For all the new genealogy researchers, click on the below URL and see if any of my family names connect. Click on Gibson Report for the Gibson genealogy and click on Heflin Report for all the connected family names--lots of names from southwest Va., Kentucky and Tennessee. Connecting names include Miles, Sarver, Baker, Belcher, Warren, Wallen, Lawson, Smith, Mabe, etc. Navada Gibson Heflin http://users.erols.com/jrheflin/GibsonPage.htm

Billy Thanks for the information. Looks like Dennis Crow is the son of James Crow, Sr. (1731-1797) and Elizabeth Givens (1735-?) of Culpeper and Madison County, VA. Their children were: Frances, Dennis, John, William, James, Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth and Sidney. Don't know where these Crows "migrated" and have no information on the ancestors of James, Sr or Elizabeth. So can't link to the other Crows. BTW- One of my SWVA ancestors is Charles Cocke who eventually moved to Clark County, AR by way of Wayne County, KY and Madison County, AL. Looks like Benjamin Crow was listed in the 1830 Census for Clark County, AR and that there was a Crow in Madison County, AL. No evidence of a Crow in Wayne County, KY though. Phil Crowther [email protected] wrote: > > Here is some abstracted data from the Revolutionary War Pension Applications > for CROW applicants who served in either VA, NC, PA, & SC formations. I did > not do the few from further north. > > CROW, Benjamin R20353 Lived in Clark county, Arkansas when filed. > [SNIP] > > CROW, Dennis S39380 Served in VA troops. Filed from Madison county, VA > 5/24/1832 > [SNIP]

Happy New Year to all!! Thanks to the Listowners from a member, to all those who have posted useful information and especially to those who have taken time to reply personally to me during the year 2000. I look forward to another good year with helpful people. Clark Rogers

--part1_6e.671af48.2780c7a2_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit --part1_6e.671af48.2780c7a2_boundary Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Disposition: inline Return-path: <[email protected]> From: [email protected] Full-name: PMannon690 Message-ID: <[email protected]> Date: Sat, 30 Dec 2000 20:30:45 EST Subject: Re: [VASMYTH] Musser: To: [email protected] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: AOL 4.0 for Windows 95 sub 14 I am trying to find any information on a John H. Musser{Murcer} from Smyth County. He may be my great grandfather. He was living with James and Sarah Wyatt in the 1870 census for the county and was 6 years of age. I haven't been able to locate him in the 1880 census. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks, Paul --part1_6e.671af48.2780c7a2_boundary--

Does anyone have any information about Thomas Crow, Sr? I noticed that he was listed in Smythe County, VA as a Rev. War Patriot. Any information would be helpful. Kathy HAyton Cramer

Teresa, I found these references to the BRIGHT family in the Revolutionary War Pension Applications. I don't know if they are of any use to you or not. I only included the VA & MD ones. Francis BRIGHT-served in the VA Sea Service. Reference is made in an affidavit that he was "late of York county". His wife's name is not mentioned but his three children are: Elisabeth who married a MOORE, Susan Hannah who married Samuel F. BRIGHT, and Margaret Mary who died before marrying. Samuel F. & Susan Hannah had one surviving child, Susan Hannah. I seem to recall that all 3 of his daughters died in the 1830's. Wyndle/Windle BRIGHT married Barbara KISNER 3/15/1786 in Augusta county, VA. He enlisted in the Revolutionary service in Augusta county, "New" Virginia and served as a wagoneer under David STEELE. Windle was born in Baltimore 10/8/1755 and died 4/16/1838 in Kentucky (sorry, didn't write the county down). His family moved to Augusta county when he was about one & a half years old. Barbara filed for a widow's pension from Marion county, KY wheree he son George A lived. Windle had a brother named George BRIGHT. Windle and Barbara moved in 1795 to Bath county, VA, then to Greenbriar county, VA for four years and in 1811 moved to KY. Children of Windle & Barbara listed in the Family Record included in the papers are: Mary born 12/25/1786 George A. " 9/21/1788 Elizabeth " 6/24/1790 Sarah " 4/19/1793 Susanna " 4/20/1796 Margaret " 3/18/1799 Nancy " 4/1/1801 James BRIGHT-served in the Maryland line. Resided in Dorchester county, MD, no age or birth place included that I saw, and married Sarah in Dorchester county, MD on 12/18/1775. Sarah, no surname found, was born 9/17/1755. James was the second son and 3 years younger than his brother whose name was not given. James filed for a veteran's pension from Sullivan county, TN where he had resided 22 years. Children of James & Sarah listed in the Family Record were: Elijah BRIGHT born 7/8/1789 Pritchet " " 2/15/1791 Elizabeth " " 6/25/1794 Ansel " " 3/10/1796 Peggy " " 8/23/1798 Also Listed were: Eliza BREDIN born 10/30/1814 James BRADEN born 3/11/1816 "Isaac BRASHER son of Sampson, born 6/3/1818" The BRASHER could be BRASHES, sorta hard to tell the difference between the s & r sometimes. In addition, there were several other BRIGHT applicants for a pension. Two were from NC but I don't have my notes handy. One stayed in NC but I think the other applied from TN. Both were named Simon. I didn't look at the remaining BRIGHT applicants, to see where they filed from, the next time I am in there I will check that out. Best of wishes for a great 2001, Billy Markland P.S. Not a BRIGHT researcher, just had access to information.

