Thursday Tales: It’s Wild Out There

Vivre: What a week… what a week and it’s only Thursday.

I spent the morning standing high upon my soapbox, shouting all the atrocities I felt the City Commissioners had inflected on the good peoples of Middletucky aka the City of Middletown, then I realized it was all for naught. I know I’m a Germantonian but I do business in Middletown. I have lived there in the past and owned property so I think this gives me a vested interest.

We can spend hours complaining about something, but honestly it will not change anything. Until we climb down off our soapboxes and take back what is ours, nothing will ever change. We see people suffering, and do nothing. Not because we feel they’re unworthy, but simply because we feel they won’t let us. So we don’t try. Each one has a responsibility to the other to see that they’re not taken advantage of. If the “powers that be” can sleep at night, then so be it. If you’re not happy, on the next Election Day, kick them all out and start with fresh faces and new ideas. People with some backbone and a little drive to see the future, and can see that we still have one. Remember its still, “We the people.”

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Yesterday, I was thinking about my ancestors while watching a little movie called Mulan with my granddaughter. The movie is a cartoon about a young girl whose family is concerned that she won’t make much of her life (as most parents are) so they call upon their ancestors to help see her through. She then goes on to save, not only her father, but her Emperor and her country. One girl against her world, fighting customs and age old traditions in her family and country, then I had to laugh, I thought to myself, you know this is a parable for what we, as women, do today. If only, we could call upon our ancestors (not that I believe we can do that) whenever we feel like it is us against the world, fighting to save our families, businesses, towns, our country, and ourselves from whatever evil we perceive, a threat. One woman can make a difference in the lives of so many. I have 30K+ ancestors on my family tree which is an army by anyone’s standards, no telling what I could conquer if I put their principles, knowledge, spirituality and meaning they had in their lives and applied it to my own. Mercy… look out world because I have the makings of a Ming Dynasty or a William V Dynasty! Boggles the mind doesn’t it.

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“Mithaology” not a phrase I have coined myself, but do love the terminology. It gives meaning to a person whose life may have never come to light and she is still top priority for this family genealogist “to do list.” She is one woman that truly has made a difference. Shrouded in a cloud of mystery Mitha continues to bring about much debate in the “Adkins Family History” class and descendants, causing us to probe further into the archives to find every last detail we can about her life and family. I do hope which ever way it turns out she will be given her place in history and the honor she deserves as presumably, the love of one of our forefathers, LIFE. And, for this alone she is worthy of my fullest acknowledgment and gratitude. “God rest her soul.”

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Kiley Francis, our 9.5 year old Jack Russell/Shih Tzu mix is still MIA. She is white & black with her tail still on (we didn’t get it docked), gone now for almost 6 weeks and sorely missed. Her reward is still intact but not a word what may have come of her. I think the coyotes got her – don’t tell my hubby, he freaks out every time I mention it. They caught 45 coyotes locally and 43 of which, their stomachs contained cats but they will still eat a small dog, if they get the chance. I can’t rule it out.

We had an injured raccoon, eating a peanut butter Rice Krispy treat, last week in our side yard with 15 or 20 of us standing less than 5 feet away. He didn’t seem to mind us at all. So we told the kids to steer clear. One raccoon was in our trash can yesterday; hopefully the trash man let him out… everything can’t be my job. I do put the cat food in the garage at night to discourage them, but the raccoon babies still check my porch for goodies. A small hummingbird just flew at my window; I guess they want to remind me to refill my bird feeders. I tell you what; “It’s Wild Out There!”

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I’m still looking forward to Saturday Night Out this weekend. I was thrilled when they decided to continue on this year, after the chairperson decided she didn’t want to do it again, this year; we need to patronize the events to insure it will continue for many years to come. Our tiny town needs all the activities we can muster up. Hope to see you there.

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Sorry Pink/Red Hatters I haven’t forgotten you, I’ve been so busy with my LIFE and research that I haven’t had a chance to make a meeting in a very long time. I do enjoy a good meal and gaggle with great friends so I hope to see you soon. Call me for coffee… I’m always up for Kathy’s Kitchen or Miss Molly’s.

