HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Don't Let This Happen to You

Two of my favorite posts this year from my own blog, I responded to one of Randy Seaver's SNGF posts, "Who Do I Blame?". I followed that one up with "Who Do I Blame for Not Starting Sooner?". One thing I did not mention in those posts because I was unable to think of some of the dialogue I wanted to convey is, "Don't Let This Happen to You".  Another one of the many reasons I do genealogy and why do I write these blogs is to think of and relay some of the things going on in my life and some things that have happened to some of my ancestors that I hope my descendants won't have to experience. Up until yesterday, I was thinking specifically of some addictions that are not necessarily genetic, but seem to be running rampant in my family. I'm specifying of alcoholism and nicotine addictions. My father and all of his brothers were alcoholics; then there is nicotine... Many, many of my ancestors smoked cigarettes. That addiction has me by the throat and won't let go. I previously wanted to write more about these addictions but still haven't felt all of the words come through. Recent discussion with a doctor, referred me to a movie of all things. The Insider, starring Russell Crowe and Al Pacino. Good flick, watch it; especially if you are nicotine addicted. For now, all I have to say about nicotine is, if you don't start, you won't have to worry about how hard it will be for you to quit. I know, I know. You are already smoking and you say "you can quit any time you want to". Well, 30 years ago, I said I can quit if I want to and ... Sorry. Addictions are not the point in writing this post.

My point in writing this post today is that hopefully my descendants will read and understand, "Don't let this Happen to You". Sometimes when you get a signal or even just maybe a gut feeling that something is wrong, go check it out!

Earlier this week, the tire sensor light came on in my car. Isn't it wonderful that the newer cars have indicators to tell you when your tire is going flat? In the olden days, vehicles didn't even have turn signals. You had to stick your arm out of the window to indicate turning. Anyway, I did not ignore the tire sensor light, but did put it on the back burner for what turned out to be tooooo looooong! Yesterday, I was on I-75 and headed to the library when my tire blew. I was very lucky. I had a tire blow before and wasn't going as fast as I was yesterday and with less traffic. That other blowout felt more horrific than this one did. Fortunately, by the grace of God, I was in the right hand lane yesterday and rush hour traffic was slowing down to where I had no choice but to slow down also.

My point in writing this post is not about the tire or my near miss, but simply to pass on what I hope is another lesson in life. Anytime that you get into and behind the wheel of yours or anybody else' vehicle, if you or that vehicle are not 100%, your life is at risk. Even if you and the vehicle are 100%, your life is still at risk for the other drivers, all of their circumstances and anything else that you cannot control. I request beg and plead that you constantly consider your safety and security as you go throughout your day to day activities. Frequently, I think about my Grandma Clara, when she used to say her prayers at night and she would repeat the Serenity Prayer.

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

I said, I frequently think about that prayer and I should also mention that I don't think about it as often as I think I should. I may not have been able to control that blowout happening yesterday but I could have taken just a few moments to look at the tire earlier this week.



Let me pass on another lesson learned while I'm at it. While I was at the tire shop today, I asked the young man if there was an extra charge for disposal. He said, $2. I said jokingly, "Great, cause if it were much more, I'd have to take that tire and ditch it on the side of the road". His response, "Yea I always tell my customers you can pay me $2 or take a chance you won't get caught when you ditch it. That will cost you a $5000 fine". Pay the $2. Or even if it were $5, It's still insurance that the tire is taken care of and you are not arrested.

As a closing thought, my Uncle Elmer used to always say, "I hope you have a safe and prosperous New Year".

Merry Christmas

Our tree before it was disguised with toys and other gifts. Photo taken by the owner of this blog.

An Upcoming Special Event

Those of you who tweet and those on Facebook may already know of this news. Others of you, it might be brand new. You may notice that over a month ago, I put a countdown calendar on my blog. Today it reads 667 days until A Special (Secret) Event. Secret should be revealed in about 7 days. Well here is the reveal.

Drum roll please?

The 2^nd International Black Genealogy Summit will be held 18-20 October 2012 in Salt Lake City. Here is the notice I got from the chair, Algurie Wilson, last week.

SAVE THE DATE, OCTOBER 18-20, 2012, FOR THE 2ND INTERNATIONAL BLACK GENEALOGY SUMMIT---Genealogists-Beginner through Seasoned Levels Will Have the Opportunity to Explore The Many Genealogical Resources at the Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah at the 2nd International Black Genealogy Summit.


The International Black Genealogy Summit Committee will be hosting the 2nd genealogy summit in Salt Lake at the Radisson Hotel. Many people who attended the first summit have been encouraging the committee to regroup and host another conference. Wait no more because plans are in progress to make this another successful summit. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced genealogists will convene for the 2nd International Black Genealogy Summit, October 18-20, 2012 at the Radisson Hotel, Salt Lake City. This conference will continue its legacy to bring innovative speakers, something special and hands-on approach to genealogical and historical research. Docents at the world’s largest repository of genealogical information will demonstrate research strategies, provide useful tips, and explore resources that will open doors to hidden treasures.

The Salt Lake Family History Library is known to have the world’s largest repository of genealogy resources. The comprehensive collection contains more than 2.4 million rolls of microfilmed genealogical records; 727,000 microfiche; 356,000 books, serials and other formats; over 4,500 periodicals; 3,725 electronic resources including online genealogical databases. The library is open to the general public at no charge. There are approximately 700 trained volunteers who are knowledgeable in genealogical research and are always available to assist researchers.

Summit Planning Committee consists of Algurie Wilson, Chair; Deborah Abbot, Co-Chair, California African American Genealogical Society and a host of others. Any questions can be sent to information deleted from this blog. See 29 Dec 2010 note below.


General information about the summit will be forth coming. Please save the date October 18-20, 2012 for the 2nd International Black Genealogy Summit.

Well now. My genealogy social calendar for 2012 is filling up pretty quickly. First of all, our HARGROVE-WILSON family meets every other year. This year was Labor Day weekend in Madison, Morgan County Georgia. Madison is about 40 miles east of Atlanta. So the next reunion is scheduled for 2012. It is undecided at this time where the next reunion will be but I had submitted my vote for the location of my choice. Then, browsing around here and there, I found that the 2012 NGS Conference will be in Cincinnati Ohio 9-12 May. I live less than 20 miles away and was planning to attend. Now here is this one. Well, out of the three events, one of them may have to be eliminated. Tell you what, the eliminated one will certainly not be the 2^nd Black Genealogy Summit. So, let me figure out how much in airfare and lodging I need to save up to actually attend all three... A Lot!

Decisions, decisions.

Added Note 24 Dec 2010: I forgot to note their website. BlackGenealogySummit.com/. Please be patient, they will update it soon.

Additional Update 29 Dec 2010: I decided to delete Algurie's phone # off of my blog and updated to change her email address to not be phished. Contact her at Chairman AT blackgenealogysummit DOT com.

A Little Christmas Story

This is a guest post from my friend PM. You know how you get those email funnies? I read most of them but don't pass most of them on. This one is a keeper.

When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure.

Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.

Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.

Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drunk all the cider and hidden the liquor.. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and an irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.

The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?'

And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

Not a lot of people know this.