"Welcome to the Weekend Chat!" All Members Invited!! December 8th - 10th, 2023 [closed]

Question

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Members Checking in via "All About the Weekend Chat"

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CHANGE TO BEST ANSWER PROCESS:  After much discussion we have come to the conclusion that all answers in the Weekend Chat are of equal importance and weight.  So we are going to discontinue the Best Answer portion as it adds points and then takes them away from posters and is causing some hurt feelings.  So in the interest of everyone is equal and valued we will delete any best answers given which will deduct those points because it has been pointed out that to give everyone best answer is also not a viable option. 

Weekend Chat is for everyone. It's a place to catch up on what people are up to and to share what you've been doing.  New members can say hello, introduce themselves, ask questions, and meet each other.  Our seasoned members can share progress or successes from their projects, give tips and advice, or chime in on hot topics.

Post as many answers and comments as you wish. It doesn't hurt anyone to post a lot and enjoy the multitude of topics.

Enjoy yourselves and spread the love!

Comments

@PIP! OMG...I forgot that it was your left shoulder (and my right). How the heck did that tear occur! You poor thing. I will add you to our healing intention zoom group meeting tomorrow morning. It is a bunch of nurses who are certified healing touch practitioners and we zoom from 10 to noon on Saturdays to collectively do distance intention healing for family, friends and local to global. I am so sorry to hear of this. AND I will include your wife following that nasty fall!

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It is cool to work on someone else's tree every once in a while. I am sure he'll enjoy the hard work you put in.

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Pip, I think you meant to say "Right shouldER is compromised".  So sorry to hear it.  Praying for good results.

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Pip, my mum is also a complete righthander, but the right arm doesn't work anymore above the elbow since the fall she had when we returned from our trip to Holland more than four years ago. You know what she says she learned first: (I'm quoting her the way she says it, so don't blame me!) "You first learn to clean your ass on the toilet with the left hand."

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The ideal first aid response to a head injury and potential concussion, monitor the victim. I can contrast that to my workplace accident in 2018 when a tractor mount mower hit me on the leg and head, promptly and forcefully catapulting my head into the gravel.
 When my bosses saw me I was told to drive myself home, the Doctor 3 days later sent me for urgent xrays for a suspected broken tibia, no xray for the head (that was ordered this year), why he had someone with a head and leg injury drive themselves 40 minutes to the next town is a puzzle.

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So glad your wife is ok, falls are so scary. And as for commenting, family ALWAYS comes first.

I enjoy working on other people's trees more than my own! It shakes things up to work in a different town, on a new last name, etc. And it's always fun to be able to say "check out this cool story about your great grand uncle" or whatever. Our history is a gift, it is so amazing to be able to give someone else a piece of theirs.

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Pip, I am so sorry to hear about your OTHER shoulder.  That is going to be tough and the typos will take over!  I don't mean to joke about the surgery is serious, but I do remember your mention of the typos with the last surgery.

Glad your wife is OK from the head bump.  Those can be scary.

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Oh no! Poor Mrs. Pip...please give her my well wishes. Glad she's ok.

Yay! Rotator cuff surgery is so much fun...not! Worth it in the long run, though.

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Jelena, I just want you to know that I am now terrorized. 

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Gary! I cannot imagine a doctor not being more proactive with a head injury. Driving yourself... someone should have known better. Glad you are all good on that.

Answer 1

This Week Enjoy A NEW Parody!

CHATTY

Sung to the tune of Happy written and performed by Pharrell Williams

• Released 2013 as the only single from the soundtrack album of Despicable Me 2
• It reached No. 1 in 24 countries becoming the best-selling song of 2014.
  • Parody by Dave Draper

Here is the music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZSe6N_BXs

• CHATTY
• It might seem crazy what I am 'bout to say
• Weekend Chat is here, you can take a break
• I'm a ... so full of hot air; I could float to space
• With a flair, like I don't care, baby it's my way
• Huh (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along if you're feelin' you're down and you need some love
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along even if you make a comment to those above
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along because you know what happiness is to you
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along if you feel that we all love you too!
• Here come the bad, dissen' this and that (Yeah)
• They give "Down Votes" out, and they don't hold back (Yeah)
• Well I should probably warn you, you'll be just fine (Yeah)
• Voting Wikipeeps "Down" is a waste-a-time
• Here's why:
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along if you're feelin' you're down and you need some love
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along even if you make a comment to those above
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along because you know what happiness is to you
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along if you feel that we all love you too! Hey! Go!
• Uh, vote me down
• Can't nothing, bring me down
• My love is too high to bring me down
• Can't nothing, bring me down, I said think 'bout
• Uh, Vote me down, can't nothing
• Bring me down
• My love is too high to bring me down
• Can't nothing, bring me down, I said
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along if you're feelin' you're down and you need some love
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along even if you make a comment to those above
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along because you know what happiness is to you
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along if you feel that we all love you too!
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along if you're feelin' you're down and you need some love
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along even if you make a comment to those above
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along because you know what happiness is to you
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along if you feel that we all love you too! Hey!
• Uh, vote me down
• Can't nothing, bring me down
• My love is too high to bring me down
• Can't nothing, bring me down... I say
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along if you're feelin' you're down and you need some love
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along even if you make a comment to those above
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along because you know what happiness is to you, hey, hey, hey!
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along if you feel that we all love you too!
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along if you're feelin' you're down and you need some love
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along even if you make a comment to those above
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along because you know what happiness is to you, hey. hey!
• (Because we're chatty)
• Chat along if you feel that we all love you too!
  • Come on!
• Abrupt stop

More Weekend Chat Fun Music  >>>Click Here<<<

Comments

We need to use that image somewhere. Damn that's sweet.

Great lyrics, David!

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Very Chatty! Love it!

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I found the "Grumpy" Interstate Exit Sign picture on the forum in "Photos", but from a post made several years ago.  When I find old posts with neat pictures, I bring them back so the next generation of Wikipeeps can enjoy them.

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That took some work, David. So very cool!

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They're always good but this one's GREAT. Thanks for your hard work.