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Garden Club will be going to Indiana to an herb farm on the 24th. We’ll Carpool from the Depot. That’s my oldest grandson’s Craigie’s B-day (as well as Tammy’s) but we should get back in plenty of time for the party. His party at the bowling alley, I guess, instead of here. We have had, back to back, parties here since the 1st week of June and I for one love it! Busy – Busy.

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Anthony’s trip to the doctor yesterday, was just as I had suspected, STRESS! Too many irons in the fire. So Joe upped his Rx’s to Nexium. He needs a VACATION! Oh wait, that’s my line. lol

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I was told that the Adkins ladies had their fudge party again last year and I was not invited. I have to admit I’m not all that surprised but I do hope you’ll remember to invite me this year. Was that too forward?

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I didn’t want to end this vivre without sharing a heartfelt note of thanks for all of your support and help on all our family history and research, no matter which branch of the tree you’re swinging off of. I do appreciate each and every one, the comments and the time you have afforded me. I hope to continue my research for many years to come, hand in hand, with your help we’ll continue unlock the mysteries of our past.

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Never hesitate to hold out your hand; never hesitate to accept the outstretched hand of another. ~ Pope John XXIII

 

Wednesday Vivre

lots of little hump-day ditties…

Today is Brandy Jean’s big 28^th B-day! I called and wished her the greatest B-day ever. She said Tiger took her to a wine tasting for her B-day on Saturday. She said that she doesn’t feel guilty with just tasting. I told her whatever helps her sleep at night. LOL She also said that Allie was just too cute. She refused to share her snacks with a male crawler (tongue-in-cheek) at the sitters yesterday, she scooted to the back of the table where he couldn’t reach them. She is the complete opposite of Averi. They usually are.

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Christine’s 28^th was back on the 19^th and we coupled her celebration with our 30^th at the Cheesecake Factory; very nice. She is contemplating moving back to the OC on Monday. She is still in school here and doing quite well but just isn’t finding another place to live. I hope she sticks around. You know I can’t remember when my 28^th was back on. I remember that I was pregnant with Steven when I was 28. LOL

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Anyway, Tere is in town… I hope to see her for a minute or two before she gets out of dodge. It could happen. J

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Uncle Denny is just back from New York. I think he just forgot where he lives. He may end up with Chronic Jet Lag soon. Germany, Cali, Ohio, New York… I think he needs to get a job and settle down. LOL

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1^st cousin once or twice removed Jack Reed died December 23, 2008. I really enjoyed talking with him. He will be missed.

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It’s really coming down out there… but I still plan on hanging my hummingbird feeders outside today. I may invest in a few new feeders this year. I used to boil the sugar and water and add red food coloring but I never do that anymore. An experienced hummingbird person told me just to mix the sugar with the water until it dissolves and put in the feeder; they will drink it. He said, “Look what they eat in the wild!” Well okay! I will clean and fill them and hang them out… I do love those hummingbirds. They are wonderful to watch… even when they fly straight up to my face in the evening and in fear of losing an eye. LOL

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Too much too do to-day, I am still trying to catch up on things from this vacation. I need to cut the ivy off the front of the house. I killed a Ginkgo tree today. It was so slow in growing and looked awful so I just walked over and snapped it off at the base. I have two trees that were severely damaged from the last big storm we had I may have to take them out as well. Well see. Weeds free for the pulling.

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I spent all day working on my tree yesterday. Adding peeps and removing even more. I had a huge problem deciding which Agnes Polly Adkins – Polly really married David Polly and since there is no definite way to know if she was the daughter of William V Sr or Jr… I just decided it was more likely she was the daughter of Jr due to where she ended up. This may send shock waves around the world but until we have conclusive proof… she will be remain the daughter if William V Adkins Jr. on my tree.

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I also worked a little on the Gibson family tree yesterday and bit this morning. I love working on it. “Granny Gibson (Oma – not my real granny but Tammy’s, her mom’s mom) was such a special person. I remember spending the summer with her; lots and lots of little stories. Granny chained smoked, she lite her next cigarette off the last. She sat at the kitchen table for hours and drank coffee with liquid diet sweeter, all day long listening to Hank Sr and other classic country songs, holding a dirty fly swatter that she would swat you with in a second if you acted up. She loved cocoa-poodles and making her own kraut and burying it in the inside of her garage.” I realized I had a few mistakes on that tree, as well. Not really mistakes just omissions.

