Family Bios

I made an outline of sorts hoping to keep track of various relatives that I'm researching from time to time.  Still have a lot of digging to do but decided to post this today so I can share with whatever relatives might find it of interest.  I may end up starting a new blog dedicated to family history only.  I know this isn't going to cut & paste in the same format I typed it but hopefully, it's easy enough to follow.

Grandpa  Lew Gene’s aunts & uncles on his paternal side of the family:

Emma                   married Weir                               these nine were children of Zadock Blankenship

Hezekiah              married Pettit                               and Sarah Jones

Martha                 married Bolt    

Henry                   married Hinton

Joseph                  married Hinton, then Boaz

Elisha                    married Burris

Bolin                     married Gant, then Harris

Zachariah            married Davidson, then Poland, then Danforth

Benjamin             married Owens, then Yauein_________________________________________

 

George                 married James (Geo. W. Bolt-half brother--he was Eliz's son)

Lewis Marion    married Jane M. Downs of DE (parents of Lew Gene, my grandpa)

Mariah                 married Goodson

James                                                                              these were the children of Zadock Blankenship

John                      died in Civil War battle                                and Elizabeth M. Bolt

Harriett                married James

Charles                 married Whittington

 

Grandpa's girl cousins: Harriet, Isabel, Mary, Priscilla, Sarah, Martha, Mary, Cora, Addie, Dora, Belle, Minnie, Lucinda, Jane, Emma, Edith, Lydia, Margaret, Harriet, Sarah, Lutie, Ellen, Gertrude, Elta, Ethel, Evadna, Mary, Beryl, Annie

Grandpa's boy cousins:  James, Benjamin, Henry, Zadock, Jacob, Charles, Walter, Joseph, Truman, Charles, George, James, Lewis, Charles, George, Floyd, Benjamin, Louie, Marion, Charles

Grandpa's siblings:  infant boy, Jennie, Minnie Mae (all died young),Thomas (died at age 12), Charles ? and the following:

Georgianna         married Jacob  Stark (4 kids:Lola,John,Inez,Ailene)

or

Georgie:             1861-1935 (died in Eugene, OR age 74)

Elizabeth              married  William Thomason (3 kids: Chester,Ora, Ray)

or

 Lizzie:                 1863-1927 (died in Eugene, OR age 64)     

 

John                      married Lillie Thomason (5 kids: Juanita, Feral, Hallie, Ivan, John)

                              1865-1948 (died in Shedd, OR age 83)

 

James:                1867-1949  (died in Eureka, CA age 82)

 

Henrietta             married William Patton(2 kids: Waible, James)

or

Ettie                   1871-1957 (died in Pendleton, OR age age 86)

 

Martha                 married Arthur  Steele (3 kids: Grethel, Thelma, Arthur)

or

Mattie:               1873-1961 (died in Suver, OR age 88)

 

Zadock:              1875-1932  (died in Polk Co, OR age 57)

or

Zed

 

Lew Gene          married Viola Mae Holt (6 kids: Velna, Arthur, Elva, George, John, Jim)

or

Gene,L.G.          1877-1960  (died in Port Townsend, WA age 82

 

Short bios:

Georgianna & Jake Stark ran hotels in Independence, Baker City, Cottage Grove, & Eugene. He was a successful businessman and born in KY. He was also a veteran of the Civil War.  Their daughter, Inez, taught school in Oregon and Seattle. She is mentioned in stories about Alan Hart, doctor and author.

 

Lizzie’s husband was a farmer and I have several copies of poems she wrote. Some were published in the newspaper. Her husband (whose 1^st wife died) had a daughter named Lilly. This Lilly married John Blankenship, Lizzie’s younger brother.

 

John & Lilly came to PT at least a couple times or more to visit his brother, Lew Gene. Thanks to Facebook, I was able to connect with one of their grandsons who lives in Olympia. He told me that Ivan Blankenship(son of John & Lilly) changed his name to Ivan Arison because he couldn’t stand his mother.

From the Willamette Co. Archives:

Of the successful and highly respected farmers of the vicinity of Creswell, Lane County, none is more highly regarded than J. A. Blankenship, who is operating one hundred and seventy-six acres of well improved and highly productive land. He follows twentieth century methods and keeps in close touch

with advanced ideas in relation to his vocation, so that he has well deserved the prosperity which is now his.

 Mr. Blankenship was born in Illinois on the 30th of November, 1865 and is a son of L. M. and Jane (Downs) Blankenship. His father came to Oregon in an early day and located near Independence, where he rented a farm, and there he and his wife spent their remaining years, her death occurring in 1898 and he passing away in 1911. He was a successful farmer and stock raiser and was held in high esteem throughout the community. He was a veteran of the Civil war and while living in Illinois served several years an assessor and sheriff.

 

 J. A. Blankenship attended the public schools of his native state and in young manhood went to Tennessee, and later located in Kansas, where, at the age of twenty-one years, he took up a

 homestead. He proved up on this land, which he operated for seven years, when he sold it and, in

1888, went to Colorado, where he was employed in the cattle business two years. He then returned to Illinois and later came to Oregon, where he has since lived.

While living in Kansas, he was for a time employed as a driver of street cars in Kansas City, the motive power being a team of mules. He is now the owner of a good farm of one hundred and seventy-six acres near Creswell, to the operation of which he has closely devoted himself. He has ten acres in prunes, five acres in cherries and one and a half acres in pears, all of which are in full bearing. He also keeps twelve head of milk cows and three head of horses.

 

Henrietta’s husband was a barber in Pendleton.  Their son, Waible, was a barber for a while and also worked as an advertising salesman for the newspaper. He was noted for his photography and I have a postcard picture he did at the Pendleton round up.

 

Mattie Steele’s husband was a farmer and was born in Canada. They lived in Suver, OR and had two girls and a boy. The boy was a fraternal twin but his sister didn’t live.

 

James worked as a farm hand, as a fireman in a power plant and in sawmills. He died in Eureka where he had gone to mine for gold. He never married and his middle name is Summer (or Sumner?)

 

Zadock worked as a farmhand and died in Oregon at the age of 57. He never married.