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Originally uploaded by Keith Hathaway, https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Hathaway-1200

Thanks Keith!

Answer 2

Hi from southern Ontario, 

Chez moi/at home: what's been happening here? I woke up yesterday morning to about 3 inches of snow thankfully it had all melted by noon. The forecast for today is a high of 8C and sunny, perhaps a good day for a walk along the green belt. 

Most of this weekend is supposed to be rainy, so much baking and cooking will happen, I will be making 3 golden citrus fruitcakes, I posted the recipe here https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/1670115/52-ancestors-week-49-family-recipe

Plus 2 Christmas puddings, leek and potato soup, and a lot of tomato sauce, I have 14 large bags of frozen tomatoes in the freezer, that is in freezer #1, freezer # 2 is for finished cooked items, like soups, stews, chili, tomato sauce. 

I’m still looking for a good blackberry cake, pie, loaf, muffin recipe. There are about 10 litres of blackberries in freezer #1. I made a blackberry loaf recipe last year, but it didn’t turn out well. 

WikiTree and family history: I’m still working on my profile completeness suggestions, I have 37 short biography suggestions down from 89, 3 weeks ago. I do have other suggestions death date and locations not set, most of them are currently impossible to be fixed. They are for siblings of various generations of great grandparents and all I have is a baptism record. 

What else: 2024 vacation planning, we will be travelling/driving to the Canadian east coast for about 3 weeks from about the last week of June. About 5500 km round trip including visits to friends in several places and a drive around the Gaspé Peninsula. 

We finally made a decision about a place to visit in early March that will be much warmer than it will be here in southern Ontario. We looked at a lot of places in the Caribbean and in Mexico, we could spend 2 weeks in England for less money than a week in most places. Prices are dramatically higher than they were in February 2020, the last time we visited the Caribbean. 

Where will we be going? The current plan is Tucson, Arizona, we were last there in fall 2011 and visited many places, but there is a lot more to see. Plus, I know a WikiTreer who lives in Tucson! 

Comments

Hi M! I am so looking forward to meeting YOU and Robbie in person, for real! If I could only get you and Pip, and Sandy and others to move to Tucson we (Cindy Cooper already lives here) could have WikiTree parties on Friday (with real hugs) rather than Chats!

I hope the information was helpful. Just know that things can be pricey in the desert southwest during the late winter early spring months because every snow bird in the country is here. There is spring training in Phoenix, gem and mineral show in Tucson and so much more! Please keep me apprised of dates and what you will be doing.

I am so excited about your visit!

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O how I wish for some snow, M. (My wife could care less, but me on the other hand...)

Now if we could just plan our trips to Tucson at the same time. 

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What a thing to wish upon your neighbors as you leave on vacation! Unless you are going skiing.

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Carol, we have been looking at flights and possible accommodation. I will need a few uninterrupted hours to get that done.

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Excited for fruitcake! I've never made my own but maybe this is the year?? Thanks for sharing the recipe. May all your baking ventures be delicious.

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Hi M! We had snow here in Ottawa but it is melting today as it is now 3°C with rain.

Could you not use a raspberry recipe but substitute blackberries instead?

I’d love to take a trip to the east coast (or the west coast) of Canada but that is not happening in the near future.

Answer 3

Virtual Vacation!

In 2011 we spent 3 days in Tucson and surrounding areas. As we intend to revisit in March, I took a trip down memory lane!

We stayed at a very nice hotel, 

We visited Missión San Xavier del Bac - perhaps the most beautiful Spanish mission in the Americas, it was founded in 1692 by Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, a Jesuit missionary of Italian descent. 

We visited Tombstone and saw the Bird Cage theatre, the OK corral, and the Wyatt Earp theatre. 

And saw many interesting cacti, some at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum and others on the roadsides. 

Comments

Hey M! Your Virtual Vacay today looks just like home!...Oh, it is home! I love Tucson. Just getting up in the morning and looking out my front and seeing the Catalinas is a spiritual vacay. It has changed a great deal since I moved here, though, in 1984. It is also the home of two famous Lindas... Linda Ronstadt and Linda McCartney.

If Tombstone is on the table again, be sure to stop at Boot Hill. That cemetery alone is at least a half day adventure. And right next door (well almost next door) is the home where Wyatt Earp lived while he and is brothers were duking it with the Clantons in Tombstone. I'll have to tell my brother that Wyatt Earp is an 8th cousin through our Carter line. My brother is a retired sheriff and I got a great photo of him lounging in front of the Tombstone jail wearing our dad's Stetson.

Thank you for a focus on our state/national treasures, the saguaro (we are told that a saquaro is at least 70 years old before it grows its first arm) and San Xavier. It was one of Pip's favorite stops as well. Very peaceful and awe inspiring.

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My 2nd great grandfather lived right next to the Earp family, when they lived in Pella,  Iowa from @1850 to 1864.  My uncle Joe Draper married Veda Eby, Wyatt Earps's cousin!Thank you for the pictues!

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San Xavier del Bac. This is where I met up with Carol, Cindy, and Diane... a regular WikiTree convention. Such a beautiful church. It was partially closed when we were there shortly after the pandemic. I'd love to go all the way inside to see the art.

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My home state. I need go to San Xavier del Bac.

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Beautiful pictures, M. My husband still has family in Tucson, so we manage to go once in a while. San Xavier is gorgeous, and the Desert Museum has to be my favorite place there!

Answer 4

¡Buenos días a todos from the Old Pueblo! It is 7:00 am and 48F (8.9C) with an expected high of 71F (21.7C) with sunny skies in Tucson.

 

The early part of my week was not so great because I had to see my new Primary Care Provider (PCP). The prior PCP retired due to health problems. The new PCP is very efficient; however, she tends to go ‘by the book’ rather than considering patient’s likes/dislikes and preferences. I have lived in this body for nearly 79 years. I am not thrilled when PCPs want to add more drugs for health issues, especially when I lead a very healthy lifestyle. She wants me to take a statin for high cholesterol. Given that my ‘good’ cholesterol is high (a good thing), other providers would say it offsets the need for taking yet another drug to the roughly 12 that I am already taking in the morning. She questioned other drugs that I was on that she wants to not have me take and I told her to discuss it with the cardiologist and neurologist! As people age, they need to take care with what all is being prescribed for them. It can make the situation worse for them rather than better. Meanwhile, drug companies are rolling in the dough.

