Behind My Passion

What's Behind My Passions and Sometimes Obsessions? This blog is to help my families better understand who I was, what I did, and where my passion came from during my professional career--it was the people, the challenges and opportunities to be creative and grow as a person and a professional with a true dedication and …

I’ve Got the Music In Me… Part 5

Is musical talent inherited? Researchers are leaning towards that possibility--continued We always knew when my maternal grandmother, Loretta Lathrop Ford, was happy. She would be whistling like a canary, playing her harmonica, singing and dancing on the screened in porch with other family members, or "dancing up a storm" and "cutting a rug" at the …

I’ve Got the Music In Me…Part 4

Claude Bolling:  Renowned French jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and occasional actor. Claude Bolling, a pianist,  composer, arranger, and a conductor of jazz, entertainment and film music, is certainly one of the world's most famous French musicians of his generation--known as the "Father of Modern Jazz". His musical heritage stretches back to the reign of Napoleon …

I’ve Got the Music in Me–and Oh, How it Moves Me! – Part 3.

Daily Prompt: Buffalo Nickel. This is just one of several videos I'll be sharing with you over time by people who share the talents and heritage of the Boling family and surname. http://youtu.be/Tu-IiUy1LFs Published on Jun 6, 2012 TIM HENDERSON, one of America's greatest songwriters, died in Austin, Texas on November 1st, 2011. Tim was a …

…I’ve Got the Music In Me, and Oh How it Moves Me: Part 2

I know I wrote in Part 1 of this blog topic that I would focus on my family's talents in Part 2.  As research would have it, there's always more that we can learn along the way.  And, as I am known for never short cutting a project, I just couldn't move forward without some …

‘…And That’s the Way They All Became The Brady Bunch’

But, What About the Boling Bunch--How did Dad Get his Middle Name? Ignoring the variations in the family members spelling of the last name, my dad, Frank Burton Boling (84), ever since he was a child, has wondered where his middle name came from.  As most women will tell you, mothers/female family members are generally …

…I’ve Got the Music In Me, and Oh How it Moves Me: Part 1

Musical Dynasties: It (Genetically) Runs in the Family "Genetics may account for musical predisposition and ability." The following article by Stephanie Sarkis, Ph.D. originally appeared December 31, 2011, in Psychology Today's Here, There, and Everywhere Blog. Singer, songwriter, guitarist, and former Pearl Jam front man Eddie Vedder discovered in his teens that his true biological father …

44 Curiosities About US Presidents

Article originally published in Listverse.com, by LordZB, October 24, 2012: There have been 43 presidents (with one serving a second term after a lost term) of the United States. Some have been memorable, others forgettable (See the Simpsons’ song about mediocre presidents). Each of them has been very human however with all the foibles and …

An Open Valentine to My Loving Husband, Bob…

48 Valentine's Days Together, Yet Rarely a Big To Do Instead, we have cherished most every day by: Enjoying each other’s company over coffee and tea--and how much I appreciate your thoughtfulness and random acts of love when you bring mine to me; Laughing at each other’s stumbles and grumbles about the ways we are …

Coulda Shoulda Woulda …

Sometimes life repeatedly places us in close proximity to one another through common interests like where we work, play, dine, or places we frequent on a regular basis like our local Starbucks, shopping center, or our community church where we attend and volunteer.  We have introduced ourselves, shaken each others hands, given each other friendly …

“In the Words of Women: The Revolutionary War and the Birth of the Nation, 1765 – 1799”

Gossipers believed "Nelly" Custis' demeanor wild and her contentious predilection towards  life, love, relationships, and marriage half crazy. This is my conclusion supported by her own words in a letter to her friend, Elizabeth, below.  I believe Nelly might also have been better born in the 20th Century. And, based upon the authors' blog “… I remain …

The Diary of Mehetabel Chandler Coit

My Family Connection Lydia Lathrop, my first maternal cousin 8x removed (1718-1794) in 1740 married Joseph Coit, Esquire. Joseph Coit was one of John and Mehetabel Chandler Coit's (1673-1758) six children. Detailed Family Connection of Mehetabel CHANDLER COIT (1673 - 1758)(mother-in-law of aunt of husband of wife of 3rd great grand uncle) Joseph COIT Esq (1698 - 1787) -  son …

Think Family–Act from a Global and Humanitarian Perspective

My Direct Line and Extended Family When I initially think "family" I immediately think about my parents and our family's blessing of five living lines of descent--21 people in all: children (3), grandchildren (9), great-grandchildren (7), and great-great grandchildren (2). We are very fortunate that all but five of our direct blood line still reside …

What’s All The Buzz About Immigration Reform?

According to my recent DNA tests, my ancestors starting in the early 1600's came primarily from the countries within the blue highlighted British Isles (85%) and 12% came from the countries that make up Eastern Europe.  So, how does my ancestors' immigration to America compare overtime to today's existing foreign-born population in America? If we …

‘To Claim on Not to Claim’ the Royal Plantagenet Family as Kin is the Question

With the recent news of the forensic archaeological discovery of King Richard III's remains under a parking lot in the English city of Leicester, I went immediately to my tree of ancestors to see if or how we might have been related.  Today's Washington Post Newspaper wrote that this story has "thrilled history buffs around the world. But the …

Why Did Men Stop Wearing High Heels?

UPDATE:  Monday, June 15, 2015 15 Incredible Shoe Styles History Has Forgotten From the Middle Ages through the 1990's--men's and women's styles... http://mentalfloss.com/article/64373/15-incredible-shoe-styles-history-has-forgotten I just couldn't resist adding this article and a little bit of whimsy to my blog that is already imbued with a sense of culture and identity: Shared From:  BBC News Magazine - January …

When the Pastor’s Away – Oh, Do We Play!

Culture & Identity/Arts and Artists:   February 4, 2013 And this is my other family...Chesapeake Church, Huntingtown, MD For more of Chesapeake Church visit: You Tube

56 Years Ago–The Day the Music Died

The Arts & Artists The Day Music Died Monument Erected in 1988, this memorial stands at the site where musicians Buddy Holly (23), Ritchie Valens (17), J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson (28), and pilot Roger Peterson's (21), plane crashed near Clear Lake, Iowa. On February 2, 1959, Holly and his tour mates were on …

Hey You–Are You in the Game?

Yesterday I was driving west on MD State Route 4 following the night before's dusting of snow and harsh gusts of wind along the way to my parents home for the day. Next I knew, I had a tire blow out and lost control of my car. My car then hit into the side of …