Lew Gene & Viola Mae married on Xmas eve in Winlock in 1903. Mae was born in Nebraska and died at age 55 of pneumonia at St. John’s Hospital in Port Townsend. Gene’s WWI draft card registration lists his occupation as sawmill fireman. Most of his life was spent farming and he started work at the PT paper mill in 1928.  He came to PT because his son-in-law, Darrell Walker, told him there was work to be had.

Darrell ended up dying the same year that Mae died (1938) when he fell into the hold of a ship docked at the mill.  Gene and Mae “followed the crops” as all their kids were born in different towns: Velna in Salem in 1905; Arthur in Oak Harbor in 1908; Elva in Eugene in 1910; George in Albany in 1914; and the twins in Galvin (near Centralia, WA) in 1923. They were 45 and 39 years old when the twins arrived and moved to Port Townsend about 1928.  All of their grandchildren were born in Port Townsend except the two oldest-- Bob Walker, born in Suver, OR  and Joan Dubberly, born in Camas, WA.

 

A Saturday in April

Almost May Day already. Got all my chores done so the rest of the weekend is mine to do as I please. Course now that I think about it, all my days are pretty much mine to do as I please.   Sky is looking cloudy and gray so I imagine we'll have at least a little rain before the weekend is over.  I went out and mowed the front but I'll leave the back for Hunter to do. 

Noticed the mower was missing a lot so I'm thinking it needs spark plugs or maybe the spark plugs just need cleaning.  I suppose I could play with it and try to figure it out but I'll leave that for Wayne or Hunter.

My neighbor down the street got moved last week but had to come back tyesterday to sign some papers. She went into her house and discovered the movers had left several things in kitchen cabinets.  Like all her pans.  Also left a few things in the garage. She loaded up her car as best she could but will have to wait for her grandson to come with his pickup to get the rest.  And it wasn't cheap hiring those movers either!

We went out to Traylors for dinner last night. I didn't think I would be able to eat anything but soup this weekend but my mouth is healing so I had fish and chips. Brought half of it home for lunch today.  She spent the night and we watched a little TV before bed. Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and Doc Martin. I read for a while. Am working on Jane Eyre and one I just got in the mail about the Secret Service. It's really interesting. Especially the juicy parts about the presidents, vice presidents, and first ladies.

LBJ was portrayed in an especially bad light.  Really bad!  Nixon too.  And Carter.  That's as far as I've gotten so far. Sadly, it doesn't say much for our system of electing presidents. We've had a lot of losers.

Got a couple email pictures of the kids at the Mariners Game last night. The second one is "Bill and Kissy Bear" that Mary and Andy take pictures of as they travel around the world or around town.

 

My kitchen sink was leaking so I called a plumber on Thursday. Unfortunately, I got a jerk. All that was needed was a tightening of the valve around the hose. (and he used my tool to fix it!)  He was here under five minutes and as he was leaving, I asked him what I owed him.  I wasn't feeling good as I had just had a tooth pulled or I would have spoken up.  He said:

 

Well, I won't  charge you a full fee for a call. Do you have any cash?  (I said yes)  Okay. $40 ought to cover it.  I don't think he'll get my return business. And I don't think he was the owner of the company either as he introduced himself with a different first name than the one on the truck. He also didn't give me a receipt.  Betcha' anything he just pocketed the cash.

 

After Yvonne left this morning, I decided to rearrange the kitchen and living room.  I really like it better. No one sits on my bar stools at the kitchen counter much (I never do) so I put my craft table in that spot. I'm working on painting rocks right now but I may set up a jigsaw puzzle soon.



Well, the sky is getting more and more gray and now the wind is picking up. Perhaps we will get rain afterall. I plan on doing a little genealogy research and then I'll fix lunch.

And here's to  George Jones... singing the best dang sad song ever sung!

A really funny video

Getting ready to head over to Walmart but got this in an email so decided to share it.  I so identify.

Ending a blog

I think I'm gonna write my final 'Town Kid' blog today. It's been over two years and I'm kind of running out of subject matter.  Course as soon as I write off, something will probably come to mind. Or not. I've already covered a few subjects twice.

I started my first blog (Gupster Granny) in 2009 and finished that up to start this one in August of 2011.  For two years I've kept a running diary on my days' activities, likes and dislikes, opinions, pictures, videos, and yes, complaints about my health and  aging body.  Sometimes my topics are enough to bore a person to death but it does help me keep track of what happened when. And I'm basically writing for me anyhow.

My 'Be True to your school' blog ran from May 2009 to Aug 2011 and then I started 'Town Kid.' I may end the 'Alumni of PTHS' too. I haven't actually put much on there in a long time, and I have other writing projects I want to work on.

Genealogy has kept me tied to the laptop for hours these past weeks and I can't see any end to that until I find the last of the few little things I'm looking for. There's about 8 things, and I don't plan on renewing my ancestry subscription in July so I'd better find what I want pretty soon.

I did go over to the Morman church yesterday and two very nice women helped me and gave me some further tips to follow while searching. I also went to the Clallam County Genealogical Society near the public library but that was pretty much a waste of time.  I figured out quickly the lady at the front desk wasn't going to be much help. She had me go to ancestry.com and then I had to teach her a couple things once we were in there.  She suggested I go to some Seattle library but that ain't about to happen. I can always go back to the Morman Library to use the ancestry website and others if I so choose.

I spent the morning cleaning up my office. If I don't take the time every few weeks, the paper chase gets out of hand.  I moved a few files and everything is looking pretty good now. Helps me organize in my mind better too.

I took a break to have some tomato soup for lunch and work the AARP crossword puzzle but it was too hard. I'll try again later. Found an envelope of yeast and decided spur of the minute to whip up a batch of cinnamon rolls. The dough is rising over a pan of hot water now.

Picked the twins up at 9 o'clock and took them to school. Also picked up Sammy and he's spending the day lounging on the back deck or sleeping in his bed in my back closet. I think he's part cat. I also stopped to get $2 worth of gas so Hunter can cut my grass one day soon.  I might even venture out there myself to do the front.  I'm thinking on it.

Almost called the coast guard last night.  They were apparently during maneuvers as I've gone through this with them before. Last night they kept flying over from about 9 to midnight.  I put up with it but I wasn't pleased. Especially when they kept waking me up after 11.

I didn't watch any tv last night. Went to bed to read and was surprised that I got over 100 pages read. Usually I'm lucky to get ten!  Have decided I need to start reading the classics. I've read very few. Right now I'm on Charlotte Bronte's 'Jane Eyre.'  My goodness but it's good!

