Wednesday, July 28, 2010

#70 - Genealogy

1. Sorry, I will not "create a free account" on any further websites. I really do not care if I look like any known celebrity, and I already know which parent I look most like.

2. I'm sure Footnote and websites like it are really helpful for people who are using the internet to search for ancestors and fill in family trees. I think it is great that people will post items for the public that have nothing to do with their own histories. My own family has compiled research and filled in the family tree back to the mid 1600's the old fashioned way - searching documents in libraries, court houses, churchs and cemetaries; and by visiting relatives both known and newly-found and adding what they know to what was already known.

#69 - Genealogy

In HeritageQuest, I found my maternal grandfather listed in the 1920 US Census in Dormant, PA, and in the 1930 US Census in Stamford, CT, which agreed with 'written' history from the family.

My grandparents moved from the North East to New Orleans in the 1930's, and my Grandmother had her children, my Mother's three older siblings write their version of the move. These stories or essays have been kept with the family records for more than 60 years.

#68 - Genealogy

I haven't persued an oral history, and probably wouldn't, just as a preference. I used a 'tree' form, and really did like the way the information was readily available for each name.

I could not figure out how to search for the oldest grave in a cemetary; however, I did find the listing of my paternal grandparents burial sites, in the Lawndale Cemetary, in Houston.

#67 - Genealogy

I began researching my family tree when I was in high school, by interviewing my Grandmother and my Mother's siblings who were all at least 12 years older than my Mother. I would suggest this as a way to begin research for any family tree.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

65 - Coin collecting

I know that coin collecting can be profitable and fun. But it really never interested me as a hobby. The weight of the coins for a collection would be an issue, I think.

I looked at the coins in my wallet - and found nothing with more than face value, not that I expected to.

On GoogleMaps, I found a coin shop in Humble at 113 1st Street West. Maybe I'll go "window shop" sometime; however, I still do not see this as a hobby I would persue.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

#60 Recession Busters

At the Recession Cookbook website, I found recipes for Black Bean Soup, made from bagged black beans, and Arugula, Avocado, Orange Salad. The cost of the raw materials for this meal was less than $10.

One useful tactic I use at the grocery store to save money is to use coupons. I use them for items on sale and also for items that I use often, and stock my pantry ahead of my needs.

Shopping the sale ads for seasonal items, checking shelves for discontinued items and seeking out the 'bent & dent' bins for items that I can use right away can be a way to reduce the 'pain' at the checkout register.

Monday, April 26, 2010

#84 Writer communities

I have gone to some of my favorite authors websites - actually what is written on the book jacket is usually enough information for me. Even though some of my authors have websites, I do not wish to interact via the web. I consider that way too invasive.

Books published on popular vote is way too close to voting for a politician-I would have way less faith in the material.