Tomorrow I will find out if I have managed to sneak into that beginning art class at the local junior college. BUT, this evening I got the answer to my family tree mystery of a hundred years and more: my paternal grandfather was indeed my paternal grandmother's [first] husband. Per Ancestry.com DNA testing, his last surviving son (96 years old) by his second wife is a very close relative, close enough to be my half-uncle, as the records I discovered indicate. Now I am honor bound to pay him (and other relatives in the area) a visit as soon as I reasonably can. Next weekend? If I don't get into the art class, that gives me a bit more flexibility. If I do sneak into the art class, I can still spend (Thursday,) Friday, Saturday and Sunday up there, and be back in time for class on Monday. There are two direct flights each way between Fresno and Seattle every day.
How could I not visit them? Buying airline tickets ten days in advance or so, the price is not bad. Not ever being able to meet his father weighed on my dad his entire life, and thus on me. He never knew that his mother even lied to him about who his father was--I discovered that a few years ago. The Internet makes documentation of all sorts SO easy to find compared to when we were young! And then DNA comparison for absolute certainty. (In this case the relationship is close enough that there is indeed certainty.)
I am not yet assured of a place in the art class, but I am only No. 3 on the wait list, so there is a good chance. Naomi went with me and approved, then we swung by the local art supply store on the way home. I will be in class on Wednesday. I was a little naughty today; when the instructor was counting people to see how many extra there were, I pointed to Naomi and said "She doesn't count; she's my probation officer." To which she responded "That's a joke!"
Eldest spent today on a 10 hour flight back from Moscow. Got to JFK, waited 5 hours for his connecting flight to VT, and the flight tracker showed the plane get as far as half way up MA, then turn around and go back to JFK, then turn again and head for VT. Then! At midnight the tracker refreshed to show tomorrow night's flight...!!!
So I don't actually know where my kid is right now, or what the issue was.
Tomorrow I will find out if I have managed to sneak into that beginning art class at the local junior college. BUT, this evening I got the answer to my family tree mystery of a hundred years and more: my paternal grandfather was indeed my paternal grandmother's [first] husband. Per Ancestry.com DNA testing, his last surviving son (96 years old) by his second wife is a very close relative, close enough to be my half-uncle, as the records I discovered indicate. Now I am honor bound to pay him (and other relatives in the area) a visit as soon as I reasonably can. Next weekend? If I don't get into the art class, that gives me a bit more flexibility. If I do sneak into the art class, I can still spend (Thursday,) Friday, Saturday and Sunday up there, and be back in time for class on Monday. There are two direct flights each way between Fresno and Seattle every day.
ReplyDeleteAlan
What amazing news!!! You are so good to go visit them. I hope you find them kindred spirits.
DeleteAnd all the best for the class!!!!!
How could I not visit them? Buying airline tickets ten days in advance or so, the price is not bad. Not ever being able to meet his father weighed on my dad his entire life, and thus on me. He never knew that his mother even lied to him about who his father was--I discovered that a few years ago. The Internet makes documentation of all sorts SO easy to find compared to when we were young! And then DNA comparison for absolute certainty. (In this case the relationship is close enough that there is indeed certainty.)
DeleteI am not yet assured of a place in the art class, but I am only No. 3 on the wait list, so there is a good chance. Naomi went with me and approved, then we swung by the local art supply store on the way home. I will be in class on Wednesday. I was a little naughty today; when the instructor was counting people to see how many extra there were, I pointed to Naomi and said "She doesn't count; she's my probation officer." To which she responded "That's a joke!"
Alan
https://bgr.com/2018/08/10/ancient-human-ancestors-went-extinct-because-they-were-lazy/
ReplyDeleteIt seems more accurate to say that they were too conservative...
DeleteAlan
P.S.: The original article is a heavy read.
Kinda my thought, too, Alan. Or dumb. But in any case, afraid.
DeleteThis morning we can faintly make out the Sierra Nevada foothills, which must be a good fifteen miles away, for the first time in weeks.
ReplyDeleteAlan
HUZZAH!!!!
DeleteOy, oy, oy!!!
ReplyDeleteEldest spent today on a 10 hour flight back from Moscow. Got to JFK, waited 5 hours for his connecting flight to VT, and the flight tracker showed the plane get as far as half way up MA, then turn around and go back to JFK, then turn again and head for VT. Then! At midnight the tracker refreshed to show tomorrow night's flight...!!!
So I don't actually know where my kid is right now, or what the issue was.
Oh, thank heaven he's on the ground in Burlington VT~!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what the issue was, but he's back. Ahhhhhhh.
I hope he didn't have to subdue an unruly passenger!
DeleteAlan
P.S.: Only ten hours from Moscow to JFK? That's closer than I thought.
Apparently not. But as a 5th degree black belt he certainly could have...!!
Delete