Saw Pa Walton playing a priest on 'Days of our Lives' today. I usually turn off soaps the minute they come on but I had to stop and look him over. What a cutie pie he is with his white hair. I always did have a crush on Ralph Waite.

PTHS Alumni newsletter showed up in my email box this morning. As usual, Mary and Jan did a super job on it.  I'm kind of looking forward to the banquet and dance in June.

The cinnamon roll dough should be about ready to punch down and roll out so I guess I'd best get back to the kitchen.  Big day tomorrow. Gonna' have a tooth extracted at 9 a.m.  Highlight of my month.  And once it heals, we'll get a crown on the other side.  There goes my savings account.

The day looms ahead...

Set my alarm for 7 a.m. last night, mainly because I wanted to see if it was working, but also because I wanted to make sure I didn't oversleep as I have an 8 a.m. foot doctor appt this morning.  I seldom, if ever, sleep past 7 so there wasn't really a danger of that but still...you never know.  Course you still have to contend with waking up TOO OFTEN just because you know you HAVE to get up early.  Which was my case.  5:45 a.m. and I'm wide awake.  Annoying!

I got up and went through my usual routines of opening curtains, booting up the computer, putting on the coffee pot, and staring myself down in the mirror as I'm reminded, yet again, that I'm an old worn out hen.  Mirror images early in the morning are such a sad sight.  Fixed a bowl of dry cereal and toasted half a bagel, then made my way into the office (which I'm now trying to call the computer room).

Looked over my usual websites.  Didn't win any money, didn't find anything worthwhile on tv for tonight, didn't have too much email, and the news was the usual -- people acting mean and stupid.  Facebook has become one of my favorite stops now.  Always on the lookout for pictures people might post and now I'm cutting and pasting recipes into a special folder I'm building. Like these as the recipes are usually easy and the pictures always look mouth watering.

My hotmail had a message that I should download Explorer 10 as it's faster and better.  Anybody know if that's true.  I assume this d/l is free. Haven't looked into it yet.  I wrote to Google help yesterday on how to delete messages in my sent and junk mail quickly as I had over 1300 in the trash and I wanted to clear them out.  I finally just started deleting a page at a time and then a prompt came up telling me I could delete them all at once. My email this morning asked me if I really wanted to do that as I would lose all the conversations I had had with my friends.  Was kind of surprised I even got an answer. Too late, though. I deleted everything.  I often times regret doing this because invariably I'll want to look something up and I can't.  Too bad.  Out of sight, out of mind.  At least my mailbox is free and clear.

I've been spending a lot of time researching my g. grandfather's full and half siblings but I do intend to get back to my grandpa's siblings too.  There's still a lot out there I haven't found. I may drive over to the Morman Church library this week to find out their hours and what kind of information they can help me find.

I wanted to print out my pages of notes but knew my ink was getting low and I was trying to avoid putting in a new cartridge.  Then I remembered that my old printer was sitting nearby and had new cartridges in it.  Just had to print using my old computer instead of my laptop which doesn't recognize the old printer.  Anyhow, I transferred my notes onto a jumpstick (or whatever you call them) and plugged it into my old computer so I could communicate with my old printer.  Wa Laa!  So glad I remembered that as I have other things I want to print, as well.

Went to the dentist yesterday morning and unfortunately, my savings is going to be reduced shortly.
I opted to have one tooth pulled that might have needed a crown removal, root canal, and new crown.
Way more than I wanted to spend on that tooth that has already cost me money.  I told the dentist that another part of my mouth had been bothering me and I always thought that was the area we would find problems.  He took another xray and sure enough -- another damn cavity UNDER a crown.  This time I'll go through the motions and have the crown removed so he can dig out the decay (and hopefully not have to do a root canal before putting another crown in place.)  With my luck, though, I'm prepared for the whole show.  Big bucks.  Makes me sad.

Meanwhile, he was recovering from a cold and had two people out sick so we rescheduled my extraction for this coming Thursday.  Oh joy!  I haven't had a tooth pulled since the 70's.  He said he won't know until we get in there. It will either come out easily and we'll be done in under 15 mintues or if there's a tooth breakage or root problems, we could continue for an hour.    Believe it or not, though, I'd rather suffer through dental appointments than get an MRI!  And MRI's don't even hurt.  All in the mind.

I was going to write a Town Kid blog on learning to drive or teaching kids to drive but after looking over my past  blogs, I noticed I've already written enough on that subject.  Even if it's been two years or one year ago, I need to find something else to discuss.  And if I don't, well, then I'll conclude that blog and find a new hobby.

Hmmm...looking interesting out my front window. I've been trimming this one bush near the curb (that I'm not that fond of) but I see the birds are using it quite a bit so I think I'll leave it be and let it get bigger.  My other little tree next to it (that I was sure was dead) has come back to life and it's looking kind of pretty with his red/orange leaves.  Neighbor mowed his grass on Saturday so now mine looks shabby. Maybe I'll try to get to that this week since good weather is predicted.  Have seen a hawk come around almost every day too.  Lookin' for lunch in the field across the street.

My dreams last night were again vivid and interesting.  Noticed one segment was in color (this woman had a bright blue sweater on) and that part of the dream also had aroma.  This particular woman had strong perfume on and it annoyed me.  So much activity.  Mary and Jenni were running down the road (for exercise) and their hair was long and flowy.  I also burnt a hole in a wall (perfect half circle hole) by putting a burn barrel to close to it.  This particular burn barrel was made of cardboard but I didn't figure that out until I tried to burn trash in it outside. 

And night before last I dreamed I cut in  front of this guy in line to get on the ferry. (Ferries often show up on my dreams)  Funny thing was it was the 1940's and all the cars were from that era.  Probably related to all the genealogy searching I've been doing.  Okay. Enough on dreams. I know it's boring.

Time to turn off the tv.  I DO NOT want to hear one word more about the Jodi Arias trial.  I watched the first two episodes of the latest season of Mad Men but I'm leaning towards giving that program the boot, as well.  I don't know why they think we want to see all the main characters turn into sleeze balls who take other sleeze balls to bed.  There has to be a better story line to follow.  You can certainly tell the mentality of the writers involved.  I was enjoying 'The Americans' until they went off the deep end and brought in S&M activities to share with us.  BORING!

