Below is an exchange of email messages. I had expressed disappointment because a cousin didn’t share information, and failed to express appreciation for my thorough research. Another cousin wrote a beautiful message that sent my spirits soaring!! A few kind words and I’m energized to delve into more challenging family relationships.  ~~ Three kind cousins, this week, are subjects of my “attitude of gratitude.”

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Honestly, I do not have enough praise words in my vocabulary for my genealogy cousins! Two dear cousins offered to help me with research for the man named William F. Lee also known as William Forest Daniels. Those two have subscriptions to additional genealogy sources. I use Ancestry.com and FamilySearch. I must confess that I am very disappointed because the cousin who requested my help doesn’t have “thank you” in her vocabulary. After hundreds of hours of research, we still do not have an answer to “Why did he change his name?”.

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It is so difficult to find information regarding the families in my recent research project. Skeletons in the closet? Repeat: I have a tiger by the tail and I can’t let go!!

Early this morning, I watered the plants in the yards of two neighbor ladies. Then, in my yard, I climbed a step- ladder and inserted bulbs in the new string of lights.  The remainder of the day was spent at the computer–climbing the family tree–attempting to find “sources” of information for an extended (extended) family member. I didn’t fix a meal; I snacked.

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I was “tired” when I got up at 6:30 this morning. (1) I watered the plants in the neighbor’s yard. (2) I enjoyed coffee with the guys, at the clubhouse. (3) Another  “traveling” neighbor’s yard needed tender loving care (and I was there). (4) “Motivated”… I worked in my yard for more than an hour. (5) Hot, and very tired, “the old lady” retreated to her comfortable chair. (6) Prepared this blog message…

My neighbor lady is in England to deliver a speech at a conference. Afterward, she will tour England, Ireland, and Scotland. For me, her yard is “foreign soil” and I’m there to visit her plants. This experience takes me back to the years–in Livingston–when I spent time in my “yarden.”  Enjoyable hours each day tending to my dozens of plants–and an exaggerated effort to have a beautiful yard. In contrast, my yard–in Waco–is neglected and I spend almost all my time sitting at the computer. I’m hoping and praying my early start mornings will lead me to “tend” to neglected projects. (Due to the heat… I must visit her yard early each morning.)

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I planned to ignore Ancestry for a few days (a few hours?) but a cousin was frustrated with inconsistent documentation. He asked for clarification (because he says he trusts my research) so I immediately leaped into action.  I quickly recognized my information is flawed (if it is flawed) and this will require hours of scrutiny.  Information NOT noted on the image: A different set of parents. I confessed to the error (if it is an error) when I published the image with the controversial individuals (on Ancestry). Who’s who? To my credit: I am usually correct and “the other guy” made the mess. (I’m just a janitor cleaning up messes?!)

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Doctor’s appointment (scheduled every six months) and she convinced me to take a prescription drug for my sleep/fatigue problem (and I balk at prescriptions), It’s not working! ~~ The doctor is concerned with the weight loss but I’m delighted. I have no appetite; it’s easy to skip meals. Ancestry is my medicine and I’ve been involved with tangled relationships. I research… and I prepare collages to attach to the individuals. Ancestry subscribers copy one another’s mistakes!! They seem oblivious to errors that are obvious to me.

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Confession: “Stale news” because “too busy” doing research and documentation to prepare a blog message.

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This image of the current outdoor temperature is the only up-to-date information.