I gathered the following information from Plymouth's Governor William Bradford's Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation, 1606-1646, The Human Tradition in the Atlantic World, 1500–1850, and https://history.howstuffworks.com. America's first murderer, his victim, and his execution are revealed in these histories: My 12th paternal great-grandfather, John Billington, was a Mayflower pilgrim. As one of the 41 signers … Continue reading America’s First Murderer
Religion and Beliefs
“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”
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?
Family Ties
After 33 years of searching for my estranged paternal great-grandfather who disappeared without a trace to his wife and family, I was given my answer through a delightful and unexpected Christmas gift in 2013 from a stranger, who we later learned was family. Maynard Nelle Chambers was this gift giver who on a whim and … Continue reading Family Ties
Remembering Our Mount Calvary School and Community – Part 2
My first post in May 2016 about Mt. Calvary School's history and its closing drew much interest and even today continues to do so. Further, the Mt. Calvary Catholic School Alumni-Forestville, MD Facebook page with its 1.5K members remains active on a daily basis since opening on October 23, 2008. Regardless, of where their live … Continue reading Remembering Our Mount Calvary School and Community – Part 2
Go Rest High on That Mountain
Go Rest High on That Mountain Author: Vincent Grant Gill It's been three weeks today, Saturday, September 12, 2020, since I told dad, "I love you, and am proud to have been your daughter, and you, my father." In fact, several in our family are struggling daily to get beyond the visible physical and emotional … Continue reading Go Rest High on That Mountain
“United we stand; Divided we fall!”
As so many others are doing during this now fifth month of the global Coronavirus pandemic and social distancing, I am turning to social media to maintain connections with family and friends. In recent days, our millennial grandchildren have stepped forward with their voices about these unique times in our world's history. I find their … Continue reading “United we stand; Divided we fall!”
How’s Your Standard For Living?
How often have you stepped back to look from the outside-in to remember all those perfect times in your life? Was it that expensive video game that Santa brought you? Your first kiss, graduation day, that great job you landed, your wedding day, the birth of your children? A lot of firsts and yet all … Continue reading How’s Your Standard For Living?
On This Historic Day: From My Heart to Yours
Today, the United States Senate voted (for only for the third time in our country's history), to acquit its 45th President of impeachment for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. While I'm not here to discuss party lines or political behaviors by either, both, or all parties participating in these events over the immediate … Continue reading On This Historic Day: From My Heart to Yours
Are You Committed to a Cause Greater Than Yourself?
This week's message at church was the last in a series called "The Kingdom," and today's sermon focused on "Kingdom Living." Our pastor of nearly 30 years, Robert Hahn, told us how he came to our church and to his calling as a minister right here in Calvert County, MD, in 1987, as a visitor … Continue reading Are You Committed to a Cause Greater Than Yourself?
Life Is Peachy!
I recently asked family members to contribute articles about ther lives-- past and present,-- so we could compare lifestyles, belief systems and cultures to those of our ancestors. They have been somewhat slow in responding to my request. However, some of them freely share their thoughts and values on social media. So, when our son-in-law … Continue reading Life Is Peachy!
Life–Empty, Unfocused, or Purpose-filled?
Most often, I write about the past and how we can learn from it to change the future. But this weekend’s message at church so tore at my heart and shook my brain, and yes, so derides any logic, that I am compelled to ponder focusing on the now and how we, all God’s children, … Continue reading Life–Empty, Unfocused, or Purpose-filled?
My Genetic Genealogy: 1775-1825
Continuing on through my genetic genealogy timeline, my DNA has been found to match with 1,000+ 4th cousins or closer relatives who now live as far north as Vermont, span southward down the eastern coastline into Georgia, and inland to the now midwestern states of Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and Ohio. We also can … Continue reading My Genetic Genealogy: 1775-1825
Ancestors, Life, and Other Stuff
As I sit here today, eight years last week since my first blog post, I am reflecting back across 366 stories that I wrote about "stuff". And, this past weekend at church the message to parishioners was about "stuff."It strikes me that I had initially so very little information about my ancestors beyond my maternal … Continue reading Ancestors, Life, and Other Stuff
♬ I Ain’t Afraid of No Goat ♬
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 3.6 million students are expected to graduate from high schools in the United States over the next couple of weeks-- my granddaughter and nephew will be among them. So I guess it's only natural for me to reminisce back to my high school days where there was only radio, television, … Continue reading ♬ I Ain’t Afraid of No Goat ♬
𝄞We are F-a-m-i-l-y ♬
If you are a grandmother you may be one of a select few who understands the gravity of your intimate relationships with your grandchildren and their parents who by the way are your children that hopefully you and their father raised together. Now, none of us was handed a parenting guide when we discovered we … Continue reading 𝄞We are F-a-m-i-l-y ♬
Sit’n on the Porch to Make a Stand
The year was 1981. The day was Friday, December 4. I had just finished a visit with Sister Kathleen, who was the director for the religious education program that prepared 7th-grade children for their sacrament of confirmation into the Catholic religion at Mount Calvary Church and School in Forestville, MD. The backstory goes something like … Continue reading Sit’n on the Porch to Make a Stand
What’s All This Fuss About a Groundhog Named Phil and Punx’a’what?
Our local Calvert County weather forecast for Friday, calls for a mostly cloudy day, which in Groundhog Day terms means if Punxsutawney Phil were here with us locally he wouldn't see his shadow and we would see an early Spring instead of six more weeks on Winter! Wel, guess what? Punxsutawney's forecast also calls for … Continue reading What’s All This Fuss About a Groundhog Named Phil and Punx’a’what?
Simeon Ford and Daughter, Lauren
A Portfolio of Paintings by Lauren Ford 0 comments Posted by Kristine at 8/22/2010 07:37:00 PM Madonna and Child From the cover of Life magazine, December 25, 1944 - this was the only color cover of Life during World War II. Adoration Lauren Ford transplants the scene of the Nativity to a barn in Connecticut much … Continue reading Simeon Ford and Daughter, Lauren
“So Much Wasted Time”
I dedicate this post to Chesapeake Church's Executive Pastor Ann Edwards. I wish I could credit meditation and deep contemplation for it. But in fact, it was this weekend's very poignant message "Isn't It Time I Stop Wasting My Life," delivered by Ann Edwards at Chesapeake Church in Huntingtown, Maryland, that inspired me to spread the … Continue reading “So Much Wasted Time”
Our Unbounded Heritage: 12th Century & Beyond 