magical twinkle in his eye and grinning broadly behind his . . . pacifier.  You'll just have to imagine that one.


And here is one of Fen and his parents! The Princess dressed as, well, a princess. Snow White only had two of her dwarves with her last evening.  My, oh my!  The one in purple appears to be a good 12 inches taller than she is!   

Aren't they an enchanted family?  Yes, I really do think they are.  Fairy tales still do come true.



Tomorrow I'll post pictures of the Charming children in their costumes (unless their mommy beats me to it, which is fine, too).