I seem to be losing interest in a lot of shows I used to tune in....The Amazing Race, American Idol, The Voice, House, Ax Men, and several others.  Here's a picture I saw on Facebook yesterday...

Dave and Mary Gaboury with their grandkids in Bonney Lake.

Spring Cleaning...again

I don't know why I can never judge how long a job is going to take me.  I was thinking two hours tops, but it ended up being four!  The twins came over to help me sweep it out a bit. First thing Maddie did when she arrived was change my radio station. She has her priorities.

I didn't think I would find that much to discard but I did.  Have a "dump pile" set aside for Wayne to pick up once he decides to go and I took a car full over to Goodwill.  I stopped at this other second hand store on the way but they must be thinking about phasing their stuff out as they were only taking furniture and it was lookin' kind of bare in there.

I passed two native American women on the sidewalk as they were leaving the store and when I came back out, I stopped to talk to them as they were parked right in front of me. Told them I was going to Goodwill to unload but they were welcome to look my stuff over first if they wanted to.  They took a few things and we chatted.  They knew Joe Kenney so I told them to tell him Joyce says hey!

The twins found a few things of interest as I was sorting through the various boxes.  I came across this old beat up cloth-like box with a lid that I used to store buttons in.  The buttons are in glass jars now but I've had the box so long, I hate to throw it out.  May have picked it up at Value Village  back in the 60's or 70's. Or maybe my Aunt Velna gave it to me.  When you open the lid (which is attached) there is a kids' message written in pencil and another kids' crayon scribbling marking it out.
I told the kids it was their mother's writing but she informed me when she arrived that it was Mary. She said she didn't know how to spell "Joseph" until she was almost 12 and she remembers I was mad at her for her.  Said that I told her "it's just JOE!"  ha ha    Funny the things kids remember.

Anyhow, the box makes me laugh everytime I open it. Mary wrote: "I hate the crybaby. It is who cries so much and it is Joseph."

I don't know why my back is hurting as bad as it is because I tried again to take things slow and easy and I sat down to rest.  I guess I'm just going to have to accept the fact once and for all that my strength and endurance is not what it used to be.  My tooth is trying to get in the act too. Guess it's a  good thing I've got a dentist appt Monday morning.  Been thinking seriously about whether or not to go the expensive route or have it pulled.  I'm leaning towards extraction.

Well, 'Lord of the Flies' is on so either I can head for the recliner to watch it or I can work on genealogy files.  I think I'll choose the movie. My back is making up my mind for me.

The Rains are Back

Lookin' wet this morning but I'm fine with that. At least it gives me an excuse to stay inside and work on genealogy without having the guilt of not working in my yard. I'm way too delicate to do yardwork in the rain.  Ha!  I'm watching three deer across the street. They've been frequenting other neighborhoods these past weeks but are back to the vacant lot across from me again.  Good sleeping place, I suppose, with all the overgrown scotchbroom and high grass.
I hope they stay on that side of the road. I put a pot of pansies on my steps and it's the first thing I check out in the morning -- to see if they've come by for a midnight snack.

I taped three hours of shows last night and watched some of the previous shows I had taped a few nights ago. Three hours of 'Dancing with the Stars' (over two nights) lets me see and hear everything I want to in about 45 minutes.  I bypass all the commercials and a lot of the show-off antics of the judges and certain dancers. I don't mind the stars who are poor dancers but I do mind the stars who get criticized for their poor dancing and then get an attitude.  If they'd laugh it off, they'd go a lot further. They eliminated one such guy this week and I was glad to see the last of him. What an ego! I also can't stand the stars who are pretty good dancers and act like they're doing us a favor to watch them.  You'd be surprised at the language I use during this show.  Well, maybe you wouldn't.  But it's what I do for amusement.

I stuck my Red Box movie of 'Lincoln' in the DVD player and gave it an hour and a half before giving up on it.  Talk about an overblown movie!  Bored me to tears!  And I like political stories too.

I slept better last night and feel a whole lot better this morning. Happy that my itchy hand has ceased, as well.  Interesting dreams last night.  So odd the people that show up and have an acting role. Last night it was Karen Hinton, Bob Hinton, some guy named John Morris?, and lots of others too.  I won't bore you with the details but it was definitely busy.

I pulled out my box of paints and brushes and set up a corner for rock painting this weekend.  I keep thinking I need to get my sewing machine put to use, as well, but I'll hold off on that for a while longer.  I have a tendency, sometimes, to get too many projects going at once.

And with that, I'm off to pour a second cup of coffee and begin the chore of sorting photos.  Good fun.

Shopping, Movies, Dreams

I had to return a Red Box movie (only costs $1.20 and I like that!) and I noticed Lincoln was available so I brought that home for tonight. Watched Life of Pi yesterday and enjoyed it very much.  I seem to go in spurts renting movies. There's quite a few out now that I wouldn't mind seeing and I'm reminded how much cheaper it is to wait until Red Box offers them.  Even matinee prices seem to be going up every year and I never buy soda or popcorn.  Not on my budget.

I taped an hour show on the Discovery channel a few nights back. Naked Castaway. I knew right away I was going to be entertained. The opening credits read:  If you are offended by pictures of the naked buttocks, please avert your eyes."  ha ha ha ha    Yeah, they had me right away with that one! I can hardly wait for the next episode.  This guy (who is taping himself) is staying on a deserted island off Australia (I think) and he has no tools, no clothes, no food or drink, and intends to stay two or three months if he can survive.  Fascinating show.

I've been working steadily on putting my genealogy notes and photos in folders so I can find things when I want them.  I'm making good headway but it took me a while to figure out the easiest way to transfer.  I had so many duplicate files.  All this family tree work has me busy in dreamland too.  Sometimes I wake up very tired just because I've been so busy at one party or reunion or job after another.  Seeing lots of interesting people, though.

I've got to make time to go across town to the Morman library to see if they have files that might help me, or at least point me in the direction I need to go.

I plugged in my crock pot up this morning so the house smells pretty good. I cooked a pot roast and had it for two or three meals and decided to take the last of it and cook it down with sweet and sour sauce till it's stringy like pulled pork.  Gonna fix a sandwich for supper and call it good.

