Wordy Wednesday

 

Weekly Roll- Memorial Day

first dahlia bouquet of the summer

Happy Memorial Day!  I am a little light on content this weekend. We have a lot of house and garden projects going.  The heat is on here in New Mexico. School is out for the summer.

 Linky Love

Summer Reading Guide - Everyday Reading - the extended guide is worth signing up for.  I will be sharing what is on my summer reading list soon.  

Inappropriate Thoughts

I am never entering our alley again.  Snakes is a big hell no. Let's just start a dumpster fire!

Wordy Wednesday

 

In 2016 Joseph Fasano's college students started writing down his slightly unhinged advice in a notebook.  The result is 150 plus pages of advice, and the notebook now lives in his office and invites students to write down his words.  Above is a sample of some of the quotes in his notebook. 

Teacher Quotes Go Viral

Weekly Roll

 

Any of these on your list? 

Children's Summer Reading Log - free printable from Everyday Reading

2026 Minimalist Summer Reading Guide - Modern Mrs Darcy also has a full reading list guide for purchase.  The minimalist guide is a sneak peek.

Remarkably Bright Creatures - I finally watched. I thought it was great.  Sally Fields was awesome. Book Review - HERE

Inappropriate Thoughts

I got this ad in my feed. I blame my nephew. I only know what actuary is because of him. This ad was in my feed.  I want people to know I always use my math skills for evil.  Just ask my Algebra 2 teacher according to her I can't use math for anything.  

Wordy Wednesday

 

Happy Mother's Day Weekly Roll Edition

Postcards I mailed out this week

to Japan, Wisconsin, Lithuania, and Germany

I have been sending postcards for a year. I have sent and received about 112 postcards.

I am also excited about the new US Postcrossing Stamps coming out in May.

Shut out to My Mom!

Happy Mother's Day!  

Love You

 

 

 

 

52 Ancestors- Questions the Record Can't Answer

I have been participating in 52 ancestors in 52 weeks a writing challenge put on by Amy Johnson Crow. The prompt was, "Questions the Records Can't Answer."

In my genealogy work, I have been reading a lot of town history books or a county history book. Occasionally you stumble across a story, and you say, "What?" Did I read that right? It is usually just a snippet of a story. I always want to know more. I need more context and more facts.

I was reading the Mason and Menard County history, and I came across the story below

The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

I believe the Hoyt that is mentioned might be one of my relatives. Is this frontier justice?

So, if I am interpreting this right, a Hoyts field was set on fire after threats were made to the Alwoods to leave the neighborhood. The Alwoods or their associates burned the wheat field of a Hoyt. 

In retaliation, the  crops of the Alwoods were burned, the Alwoods home was burned and their son and daughter shot. (neither fatally)

As consequence indictments were brought and trials commenced. However, all this was stopped after Jack (Andrew Jackson) was shot in 1856 in his field cutting corn. Jack Alwood was warned that if he pursued prosecution of those who wronged his family, he would pay the price.

find a grave

I did spend some time researching this.  It was pretty unsatisfying.  I didn't really get much

I have a lot of questions.

Why did they dislike the Alwoods?  Was it because they were rich and from New Jersey?  Were they southern sympathizers?   Hiram Alwood and Andrew Jackson "Jack" Alwood have limited information.

Which Hoyt's were involved? I was able to research the 1850 US census and Illinois 1855 census there were a number of Hoyt's living in Mason County.  Most of my relatives are found in Salt Creek, Illinois not Manito. Those living in ne.ar Manito were in the 1850 census were Benjamin "Leonard" Hoyt, Albinus Perry Hoyt, Horace Hoyt. I don't know if I am related.

Map Source

What does the court say? There are no digitized court records from this time period that are easily accessible.

4th time is a Charm -Rose Growing

 

I am ashamed that so far, I have killed 3 roses.  Granted they should have tried harder.  I have learned a few things such as my dog was peeing on them wasn't good so not totally my fault, right.  This is my 4th rose. I finally planted it. I put lattice around it to prevent dog spray from hitting the rose. I have been babying it. Say a prayer.  Isn't the color amazing on the bloom.

Rose Plum Perfect

Lady Gardenton I am not more like Lady Rose Killer.

Wordy Wednesday

 

Weekly Roll

Annie and Luce (Lucifer)

Nonna's Cats

Inappropriate Thoughts

I almost had to put a BOLO out for my dad.  I took him and my older son to the mall and my dad said he had to use the restroom.  I said we meet you outside and we will continue on to the store.  I waited for him and no dad.  I called my mother and she said, "Did he go to Barnes and Noble?" I said that is a walk. This was an outdoor mall and Barnes and Noble was at the other end.  I checked the nearest restroom. No sign of my dad. Sure, enough about 20 minutes here strolls my dad. He managed to trek all the way to Barnes and Noble.  He had gone to the restroom and gotten a book. This is the same man my mom lost in Barnes and Noble for like an hour.  

