RootsTech Remnants

Although there is much more than meets my eye, the few sessions I choose seem like remnants of the past genealogy conference called RootsTech 2023, sponsored by FamilySearch.  Nevertheless, they intrigue me more than current news I should be watching. 

Take the one with a Step-by-Step Sinatra Descendant Chart, for example.  Francesco Sinatra and Rosa Saglimbeni were both born in 1857 in Palermo, Italia.  Down the line we see Frank Sinatra (nicknamed "Chairman of the Board" — that one), born 12 Dec 1915 in Hoboken NJ.  And I’m not a fan of the singer — just having fun with family history.

What is your story?

Unlike Clockwork

Admittedly, my life this year is not routine — not often sticking to a regular schedule.  When is bedtime?  Why get up at 6:30 AM like our Detroit mission schedule?  

However, some daily “baby steps” are like clockwork, done smoothly and easily.  Habitually running up stairs, for example, and resting for siesta.  Making and receiving phone calls are unlike clockwork, whereas my texting and checking text messages are routinely frequent.

Talking to strangers is a worthy practice discussed in a March 2014 post about my wife Kay’s people skills.  Would our society improve if more people overcame the bad “stranger-danger” training kids received decades ago?  Unlike clockwork, as an introvert I hesitate to risk bothering people I don’t know, but easily offer “free listening” every day.  Let’s smile and say hello to strangers on the street.  My Utah client surprised them with love in central London ... like clockwork.

Digital Journals

Following-up RootsTech on YouTube, today I chose one on digital journaling.  Although I’ve been doing that since 1996, the journal app demonstrated was new to me.  Full of prompts, creative options, photos and videos, “bells and whistles”, it was like constructing a castle in contrast to my cozy cottage.  Fun to gain a new view of journaling, but far out of my comfort zone.  I’ve spent too many years keeping mine humdrum, simple, and searchable.  Maybe that’s why my digital “journals” flow without many gaps.  If a great-grandchild happens to read any, I will be pleasantly surprised.  If anyone sees my wife Kay’s journals transcribed, they will be captivated by her creative writing.  I am ... with love.

Bits of RootsTech

Two of three big days are done, and I’ve barely scratched the surface of a huge, worldwide genealogy conference.  RootsTech 2023, sponsored by FamilySearch, offers hundreds of classes for beginners as well as professionals in arenas of family history.  Taking place in the Salt Palace and virtually online.

Yesterday I learned more about Google searches and explored the Northwest Territory including Michigan.  Today I watched a guide for writing research papers, then randomly discovered an idea for focusing on the positive in life through photography as wall art.  The presenter showed how her team interviews clients and captures the happy, successful views of their life.  Photos are then enlarged and arranged as wall art to inspire family on a daily basis.  Simply a creative enhancement of an old idea.

So exciting!  Family history — are we doing it?

Frame of Mind

The phrase came to my mind in a dream about types of homes.  “Frame of mind: a mood that influences one's attitude or behavior.”

Two days ago, warmer weather brought the hope of spring and more mountain biking.  Looking out at sunny weather tempted me to enjoy a walk in above-freezing temperature.   Anticipation!

Heavy snow yesterday and this morning brought a different frame of mind — a type of “home” one can live in ... mentally.  A passing thought, enjoying winter at home while our manager plans her escape to Disneyland — smart behavior!

Listening to Love

Imagine how many love songs are repeated for Valentine’s Day.  Now imagine the sound of silence while “listening” to the love in your heart.  I like to think one owns that music as something purely personal.

“Music has power to provide spiritual nourishment. It has healing power.”

Daily Joy, p.31, c.2020, by Russell M. Nelson

My sweetheart Kay & I enjoyed many moments of silence while listening to love together.  We are blessed to own that ongoing experience ... without end.

and then some

We have been blessed with resources to meet our needs ... and then some.  (Informal phrase defined: “and plenty more than that.”)  Life on Earth provides opportunities to grow, and much more.

At the University of Utah, Kay Hinckley & I learned music appreciation and plenty more ... about love.  Homework assignments to attend concerts got us going together.  We studied and loved classical music ... and then some.  After 51 years of marriage, we’ve only just begun ... to live.