I love it when good people get together! They can accomplish understanding, good works, and who knows what else!
Tuesday, October 02, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
New genetic light shed on human evolution
via ft.com
Historians and genealogists, I think, are fact finders. We try not to assume such and such is true because we know that as we continue to delve into our mysteries, new facts come to light. We wait to see what is going to develop, we collect evidence and see how our hypotheses stands up.
Saturday, September 08, 2012
Untitled
A fellow teacher (I teach for fun but he teaches at the college level), spoke, yesterday, of his discouragement with the education process in these United States. This process has evolved over a period of years (or should I say "devolved"), to a system in which there is little evidence of brainy-ism learning. We are watered down by many elements, it would seem. The quality of our students' efforts has been supplanted with false agendas.
Now all of this languaage is dressing for my sense that parents don't care about excellency in their children's learning. Or, could it be that there is so much out there competing for our children's attention? Is sociality the key that shouldn't have been turned? Are teachers dedicated enough to get through all the hoops and jumps they have to go through, to pull the mind of the student from wherever it is hidden.
Just what is the deal, here? I'm terrible in math, but with a good teacher, a book, plenty of practice time, and the kind of thinking that is crucial to being the steward of the world, even I can pass algebra. What does it matter? Where is passing algebra an important achievement?
I learned to read at an early age; not a child prodigy or anything, but the key was given to me by my parents and teachers...the key to love of reading, dependance on reading, appreciation for those who could transmit not just words, but ideas through their reading.
Dad always included us kids in his bedtime stories. He used the device of tone inflection to catch our interest and vanity to keep interest. We were the heroes, we were the action figures, and my dad who really should have been an actor or on stage with his wondrous way of weaving a tale, it all came together on the tails of the teacher's efforts. I'm sure I read Dick and Jane, but it was clear to me from the first that if I wanted more complex and interesting tales, I would and should make them up myself. I don't even consider myself very imaginative, but there must be a store of the stuff somewhere inside.
It was both a safe haven (reading at the piano instead of practicing), and a secret (hiding under the covers of my bed, throwing caution to the wind, usually with a book that was "too old" for me. The Agony and the Ecstasy at age 11? I was too young to be intimidated or daunted by fat books
.
What is real and what is not
The "Real" Housewives of New York or wherever. Faux Fur speaks to this generation, yes or no? A student's grades at Harvard: real, as in honestly they earned it, or real for the purpose of "getting by" in life. Has the value of real, as in genuine, been supplanted by what is acceptable, by what will pass, by the lasting value of the gold standard?
Friday, September 07, 2012
Intelligence Committee Chair Describes Explosive Confrontation Between Netanyahu and American Ambassador - Jeffrey Goldberg - The Atlantic
Intelligence Committee Chair Describes Explosive Confrontation Between Netanyahu and American Ambassador - Jeffrey Goldberg - The Atlantic
Alliance with Israel critical to peace in the Middle East. Let's get serious about our commitment to them.
Alliance with Israel critical to peace in the Middle East. Let's get serious about our commitment to them.
Sunday, September 02, 2012
Geni Adds Facebook Social Sharing - Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter
« Finding Genealogy Records and Books on eBay | Main | Britain Destroyed Records of Colonial Crimes »
September 02, 2012
Geni Adds Facebook Social Sharing
Geni users will be interested in the latest addition to the service. Here is the announcement written by Geni.com:
Today we’re excited to introduce Facebook Social Sharing on Geni – a new way to share your Geni experience with your friends and family!
Have you ever been working on a Geni project and wish you could share your progress with your friends? Or perhaps added your latest census discovery to your ancestor’s Geni profile and wanted to share it with your genealogy Facebook buddies? Facebook Social Sharing will easily allow you to share your public Geni activities with your friends and family on Facebook!
The Facebook Social Sharing button can be found at the top right of any Geni page. By default, Social Sharing is turned off for all current users. To activate the feature, simply click to toggle it on. Everyone may turn Social Sharing off at anytime - just click again to turn it off. Note if you already use Facebook Connect to log in to your Geni account, you will need to toggle it on to begin sharing on Facebook. Don’t see Social Sharing on your Geni page? Only Facebook users will see this option, so connect your Facebook account to your Geni account now to start sharing!If you enjoyed this article, please share it with others. Tweet it, share it on Google , Facebook or on your preferred social network.
