Head in the clouds, Being clear-eyed and unafraid and other Personal Problems

Covid and more:

You ever think that you might be the one who has his/her head in the clouds?  There is something to be said for fighting our way through whatever jungle obscures our view.  

And in the case of what we are all going through, being able to get out and ride around in our cars, taking care of only the most needed errands (like my bloodwork for the cancer center, today), you forget how empowering it is to be able to get away from home.  Our freedom to move freely has been restricted and consequently, we have almost forgotten it is by experiencing and seeing the boundaries of our little lives that we can appreciate the place of home (and in the olden days, hearth).  It's like the air we breathe and move about is what makes us appreciate having a home or dwelling!

My goal is to carefully look forward to even a restricted travel situation, as I find it gives me a stabilizer of sorts for life at home.

 

I Have Notebooks

I don't keep a journal (a physical journal), anymore.  However, that used to be something I did; I would write, journal, and compose whatever I felt like sharing.  Only, usually, I didn't always share.

Sooner or later, I will come across something that I wanted to preserve, usually genealogical material or of historical origins.  Something that I wrote in a notebook.

Here is one such compilation: 
(Let's call this the little half-size green notebook)

You tell me (margaret.harris@gmail.com) how I can organize or classify these notes:

Okaloosa County, Florida, Historical Records Survey, Division of Professional and Service Projects; Works Progress Administration (Family History Center Film, #908135).  This is now available online and here is the link.  I also made a note: 1909, volume I, pp.71-78.  Article, Yonge, P.K. "The Lumber Industry of West Florida".  

 

Feelings

Feelings (emotions):  We humans are distinguished from other of God's creations to have this blessing and/or curse because we experience the sad, mad, happy times in our lives.  Many of us also suspect that animals experience that also.  And perhaps they communicate those feelings with each other and with us.

Becoming Grandparents Brings Smiles!

Here is a "lifting up" maneuver, for example, for when we are feeling confused.    
From a recent Ensign, we are reminded that the Savior knows what we are going through.  Through the Atonement he, too, felt our "pain".  We can rely on Him to pull us through hard times.  

 For example, are any of us feeling the confusion and the cloud of uncertainty as a result of the Corona virus pandemic?  Joseph Smith felt like that when, as a 14 year old boy, he was confused about what action he should take in reference to the many conflicting religious dogmas that were being preached in his community.  He relates this story to us in the record, Joseph Smith--History 1:5-20.  He asked God what he should do and he got an answer!  This simple, direct prayer in the woods led to the Restoration of the Lord's Church which had been missing from the earth for centuries!  When I'm confused, I can pray to God and He will answer me.  Here are some scripture blocks (From a recent Ensign magazine), that will support that belief; you might want to print them out, then laminate them so you can carry them around with you, for easy reference.

James 1:5; Luke 1:37; Mosiah 26:13; Ether 2:16 through 3:6

"For after much ^atribulation come the ^bblessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be ^ccrowned with much ^dglory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand." (Doctrine and Covenants 58:4). 

We learn through seeking, asking, and experiencing life's challenges.

Letters to My Grandmother and More, Part I

Honorable Discharge for Wiley Benjamin Hill, Jr.  AKA "Bennie"

Eunice Tucker Hill Hall:

• She was my dad's mother; Mother of Wiley Benjamin Hill, Jr., Earl Rudolph Hill, and Beatrice Meda Hill.
• She was married twice in her lifetime.  First she married Wiley Benjamin Hill, Sr.  AKA "Shorty". Second, she married Floyd Dawson Hall.
• "Grandma Hall", (to me), was born 14 December 1887 in a little place known as Acme, in Jasper County, Mississippi, USA.  Wikipedia has this to say about Jasper County.
• Acme:
  Acme, established in 1823, was located twelve miles east of Bay Springs. It was named for its location as it stood on the highest point in a range of hills in the area, and is now extinct.  Source
  
  Eunice Tucker was born to father, Samuel Richard Tucker (FamilySearch ID: ); her mother was Letha Ellen Bishop ().  My grandmother was the ninth of eleven children! 
  
