An old saying, “thick as fleas” and, hopefully, the reader understands I mean no disrespect.  I’m deeply immersed in Ancestry.com climbing the family tree. Friends are few, family is estranged, the computer my companion. The one thing I can leave as a gift to humanity: Document the Old German Baptist Brethren families entwined in the Frantz family tree. I start with a “cousin” and it takes hours to document  all the “leaves” on that branch. It leads to another branch and on-and-on. I knew so many of the individuals when I was researching for Frantz Families–Kith & Kin (published in 1996). Unashamed, I start weeping as I recall my interaction with the person. Yesterday, a dear friend’s family materialized and I “swung” on that branch for a while. In 1989, in Modesto, California, Lowell Beachler opened his home, and his files, to this pledging researcher.  I knew nothing of my ancestry; he knew my grandparents and my aunt and uncle. Lowell generously loaned books, and file folders, full of information that I hauled back to Lancaster, California, and carefully (religiously) copied into a genealogy software program. I had been invited to attend the Old German Baptist Brethren Annual Meeting. About one o’clock, on Saturday afternoon, between lunch and afternoon worship service, throngs of members standing around visiting with one another… Lowell did a sweeping gesture with his hand and arm. “You are related to more than half of these people.” I was introduced to “cousins” who, in turn, shared their research with me. Without exaggeration, for several years, I was flooded with information which I respectfully documented in my computer. I listed every source. (Sadly, “arm-chair” researchers, on Ancestry.com are careless with their documentation.) In those early years, genealogists did research “the old-fashioned way” in libraries, courthouses, and cemeteries. I did a lot of traveling; I visited in homes of “cousins.” Memories are vivid! Now I’m the “arm-chair” genealogist and I’m approaching this with the same reverence as 1989 to 2004.

You’ve heard me lament that I have too many project?! This morning, I’ve been searching for specific email messages. To my embarrassment, there are more than nine thousand messages at my address. I “check” my email and skip over those I don’t want to read. Obviously, messages have piled up. Safe to say, I should spend more time deleting excess messages and more time downsizing clutter in my trailer home (and the yard). I recognize that spending time on Ancestry and/or Family Search is my escape because I’m overwhelmed with “to do.” (Yesterday I “found” a fourth great-grandmother I’ve been searching for. Hallelujah!!)

My RV refrigerator is “sick” and needs repair. A dear friend took time–in June–to research and send links to YouTube videos. My “handy-dandy” (loved that guy) repairman is extremely busy with other jobs(?) and I’m preparing to send valuable resource information to another repairman. “Needle in a haystack” to find those earlier messages.

Above was start of message YESTERDAY. I found… and I sent… and await…. The message was unfinished because lack of sleep the previous night. Likewise, today, the message is brief due to lack of sleep. I was so encouraged (Monday) when I enjoyed a full night’s sleep. Premature praise?! Two subsequent nights tossing and turning. Not enough energy to type!!

The plants needed water; I couldn’t neglect them. In my humble opinion, the white cargo trailer makes a good background for pictures.

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Yours truly got a perfect night’s sleep: Ten PM until seven AM.  Usually, ten until two, then wide awake. This is awesome; I’m likely going to have a busy day. ~~ Hallelujah!!

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Yesterday, we had a brief thunderstorm (that cancelled out my Internet for a while). Enough rain… so I didn’t need to water plants this morning. A couple of hours doing tasks in the yard while doing a load of laundry.

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Gordon Robertson (CBN 700 Club) had a very, interesting segment regarding sleep. “Insomnia” is a major problem that troubles people of all ages. Honestly, I’m doing a lot of the right things: No food or drink for several hours before bedtime; no lights or TV in bedroom; lavender scent sprinkled around my pillow, etc., etc. Bottom line: See the doctor if the problem persists. Yuck!! I rarely go to a doctor and I do not take prescription drugs. To wrap up this paragraph, I’ve really had more “go power” today after a good night’s sleep.

Saturday and another “sauna” day.

According to Mark Twain “Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn’t.”

“Yours truly”  has been doing detective work on Ancestry.com. It is peculiar, I confess, because I was searching for the second husband of the wife of my first-cousin two-times-removed. (Understand?) Her death record listed her married name (at death) as “Beach.” Thus started a lengthy search for a marriage. At last…, and the name of the spouse was Vern Beach. On Ancestry I “tried” several possibilities and came up with a spouse name “Nellie.” Still couldn’t find “Vern Beach.” The search for Nellie was straight forward, no problems. Via a circuitous route, I found “Vern.” Would you believe his name is Remus LaVerne Beach (1891-1955). No wonder I had difficulty finding him!! When I finally had his name, “hints” were numerous. His father’s name is Remus Orlando Beach and his mother is Rebecca Hauty. Seriously, I wouldn’t fabricate this information. I am a fanatic about family history accuracy. The careless record information in Ancestry member family trees is criminal (in my humble opinion). I’m making it my job to “clean up” the mistakes.

Below, see the record showing I recently moved beyond 9,999 individuals in my Ancestry database.

Once upon a time, I heard that women don’t perspire, they “glow.” I did a lot of “glowing” this morning!!

“Feels like”  ninety degrees. This afternoon will be a sauna!! I finished watering early. Next, a trip into Livingston for groceries.

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…to buy a fat pig. Home again, home again, jigity, jig!!”

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No, I didn’t buy a fat pig!! The only meat was sliced turkey breast for sandwiches. Watermelon, peaches, grapes, apples and lots of salad veggies. No wine or soda; no cookies… all the “healthy stuff.”

…time spent in the yard. My garden is so rewarding!!