folk music, facebook, friends, and family

It's been over 20 days since my last post. Well, I feel as if I'm right on schedule.

We just returned from the Glendale, Arizona folk heritage festival and it was a wonderful experience. The festival is run by young folks (so great to see young people embracing folk music and taking leading roles in making it accessible to the general public). I had the lingering effects of a bout with bronchitis so I spent much of the time in the RV, listening to the music drifting through the fence. It was a great way to recuperate! Butch had a wonderful time playing saw and teaching workshops in that and the spoons. We also did a half-hour show of Civil War songs and I taught a workshop on that subject. All were well received and we enjoyed meeting new musicians. We also were invited to camp at the home of a local "folkie" and that gave us more music at the potluck on Sat. night ... folks from all over Arizona joined together to share food and songs. We felt welcomed!

But now we are back home, ready for "real life." Both of us joined Facebook and are having some fun reading the comments by friends and family. Learned of a fire threatening our daughter's home in Arizona (while they were in Utah) and located an old friend from over 30 years ago. While I haven't gotten into the whole "comment" part of Facebook myself, I do enjoy reading the inputs of others.

Connecting with our ancestors and with other passionate genealogists

I just returned from the Family History Expo in St. George, Utah, and it was a great weekend! Unfortunately, I didn't have any time to attend the classes presented by my colleagues, but I did get to meet a number of excited genealogists of all levels. I was impressed with the number of people I met who are committed to doing thorough and accurate research and properly documenting their findings.

My husband, Butch, and I had a booth where we sold CDs and presented the music and instruments of our ancestors. A number of folks in neighboring booths enjoyed the music in the background throughout much of the 2 days and we had a great chance to tell people about how their ancestors relaxed with "homemade music." It was a lot of fun for us and, apparently, for expo attendees as well.

I also had the opportunity to present a couple of programs - my "Clue to Clue," which is a favorite of many, and a 2-part presentation on Federal Census records. Both were well-received and I connected with people who are researching the same areas that I am. One woman I met is related to a neighbor of my g-g-g-grandfather (in NY) and another woman told me that she is related to the family of a young boy who, I believe, apprenticed to my g-g-grandfather (in MI).

Part of the fun of doing genealogy is connecting with others who share the passion. When I show my exciting finds to family members and friends, most look at me as if I am crazy. At conferences, seminars, and expos, genealogists can connect to people who identify with the excitement of locating a lost ancestor, finding an elusive grave, or finally identifying a maiden name. That happened a great deal this weekend and that, in itself, made the event a high point in 2009 (and it's only March).

I Pledge Allegiance . . .

Well, it's hard to believe that February is nearly over ... and my last blog was on Feb. 1!! I am terrible at this. But I believe in the old adage, "if you don't have something nice to say, say nothing." In this case, it's more "I don't have anything to say"! But today I do.

In the past 6 days I have given 3 presentations and at each location I had the opportunity to face the American flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Yesterday, when I again put my hand over my heart and said those words, repeated throughout my life so many times, it occurred to me that most people, as adults, rarely have the chance to repeat that Pledge. When I was in school, each day was started with that oath. But once we reach adulthood, unless we belong to an organization that includes that recognition of our freedom and liberties, we probably do not have occasion to remind ourselves of what that flag represents. I am grateful to have, as my occupation, one that allows me so many opportunities to repeat the Pledge and think of what it means.

This month was one in which we paid special tribute to our past Presidents with a holiday, originally setup to combine the birthday recognitions of Lincoln and Washington, but now arranged more as a time to celebrate a day off from work and special prices at everything from appliance to pet stores. I thought how sad it is that our holidays designed to recognize the importance of our freedoms and honor those who stood for them and, in many cases, died for them, have been reduced to days off work and specials at merchandise establishments.

Just some thoughts I've had of late and a feeling of thankfulness when I face the flag and recite that Pledge I learned originally so many, many years ago.