Worldless Wednesday

Tombstone Tuesday

This fall I had the opportunity to visit Mackinac Island. My husband and I explored the island on bikes. We came upon St. Ann’s Cemetery in the center of the island. Wandering through the cemetery, I discovered this precious tombstone. There is a lucky penny sitting on this little lamb headstone!

Home Is Where Your Story Begins

Everything begins at home. While 1625 Lincoln Avenue was neither my first home nor my last, it was my childhood home. It is here that I lived during my formative years and where my childhood memories reside. 1625 Lincoln Avenue gives me warm, fuzzy feelings. If stories begin at home, I can think of no better title for this blog of mine for this is where my story began.

My family home was built in 1953. My parents purchased it on 20 November 1957 from A. Edward and Alice Leclair. Mom and Dad lived at 1625 Lincoln Avenue for fifty two years! Failing health necessitated the move to a condominium on St. Patrick’s Day, 2005. 

Our last family photograph at 1625 Lincoln Avenue!

 

We grew up happily in our three bedroom, one bath home! Creative problem solving skills were perfected with four children (two of them teenagers) and one bathroom. My father got first “dibs” on the bathroom every morning, which meant he needed to rise early for his chance at the bathroom! Sorry Dad!

My Dad was a pretty smart man. I think he might have been an engineer had he had the opportunity to attend college. Necessity was the object of my father’s inventions. Tired of living without air conditioning, Dad decided to air condition our home. He designed and built the ductwork from scratch and installed the compressors by himself! He also designed, built and installed our garage door opener. He would get a little frustrated when asked, “Are you sure this is going to work?”

Genealogists search court records for deeds and property transfers. Acquiring deeds from Cook County is on my “2012 To Do List.” Lucky me, I have my parent's original Warranty Deed from the purchase of their home at 1625 Lincoln Avenue. That warranty deed informs me that in 1957 my parents made a down payment of $10.00 to Mr. and Mrs. Leclair! Times have changed!

 

On the fun side . . . Please check out the website, http://www.dearphotograph.com.  Dear Photograph offers the opportunity to travel in time in a most fun and modern way! Here is the photograph I am going to submit. I wonder if they will publish it?

Dear Photograph, My childhood home revisited Thanksgiving 2011.

A Shout Out To Thomas MacEntee and Geneabloggers

Thomas MacEntee is the creator of Geneabloggers. This is the place where genealogists and family historians gather to share ideas. Geneabloggers is over 2,000 genealogy blogs strong and can be located at http://www.geneabloggers.com. Tune in to his blog talk radio on Friday nights at 9:00 p.m. CST!  A variety of topics are discussed and always prove interesting to the genealogist in me.

I became a Thomas MacEntee fan this September at the 2011 FGS conference in Springfield, Illinois. This man with a giant personality WOWED me! He is smart, passionate, creative and willing to share his knowledge.

Thomas MacEntee is a mover and a shaker in the genealogy world.  Thomas manages numerous blogs and Facebook pages including http://hidefgen.com and http://destinationaustinfamily.blogspot.com. I am a fan and a follower!

Geneabloggers introduces new blogs weekly. 1625 Lincoln Avenue was introduced November 12, 2011. Thank you, Thomas, for giving my blog a jump-start!

With Gratitude,

Linda

Sarah Josepha Hale

Thinking about my Thanksgiving Day blog inspired a Google search of Thanksgiving facts. What to write about? Gratitude, Pilgrims, trivia and family stories topped my list. I found my way to the History Channel website where I learned about Sarah Josepha Hale. Educated in the Pilgrim story, I was unaware of her contribution to our modern day Thanksgiving. A visit to http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving-facts/videos#thanksgiving-becomes-a-holiday will introduce you to Sarah Josepha Hale.

Sarah Josepha Buell was born in 1788. At age, 25, Sarah married David Hale. Her husband passed away in 1822 leaving her to care for their five children. Fortunately Sarah was self-educated through a brotherly connection to Dartmouth.

Needing to provide for her children, Sarah Josepha Hale turned to literature. This author and editor became a champion for the improvement of women’s lives. Sarah Josepha Hale authored many books and poems, but her most recognized poem is “Mary Had A Little Lamb.”

As editor of Godey’s Ladies Book she began a letter writing campaign to President Abraham Lincoln promoting a national day of thanks.  Her efforts resulted in our national holiday known as Thanksgiving. Thank you Sarah Josepha Hale for your persistence belief in a national day of thanksgiving.

Sarah Josepha Hale, “Letter to Abraham Lincoln,” American Treasures of the Library of Congress, (http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm125.html : accessed 23 November 2011).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Linda

First Turkeys and Rutabaga

I think every one remembers the first Thanksgiving turkey that they prepared. In my case, I was unaware that turkey giblets were to be found in a small bag located in the turkey’s neck area. Go figure! Isn’t that just where one might look to find a turkey’s heart and liver? Had my mother not clued me in on the location of the giblets, they would have been roasted bag and all! Fortunately for all, she did and my roast turkey was a success.

Today I wished my mother’s cousin, Joyce Tudyman, a Happy Thanksgiving. She will spend the holiday with relatives who are of Italian descent. They will be serving pasta along with their turkey. She mentioned that she was happy to be invited, but will miss the traditional English Thanksgiving dinner complete with rutabaga.

So that is how the rutabaga tradition came to my family! I always had a hunch that this rutabaga tradition hailed from my only English ancestors, John and Emma Dollen. My mother would simply peel and cube the rutabaga and simmer until soft. She would then mash it. I have updated her tried and true recipe by adding some butter, half and half, and a pinch of nutmeg! You either like this root veggie or you don’t!

So, all you Thanksgiving chefs, what was your first turkey experience like? What happened to you? I look forward to hearing your stories!

As We Head Into Thanksgiving Week

This weekend my daughter gave us a scare. She had a medical situation that required emergency surgery. Naturally, my husband and my anxiety levels rose as we wondered and waited to hear the results of her surgery. Fortunately, all went well and she is comfortably resting at our home. I get to spoil her and take care of her for the entire week!

As we approach Thanksgiving, I pause and reflect on the meaning of Thanksgiving. This year I will once again prepare our turkey to the New York Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our home will be scented with aroma of roast turkey.  But most importantly, we will be giving thanks for our daughter’s good health.