I've got something going on with my skin today.  Especially my left hand. Nothing there that I can see but it's been itching since last night.  Just plain ole dry skin, I guess. My hands (like the rest of me) are sure looking old these days.  Kind of swollen over the knuckles.  Well, not kind of...really puffy.  My tongue continues to bother me too. I think I'll give it another couple weeks and then make a doctor appt.  I have my doubts it can be diagnosed but you never know.  It's not terribly uncomfortable all the time but it's been going on for weeks and it's just enough to keep me agitated.
Dentist didn 't see anything suspicious so at least that was comforting.

I have to get a crown on Monday.  Once he takes off the crown that is there now and removes the decay, he'll decide if there's enough tooth left to put another crown on.  If not, a root canal might be called for first.  OR...... and I'm seriously considering this.....I just might opt to have the damn thing extracted.  I'd only have two teeth on the bottom left but I think I could manage with that.  A root canal and a crown are both very expensive and when you don't have dental insurance, it can wipe out your savings.  I have reservations about spending a lot of money on my teeth at my age.  I'm thinking on it.

I got an email this morning telling me about this product called raspberry ketone supplement that my friend says has helped her lose weight and has given her energy.  A Dr. Oz video was attached with it. I did stop at the health food store this morning to check it out. Didn't take me long to decide against it. $26 for a tiny bottle.  Dr Oz often has nifty ideas to share but you need deep pockets too.

I looked over my humidifier this morning and it suggested changing the filter once a month. I've never changed it so I went to half a dozen stores trying to find a filter. Finally came home and went on walmart.com.    They have it for $4.44 and will send me a message when it's in so I can pick it up at the store with no shipping charges.  Wish I had thought of that sooner. I did consider going all the way over to Walmart but didn't want to go that far and then find it wasn't there.  Course as much time as I spent going from store to store only defeated my purpose.

I stopped at Joanne's to buy a skein of yarn and noticed a big crane moving equipment into the vacant store next door. Rite-Aid people told me they heard it was Big Lots.  I hope so.   I did buy a flower pot at 50% off at Rite Aid.   Came home and put my Christmas cactus in it.  So cute.

 

Yvonne and I went thru Frugals for a burger today and sat on the bluff to watch the ships. She said:

"Remember that guy who is buying my house with his son and how I told you you should welcome them to the neighborhood once I'm gone?"

 

I said: "Yeah. Do you still think I should visit?"

 

She said: "No. I'm datin' him!"

 

"Well, you're movin' to Olympia this weekend. Maybe I'll just steal him away."  hee hee

 

We laughed but I knew she was serious. She likes the guy, and he's apparently very attentive.  I always joked about how my next boyfriend was going to have to show up on my doorstep 'cause I was too tired and too lazy to go looking these days.  It seemed to work for her.  He plans to visit her and vice versa.  Still makes me chuckle.

 

Well, I think I'll go take a nap in my chair. I didn't sleep all that well last night and I've been yawning all day long.  Hopefully, that means I'll sleep like a log tonight.

Spring cleaning

Lookin' halfway decent out my front window this morning. Gonna have to keep the tv off, though.  Nothing looking good there. I think our country went around a corner way back in 1963 when JFK was shot.  From that day on, the under belly scum got the attention they wanted and it's only gotten worse.  When the Oklahoma daycare center was bombed in 1995, I sent money to the Red Cross.  The coverage of those poor kids being killed had an effect.  And the Twin Towers, of course, will forever be remembered.  Evil is the word that most often comes to mind.

I don't travel much these days and since my last airplane trip, I'm not all that enthused about flying anywhere.  Having to take off your shoes and have your bag searched is one thing, but when you're frisked in a special room because your hand lotion set off an alarm, it's time for this gramma to tell the security people to take a flying leap and get their act together.

We've always had evil but there is definitely more evil today than when I was a kid.  I think everybody can agree with that.  You can also bet that Boston is just another story in terror bombings.  Wackos are alive and among us and they thrive like a virus gone wild when there's a chance for them to get the world-wide attention they crave.  We're not special, though. Bombings are going on all around the globe and people are being killed daily. We're just not used to experiencing it living in a place where the worst things we have to contend with are acts of mother nature, disease, auto accidents, threats by unstable world leaders in distant lands, and murder by deranged citizens.  Sadly, we're going to hear more and more stories like we're hearing on the news this week.

Well, Maddie just dropped off her softball equipment so time to answer the door.

Both kids are in track this spring and Maddie goes to daily softball practice after her track runs. She had a game last night and didn't get home until 8:30.  And no, I don't go to the games.  I prefer the comfort of my recliner.  I do take her to practice, though, so I'm not a complete waste as a gramma.  Ha!

Yesterday, I spent the morning getting my genealogy files in order.  I needed to be able to find the various files I was working on and once I got going, I realized the job was more complicated than I thought.  I had so much "repeat material" in different files that it took a while to delete and refile everything.  The photos are another story.  I'll work on them today.

I went outside to get started on cleaning up the deck. Here's what I got done...

I went slow and sat down for everything I could sit down to work on.  I only put in a little over two hours so I was surprised that I was as worn out as I was.  I mean...really  worn out!  I didn't feel that I was lifting too many heavy pots or moving at a fast pace but by the time I pushed my wheelbarrow full of weeds over to the vacant lot across the street, I was dragging like a woman of 99.  It zapped any energy I had right out of me 

I rested for an hour and then went back outside to finish the last 30 minutes of work I wanted to do.  I know I'm no spring chicken but it's discouraging to get tired this fast.  I don't like it!  I set up my reclining lawn chair and soaked up the sun for 20 minutes.  All that did was make me more tired.

Hmmm... the Today show is doing a piece about all the violence that has occurred in April over the last few years.  Interesting.  April is significant to me too.  Five years ago this month, Mary and Andy got married.  Nineteen years ago this month, Jenni and Wayne got married.  My son-in-law turns 59 this month and several friends turn 70! -- Virginia Tomlinson, Sharon Sofie, John O'Brien, and my neighbor, Yvonne. (who is moving to Olympia in a few days)  Boo hoo hoo!  Also, happy birthday to cousins Dale and Denny this month.  By the way, if you want to play around with a fun website, go to
paulsadowski.com.  It's a fun place that will tell you all about your birthday and even predict when you were conceived.

