Locke Family History

A number of years ago I had a business meeting outside Atlanta, and decided to make an afternoon visit to Jasper, Tennessee just outside of Chattanooga. This is where my Grandmother Brower (maiden name Locke) was born and joined the church.

I've been thinking for some time about getting more serious about tracing the Locke family roots and finding out more about the Locke, McClellan, Parker, and Cate families.

To that end I've started a new blog which you've invited to read and contribute to. You'll find it at KateLockeAncestry. Come take a look!

I Hate Petunias

When I was little we had lots of flowers around our house and I hated them. For one thing, they were all the same. Granted, sometimes the colors were different, but every spring we would have to plant like 3,249 plants, 6 inches apart, all around the house. (I’m not sure of the number, but it seemed like that many.) Then we would have to water them every single day and keep the weeds out. They would finally start looking good just in time to die of frost bite. And then the whole process started over. I was at home for 20 years and that means planting 64,980 plants! Think of all the things I could have done instead – there is always world peace. As a result I have been traumatized and hate petunias as all you do is plant them and they die. To help end that trauma cycle over the years, we have had a lot of greenery, raspberries, etc., but not many flowers.

I now have a new love – Perennial flower gardens. It started out by planting a few hosta & lilies. Suddenly I discovered they didn’t die, came up every year and got better and better. A couple of years ago I went to Adams (a flower, fruit, vegetable farmer’s type market) and started to look at Perennials. I found so many beautiful ones it was a good thing we had an Expedition or they wouldn’t have all fit on my way home. Of course, it’s like a mouse who wants a cookie, one thing leads to another and David found himself, along with a few helpful friends, digging up shrubs, bushes, and miniature Alberta Spruces so I could have a new flower bed in front of the porch. It is wonderful, every flower is not the same (the more the merrier) and each year they get better and better and you can split them and end up with two plants. We have now added two other perennial beds. Poor Dave, I’m sure he is just waiting to see where I want dug next…

Can you play it? Yes Wii Can!!

As some of you know, the Father of the house received a “virtual” gift for Father's Day – which has a double meaning since it involves virtual sports, but also because it wasn't really there.  What that all means is that he received a Nintendo Wii, but not really, since they are in short supply and Mom couldn't actually locate one in time.  But she searched really diligently and the local Radio Shack was able to snag one of 5 in the country for that week.

Since then we have had a lot of fun bowling, and playing tennis, baseball and golf.  Boxing has been taboo however since Maryelen almost knocked herself out with the wild Nunchuck swings.  At any rate she is now Pro Level at bowling and I've only managed to beat her one time.  We'll look forward to playing with any of you, whenever you come to visit.

Now that we're totally into this Wii thing, if Maryelen can only find a Wii Fit without paying Double Price on E-Bay, then she can get in top shape --- and do Yoga at home like this.  David will probably be content to do the ski racing...

One if by Land…… Two if by Sea

Everyone seems to be telling about their July 4th holiday fun on their blogs ... not to be outdone, here’s what we did. We did things on the Land and on the Sea, so let's start with the land portion.

One if by LAND

Since the 4^th of July is a Patriotic Holiday, what better place to go than to Massachusetts - as in Paul Revere, Old North Church, etc. However, all the old history is not just in Boston, so we went north of Boston. I now have a new place I want to retire (actually any place with big old historical homes makes it to my list, but this was especially nice). We spent time in Ipswich, which has 50 pre-colonial homes (1625-1725), more than any other town in New England. 

Just north of Ipswich is Newburyport which was settled in the 1630s and also has really wonderful old homes. I’m still working on David as somehow his idea of retiring doesn’t involve an old historical home to maintain!

We also spent time in Rockport, which is a great little ocean town on Cape Ann north of Gloucester with lots of fun sights and sounds….

We'll have to wait for another day to go sea-kayaking, but at least David bought a T-shirt from this place.

When we sat on the point watching the ocean and eating our elephant ears, we thought of Nicole as we sat on that same point last year, ate elephant ears and watched the ocean!

Not wanting to miss out on any fun, after church on Sunday we took the Mohawk Trail (Rt #2) west all along the northern part of Massachusetts, including the Berkshire mountains. It was great fun, wonderful scenery, and educational. (Ask us about the Bear Swamp Project sometime).