Hi, I'm new to the list and thought I'd throw the surnames (also other variations) I'm researching out there for anyone who might be researching the same names... Yates, Sollers, Hosinger, Spitzer, Cowan, Beaver/Beiber, Miller, Strickler, Lemmon/Lehman, Martz, Phillips, Armentrout...and more. I will post specific queries later. Feel free to contact me if you share any of these names. Thanks! John Genealogy Cds Available 50,000 Virginia Wills 1790 Virginia Census 1790 South Carolina Census [email protected] _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

I would like to invite everyone to look at my site. I have lots of Washington Co VA, Grayson Co VA, Ashe Co NC, Watauga Co NC. The main surnames are Roberts, Cole, Warren, Carrico, Stoneman and lots more. Over 9,000 names. http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=barbnor Barb

Hi, I want to thank everyone for the great ideas for ways of solving my guest book problem Several suggested designing my own. I really like that one. Another was, purchase a book from Hall Mark. Then one lady said she bought a guest book from a brides store. All wonderful ideas to consider. Thanks again so much, Helen Cast [email protected]

You are Invited Blankenbeckler Annual Family Reunion 2001 May 26-27, 2001 Come celebrate with us at a family reunion. We are excited about this reunion and wanted to make sure that you've marked your calendar. Where Willow Springs, Mo. Pavilion in the City Park At the corner of 10 St & N. Walnut St Willow Springs, Mo Where to stay Motels; Best Western, 220 Hghw 60 ,West Plains,Mo., 417-257-2711 Holiday Inn, 1605 Imperial " " 417-257-3000 Ramada Inn, 1301 Preacher Roe " 417-256-8191 Rest Inn, S. Hghw 63 " 417-256-1559 Sahara, 3556 N. Hghw 63 " 417-256-9407 Super 8, 1210 Porter Waggoner " 417-256-8088 West Plains, 505 Porter Waggoner " 417-256-4105 Restaurants; All in West Plains, Mo. McDonalds 1315 Preacher Roe Casa Deliciousa 1504 Imperial Center DQ Brazier S. Hghw 63 Diamondhead Restaurant 1214 P. Waggoner Blvd. Dominoe's Pizza 1471 Gibson Hardees 905 P. Waggoner Kentucky Fried Chicken Hghw 60/63 Pizza Hut 1211 W. P. Waggoner Sonic 1710 Gibson Subway 1220 Missouri Ave. Wendy's 1457 Gibson Corner Cafe 119 N. Center St. Willow Springs, Mo. WALMART 1310 Preacher Roe West Plains, Mo. Questions; HELEN CAST [email protected] 310 Park Row Snow Hill, Md. 21863 We hope you will reserve this time to come renew acquaintances with your family. We look forward to seeing you there. ___________________________________________________________________________ REGISTRATION FORM - Please fill out and return as soon as possible. Thanks. Our family will have ____ adults and ____ children attending the reunion. Name:_____________________________________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________ City:_________________________________ State:_____________ Zip:______________ Country:______________________________ New address? ____Yes ____No Comments:_________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Phone #:

Can someone tell me where I might purchase a "registration book", sometimes called a "sign-in book" for our upcoming BLANKENBECKLER FAMILY REUNION. More information concerning this reunion will be posted on this list with-in the next few days. Thanks, Helen Cast [email protected]

