As I write this, it is already September 11th on the East Coast of the United States; the sixth anniversary of 9/11. This was an event that affected every American, whether we knew someone who was killed that day, or not. Our world shattered, and we felt vulnerable. We have all experienced tragedy on a national level at more than one point in our lives: JFK's assassination, for example, or the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. Most of us have never recorded the events as we remembered them on those days, nor the feelings that accompanied them. There aren't many of the generation left that remembers Pearl Harbor, and even less who can recall the day World War I ended. The memories of those Big Events in our nation's history are being lost to time.
For your journal prompt to help you remember September 11, 2001, I invite you to go here to read and listen to the lyrics of Alan Jackson's "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?"
*How did you hear about the attacks of 9/11?
*What did you do that day? Did you go to work or school, or stay home?
*What were your feelings?
*How has what happened that day changed your life in some way?
*What are your hopes for the future, in connection with this tragedy?
I have posted my journal response here.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Week Twenty-Two: Your Recipes
Do you have a favorite recipe that you are famous for? Is there a favorite recipe that's been handed down through the generations? This week, take some time to write about a recipe (or several) that has significance in your household or family. Here are some things to consider:
*If there is a history to this recipe, write about it. Did it come from the Old Country, or was it printed in a favorite cookbook or local newspaper?
*Is there a funny (or sad) story that relates to this recipe, either in preparing it or eating it?
*What sort of memories does preparing or eating this particular food bring out? Are there particular cooking utensils, mixing bowls, serving dishes, aprons, hot pads, furniture (kitchen table), appliances (old cooking stoves, porcelain sinks) that come to mind when you remember this recipe?
*Do you have any photos of your family eating this, or someone preparing it? Do any particular conversations come to mind?
*How has the recipe changed over the years? What sorts of alternate ingredients or preparations have been made? Why?
*Does anyone still make this recipe? Why or why not?
These questions can pertain to a whole group of family recipes or just one in particular. Here are some recent blog posts that inspired this post:
Consider creating a family cookbook with favorite recipes and ancestral or family photographs. They make great Christmas gifts or fundraisers at family reunions. Many can be self published for a low cost using your own printer, or a printing business such as Kinko's, Office Depot, Staples, Costco, etc.
*If there is a history to this recipe, write about it. Did it come from the Old Country, or was it printed in a favorite cookbook or local newspaper?
*Is there a funny (or sad) story that relates to this recipe, either in preparing it or eating it?
*What sort of memories does preparing or eating this particular food bring out? Are there particular cooking utensils, mixing bowls, serving dishes, aprons, hot pads, furniture (kitchen table), appliances (old cooking stoves, porcelain sinks) that come to mind when you remember this recipe?
*Do you have any photos of your family eating this, or someone preparing it? Do any particular conversations come to mind?
*How has the recipe changed over the years? What sorts of alternate ingredients or preparations have been made? Why?
*Does anyone still make this recipe? Why or why not?
These questions can pertain to a whole group of family recipes or just one in particular. Here are some recent blog posts that inspired this post:
- When Is Raspberry Jam NOT Just Raspberry Jam? by Pat Richley of DearMYRTLE, Your Friend in Genealogy (she also wrote the next two titles)
- Raspberry Jam II
- Raspberry Jam III
- Carnival of Genealogy, 16th Edition: Food and Family Recipes - many family recipes and memories shared here by various bloggers, including myself
Consider creating a family cookbook with favorite recipes and ancestral or family photographs. They make great Christmas gifts or fundraisers at family reunions. Many can be self published for a low cost using your own printer, or a printing business such as Kinko's, Office Depot, Staples, Costco, etc.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Week Twenty-One: Your National Holiday
This week marks national holidays for two major countries: Canada, which celebrates Canada Day normally on July 1st, but officially on the 2nd, since the First falls on a Sunday; and the United States, which celebrates Independence Day on July 4th. Here are some prompts for letting your descendants know how you celebrate your national holiday:
*What was tradition in your childhood family for celebrating your national holiday? Did you dress in a national costume or in your national colors? Did you display your national flag? Was your national holiday a one-day celebration, or longer?
*Were there any programs on the radio or television that you listened to/watched as part of this observance? Was there a church or other religious ceremony you attended?
*Were there neighborhood or community events in which you participated? Did they include games, dancing, feasting, fireworks, or music? Was the national anthem sung or played? Was it a festive or somber affair? Were there celebrities, local government officials, or national leaders in attendance?
*Did you have an indoor feast, or a picnic or barbecue outside? What foods were traditionally served?