Two if by SEA 

Now, as it turns out the Sea portion was great as well.  We took a 4-hour whale watch out of Gloucester harbor (made famous by Gorton's and The Perfect Storm) and we loved it!  We traveled about 20 miles out to the NE corner of the Stellwagen Banks where the whales feed on the plentiful fish and other whale delicacies.  We saw 2 huge Finback whales, 5-6 small Minke whales, and probably 20 Humpback whales.

Getting ready to head out to sea aboard the 7 Seas Whale Watch ...

Leaving Gloucester Harbor ...

The first major sighting was a mighty Finback Whale off starboard.  Finbacks are the 2nd largest whale at 60-75 feet and can swim at 30 mph. 

Here are a couple of shots of the Humpbacks.  It was awesome watching (and hearing) the blows and watching them roll and dive ...

Mother and baby Humpback enjoying a leisurely July 4th swim ...

Time for a little tail-wagging ...

 

Wasn't that fun!  Headed back to shore and a lobster dinner ...

What a fun mini-vacation!!!  We only wish some of you were here with us!!

Our New Favorite Pie

John and Courtney Hacking came to visit us from Texas and brought a delicious pecan pie (No we didn’t know Texas was famous for Pecan Pies, but we do now).



Anyway, when they first gave it to us, I was just like the little kids at Christmas, I loved the wooden reusable box it came it and immediately starting playing with it. I thought I knew Pecan Pie, but let me tell you, Texans do know how to do it. It was incredible!

Now John & Courtney, your mission, should you accept it, is to find us a recipe like that! It was very rich, but not sticky & tough like some pecan pies. By the way, it was so much fun having John & Courtney here and we are making plans for the next time they come.

I hate Petunias

When I was little we had lots of flowers around our house and I hated them. For one thing, they were all the same. Granted, sometimes the colors were different, but every spring we would have to plant like 3,249 plants, 6 inches apart, all around the house. (I’m not sure of the number, but it seemed like that many.) Then we would have to water them every single day and keep the weeds out. They would finally start looking good just in time to die of frost bite. And then the whole process started over. I was at home for 20 years and that means planting 64,980 plants! Think of all the things I could have done instead – there is always world peace. As a result I have been traumatized and hate petunias as all you do is plant them and they die. To help end that trauma cycle over the years, we have had a lot of greenery, raspberries, etc., but not many flowers.

I now have a new love – Perennial flower gardens. It started out by planting a few hosta & lilies. Suddenly I discovered they didn’t die, came up every year and got better and better. A couple of years ago I went to Adams (a flower, fruit, vegetable farmer’s type market) and started to look at Perennials. I found so many beautiful ones it was a good thing we had an Expedition or they wouldn’t have all fit on my way home. Of course, it’s like a mouse who wants a cookie, one thing leads to another and David found himself, along with a few helpful friends, digging up shrubs, bushes, and miniature Alberta Spruces so I could have a new flower bed in front of the porch. It is wonderful, every flower is not the same (the more the merrier) and each year they get better and better and you can split them and end up with two plants. We have now added two other perennial beds. Poor Dave, I’m sure he is just waiting to see where I want dug next…

Greek Festival

In honor of Elder Eric Brown (now serving in the Athens Greece mission), we indulged once again in our annual pilgrimage to the Poughkeepsie Greek Festival. The date was locked in the calendar and our mouths were watering by early afternoon. Arriving early enough on Friday night to get good parking (and before the food lines were way long) we made a bee-line to the food concession tent where there was a grand spread of greek delights. 

          

  

Passing up the lamb and Mousaka, we settled on Spanakopita (spinach/cheese in phyllo turnover), greek salad, and stuffed grape leaves. Yumm!! And as we ate under the big tent we enjoyed Greek music and the festive atmosphere.

In Greek mythology, ambrosia was the food of the gods, but Mom thinks that it should be Baklava – and my was it good!! We also sampled the Galaktopoureko (custard filled phyllo soaked in lemon sauce) but the homemade Baklava was definitely the best. It was a great evening, and a delicious way to help support the local Greek Orthodox congregation.

Just thinking about it, I'm all ready to attend Barbie Smith's wedding at the Greek Orthodox church in Newburgh (Aug 16).  I understand that they'll be serving some Greek food at the reception dinner...

Excuses, Excuses, What Wonderful Excuses

We could say we were so busy that we couldn’t write, which was true, but boy the excuses we had were wonderful and fun. Amy & Jared’s wedding was great. You’ll have to see her blog for details. It’s a little sad to think your daughter is getting married and will no longer need you for her main support, but when you get a wonderful new son in the deal it is worth it. Even though we raised all girls, it is kind of neat to be adding sons. We are now up to three! (We’ve been told not to even think about adding another for a while).

