On both of sides of my family I was led to believe that we were English. The Houghtons for several generations lived on the north side of London. And the Buckley family came from Yorkshire. But it turns out I am must more interesting than that. This is the modern world. Ken ordered a pack from Heritage.com. I used two long sticks covered with cotton. Then I swabbed the inside of each cheek. Next I broke off the tip and sent them to the lab which I had placed into tiny vials full of fluid. Today, the results came to Ken on the email. Pretty nifty system.
Who knew I was 8.8% Scandinavian. And I was 1.5% Ashkenazi Jew. Also 1% East Asian and .9% From the Baltic. I am English, but only 36.5%. The rest, 51.3% Scottish and Welsh. So in the past, the Vikings got together with some ancestor. Also the Moguls. Fascinating stuff. This is all high tech stuff. Gill had herself tested too and they suggested to her that she had 4% Neanderthal, which is more than most. She also received more genetic information. Our test is for the business of your ancestry, not the genetic make up, which is what Gill did. It is still interesting.
Ken had his test a few months ago. His surprise was the amount of Scandinavian which was 15%. The rest was Scottish and Irish with a small % of English. And 1% Sardinian. He has subsequently found a relative who came from Italy, undoubtedly Sardinia.
No Irish in me. Now I must say I hail from Scotland and Wales which is much more interesting than saying England. Ken has had trouble finding Buckleys and Houghtons in the records. Now he will look in Scotland and Wales to find my ancestors. My ethnicity is complicated. And much more interesting. To be accurate, in the future I will say my family came from Scotland, Wales and England. That will be my story. Nifty.
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
November 29, 2017. Madison, Mississippi. PBS.
I love the PBS specials. They show them during the two weeks of fundraising, which I hate. But I do enjoy some of the specials. For two Mondays, I have missed Antiques Roadshow because the stations were raising money. But I was able to watch the Three Texas Tenors. In fact I got to watch them more than once. They are great. There is a whole world of entertainment that I know nothing about so I enjoy the peek into another world. The tenors are excellent. I loved the show.
Holiday Inn was also shown. I did not know that a revival had been done on Broadway recently and lasted quite a awhile. That show was an old Irving Berlin show, famous for the Christmas song, "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas". The film of the new edition was terrific, full of dancing and singing.There was supposed to be a Frank Sinatra special but it got bumped for yet another Three Tenors. Same show just repeated. I guess the fund raising must have gone well when the tenors are singing.
David Foster and Friends was also just super. I watched through the whole show. I must admit that I switch to the hockey game when the spiel for raising money comes on but I know how long they take before switching from hockey to the show. But these past two weeks I have enjoyed listening to new voices. Hats off to PBS and their specials.
Holiday Inn was also shown. I did not know that a revival had been done on Broadway recently and lasted quite a awhile. That show was an old Irving Berlin show, famous for the Christmas song, "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas". The film of the new edition was terrific, full of dancing and singing.There was supposed to be a Frank Sinatra special but it got bumped for yet another Three Tenors. Same show just repeated. I guess the fund raising must have gone well when the tenors are singing.
David Foster and Friends was also just super. I watched through the whole show. I must admit that I switch to the hockey game when the spiel for raising money comes on but I know how long they take before switching from hockey to the show. But these past two weeks I have enjoyed listening to new voices. Hats off to PBS and their specials.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
November 28, 2017. Madison, Mississippi. Cheaters.
Poor Elizabeth. The first call she took today was from her bank, telling her that she had no money in her account. Now she is a careful soul so she knew something was wrong. Evidently, someone had pulled all her money from her account. Some one had cheated her. Elizabeth helps us in our home. She keeps our house clean and she drives me on errands when Ken is not able. She owns her own cleaning service so stealing all her money is a blow to her, but the worst part is that the cheaters somehow had access to all her numbers. In other words, they stole her identity. What a hassle for her. Most of the day she spent visiting the police to file charges and closing her account and then opening another account in another bank. Such a waste of time. Then she must go through the process of getting her funds back which is never easy.
Years ago, my friend Nancy had her identity stolen. Her cheaters were professional. They opened new accounts and bought lots of stuff. It took awhile to find out the problem because the cheaters were smart. They did not remove cash, at least not until they knew the officials were on their tail. Poor Nancy spent months trying to sort it out. All her identity numbers were replaced but by then her credit was messed up so she was forced to try to get the records straight. After months of work, she thought everything had been put to right, until she received a letter complaining about her credit. Maddening. But she had no choice.
Our world of communications is wonderful as is our ability to pay for objects we wish to buy. But in the modern world, hackers spend all their time causing mischief and stealing money. It is not good. I just hope that Elizabeth was not dealing with true professionals. But no matter, she must persevere. Cheaters are such a nuisance.
Years ago, my friend Nancy had her identity stolen. Her cheaters were professional. They opened new accounts and bought lots of stuff. It took awhile to find out the problem because the cheaters were smart. They did not remove cash, at least not until they knew the officials were on their tail. Poor Nancy spent months trying to sort it out. All her identity numbers were replaced but by then her credit was messed up so she was forced to try to get the records straight. After months of work, she thought everything had been put to right, until she received a letter complaining about her credit. Maddening. But she had no choice.
