Well said, well said, my friend. OK here is a change of subject: Dear List Members, During the holidays I am so always very busy preparing large family meals, making menus, compiling lists of who to invite including extended family and friends, who I will ask to bring side dishes, and where everyone will be seated. It is a busy but very fulfilling time of the year, and satisfying in terms of making memories and traditions for the young ones who are looking forward to the food and presents. My own memories always travel back to traditions my family had when I was a child, such as the traditional and thrift-conscious "eggless butterless milkless cake" that many generations of Townsend women, both Quaker and non-Quaker, made through the years. It makes me wonder what else was on the table of my ancestors, and who were invited to partake in the family meal, say in the year 1790, after the Revolutionary War when the country was young and there was much excitement to be had. A couple of years ago another list I belong to started a fun thread that went along these lines: If you could invite any of your deceased ancestors to your holiday gathering, 1) who would it be, 2) why would you invite this person in particular, and 3) what would you ask them that you have been wanting to know about them, or an aspect of their life? Just choose one ancestor and give a bit of background info (dates, places, spouse, children, why they may be a genealogical research mystery) when you answer the above question - then send it to the list. When I first took part in this a couple of years ago, it generated quite a bit of new information and was great holiday fun. I will contribute my answer after we all hear from some of you. Blessed holidays to all, Kim Townsend Spangrude On Dec 20, 2009, at 1:47 PM, Sandra Ferguson wrote: > Friends....as I said to you all earlier, my current health problem > dictates that I not upset myself unnecessarily at this time, but I > have > been made aware, personally, by several of you, that some are > unhappy with > the list leadership, etc....I am asking that you remember the > season and > act accordingly.......fingers crossed, I will again be up to my > 'fighting > weight' and able to once more be involved in one of my great > loves....genealogy.... When that day arrives I will visit the > archives, read > the old posts I have missed, and answer them accordingly. Till > then, as > always, post ONLY things that directly involve genealogy , and > help your > fellow listmembers with their research... is that so hard to do? For > goodness sake...it's Christmas! > > S.