• This concludes part one of the life and times of Eunice Tucker Hill Hall.

Wind Up: Ten Ways to Grow Your Family Tree

Exercise 1:

Name two ways to grow your family tree:
a.______________________________________
b.______________________________________

Exercise 2:
Fill in the Blanks
a. Use Descendancy Research to:

• Expand the ______________
• Identify new _____________
• And Connect with _________ 

Question:  How many generations should you go back to begin with "Descendancy Research"? 1 generation, 2 generations, 4 generations, or 5 generations.

Reference: FamilySearch (Search Google this topic or Click on Link): Easy Steps to Descendancy Research



 

More conservative reading ideas

• https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/03/03/9th-circuit-rules-facebook-youtube-not-bound-by-first-amendment/ 

 

•  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PragerU

 

•  I am not rabid for conservative materials, but a little bit of conservative medicine now and then never hurt anyone. 
  

Other books I want to read as pertains to "My Country Tis' of Thee"...

1.  Available via Amazon:

Unmasking the Administrative State: The Crisis of American Politics in the Twenty-First Century Hardcover – January 29, 2019

by John Marini (Author), Ken Masugi (Editor)

 

2.  The Birth of the Administrative State: Where It Came From and What It Means for Limited Government : Ronald Pestritto

 

I'm taking a class on the U.S. Constitution; the teacher says that we have (our country/our government/our people) have drifted far from what the framers of the historic document intended.  He says he doesn't believe we can turn back the flood, the movement away from those signers' ideals.  Maybe not.  Probably not?  But does that mean we shouldn't try?!! 

Thoughts about the Constitution of the United States

Is our country being run (managed) by "the administrative state"?  Will have to read Waldo's book, maybe.  Check it out:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Administrative_State

Sunday March 1st Thoughts

A quiet Sunday "all by myself". I am never really alone, though there are times when I might feel a little low or lonesome. Last night I spoke on the phone to my grandson, Caden and to my son (his dad), Benji Dalton. As usual I talked too much!

Sundays (a lot of the times), are pretty quiet. I play sudoku online and watch BYU television. This is after going to church for a couple of hours. And I think, I should make some phone calls to members of the church I go to, and see how folks are doing that weren't at church today. I was absent for a couple of weeks and really missed not seeing the "over-the-hill" and then some "girls"! I actually belong to that "club"!

Something new with BYU-TV; at some point in the day, they switch to broadcasting their programming in Spanish!?! Which is really good for the Spanish speaking "Branch". Still the Tabernacle Choir sound good in any language. My goal for today is to not binge on "MI-5" via Britbox! And to fix myself a nutritious meal. (The temptation is to just "snack")!

There are a lot of things I can do on Sundays: Get more sleep (napping), take a leisurely stroll down the walkway, read the scriptures, family history stuff, etc. And yes, I can call one of my six children and check in on their lives!

 

Photo for today:

 Ed was the best blueberry picker!  Pictured here are an assortment of relatives (not sure who took the photo).  A prize for someone who can identify every name and age in the group!

Reading the Pearl of Great Price--Personal project of discovery 2020...

Pearl of Great Prince:

Since this first chapter is about Moses' experience, I'm going to assume that the God of the Old Testament that is made reference to, here, is none other than Jesus Christ, (Jehovah).
 
What is meant about "the glory of God" was upon Moses?  Moses could not have borne the presence of God without some kind of transfiguration happening.  Jesus in His glory would have been too "Holy"? 
 
Referenced names of the Lord, here, are: Lord God Almighty, "Endless"/eternal.  "Without beginning of days or end of years", endless/Eternal". 
 