Looking for more leaves on this branch of the family tree. Have little to go on and would love to have an idea of where James came from as well as his parents. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 1 James BRIGHT . +LOUISE 2 Charles BRIGHT b: 1874 in Scott Co, Va .... +Mary Elizabeth SNAPP b: 30/Jun/1877 in Reedy Creek Rd Blountville, Sullivan Co, TN d: in REEDY CREEK m: 8/Jun/1898 in bk3 pg 17 ln 8 Scott Co Va ... 3 Virginia Pearl BRIGHT b: 16/Jun/1899 d: Oct/1991 in TAMPA, FLA ....... +John Draper LATTURE b: 5/Jan/1902 d: 2/Apr/1988 in TAMPA, FLA m: 16/Aug/1926 in SULLIVAN COUNTY TN ...... 4 John Draper LATTURE b: 31/Jul/1929 d: 23/Jan/1999 in Lakeland General, Lakeland, Fl. .......... +Evelyn Joyce BARTON b: 4/Apr/1934 m: 7/Oct/1951 in SAN DIEGO CALF ... 3 William Emory BRIGHT b: 22/Nov/1901 d: Sep/1981 ....... +Addie SMITH Teresa [email protected] Hughes, Clark, Capwell, Bennink, Aylsworth,Schaub PA/FL Anderson, Baker, Horton, Herron Jeter, Snapp, VA/TN/FL

I was the more fortunate child in the family. Next to the last in line, which meant most of my older siblings were married and I could expect a gift from them at Christmas. Actually, they provided more of my toys than Santa Claus did. In 1992 my oldest sister died of cancer. I have a tape of her from 1991 telling about Christmas when she was a child. I recall the tears streaming down her face as she told about the gifts she and the second sister received from Santa. Instead of sadness, hers were tears of laughter. Their long brown cotton stockings were hung on the post at the foot of the bed. One orange, one apple, and 2-3 nuts were placed in the stockings, and of course, that stick of peppermint candy. There was no money for presents. It seemed that Mama was always pregnant, had one or two tugging at her skirttail, and never had a chance to go shopping anyway. She was always cooking, cleaning, and washing diapers. On Christmas eve, she would send Daddy downtown at the last minute to find something for the girls, just when the stores were ready to close. The extent of Daddy's shopping was when he went to the service station to buy spark plugs for the car or the bank on Saturday morning to make a payment on a loan. Mama bought all his clothes, ordering his Sunday suits and dress shoes from the door-to-door salesman. Inez was six, Ada was 4-1/2. So far, Santa hadn't made preparations for their Christmas except for the orange, apple, nuts and stick candy. Mama sent Daddy to town to buy the girls something to tuck inside their stockings from Santa. At the Ten-Cents Store, shelves were bare of Christmas toys so Daddy went to the local hardware store where they sold dishes and silverware. The next morning Inez and Ada jumped out of their bed, anxious to see what Santa had brought them. After removing the fruit and nuts from their stockings, they felt something hard in the toe of their stockings. All excited, they reached deep down to retrieve the items, only to discover Santa had left both of them a small glass vase. One was blue, the other was green. The vases cost five cents each. The next year Daddy made his annual trip downtown to buy the girls' special gifts. That year, they each received a frog. No! Not a live frog that croaks, nor small china figurine frogs, but glass frogs, the kind used for flower arranging. G. Lee, you seem to bring out the stories in us that we have long forgotten. Thanks!

Hi All, Thanks Eddie for the invite to share our Christmas with everyone on this list. Our Christmas Day started at 5am, the children (I have two girls ages 6 and 4) didn't get up till about 5:45am. My parents (including step-parents) all came for breakfast and to watch the kids open their presents. It was a fantastic morning, the kids are just beginning to get into the Christmas presents thing. Then around 11:30am we set out for a day of visiting family. Lunch with my Dad and Step-mom was at Noon. From there we visited my husband's grandfather for a while then it was off to hubby's grandmother's house for dinner. By around 7pm we were at my inlaws for presents again. My husband is the oldest of 5 boys so it was a huge crowd. There are 9 grandchildren ranging in ages from 11 to 3. This is the most fun to watch them open their presents with such wide eyes and joy with all the wonderful presents they receive. They run around after opening their own presents to see what each one has gotten. We finally arrive back home at around 10pm, the kids are so tuckered that they are ready for bed. I'm an only child so having the joy of spending time with all of my inlaws is a great way to finish off such a fantastic day. I hope that each and everyone of you had a joyous holiday with your families. For those that had to travel any distance I wish you a safe return home! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All Vicky

