Some Days
Have you ever had one of those days in which you are just mad at the world for no reason? Today was one of those for me. A few years ago I would have snapped at everyone but I've learned it just makes you madder. So I managed to get through this dreary day and came home and relaxed for awhile. Played around with Photostudio for awhile and liked some of the results. I would like Photoshop and downloaded the 30 day trial version a few months ago but the price tag is just a little too much especially when I have my eyes on a new camera with better and interchangeable zoom lens. I missed a great picture of a red tailed hawk the other day because I couldn't get close enough.
That put me into a good enough mood to call another of my Dad's cousins. He is a sprightly 91 year old! It's hard calling family out of the blue when you don't know them but he was more than welcoming. His was able to confirm that my grandmother worked for a newspaper in Bloomington Illinois. He also told me that she was a secretary for Adlai Stevenson, not the one who ran for president but his father. And I also learned she was a pianist. She died in 1943 I believe though I still haven't been able to find the exact date nor the circumstance.
Such are the interesting tidbits that family history is made of. I had known that my grandfather had joined the Army when he was 17. He was told he would be a pilot. This is 1922, think bi-planes. He did learn to fly, something which I never knew about him. The only problem was, once he did learn to fly, the Army being like it was then, assigned him the duty of repairing the wings of the planes. They were made of fabric so he spent his time sewing! Not being the glamorous pilot as he wanted, he let out how old he really was and was given an honorable discharge.
My Dad's cousin was able to tell me so much. Some I had deduced from the information I had at hand but it is still good to have confirmation. The best thing is his son is also doing genealogy research and I should be receiving more information in the mail.
Some days you just don't know what to expect!
posted by SEAWITCH at
7:06:00 PM
10 Comments:
Wow-sewing, even. What a cool history...
chris,
I learned a lot but it means I have to find out more and it is pretty cool. I can picture my grandpa doing something like that stunt!
Fascinating! I think more guys did 'girl' things than we thought. My grandfather could knit really well. He told me once that everyone made their own socks back in the 1800's (he was born in 1889)
I was lucky enough to have one of my uncles dig up our family tree back to the arrival in this country.
carola,
I have been fortunate to have been able to trace two family lines. One to the early 1700's and one to the early 1800's. It's fascinating to learn about your ancestors and I've been learning for ten years now.
That's so cool. I am fascinated by my family's history. We got as far back as 1630 on the dad's surname side, when my 8X great grandfather arrived. I have a copy of his will. I have unconfirmed tracings that go back further, but until I have proof, I won't count it.
carola,
I know what you mean. On one side, I have one possible ancestor who fought in the American Revolution but don't yet the documentation needed. Still working on it.
"I missed a great picture of a red tailed hawk the other day because I couldn't get close enough."
Awww... Id love to see that one!!
Seawith - get the camera!!
felis,
I am. I already have it picked out and some lens chosen. It might be a couple of weeks or months.
How interesting! What a great thing you're doing. Terrific story about sewing instead of being a pilot. Wild.
esther,
My father was estranged from his family for decades. So it was great to able to call and find out things.
I love the story about the sewing! He had some other antics that I'll post about later.
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