The word "mountain" in verse 1 of Chapter 1 is symbolic as well as perhaps literally: a mountain that is visited by the Savior would be "a Holy Place".  When we visit the temple, do we think about the fact that Jesus, the Savior, "God", has walked there?  The temple is a Holy Place.  Our homes should be a place of refuge and "holiness", also.

Verse 2 of Chapter 1 PGP:  Moses saw God "face to face".  God has a body!  God spoke to Moses!  The "glory" of God: Moses was transfigured so that He could bear the presence of the Savior.  [I'm starting to repeat myself].

God (v. 3) "spoke" to Moses, and identified Himself.  "Behold" the Lord said:  Look!  I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands...  The Savior Has a Body!  He created the heavens and the Earth.  His works are without end and His words will never cease.
 
That's all for now, four astonishing and revelatory verses, this morning of February 1, 2020.

Gene Genealogy

https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/2020/01/findmypast-adds-ww1-uk-soldiers-medical.html

I am not a bird person but who can help being a fan?!!

http://nemesisbird.com/bird-science/florida-field-season-highlights/

It is January 3rd, 2020, and I am sitting here with my door open to catch the breeze and enjoy some lovely weather.  There was, for a while, a veritable clamor of birds who were busy reporting to each other of either the fact that I had opened the door, or else a possible "stranger-danger" alert in progress!  

These were hawks of some variation; they have flown to some other task, now.  But when they are "here" you will know it.  CAW-Caw, Squawk! 

What you can learn from a Census (1930)

At the top of every census page (well, this isn't always a "given"), you should find the state, the county, and the township, (or some other form of a geographical description, for example, a precinct #).

I am utilizing the 1930 Census, today, for Lauderdale County, Alabama; the township is "Florence".  The Enumeration District is 37-15, Ward 2.  It is "supervisor district #1"; the date may be at that top of the page, also.  If not, you might utilize the date from the page before or after (better than "no date at all")!                          

Where can I learn more about the place called Lauderdale County?  
Use Wikipedia for a quick location hint or for more information, access Maps.google.com.

Where can I find images of the census?  Almost any large genealogical database will have some census images: FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, and MyHeritage.com are some examples.

The family unit for page #2A of the census that I'm looking at today is the WEATHERLY family.  The date that this census information was gathered is 3 April 1930.  Always make a habit of viewing the page(s) before and after to see if you think any of their relatives were living nearby ("Nearby" being a very long distance or it could mean "next door")!

Obie Lee Weatherly is the head of the household.  "H".  In 1930, a question that the enumerator asked was "is this home owned or rented"?  In this case, the answer is "R" for rented.  Mr. Weatherly's rent is $50.00 or if he owns his home, that value of that property would be listed.  "Do you have a radio set"? was also asked.  

Other questions: Do you live on a farm?  In this instance, the answer is "no".  Obie Lee is a male, he is "white", age 44, and married.  He was age 23 at the time of his first marriage.  He is not attending school presently.  And he can read and write.  He was born in Georgia; his father was born in Alabama, and his mother was born in Georgia.

Hint:  You might take a picture or save the image of the census so you can refresh your memory, later.  A lot of genealogists will use a form, (print from ancestry.com or familysearch.org), specifically loaded with the census questions for that particular census year.  Or perhaps you have downloaded a template for the 1930 Census; you can even make your own with Excel or some other spreadsheet program.  For templates, check out NARA.gov.

 

A Prayer for myself and others

We Can All Do Something to Serve

I met a lady today whose 46 year old daughter is suffering from Guillian-Barre Syndrome.  It is thought to be a viral disease.  Here is a link with more info: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/guillain-barre-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20362793.

Anyway, this mother shared with me the challenges that she and her family had been experiencing as they have watched the awful struggles of her grown daughter who has 3 daughters of her own.  I have to hope and pray that their load continues to be lightened by the many angels who have been helpful so far: the doctors, the medical folks (nurses, etc.) and the practitioners, aides, etc. at the local rehab where the daughter is residing currently.