*How did your childhood celebrations differ from the way you celebrate as an adult? How are they the same?
*What does it mean to you to be a/an ____________ (insert your nationality here)? Do you consider yourself patriotic? What freedoms or privileges do you most cherish? If you are an immigrant, you may wish to write about your immigration experience (when, where and why), how life in your new country compares with your old, and your feelings about your motherland and adopted country.
Here are some great websites to educate you further, or to use to enhance your online journal:
*What was tradition in your childhood family for celebrating your national holiday? Did you dress in a national costume or in your national colors? Did you display your national flag? Was your national holiday a one-day celebration, or longer?
*Were there any programs on the radio or television that you listened to/watched as part of this observance? Was there a church or other religious ceremony you attended?
*Were there neighborhood or community events in which you participated? Did they include games, dancing, feasting, fireworks, or music? Was the national anthem sung or played? Was it a festive or somber affair? Were there celebrities, local government officials, or national leaders in attendance?
*Did you have an indoor feast, or a picnic or barbecue outside? What foods were traditionally served?
*How did your childhood celebrations differ from the way you celebrate as an adult? How are they the same?
*What does it mean to you to be a/an ____________ (insert your nationality here)? Do you consider yourself patriotic? What freedoms or privileges do you most cherish? If you are an immigrant, you may wish to write about your immigration experience (when, where and why), how life in your new country compares with your old, and your feelings about your motherland and adopted country.
Here are some great websites to educate you further, or to use to enhance your online journal:
- Fourth of July Celebrations Database
- Celebrate Canada!
- A list of National Holidays
- To find more online information about your specific national holiday, enter the name of your country and "national holiday" in quotation marks at Google.
- 3D Flags has animated national flags you can download and use on your website or blog. They have three sizes and three background colors to choose from. They also have U.S. state flags.
- If your national colors are red and white, or red, white, and blue, there are some backgrounds and graphics on my pixel graphics site here, which you can use free-of-charge.
- Sites to download free midi (audio) files of your national anthem can be found here and here, while lyrics can be found here.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Week Twenty: Your Reads
I've been feeling a bit in a rut, so I decided to do some random prompts, instead of staying on what might be more obvious topics. Today's prompt is "Your Reads."
*When you were growing up, what magazines, newsletters, or newspapers were in your home on a regular basis, either purchased from a newstand, or subscribed to by mail? Were any of them children's publications?
*What are your memories about those publications? Were they interesting, entertaining or boring? Was there a magazine you didn't get that you wished you did? Why?
*As an adult, what publications did you subscribe to or purchase regularly in the past? Why did you choose them? Why did you stop purchasing them?
*What magazines, newsletters, or newspapers do you currently read, and why? What other ones would you read if you could?
*What publications do others in your household read? What have the others read or subscribed to in the past?
*Have you ever had your writings (or art) published in a magazine or newsletter? If so, write about that/those experience(s).
*Have you ever wondered what your ancestors read? Do you ever wonder what (and how) your descendants will read? Blogging has changed the world!
*When you were growing up, what magazines, newsletters, or newspapers were in your home on a regular basis, either purchased from a newstand, or subscribed to by mail? Were any of them children's publications?
*What are your memories about those publications? Were they interesting, entertaining or boring? Was there a magazine you didn't get that you wished you did? Why?
*As an adult, what publications did you subscribe to or purchase regularly in the past? Why did you choose them? Why did you stop purchasing them?
*What magazines, newsletters, or newspapers do you currently read, and why? What other ones would you read if you could?
*What publications do others in your household read? What have the others read or subscribed to in the past?
*Have you ever had your writings (or art) published in a magazine or newsletter? If so, write about that/those experience(s).
*Have you ever wondered what your ancestors read? Do you ever wonder what (and how) your descendants will read? Blogging has changed the world!
Monday, May 28, 2007
Week Nineteen: Your Community
It's been two weeks since I've posted a prompt. "Your Community" is the focus this time. You can choose the current community you live in or any of the past communites in which you've resided. Perhaps you will want to write about all the communities of your life. Here are some things to consider:
*Describe your community: the location, including county and state; its size, and if a small one, its relation to a larger community; how long you lived there.
*What do you know about the history of your community? Who were its founders? What were major events of its past?
*What indigenous peoples lived there, and what ethnic groups immigrated to it?
*Why did you settle in this community?
*What do you like about it? Dislike? What would you change? What do you hope will never change?
*List some of the physical features and structures of the community...its parks, community centers, churches, and businesses, especially the ones you frequent.