Republishing of this article in newsletters, blogs, and elsewhere is allowed and encouraged, with a few minor restrictions. Details may be found at http://goo.gl/hoHH1.Of course, if you haven’t done so already, you should join my email newsletter mailing list to stay current on my latest articles and announcements. You can also cancel at any time within seconds. I promise to never, ever send you any unrequested e-mail, other than newsletter updates.
Posted by Dick Eastman on September 02, 2012 in Online Sites | Permalink ShareThis
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via blog.eogn.com
We were some of us into this a while back; now that they have added social sharing, perhaps some of you will want to use Geni on a limited, private basis. Obviously, you should be thoughtful about what to share about whom, even if it is your own family. I'll give it a try later in the day.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Social Security Administration Explains Plan to Buy 174,000 Hollow-Point Bullets
(CNSNews.com) – The Social Security Administration posted a blog on Thursday to explain why it was planning to purchase 174,000 hollow point bullets.
SSA posted a "Request for Quote for Ammunition" on the FedBizOps.gov website on Aug. 7. The request listed the commodity that SSA desired as ".357 Sig 125 grain bonded jacketed hollow point pistol ammunition." The quantity listed was "174 TH."
The SSA’s Office of the Inspector General’s said it posted a new blog on the agency’s website, “Beyond the Numbers,” “as we strive to be a transparent and accountable government organization for all of our stakeholders.
“With those goals in mind, we thought it would be appropriate to address recent media reports regarding the organization’s purchase of ammunition for our special agents’ duty weapons,” the blog post states.
The blog states that the SSA has 295 special agents who work in 66 offices across the United States.
“These investigators have full law enforcement authority, including executing search warrants and making arrests,” the blog post states. “Our investigators are similar to your State or local police officers.
“They use traditional investigative techniques, and they are armed when on official duty,” the blog post states.
Concern expressed in some media reports about the type of ammunition ordered by the agency is unfounded, the blog states, explaining that the .357 Sig 125 grain bonded jacked hollow point pistol ammunition is “standard issue for many law enforcement agencies” and is appropriate for the work agents perform.
“Our special agents need to be armed and trained appropriately,” the blog post states. “They not only investigate allegations of Social Security fraud, but they also are called to respond to threats against Social Security offices, employees, and customers.”
The blog also links to another post about a fight that broke out near an SSA office in Massachusetts that required action by law enforcement officials.
“SSA is processing more applications than ever, which means more traffic in SSA office,” the blog states. “Employee and visitor safety is the highest priority for OIG, which, together with the Federal Protective Services and local law enforcement, has jurisdiction over SSA workplaces.”
Prior to the blog being posted, CNSNews.com had asked the agency specific questions about its ammunition order. Although some of those questions were addressed by the information provided in the blog, the agency did not say why it needed 174,000 bullets and if that quantity was customary or had increased from previous orders.
via cnsnews.com
I think the article speaks for itself. It's just weird that I never thought of the SSA having its own security force.
The Sun's almost perfectly round shape baffles scientists
via phys.org
Could we ever learn the secrets of the Universe? Why this or Why that? This is pretty interesting if you can read through the scientific lingo.
Cabins in the Woods — DIY Ornament #5
via homeworkshop.com
I thought this would be cute, also, if you take pics of your neighbors' homes or your friends; then you could give the at Christmas? Oh, okay...these are adorable and look totally dimensional. Even I could do some version of this!
Saturday, August 04, 2012
Progress 2012: Kermit Dooley loves family, history » Features » North Jefferson News, Gardendale, AL
http://www.njeffersonnews.com/features/x328562858/Progress-2012-Kermit-Dooley-loves-family-history
“In order to appreciate where you are today, you need to know where you came from and the hardships our ancestors went through.” This isn't the first sentence in the article about Kermit Dooley, but it is, just possibly, the core sentence for the motivation that drives Mr. Dooley in all he does. Read the article to learn of his family history journey. And I do mean "history".
I used to say that genealogists are some of the greatest people in the world to hang out with. I still believe it; I just haven't had the opportunity to do a lot of it in the last five years. I suppose if I were working the historical angle, I would say the same about historians and historical preservation. In actuality, these are not two different fields. Ancestors and history go hand in hand. And when we are focusing on one or the other, we'd best include a consideration of the "other".
I enjoy being among the family history crowd; they're usually trying to dig about the family tree, shake it and see what comes down, or whatever. In doing so, they find themselves visiting historical sites, reading books about historical events, and most especially, trying to figure it all out. Why were the ancestors where they were when they were? How did the actions of one family member impact the other family members?
Well, once again, I'm getting a little off track...and probably making no sense at this point. Hurrah for Mr. Kermit Dooley and hurrah for us; we are on a fascinating and rewarding journey together.