Well, since it is just my husband and I, it didn't seem like a holiday at all. I called my brother in law in TX to see how everything was. Well it seems like all good things now. On Nov 16th, my niece had a baby girl 1 lb 4oz. A lot of people have been praying for her, and when I called it was very good news. She has gained almost a pound and has been upgraded to the next level in ICU. The holiday was suddenly bright with glad tiding of great joy. This after all is the reason for the season - the birth of another baby, 2000 yrs ago. Barb [email protected] wrote: > > Subject: > > SW_VA-D Digest Volume 00 : Issue 338 > > Today's Topics: > #1 Re: SW_VA-D Digest V00 #337 [Barb Norvell <[email protected]] > #2 Check that address - Merry Christm [[email protected]] > #3 (Fwd) Happy holidays [[email protected]] > #4 Re: Merry Christmas!!! [Jo Ann McBride <[email protected]>] > #5 [Fwd: Re: Merry Christmas!!!] ["E. C. Rogers" <[email protected]>] > #6 Merry Christmas [connie springs <[email protected]] > > Administrivia: > To unsubscribe from SW_VA-D, send a message to > > [email protected] > > that contains in the body of the message the command > > unsubscribe > > and no other text. No subject line is necessary, but if your software > requires one, just use unsubscribe in the subject, too. > PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK THE SPELLING OF THE WORD: UNSUBSCRIBE > ______________________________ > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: SW_VA-D Digest V00 #337 > Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2000 12:01:18 -0500 > From: Barb Norvell <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > > Eddie, Where are you at in SC. If you are near Carowinds, an amusement > park on the NC/SC border, then you are close by. I live about 40 miles > south in Fort Lawn, SC. Were do you live in NC. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL > ON THE LIST. > > MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR > FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS > Barb and Don > > ______________________________ > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Check that address - Merry Christmas > Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2000 13:55:27 -0800 > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > > Volks, > > I wish people had been careful with their address. Too many > clicked REPLY and wrote to only me and not the List. I got some > very sweet and touching notes. Maybe they can resend to the list > address. [email protected] > > Thanks to all. I did read them. > -eddie > > ______________________________ > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: (Fwd) Happy holidays > Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2000 14:11:33 -0800 > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > > ------- Forwarded message follows ------- > From: "JLMason" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Subject: Happy holidays > Date sent: Mon, 25 Dec 2000 02:52:32 -0500 > > As per Eddie's letter: I have had the best Christmas as my prayers have > been answered! My daughter, Jennifer and new son Eric (Jen's hubby) are > here in TN with their kids Little Eric and Rebecca! Jennifer has been in > "The Wilderness" and has been restored to us! Any parent with a lost child > will know what I mean. Right now if you read this and find that you have a > child who needs prayer know that GOD IS ON THE THRONE and hears you!!!!! > Never ever give up! > Jennie > > ------- End of forwarded message ------- > > ______________________________ > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: Merry Christmas!!! > Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2000 12:50:51 +0000 > From: Jo Ann McBride <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > > Merry Christmas to everyone from west central Texas!! I am enjoying watching our > 7 yr old grandson play with his gifts. His mother is working today so we will > have our feast this evening. > JoAnn McBride > > [email protected] wrote: > > > Volks, > > > > The list has been deathly quiet. > > > > I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Be sure to wish Jesus a > > very Happy Birthday. I hope everyone is with their precious, loving > > family. I think of the happy Christmas with family members who have > > passed on. > > > > I am having a wonderful time in S. CA with my ten year old > > daughter, Rebecca. We spent ten hours at an amusement park. I'm > > much too old for that. Dec 26 it is back to NC to see the others. > > > > If you feel like it, please send a Merry Christmas and 1-2 > > sentences about who you are spending it with. Watch out we may > > get 500 msgs today. > > > > God bless you all with true, lasting happiness!! > > > > -eddie > > List owner > > > > ==== SW_VA Mailing List ==== > > #9 As of 3/22/2000 we have 550 members. Traffic can get heavy so check your > > mailbox often. We should regulate traffic so it don't get out of hand. > > There is an average of ten members coming and going each week. > > -sysop > > > > ============================== > > Ancestry.com Genealogical Databases > > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist2.asp > > Search over 2500 databases with one easy query! > > ______________________________ > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: [Fwd: Re: Merry Christmas!!!] > Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2000 14:58:26 -0800 > From: "E. C. Rogers" <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > > This is a multi-part message in MIME format. > > --------------285F7D2B611A > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > To the list: > > I am another one who clicked REPLY and as a result sent only to Eddie. > It did bring a nice message from Eddie, which I appreciate. > > Now I will send to the list - which I should have done originally. > > Clark > > --------------285F7D2B611A > Content-Type: message/rfc822 > Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Content-Disposition: inline > > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2000 11:51:20 -0800 > From: "E. C. Rogers" <[email protected]> > Reply-To: [email protected] > X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.01Gold (Win95; U) > MIME-Version: 1.0 > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: Merry Christmas!!! > References: <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > Merry Christmas to Eddie and all!! > > Our little family - daughter Mary, daughter Ruth and her husband Steve > and their 2 year old son, and I - spent Christmas Eve at his family home > in Los Angeles, California. The little boy really was excited by all > the goodies he received even though he is too young to understand it > all. I live alone at the long time home of our family in the high > desert north of L.A. since my wonderful wife Patsy (McKee) Rogers, born > in Virginia, went home to be with the Lord 4 years ago. > > My wife's McKee family had a small reunion in Chilhowie, Smyth County, > Virginia last August. I was unable to go because of health problems, > but bought airline tickets for the rest of the family to go. They were > able to enjoy the striking beauty of Southwest Virginia at a great time > of year. They also were able to see the area where Patsy's ancestors > McKee, St. John, Glenn and Copenhaver had lived starting about two > centuries ago. Their uncle lives in the great old house built by their > ancestor, Confederate Cavalry officer Andrew Fulton St. John, right > after the unCivil War. > > Best wishes to all for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I will be > reading your postings and searching for more info on my wife's ancestors > in Virginia next year. Thanks for all the interesting stories. > > Clark Rogers > > --------------285F7D2B611A-- > > ______________________________ > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: Merry Christmas > Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2000 20:46:49 -0500 > From: connie springs <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > > I hope that each of you had a very Merry Christmas. Here, in North > Carolina, the sky was blue, the air crisp, and we enjoyed the company of > my husband's two cousins. Plenty of phone calls from friends and family > in other states. We did miss being in Texas with son, daughter-in-law, > granddaughter, grandson, grandaughter-in-law and the two greats, but we > were together in spirit. Best wishes to all in the New Year. Connie -- MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS

