Monday, July 10, 1989, was just another summer day. After I finished my day teaching summer school, I picked up our daughter Caitlin from her grandmother’s house. Cait and I headed home, a 6 ½ minute ride. Once home, I noticed the wind was picking up and the sky was clouding over. It was about […]
Read MoreMy memory is seriously failing me. Last week, I realized I had “misremembered” the origin of the punch-needle rugs my mother made in the mid-1960s. This week, I was all set to write my post on the topic of “taxes.” It would be an easy write – I had all of my tax returns since […]
Read MoreOkay – this is admittedly a real stretch for this week’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks blog prompt, “Maiden Aunt.” I was struggling to think of who I could write about, not having any maiden aunts. In fact, I have no aunts at all anymore. Nor are any of my siblings “maidens.” So – I […]
Read MoreIn March 1959 we were living in a two-story garden apartment in New Haven. I had just turned 4. One sister was not quite 3 years-old and the other had just turned 1. My mother was exhausted from running up and down the stairs all day and insisted on moving to a new home – […]
Read MoreI could have used this story for last week’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge as it truly ended up a story about luck. But, since most people would consider losing the top floor of their home to fire, it fits this week’s theme of Misfortune, pretty well. Julie Chen with Meg and my mom Those […]
Read MoreThis week’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks topic is “Lucky” – in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. I was planning on writing about how lucky I have been “employment-wise.” But then I discovered March 14 was National “Write Your Story” Day. I remembered writing a lengthy autobiography as part of the Genealogy Do-Over I started in 2015. […]
Read MoreUPDATE: It was recently brought to my attention that I made a big booboo. I inadvertently left out one of my sisters-in-law. I make no excuse (because I don’t even know how I forgot!) just a huge and apology. In honor of Women’s History Month, the prompt for this week’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is […]
Read MoreGot up this morning to a beautiful sunrise. I wanted to get an early start so we would be sure to have a good seat at this morning’s keynote address. Most people probably want to hear Henry Louis Gates, of the PBS TV show certain to get Finding Your Roots. I’m interested in his talk, but I […]
Read MoreBusy, busy day. It’s 10:58 p.m. and I have decided to forgo today’s post in favor of getting a good night’s sleep before our flight home tomorrow morning. Stay tuned for lots of info about the Keynote speakers Natalia LaFourcade and Henry Louis Gates, and the presentations I attended today. If you’re bored waiting for […]
Read MoreThis was a fun event with a 1920s theme. The music was great. I enjoyed watching the dancing but didn’t participate as I am still babying my knee! We got a little silly at the video booth. Dan Earl (The Family History Guy) and his lovely wife joined us at our table. I learned a […]
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Who We Are and How We Got This Way 