 

I spoke with my sister, Bonny, last evening and we will be chatting by phone on Monday. I will be ‘surprising’ her with an early Holiday gift…her paternal line on WikiTree! I have really gone as far as I can (or want to). I must thank Maria Lundholm again for all her excellent efforts and sources for most of Bonny’s paternal line from Sweden. Maria extended several members of this line back to the early 18^th century! I am quite excited to hear what Bonny has to say about her ‘Tree’. I will report back next week.

 

I heard from my friend/colleague Stuart yesterday with good news. Our paper, “Exploring Sleep in Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the Relationship to Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and Family Quality of Life (FQoL)” was published in Medica this week. Our paper was rejected a few months ago by a leading sleep journal. We made revisions based on those reviewer recommendations and then resubmitted the paper to Medica. In turn, their reviewers had several additional salient recommendations that made the paper even stronger. Stuart let us know a couple of weeks ago that the paper was accepted for publication, and this week that it has been published. If any of you are interested in this topic, please send me an email and I will forward the publication to you.

 

I had quite an experience yesterday when I went for an RSV shot at the local Wal-Mart. I completed the paperwork and was told to take a seat on a nearby bench as I was second in line. I sat next to a man wearing a cap that read “Holocaust Survivor WWII”. I could not pass up this learning opportunity. He was liberated from Buchenwald. He and his brother are the only survivors in his family. He can still ‘see’ his family being separated and sent to various groups. What a dear man. He does talks at local schools to share his experiences with children whose parents are likely of an age to not recall WWII, and possibly Korea, and to encourage people to “Never Forget.” After he got his flu shot, he headed to a local grocer for their frozen latke’s. He asked if I knew what they were. I told him I especially like my latkes with applesauce! Our hospice medical director was Jewish, and I attended his eldest son’s Bar Mitzvah, and shared other holidays. I thanked him for his story and the work that he does. Yesterday was not only the 82^nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor, but the first night of Hanukkah. Chag sameach to all our Jewish WikiTree family members.

 

I have not returned to Buckinghamshire and the Baldwins yet. I am still in Kent working on my Boys (deBois; Boyse; Boise; Boice) family line. Several of the profiles are still GEDCOM (junk) profiles that are in serious need of Biography and at least one source. Most of the profiles are from the 16^th century, and several are Notables that have been overlooked (well, not any longer). It is interesting to follow this family from the time of Charles I to Cromwell to Charles II. The frustration comes with the several Boys lines throughout Kent and trying to keep them straight. I will just add biographies and sources to the extant profiles, rather than adding ‘new’ lines that I would very likely mess up. Right now, working on the Boys line is MUCH easier than the Bucks Baldwins. I am being lazy…um… well…I am on Holiday break from the Bucks Baldwins.

 

Pip, as ever, thank you for leading the Weekend Chat. I am another week closer to seeing you and Mike! I also want to wish all my WikiTree friends and family a great second weekend of December 2023. Saludos a todos!

Comments

In regard to your survivor of WWII, Give 'em Hell Harry said," The only thing new in this world, is the history you don't know." From a historical point of view, no truer words have been spoken. That is why my "happy place", the museum, was built as a round building. Truman warned history is a repetitive occurrance guaranteed to repeat itself as soon as it is forgotten.

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K, Voltaire wrote, 'History never repeats itself. Man always does."

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I thought he said, history is the lie that is told that is most likely to be believed, or something along those lines.

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Like you, Carol, I would not have passed up the opportunity to speak to a Holocaust survivor, even though I have studied that era quite a bit. First hand is different than reading about it text books.

I have been working a non-related family, Tiffins in Norfolk, and like your Boys in Kent, they are hard to track. Same family... maybe, but they all used the same names over and over again, so I have settled  on creating separate families, hoping I'll be able to connect them later.

I'll let you know when I'll be able to come to Tucson, but it'll be later than usual. I just hope to get there before it gets HOT!

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@K, I am sure Voltaire wrote more than this particular quote; however, he is cited for the quote I listed: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/189415-history-never-repeats-itself-man-always-does

This comment has been made in the past on the Chat (pre your joining) because it was relevant to various other topics.

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@Pip...my heart skipped a beat when he said Buchenwald! I was born as the night transitioned into the day Buchenwald was liberated (8:59pm in Wisconsin is ~4:59am in Germany). I have studied this time frame as well, as has my family lest we "Never Forget." I also had the privilege of meeting another survivor years ago (~1973) when I lived in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. An older gentleman purchased the front building of the 100 y/o Cedar Creek Woolen Mill. My ex-husband, another couple and I rented a space and set up an old-fashioned general store that was quite successful. Prior to setting up the store, the owner of the building hired a stone mason, Wally, who was checking out the 'guts' of the building for strength and flaws. I found out that Wally was in Auschwitz! He survived because of his skills as a stone mason! It was the first, only, and (hopefully) last time I will ever see such a number engraved on any human being's left inner arm below the elbow. 

Bonny has a friend she grew up with who now lives in Germany (has for years). We have 'low to no cost' visits with Lori and Gerd every other year. They are about 45 minutes from Munich and 1/2 hour from Dachau. I toured Dachau once and just ended up weeping the entire time. Bonny has been there six times (each of her three kids, then their boy/girlfriends). I absolutely cannot. Once was enough. I have also been to the Holocaust Museum in WDC. That was extremely powerful. And you are so right. First hand is much different than textbooks. It was a privilege to meet 'Sevek' yesterday (https://www.amazon.com/Sevek-Holocaust-Boy-Who-Refused/dp/007123456X)

During the Jewish holidays, just as a reminder for me, I generally re-read Elie Weisel's Night or Victor Frankel's Search for Meaning (among others). Victor Frankel received an honorary doctorate from Mount Mary College the year I graduated. He's one of my main men for resilience. I also have a paperback copy of Schindler's List signed by author Thomas Keneally. He was in Tucson years ago (maybe 1987) at a local Temple doing a talk, then book signing. One didn't have to be Jewish to attend and I learned a lot from Keneally's talk AND from rabbi and members of the temple.