The other bit of info that kind of hit me, somewhat: This same daughter also has leukemia and has been treated by my very own cancer doctors.  How blessed we are, in this day and age, to be able to have our lives lengthened by the amazing progress of science and treatment...even my own battles with Non-Hodgkins Disease.  Someone told me recently that they knew someone with that ailment just five or six years ago and that person didn't live very long.  I was first diagnosed in 2005!

I am of the belief that all good things come from God, our Heavenly Father.  We have the opportunity and privilege of performing very tiny miracles each and every day, thanks to our Savior Jesus Christ.  We are His Hands.  Maybe we won't be the scientist that discovers a cure for some awful disease, but we can and should lighten the burdens that are borne by those we come into contact with.  In whatever capacity, with whatever talents or gifts we my have access to.

I'm so wrapped up in my own little world, my own complaints and challenges.  I needed that reminder today that "go and do something, today" is possible for most of us to perform even if we only make someone's load lighter in some very small way!

 Lyrics:
1. Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone's burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?
 

 

Other Folks Have Favorite Book of Mormon Scriptures...And Me?

I'm looking at other people's favorite scriptures and see how it relates to me or raises questions or gives me a kernel that I can enlarge upon.

• My Top 25 Book of Mormon Scriptures : This is authored by "Matheson".  The "mother" site can be found here.
• The first scripture on his list is 1 Nephi Chapter 8. We can nickname this verse, "White Fruit" or whatever will stick with you.  This is in reference to the dream/vision that Lehi had.  He was invited to take a journey, in his dream, by a man dressed in a white robe.  Finally, he arrives and partakes of the fruit of the tree.
• What do you associate the color "white" with?  White is bright, like the sun.  White sheets are still among a favorite covering for a bed.  They are clean, freshly washed and perhaps hung on a clothesline and they smell clean.  In the scriptures, "white" is associated with purity.  Unblemished.  Without sin.  
• In this vision, Lehi is comforted because it is revealed to him that the families of Nephi and Sam, his sons, (or many of their descendants) would be saved (TG Salvation). 
• Thought: To be saved, you must choose and stay on the Covenant Path.  Hold to the rod that leads you to the "tree" and the precious fruit of the tree.  Make and keep covenants (promises) with God.  There are many sites that will enhance your study of "the Covenant Path".  Here is one such reference. 

Read and mark this experience of Lehi's in First Nephi, Chapter 8.  Memorize verse 11:  And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the ^afruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the ^bwhiteness that I had ever seen. 

Do you want to partake of the fruit of the tree?  The tree and the fruit represent God's love for us.  What will you have to give up (sacrifice) in order to stay on the path to the "precious" fruit of the tree?  How long is the journey and what will be your guide?  Why or How does "the rod of iron" or the "Iron Rod" symbolize safety?  Read more about the properties of iron HERE. 

Could the Rod of Iron symbolize God's commandments, His Holy Word, the promptings of the Holy Ghost, Revelation?  What are all the little and big things that keep us on track to return to our Heavenly Father?  How much does He love us?  How much do we love Him?

My grandson, Caden.

A study of my Winters relatives in Arkansas in 1880

Cole Township Page 65; ED = 180

Enumerated 5^th and 6^th day of July1880

Sebastian County, Arkansas

Page is stamped “608”

Line 1: Dwelling 554, Family #554

Richard H. Winters Age 30 Farmer Born in Mississippi, Father Born in Tennessee, Mother Born in South Carolina

Mattie A. Age 28 Born in Alabama Father born in Georgia as was her mother

William M. Age 10 Born in Alabama

Ida Age 7 Born in Alabama

Alexander Age 6 Born in Alabama

Margarett A. Age 2 Born in Arkansas

Line 7: Dwelling 555, Family #555

Lewis Winters Age 35 Born Mississippi: Father in Tenn.; Mother in S. Carolina

Mary J. Winters Age 32 Born in Arkansas; father in South Carolina, Mother born in Alabama