Deep Thoughts

Sharon McMahon commence address was cancelled to UVU. She shared it on the Preamble She talks about a durable hope.  It is worth a read.

Wordy Wednesday

 

Weekly Roll

 

What is in my Analog Bag

Books, Pens, Paper, Protein Bar

Linky Love

Analog Bag Trend Is a real book in your purse analog enough been doing that since the 80s.  LOL Analog Bag: Gen Z's Solution to Doomscrolling I go to a lot of appointments with other people so I usually bring something to do.

Inappropriate Thoughts

There is a new weather term, and it is Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS). I think we need to use this as a work term.  My husband doesn't agree.  I also think it is a mighty fine band name.

Deep Thoughts

April is Autism Awareness Month. My older son has autism.  He is an adult with autism.  I have written a lot about his childhood.  It no longer my place to tell his story.  I can only tell you my perspective as a caregiver and a mom.  From my perspective we have come so far in identifying autism and creating interventions at the adolescent level.  Schools want always to improve functioning, but the adult system is built on proving how disabled you are. I have seen inclusion, meaningful work, and being accepted can improve life for people with autism.  I don't think this is easily accomplished in the adult world.  Finding supportive situations is extremely challenging.  

Creative Condundrum

 Lately I have had too many creative ideas, and the result is I haven't worked on any of them.  Maybe I just need to write them all down.

Lady Gardenton - I saw this idea on Damask Love.  I have the perfect outfit for a garden photo shoot.

Make Postcards - We don't have an Artesia postcard.  There is one of the mural in the library. At $5 a postcard not realistic to send out for postcrossing. I would like to have some of my own city card options.  I also have some ideas for slightly inappropriate postcards. I even made of list of ideas.  That is kind of progress

Welcome to Artesia Mural

Start working on my Valentine's designs.  I know Valentine's is a long way off.  I have ideas but I haven't discovered if the concept works.

Keep Junk Journaling

Combo of Junk Journal and Potential Inappropriate Postcard

Wordy Wednesday

 

Weekly Roll

Linky Love

Chocolate Pistachio Loaf Cake - I might make this for our author meet for book club

Spicy Older Ladies Blazer Fan Club Update 

In case you haven't heard the Blazers are the 7th seed in the playoff and play the San Antonio Spurs tonight. The Spicy Older Ladies Blazer Fan Club is really excited.  We might have squealed when they won the play in. 

Why the Blazers Won't Get Swept by the Spurs

Deep Thoughts

March Junk Journal Spread

 

Surprise under the postcard

Is this a junk journal/scrapbook?  I don't know.  It is kind of a chaos journal.  It is my small way of being creative. 

What I Read in April

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

1929 By Andrew Ross Sorkin

This book covers the 1929 wall street crash. It compressively pulled together all the information of those involved. The wealthy men who were running the markets.  The crash wasn't a quick event like we were taught in school. This was a book club book and it is hefty read. It is so well written and almost reads like a who done it.  

Rabbit Holes

I couldn't help but google a bunch of stuff

Charles Mitchell's Mansion in New York

bifurcation

Tammay Hall

Smoot Hawley Tariffs

Book Flight

Someone in our book club suggested reading Kirsten Hannah's The Four Winds along with this.  It is a much easier read and a good story about the dust bowl. I believe this was in Modern Mrs Darcy's Summer Reading Guide 2021.

Wordy Wednesday

 

Spicy Older Lady Blazer Fans Appreciation

Well, well, no one is more surprised than us that the Blazers made the play in for the post season.  We are delighted and excited to see what happens. They play the Phoenix Suns tonight.  The play in games are on Amazon Prime

We have some favorite players that will be playing

Deni Avdija aka Turbo - Not hard on the eyes either

Donovan Clingan aka Cling Kong - Big Man from UCONN

Shaedon Sharpe - aka Sharpie - this guy can fly.  Probably due to all the Mac n Cheese he eats.

Jrue Holiday - this seasoned veteran is keeping hope alive.  The Blazers would not be in this position without him

Inappropriate Thought

I think the Blazers Acting Head Coach resembles Sam the Eagle.  I can't unsee it.  I worry that the creases in his forehead might be becoming permanent.

Weekly Roll

first clematis bloom

Linky Love

April is Autism Awareness Month

Jonathan Huong is still missing from Mt Vernon, Washington.. Jonathan is an adult with Autism.

Inappropriate Thoughts

We had a little Easter explosion. We had a Pyrex dish explode with hashbrown casserole.  Already hot dish was placed on a hot burner.  Kaboom! Only the hashbrown casserole was harmed.

Deep Thoughts

I got a big surprise via mail in the form of a glitter egg.  I am going to be an unofficial official great aunt.  I am not a blood relation, but I consider this one of my nieces. I feel that it is such a privilege to be included as an unofficial auntie.  This bun in the oven is going to have lots of aunties, tia's, and uncles. I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE LUCKY COUPLE!  They will be excellent parents.

