My “body clock” has gone haywire!! I went back to bed at 4:00 AM and slept until almost 8:00. Because I promised to be there, I dressed and went to the Clubhouse for a waffle–and fellowship. During that time, I just wanted to be home, in my comfortable chair. Shortly after nine, I was home, in my comfortable chair, and quickly fell asleep–until 12 noon. As I write this, my “body clock” is begging for more sleep. I will force myself to stay awake and keep active this afternoon.

Occasionally, my mind brings words to my remembrance. I spent several years living in Paris, France, and learned enough of the language to survive. Today, “tout de suite”  is uppermost in my mind. No, I’m not thinking about Ancestry or “climbing the family tree.”  I want resolution for my sleep problem–and I want it immediately. Today is spectacularly worrisome because I want to sleep all day. I don’t want to leave my comfortable chair. I forced myself to prepare a salad for lunch; I forced myself to prepare “clip art”—and pictures—for this message; I forced myself to sit at the computer. It’s a BEAUTIFUL day and I could be working in the carport, and storage, on my downsizing projects.

Postscript 6:20 PM: The weatherman says today’s high temperature broke all records—all the way back to 1938. A “cold front” is coming and freezing temperatures soon. “Yoyo weather”!!

“No,”  I didn’t go with my neighbors to Magnolia. I wanted to go but that area has a reputation for crowds of people. I am so wary of the Coronavirus; I don’t want to risk being exposed. Instead, I did two loads of laundry. I enjoyed homemade vegetable soup for lunch. “Extraordinary day”  because Waco temperature reached eighty–two degrees and tied the previous record for high temperature on December 9th. Dumb Lorraine (?) running the dryer–and heating soup—on a hot day!!  ~~~ I spent time exploring a way to make my bed “better” so I might enjoy a good night’s sleep. (1) The air mattress received a little more air, (2) my decades–old Nikken mattress topper was added, and (3) a “Mickey Mouse” effort to elevate the head of my bed. ~~~ It has been suggested that I spend “too much time on the computer.” Last night, I watched a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel–while sipping Sleepy Time tea.

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Confession: Lorraine respects the information from individuals on FOX NEWS. I rarely watch ABC, CBS, NBC, or the other “leftist” networks. How extremely tragic that a man would destroy the Christmas tree on FOX Square.  Almost overnight, the tree was rebuilt, and we watched the lighting this evening. ~~ “We’ll not be defeated.”

…prior to a sightseeing trip.

A neighbor couple has invited me to accompany them to Magnolia. In my head, I have a lot of “hearsay” information but I thought it would be good to check the Internet for information. I’ve lived in Waco for twenty-three months and have never been to that tourist attraction. (I’ve been a “stuck-at-home” and “hate Waco traffic” person.)

That old saying “Too soon old, too late smart.”

The more I think about it… the crowds… my option is “thanks, but no thanks.” A month ago, I visited the Waco Zoo with a neighbor and her twin daughters. We were in the big wide-open area and a safe distance from other visitors.

I’m always cleaning up messes!! I have very little respect for the Find A Grave  information. Frequently their published information does not match Social Security Death Index (SSDI) and/or funeral home information.  ~~ Read the complaints on this website and see that other folks are dissatisfied. ~~ In case you missed the date (because I failed to point it out), Find A Grave (top left) says Margaret passed away in 1935.

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POSTSCRIPT

The repeat of a blog message originally published on June 15th, 2021. ~~~ Lorraine was doing something unusual; Lorraine was cleaning house!! ~~ There was a heart–stopping moment with the realization of the treasure in my hands. The newspaper was turning brown although only eighteen months old. A lady-friend at Rainbow’s End RV Park, in Livingston, Texas, read the poem to the residents gathered for a Christmas potluck supper (2019). I loved that poem and asked for a copy. Pat generously gave me the newspaper. Today (6/15/21), I typed the words so the “Christmas poem” is my June poem gift to my friends and family.

‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were laid on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed.
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a minute this must be THE DAY!
The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus, returning like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in his hand,
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said “It’s not here” my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
While all the rest were left standing around,
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There’s only one life and when comes the last call
We’ll find that the Bible was true after all.

Author is Lou Pinter

The news is so negative, I don’t want to watch television. Criticism of folks who have not been vaccinated, looting,  murders…  Add escalating grocery and gas prices. Plus, disregard for Christian values and (IMHO) “too much emphasis on Santa.”

It is so frustrating to be “out of kilter.”

I desperately need a good night’s sleep!! I’ve been drinking Sleepy Time tea before bedtime and it gives me approximately three to four hours of sleep. Then I’m wide awake, tossing and turning, lecturing myself to “go to sleep, Lorraine.” ~~ I refuse to take prescription drugs; I’ve tried over-the-counter sleep aids and they, too, only promote about four hours of sleep. Why is this happening to me? I’m so tired; I haven’t a teaspoon of energy!! ~~ I get up and almost immediately sit down at the computer. When I’m preparing a blog message, or “climbing the family tree,” fatigue and sleeplessness are forgotten.

My eighty-seventh birthday is just around the corner; I have a passionate desire to “get ‘er done.” There is so much more to do with my extended family. “Cousins by the dozens.” I love to prepare charts (art?) illustrating family relationships. Repeat: There is so much more to do with my extended family. I’m dedicated to accuracy and there are so many errors in other Ancestry Member Family Trees. It’s due to “same name,” same location, similar birth dates. I take everything into consideration… and sometimes spend hours researching one family unit. These are “real people” to me; they aren’t just a name on an ancestry chart. I sympathize and say “poor baby” when I observe that the mother died within hours of giving birth. ~~ I’m an old–fashioned researcher in an age of “instant” everything. Instant Ancestry??

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Postscript, 1:00 PM, after several hours of research and preparation of another illustration geared to accurately document several individuals. The collage has four separate images… and “mental gymnastics” from start to finish.