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I hope things smooth out with your primary care as you get more comfortable with each other. I agree it is so important to stay on top of meds, especially prescriptions from multiple specialties. I hope Bonny loves the work you did on "her" tree!

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Hi Erin, I am more prone to take medical recommendations from the neurologist and cardiologist. Both of them are very client oriented and focus on quality as well as quantity of life. I am surprised at this because the PCP is a DO and the other two are MDs. Usually DOs take a more holistic approach to health care and less so on drugs.

I am very excited to find out how Bonny likes her tree on Monday. She has been curious as to her paternal line, but wants to make sure her LNAB remains Baldwin. My dad was all set to adopt her as he said he couldn't love her any more than if she was his biological child. Sadly, he died before the paperwork could be completed.

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Carol, it will be interesting to hear about your sister's reactions after Monday! Sorry I didn't keep adding stuff, things are a bit stressful over here. {{{Kram}}}

Answer 5

Top of the Morning from Lone Jack, Mo.

Not much of an agenda for today or near future as far as that goes. No significant discoveries recently. I have been revisiting my watchlist adding sources and a few new profiles. I think I will focus on the pioneering locals and see if I can make any significant connections. Thanks to P Roche, we have added an Underwood Cemetery. I’m thinking Pip may be getting a boost in his CC7 for Christmas!

John Thompson aka Jack the Bear, not to be confused with Grandpa or Santa aka John Vaskie , are you still on for a Guiness at 3:00. Everyone who celebrates the Season, is invited to join John and me in raising your stein and quenching your thirst at 3:00pm CST.

Comments

If the beer run takes us anywhere near the Cape area......how about a trip up the Ohio to visit my 7C4R cousin, https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Blennerhasset-4, in addition, the daughter, Anne, of his brother, Thomas, who married my 1C5R Peter.

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As long as we can spend some time in Newport Ky. on the way; I am in need of a travel mate. For years I found a reason to travel that way for a beer run. It's only recently that Yuengling has been sold west of the Mississippi.

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Kathy has returned me from a beer run......she is amused......,just wait 'til I tell her we are going on another run to Newport Ky. for a Yuengling Black and Tan.

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A couple interesting fellows lived in Newport. Is this guy familiar? Maybe a missing link 12c1r John Taliaferro Thompson or your 8c5r James Taylor IV. I think the Thompson House is still operating as an eatery.

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John and James are in a line of descendants from my 12ggm Margaret (Greville-15) Lygon, whose granddaughter Katherine has a ggf Maurice Berkeley-44 that I also share.   Between John and James is John Norborne Taliaferro-396.   Norborne Berkeley-610, a Virginia governor and 7th great grandson of Maurice, had an illegitimate son, Charles Thompson-50092, by a Margaret Thompson.   Would it be appropriate to say, about the Norborne name, 'go figure'?

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It seems John Norborne's son, Henry Lush may have sowed some wild oats as well. Henry Lush Taliaferro (1831-1877) - Find a Grave Memorial

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Where should we begin our virtual road trip next week end, and more importantly, where should we end up.

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OH MY.......SNOW!.....Coming down thick, as I look up and out the same window, that I looked out on Oct. 25th, when the tree came down, when I was working on the same Norborne Berkeley.  How to plan next week when it goes round in circles.......well, pick up on it as it comes around?......And, end up with some good eats!

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Greville-15  my 14 ggm

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We're cousins .........Many times over .........What might happen next? 

Answer 6

Hails and horns, Wikipeeps!

I hope everyone is doing well! On the genealogy front I wrote a blog about a family recipe. I think you all might know where this is going. Want some lasagna? Mangia! https://allroadhaverhill.blogspot.com/2023/12/52-ancestors-week-49-family-recipe.html

I talked to a cousin about this guy who wanted to talk to her about repatriating the remains of her uncle who tragically died in WW II. While that's great and all, there may not have been anything left. Here's the guy: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Marinaro-9
I uhh...don't think there's anything left. My cousin told me to give him the contact info. The ball is firmly in his court. I don't think he's going to contact her.

On the non genealogy front, I sent off cards to friends and family including family in Europe. Hopefully, they get there before Christmas. In other news, I am mostly done my shopping. Just need to take care of my parents and my brother. My dad's a bit hard to shop for. But, I'll find something. I should have it taken care of by the end of next week. No worries.

I hope everyone is doing well! Hope everyone has a great weekend! Thanks for hosting, Pip!

Comments

Ciao Cousin Chris! I read your blog and enjoyed it very much. love your comment about anything not Olive Garden. I dined there once and it was like eating a can of Morton's Table Salt.

Good for you getting your cards out. Up until two years ago, I wrote long holiday letters with photos, etc. Then Covid hit and my mum died. I haven written any holiday letters since. If I get up the energy, I might post something even it is after 12/25. You have a great weekend!

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Ciao, Carol! Glad you liked the blog! Yes, I cannot stand Olive Garden. It's not good.

I tend to write little notes on the cards before signing them. It's fun. =D I did write letters to my cousins in Europe. One was in Italian and the other wasn't. My other cousin is married to an English teacher. I told her I was having an easier time with Italian docs but there's no way I can carry on a conversation.

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OMG, Chris, You will get hate mail and down votes about Olive Garden!   Just saying! (I wont go there either) Just saying!

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Nice additions to Domenick's profile, Chris.

The 52 Ancestors Week was right up your alley, huh? I knew you'd come up with something great. I'll have a slice of that lasagna! What I want to know is if you got the cooking gene so that you can make it!

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@David: I don't care. Their rage would sustain me! MWAHAHAHAHA!

@Pip: Thanks. I didn't create the profile. But, I did add the family around it with the help of my cousin, "Zelda". Remember her from a few blogs ago? Dominick was her uncle.

This week's topic was perfect. Only a few more weeks left for this year. I wonder what Amy has in mind for 2024.