Friday, June 01, 2012
Scouting: Lifestyle Choice
No one gets into Scouting halfway.
You either are or you aren't, involved in Scouting. There is no "Scouting is skirting the fringes of my life" thing. You may not be an active participant in scouting at some periods of your life, but the fabric of your life has blue and gold threads running through it: you know the lingo:
"Arrow of Light"
"Order of the Arrow"
"Eagle Scout"
"Woodbadge"
"Merit Badge"
"Little Philmont"
Just a few weeks ago, my stepson attended "Little Philmont". Attended is probably too mild of a word. It's a learning experience, a test of your patience and skills, a primer for Leadership-ness. Mark is a grownup man with three jobs and a family, but he has chosen to make Scouting a part of his life. The ranks of Scoutmasters, Committee Members, and Merit Badge Counselors are filled with just tha kind of dedicated people. People who carve out a little time each week to develop and carry on a successful Scout program are people just like you and me--they are special because of their volunteership spirit, because they enjoy helping boys and girls be productive and engage.
You primarily remember the "bad" campouts. The ones that were held with the rain pouring down, with cars getting stuck in the sand, the ones when things didn't go perfectly. Scouting mimics life. If you can get through scouting, you are better prepared for the challenges ahead. Even if you think you were a half-hearted Scout, try attending an Eagle Court of Honor. The memories will flood back and a lot of them will be positive.
I'm the mother of Scouts (all grown up Scouts); my husband was a Scout Master and I was a den leader and committee member. I remember the night that I sat in a forest of trees at EucheeAnna Scout Camp. There was a blazing bonfire. There were whispers mingled with rowdy interruptions of restless Scouts. But when the ceremony began, you had better take it seriously. There was a solemnity about the occasion. Afterwards, jubilation and relief. Relief that another year was under your belt, sadness that tomorrow would be going-home day. The crickets are chiming in, the bonfire wanes, and the parents and other visitors are getting in their cars, laughing, talking, hugging their sons goodbye.
House rejects bill penalizing doctors for sex-selective abortions - The Hill's Floor Action
The House on Thursday rejected a Republican bill that would impose fines and prison terms on doctors who perform abortions for the sole purpose of controlling the gender of the child, a practice known as sex-selective abortion.
The Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA), H.R. 3541, was defeated in a 246-168 vote. While that's a clear majority of the House, Republicans called up the bill under a suspension of House rules, which limits debate and requires a two-thirds majority vote to pass. In this case, it would have required more support from Democrats.
Twenty Democrats voted for the bill, while seven Republicans opposed it. The bill would have needed 30 more yeas to pass.
Suspension votes are normally used for noncontroversial bills, but the GOP-backed measure was clearly controversial. Republicans have occasionally put controversial bills on the suspension calendar in order to highlight that Democrats oppose certain policies.
In some cases, Republicans have rescheduled these bills for regular consideration after they have failed, allowing for passage by a simple majority. But Republicans gave no sign that they would try again with PRENDA.
Earlier in the day, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) indicated that the issue of stopping sex-selective abortion is important enough that they would try again, but he was not specific.
More from The Hill:
♦ President Bush returns to White House
♦ Pelosi defends $1M tax-cut threshold against liberal critics
♦ Romney makes surprise campaign stop at Solyndra factory
♦ Romney supporters shout down Axelrod at Obama event
♦ Obama to donors: Get off sidelines and send cash now
♦ Bill Clinton to campaign against Scott Walker in Wisconsin
♦ Warren: I told Harvard I was Native American after hiring
♦ Obama official: UN proposals could lead to Internet censorship"This is an important issue to the American people," Boehner said to reporters off the floor. "This type of sex selection most Americans find pretty repulsive, and our members feel strongly about it. That's why it is being brought to the floor."
During debate on the bill Wednesday, Republicans said the bill is consistent with the broader U.S. position that sex-selective abortion should be condemned around the world.
"In 2007, the United States spearheaded a U.N. resolution to condemn sex-selective abortion worldwide," said Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), the sponsor of the bill. "Yet, here in the land of the free and the home of the brave, we are the only advanced country left in the world that still doesn't restrict sex-selective abortion in any way."
While some Democrats made it clear that they oppose sex-selective abortion, they indicated that they oppose the bill's enforcement provisions, which they said would put in place an unacceptable limit on women's rights to choose abortion.
"We can all agree that women should not choose to terminate a pregnancy based solely on gender, but this bill criminalizes a legal procedure," Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) said Thursday afternoon.