Anyway, in addition to all the wedding excitement, flying to California, back here to NY for the wedding, to Utah for the Open House, then back home to collapse it was busy. Here we are, just the two of us. My how clean the house is without everyone’s stuff sitting around, but it just doesn’t seem right without little footsteps sounding all over the place. No one was shouting for Papa to come play or asking Grandma for something they had been told they couldn’t have but knew Grandma would provide!

So, as all good grandparents must do (yes, they too have grandparent rules) we are providing you with a picture of baby Joseph showing his newest trick, up on hands and knees. No, he can’t crawl and just rocks back and forth, but hey, he gets his picture taken and lots of attention, what could be better?

Rules of the blog….

Did you know there were rules to blogging? I didn’t. I thought a blog was a simple little thing you did if and when you felt like it. I have been informed that it is against the rules to set up a blog and not write in it at least twice a month. Hmmm, let’s see it was April last and now it’s July, that’s about twice a month give or take a few…. Does it count if you put a bunch on at one time?

The Sabbath is the Lord's Day

Wow, yesterday was a long day -- from morning until late at night. Although every Sunday is not like this, I thought that I'd give a flavor of what one what one atypical Sunday was like, just for the record.

• 6:30 am - shower and dress, while my sweet wife is so kind to pack a lunch/dinner.
• 7:10 am - finish packing briefcase, including laptop and projector; grab a quick breakfast (a rarity on Sunday, but this will be a long day).
• 7:30 - drive 40 miles to Stake Center (Taconic Parkway to I-84) picking up Stake Presidency 2nd Counselor at the Park N Ride, since he had neck surgery and doesn't drive distances well.
• 8:30 - Ward Conference meetings with Bishopric and Ward Counsel
• 11:00 - Sacrament Meeting and I present the concluding talk.
• 12:20 - Set up projector and laptop, and introduce presentation on Family History, including New FamilySearch and FamilySearchIndexing.
• 2:00 pm - Stake Priesthood Executive Committee
• 3:30 pm - drive to New York City Upper East Side for missionary meeting with NY/NJ stake leaders. High Council member Bro. Campbell from West Point accompanies me, and we both eat the lunch that Mom has prepared as we drive. He helps guide since this is the first time I've gone down from Newburgh to the East Side instead of the "normal" route across the Henry Hudson Bridge and down the West Side to Lincoln Center.
• 5:20 pm - Smooth trip and we arrive in plenty of time to park at 1st and 89th and walk to the new NY Stake Center on 87th between 2nd and 3rd Ave. It's a lovely new 5 story building.
  
• 5:30 pm - Arrive early for the meeting and look around. Visit downstairs with other leaders since the High Council room is being used by Public Affairs. An Italian TV crew is interviewing several church leaders.
• 6:00 pm - Meeting with Area Authority Seventy and stake leaders, including 3 mission presidents. I was happy to greet President Checketts and give a warm hug to President Pettitt (Tim's Dad).
  
• 8:15 pm - Walk back to parking garage to head home (parking was $25). A brother from Danbury CT will follow us out of the city since he forgot to get directions home (you can't just reverse directions due to 1-way streets etc). We drive back past Yankee Stadium and up I-87, across the Tappen Zee Bridge into NJ then up the NY State Thruway to Newburgh. Snacked on granola bars and apples along the way.
  
• 10:00 - Drop Bro. Campbell off at the Stake Center after a pleasant drive and great visit discussing missionary work as well as his impending move to Ogden UT. Call Maryelen to let her know I'm on my way and head back east to Pleasant Valley over the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge where there was a fairly long line - but not for EZ-Pass, thank-you. Call Grandpa and Grandpa Brown for a nice phone visit as I drive.
• 10:45 pm - Arrive home at last after 15 hours, 231 miles of driving and $32.40 in parking and tolls. Mom has Miso Soup with tofu, and sliced pears waiting for a late snack. We talk about our days activities and then collapse in bed.

The End.

Every Journey Begins with the First Step

Ok, here it is.  The blog you have been waiting your whole life to see.

So READY, SET, (oh and did I ever tell you the story about the wide-mouthed frog???) GO!!

Really nothing special here, but maybe you'll see a quote or two, enjoy some fun pics, and remember always that families are special, knowledge is eternal, goodness is palpable, and the Spirit brings light and joy into our lives.  

Welcome!!!  

 -- David & Maryelen