Dead People Files Wrap Up

I am in the last quarter of my Dead Files project.  This has been a yearlong project I embarked on

I have started a new tradition of choosing a birthday project or a yearlong project. Last year was 50 sunsets and sunrises.  I decided this year to choose a genealogy project.  I am calling it the Dead People Files.  I have written my progress in red.

Goals

Research 13 ancestors and present that information on the blog. I will be using some of the 52 ancestors in 52-week writing prompts. Below is the start of the ancestors that I will for sure be researching.  I ended up researching 18 

   Lulu Pearl Howard Liston (Hoyt/Liston Tree) Complete- link

    John Lendman (Lendman) Complete - link

    Eliza Greene Perkins Doane (Hoyt/Liston ) Complete- link

    John Christian Brenneman (Hoyt/Liston) Complete - link

    Ida Shadwell Lendman (Lendman) Complete-link

    Charles Bourck Liston - link

    Hannah Hopkins - link

    Mary Carver Knight - link

    Abel Sutliff Jr -link

    Great Grandma's - link

    Joseph Colburn Pringey - link

    Cornelius Howard - link

    Jim Inhofe - link

    Abigail Overman Pike - link  

    Zaccheus Gould - link

    Frank R Lendman - link

    Barclay Mahlon Bond - link  

    Jane Marie Devault Hoyt - link  

    Samuel Mellor - link

Do a DNA test on myself - I am interested in learning more about this COMPLETE

Improve my genealogy research - I plan on reading some genealogy books that are from the required reading list from the BYU and Boston University Genealogy programs. I think a good goal would be at least 3 books. Below is what I had done at the half way point

I am actively searching for books on Quakers and the book below is one my library had. I have a bunch of Quakers in my tree. I hope that helps in my understanding of Quakers.

Did not reach this goal. Below are the books on my reading list.

Do one genealogy field trip? I think this might be open to interpretation COMPLETE

I attended an in-person genealogy conference and visited a local genealogy library. Link

Find a better way to share or present my genealogy research 

I still think the 52 ancestors in 52 weeks is a great way to research. I plan on continuing to do as many as I find interesting. I think this is a good way to learn and share.

write better genealogy stories.

See above. I do think when I add more details about the time period it is more interesting.  This goes back to being a good genealogist you need to be a good historian.  I do think project life scrapbook pages have a place in the story telling.

I have updated my 52 Ancestors Organization List - This has all the ancestors I have written about on this blog.

Scan more photos and become more proficient in this  

I did scan a few photos. I started following Krista K on Instagram and I really am ready to dive into this more. I think photos are a great part of writing the story.

Merry Christmas Linky

 Merry Christmas 

Thank you, loyal readers, for a great 2023.  I hope you have enjoyed my linky love.  Consider this my Christmas present to you.  This is the last linky love of this year. I will be posting a linky love on New Years Day. 

Inappropriate Thoughts

My mother thinks she is hilarious. She brought these to me. 

Linky Love

80 DIY and Homemade Christmas Ornaments - I love to buy crafted ornaments.  There was a booth at a local craft show that only had ornaments.  

Christmas Meal for $25 from Dollar General - Check out Dollar Tree Dinners 

Engineer.everything - suburban tunneler.  This is kind of nutsy, but she is tunneling under her house for fun.

Deep Thoughts

Unpopular Opinion

I suck at gift buying. Know if you received something from me- it is poorly wrapped and way overthought. I literally told my husband the gift I wrapped for him looks like a chimpanzee wrapped it.

Christmas Art

I couldn't resist this flowery snowman. The print is a digital download from Etsy. I got it printed at Walgreens as a poster. I did it as one of Walgreens deals so it relatively inexpensive. My husband finally got the mat cutter together and we matted this in a frame we already had. This is the same frame as the pumpkin print. This ties into my whole snow theme I have going on. It just makes me happy.

Better look at the print before put in the frame. I love the brightness of the floral flowers around the snowman. I have a whole snowflake them going so the snowman fits.

Wordy Wednesday

 

Weekly Roll

Lunch Lady Brownies - I made this for a work party for my husband. He said they were delicious. He managed to save me one.

maraschino cherry quick bread - I tried making something similar at the farmers market. This is close. It was delicious.