*List events and celebrations that make this community unique, especially ones you have participated in.
*Write about your neighbors, friends and any family that live in this community, and describe your relationship with them through the community perspective.
*If you are active as a volunteer, committee or board member of your community, write about your experiences and responsiblities.
*What is the economy like? What is the economic makeup of its citizens? What is the rate of unemployment? What is the housing market like?
*What major political leanings does the community have? Major religous denominations? Are you in the majority or minority as a citizen in the political and religious areas? How does that shape your everyday life?
*What do you see as the future of this community, and why?
*Describe your community: the location, including county and state; its size, and if a small one, its relation to a larger community; how long you lived there.
*What do you know about the history of your community? Who were its founders? What were major events of its past?
*What indigenous peoples lived there, and what ethnic groups immigrated to it?
*Why did you settle in this community?
*What do you like about it? Dislike? What would you change? What do you hope will never change?
*List some of the physical features and structures of the community...its parks, community centers, churches, and businesses, especially the ones you frequent.
*List events and celebrations that make this community unique, especially ones you have participated in.
*Write about your neighbors, friends and any family that live in this community, and describe your relationship with them through the community perspective.
*If you are active as a volunteer, committee or board member of your community, write about your experiences and responsiblities.
*What is the economy like? What is the economic makeup of its citizens? What is the rate of unemployment? What is the housing market like?
*What major political leanings does the community have? Major religous denominations? Are you in the majority or minority as a citizen in the political and religious areas? How does that shape your everyday life?
*What do you see as the future of this community, and why?
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Week Eighteen: Your Neighborhood
Most people have fond memories of the neighborhood in which they grew up: the hangouts, the haunted houses, the secret hideouts. Rural or urban, every location has something unique and attractive to children. In this busy day and age, most children's lives are very over-scheduled and with the dangers of sexual predators, gangs, and drug dealers, as well as the electronic attractions of computer/video games, cell phones, and instant messaging/MySpace/FaceBook, kids don't roam free as they once did. Leave a record of some great memories for your descendants!
*Describe the neighborhood of your childhood. Was it rural or urban? If urban, what stores, parks, and businesses do you remember? If rural, describe the woods or plains, streams or lakes/ponds that you explored. Or perhaps you lived in a small town or the suburbs, which were a combination of the great outdoors and the community services.
*What was your favorite place to go hang out with your friends? Why? What were some of the things you did there?
*Who were your friends and where did they live? Describe them...how old they were, how you ended up becoming friends, what was special about them?
*Are you still in touch with your childhood friends? Why or why not? Where do they live now?
*What was your favorite place to go to be by yourself? Why? What were some of the things you did there?
*Was there a haunted house or cemetery or some other scary place in your neighborhood? Did you ever go exploring there? What happened?
*Was there a place from which your parents told you to stay away? What was it and why were you supposed to stay away from it? Did you ever visit it anyway? What happened?
*Where did you learn to swim? What was your favorite "swimming hole?"
*Where did you ride your bicycle?
*Where did you go to the movies? or shoot pool? or play video games (before they were available for home use)?
*Where did you go bowling? or rollerskating? or skateboarding? or sledding? or ice skating?
*What kinds of outdoor games did you play with your friends? Hopscotch? Marbles? Cowboys and Indians? Capture the flag? Tag? Jump rope?
*What kinds of mischief did you and your friends get into? Were you ever caught? If so, what were the consequences?
*Was there a house in the neighborhood that everyone gravitated to? You know, the one whose mom didn't care if you hung out there all day, as long as you cleaned up after yourselves? Was it your house, or someone else's? Describe what you used to do there.
*Was there a convenience store, malt shop, Mom and Pop store, candy store, or some other place that all the kids loved to go to get their treats? What kinds of treats were your favorite? Was there an ice cream truck that you used to frequent?
*Did you ever have a lemonade stand? Write about your successes or failures with that.
*If you lived in the country, where did you like to go fishing, hunting, hiking, or ORVing? Tell your stories.
*Did you ever run into wild animals (bears, snakes, etc.) or fierce farm animals (bulls, roosters, etc.) while playing out in the country? Tell about your adventures!
*Did you ever run away from home? Why? Where did you go and how long were you there?
*Did you have a tree house or clubhouse? Was it secret, or did everyone hang out there? Who built it?
Instead of writing down your responses, you could make an audio recording and transcribe it later. I can think of so many stories about running around as a kid, that writing them down would take a very long time! A recording would be simpler and faster. Find some photos of you and your friends hanging out, or of the places you used to frequent to illustrate your written journal.