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I also signed the guestbook at the Middletown Journal and sent the obit link to family and friends for “Uncle Al” yesterday; rarely does a month go by that his name isn’t mentioned for some reason or other. I don’t think he knew what an impact he had on our generation. Uncle Denny said: “I watched his show when I was younger. Hassel bought this new TV that was black and white with a 10 inch screen. We were in heaven.” (He’s too funny – I love him too) We’ll always be singing Zipity do da – zipity ay, my oh my, what a wonderful day, plenty of sunshine, headin’ my way! No matter how long it rains. He will truly, be missed.

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FTGH: Kane is still “Free to a Good Home” one large beautiful full blooded black and tan Siberian husky with matching eyes. Kane hates the rain. He howls like he’s dying… about once every hour – just to hear himself think, I guess. He needs a friend. Craigie came home from school the other day and told me that Kane is famous. He said, “Kane is in every animal book in my school library.” No, I didn’t have the heart to tell him.

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The trash man didn’t take my trash again today, we are going to fight. He pulls this stuff about once a month. Sorry good for nothing. I may have Kiley bite him next week. LOL Oh yeah, she’s always been free to a good home too. For 10 years now… they just keep bring her back. She comes with an SSI check. LOL We had a huge laugh last week; two girls tried to dog nap her. They were brazen enough to pull into my driveway to get her. She wouldn’t go with them. I said, “Those stupid – stupid girls, if they had only knocked on the door, I would have given her to them.” Well what Forrest said, Stupid is…

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Steven has Prom this weekend so wish us luck. Gots to get the tux… on the ready. I will plan the largest Gradation party ever known to man. (O’ not for him- for me… I’m done! Last one… all in and all done!!!) He has an eye appt today at 4:20 p.m. his contacts aren’t clear??? Whatever that means… but yesterday was the 60^th day so you know it would be today.

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Well that is the highlights of my week. I do hope you all take a few minutes to get your hummingbird feeders out and hung today or tomorrow. They need to be out there by the 1^st.

HUMMINGBIRD FOOD

1 part sugar to 4 parts water
Boil the water first, then measure and add sugar, at the rate of 1/4 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water.
Let cool and store excess in refrigerator until ready to use.
Do not add food coloring, honey (which ferments), or artificial sweetener, which has no nutritional value.

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Lastly, I have a question for you:

How does red and black… make blonde? DNA?

Have a great weekend!

 

Vivre Vignette

My Genealogy Research

 

My foot isn’t quite 100% yet, the pain comes and goes. But, I’m getting back into the swing of things… I’m still dancing. LOL However, I’ve been knee deep in research during my rehab so I’m getting a lot done, here are my notes for this week:

 

Robinson:  I’m trying to track down John Robinson/Robertson abt 1826 North Carolina – I’m trying to prove he is Adonijah’s brother. His oldest daughter America Robertson, only lived to be 20 years old and her death certificate is the only one I can find for this family, in Clay County. I’ve checked them all with every possible spelling available. No marriage license’s either. He is with Honnifer and William in Jackson County early on before they all start spreading out. Teri Lynne sent me a wonderful old black & white family photo of Jocie and Rawlie that include 9 adults and 1 baby. You know I love those old pix. Keep them coming.

 

Metcalf: I’ve posted 4 older Metcalf Family Trees; James Garfield of Germantown, Samuel D Metcalf of Miamisburg, Martin Luther Metcalf of Miamisburg and their father, James William Metcalf, this week. I’m still waiting on Huey Dale Metcalf’s children’s vitals to post his. I needed Gertrude Metcalf’s family info to finish this generation. Martha had no children and Viola never married. If anyone has any of their obits or pix please send them to me vvsfan@msn.com.