I've seen three good commercials this week. Think I'll head over to YouTube and see if I can find them.  Okay. I found them all.... ENJOY!

Quiet Sunday

Boy, what a difference a good nights' sleep makes!  I feel so much better (emotionally) than I did yesterday when my sleep pattern had gone awry at 3 a.m. The view out my front window showed blue skies and pretty white clouds an hour ago but it's getting grayer by the minute.

See that white steam coming up from the bottom of the picture right in the middle? That's the paper mill down on the waterfront.  I've always thought it was kind of ironic that the view from my window is paper mill steam. Course only I would find that interesting --having worked in a paper mill for two decades.

Two black crows are walking around my yard now.  Lookin' for worms I suppose. And a robin is watching them from the middle of the street.  I wonder if she's waiting to see if they find something good for breakfast.  Odd how I've become such a bird watcher these days. Two hummingbirds just arrived and they're my favorites. And thank you, Coke,  down in Oregon for telling me my woodpecker yesterday was a flicker.  I want to buy a better camera just so I can take pictures of birds and other things nature-wise that I've taken an interest in.

Looked over the tv line-up for today. Gonna watch golf at 4 and Call the Midwife at 8. Also taping Mad Men and a new show on the Discovery Channel called 'Naked Castaway.'  Has to do with surviving techniques in the wild.  (my way of communing with nature)  Found a new favorite show on Netflix last night too. I'm really enjoying the streaming side of Netflix. Kevin Spacey stars in this 13-episode  first season of House of Cards.  Really good!

Another movie I recently watched was 'Fanny,Annie,and Danny.'  Very dark but very good.

Came across a blog that has free patterns if you sewers are interested.  modafabrics.blogspot.com

Spent hours on ancestry yesterday. Found a picture of Ben Downs which I saved (for now) even though I'm fairly certain he's not "my Ben Downs."  You never know. He could be a relative.

 

My cousin, Marlee in Gig Harbor recently did the MS walk to raise money. She wrote:

 

The actual MS Walk is almost two miles on the completely flat part of the trail if you walk to the last booth and back to the beginning.  We always walk the whole loop, down near the beach and back up.  Mary wore her GPS and we walked 3.1 miles.

The wind was really blowing - my car said it was 39 degrees, but the wind-chill factor has to be considered!  We started out with just the cold wind, but it started sprinkling then really raining at the end.  The wind was blowing the rain sideways as we walked up the last long hill.  We could hardly wait to get back to the car and get warm!  (She's in the red)

 

First thing I did this morning was move my laptop desk back over where I originally had it. I found not being able to sit and look out the window threw off my balance.  Or something.  Maybe it was just a reminder that I prefer watching the goings on outside.  They're never really that interesting but you have to find your entertainment where you can.

 

I should work on a Town Kid blog today but I can't think of a thing to write about. Any suggestions?



Cold, Wet, Windy and Nasty!

An hour ago the sun was shining. A minute ago it was pouring and hail was coming down. Obviously, mother nature is going through the change. 

I've had Pandora music on since I got up. It's 5 p.m. and I have been on ancestry for HOURS!  I really am disappointed in my lack of will power to move about and do other things with my life.  It's so pathetic! 

I spent two hours yesterday getting ready to work on the pots on the back deck. After buying dirt and pansies and setting up my "sit down chair" it started to sprinkle and then got wetter and wetter so I called it a day.  Went outside this morning to inspect the wind damage. One pot fell off the porch and broke but it was a small pot and empty.

I set up all my bird feeder stakes in another corner of the yard this morning. Figured it would be easier to get them in that rock hard ground after the heavy rain but it was still a fight.  Now I'll have to wait and see if they stay upright. You can hardly see them in this picture but they're there.

I've only got a couple feeders hung 'cause I have to clean the others out with the hose and a wire brush.  It's a dirty project.

I made an early morning run to Safeway to gas up the car and took a quick spin through the store to buy some comfort food.  Picked out a pizza for tonight's dinner 'cause I don't feel like cooking and I've had leftovers all week long. Tomorrow, though, I'm gonna fix a nice pot roast.  I hardly ever do that.

With all the time I spent on ancestry today and all the different people I kept searching for data on, I ended up with nothing new.  Disappointing.  I'm just going to have to break down and visit the morman genealogy library across town. I'm not getting anywhere on my own.  I did email the Seattle schools today as I discovered one of my cousins was a teacher for several years in various Seattle schools. Seward, Queen Anne, and James Madison Jr. High. 

It's doubtful they'll have a picture of her from that far back (1920's-1940's) but you never know.....

I guess I'll look over my picture collection and see if there's anything new I could add to the ancestry file.  I noticed a lot of folks attached my Blankenship family portrait to their records.  That photo continues to puzzle me.  Mainly, the boy in front.  Certainly seems odd that I can't find a birth or death record for him.

I've even wondered if he's adopted.  I have another cousin who changed his last name altogether because he didn't like his mother.  ha ha  I never would have found him if I hadn't located one of his nephews in Olympia.  Drives me crazy that I have so few pictures.  But I need to move on.  There are more records on other family limbs.

My hummingbirds hung around all winter long. There's one sitting outside my window now.  Also noticed that hawk is back looking for dinner. He's been soaring the vacant lot across the street and another noisy crow is yakking him up as he watches his progress.  Yesterday while I was outside on the deck, I kept hearing this rat-a-tat-tat.  I grabbed my camera and walked a ways down the alley as I saw a bird on top of a telephone pole. I think it was a woodpecker.

And now for your listening pleasure......  hee hee





Okay. Time to move on down the line. I've got to make an effort to stay up as long as possible tonight. I woke up at 3 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep so I got up.  Then I dozed from 5 to 7. Naturally, that made me feel groggy and out of sorts.  It's always something.

End of the week

I haven't felt like blogging much this week. Not really much to yak about. Course I've never let that stop me before. It's 8 a.m. and I opened the curtains to this view.

I don't care if they graze on that side of the road. I'd just as soon, however, that they avoid my lawn. I haven't really got any flowers planted yet but I'm thinking about it.  I found some tulip bulbs in the garage that I'm wondering if I can still stick in the dirt.  I've been trying to get in garden mode for over two weeks now and I think today's the day I just might go outside and play around.  At least with those pathethic looking pots on the back deck.