I would definitely get you a piece of lasagna. I probably can make it. It just takes time. =D

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Mmmm lasagna...a delicious labor of love. UGH the layering!! I probably only make it once or twice a year but am always glad I did.

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I bet it turns out great, Erin! =D

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Cousin Chris: Watch this!: (1) NEW Pipeline: The Surf Coaster (On-Ride POV) SeaWorld Orlando - YouTube 

This is how I want to die!

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LOL. All of the nope there, David.

Answer 7

Checking in from beautiful Bloomington Illinois USA!  Sunny 50F

On The Home Front: My grand daughter came for a sleep over and never went home!  I am now Grampa Dave's Taxi Service! (I have two granddaughters, but the other one is 3 years old and lives in New Jersey, 13 hours away by car).  Since she has been here, we are eating out more, eating more ice cream, watching more football (she loves football) and we have a niece on the Nebraska Volleyball Team, Lindsey #22, and they are currently #1 in the nation, so we watch her play on ESPN. (she sprained her ankle, so she has been sitting on the bench)  Because all of the above I have gained weight! Now 166lb up from 158lb!

WikiTree Activity  675 contributions this month so far, should be in the 1K Club by next Weekend Chat!  My "Down Votes" soared from 36 to 59 in 1 week (just checked) which sets a new record!  THANK YOU! 

I always get Down Votes on my song parodies, but only about 2 a week!  But I think where they came from this week was from a Tree House post Chris F. put up about "TROUBLE MAKERS" in your family!  I posted a penitentiary picture of my grand uncle in stipes and a newspaper article where his wife was murdered by her sister and then the sister shot herself in the head! Well, the post was taken off the Tree House!  arghhhhhh!

Chris, did you get called to the principal's office? (Chris is my cousin! I taught that boy everything I know 'bout trouble making!)

Here is how you figure your WikiTree Approval Ratting: (example based on my current figures)

59 (down votes) divided by 9397 (up votes) = .062785995530488, now take that X 100 = .6% (down votes) therefore my approval rating is 100% - .6% = 99%  Ricky Nelson: "Can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself!" from his song: I went to a Garden Party

The Book  I'm getting back on track after getting bogged down with research that won't even be a part of the book I an trying to write.   I'm still using a WikiTree Free Space page to write the story.   What was really killing me was proof reading.  I make a lot of mistakes when I type. Then I don't catch those mistakes when I proof read because I have a bit of dyslexia!  Maybe a lot of dyslexia! Anyway, I discovered what everybody already knows, is that you can highlight the text you want to proof read, right click on it and have it read back to you (female voice)!  SWEET!  I can listen to it and find the mistakes, bad word choices, where I am using too much of "he said...then he said.."  

I have two monitors set up.  On the main computer monitor I have the story in "Viewing" mode.  On the other monitor, I have the story in "Edit" mode.  When I hear a mistake, I pause the voice reading then edit and save the changes in the 2nd monitor, then refresh the story in the first monitor.  I play the whole selection over again to make sure the story is making sense or if I have left something out, or even if I determine that is a waste and doesn't move the story forward at a good pace.  I am so back on track writing my book!

Lessons learned:  When you create a biography in a profile, you can do the same thing!   Select the text, right click and have the selection read back to you!   You will see how easy it is to proofread your bios!

Love

Comments

Down votes, I picked up a couple more this week. Oh well! I would get so many more if I could utilize my two strongest personality traits, sarcasm and humor.

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K, you must be getting down votes by congratulating those getting Wonderful WikiTreer Awards!   Go figure!   I notice I gave out 15 down votes...I never down vote anybody!  So how the heck am I giving out down votes?  I think when I use the smart phone to read posts, and then click on the up vote, it is actually recording a down vote!  Fat fingers!

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Yep, I have given unintentional down votes by using my phone. I personally have 46 in my WikiTree Career, so you have passed me, David.

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All my (given) downvotes are unintentional. I wish I could go undo them! I wouldn't take it personally, some people are so angry online....I DWWA but not everyone follows that

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Verbal and written replies are often misinterpreted if taken out of context.

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some down votes we give are likely tied to voting on proposals as opposed to giving someone a down vote.

Answer 8

Howdy folks! Greetings from a warm and sunny central Oklahoma USA! The weather has been pretty awesome with the temps in the mid 60s to low 70s. Yesterday we had wind gusts of up to 30 mph, so what leaves were still on the trees are pretty much gone now. When I went out for my walk this morning, it smelled like rain and the road and sidewalks were wet. Then I looked at my weather station and saw that the humidity was 98%. Maybe it will rain.

Not a whole lot going on this week, and this will be our last weekend without Christmas related activities. Brook's sister is having surgery on her neck tomorrow,  to fix a bulging disc between C-5 and C-6. We're hoping this fixes all of her issues related to this, and there are quite a few. As far as I know, all of the Christmas shopping is done, but Willie, our Amazon delivery guy, keeps dropping stuff off. I stopped asking years ago.

Since it has stayed warm, there are parts of the yard that I'm going to have to mow. The fescue is growing at a pretty good clip under the trees, and the Boss pointed it out to me last night. I already knew it would have to be mowed. I was hoping she wouldn't notice. Oh well. It will give me something to do this afternoon.

Genealogy wise, I am starting to go through all of the pictures and other goodies that my sister brought with her to Thanksgiving. One thing I found was that in some of my Dad's baby pictures, he and my grandgirl, Harper, look a whole lot alike. The first thing I did was take a side by side of them and send it to my Mom. A few minutes later I get a phone call from Ma and she is just blubbering. Her and Pop's 59th anniversary would have been back around Thanksgiving, and she had been a bit emotional about it. She was laugh/crying and went on and on about how much Pop would have loved being around great grandkids. He sure would have, Ma.

Well Pip, I hope your next shoulder adventure goes well, and your wife is doing OK after her fall. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Until next time.....

John

Comments

John I was looking at my yard because you said you were lookin at yours!  Yep, I have to mow and this might be the last good day for a while.. I have a rider, but I also take care of a couple yards down the block for the elderly ones!  I guess I better hop to it!

