On January 30th, we celebrated our son-in-law's 50th birthday! Yet another instance of moments in our lives passing too quickly. Our daughter, Jennifer, first introduced Brian to us 31 years ago. Our introduction to Brian's father, Bill, (who was 50 years old when Brian was born), gives way to an amusing story. Jennifer's dad, Bob … Continue reading “We Do Not Remember Days, We Remember Moments”
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customs, practices, languages, values and world views
Some Days The Spirit Just Moves Me!
This was one of those days. At church, we are diving deep into the short (5 chapters) but important epistle of James, written sometime between 50 and 60 A.D. James was the half-brother of Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph, and the brother of Joseph, Simon, and Judas. James does not identify himself by name, … Continue reading Some Days The Spirit Just Moves Me!
Love and Respect–Our Family’s Cycle
In the Old Testament's book of Genesis, Noah was the tenth and last of the biblical patriarchs. He was chosen by God as the only righteous man of his time and is known infamously as the hero of the Flood story (2,000-10,000 BCE). The name Noah peaked in 2016 when nearly 20,000 newborn babies were … Continue reading Love and Respect–Our Family’s Cycle
Lawrence T. “Larl” Boling – 1838-1910: The Wounded Soldier
The records I am reviewing today are those of my second great-grandfather, Lawrence T. “Larl” Boling/Bowling, born on May 26, 1838, in Chancellorsville, Virginia (about ten miles west of Fredericksburg). In my two previous posts, “Wild Times in "The Wilderness" of Spotsylvania - December 18, 2020, and "The Battle of Wilderness Farm - May 5-7, … Continue reading Lawrence T. “Larl” Boling – 1838-1910: The Wounded Soldier
Elderly Parents Say The Darndest Things
I posted the following scenario to Facebook on November 16, 2016, and decided it so typified the humor my parents shared with others that I am compelled to capture it in my blog about our family’s heritage. When caring for the elderly (our Matriarch and Patriarch who were 88 and 89 at the time), I … Continue reading Elderly Parents Say The Darndest Things
We Start And End With Family, No Matter What Changes
After 75 years of family festivities, we missed our family's Christmas Day celebration. COVID had not even kept us apart. However, one share of pie before the big day sickened us, our family’s Matriarch and Patriarch, so we wouldn't risk possibly infecting others with our presence. In the past decades, however, the world has seen … Continue reading We Start And End With Family, No Matter What Changes
Our First Thanksgiving in Plymouth (1575-1653)
Pilgrims and Indians celebrated the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts in the early 1600s. Puritans fled England and Holland during the American Civil War, and Abraham Lincoln created the holiday in 1863 to practice their religion freely. The colonists wanted to celebrate their first good harvest of corn and barley harvested with generous assistance from … Continue reading Our First Thanksgiving in Plymouth (1575-1653)
Writer And Adventurer -I’m Still Going Strong!
I have authored three children's books since my last post here, and two of them have been released. My first book "If Only I Was Special" is about a little dog named Hashbrown, who has forgotten he is unique. His wish-filled quest for specialness is vividly illustrated in colorful images. My second book, "Hi I'm … Continue reading Writer And Adventurer -I’m Still Going Strong!
Uncommonly Close
This picture is not of our boys and their uncles, but it reminds me of some of their adventures and escapades. They were, in fact, uncommonly close like a band of brothers. They explored abandoned areas, on dares from neighbors, they walked on gutters across our roof, made their own backyard fires, and built forts … Continue reading Uncommonly Close
America’s First Murderer – 1582-1684
This article is based on William Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation, 1606-1646, The Human Tradition in the Atlantic World, 1500-1850, and https://history.howstuffworks.com. This history tells the story of America's first murderer, his victim, and his execution. John Billington, my 12th paternal great-grandfather, was a Mayflower pilgrim. One of the 41 signers of the Mayflower Compact, he … Continue reading America’s First Murderer – 1582-1684
“Othering”
The following post was written by my eldest grandson, Joe, whose 35th birthday we celebrate tomorrow. Joe is an upstanding family man and all-around good guy. Besides being well-read, he is well educated, thinks deeply, and enjoys in depth discussions and debates. The following is an example of Joe's perceptive thinking and deductions on the … Continue reading “Othering”
My Cousins Declare America’s Independence
Many Americans take for granted our annual July 4th Independence Day. While working in my genealogical databases, I came across the name of John A. Hancock, a familiar name from America's history. I decided to compare our family's John Hancock (my second cousin, seven times removed), to the list of 56 signers of the Declaration of … Continue reading My Cousins Declare America’s Independence
Play Fair
In the early 1970’s the women’s rights movement was recognized as the “second wave” of feminism. Every aspect of women's lives, including work, family, and sexuality were included in this movement. However, not everyone was on board with this equal rights for women’s evolution. In fact, some of the fathers and coaches on our Catholic … Continue reading Play Fair
A Caring and Adventurous Heart
Nineteen months after the birth of our first son, Bobby, we welcomed Jeff into the world. Bobby was a happy, contented, and quiet baby. Jeff, by contrast, had a temperament that proved his personality was larger than life. He weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and measured 21 inches long when he was born in 1968. … Continue reading A Caring and Adventurous Heart
Forgotten Mulberry Island
On the north shore of the James River, 20 miles west of the Chesapeake Bay, the marshy plains of Mulberry Island rise above the gentle tide. Actually a peninsula bound by the James and Warwick Rivers. Mulberry Island is a picturesque fixture of Virginia’s Tidewater region whose natural beauty is enriched by thousands of years … Continue reading Forgotten Mulberry Island
From My Family Tree–
Founding Father Fables & Folklore I received three gifts from the Ages of Enlightenment (1700-1800) and Reform(1830-1850). My family tree revealed that I am descended from three distinguished founding fathers -- our first, third, and 12th presidents: George Washington (1732-1799) My 6th paternal great-granduncle was Virginia's Robert Bolling IV. His wife, Sally Washington, was the … Continue reading From My Family Tree–
80 Days
It was Friday, November 26, 2021,My waiting game of 11 days had just begun,I'd like to say those waiting days passed quickly But that was not the way.As the Doc entered the room,He looked at me, then at my charts.He said, "Frank, it's urgent thatWe tend to your erratically beating heart." I seemed to have … Continue reading 80 Days
Tuesday, March 22, 2022:
Marking the Death of John Rolfe - America's First Entrepreneur John Rolfe and Pocahontas Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022, is the 400th anniversary of John Rolfe's death. In his honor, my friend, Christine Dean, a retired College Lecturer, and fellow Pocahontas research enthusiast is planting a new mulberry tree at the Heacham Manor Hotel. Rolfe is … Continue reading Tuesday, March 22, 2022:
Commemorating the 111th Women’s History Month– March 2022
Remembering My Ancestors: Pocahontas and Edith White Bolling Wilson... Strong Women and Role Models for Young Girls How many young girls can claim they descend from Pocahontas? I knew little about my ancestors or my relationships with them when I was a girl. But I'm very glad that I made time throughout my adult years … Continue reading Commemorating the 111th Women’s History Month– March 2022
What Is Life Without Change?
When I was growing up families made Sundays their day of worshipping together and the gathering afterward which culminated in that wonderful Sunday meal prepared for us by grandma, mom, and aunts. Our families helped found the local churches and their children were born and raised in the same churches where other family members had … Continue reading What Is Life Without Change?
Our Unbounded Heritage: 12th Century & Beyond 