Next week,we'll expand a bit and on focus on "Your Community."
(P.S. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!)
*Describe the neighborhood of your childhood. Was it rural or urban? If urban, what stores, parks, and businesses do you remember? If rural, describe the woods or plains, streams or lakes/ponds that you explored. Or perhaps you lived in a small town or the suburbs, which were a combination of the great outdoors and the community services.
*What was your favorite place to go hang out with your friends? Why? What were some of the things you did there?
*Who were your friends and where did they live? Describe them...how old they were, how you ended up becoming friends, what was special about them?
*Are you still in touch with your childhood friends? Why or why not? Where do they live now?
*What was your favorite place to go to be by yourself? Why? What were some of the things you did there?
*Was there a haunted house or cemetery or some other scary place in your neighborhood? Did you ever go exploring there? What happened?
*Was there a place from which your parents told you to stay away? What was it and why were you supposed to stay away from it? Did you ever visit it anyway? What happened?
*Where did you learn to swim? What was your favorite "swimming hole?"
*Where did you ride your bicycle?
*Where did you go to the movies? or shoot pool? or play video games (before they were available for home use)?
*Where did you go bowling? or rollerskating? or skateboarding? or sledding? or ice skating?
*What kinds of outdoor games did you play with your friends? Hopscotch? Marbles? Cowboys and Indians? Capture the flag? Tag? Jump rope?
*What kinds of mischief did you and your friends get into? Were you ever caught? If so, what were the consequences?
*Was there a house in the neighborhood that everyone gravitated to? You know, the one whose mom didn't care if you hung out there all day, as long as you cleaned up after yourselves? Was it your house, or someone else's? Describe what you used to do there.
*Was there a convenience store, malt shop, Mom and Pop store, candy store, or some other place that all the kids loved to go to get their treats? What kinds of treats were your favorite? Was there an ice cream truck that you used to frequent?
*Did you ever have a lemonade stand? Write about your successes or failures with that.
*If you lived in the country, where did you like to go fishing, hunting, hiking, or ORVing? Tell your stories.
*Did you ever run into wild animals (bears, snakes, etc.) or fierce farm animals (bulls, roosters, etc.) while playing out in the country? Tell about your adventures!
*Did you ever run away from home? Why? Where did you go and how long were you there?
*Did you have a tree house or clubhouse? Was it secret, or did everyone hang out there? Who built it?
Instead of writing down your responses, you could make an audio recording and transcribe it later. I can think of so many stories about running around as a kid, that writing them down would take a very long time! A recording would be simpler and faster. Find some photos of you and your friends hanging out, or of the places you used to frequent to illustrate your written journal.
Next week,we'll expand a bit and on focus on "Your Community."
(P.S. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!)
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Week Seventeen: Your Pets
Please take a moment to read my post "May is Here Already!" over at my main blog, AnceStories: Stories of My Ancestors. Life is incredibly busy for me until June 15th, when school gets out. I can't promise to publish posts at this blog every week until my summer break, so I appreciate your patience with me! :-)
The topic for this week is Your Pets. Here are some prompts to ponder:
* Have you ever had pets? What kind were they? What were their names? Why did you name them those names?
*Were they family pets, or did you have a pet of your own? How about your siblings, spouse or children: Did they have their own pets?
*How did you acquire your pets? Were they given to you, bought, or did you adopt a stray? What was your parents' (or spouse's) reactions to having a pet?
*If you had a pet as a child, what were some of the responsibilities that you had in caring for your pet? Were you pretty good in caring for your pet, or did you need a lot of reminding?
*Describe the personality of your pet. Did he or she have any tricks they could perform or special qualities? Do you remember any funny stories about your pets?
*Did you have to housebreak or leash-train your pet?
*Have you ever entered a pet in a fair, show or contest? Did you win any prizes?
*Did your pet ever have any bad behaviors (biting people, getting into fights with other animals, digging, getting into the garbage, etc)? How were those issues dealt with?
*Have you ever taken your pet to a pet therapist?
*Did you ever have a pet run/fly away or get lost? Share their story.
*Did any of your pets reproduce? Tell about your pet's pregnancy and the birth of the baby animals. How many survived? What became of the babies?
*Were any of your pets neutered or spayed?
*Were any of your pets injured or become ill? Did they ever need veterinary services (other than check-ups and immunizations)?
*Who was/is your veterinarian? How did you choose that particular one? What is your relationship with your vet like?
*Did any of your pets die from old age, illness, injury, or by being put down? Write about that experience.