Cintha E. Winters Age 11 Born Mississippi

Jessee F. Winters Age 10 Born Alabama

Mary L. E. Winters Age 7 Born in Alabama

Jullie (?) S. Winters (F) Age 4 Born Alabama

Albert C. Winters Age 2 Born Alabama

Martha J. Winters Age 3/12 Born in Feb. 1880 Born in Alabama

Both Richard and Lewis Winters are living in Cole Township in Sebastian County, Arkansas for the 1880 Census. Little Cintha Winters is named after her grandmother, I suspect. I think of the two boys (men), Richard has been there longer than Lewis, as he has a daughter who was born in Arkansas, who is age 2. Lewis has a daughter who is just 3 months old who was born in Alabama. Both of these brothers are farmers.

____________________________________________________

Benefits in Attending Stake Conference (Two Sessions)

My Perspective: Highlights of Stake Conference

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

Twice a year, I have the opportunity of attending Stake Conference.  Normally, there is a Saturday night Session for the general membership, preceded by a Priesthood Meeting attended by the male members of the church.  Then, on Sunday, there is another meeting for everyone.  

I was able to attend both sessions; each time, I felt inspired by the speakers.  There was a good mix of both male and female and in addition, there was a Spanish speaking sister at the Sunday session.  There is usually at least one youth speaker; on Sunday we heard from both a young man and a young woman.

A really enjoyable feature of these conferences is that other congregations from different parts (geographical) of the Stake attend.  Although there isn't a specific or particularly formal meet and greet set apart, you can make a point of coming early to the conference or staying afterwards to greet old friends and occasionally, far-flung relatives. 

I enjoyed seeing a former Stake President, Brother Hill, who had moved from Crestview, Florida to Marianna.  I also spotted a former Bishop of our Ward, Doyle Reeves and his wife, Janet.  I had only to look to the end of my row to recognize a not too distant cousin, Connie Dukes, who lives in or around Crestview and in her spare time, volunteers at the Baker Block Museum.  There isn't a lot of time for socializing, but it is just refreshing to realize that others you have known and cared about in the past, are still able and desirous of driving the distance to attend this meeting.

Now, to the meat of the matter, the speakers and the substance of their talks:

Saturday, 17 August, 2019:  The first speaker was Emily Curtis, a member of my Fort Walton Beach ward.  She is the Stake Primary Presidency and her topic was helping our children (for those who still have young families or children at home), develop their testimonies.  Sister Curtis admitted to falling short of the image for a perfect and wholly prepared mom.  

Was what she had to offer, sufficient for achieving this goal?  How might we achieve the project of strengthening our children's testimony?  She told the story of the bread and fishes that wasn't nearly enough to feed the 5000 in attendance to hear the Savior speak.  And yet, for Christ, it wasn't a problem; he had the power of miracle making.  So, success on the home front comes when we offer whatever we have and trust the Lord to make it sufficient.

Emily reminded us that building a firm foundation in our homes is achieved one brick at a time.  The gospel can be shared in casual conversation as a natural part of our lives.  A pure expression of His love for us leads to unity in the family circle.  Emily Parks spoke next and continued the theme of making Christ a central part of our everyday lives.  He is the foundation upon which we build. 

We can renew our focus by attending Sacrament meeting and partaking of the bread and water.  To partake of the Sacrament reminds us that Christ was the perfect and only one that could render the Sacrifice necessary to atone for our sins.  The concept of ministering to others is realized when we love those we minister to, mourn with them, etc.

Increase the reach of your light by following in the footsteps of Christ.  How bright does our light shine?

There was a musical performance at this time as a sister in the Stake sang Nearer, My God to thee.  Beautiful!

