Merry Christmas, 2010

GENEALOGIST'S CHRISTMAS EVE

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse.
The dining room table with clutter was spread
with pedigree charts and with letters which said...

"Too bad about the data for which you wrote
Sank in a storm on an ill-fated boat."
Stacks of old copies of wills and the such
were proof that my work had become much too much.

Our children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.
And I at my table was ready to drop
From work on my album with photos to crop.

Christmas was here, and of such was my lot
That presents and goodies and toys I'd forgot.
Had I not been so busy with grandparents' wills,
I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills.

While others had bought gifts that would bring Christmas cheer,
I'd spent my time researching those birthdates and years.
While I was thus musing about my sad plight,
A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright.

Away to the window I flew in a flash,
Tore open the drapes and I yanked up the sash.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But an overstuffed sleight and eight small reindeer.

Up to the housetop the reindeer they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys, and 'ole Santa Claus, too.
And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs.

The TV antenna was no match for their horns,
And look at our roof with hoof-prints adorned.
As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash,
Down the cold chimney fell Santa--KER-RASH!

"Dear" Santa had some for the roof in a wreck,
And tracked soot on the carpet (I could wring his short neck!).
Spotting my face, good old Santa could see
I had no Christmas spirit you'd have to agree.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings (I felt like a jerk).
Here was Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy;
When I'd been too busy for even one toy.

He spied my research on the table all spread
"A genealogist!" He cried! (My face was all red!)
"Tonight I've met many like you," Santa grinned,
As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned.

I gazed with amazement-the cover it read
"Genealogy Lines for Which You have Plead."
"I know what it's like as a genealogy bug,"
He said as he gave me a great Santa hug.

While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry,
I do some research in the North Pole Library."
"A special treat I am thus able to bring,
To genealogy folks who can't find a thing.

Now off you go to your bed for a rest,
I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess."
As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee,
I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me.

While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle
To his team, which then rose like the down of a thistle.
And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
"Family History is Fun! Merry Christmas! Goodnight!"

My Friend

My friend went home to be with the Lord on November 16, 2010, after a long battle with cancer. Her name was Barbara Jane Presnell Elliott Parker. She had two children and three grandchildren. I had known her for 5 years. I met her when my husband and I moved to the condo. She was my neighbor. I taught her to use her new computer. I introduced her to genealogy. She had a passion for researching and enjoyed it so much. We made many trips to other counties to do researching; we had lunch out many times; we had lots of long talks. She was a brave and courageous person in the battle for her life. She loved the Lord, her family and her life. I will miss her.

Genealogist Prayer

"A PRAYER FOR GENEALOGISTS"
<<<<<>>>>>
LORD, HELP ME DIG INTO THE PAST
AND SIFT THE SANDS OF TIME.
THAT I MIGHT FIND THE ROOTS THAT MADE
THIS FAMILY TREE OF MINE.
<<<<<>>>>>
LORD, HELP ME TRACE THE ANCIENT ROADS
ON WHICH MY FATHER'S TROD.
AND LED THEM THROUGH SO MANY LANDS
TO FIND OUR PRESENT SOD.
<<<<<>>>>>
LORD, HELP ME FIND AN ANCIENT BOOK
OR DUSTY MANUSCRIPT.
THATS SAFELY HIDDEN NOW AWAY
IN SOME FORGOTTEN CRYPT.
<<<<<>>>>>
LORD, LET IT BRIDGE THE GAP THAT HAUNTS
MY SOUL WHEN I CAN'T FIND,
THE MISSING LINK BETWEEN SOME NAME
THAT ENDS THE SAME AS MINE.

Why I Like Fall.......

Fall is my favorite time of the year, followed by Spring. I love the leaf color, the cooler days, getting out and walking. It has also pushed me back to the computer and to work on my Genealogy. People ask, "Aren't you finished yet???" I say, "You're never finished with genealogy. There is always more to look up and ask about. More cemeteries to visit. More letters to write. More message boards to visit and post queries." So with that being said, I am pulling out the notes I've scribbled on napkins, getting out the list of things I've jotted down all summer, reviewing the things I did last Spring (before my garden started producing) and this smile you see on my face is because I am going to visit my ancestors. I've missed them!