Our world of communications is wonderful as is our ability to pay for objects we wish to buy. But in the modern world, hackers spend all their time causing mischief and stealing money. It is not good. I just hope that Elizabeth was not dealing with true professionals. But no matter, she must persevere. Cheaters are such a nuisance.
Monday, November 27, 2017
February 27, 2017. Madison, Mississippi. A True Story.
Chapter One: At home in San Antonio, the driveway was full of cars and someone needed to get out. Allison was asked to move the Subaru and she did. But when she backed up and turn so the other driver could get out, she backed into the mail box. The mail box is made of mortar and bricks and the bumper hit the bottom two rows of bricks so eventually the mailbox would fall over. Poor Allison had no idea how she turned into the mailbox as she must have turned the car right around, but she did. We had arrived just a few days after the mailbox incident so many comments headed Allison's way. The joking was good natured and she took it in good part, but we all took part in the ribbing Allison received.
While we were there, a man came to the door, saying that he was doing work for a neighbor and that David needed his help. So the next day, he rebuilt it and it looks good. Except he left all his stuff in David's wheelbarrow which he assure David he would come the next day to clear up his mess, which he never did. That is the end of chapter one.
Chapter Two: A few days ago. David was backing out of the driveway in his white truck. On the left side of the driveway is a brick wall, covering the trash cans. If you are parked directly in front of the garage, it is necessary to turn around the wall to get to the main driveway. Two other cars were in the parking area but David had plenty of space to get around the wall. He had done it hundreds of time. But this time he backed into the wall and knocked it down. Not the whole wall. Just many bricks. Well you know how pleased everyone was for David to hit the wall. He said the same thing as Allison had said, which was "I did not notice". He was as surprised as Allison. He thinks it was funny and I do too. Clearly, he was not paying attention. David is now the target of all the jokes. Now they need that little man, the stone mason, who can lay brinks. But David is irritated that he did not do what he said he would do to clean up his mess. And perhaps they did not keep his card. But the wall must go up, one way or another. It certainly keeps you humble.
While we were there, a man came to the door, saying that he was doing work for a neighbor and that David needed his help. So the next day, he rebuilt it and it looks good. Except he left all his stuff in David's wheelbarrow which he assure David he would come the next day to clear up his mess, which he never did. That is the end of chapter one.
Chapter Two: A few days ago. David was backing out of the driveway in his white truck. On the left side of the driveway is a brick wall, covering the trash cans. If you are parked directly in front of the garage, it is necessary to turn around the wall to get to the main driveway. Two other cars were in the parking area but David had plenty of space to get around the wall. He had done it hundreds of time. But this time he backed into the wall and knocked it down. Not the whole wall. Just many bricks. Well you know how pleased everyone was for David to hit the wall. He said the same thing as Allison had said, which was "I did not notice". He was as surprised as Allison. He thinks it was funny and I do too. Clearly, he was not paying attention. David is now the target of all the jokes. Now they need that little man, the stone mason, who can lay brinks. But David is irritated that he did not do what he said he would do to clean up his mess. And perhaps they did not keep his card. But the wall must go up, one way or another. It certainly keeps you humble.
Sunday, November 26, 2017
November 26, 2017. Madison, Mississippi. Objects.
Every object in a home has a history, usually known to only one person, the lady of the house. I receive much pleasure by using those objects and remembering where they came from and how the object became part of the home. The other evening we used Aunt Miriam's silver and enjoyed them. Today when I went for a walk, I wore my blue jacket, which kept me warm. I call it my walking jacket, even though it has never actually been mine. I took it from Andrew's closet many years ago.
One Christmas when the boys were in high school, I gave the jacket to Andrew for Christmas. The fabric is made of sweat pants material. The jacket comes to the middle of my legs so I bought it because it would be long enough for Andrew. It is navy blue and has buttons down the front and has no collar. It also can be pulled tight at the bottom and around the waist. And it has big pockets. Andrew thanked me for the jacket and hung it in his closet. And he never wore it. Not ever. When I asked about the jacket, he assured me that the jacket was fine and that he would certainly wear it. But he never did.
One day, after he went to college, I needed a jacket that would cover my bottom when I went walking so I borrowed the blue jacket. It is warm and comfortable but not heavy so the jacket got transferred to my coat closet. I have been wearing it for walks ever since and that was a long time ago. The jacket is still not fancy or stylish, which is probably why Andrew would never wear it. Now there is not another person in the world would ever know or care about that old blue jacket, but I know. And that pleases me.
One Christmas when the boys were in high school, I gave the jacket to Andrew for Christmas. The fabric is made of sweat pants material. The jacket comes to the middle of my legs so I bought it because it would be long enough for Andrew. It is navy blue and has buttons down the front and has no collar. It also can be pulled tight at the bottom and around the waist. And it has big pockets. Andrew thanked me for the jacket and hung it in his closet. And he never wore it. Not ever. When I asked about the jacket, he assured me that the jacket was fine and that he would certainly wear it. But he never did.