My tulips in the raised flower beds are looking okay but the ones I planted along the fence didn't fare as well.  Slugs, I imagine. I bought slug bait but then forgot to use it.  Wasn't exactly sure when I was supposed to use it.

It's actually halfway warm outside this morning so I may get  busy as soon as I finish here.  I know it will be fun once I get going. It's kind of like cleaning out dresser drawers or closets --you put it off but once you get started, it's fine.

I walked around the backyard a little bit yesterday when I was pulling the trash bin out to the alley. I need to get out my "notes" and take action on the moss.  If it was "pretty moss" I wouldn't care as much but my moss is ugly.  Over in one corner where I had a  small garden patch, I noticed the hole near the fence that I plugged up with a large rock has another hole dug nearby.  Not sure what kind of critter is coming in but I'm hoping it's not a rat. 

There isn't really that much of interest in this little corner. A small droopy rhubarb plant that I may transplant somewhere else 'cause I do like rhubarb; a small rose bush that needs fertilizer in the worst way; a half dozen strawberry plants (not sure why I even bother) and then the bird feeders. I only have three up now as I need to clean the others. I'd really like to get them all situated in another corner of the yard but I'm not sure I have the strength to get the stake in the ground. It's like cement where I want to put them.  The corner where they're at now is soft and moist.  Which is why I was able to take a photo of this......  Yep!  A toadstool or mushroom. Whatever it's called. Tall one too.

I had a dentist appt yesterday and I usually cope while sitting there by rearranging every room in my house.  It was only 45 mintues (2 fillings) but I was tense and uncomfortable the entire time.  And my mouth is sore today.  Cost me over $700 for those two appts. First one was an exam, x-rays, and cleaning.  He says I need a crown too.  Another $1200. I'm putting that off for a while.  Seems like such a waste of money. Spending that kind of dough on my teeth at my age.  It's not like my teeth are even worth looking at!  And yes, I'm well aware of the fact you need teeth for eating and good health.

I wonder how much dental insurance runs people these days. I'm betting it's not cheap. I figure I'm just as well off not having it since I put off going to the dentist as long as I can.

Anyhow, I came home and rearranged a few things here and there. Started on the front porch when I noticed the wind had blown down a hanging decoration from the back deck.  Now I've got most of my doodads in the front.

My porch rocks are looking kind of faded and in need of a fresh coat of paint so maybe I'll play around with those this weekend.

I decided to move a couple of bookcases and change where I sit at the computer.  I think I like this better although knowing me, I'll probably put my desk in front of the window again. I need to keep an eye on what passes by my window.  Ha!

I was reminded when I had to remove all the books from the shelves just how many books I have that I still need to read.  Like most of 'em!  I like having books around. Always have. You'd think I'd read more than I do.  I did take a couple to put by my bed -- even though the one I chose is one I'm sure I read back in the 70's.  The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart. I also have The Hollow Hills.  I don't remember one single thing about them but I do remember I liked them.

The dryer just turned off so I guess I'd better retrieve the whites and get them folded and put away. Looking kind of gray outside but the wind's not blowing and it's warm enough so I'll work with a rainhat if I need to. 

The sooner I get those pots done, the sooner I can get back to ancestry.com.  I'm still looking for cousins and I was successful this week. Connected with a couple in North Carolina and they're going to send me pictures of their grandfather who I've been researching off and on for weeks.

My grandpa's sister, Georgianna, married Jake Stark and they ran hotels in Oregon.  They had four kids (one set of twins --a boy and girl) and this boy and girl are the ones I was working on.  Inez, who I wrote about on my Town Kid blog, was a teacher in Seattle.  Her brother, John, had restaurants in Oakland, CA.  John, in turn, named his son, John. This guy married Jean Robinson in Seattle and I'm still working on what he did for a living. He's the father of the N.C. people.  I know. Could I bore you even more?  Ha Ha  But it's interesting to me.

I looked over various programs online where you can fill in family tree forms but I found them too slow and burdensome to navigate. I think I'm going to make my own system and just write about the various relatives giving them their own file page.

Looking forward to settling in to watch golf this weekend. I still find it kind of funny that I'm interested.  I don't like Tiger Woods, though. He'll probably win but I'm hoping somebody beats him.
And tonight at 8 is Doc Martin on PBS. One of my favorite shows along with Call the Midwife.

Watched Southland last night and I can hardly wait for the finale next Wednesday.  Made me TENSE!

Okay. Time to get to work.

Hey! The Sun is Out!

At least for now, the sky is blue. I may get to those pots on the back deck this afternoon, but if I don't, that's okay. I've got all week. All month really. I'm going out for lunch with Mary Norton today and later in the afternoon, I'll be picking the kids up from track and transporting Maddie to softball.

Had a repeat dream last night. At least it seemed awfully familiar.  As usual, it was weird.  I was looking out on Port Townsend bay from Water Street (down at the clinic end of Water) and there was a lot of commotion out on the bay.  I spotted 8 elephants and a couple of zebras in the water. Dave Marriott showed up in another dream segment. I have no clue why but he appears every now and again. In this chapter, he was trying to teach me how to use this special remote control that would open doors. Everytime I pushed the red button, I would get a pain from a paper cut on  the tip of my finger.  Then I had a paper cut on a second finger and I was at a park of some sort and hunting for bandaids.  Everytime I put a bandaid on, it wouldn't stay on and I went through a whole series of steps trying to retrieve more bandaids.  Another chapter had me at the mill parking lot helping to arrange an antiques car show. 

I've always found dreams especially intriguing. Would love to know how to interpret some of the things I experience during the night but I suspect I've just got a jumbled mind.  Some nights are way more interesting than others.

My tongue was continuing to feel burnt and uncomfortable this weekend so I googled it again. This time I found a test you could do to see if you had a yeast infection.  Basically, you rinse your mouth out in the morning with water when you get up, and then you spit into a clear glass of water.  Within a half hour (if you have a yeast infection) the spit will have dangling strings going down into the water and there will be cloudy specks floating in the middle of the glass and cloudy residue sitting in the bottom.  I love science projects.  ha ha  Anyhow, I spit in my glass and apparently, I don't have a yeast infection. That's good.  Am going to the dentist a week from today.