"The bill includes a provision that would allow a women's husband or parents, by merely alleging that an abortion is because of gender, to seek injunctive relief to prevent the doctor from performing abortion procedures, sending an incredibly private and personal decision into the courts," Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) added Thursday.
"It is another Republican intrusion into a woman's right to choose," said Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) of the GOP bill on Wednesday. "Women should be able to make such sensitive and private decisions with their families, their doctors and their god, free from the fear of the police."
Republicans voting against the bill were Reps. Justin Amash (Mich.), Charlie Bass (N.H.), Mary Bono Mack (Calif.), Robert Dold (Ill.), Richard Hanna (N.Y.), Nan Hayworth (N.Y.), and Ron Paul (Texas).
Democrats voting for it were Reps. Jason Altmire (Pa.), John Barrow (Ga.), Dan Boren (Okla.), Jim Cooper (Tenn.), Jerry Costello (Ill.), Mark Critz (Pa.), Henry Cuellar (Texas), Joe Donnelly (Ind.), John Garamendi (Calif.), Tim Holden (Pa.), Larry Kissell (N.C.), Daniel Lipinski (Ill.), Stephen Lynch (Mass.), Jim Matheson (Utah), Mike McIntyre (N.C.), Collin Peterson (Minn.), Nick Rahall (W.Va.), Silvestre Reyes (Texas), Mike Ross (Ark.) and Heath Shuler (N.C.).
via thehill.com
House rejects bill penalizing doctors from performing sex selective abortions. (thehill.com).
How did this happen? Do we really think we can expect God to bless our country if this type of practice is coddled?!!
How can our congressmen and women (7 Republicans among them) vote no on this bill? When did it become an option in the USA to choose sex (gender) over a child's right to be born? I have looked to see who (which of the congress reps) voted not to support the bill. I haven't found a list, yet, so if anyone can tell me how to find that out, I would be very apprreciative.
I appreciate life. It's both beautiful and difficult. Sometime when we're not paying attention it can get pretty hum-drum. I'm so proud that my mother and father didn't say, "Whoops, it's gonna be a girl", and rush off to find a way to keep me from coming on board the bus whose destination was EARTH. What sacrifices did they make in their lives for the joy of having me? How do I know it was joy? Because they took a lot of pictures. Because they took the time to teach me stuff, to share themselves with me. I like being a girl and I like being alive.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
[FLOKALOO] WFGS - Navigating Family Search
West Florida Genealogical Society
Date: June 2, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM
Place: Asbury Place, 5725 N. 9th Ave., corner College Blvd.
Speaker: Lee Scott.
Topic: LDS Family Search.org update. The LDS Family Search.org website has a new look and ever-expanding
content. It takes a little practice to relearn to use it. Lee is an
LDS member and has volunteered off and on at the Family History Center
since 1975. There have been many changes in research techniques and
technology in the last 35 years. Lee is constantly surfing to keep
abreast of the latest. She is a past president of WFGS and past editor
of Footprints and the current newsletter editor. 2011 Footprints will be available at the meeting.
Escambia Co. FL new Marriage Records Index book 1910-1918 will be available. Mark your Calendar: Nov. 3 - Megan Smolenyak Seminar. Outstanding
genealogist and
speaker. Google her name for more info on her.
Topics Nov. 3:
http://www.honoringourancestors.com/schedule.html Contact: Cynthia Dean cgdean@bellsouth.net 850-432-7072
Allen Lawrence
List Admin
-------------------------------
To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FLOKALOO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message
Time: 10:00 AM
Place: Asbury Place, 5725 N. 9th Ave., corner College Blvd.
Speaker: Lee Scott.
Topic: LDS Family Search.org update. The LDS Family Search.org website has a new look and ever-expanding
content. It takes a little practice to relearn to use it. Lee is an
LDS member and has volunteered off and on at the Family History Center
since 1975. There have been many changes in research techniques and
technology in the last 35 years. Lee is constantly surfing to keep
abreast of the latest. She is a past president of WFGS and past editor
of Footprints and the current newsletter editor. 2011 Footprints will be available at the meeting.
Escambia Co. FL new Marriage Records Index book 1910-1918 will be available. Mark your Calendar: Nov. 3 - Megan Smolenyak Seminar. Outstanding
genealogist and
speaker. Google her name for more info on her.