 

Adkins: Kezia Adkins or Keziah Mallory Adkins, the Adkins family of New Kent Co., VA, among others. I’m trying to hang more new stuff – than old on my Adkins tree this week. There are still a lot of the newer Adkins peeps, my age not hanging on the tree. You know who you are… tons of 1st cousin info that needs to be added.  Send it to me or call. You don’t want me to cover over there. Tammy sent me a ton of new family pix (camera happy – that one) loved them. Thanks. I have one cousin Deb, I’ve emailed 2 or 3 times and she dissed me. Is it me or what? I haven’t seen her since I was about 10 or 11 maybe and times running out here. We’re none getting any younger. My Uncle Denny’s DNA test is back. I’m too excited. I’m still encouraging you men to get it done. It’s just a cheek swab, harmless and it will hopefully remove any questions about our lineage. Think about it… you could be related to me. LOL

 

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Around the House

 

It’s comical I have so many irons in the fire right now, I’m the president of the garden club and my yard looks like crap. Ivy is engulfing my house, as we speak. My husband helped me weed and mulch a little around the walk.  I made a comment about it and he made me laugh, he said, “I know, it looks great don’t it.” LOL Yes, about 8 foot… now what about the other 20? lol I’ll try to do a few feet each day, some out around the mailbox and maybe an island as I get time. You know, they say those who can… DO and those who can’t… TEACH! LOL That bout sums it up for me. I have weeds that I need to be out there tending to; spraying and weeding but…  not going to happen. The weeds will keep – its family first.

 

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Our 30th Anniversary

 

We were looking forward to our 30th Anniversary Party here at the house with just the family but my daughter’s and her husband are foster parents and they had put in for a vacation. It takes awhile for the paperwork to go thru on the kids. Mandy was excited when the trip to Myrtle Beach was Okayed but it is the week of the party. They will be away; on the 6th it broke my heart. But I know she needs this more than I need a party. Her husband asked us to go with them but I said, “No thanks,” Although, it scares me for them to be down there alone with all of the kids by themselves. Nothing is written in stone here so we will wait and see what unfolds.

 

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Steven and School

 

Steven has been on two hour delay all this week due to testing but we are coming into the home stretch. I am ordering his cap and gown online today. Somehow that was an over sight. We are planning our final high school graduation party. Steven will be graduating in May and off to college in the fall, Lord Willing!!! Cross your fingers.

 

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IN MEMORIAM

… in loving memory of her joyous time on earth.

Braelyn Joyce Ewing

March 11, 2009-March 18, 2009

She was born a feisty little thing at 2 lbs 2oz. She will be missed by all. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of baby Braelin, her parents, Rachael and John Brandon Ewing of Tennessee, Grandparents, Jeff and Sophia Metcalf of Kentucky, Uncle Aaron and Aunt Alisha of Batavia, Ohio. We love you.

 

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Where love reigns, the impossible may be attained. ~ INDIAN PROVERB

 

Headlines That Could Stand Some Editorial Oversight…

Headlines That Could Stand Some Editorial Oversight…

 

·          “Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says“      Really?

 

·          “Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers“     I’ll bet even the Chief W. L. Wilcox would think this a bit excessive.

 

·          “If Strike Isn’t Settled Soon, It May Last Awhile“     I suspect that is the case.

 

·          “Kids Make Nutritious Snacks“     I’m sure I’d prefer peanuts or chips or something.

 

·          “Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant“     Seems like a fair and impartial trial might be better.

 

There is always choice

love what you do… till you do what you love!

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“Feel the fear, and do it anyway.”
-Susan Jeffers

 

A heartfelt expression of thanks,

To all my friends and family,

 

          I want to thank everyone for making this past year one of the best experiences in my life. Sharing our passion for family heritage and knowledge; we have built bridges and demolished brick walls, together. It has been an unforgettable year.

 

          Thank you so much for being a part of our family.  To those that attended our family dinners and numerous Christmas parties, we would like to express our gratitude for what it has meant to us. Everything was exquisite – the food, the atmosphere and the company. I enjoyed the small talk after dinner and shared old family memories the most. Taking notes whenever possible, so the memories are not lost.

 

          When I am taking down the family Christmas tree this Saturday and boxing up the ornaments, from favored antiques and family heirlooms, to new gifts from the season, I will be cherishing them while, saying good bye to yet another year. In welcoming a new one with great anticipation of new found friends and even more cousins.

 

          May we all be blessed this new year with peace, well-being and good health. I hope to see you all in this New Year.  

 

Warm Wishes,

Sheila