“Experimenting” with the refrigerator. Now that I have an ample supply of propane, I’ll see if the RV refrigerator will operate in that mode.  Folks with more savvy (than “yours truly”) have asked if it works on propane but I was reluctant to deplete my limited supply. When I “switched” (from electric), there was a brief piercing noise that frightened me. I got out the manual and the noise is a built-in safety. I had a problem with the refrigerator manual: The print is so tiny I had difficulty reading WITH A MAGNIFYING GLASS. ~~ Old age is such a “bummer”!!

Saturday, September 10, 2018: The “propane” feature function is identical to electric, Eventually, I need a repairman. I’m so grateful for the “house” refrigerator in the laundry room. Less convenient but large and extremely cold.

It was inevitable?! I got around to searching information regarding Lorraine Evon Frantz Edwards and was shocked to find hundreds of women named Lorraine Edwards. Even Lorraine E. Edwards–and they are NOT me. Many “Mrs. L.E. Edwards” in the Los Angeles, California, area. It is absolutely scary!!! I kid you not; I searched hundreds of records (on Ancestry.com).

Delightfully pleasant “Labor Day”: Overcast, misting rain, temperature in the high seventies. I was tempted to spend the entire day in the yard (but, due to limited energy, didn’t). It is so much easier to sit at the computer and “climb the family tree.” That task is curtailed because the clouds, and rain, have interfered with the satellite Internet connection.  😦   Honestly, no Internet means I can’t upload today’s pictures to this blog message. Without the computer/Internet, it is like having my hands tied behind my back (lol). The computers got a work out this past weekend. More than thirty hours on Ancestry.com. I started with a less-familiar “cousin” surname and it led to another and then, OMG, another Frantz wife. (Frantz women surprise and delight me!! Ancestry Member Family Trees frustrate me because so many careless errors. I’m focused on documenting accurate information. ) 

Starting a “search” yesterday, I noticed the total number of individuals in my Frantz Family Tree. But that’s insignificant compared to the fifty-thousand in my genealogy software program (in the mid-nineteen-ninety’s. Tragically, the computer “crashed” and the data could not be retrieved [even though I had back-ups]. Fortunately, the book Frantz Families–Kith & Kin had been published so not a total loss.)  I’m enjoying the use of both my laptops, at the same time, because I can have Family Search, or Frantz Families–Kith & Kin, on one and read information and type into Ancestry.)

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“Dangling” tree limbs annoy me too!! I waded through brush to position myself and grab a dead limb–and ended up with scratches on my bare legs (I wear shorts around home). **If** I were younger, I’d climb up and clean the roof. I don’t do very well on level ground and almost titled this blog “Dizzie Dame.”

8:00 PM: With my fingers crossed, I’ll try to “publish”…. Limited Internet most of the day!! 

Have you been around a negative person and had the thought “I wish they would say something nice”?  Today, I want to sing high praises for Ancestry.com!! I apologize for all my negative comments which, more specifically, relate to misinformation on “individual member trees.” I’m a “computer person”–been using computers since the 1980’s (the “dark ages”). Hey, I remember when Ancestry was a genealogy publication. I speculate that Ancestry.com must have an awesome super computer!! As I move from family individual to individual, within seconds “hints” will be available. It is so routine, “so expected,” we rarely think about the marvelous technology behind that quick response. THANK YOU, Ancestry.com!!

I confess to climbing trees. Yesterday, all day, climbing the family tree. The day before, because less humidity, I worked for several hours in the yard. I climbed the ladder and cut tree limbs.  Yes, I know it isn’t the correct time of year to “prune” but I “do” as I have energy, and knowledge. Recently, I learned the identity of several trees (Crepe Myrtle) and these were far too tall. Next year they should be healthy, hardy and full of blooms.  This property was vacant for several years so the yard was neglected. I’ll be honest, I “know” I shouldn’t be climbing ladders BUT (imho) it needs to be done, and “help” is non-existent.

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.