Inappropriate Thoughts

Giving a cat a pill sucks. Try giving the cat 2 pills. It is a horror flick.  I have been helping Nonna dose her cat, Puss. That cat is plotting my death. The cat is 15 years old. 

 Deep Thoughts

A Different Kind of Worry

This worry or these worries have me frozen. Usually, my stress propels towards action. These worries have me stuck in my head and staring off into space. I feel like I could use some verbal spillage. However, one of these worries is a secret. I hate secrets.  It is worse than the thing someone is trying to keep secret.

What I READ in 2023

 I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit. Check out what everyone else is reading. 

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

This is a reread for me. (Previous Review) Sharon Says So book club is reading this. Can't wait for the author meet. I actually liked it better when I discussed it.  I reminded that food is love and memory.

What I Read 2023 - book total = 17 books

Unbroken by Lauren Hillenbrand

The Revolutionary Samuel Adams by Stacy Schiff

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

The Guardians by John Grisham

The Last Russian Doll

Living the Quaker Way

The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt 

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Educated by Tara Westover

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See

Life in a Jar

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

Things I Wish I Told My Mother by Susan Patterson

Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

Dough by Mort Zachter

The Books I had the Most Ongoing Discussions About

The Revolutionary Samuel Adams

Hidden Potential - I had both my Husband and Mother-in-Law read this.  This is really thought provoking.

The Righteous Mind

The Hardest Book I Read

The Revolutionary Samuel Adams - I am glad I had book club for this book. It was challenging but worth it. It opened my eyes to politics back in the day and how they weren't all that different today.  Samuel Adams was amazing and somewhat erased from history. 

Best Fiction Book I Read

Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See - it was a wonderful story, and I loved the historical context.

Wordy Wednesday

 

I needed this reminder this week. Shine on Friends!

Adult Arts and Crafts - Santa's Misfit Reindeer

 

Yes, this another Andrea Nelson Art project. This is reindeer blobs. I am calling mine Santa's Misfit Reindeer

These were fun and relaxing.

Christmas Tree Shelfie

Yes, I have a miniature tree shelfie problem.  I particularly like the glass ones. Wait, I like them all. Maybe that is my problem. Above is my above sink shelf.  Probably needs some twinkle lights.  The deer are antiques.  Not entirely sure how to make this pop better. 

Below is the open hutch is in my kitchen. I love my lighted houses. I filled that baby up with trees. I added battery powered lights.

Weekly Roll

 These are crack. If you are at Sam's these are delish.

Linky Love

Gen Z and Millennial Use Public Libraries More Than Previous Generations, Study Says 

I have announced many times how much I love the public library.  My library at my new location is great.

Best Tea for Energy: Top 7 Herbal boost Most Recommended By Experts - I am a winter tea drinker. 

Deep Thoughts

This from Becky Higgins has been bouncing around in my brain. THE PURPOSE OF THE TASK IS TO STRENGTHEN THE RELATIONSHIP.   That resonates with me. 

52 Better Health Project - Week 3 &4

I turned 52 this year. There is also 52 weeks in a year. I decided I need to make better health choices. This is my accountability space. At least one day a week I am going to make a better health choice. Yes to 10,000 steps, better food choice, moving more. I am going to record it. I know boring but this is old age. I find I do better when I held accountable.

week 3

I made it outside for 20 minutes of morning sun for 4/7 days. It was an act of COURAGE.  It was 28 flipping degrees one of the days. My husband got me rechargeable hand warmers. Where were those for all those band/football days? By the way, one of the days, the dogs refused to join me. These New Mexico hounds are smart.  They do like to be petted with the hand warmers. 

week 4

You can't change what you don't track. I decided to chart this challenge. 

There is nothing earth shattering what I am tracking. I take high blood pressure meds so I am trying to do better in taking them.

Wordy Wednesday

 

ALWAYS

Adult Arts and Crafts - Watercolor Blob Trees

 

This was fun and relaxing. These trees make me happy. This is another Andrea Nelson Art Project.

Weekly Roll

Photo by KGR

Linky Love

Pork and Cherry Rice Bowls - this was a little experimental cooking from Budgetbytes. This was okay. There were some substitutions and omissions because of my husband's food intolerances. I think doubling the sauce would have helped.

Virtual Cookie Exchange - This is a Modern Mrs Darcy Invention.  I had discovered some new recipes. Check it out. I would bring my cookie called The World's Best (chocolate chip/butterscotch)

Good Cheap Eats came up with an Advent Calendar Meal Plan - It is a bit genuis.

