reading and writing

Already overloaded with books, I bought more this month and thoroughly enjoyed reading them.  Call it OCR — obsessive-compulsive reading (not optical character recognition, as some readers may think).  Especially worthwhile: scripture and history.  What good did it do me?  I could write a book about that!

Journal writing in three forms also occupied my time.  Most, if not all, will never catch our posterity’s attention.  Nevertheless, it helped me navigate life this month.  Is writing a lost art?  My favorite English teacher, Kay, worked hard to help it inspire her students, including me.  Her influence never ends, thank heaven!

Indefatigably Independent

Does an uncommon word ever pop into your head, like coming from nowhere?  An adverb did to me: indefatigably.  Naturally, iPhone confirmed my aging, vague memory:

“indefatigable — (of a person or their efforts) persisting tirelessly: an indefatigable defender of human rights.”

If I were a writer of book reviews, my next pick would be one I’m reading: Rosa Parks Beyond the Bus — Life, Lessons, and Leadership, c. 2022 by H. H. Leonards.  The author shares firsthand experiences about her indefatigable friend and mentor, Mrs. Rosa Parks.  If you like true stories, you know where to find this gem as I did.

The book relates to independent living in difficult circumstances.  In 2005, the persistent defender died in Detroit at age 92.  Can’t say I’m tirelessly independent as she and my wife Kay are ... beyond the veil.  I like to think my defender of the faith has met the amazing, loving woman, Rosa Parks. 

Recalling Easter

Having enjoyed a peaceful celebration last Sunday, I recall my writing since starting this blog.  (As a “Tuesday with Kay” today.)

Easter 2011, my post quoted George Q. Cannon (11 Jan 1827 – 12 Apr 1901) about resurrection: “... the word of the Lord is very clear and definite. It leaves no room to doubt ...”  I concluded with my own testimony: “Yes, there is life after death, and families can be forever.  I know that Jesus Christ lives, and is the Savior of the world.  I will be eternally grateful for His sacrifice.”

My favorite post on Easter was in 2013, quoting my mother’s description of “a quiet garden scene” in 1972.  In a sacred meeting at “The Garden Tomb ... President Lee said again that he felt impressed this was indeed the place where Christ was laid after his crucifixion and where he rose from the dead.”

Sharing my joy on that special Sunday in 2015: “We celebrate Easter because Jesus Christ lives."  In 2016, I recalled a 2007 Easter message by Gordon B. Hinckley, then President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: “Mortality is but a stepping-stone to a more glorious existence in the future. The sorrow of death is softened with the promise of the Resurrection."

My “Easter Impressions” in 2017: “Burdened with details of preparing for major changes in our life ... [Kay & I ] are so ready to pause and ponder what should be everyday remembrance ... of our Savior’s sacrifice and eternal love ...”

In April 2019, “My Hope” looked forward to “a joyful reunion with my eternal companion [Kay] and other loved ones who have passed on.  Life is good – here and in the hereafter.  I hope you will feel true joy during this Easter season and in years to come.”

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?