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John, I saw a now "lost" photo of my maternal grandmother when she was a young girl, and my cousin was the spitting image of her. Apparently, according to my wife, me and my three brothers look an awful lot like my Grandpa Sheppard. Funny how it seems to skip generations.

Christmas shopping almost done for me. Just the wife to take care of.

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David. I have an old Cub Cadet rider that I already winterized, but I always leave the push mower ready to go just for the mild winters we usually have down here.

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Pip, I've got some old pics from my Mom's side, and I swear I see her and some of my cousins in pictures from the late 1800s.

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As far as our P's and Q's, I'm warming a pint to room temp. I could not find Guiness in the Q size at the store.

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Still need to mow here in Virginia Beach as well. I'm using the excuse of waiting until the rest of the leaves fall...then going to chop them all up with the mower...or hopefully leave the whole mess until spring lol.

Answer 9

Good Morning! I finally remembered that Friday is here and time for the Chat. Thanks, Pip, for once again hosting our gathering.

All last week I was dealing with Christmas Decorations and got everything done and lit. Then, there was the tree! It is a 9' pre-lit artificial tree that is usually no problem. Our son and I got it from the attic, into the stand and began hooking the lights together. The bottom two sections lit up just fine; the rest of the tree was sadly dark. We could not figure it out so it sat for several days with only the bottom portion lit. My husband came home on Monday from the hunting camp and his first duty was the tree. Alas, he only got one more sting to light. On Wednesday, he and son disassembled and figured out the correct hook-ups and finally, we have a lighted tree. Whew!

With all the work to have Christmas up, I only did a bit of genealogy but I did work on sourcing a few profiles not related to me so I could get them off my Watchlist. I have to continue shedding more before we have another Connect-a-thon. I also worked on a few Louisiana profiles, suggestions, etc since I have duty there two days a week. I am about ready to begin another cemetery in Rapides Parish, Louisiana so I can be ready to take photos when I go in March of at least two cemeteries plus just a few in the large one.

It is a bit damp, windy and will be pushing 80 degrees here today; this is in preparation for our next cold front that will blow in here by Sunday.

Y'all take care and for those who will be celebrating Christmas, enjoy the season! Then, there is the New Year - where did 2023 go??

Comments

80F?  Can I come live with you cousin Virginia?  I'll mow the yard! I'll bring my rider mower!

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Ginny, we use a pre-lit artificial tree, too, and fortunately for me all the lights work. My idea of "fixing" lights that don't work is to throw the non-working ones out and buy new ones.

Looks like I'm a goner for the next Connect-a-thon. I'm not sure that I will be able to work at the computer one-handed. The shoulder that is getting worked on is my (very) dominant one. 

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I was afraid that you would not be able to participate in the next Connect-A-Thon, Pip. Your shoulder is more important and will need time to heal so that comes first. I am interested in how this surgery for the rotator cuff tears goes as that is what I have in my right shoulder. I had an injection a while back that really helped with the pain but alas, the pain is returning. I will try another injection when it gets bad and delay the surgery a bit longer.

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David, where do you live to think that a muggy 80degrees is wonderful?? It actually wasn't too bad except for the Texas wind blowing all day. The beautiful fall leaves are almost all blown off the trees. So, rather than needing grass cut, we need leaves mulched!!

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I am excited to actually get decorations rolling this weekend. I have been organizing and rearranging for weeks but the trusty ol "pre-lit" tree doesn't light up anymore and is pretty tattered. Maybe two decades of holidays really took their toll. But hubby and I actually have some time Sunday to go pick a new one. I can't wait to see my three year old's reaction to a tree indoors with tons of lights on it!

Answer 10

Γεια σας και καλώς ήρθατε στις επόμενες στάσεις που επισκέφτηκα στο 15 Nation Global Tour. Αυτή την εβδομάδα, επειδή πλησιάζει το τέλος του χρόνου, θα μιλήσω δύο διαφορετικές γλώσσες, ώστε του χρόνου να ξεκινήσω τη διάδοση των γλωσσών των χωρών του Global Project μου. Για αυτό το άρθρο, γράφω στα ελληνικά προς τιμήν της Ελλάδας που επισκέφτηκε η περιοδεία την εποχή των WikiGames. Οπότε φυσικά υπήρχε ένα βαρύ θέμα των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων για τους 15 Σημαντικούς μας.

Όσον αφορά την πρόοδό μου στο Wikitree, μείωσα τη λίστα παρακολούθησης κατά 50 σε 5226. Αυτό το μήνα θα επικεντρωθώ στην έναρξη και λειτουργία των εθνικών σελίδων για το παγκόσμιο έργο μου, επομένως μάλλον δεν θα έχω πολλή δουλειά να κάνω στη λίστα παρακολούθησης. Κατάφερα να φτιάξω δύο χώρες βασικά έτοιμες, εκτός από το ότι χρειαζόμουν να δημιουργηθούν περισσότερα προφίλ.

Answer 11

Hallo a wëllkomm op déi nächst Arrêten déi ech um 15 Nation Global Tour besicht hunn. Wéi d'Enn vum Joer ufänkt, wäert ech dës Woch an zwou verschiddene Sprooche schwätzen, fir datt ech d'nächst Joer mäi globale Projet starten fir d'Sprooche vun de Länner ze verbreeden. Fir dëse Post schreiwen ech op Lëtzebuergesch, dat ass d'Sprooch vu Lëtzebuerg. Lëtzebuerg war esou Erfollegsgeschicht wéi mir et fäerdeg bruecht hunn 14 vu 15 Notabelen un den Haaptbam ze verbannen.

Hei an Neuseeland ass et elo déi domm Saison mat vill Enn vum Joer Aktivitéiten an der Schoul an der Kierch. Dës Woch hunn ech e Sonndeg e Chrëschtdagsdéngscht, e Pooldag fir meng jéngst zwee Kanner e Méindeg, Meng eelst mécht hiert Schouljoer en Dënschdeg fäerdeg an dann Finalversammlung fir meng jéngst zwee en Donneschdeg. Et wäert mäi mëttlere Kand Ofschloss vun 8 Joer an hirer Schoul sinn, dann an déi selwecht Schoul wéi hir eeler Geschwëster.