The Christmas Cookies You Should Bake Based on Your Zodiac Sign - mine is grinch cookies. I don't think I have ever had or made.

2023 Christmas Cookies Trends to Try This Year - Do you Remember No Bake Cereal Wreaths. I think I made these in Girl Scouts one year. Snickerdoodles are a must.

Red Tin Treats Ebook - I think I might splurge on this from Kelly Welk. Kelly runs a cottage kitchen and makes red tin treats.

Inappropriate Thoughts

It was a full moon last week and it showed.  People were a bit cray.  The washer died. We had just replaced the pump. Not what I wanted to do on Friday date night was go purchase and install a washer.  Luckily our Lowes 40 minutes away had the machine in stock. Literally put in the back of our Traverse. That thing can haul some stuff. It was quite the date. 

52 Ancestors - Ancestor I Would Like to Meet

This prompt has me overthinking. I have a couple of ancestors that I have a lot of questions I want to ask.  I don't know necessarily if I would have wanted to meet them in the flesh. This was the very first prompt of 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks in 2023.  I have hesitated to pin down an ancestor I wanted to meet. It might be more of an interrogation. I choose John Lendman

John Lendman was born in Austria, Dec. 27, 1839. In 1856 he came to America, landing in New Orleans. From there he went to Chicago, where he remained two years, then went to Freeport, Ill. Four years later he came to Clayton County and has been engaged in improving and selling farms here since. He now owns a fine farm of 210 acres in Sperry Township, of cultivated land and abundantly stocked. He was married in this county Dec. 29, 1865, to Anna Kerr, who was born in Ireland in 1842. Four children have been born to them, viz.: Anna Maria, Thomas K., Mary Jane and William John. In politics Mr. Lendman is a Republican.

source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1099

http://iagenweb.org/clayton/index.html

There is very little I can verify about John Lendman before he arrived in Iowa.  He has listed his birthplace has Austria, Graslide, Germany, and one child identified it as Bohemia. Germany was not a unified place when John was born. His brother Joseph was most likely born in Baden Germany. 

I cannot verify when he exactly came to the US and what ship or what port despite the article above saying New Orleans.

Here below is some of the verifiable information I have about John Lendman.

John Lendman was born to Therese and John "Wentzel/" Lendman on December 27, 1839.  He probably had 7 siblings. It appears he immigrated here with his parents and siblings.  I think they most likely arrived in the US around 1853 as his brother Fred was born in Iowa. I can only verify 4 siblings. However, in a census Therese indicates that she had 8 children.  John married Anna Kerr in 1865.  Ann Kerr died in 1886.  They had 4 children together.

Mrs John Lendman

Yesterday Morning at about four o'clock, occurred the death of Mrs John Lendman, at her home in Sperry township, after having suffered a long time from a cancer in the Stomach. Mrs L. was a native of Ireland and was nearly 45 years of age. She was married to Mr L, in 1865, and by him has had four children, all of whom we believer, are living. They have resided in Sperry township for nearly a quarter of a century, and she was highly respected by all who knew her, and her death will be greatly mourned. The funeral occurs tomorrow, Friday, at ten o'clock and her remains will be laid away in the Volga Cemetery. - newspaper clipping.

On July 12, 1889, he married Ida Shadwell (1863-1937).  Their marriage was announced in the local paper. 

John Lendman of our prosperous farms was married last Friday, July 12th, 1889, to a young la

dy of this township. Rev Seifert performed the ceremony in the presence of over fifty invited guests. All were served with an elegant dinner. - Elkrader Weekly Register July 1889 page 8

Ida came from Germany.  I think she was most likely from the same village/town that John was originally from. I cannot verify that information. They had 6 children together including my Great Grandfather Frank Rudolph Lendman.  On his death certificate, the occupation is listed as farmer. John died of heart disease and died in Grant County Indiana in 1914. John was 74.

Advent Practice - Reading the Gospel of Luke

 I have been reading through the book of Luke as an advent practice for many years. I started in 2021 writing the years I have read it. It is something I do before I go to bed.  There are 24 chapters in Luke. So, I start reading on December 1st. This year I spent a little time trying to find resources and commentary on Luke to enhance the experience.  This is something that needs to be overthought.  Just read the book of Luke. I think a study bible helps but even this isn't necessary.

