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The weather is dark and gloomy but seventy degrees outdoors as I type this at eleven o’clock. After the pancake breakfast in the CARE Center, I started projects in my yard. Fresh air!! (Implying my indoor air is stale??) There is still a moderate amount of wind–but gale force yesterday. (Well, maybe not “gale force” because technically 39 to 54 mph. Ours was reported at 30 mph.) First: First aid for a small bird trapped inside a feeder. Second: Replenished the several bird feeders. ~~ Next trip to Livingston, I need to buy more bird seed.

Don’t believe it; it’s a lie. It “feels” quite chilly on a dark gloomy windy day!!

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OMG, twelve noon, and I’m still in my pajamas!!

Two days… and I can’t tear myself away from the computer. I’m having a ball!!  So much information–and so many challenges. If you are remotely interested, check this link.*

Question: Can I lose weight from the exercise of digging up ancestors?? Honestly, a lot of work goes into this endeavor!!

Today, I searched a Frantz relative named Marietta. Dates were all wrong, her parents were identified incorrectly. It’s a long story and I’ll bet you aren’t interested. It took hours to sort out the mess.  I found her, first, in Census records, in the Kansas State Asylum. Her whole life in institutions; how sad.

My indoor-outdoor thermometer says it is sixty-eight degrees outdoors. I haven’t been out, and no plans to go out. It is a cloudy, gloomy day with strong winds. 

Postscript, seven o’clock PM: The wind was over thirty miles-per-hour. I’ve wondered if the awning would be torn off and fly away like a kite. ~~ I’m still at the computer; I’m still in my pajamas!!

*(Oops!! Link to my personal account failed. Sorry!!)

…at seven o’clock in the evening!!

I’ve been glued to the computer since noon yesterday. It was almost one AM when I went to bed.

I received an email message with a question about my Frantz ancestors. I answered… and then checked Ancestry.com. It has been a marathon; I can’t tear myself away from the computer!!

I’m a “stickler” for accuracy so could not resist emailing a comment regarding a record with the son born before his father (lol). Below read the exchange of messages.

The blog reader is familiar with messages about my garden, birds, etc., etc. This blog message is a confession that I’m obsessive-compulsive about genealogy, too. I’m adding some “links” in case you want to see my “Frantz family tree.”*

Please check–and correct–dates for Abraham (b. 1730) and his father, Baltzer, that you have listed with birth date 1739.  Am I contacting Evelyn Rosemary Frantz?? If so, sincere greetings from Lorraine!!

 