Comments

I highlighted the text and right clicked on it and had it read out loud!  Didn't understand it at all!   bahahahahahaha! I will try translating it!

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Looks like you'll busier than ever, Darren. Hope you can squeeze it all in. My watchlist is growing again and over 5000 again. 

Answer 12

Blast From The Past Weekend Chat December 6-8th 2019

Pip greets his daughter arriving back from Sweeden!

Rodney L. says he heard the expression: "Okey Dockey"

Dorothy B. reminds us that National Microwave Oven Day is the 6th

Susan S says "ELVIS, hottest male to put on long pants  since Rudolph Valentino"

And sooooo much more!  ENJOY The way you were (I was not around back then)!

Comments

Wow, that must have been around the time I took on the Chat!

Answer 13

Buenas mananas, somos aqui en Everett, Washington, E.U.A. Hoy es la gran fiesta de Nuestra Senora, la Concepcion Immaculada. Esta noche la familia va a la misa en Edmonds a las 6:30 p.m.

Quiero empezar un perfil por "El Santo," Rodrigo Guzman Huerta, el gran luchador, que fue nacio en Tulamigo, en el estado de Hidalgo, Mexico, en 1917. El Santo tiene un arbol genealogico en FamilySearch, pero no encuentro algun ramo para conectar el al gran arbol de WikiTree. El Santo tiene once ninos. Es posible encontrar algun conection?

So I am back to the lane I was driving in, which is to connect Dodgers star Jim Gilliam. This past month I connected Jim Stanton of the California Angels. When a merge goes through, Willie Davis of the Dodgers will also be connected.

I got out a quilt top, compared it to the back, and found I have to increase it by two-thirds. Another project, oh goodie.

I am putting pictures of my mother into a file for my daughter.

On Wednesday I got my eyes checked. There are cataracts in both eyes but no surgery is (yet) required. Wednesday night I wore a mask like the contestants on "What's My Line," because I might as well have been blind from the pupil dilation.

I wish you all a happy and comfortable weekend, with Pip's forthcoming surgery and whatever else is going on.

Comments

Eleven children?!? There's just got to be a way to connect The Saint, Margaret. Best of luck to you on your research.

Yep, I have cataracts in both eyes, too, but like you my doc says I can wait... and wait I will!

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Quit. You're making my eyes water. My right eye still feels like a little sand is under my eyelid from the shot in my eye yesterday. The good news is 'eye' don't have to do that again for another eight weeks. Spring will be around the corner by then.

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El Santo is Mexico's superhero, comparable to Batman and Superman. He is a professional wrestler, a nuclear physicist and a detective who fights supernatural villains with the aid of sidekick wrestler Blue Demon. He wrestles cool Aztec mummies, Dracula's son (also a pro wrestler) and rescues numerous beautiful daughters of Mexican professors from supreme supernatural peril.

Santo wore a silver mask that he removed in public only in the last year of his life, 1984. He had 11 children, ten by his first wife and one by his second.

Answer 14

Greetings from Kilcoy, country Queensland, Australia

It is currently 7.30am and 24oC on a very cloudy day. We have a cyclone off the coast right now (named Jasper) which is causing all the clouds to roll in.  However, it also helps keep the temp and humidity down thankfully, as it has been quite hot here the last few days.

I'm off to visit my Mum and sister tomorrow as my Aunt and her eldest twin daughter Joanne are visiting. I haven't seen my cousin Joanne for over a year, so it will be lovely to catch up with her. She lives 176km away in rural Qld in Allora.

My Mum turns 96 on 21 Dec, so it will be great for everyone to be together. I am so grateful that my daughter Stefanie looks after me so well, as she is my driver as well as my carer.

I try to work on my genealogy every day and am currently working on Prussian ancestors.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Comments

Glad you are able to get everyone together, what a great holiday gift. Enjoy the visit!

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Hope you had a wonderful visit with your family, Leigh.

Answer 15

On this day: 

1685: The Italian perfumier Giovanni Maria Farina is born

1881: The Ringtheather fire leads in the aftermath to better security standards

1914: The German and the British Navy fight near the Falkland Islands

Comments

As I had to go out of town TWICE yesterday. I'm, going to save the three lessons for tomorrow morning. I need my life to slow down a bit, but that isn't going to happen any time soon.

#1 on my list is the Ringtheather Fire. Thanks, Professor!

Answer 16

Aloha from Lincoln, Nebraska

As usual with work, I am a busy man. I think I am going to leave it at that.

Weather has been kind of pleasant for Nebraska. Of course I know I need to wait till March before I stop hating the fact that its winter. I have a strong respect for those that live happily in cold climates. I can barely make it through these few months with temperatures hovering around freezing So when I get a day of mild winter weather, I cry a little less. My wife will not be happy with me constantly whining until the end of March about whatever the temp is.

I've dabbled a little bit in some tree work. I probably need to stop being lazy with it. I need to stoke the fires of curiosity.

The bed bug disaster of Thanksgiving 2023 was freakin brutal. I'm not sure if they're eradicated or not. I haven't seen any in a couple days. Now that I have typed this. I'm sure someone in my house will spot one. Then I'm going to lose my mind for about 10 minutes. Before I can rationally deal with the joyous bull crap that comes from those things. I had to retype the last sentence 5 times do to swearing.

Unfortunately since I don't use the social media. I haven't done much to advertise my music. So unfortunately its not generating much in the name of income. But it's nothing to complain about. I'm just happy anyone was kind enough to purchase mp3's of my songs. As well as just watching me play my guitar in dorky youtube videos. Speaking of which, I should probably make more guitar videos this week. Sorry Pip, I will not be doing anything that isn't a sub genre of heavy metal, old punk, or old hardcore.

Comments

I am a winter lover, but that's just because my "thermostat" runs hot as my grandmother used to say. We both sweat in any temps above 50F. I love that I can actually occasionally wear long sleeves Dec-Mar or so. I wish there were places (the rest of my family would agree to live) that were comfortably cold year round. I know I am in the minority there.