I planted a row of sunflowers in front of my vegetable garden this summer. It was my first time. I hoped the sunflowers would grow tall and strong and they did. Some of them are over 7 foot tall and have huge faces. I love looking at them. They not only brighten my garden but they brighten my summer days as well .....

Thank God that we are living in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. There are many in our country who live here and do not appreciate it. They are always wanting to change something. They are too liberal and narrow minded to appreciate what our forefathers went through in order that we could live in this beautiful and wonderful country today. God Bless America, Land that I Love......

The Flour Sack, by Colleen B. Hubert

WHEN ROADS WERE GRAVELED AND BARRELS WERE STAVED,
WHEN WORN-OUT CLOTHING WAS USED AS RAGS,
AND THERE WERE NO PLASTIC WRAP OR BAGS,
AND THE WELL AND THE PUMP WERE WAY OUT BACK,
A VERSITILE ITEM, WAS THE FLOUR SACK.

PILLSBURY'S BEST, MOTHER'S AND GOLD MEDAL, TOO
STAMPED THEIR NAMES PROUDLY IN PURPLE AND BLUE.
THE STRING SEWN ON TOP WAS PULLED AND KEPT;
THE FLOUR EMPTIED AND SPILLS WERE SWEPT.
THE BAG WAS FOLDED AND STORED IN A SACK
THAT DURABLE, PRACTICAL FLOUR SACK.

THE SACK COULD BE FILLED WITH FEATHERS AND DOWN,
FOR A PILLOW, OR T'WOULD MAKE A NICE SLEEPING GOWN.
IT COULD CARRY A BOOK AND BE A SCHOOL BAG,
OR BECOME A MAIL SACK SLUNG OVER A NAG.
IT MADE A VERY CONVENIENT PACK,
THAT ADAPTABLE, COTTON FLOUR SACK.

BLEACHED AND SEWN, IT WAS DUTIFULLY WORN
AS BIBS, DIAPERS, OR KERCHIEF ADORNED.
IT WAS MADE INTO SKIRTS, BLOUSES AND SLIPS.
AND MOM BRAIDED RUGS FROM ONE HUNDRED STRIPS
SHE MADE RUFFLED CURTAINS FOR THE HOUSE OR SHACK,
FROM THAT HUMBLE BUT TREASURED FLOUR SACK!

AS A STRAINER FOR MILK OR APPLE JUICE,
TO WAVE MEN IN, IT WAS A VERY GOOD USE,
AS A SLING FOR A SPRAINED WRIST OR A BREAK,
TO HELP MOTHER ROLL UP A JELLY CAKE,
AS A WINDOW SHADE OR TO STUFF A CRACK,
WE USED A STURDY, COMMON FLOUR SACK!

AS DISH TOWELS, EMBROIDERED OR NOT,
THEY COVERED UP DOUGH, HELPED PASS PANS SO HOT,
TIED UP DISHES FOR NEIGHBORS IN NEED,
AND FOR MEN OUT IN THE FIELD TO SEED.
THEY DRIED DISHES FROM PAN, NOT RACK
THAT ABSORBENT, HANDY FLOUR SACK!

WE POLISHED AND CLEANED STOVE AND TABLE,
SCOURED AND SCRUBBED FROM CELLAR TO GABLE,
WE DUSTED THE BUREAU AND OAK BED POST,
MADE COSTUMES FOR OCTOBER (A SCARY GHOST)
AND A PARACHUTE FOR A CAT NAMED JACK.
FROM THAT LOWLY, USEFUL OLD FLOUR SACK!

SO NOW MY FRIENDS, WHEN THEY ASK YOU
AS CURIOUS YOUNGSTERS OFTEN DO,
"BEFORE PLASTIC WRAP, ELMERS GLUE
AND PAPER TOWELS, WHAT DID YOU DO?"
TELL THEM LOUDLY AND WITH PRIDE DON'T LACK,
"GRANDMOTHER HAD THAT WONDERFUL FLOUR SACK!"