Saturday, September 5, 2026

52 Ancestors - More than a Name

 I am participating in Amy Johnson Crow's 52 in writing about 52 ancestors in 52 weeks.  The prompt was "More than a Name."

I chose Elizabeth Patrick Prather my 4th Great Grandmother. 

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Elizabeth was born on September 26, 1803, in Clark, Indiana, her father was William Patrick Jr, and her mother was Mary Jacobs.  In 1803 Clark County was part of the Northwest Territory. William and Mary Patrick were early pioneers of this area. They most likely arrived around 1797 as their daughter Rachel was their first child born in Indiana. The president was Thomas Jefferson in 1803 who was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase. Indiana would become a state in 1816. Elizabeth was the 4th of nine children born to William and Mary. Elizabeth married Aaron Prather on June 8, 1820, in Clark County, Indiana. Interestingly enough her sister, Mary married a Prather and her half-sister Sarah Ann too. Her husband, Aaron, farmed outside of Utica, Clark County, Indiana. Aaron on their family farm would have been growing corn, wheat, barley, potatoes and legumes. They would have 12 children though family search has them having 13. Clark County's population in 1850's was around 15,800. Elizabeth died on September 9, 1860, in her hometown at the age of 56 and was buried in New Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery. Utica Township, Indiana. The church New Chapel was perhaps the first Methodist Episcopal Church established in 1804.


Elizabeth
Consort Of
Aaron Prather,
Born
Sept. 26, 1803
Died
Sept. 9, 1860,
Aged 56 Y's. 11 M's. & 14 D's

The epitaph is interesting. Instead of wife it says consort.  Consort is associate. It seems odd.

Sunday, August 30, 2026

Weekly Roll

Junk Journal Tribute

 Deep Thoughts


On Tuesday we had our author meeting for Book Club.  We read "The Lion Women of Tehran."  Of course this was right after the announcement of Dolly Patron's passing.  We all decided that Dolly was a Lion Woman.  A Lion Women is a woman who is comfortable in their own skin, courageous, generosity of spirit, true to their selves. It was wonderful hearing from Marjan Kamali.  My book review is here.


I made 2 Persian dishes for dinner before book club. In the book Homa and Ellie are taught to make Shirazi Salad. The recipe can be found on Marjan Kamali's website.


The sweet treat I made was Ghorabiah Tabriz which is an almond macaroon with chopped pistachio. This recipe was a challenge with egg whites and lots of whipping.  Glad I gave it a try. 


Friday, August 28, 2026

52 Ancestors - Investigation in Progress

 I haven't given a update on my 52 ancestors in 52 weeks project. I have been researching a lot. The lady below has been taking up a lot of my time.


Most of Adele Blood’s adult life can be followed through theatre play bills and newspaper

headlines. Adele was known as “The Most Beautiful Blonde on American Stage.”


Perhaps below is what Adele Blood is most remembered by the headline of her obituary.



I have gone deep into the rabbit hole of Adele Blood's life and how she is related to my family.

She is my 3rd cousin 3 times removed on my maternal side and on my paternal side she is

my 8th cousin 3 times removed. Yes, both my branches touch here.


Throughout her adult life she has made headlines and not always in a positive way.

There was fame, adultery, friendship with the Silver Queen Susanna Bradford, Brigham

Young's Gardo House, scandal, a failed production., and a suspicious death. I have

working on this for about a month off and on and I keep turning up things.


Hopefully I can bring you the most complete story soon.







Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Wordy Wednesday- Dolly Tribute

 The world was a better place with Dolly in it.  RIP in Dolly. Dolly had some amazing quotes. Thought I would share some of the favorites shared via Instagram.







Sunday, August 23, 2026

Weekly Roll

 

Dragon
BioPark 

Linky Love

Adult Loneliness Often Treated as a Failure to Connect

People with Disabilities say Medicaid Income Limits Stifle Career Progression

The Jackie the Eagle Dies - Anyone else a Jackie and Shadow the eagles fan? This is so sad. Shadow seen with a New Eagle in Nest

Deep Thoughts



I got to chance to chase a sunset in my old stomping grounds.  I took a break last week and went on adventure and to celebrate my niece who is expecting.  It literally the first baby shower I have been to in YEARS.  It was so fun. 

Monday, August 17, 2026

What I Read August

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

Summer had wound down and my reading has slowed to a trickle.


The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

I bought this book to share with Nonna . She thought the book might have a few too many characters. Since all the writing is in letters and emails aka correspondence. It takes a bit to get the storyline. I enjoyed it. I passed onto a friend. It certainly has gotten a lot of buzz. 

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Junk Around and Find Out

 I thought I would share more from my junk journal. This a couple pics of our trip to Albuquerque to see Slim Sherri and Dad Bod Veteran junk journal style.


Sunday, August 9, 2026

Weekly Roll

 

They were having a 1st birthday party for "Little"
the Flamingo
Albuquerque NM Bio Park



Linky Love

Guy Living in Netflix Billboard

Inappropriate TALES FROM THE ROAD

We do a lot of driving here in rural New Mexico. Thought I would share a few inappropriate things I noticed last week in our travels.  I saw an apparently homeless man carrying his urine in a plastic garbage bag.  In the middle of nowhere Vaughn New Mexico, we saw a man handcuffed and following a deputy from the gas station.  It wasn't much a prisoner transport but where was the guy going to run to.