No this is not Rosemary Frantz, but I know her. She helped me with many people in the Frantz family. My husband is Evan Patrick and his grandmother is Ida Frantz and greatgrandfather is Jacob Frantz.
I have looked at your book with all of the Frantz information. I met you at the Tippecanoe County Genealogy Library several years ago.
Good to hear from you again, and thank you for the information.
Rose Mary Patrick

~~~~~

How delightful to hear from you, Rose Mary. Sometimes messages go unanswered. Especially if someone is writing about a perceived problem. The birth dates on that record couldn’t be ignored.

I enjoyed my time with Rosemary Frantz–and the visit to the Tippecanoe library. Perhaps it was you that took me into a room with large volumes of records. I saw the written original marriage record of Frantz great-grandparents. It was awesome!! I’ve never had a similar unique experience with public records.

Rosemary Frantz  wrote to me (probably 1988) with the answer to a problem. I could not connect my great-great-grandparents to the Frantz information already in circulation. With her scribbled notes, she pointed out that I only had “the subsequent marriage.” She helped me link myself to Immigrant Michael Frantz and a wonderful avalanche of information on Frantz and collateral lines.

Publishing Frantz Families–Kith & Kin was an honor. I started from zero and amassed the enormous amount of data. A couple of years ago, I put the information on a website of the same name. People will be able to search… and copy… for their records. Not everyone can travel to Allen County Library, or Salt Lake FHC, or Brethren Heritage Center (Brookville, Ohio).

I moved from Lancaster, California, to Brookville, Ohio, to be a volunteer at the Brethren Heritage Center. The OGBB director thought me “too worldly.” My vast personal library–and my heart–are there. I moved to North Carolina, and more recently to Texas. I’ve done very little family history but have a neglected account with Ancestry. A few days ago, I paid (renewed subscription)… and I peeked… and now I am compulsively adding families to my Frantz records.

Again, Rose Mary, sincere thanks for the reply. For more information on my activities, check my blog titled Three Quarters and Counting. (I remember the Patrick family. A Modesto, California, “cousin” published a small book [that I purchased]. Oh my, what is his name?)

Very best wishes from Lorraine Frantz Edwards

We had a sunny, warm day but I didn’t step outdoors. (I didn’t go to the CARE Dining Room, either, nor the potluck supper at the Activity Center in the RV Park.)

This is southeast Texas.

The Winter weather should be warmer!? My only consolation: Millions of Americans are suffering much colder weather. I really agonize for residents in our northern states.

Remarkable movement, weather-wise!!

Twenty degrees in two hours–en route to the sixties!!

10:00 o’clock and I’m going to uncover the plants and fill the bird feeders.

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Twenty-three degree jump in four hours (outdoors, in the shade).

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Thirty-one degree jump between seven A.M. and one P.M.

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Forty degree jump between seven A.M. and 4:44 P.M.

…as I watch television showing the horrible weather in the Northeast. I wrap up in a blanket (while watching) because I “feel” the cold!! My trailer must sympathize, too?? The furnace isn’t working!! A cold-front is moving into Texas and our temperature will drop twenty degrees within a few hours. I’m taking a coffee break (at 8:30)… but I’ve worked to correct the problem. I’ve flipped breaker switches–and still no power to many outlets. I’ve searched for another set of breakers; I’m searching my brain for a possible solution. I’d call my friend, Dave, but he and Vicki are camped in the desert Southeast corner of California near Arizona and Mexico. (Dave installed my TV antenna, pre-amplifier and rotator–after changing bracket supporting my TV set. He was a gracious, kind, considerate volunteer at CARE for several months.)

Pouring raining as I write this (8:50) and sixty-four degrees outdoors. The weather report says we may have freezing temperatures overnight!! I can bring the tomato plant indoors but will need to find some way to cover the recently transplanted Cape Honeysuckle and Mandevilla.

Feeling negative!! Keep me in your thoughts and prayers??

Postscript, 1:15 PM: Forty-two degrees!! Four hours later and temperature has dropped twenty-two degrees. Only a drizzle of rain right now.

2:30: Thirty-nine degrees. Too cold and wet to work on covers for the plants?!

4:00 PM: Weatherman just announced that the “wind chill” makes it feel like freezing.

4:40 PM: I braved the very unpleasant weather and covered plants. Some… under the awning; some indoors. The forecast indicates even colder tomorrow night!!

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Postscript, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, 1:45 PM: Forty-seven degrees when I filled bird feeders.

With a total of nine bird feeders in use (and three for decorations) you know I feed a lot of birds. Count them? With a five acre field for my front yard, speculate how many Robins find their meal. 

I feel negative for a few minutes and then look out my windows and count my blessings. I have such a pleasant view!! The squirrel–on “bird” feeders–isn’t a problem.

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I have several books and brochures to identify birds. But I’m uncertain about the flocks of dark-color birds.

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There are dozens (hundreds?) of robins on the field outside my window.  I’m lovin’ the view!! (Robins do not eat from bird feeders; they are enjoying earthworms.)

(I love to prepare blog messages!)

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Eleven o’clock update: Robins are gone but the parade of visitors continues.

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While fixing a salad for lunch, through my kitchen window, I watched two Doves enjoying sunflower seeds that dropped from the feeder.

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Two o’clock: There are lots of birds like this. I don’t know their name because so many have similar appearance. I’ve checked several sources.

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Four-fifteen: It’s raining lightly–and the robins are back. Seriously, dozens!!

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Five-ten: Better than television (IMHO).