One day, after he went to college, I needed a jacket that would cover my bottom when I went walking so I borrowed the blue jacket. It is warm and comfortable but not heavy so the jacket got transferred to my coat closet. I have been wearing it for walks ever since and that was a long time ago. The jacket is still not fancy or stylish, which is probably why Andrew would never wear it. Now there is not another person in the world would ever know or care about that old blue jacket, but I know. And that pleases me.
Saturday, November 25, 2017
November 25, 2017. Madison, Mississippi. Traditions.
The older I get, the more I like traditions. Simple things, like drinking our sparkling juice from the silver glasses at our Thanksgiving dinner at Linda's home. I suspect those goblets were used by her parents and grandparents Thanksgiving dinners too. Lovely tradition.
And last evening, we used Aunt Miriam's silver. I have no idea where she got that silver because she was a Salvation Army officer her whole life but when she died, I ended up with her silver. I use it when ever we sit at the dining table and is a fine memory of my Aunt Miriam. I like that even though she and I were never close. She was a nurse and became a superintendent of Grace Hospitals, ending up in charge of all women services in Canada for the Salvation Army. And she was a bit of a snob. Once when Ken was an intern and I happened to be at Grace Hospital, she introduced me to the head of the medical board as Mrs. Doctor Ken Dickie, thus totally obliterating my real name. But she wanted that doctor to know that she had a niece who was married to a doctor. I just laughed. That was not a tradition that lasted.
Hockey Night in Canada has been a tradition with us for our whole life. Once I listening on the radio. Then eventually on the television, after my sister bought us a set with her first paycheck. We have been watching ever since, except when we lived in Texas when no hockey was on TV. Now there is a whole hockey channel so I can watch every night. But Saturday tradition stays alive. Tonight we are watching the Leafs play the Capitols. Our traditions continue of watching Hockey Night in Canada, except it is shown in the US too. PS. The Caps are winning.
And last evening, we used Aunt Miriam's silver. I have no idea where she got that silver because she was a Salvation Army officer her whole life but when she died, I ended up with her silver. I use it when ever we sit at the dining table and is a fine memory of my Aunt Miriam. I like that even though she and I were never close. She was a nurse and became a superintendent of Grace Hospitals, ending up in charge of all women services in Canada for the Salvation Army. And she was a bit of a snob. Once when Ken was an intern and I happened to be at Grace Hospital, she introduced me to the head of the medical board as Mrs. Doctor Ken Dickie, thus totally obliterating my real name. But she wanted that doctor to know that she had a niece who was married to a doctor. I just laughed. That was not a tradition that lasted.
Hockey Night in Canada has been a tradition with us for our whole life. Once I listening on the radio. Then eventually on the television, after my sister bought us a set with her first paycheck. We have been watching ever since, except when we lived in Texas when no hockey was on TV. Now there is a whole hockey channel so I can watch every night. But Saturday tradition stays alive. Tonight we are watching the Leafs play the Capitols. Our traditions continue of watching Hockey Night in Canada, except it is shown in the US too. PS. The Caps are winning.
Friday, November 24, 2017
November 24, 2017. Madison, Mississippi. 10 Years Old.
Today is Molly's birthday. She is now 10 years old. Molly announced to Christina that as she is now into double digits, she is close to a teenager, so she needed a big girl bedroom. No more pink little girl walls. Molly's birthday gift from Christina was to paint her walls a soft gray, appropriate for a big girl. In addition, Molly received a new bedspread, to get rid of her animal quilt. And I shopped for her at The Mississippi Craft Center, just down the road from us. I had such fun, buying her lovely objects, perfect for a big girl room, all hand made by Mississippi artisans.
We gave her a beautiful small hanging shelf, made of several types of wood. It is perfect for her small treasures and will serve her for a lifetime. All the rest of the gifts were breakable to be used on her shelf or dresser. She loved them all.
Her birthday dinner we held at our home. Pizza was Molly's choice. Linda came for the celebration. And Christina baked a cranberry almond cake, Molly's favorite, and mine too. Our party for seven was splendid. When everyone left, the kitchen was clean. We do appreciate Kate and Mary Frances, who are both good helpers. Molly left us a happy 10 year old, where tomorrow she will place her new objects into her new big girl bedroom. Before our meal, we each silently gave our own thanks to God for our good food, and for our Molly. For one night, we became Quakers. Being 10 is special and we all celebrated it together.
We gave her a beautiful small hanging shelf, made of several types of wood. It is perfect for her small treasures and will serve her for a lifetime. All the rest of the gifts were breakable to be used on her shelf or dresser. She loved them all.
Her birthday dinner we held at our home. Pizza was Molly's choice. Linda came for the celebration. And Christina baked a cranberry almond cake, Molly's favorite, and mine too. Our party for seven was splendid. When everyone left, the kitchen was clean. We do appreciate Kate and Mary Frances, who are both good helpers. Molly left us a happy 10 year old, where tomorrow she will place her new objects into her new big girl bedroom. Before our meal, we each silently gave our own thanks to God for our good food, and for our Molly. For one night, we became Quakers. Being 10 is special and we all celebrated it together.
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