52 Ancestors- the possibilities

I am participating in Amy Johnson Crow's 52 ancestors in 52 weeks. This week's topic was possibilities.

Find a Grave

Find a Grave

What is the likelihood that 2 Noah Liston's are both related to me and buried in the same cemetery, Mount Moriah Cemetery, Valley Point, Preston County, West Virginia. Secondly their deaths and births are a year apart. Ah, the possibilities. It gets better they both married women who go by Elizabeth even though Noah E's wife's name was Mary Elizabeth. I was researching Noah Z Liston, but I kept getting a lot of Noah E Liston's info mixed in on Ancestry So, I did a dry erase board to get things sorted out.  I did not realize at first that I was related to Noah E Liston.

Their common ancestor is John Jackson Liston Sr. He is my maternal 4th Great Grandfather.  Noah Z and Noah E's fathers are brothers. Both Noah's were farmers and live in the same county. Evidently are also buried in the same cemetery. 

I know the pain of having multiple people in your 6th grade class named Heather.  I was one of 6 Heather's 

Wordy Wednesday

 

Weekly Roll

 

Bouquet of the Week

Walmart Dahlia, Salvia, Lavendar, 

Linky Love

Anyone else follow Jackie and Shadow the eagles at Big Bear.  Well their eaglets, Sandy and Luna, spend the night alone in the nest.

New Mexico Nun closer to Sainthood

Missing Nuclear Lab Worker found dead in New Mexico Forest amid a string of missing Scientists - has anyone else been following this.

Inappropriate Thoughts

Of course, I needed my own special 

alien stickers

I rewarded myself with a sticker bootcamp course for my Cricut. Does anyone else reward themselves when they do something hard? I have done many things with my Cricut but designing stickers is not one of them. It was time consuming, but I learned a lot. This was a Mim Jenkinson sticker bootcamp course.

so many ideas

Wordy Wednesday

 

Junk Journaling

It is a picture of a lid for a reusable container

I typed "Chaos Container"

 I don't know if what I do is junk journaling, scrapbooking, slam book or what.  I started a new junk journal because I ran out of pages in my other journal.

This was in my old Junk Journal

April 2026

Weekly Roll

 

2nd bouquet of summer

Walmart Dahlia and lavender

Linky Love

Sinclair Dinosaur Recovered - Only in New Mexico! We have at least 3 Sinclair Stations and someone has been dressing up them or putting eyes on them. It is pretty funny.

Inappropriate Thoughts

Meet My Little Friend

There has been a lizard hanging out in our yard.  The dogs have been enjoying chasing it. I pretty sure they would eat it if they caught it.

Deep Thoughts

It was pointed out to me thar my behavior was enabling someone else's behavior.  I really did not like having that pointed out to me.  I really wanted to deny that but upon sitting with that I decided to take some steps to change my behavior. If nothing changes, nothing changes. 

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.