I'm so sorry to hear of the bed bugs, may they all be gone soon.

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I have a 20-year-old YouTube video of a song I performed.  I recorded it to the keyboard, then played it back while filming it.  (I couldn't play it through perfectly while I knew the camera was on and I didn't write that song)  I have since written many original songs, but never ventured to put them on YouTube or try to sell them. 

Doing genealogy is forcing me to write music.  While trying to write my first ever book, I am witting music for it! How does that work? I don't know yet!  One song I wrote because of doing genealogy is posted on a Free Space Page.  I'll post it below in a new comment.  We are 16th cousins three times removed on my mother's side!

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'''LOST IN YOUR SMILE'''  by Dave Draper (c)2022

'''This song was written to memorialize Draper children killed in Texas. (see [https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Draper_Family_Stories_by_The_Draper_Family#Koby.2C_Kirsten_and_Kristopher_Draper Draper Children Killed]

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I truly hope those little bastards are gone soon. I walked outside, felt the cold. Then cried a little on the inside.

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It's weird when I put out music. I can understand screwing up every time you hit record. I have never been able to read music. Nor write sheet music. I think it's cool that people can do that. Genealogy led me to writing music about Hawaiian history and legends.

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David, what a sad story about the little Drapers. I'm so sorry.

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@Paul:  I taught myself music!  I can't sight read a full twohanded piano sheet music, but I can pick up the song very easily from a lead sheet with guitar chords.  I can transpose to the Key of C almost instantly (for instance if a song is written in the Key of A, I will transpose to C and then I can play it way better on piano.  I taught myself the "Nashville" system (which teaches one to learn the chords as numbers: 1, 2, 3 4, 5, 6, 7 instead of C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, B-dim... Therefore in every scale 1, 4 and 5 are major chords and 2,3 and 6 are minor chords, then you just have to deal with the 7th which is diminished)  Using that method, Nashville country musicians can tune their guitars to the piano, they can play in A while the piano plays in C and communicate back and forth like: "Play a 1-6-4-5 chord progression", and everybody knows what to play!

@Erin: I still cry when I play that song, so much so I will have to have someone else record it!

Answer 17

The usual this week: working on reducing my Suggestion list for profiles I manage. I have two categories left, the Find A Grave, possible mother and possible father. These take a bit more time to fix for each one. But I'm still on track to be done by the end of the year. It's so close. When this is done, it will be a *huge* goal accomplished.

Comments

I know you've been chipping away at those, it's inspired me to work on my own. I definitely won't be done by year's end but it'll be much better than it was. Thanks for motivating me :)

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You'll get there, Erin! A little bit at a time.

Answer 18

On this day:

1641: The Flemish painter Antoon van Dyck dies

1905: The French Law on the Seperation of the Churches and the State is signed

2019: The Swedish singer Marie Fredriksson dies

Comments

Jelena, I choose Antoon Van Dyck (1599 - 1641) not for any other reason than his wife, Mary (Ruthven) Price (abt. 1620 - 1645)is my 9th Cousin!  Thank You for your "On This Day" contributions to the Weekend Chat! We love 'em

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#2: I think I'll go with Antoon van Dyck. Out of my learning set, and I need to learn something new. Thanks, Profe3ssor!

Answer 19

Good afternoon from grey and wet Germany,

where the temperatures jumped again over the freezing point. The week was again quite calm, although on Thursday we had a Christmas café in the house. Neighbors from the floor above us decorated the corridor with lights and tables and a few candles, every neighbor brought something to eat and/or drink and then we had a nice afternoon. One neighbor, who said they wouldn't be able to come because of the Kindergarten children, said (when they were there for about 30 minutes with the children) "Next year we're organizing a babysitter for that event!" It was really nice, we chatted about everything and nothing. One former neighbor came too, we hadn't seen her for decades, literally. It was nice to catch up

Genealogy: I worked a bit here and there. A little bit on my watchlist, a little bit more on the profiles in the Prussian location categories that are now in Poland. I connected three small branches to the Big Tree, and in Aleš' big location table I corrected the open profiles that had in a location field the letter combination "GE". That can mean Germany (it is in most of the cases) or the Dutch Province Gelderland. No matter what it means, it is not accepted in WikiTree since it is an abbreviation and ambiguous as well. The German location categories grew as well, both by number of profiles categorized and by number of categories created.

Now I want to write a biography for a profile I suggested for the Napoleon connection finder next week. You see, to wikitree is everything but boring. ;)

Have a nice weekend, stay safe!

Comments

I will have to learn to work with that location table, sounds interesting! It is a lot of small changes but makes everything so much closer to correct. Thank you for doing that work.

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"You see, to wikitree is everything but boring." This is SOOOO true!

Answer 20

Yes, I have met a couple of new cousins this week. One I am helping transfer information her information from Ancestry to her tree here. She is still new to Wikitree so hopefully, I can help her have a good start and an example of how we do profiles on Wikitree. I just graduated from Profile Improvement Voyage I, and now continuing with the team Biographies.

Comments

I loved the Profile Improvement voyage. I need to find some more voyages/trails to do, can never be too good at what we do. Good luck winning your cousin over to WT, I have an ancestry-loving cousin who is unsold on the beauty of collaboration.

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Alice: Congrats on your Profile Improvement Voyage!

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I got the first profile pretty much completed in my PIP training, then, like Luke Skywalker, ran off trying to help others before my training was complete!  The PIP team just reminded me I need to finish my training before the Dark Side overtakes me!  We'll start the second profile in January 2024!

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January 2004? Are you travelling back in time, David?

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Bahahahahahaha  yeah, 2004!  Ok I will go back and correct that!

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David, ha ha ha. Yes, we can not have you falling into a hole on the Dark Side. I completed the Voyage Step 1 and graduated. Step 2 is to work on Biographies of those in your tree as well as outside. I have however decided to go back to my beginning with Wikitree, in my case10/2014. I am creating a watchlist for myself. Hopefully, accomplish 2024 in cleaning and adding to those profiles. Keep me informed on your progress my cousin.

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  Have to watch to make sure David doesn't fall into a hole on the Dark Side.