Or, old lady is “too short” or old lady’s “arms are too short”??

.

Thwarted?! Best of intentions to spend time working in the yard. Discouraged… so returned to the comfort of my computer. “Stay home, stay safe, don’t climb ladders.”

…an interesting blog message.

That day, a second blog message titled Ignoramus. Frankly, I’m shocked when I look at pictures of myself one year ago because I’ve aged drastically in one year. In many respects, such a difference in one year!! Pretty jewelry, enjoyable experiences associated with the cruise. I was elbow-to-elbow with crowds of people. Now we avoid crowds and bump elbows rather than a handshake or hug.

More interesting reading (if interested). A second story about my first-cousin-five-times-removed. It was quite by accident that I found myself in the forest of “Smith” trees. Living (now) in Waco, Texas, it is appropriate to read some Texas history. ~~ Just for the fun of it, I’ve added the cousin chart (below). Our “cousin relationship” is “off the chart.”  🙂  I don’t believe in evolution but I added the carton “just for the fun of it.”   🙂

.

Hot coffee to start my day but “sun tea” (iced) later. The predicted “feels like” temperature will exceed 100.

Hey, I keep “chocking in” so you know I haven’t “checked out.”

Son and great-grandson.

This morning, a neighbor stopped by to see if I’m OK. “No, I’m going crazy.”  I confessed that I went three days in my pajamas. I didn’t care whether I brushed my hair or brushed my teeth. “Neighbor” and I had a  wonderful visit–sitting about six feet apart on my porch. At his urging, I dressed appropriately, got my neglected purse and car keys. With fear and trembling, I ventured out for one-hour-fifteen minutes. I drove slowly through a couple of shopping centers trying to decide on a fast-food establishment. The parking lots were full… and people walking to and from the stores. Nobody was wearing a mask!! Taco Bell was my choice and the “woman at the window” was the only person I saw wearing a mask!!  ~~~~ Moments ago (2:20 CDT), Dr. Oz was talking about the “anxiety” many people are experiencing during this pandemic. So rather than saying “going crazy,”  I should say I’m “feeling anxious.”

Waco traffic is terrible!! Laugh with me or at me (that’s OK). I compare my recent experience to “a cat on a hot tin roof”!! ‘Twas very uncomfortable and I was eager to get home. Personally, I was alarmed to see people “out shopping” as though things were “back to normal.” Continuing with “the cat” illustration: I’m a scaredy-cat and I’ll postpone shopping!! I want to live healthy and continue “climbing trees.”

Last night, I was climbing the “Smith” tree and was inclined to add a couple of paragraphs to a couple of individuals. Read it here or go to Amanda in my Ancestry database.

It’s complicated: Amanda Melissa Barnes (1809-1886) was married to my second-cousin-four-times-removed, Warren Smith (1794-1838). Warren was killed in the Haun’s Mill Massacre (do a Google search for details). Amanda was one of Warren’s several wives. After his death she became one of the many wives of Joseph Smith (1805-1844), founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It’s complicated when an individual attempts to trace relatives with the “Smith” surname. I’ve searched… and have not located a connection between my branch of the Smith tree and the Joseph Smith tree.

My fifth-great-grandfather and Warren’s grandfather, Cheleab Smith Jr. (1742-1843), lived one-hundred-years-six-months.

I’m not a Mormon but I’m a genealogist and historian. One can spend hours reading very interesting information about these families. Again I suggest: Do a Google search.

Here is an excerpt from an article regarding the Haun’s Mill Massacre; this is the son of Amanda and Warren Smith. Members of the militia entered the shop and found ten-year-old Sardius Smith hiding under the blacksmith’s bellows. William Reynolds put his musket against the boy’s skull and blew off the top of his head. Reynolds later explained, “Nits will make lice, and if he had lived he would have become a Mormon.”