Pat O'Day for Schick Clinic just came on again. What a cornball commercial that is.  I used to listen to him on KJR when I was a kid but he's no where as interesting now.

Oh brother! The Today Show has this dame sitting with three cute guys and her shirt is about to fall off her shoulders.  The topic is looking for your soulmate.  Give me a break! Time to switch the channel.  Back to Good Morning America. Carol Burnett is being interviewed and I'll give her the time of day anytime.  I see Betty White, Georgia Engle, Valerie Harper, Mary Tyler Moore, and Cloris Leachman are going to be on Katie Couric's show today. I'll probably watch that. I kinda like Katie's show.  Mary Tyler Moore is sure looking old, though.  I think she's had a facelift or two 'cause she doesn't look natural.

Hmmmm... Harrison Ford is up next. He's a year older than me but he's lookin' a whole lot better with that crooked smile of his.  I loved him in American Graffiti.  Okay..I'm rambling...time to get back to ancestry for a while.  I've got to track down John Stark. You wouldn't believe how many people share names.  I thought I had the right John but alas,  I think I was going down the wrong road.

Here's a short minute video I told Jenni I wouldn't post on my blog but I lied. Sammy's so cute. They had a great time at the REO Speedwagon concert but Sammy was beside himself with joy when they returned yesterday.

Scanning old photos

My sister wanted to see some of the pictures of my mom's biological family but emails take too long so I decided to post all at once on here.

Doris Forslund, my mother's mother, on a street in Aberdeen.

My mother's father on the right.

Ava, my mother's grandmother. She's mother of Doris.

Bert, my mother's grandfather. He's father of Doris. He married 4 times.

Ava, my g. grandmother with her dad, James Peterson.

My grandmother, Doris,
on her wedding day. Fred Forslund.

Doris and Fred in later years. She died of TB in 1942. He remarried and died in Aberdeen at the age of 66.

The town where my grandmother lived in the 1920's. McCleary, WA

My grandmother, Doris, her mom, Ava, and her sister, Erma.  It got these pictures from Erma's son, who lived in Montesano but has since moved to Chehalis.

Gettin' better I think

Sure does make a difference when you get to sleep at night. I actually woke up feeling better this morning.  Am hoping that means I'm on the road to recovery.  Still have remnants hanging on but at least I feel like doing something today. I pulled out the ironing board (I know...totally boring) but I'm way overdue on ironing a few shirts and I think I'll change the curtains in the living room too. Also going to change where I have stuff on the wall.  A typical OCD habit but sometimes a change is nice. Plus I can use the exercise of going up and down on the step ladder.

Later I plan to scan in some old pictures that I want to incorporate into the genealogy piece I'm trying to figure out how to assemble.  The twins are going to the other grandpa and grandma's house this weekend so it will just be me and Sammy.  If I get real ambitious (and the weather clears a bit) I may go outside and start working on the large pots on the deck.  But I'm not going to put it on my definite list. All depends on my energy level.

I've got my Pandora Music Channel on and it will probably stay on all day. Television can sometimes crank up my agitation within ten minutes.  I sometimes sit down to watch the national news on ABC and NBC at 5:30 and 6.  I've become very aware, however, that the commercials take up more time. And you can't switch channels because the drug companies (who obviously have more money than they know what to do with) are EVERYWHERE with their ads.

I've taken to using the mute button more and more frequently.  Especially annoying are the good looking middle aged couples who giggle at each other as we're told they've got sex on their mind.  Then we're told to buy this particular pill to help us enjoy sex more. But..... be careful...as it has a bajillion side effects and some can kill you!

And if it isn't sex you're interested in, how about lowering your cholesterol, fixing your diabetes, lowering your blood pressure, getting help for your achy joints, regrowing your hair, or fixing your eyes so they aren't so dry.  It never ends.  I'm also sick of having to turn page after page in magazines to bypass all the drug info in tiny print that they think we read.  I sometimes tear whole pages out of magazines if they're back to back drug ads.

Intolerant?  You bet!  Especially when these ads are rammed down your throat day in and day out for weeks and months.  You wouldn't believe the way I talk back to my television.  Well, maybe you would.  I'm also sick of hearing about certain celebrities who act STUPID and continue to get press.

It also disgusts me the way nut cases are covered for months on end.  Saw a story a few days ago about women who get up at 4:30 a.m to drive to get in line to be in the courtroom of that Jodi Arias case--the  dame who killed her boyfriend and stood on her head while waiting to be interviewed. It was reported that over a MILLION DOLLARS has been spent on this case. Money the AZ taxpayers are being charged.  She doesn't deny (not now anyhow) that she stabbed the guy 27 times but oh woe is me, he was mean to her and drove her to it.  Blah blah blah!

Something is wrong with this picture.  People are rearranging their lifestyle to sit all day in a courtroom and observe this garbage?  Obviously, their priorities are out of whack.  Everytime I see Nancy Grace is going to get a microphone again, I immediately change the channel.  A lot of the problem is the media.  They've managed to make something out of nothing and have worked it up to a fine art.

For example, Obama had to apologize for saying the attorny general was good looking. People took offense.  GIVE ME A BREAK!  And that coach who should have been fired....Yep!  He was an ass and good riddance but do we really need to see the video 16 times?! Sadly, we're going to see that video for the rest of our lives. Everytime I surf the upper channels to see if maybe this time there's something worth watching, it's the same ole low class dialog.  People being rude to each other while wearing next to nothing.  And how that Snooky continues to get a show is beyond me.  I feel sorry for her kid.

Okay. I got that off my chest. Now I'll say something good about TV.  There are some fun shows that I find entertaining.  Last night it was Flea Market Flip and Doc Martin.  I often stop to watch cooking shows. I never make any of their stuff cause who could afford the ingredients or the appliances and pans they have to cook with.   I enjoy those shows where they go in and fix up a house (Love it or Leave it) and I like to see people looking for a house to buy.  Course most of them are way too persnickety.  Does entertain me, though. Especially when I tell them what I think of their opinion.  Ha!

Most of the commercials are beyond dumb but some make me chuckle and watch them again and again.  Like that guy who's up at 3 am to talk to his Allstate agent and his wife comes downstairs in her housecoat thinking he's on the phone with his girl friend.  They crack me up and I laugh everytime.  Even if I have seen it more than I need to.