*Was your pet buried? Where?
*If you never had a pet, tell why. Did you or a family member have allergies? Were there pet restrictions where you lived? Did you, your parents, or other family members simply not want to have a pet around?
*Have you ever had a professional portrait taken of your pet? These and/or snapshots of your pet will add to your journal.
*Even if you never had a pet of your own, perhaps you have some sort of animal experience to share. Perhaps you always felt like your neighbor's dog was your own, or perhaps you had a bad experience with a relative's bird or an alley cat. Or maybe you'd like to share what your ideal pet would be if you could have one.
*You can also write journal entries for any pets you remember family members (grandparents, etc.) having. There may even be old photos of them sitting around in family collections! I always enjoy looking at very old family snapshots and seeing pets, wondering about their relationship to the people in the photo.
You can create a free memorial page for any and all of your pets at FindAGrave. You will have to register to be a member (don't worry, it's free and you won't receive spam e-mail). On this site, you can write your pet's story, list the body's disposal (burial, etc.), post photographs and leave virtual notes, icons and musical messages to honor your pet.
To use this site, go to www.findagrave.com and click on "Add burial records" in the right-hand menu. On the next page, click on "Add Family and Friends." You'll be prompted to set up a free account. Then you can create your page. If you have any difficulty or questions, feel free to e-mail me (see "View my complete profile" in the right-hand menu).
Next time, our topic will be "My Neighborhood." Be prepared to write about the neighborhood hangouts you enjoyed while growing up, whether it was a park, eatery, clubhouse, etc.
The topic for this week is Your Pets. Here are some prompts to ponder:
* Have you ever had pets? What kind were they? What were their names? Why did you name them those names?
*Were they family pets, or did you have a pet of your own? How about your siblings, spouse or children: Did they have their own pets?
*How did you acquire your pets? Were they given to you, bought, or did you adopt a stray? What was your parents' (or spouse's) reactions to having a pet?
*If you had a pet as a child, what were some of the responsibilities that you had in caring for your pet? Were you pretty good in caring for your pet, or did you need a lot of reminding?
*Describe the personality of your pet. Did he or she have any tricks they could perform or special qualities? Do you remember any funny stories about your pets?
*Did you have to housebreak or leash-train your pet?
*Have you ever entered a pet in a fair, show or contest? Did you win any prizes?
*Did your pet ever have any bad behaviors (biting people, getting into fights with other animals, digging, getting into the garbage, etc)? How were those issues dealt with?
*Have you ever taken your pet to a pet therapist?
*Did you ever have a pet run/fly away or get lost? Share their story.
*Did any of your pets reproduce? Tell about your pet's pregnancy and the birth of the baby animals. How many survived? What became of the babies?
*Were any of your pets neutered or spayed?
*Were any of your pets injured or become ill? Did they ever need veterinary services (other than check-ups and immunizations)?
*Who was/is your veterinarian? How did you choose that particular one? What is your relationship with your vet like?
*Did any of your pets die from old age, illness, injury, or by being put down? Write about that experience.
*Was your pet buried? Where?
*If you never had a pet, tell why. Did you or a family member have allergies? Were there pet restrictions where you lived? Did you, your parents, or other family members simply not want to have a pet around?
*Have you ever had a professional portrait taken of your pet? These and/or snapshots of your pet will add to your journal.
*Even if you never had a pet of your own, perhaps you have some sort of animal experience to share. Perhaps you always felt like your neighbor's dog was your own, or perhaps you had a bad experience with a relative's bird or an alley cat. Or maybe you'd like to share what your ideal pet would be if you could have one.
*You can also write journal entries for any pets you remember family members (grandparents, etc.) having. There may even be old photos of them sitting around in family collections! I always enjoy looking at very old family snapshots and seeing pets, wondering about their relationship to the people in the photo.
You can create a free memorial page for any and all of your pets at FindAGrave. You will have to register to be a member (don't worry, it's free and you won't receive spam e-mail). On this site, you can write your pet's story, list the body's disposal (burial, etc.), post photographs and leave virtual notes, icons and musical messages to honor your pet.
To use this site, go to www.findagrave.com and click on "Add burial records" in the right-hand menu. On the next page, click on "Add Family and Friends." You'll be prompted to set up a free account. Then you can create your page. If you have any difficulty or questions, feel free to e-mail me (see "View my complete profile" in the right-hand menu).
Next time, our topic will be "My Neighborhood." Be prepared to write about the neighborhood hangouts you enjoyed while growing up, whether it was a park, eatery, clubhouse, etc.
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