To All: I came up during the Great Depression when times were hard! The Christmas catalogs arrived about the first of October and we had worn them out by December, looking and wishing and making lists to send to Santa Claus.. We gave mama our lists to mail but I suspect now that they never got mailed, because she didn't have the 3 cents it cost to mail a letter at that time... Any way, it seemed that Santa never stopped at our house and I know, my parents felt really bad about.it. One Christmas eve they told us to go to bed and maybe Santa would come! We went to bed but naturally, we couldn't go to sleep! After about an hour, we heard a loud Bang! We jumped out of bed and ran into the front room. Daddy came in the door with his shotgun and said, "That'll teach him to go by without stoppin'!" "What happened?" we asked.. Daddy said, "I saw Santa going over our house without stoppin' so I shot one of his reindeers!" We didn't get any toys that year but we had plenty of deer meat to eat!! G. Lee Hearl Authentic Appalachian Storyteller Abingdon, Va..

Hi G. Lee Hearl, I guess you could say that " Santa having the flu" was quite evident in lots of households around the world this year, but who other than the good little old Mrs. could have saved face and pulled him through! Thanks for adding some smiles at a time when thats all one can do..grin and bear it! There must have been lots of times in our ancestor's history when poor old Santa couldn't show and his Mrs. stepped in! Its great to know that the women of this world can be depended upon in a calamity! Looking forward to a Great New Year in Family History for Everyone! In family searching, Florence Friedenstab Griffin