President Allred spoke next; our Stake is part of the Alabama, Birmingham Mission.  He testified that the Gospel changes lives.  His wife spoke also.  How has our membership in the church affecting my life and the lives of others.  Be an example first of the Good Shepherd.  Reach out a loving arm to others.  There are nine stakes in this mission, 56 wards and 24 Branches.  80 units in all.  This mission has 231 missionaries.  Two of the stakes (Pensacola and Fort Walton) from Florida are attached to this mission.

In your performance as a Christian, are you holding something back or are you giving your all?

A most enjoyable speaker, President Kimball (of the Stake Presidency), is a "Georgia Boy".  He referred to Mosiah 2:30, talked about a basketball story at the MTC and stated that Stake Conference is where Christ would have us be at this very moment.  Our biggest need as a people is to "Wake UP"!  See 2 Nephi 28:21; don't just think "all is well"/complacency.  Elder Maxwell talked about levels of concentration/or consecration.  

President Kimball also talked about the Alma 5 Test.  verse 14--spirituality, works of righteousness, path to ? righteousness, song of redeeming love.  THE LORD REQUIRES OUR HEART.  Are we committed to the theme that His will is our will?  Do we have personal revelation?  do we sGeek it?  When we pray we talk to God, When we read the scriptures, He talks to us.  How and Why do we need to "wake up"? Do a sel?f inventory.  Silence the Noise of the world, seek revelation and act on it once you've received it.  

How do we receive revelation?  First get rid of worldly distractions.  The Noise.  (Cell phones)?  Don't be prideful--it's not all about me).    Contention.  The cares of the world.  Unworthiness--if this is unresolved get to the Bishop.  When we wake up there will be the Light of Jesus in our eyes.

Now, I have not addressed the "BIG" thing about Stake Conference and attendance at this twice a year meeting.  It is the Spirit.  You go to feel the spirit of each and every speaker, of the hymns and the performance of the special musical numbers, of the participators of those instances.  You go to feel the spirit of the Saints/members/and those who have been called to serve (voluntarily) in various stake positions.  You go to add your spirit to that body.  To testify by virtue of your being there, that you have faith in this faith.  And is the "Spirit", the Holy Ghost, in attendance also?  Yes!  Otherwise, we couldn't feel the spirit of each other and of the Lord.  The Holy Ghost is our conduit.  This is the way we feel, listen, and learn what it is that our Heavenly Father would have us know, would have us feel.  This is the way that the Savior teaches us, touches us with His Spirit.  We can read, study, pray, ponder and feel that Spirit, but being congregated as we are at a conference, adds an additional element with other human beings...we are feeling the Spirit together, a single and sole experience that is essential--it is why the invitation goes out to the group, to the congregation.  Because, we are not alone.  We stand in support of one another, in love of one another, as well as in "sync" with the Lord.

Watch Life, Liberty & Levin

https://video.foxnews.com/v/6064916193001/#sp=show-clips

It is clear that wrongs have been committed.   Is there a way to redress those errors?  To hold someone accountable for the farce that was the "Special Investigation" presided over by Mueller?

Poem for today

Check out this poetic thought and remember that summer has yet a little while before the Autumn leaves make an appearance.

 "And hate the bright stillness of the noon
without wind, without motion.
the only other living thing
a hawk, hungry for prey, suspended
in the blinding, sunlit blue.
And yet how gentle it seems to someone
raised in a landscape short of rain—
the skyline of a hill broken by no more
trees than one can count, the grass,
the empty sky, the wish for water."
-  Dana Gioia, California Hills in August  

My granddaughter's smile is like a summer day.  Broad, warm, proud, and full of potential.  And maybe, BOLD, also.  I love you, Kaylee!

A reach for poetic beauty.

Pain in my left leg
And in other places
Defines where I go
What I do
How I spend time.

For the beauty of the earth:
Can I bathe the aches of my body in nature?
Can I turn my attention to other directions?
Can I tune out the aches and discomfort
That wash me in mud and obscure my view of truth and loveliness?