Wordy Wednesday

 

Weekly Roll

Bat Wings

Carlsbad, NM

Linky Love

I think I have posted about the bat wings. I have been following Kelsey Montague Art for a while now on Instagram.  She is known for her butterfly wings. I loved getting a chance to visit the bat wings.

cranberry almond cake - budgetbytes - we had this as our Thanksgiving dessert.  This is budget friendly and easy to make.

Little Known Fact About Me

curtain lights in the hideout

dorm or festive?

I love Christmas Lights.  I am a light seeker both literally and figuratively. My favorite part of the Christmas season use to be the candlelight church service.  I am not currently a church goer.  Now I just love the sparkle of the season.

52 Better Health Project - Week 2

I turned 52 this year. There is also 52 weeks in a year. I decided I need to make better health choices. This is my accountability space. At least one day a week I am going to make a better health choice. Yes to 10,000 steps, better food choice, moving more. I am going to record it. I know boring but this is old age. I find I do better when I held accountable.

Probably not the best to start with a holiday.  I did eat a lot more fruits and veggies.  I didn't overdo! That is a win. I got one day of 20 minutes morning sun. It was 34 degrees out.

I usually write a post it note while I enjoy the sun. The dogs are never sure what I am up to.

Thanksgiving Linky Love

Surprise!  I thought I would give the people something to click on.  Maybe you are up making the fixings, maybe you aren't celebrating today, or maybe you just love linky love.

Flaco the Owl visits a couple - You totally come here for celebrity owl updates

Snoopdogg narrates animal planet (instagram)

Inappropriate Thoughts

Real talk here, Thanksgiving is better with a book and if I had my druthers it would happen in mountain cabin with a full library of books. You know the type of library that has a ladder. There were be unlimited hot drinks and snacks. 

Our Favorite Adventure Books for Every State - I have read Boys in the Boat for Washington State.  There are some really interesting books on this list. I think I am going to have to revisit. I haven't read the book for New Mexico but I will be especially since it is a banned book.

Here is a post about my favorite Armchair Adventure Reads. I need to update again.

TBR (to be Read) Adventure Book - Trail of The Lost - Kinda true crime too.

Little Known Fact About Me

My mother banned me from reading books during cleaning time. Rude!  Evidently, I was spending more time reading than cleaning. I was unmanageable as a child. I think my mom would be startled to know now I follow cleaning Instagrams too.  

Gocleanco

Wordy Wednesday - Tea Box Quote

 

I love that Celestial Tea boxes have quotes in them. This was from their peach tea.

Weekly Roll

Linky Love

Winter Woodland Animal Stamps - Pictured above - I think these are adorable stamps.

Floret Originals - Preview of Floret Originals

Walmart Sensory Hours - I think this is awesome.

Flaco the Owl May have Returned After Failed Attempt at Love - I know you come to just this blog for all celebrity animal information.

Marty the Moose Adventures in New Mexico  - more celebrity animal information

Little Known Fact About Me

I am a mini tree hoarder. I pretty sure I have a problem with collecting them. Those above are just the ones I purchased this year. 

Deep Thoughts

I don't have enough battery for that.

Last week, I was talking to my youngest about work and work cliques.  He said, "I don't have enough battery for that."  

That really resonated with me. This past week I literally took my birthday off.  I was feeling like I was running on empty. I am introvert and I have learned in my life I need less people sometimes.  It was really wonderful. I got a haircut. I wandered around hobby lobby.  I rode in my car by myself.  I am unpaid caregiver, so my client is always in my house. Sometimes it is a bit too close.  I love my people, but I crave space. My battery was low, so I took my birthday to re-charge it.

52 Better Health Project

I turned 52 this year. There is also 52 weeks in a year. I decided I need to make better health choices. This is my accountability space. At least one day a week I am going to make a better health choice. Yes to 10,000 steps, better food choice, moving more. I am going to record it. I know boring but this is old age. I find I do better when I held accountable.

Some of my goals are

10,000 steps

20 minutes of outdoor morning sun

limit caffeine

limit snacks

more fruit and vegetables

How did I do this week

1 day of 20 minutes of morning sun.  I am doing pretty good on the caffeine.  I had one day where I drank 3 cups of coffee and half of a coke.  But otherwise, I am doing well sticking to the 2 cup rule.