Turkey Vultures

We had a strange weather month March was in New Mexico.  We saw a high of 100.  Then a drop in temperature by about 40 degrees. Everything is blooming.  I saw our usual migration of Turkey Vultures in their usual perch about a couple blocks away for 1 day and the next when the temperature dropped. They were gone. We were out walking our dogs the other day, and we saw about 50 Turkey vultures roosting in a completely different area. 

I had forgotten that I saw a turkey vulture in Washington State with my babysitting kid. (2010)

link

Wordy Wednesday

 

Weekly Roll

 Linky Love

Owls fall from Ceiling in Walmart Garden Center

Brighten Someone Day with this 10-word Message This is a good reminder

Inappropriate Thoughts

Kyle Scheele was talking about his Chaos wall.  Do I need an Inappropriate Wall or Inappropriate Journal.  Yes, my brain is random.

Deep Thoughts

I reminded that HOPE IS AN ACTION not a FEELING.

The Case for Hope in an Exhausted America - Everyone knows I am a big Sharon McMahon fan.

52 Ancestors - An Address with a Story

 I have been participating in Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks writing challenge.  The prompt for two weeks ago was "An Adress with a Story". My story is more like a county with the story of 4 Virgin brothers.

The 4 Virgin brothers, George, Kinzey, Abraham, Rezin Virgin came to Mason County, Illinois in about 1837. The brothers traveled from Scioto County Ohio most likely via the National Road by wagon train. They will all settle near what would become Salt Creek Township. The Virgin brothers had spent most of their youth in Greenup County Kentucky which borders the Ohio river across from Scioto County Ohio.

county map of Illinois

Mason County highlighted yellow

George Teagarden Virgin was the oldest brother.  George was born in Pennsylvania in 1798.  George married Alcy Sikes in 1820 in Scioto Ohio. They never had any children. George and Alcy moved to Mason County in 1837. Goerge had purchase 80 acres in 1836 according to Illinois land records. In Mason and Menard County History, George is described as more domestic in nature and a corpulent man with Herculean strength.  Alcy his wife is described as the ambition of the pair.  George had a store house on his property and neighbors would often purchase things from the storehouse as the nearest groceries were 20 miles away in Havana. The storehouse had coffee, sugar, and other kitchen necessities.  The storehouse started as a small 8 x 10 building and eventually grew in a proper storehouse in the town of Hiawatha.  Unfortunately, in 1855, George would take vermin poison on accident.  He would mix up rodent poison and camphor on the mantle when he went to take it during the night, I have written about it before - tragedy. Alcy his wife would live until 1873 when she would succumb to cholera.

Big Grove Cemetery

Mason County, Il

Abram (Abraham) Virgin was in 1801 Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth "Betsey" Enslow in 1822 in Scioto Ohio. When Abraham moved to Mason County between 1837 and 1839. Land records show that he purchased property in 1839.  Abraham built a log hut in an eastern part of the grove. On the land he raised stock and farmed.  Abraham and Betsey had 6 children. According to local Mason County history in 1853 he was afflicted with a mental malady and was confined to the Insane Asylum in Jacksonville, Illinois. 

The Asylum in Jacksonville had only opened in 1851. However, he recovered and went back to his normal life. Abraham died of Cholera in 1873. Abraham's wife, Betsey, also caught cholera in 1873 and was infirmed bedridden. She lived until 1877.

Big Grove Cemetery

Mason County, Il

Rezin Virgin was born in Pennsylvania in 1803, and he spent his growing up years in Kentucky. He married several times. He first wed Eliza Pool Whitcomb in Scioto Ohio in 1827. This marriage did not to last for whatever reason Eliza goes on to marry another.  In 1837 Rezin settles in Mason County Il.  Rezin goes on to purchase a considerable tract of land on the north side of the grove. He marries the widow of Ephraim Brooner, one of the early settlers of Mason City township.  Their house was a log cabin on the south side of a large pond. He improved the land and later life moved his farm about a mile further northeast.  The history of Mason and Menard County notes that Rezin was a man of great energy but physically weak. The History also notes that he is a peculiar and eccentric person known far and near as Uncle Reze. There are no known children. Rezin died at age 68.

Rezin Virgin's Grave

Big Grove Cemetery

Mason County, IL

The youngest Virgin brother was Kinsey Virgin. Kinsey Virgin is my3rd great grandfather and he was born in 1807 in Pennsylvania. Virgin family ends up in Scioto Ohio.  Kinsey marries Eliza Young in 1831.  Land Records indicate that Kinsey purchased land in Mason County in 1839. Kinsey was to build a log hewed house. He raised livestock and he was enterprising.  However out of his 6 children only one lived to adulthood my second great grandmother, Mary Eliza Virgin. For every child he buried he had a funeral preached ty the "little Baptist preacher", John L Turner of Crane Creek. Kinsey was to die in 1852 and Eliza in 1854. Kinzey was only 45

Find a Grave

Swing Grove Cemetery

Mason County IL