Last night on the Fine Living channel, I watched a show unfortunately titled "15 Bodacious Bathrooms". I wanted to see what bells and whistles rich people are installing in their bogs nowadays: a faucet in the ceiling that fills the tub from above, a toilet that "salutes" you by raising the lid and seat automatically, massage and steam showers, etc.
A reference was made about a so-called European toilet. I thought. "What makes it European? I guess because when you use it, you're a-peein." I said this out loud and thought myself to be mightily witty and urbane. Then, the obnoxious announcer used the SAME JOKE. I'm getting predictable.....
Monday, February 15, 2010
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Faces From the Past
My main hobby nowadays is genealogy. One of my mother's distant cousins had traced a branch of her family and published a book, which is what started me on the path. So many people now have no idea where they came from or what their ancestors had to endure so their spoiled grandchildren could have Wiis and iPhones. How can you know where you're headed unless you know where you came from? It's fascinating to me to learn about my family's part in history. A subscription to Ancestry.com has been one of the best purchases I've ever made.
The trials and tribulations of your ancestors are part of your DNA. Your great-great-grandfather who left his home and moved to a foreign country for a chance at a better life; your great-great-grandmother who gave birth to 14 children without a doctor's care, made a home for them and raised them successfully; your great-uncle who fought in World War II: their bravery and fortitude runs in your veins. No matter that you haven't done any of those things yourself, just think what you're capable of.
PBS starts a series on Wednesday, Feb. 10th called Faces of America. Dr. Henry Louis Gates traces the genealogy of some celebrated Americans. There will also be a series later this year on PBS called African-American Lives, which traces the ancestry of famous African-Americans. These programs should not be missed. If they inspire in you a yearning to learn about your own family history, you can research your lineage here:
www.ancestry.com
www.rootsweb.com
www.familysearch.org
I knew next to nothing about my father's family when I started my journey. Not only have I learned about them, I've provided that knowledge for my father and his siblings who were also in the dark when it came to their background. I've heard from distant cousins who emailed me pictures and stories of long-dead relatives whose names I had heard only in passing. Learning about my ancestors has rewarded me in ways I never imagined and I look forward to the road ahead.
The trials and tribulations of your ancestors are part of your DNA. Your great-great-grandfather who left his home and moved to a foreign country for a chance at a better life; your great-great-grandmother who gave birth to 14 children without a doctor's care, made a home for them and raised them successfully; your great-uncle who fought in World War II: their bravery and fortitude runs in your veins. No matter that you haven't done any of those things yourself, just think what you're capable of.
PBS starts a series on Wednesday, Feb. 10th called Faces of America. Dr. Henry Louis Gates traces the genealogy of some celebrated Americans. There will also be a series later this year on PBS called African-American Lives, which traces the ancestry of famous African-Americans. These programs should not be missed. If they inspire in you a yearning to learn about your own family history, you can research your lineage here:
www.ancestry.com
www.rootsweb.com
www.familysearch.org
I knew next to nothing about my father's family when I started my journey. Not only have I learned about them, I've provided that knowledge for my father and his siblings who were also in the dark when it came to their background. I've heard from distant cousins who emailed me pictures and stories of long-dead relatives whose names I had heard only in passing. Learning about my ancestors has rewarded me in ways I never imagined and I look forward to the road ahead.
