Threads of Life..........

One of my internet friends lost her husband last week.  That made me think of another blog I had written and thought I would share that blog with you.  In a way, it pertains to my two friends that have lost a loved one.

Here's my former blog:

Entry for December 01, 2007


The Guy --- The Rug -- The Thread --

I remember learning that the Bible says to "cry when someone is born and to rejoice when they die". I didn't understand that when I was a kid. Shoot, I can't really remember when I finally did understand. But, I am pretty sure that I do understand the real meaning now.

When you're born, you have a lifetime of mixed emotions to contend with, when you die, your lifetime is over. No more emotions for you. Just peace. Remember, you aren't the only one "born", everyone is "born" and have their own road to travel.

Sometimes, some lifetimes merge, get mixed in like a weaved rug, or just as a small piece of thread that is not weaved into the rug, but still, a part of the rug. That's me, the thread.

My friend's dad died yesterday. He always treated me so good, such a nice "guy". I was invited to birthday, anniversary, and holiday events. He and his wife had been married 50 years and Donnie and I went to that event. We had so much fun. He had such an extended family and always made everyone feel so welcomed. He will be missed by so many and remembered by everyone that ever met him.

Goodby, Guy, till we meet again.

I knew I wasn't a blood relative, but felt like part of the family, anyway. Like I said, I am the thread.

Toujours Moi,

Claudette

Is This Mr. Hale? Part 1

Is This Mr. Hale? Part 1

November, 2006, I was surfing the web, looking for genealogy, as usual. I had been contemplating buying a

book about the area my paternal grandmother had been born in. I decided to call the lady that had written the book and ask her a few questions before I invested any money into it. We talked about 45 minutes and I told her I would send her the money.

I received the book in early December and proceded to open the book and look at the index for my surnames. I was shocked to see only one "Hale" in the index. I thought I had just wasted my money!!

I started to read the story about my "surname" and told Donnie that I had a funny feeling that the man, Mr. Hale, in the book, was my great grandfather, John Hale. From my genealogy research I knew he had worked for the railroad and had married my great grandmother in that area. But, this Mr. Hale was married to another woman.

My grandmother had never told me about another marriage for her dad. In fact, no one in my family had ever heard about him being married again after he and my great grandmother were divorced. I had searched the
genealogy sites on the net and hadn't found a marriage for him to someone after his divorce from my great grandmother. Cold chills ran up my spine, I just knew it was him!!

I knew I was on to something!!

The next day I called the lady that had written the book. I asked her if she had gotten all of her cousins to write about their direct lines and then put it together as a book. She said, "Yes"!! I told her I needed to contact her cousin who had written the story about my great grandfather. She gave me a phone number to call her cousin. I called, but the number was no good, due to the area code being changed. I called her back and she gave me her cousins e-mail address.

I wrote a message to her cousin and asked her if she knew anything about the Mr. Hale in the book. She wrote back that she was 81 years old, remodeling her home, and everything was boxed up till the remodeling was done. BUT, she just might have a photo of Mr. Hale. She wrote that she would try to find it and send it to me over the net. Mr. Hale had been married to her great grandmother for a short time.
I figured I had hit a brick wall!! At her age, remodeling, etc. I didn't think I would ever hear from her again.

One day I got up, made my coffee and sat down at my computer and opened up my e-mail. I was floored to see one with the subject being: "Is This Mr. Hale?" I opened it and looking at me was my great grandfather, John Henry Hale!!! I wrote back and referred her to my website with a photo of my great grandfather’s photo from when he was younger and married to my great grandmother. She wrote back and said, "same eyes, same ears, same everything"!!

She and I started writing e-mails and discovered she would be coming to my hometown in September 2007 for a LST reunion for her husband who had been in WWII. We decided to meet each other then.

Tune in for Part 2 of "Is This Mr. Hale?"

Toujours Moi,
Claudette

A View Of Liege, Belgium

A beautiful view of Liege, Belgium, my Mother's homeland.  Photo courtesy of Eveline, my online friend in Liege.  This photo was taken in 2005.

TSGS Annual Dinner and "Mr. Evansville"

Tuesday evening my cousin, Terry Winchester, asked me if I was going to the annual dinner for our local  genealogical society's annual dinner.  I hadn't planned to, but, when he said that Harold Morgan was speaking, well, I just knew I would be in for a special treat.

I must admit, I had let my membership to the Tri-Sate Genealogical Society expire.  Wednesday afternoon, after going to the doctor's office and taking care of a few other 'must dos', I mentioned it to my boyfriend, Donnie, and we decided to go the dinner that was being held at the Sirloin Stockade Restaurant.

I don't know if you have ever heard Harold Morgan speak before, but to me, he is "Mr. Evansville".  He seems to know so many facts about my hometown of Evansville, IN.   The subject for the dinner was, "Evansville During The Depression", which included a slideshow.

I'm so glad I went.  We sat with cousin, Terry, the food was great (Donnie had a yummy steak), the people were friendly, and the presentation was all that I hoped it would be.  We had a nice conversation after the event talking to John West, who is also a very knowledgeable person and oh so friendly.

Easter, And The Story Of The Picture

With Easter approaching, I wanted to share a story and picture that means so much to me. 

It was 1958, my mother was going home to Belgium, for the first time since coming to the US in 1946.  She was so excited to finally see her family, after being apart for 12 years.  She had worked and saved as much money as possible, to make this trip.  She got her wardrobe lined up, nice clothing to look good, and then, she borrowed some clothing from her friend, "Corky".  She wanted to look good so that her family would see that she had prospered in her new land.

After visiting her parents, she went to Paris, France, to visit her brother, who owned a fruit and vegetable market, that was in direct view of the Eiffel Tower.  There were shops and restaurants with tables outside, on the sidewalks, to take in the view of the Eiffel Tower.  Artist were set up at numerous locations and would draw your pictue.  She did that and I still have that drawing of her.   She also bought a very unusual picture of Jesus, "St. Veronica's Handkerchief"/"Jesus Christus", by Gabriel von Max (born in 1840, died 1915).

She returned home and we stayed up all night talking and looking at pictures, especially the "St. Veronica's Handkerchief".  She hung it in the hallway and everyday, after school, I would come home and look at that picture.  If you look at it for a few seconds, Jesus' eyes will be closed, then open, then closed again.  One day, I came home and the picture was GONE!!  I asked her where she put the picture and she told me her friend, "Corky", had liked it so much and my mother gave it to her.  At that moment, I thought I would NEVER see it again.

A few years ago I found a copy of the "St. Veronica's Handerchief".  It is not the one my mother had, but it looks the same.  Look at his eyes and see if you can see his eyes open and close.

Toujours Moi,

Claudette

Nanotechnologies--What Is This?--A MUST READ!!

WOW!!  This actually 'blew me away'!  Nanotechnologies?  What is this?  Read this article and then, you be the judge.  It's EVERYWHERE!!  It's in our food, cosmetics, clothing, toothpaste, medicine capsules, and on and on..........   It destroys DNA and chromosomes.  Here's the link:  http://www.aolnews.com/2010/03/24/hold-gallery-nano-products-are-everywhere/19401385/

God Bless Us All

Toujours Moi,
Claudette

Obituary For Common Sense

Obituary For Common Sense


Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as when to come in out of the rain, the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. His condition was worsened by reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. His health declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin, sun lotion or a band aid to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live, as churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when people lost the right to defend themselves from burglars in their own homes -- when burglars were able to sue them for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman spilled a little hot coffee on her lap, and was awarded a huge settlement from the restaurant that served it to her.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Author unknown

Toujours Moi,

Claudette