I Don't Know If I Am Ready

 December 31, 2024, my step-father died. He was 87, and missing my Mother so much. She died just 14 months before him. The Coroner said he had a massive heart attack, which makes sense as his heart was broken. He was gone before he hit the floor.Thankfully he did not suffer.

It snowed and got bitterly cold after that. I love snow normally. This time was different. At one point there was somewhere between 10 - 15 inches of snow out my window. Today it is raining, but cold, and I think the snow that is still hanging around is icier than it was. We're waiting for another bitter wave of temps coming at us.

So, what might be the most disturbing and scary year of my life, and I am almost 71, has begun. I've always thought of the new year started on my birthday. I mean, technically that seems reasonable since it really will be a new year for me. So I have a few weeks before I count it. January is just a trial run. A window into my future.

How has this January new year started? A funeral, drones and aliens, bitter weather, fire, and now fear. Many of my ancestors fought and some died to make and keep this country free. Most of my family are all in and happy about what is coming. To me it makes for a lonely time as I have been on the other side of the situation. I have lost my faith in the people of this country. I am resolved to believe that in the end, truth, decency, freedom and justice will win. I hope I live to see justice done!

What have I done so far?  I grieve. I deleted my Instagram (Threads), and Facebook. I haven't had Twitter for a long time. There is no longer any news channels in my house. I look online for reputable news sources.  I do have Bluesky and Mastodon.  I BLOCK TROUBLE and it brings such peace.

I've also gotten all of my bag patterns made into books, making it so much less messy to create one project, than having pattern pages everywhere.

 In family history: I use Family Historian and have a different way of working. Better organized, thanks to Drew Smith ("Organize Your Genealogy"). I have a folder full of sources to do, a folder of sources to scan, a folder to transcribe, and WikiTree to work on. Want to make a dent this year. Let's see how it goes.                                          

 

 

 

New Roads

 So, this is the year for something a little different. I think this year I need to focus on something I have not done so far. Descendancy research and my brick walls. I know I am slow getting started, but we've just passed Chinese New Year so I may not be so far off in starting. Hope the Year of the Tiger is kind to taking new avenues for research.

The thing about staying with a genealogy software for so long is 1) liking the program and 2) not having a large learning curve to fight in the middle of research. I am using RootsMagic 7 still. I like it and I know it. I don't have to stop my entering and try to find something, nor do I have to click so many times to get to the place I need. RootsMagic 8 has gotten no easier to maneuver and it takes so many clicks to get anywhere. I cannot find anything without spending so long looking that I just want to stop working altogether. To many times I have had to realize that what I am looking for is not there. Even how it presents seems awkward. The word "clunky" comes to mind every time I open it. I'm so sorry I bought it, and I will not continue with RM after version 7. I trusted RM, and got disappointed. I will continue to use RM7 until it starts not being cooperative, as it is not supported any longer. Meanwhile I will check out other programs. 

Today we are waiting for snow.  It’s been missing us all year and I am not believing them yet. Yes, I do love snow so it will make me happy if it hits us.