Topics Nov. 3:
http://www.honoringourancestors.com/schedule.html Contact: Cynthia Dean cgdean@bellsouth.net 850-432-7072
Allen Lawrence
List Admin
-------------------------------
To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FLOKALOO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message
Thursday, April 26, 2012
inauthor:"pete daniel" - Google Search
I was looking around at Google Books and found this author who writes about the South. Can't wait to see how he reads.
Quotes:
inauthor:"pete daniel" - Google Search
This message was sent to you by Margaret Harris via Diigo
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Keepsakes: What's worth keeping?
I am at a crossroads in my life right now. My husband is currently residing at the nursing home 13 miles away, my two youngest children are deciding which way and how soon they will fly the coop, and I need to downsize for financial and other reasons! So, what to do with all the stuff I have accumulated over the past years? A lot of it falls into the category of keepsakes, memoirs material, relics, photographs, and so on. I am sitting here, right now, looking at some of the mementos, just in my own bedroom! 
This is an old Christmas basket filled with sewing supplies, scrap pieces of lace, etc. The next photo shows the same bookcase in a larger view; most of the "stuff" surrounding the basket is genealogy related: files, books, notebooks, etc.
I confess to saving knick-knacks, also! 
The first Valentine's day after my husband had his stroke, I went out and bought this little novelty item. The mama bear is giving the papa bear some flowers. For other pictures of my junk, beloved heirlooms, etc., check out my blog http://ancestorant.blogspot.com.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Inertness
Finding myself in a quandary
About what to do what to do
My senses are inert
They resist actions
Like thinking
Like planningAll that it is left:
A warm bed welcomes my being during the earliest hours of the night,
I want to get an early start on dreams and on nothingness.
Perhaps, in case I don't sleep well, I will have ample time to rest. 
About what to do what to do
My senses are inert
They resist actions
Like thinking
Like planningAll that it is left:
A warm bed welcomes my being during the earliest hours of the night,
I want to get an early start on dreams and on nothingness.
Perhaps, in case I don't sleep well, I will have ample time to rest.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
What's a Beat?
Boundaries of towns and other minor civil divisions, and in some cases of counties were ill defined, so enumerators were frequently uncertain whether a family resided in their own or an adjoining district. For this reason, it is not unusual to find individuals and families listed twice in the census and others missed entirely."
And again:
In a few states and territories, such as Arizona, Louisiana, Orleans, South Carolina, and others, the county divisions have been known by other names. In other places in some years, counties have not existed or have not been used, so other means of dividing up the state or territory have been used. Common examples of these names are Beat, Division, Judicial District, District, etc.
The supervisor of census is by law charged with the following duties:First. To propose to the Superintendent of the Census the apportionment of his district into subdivisions most convenient for the purpose of enumeration. These subdivisions are not allowed by law to exceed 4,000 inhabitants, according to the census of 1870, and can be made as much smaller as the good of the service may require. Administratively, the census office has favored the plan of small subdivisions; and of the 15,000 subdivisions reported up to the present date, the average estimate of population is not in excess of 2,000. Generally speaking, each existing civil division, whether a town, township, military district, "beat," or precinct, has been constituted one or more enumeration districts. In comparatively few cases two townships or more, of small population, have been constituted one enumeration district. It is anticipated that the total number of enumeration districts for all the States and Territories will be closely in the neighborhood of 28,000.
We know that initially, the Enumeration District, and knowing which one to look at for our relatives, will become indispensable in searching the 1940 Census, but what about the Beat, the Beat, the Beat; are we any closer to knowing what it designates? Chime in, will you, if you have any info on this!
Saturday, March 03, 2012
Valparaiso Community Library
Excellent article with photos of the Valparaiso Community Library, describes it as a "superb resource" for history and genealogy research.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
What we don't do for our students...
Why do I think that I have to keep up with everything new under the sun that has to do with Family History, aka "Genealogy"?I used to read Dick Eastman's online genealogy newsletter, every single issue, till lately. Now, I'm lucky if I can get through a couple of articles. Why? Because I'm too busy trying to keep up with Megan Smolenyak's adventures (in genealogy, what else?), the latest updates from RootsMagic, the software, reading genealogy blogs such as Genealogy's Star, and downloading George Morgan's podcast with Drew Smith (The Genealogy Guys) for my Smartphone. And somehow, I have to put in some time researching my ancestors, especially since I'm supposed to be teaching others how to do it.Yes, it's true that I have Legacy FamilyTree, the standard version on my computer, but I also have PAF, and GRAMPS, as well. Just so I can listen intelligently when I talk about other people's programs. Is it any wonder that I don't recognize myself when I look in the mirror, nowadays? 
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