To All: I spent Christmas writing a poem for everyone! SANTA HAD THE FLU By G. Lee Hearl 'Twas the day before Christmas, up at the North Pole The cold wind was blowing, there was new fallen snow The Elves were working, loading the sled But Santa was sick and had taken to bed.. He said, "Oh My, what am I gonna do, It's Christmas eve and I've got the flu!" He called to his wife, "I hate to tell you Dear, But you'll have to deliver the toys this year " She put on her mittens, her boots and her hat Stuffed a pillow in her coat to make her look fat She looked at the sleigh with toys pile high Said, "It'll take a miracle to get that thing to fly!" She climbed up the ladder and into the seat Said, "I've never flown a sleigh, but I'll bet it's neat!" Then she called on the reindeer and hollerd "Ho! Ho!" But pull as they might, the sleigh wouldn't go! She called out the Elves and they pushed very hard Then the sleigh began moving across the big yard Then the all of the reindeer sprang from the ground Mrs Claus shut her eyes, she couldn't look down! Up and over the North Pole they flew Mrs Claus was scared, she didn't know what to do! She was hollering Hee! Hee! instead of Ho! Ho! The reindeer didn't know which way to go! Then she rememberd, she didn't know who got what She said, "They'll have to take what I leave them, Like it or Not! The Elves were singing and working real hard Throwing toys down the chimmneys and out in the yards When daylight came, all the toys were gone The reindeer turned north and headed for home So, if there was a Christmas, your gift didn't suit you Don't blame ole' Santa, cause He Had The Flu!! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Eggie Easter!! G. Lee Hearl Authentic Appalachian Storyteller Abingdon, Va..

Hi Eddie and All: You suggested the idea, so hope you can hang in to the end! Unlike most of the nice Christmas messages, I don't have the patter of little feet visiting my house anymore. They've all grown into big, size 10-1/2 Nike feet. Nowadays, the patter of little feet has become 4-legged---big dogs, little dogs, cats, and more cats. I began the holidays by planning a little get-together for friends. Spent days making that cranberry-covered styrofoam cone. You know, the one Martha Stewart shows how easy it is to make! Now here's what I have to say--anything Martha can do, I can do. Back to the cranberry cone tree: I broke the toothpicks in half, spent hours poking cranberries into the cone and about 2/3 way up the cone, ran out of toothpicks. The cranberries were starting to get soft. Now, you tell me Martha makes her own cranberry trees and I'll tell you that she could win a personality contest. So much for Martha! My Christmas gathering was almost a disaster due to the weather conditions, but I got busy at the last minute and started calling friends who live in the same building, and several of them came to my rescue and saved the day. I still had refreshments enough for the neighborhood. My daughter lives here in town with her two girls. My son arrived Christmas day with his two sons. We drove about 85 miles and had dinner with family at my hometown. Guess who got the leftovers from my party? Except for the pumpkin bread and cranberry bread I bought at WalMart. Fortunately, no one asked if I baked the bread, because I have a real hard time with lying! Wonderful meal. About 25 arrived for dinner. I stole away with my sister's Rum Cake, the best you ever ate. Returned to Lexington, and Christmas evening my children, grandchildren and I ate party leftovers then opened gifts. The biggest surprise was that the jacket and pullover they gave me---Fit! It was fun. My daughter went home with the party meatballs, banana pudding, and a big bottle of punch. This morning my son headed back home to Indiana. He doesn't know it, but when he reaches into the little doggie bag along the way, he will find cheeseball, dips, celery/carrot sticks, and benedictine sandwiches. What a relief! My fridg is clear now and the only thing I have to throw away is the cauliflower that is starting to turn brown. All in all, Christmas was Nice! Happy New Year to everyone! Pat O'Neal, descendant of the following: Estep, Carmack, Rowlett, Campbell, Nevils, Yeary, Brooks, Moore families, all from the NC, SW VA, TN, KY neighborhoods. A few aunts, uncles, and cousins wandered off the beaten track and wound up in OK, TX, and CA.

Dear List: Today I celebrated Christmas with my little family, two daughters and my son with all their chidren. I can only thank the Good Lord for allowing me to be here as I am now recovering from cervical spin surgery, two in fact. The first one went wrong and they had to reoperate the next day to fix the first! A large blood clot was pressing on my aorta vein causing heart problems. This was my 16 th surgery, including two heart bypasses, two hand surgeries, a knee surgery, angiplasties, throat surgery, foot surgery, ear surgery as a child, many angigrams, a TURP, and am now looking at going through a procedure where they place a small camera down my throat to check for damage to the vocal cord. I feel that the Good Lord has been with me so many times as I faced these problems. It has really shown me the meaning of Christmas with my loved ones. We have all prayed for a better world to raise the children in and peace to all my cousins. I am nearing 70 and so many of my family have gone on to glory, its so sad, but each new grandchild just confirms our immoratiltiy. Our line marches on. Hopefully to a better world than the one we leave them! God bless all our cousins on line and may He point us in a direction that will tell us about those that have gone ahead! Paul Parker Lomita, CA PS: To all you easterners we are suffering from this 71 degree weather! All my roses are in bloom and the flowers are spectactular this time of the year! Just rubbing in our good fortune for our weather!