We also found Cinderella's abandoned carriage. You have to stop to check it out.


Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Wordy Wednesday

 


This quote was in Jen Hatmaker's Message from the Middle and it hit home for me. I too am a conflict avoider. Jen Hatmaker had this to say after the quote above - "I propose that silence is not better than necessary confrontation or change. It is worse. Silence is covering something up, and cover ups have never worked."

Sunday, August 2, 2026

Weekly Roll

Custom Shadow Box
Made by my Husband

Linky Love

Marmots Only Fans - Marmots I'd Like to Fund - This cracked me up

150 Box Turtles Dumped by NJ River

Shout to My Mom

Happy Birthday!!!!

Deep Thoughts

in progress

My husband has been working on the shadow box up above for months.  It was a custom order. The majority of the shadow box is made out of Beli wood. He did all the laser work on this too.  I know when he was asked to do this project, he didn't think it would take months. I say by far this is the hardest project he has ever done. There was also the pressure of wanting to tell the story of this veteran in such way as to honor him.





Sunday, July 26, 2026

Weekly Roll

 

Does anyone else use Merlin to identify birds?  I use it quite often when I am in my backyard.  We actually have a house sparrow nest on our patio. I know bird watching is a peak old person activitiy. 

Clematis is blooming

Inappropriate Thoughts


Someone asked me to do math, and it was simple math and it didn't go well. I don't math well under pressure.

Sunday, July 19, 2026

Weekly Roll

 

Son like Mother - Always sticking our head in these things.

Linky Love

Orange Bundt Cake My son told me it looked worse after I put the glaze on. I should of used baking spray.  It stuck a bit to the pan. I made the glaze with 2 tablespoons of orange juice, 1 cup of powdered sugar, and some orange zest. They are big fans of pistachio bundt cake



Inappropriate Thoughts


Went to the Generation X Takeover at the Route 66 Casino.  Perhaps the most inappropriate appropriate thing we did last Saturday It was an experience.  We laughed a lot and jammed to Generation X toons.

 

Saturday, July 18, 2026

Spicy Older Ladies Blazers Fan Club - Summer League Report

Well there is a lot to discuss.  Summer League is in the books for the Portland Trailblazers. You know us Spicy Older Ladies have opinions!


The Blazers have been making some moves. THEY finally have a new Head Coach- Micah Nori.  We really liked Tiago Splitter as acting coach of Trail Blazers.  

I thought Tiago resembled Sam the Eagle

Tiago is headed to the BULLS.

Other notable trades are Jerami Grant aka JG and Kris Murray to the Grizzlies for Ja Morant.  Very mixed feelings about Ja.


Current Cap and Depth Chart here

Friday, July 17, 2026

4th of July Junk Journal Spread

 Scrapbook or Junk Journal it is hard to distinguish between the two. 



Left a little note under my Husband's picture about the historic 4th of July.  It was a hot one in Artesia, NM.


Wednesday, July 15, 2026

What I have read July

I am linking up with Modern Mrs Dary's quick lit.  Check out what everyone is reading. My reading has picked up. 

View from the East Wing by Jill Biden 

Our book club prides ourselves on reading books from all sides of the Political Spectrum.  I found this one just ho-hum.  Some of the members called it fluffy. I do think the last chapters are the best.  I didn't realize that Dr Jill Biden taught at community college while being First Lady. It is written in vignettes, and the flow is not the best. I read this on my kindle.


We also had an author meet.  I thought it was a great discussion with the former first lady and I enjoyed it immensely.


Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

I was sent this by my friend. The main character, Natalie, is basically unlikeable, and I agree with that assessment. This follows a trad wife who tries to make her life look perfect with the cattle ranch and making things from scratch. However, there is a other side to the story and Natalie is thrown back into the 1800's. The story is a trainwreck you can't turn the pages fast enough to find out what happens. This book has gotten plenty of buzz.


This is a book club book and historical fiction. The story follows 2 young girls who become friends in Tehran. It is about growing up as a woman in Tehran during Iran's turbulent history. The different choices each makes and the consequences of their choices. This was a fabulous book. I can't wait to discuss.


Wordy Wednesday

 


Sometimes I think the universe is trying to tell me something.

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

21st Anniversary of Postcrossing

 Today Postcrossing is celebrating its 21st anniversary.  Postcrossing is something I have been doing this year. You can find all about postcrossing here.

Stats from June 


Sent postcards to Taiwan, Finland, Germany, and France today.


Sunday, July 12, 2026

Weekly Roll

 

just a wilted weekly bouquet
like the orange bag netting for floral frog
linky love

New Route 66 Sign Welcomes Travelers to Albuquerque Route 66 considered the mother road is celebrating 100 years.

WA Behavioral Health System Failed her Son  

Goldie the Goat helps Firefighters


Inappropriate Thoughts




My dogs were not impressed with my bubble machine.  I pretty sure they aren't ever impressed by any of my antics. The bubbles really show up.  I was going to take to 4th of July Parade but chickened out. Be prepared for more amazing bubble pics.