sandraleecleary

Well I’m still at it. I thought once I found what I was looking for I wouldn’t need to keep my nose to the computer monitor and my fingers on the keys. No, that’s not the way it goes. I want to know more, after all there are still loose puzzle pieces out there. I have the frame all pieced in but now there are the little, everyday things that went on in our ancestors lives that need to be filled in.

And I still can’t stop checking my DNA matches. With so many people out there interested in where they came from they are having their DNA done too. You never know who might pop up on your match!

And it has been my pleasure to help a few people figure out where they need to begin to find their relatives.

I have to admit I love the hunt. The chase, if you will. I don’t have all the answers but I can send you in the direction I’d go.

So let me bid you goodbye for now as I really do need to get to writing. I’m working on my second novel, I need to do a devotional, plus I have to go over bank statements. Oh yes, no rest for the weary. I love it!

Until then…………………….

When I was a teenager I remember my mother standing in the living room, one shoe off, and rubbing her barefoot across the carpet fearlessly. I asked her, “What are you doing?”

“Oh nothing, I just have itchy feet. I guess I’m about to go on a trip.”

Since then when I have an itch on the bottom of my feet I think of what she said. Only thing is, lately, I’ve really had the itch! I’m ready to take a trip. I’ve been home too long. Of course, if I’m traveling I don’t get much writing done, but oh what I get to see, and who I get to talk to.

I’ve been on the computer so much trying to track down my mother’s movements during the year of 1942. The historical society of Mower County, MN has sat at the microfilm table looking at newspaper articles for hours for me. Well that’s probably a good thing since I have trouble sitting still for any length of time. I think I have adult ADHD. Is there such a thing? Well anyway, I think I have it.

It seems as though each week I get new information about my mother. NOW I know why she never wanted to talk about the past. Now, what facts I was able to glean from her I consider gold. Only thing is, it wasn’t the details I hungered for. But oh my goodness I’ve been able to put together a pretty good picture of a mother I never knew.

So my mission is to continue digging and see what else I come up with. Trouble is just when you think you have all the little secrets, you come across something else. My advice to those of you who are just starting to research your ancestors, don’t be surprised what you find. Remember your ancestors are a part of who you are. You can’t get away from that.

Until then………………………..

I’ve done a lot of research looking for my ancestors. From searching on Ancestry, writing letters to court houses where I thought they lived, to going through the libraries where I thought they lived. All time consuming and I’ve learned a lot about patience.

The one thing I hadn’t considered was, I’m living my life every day without realizing I’m a part of history. Living history. You probably hadn’t thought about that either. Between the city directories, the census taken every ten years, and every thing in between. School records, yours and your children’s. Phone records, and the list goes on and on.

When I’m trying to find my ancestors I look in the census, city directories, newspapers, church records, court house records, etc. Somewhere they’ve left their imprint. It’s called following the paper trail. The court house may have burnt down but there are other ways to find your ancestor.

You maybe asking yourself, “Why does she want to have a paper trail?”

It’s simple, at least for me. My ancestor was a breathing person etching out his life just like me. He was born, went to school, married, raised a family, farmed his land, bought a house, divorced, maybe, and passed away. Maybe not in that order but you see what I’m saying. I want to know more about him. What was his likes, dislikes, his religion, if he was religious.

I’ve been able to put together a pretty good sketch of one of my grandfather’s. It’s been interesting. Now I’m wondering if any one of my descendants will be able to find out something about me. I’m sure I’ve left a paper trail of some sorts.

It’s something to think about.

Until then……………………….

Oh why do I let it go by for so long? Now I’ve got to play catch up on the goings on in my life. Where or where do I start? I finished the book, finally. It’s published and I’ve had my first book signing. Have I mentioned it was “Wonderful”. Never thought I’d be a published author much less have a book signing. Wow!

And look who accompanied me, the cover girl, Katie aka my granddaughter.

Mr. “C” and I took a couple of days and went to Port Aransas down on Mustang Island. The weather couldn’t have been any better. Beautiful. We joined a few of my Purple Girls (that’s the name Abel’s diner gave us as we have breakfast there every Thursday). One of the ladies grilled hot dogs for us, which I must say were delicious. Plus it was the company we were with too. I was able to put a check mark for exercise by walking the beach, yea me.

Now, for the big trip of the year, Waterloo, Iowa. Ever since I found my biological father and other relatives, I’ve been wanting to make this trip. When I marked it out on the map I never realized how close Waterloo was to where my mother’s mother was born and raised. So close yet so far. It’s taken me twenty years, DNA, patience and more patience than I ever thought I had to figure out the identity of my father.

I’ve been trying to find a picture of him but to no avail. I think I have one but not sure who this man is. All I know he is quite cozy with my mother. So now that both are deceased, I finally figured it out, I’m heading north. Say a prayer and wish me luck. Actually the prayer will do. Will keep you posted. And I won’t wait until next month to let you know.

Until then………………………..

I know that’s a funny title but let me tell you right now I feel like I’m trying to birth a baby with trying to get my book out there for you. It goes like this. Download or upload, I always get the two mixed up, to the printer. You go through every page, slowly, and it looks good. You have your business partner go through the book, page by page. Yep, looks good, but before we order let’s get a proof, just to make sure.

We leave Katie to ponder the situation.

Now we have the proof in our hot little hands. Outside looks good. We both go through the book, page by page, very slow. My beta reader goes through each page. Oops, there’s several mistakes. How did that get by me? And how did it get by others? How did it get by all my critique partners? Okay, so let’s fix it.

We go back to the drawing board and take care of all the mistakes, misspellings, and so forth. It’s looking good again. The book really looks good. So, do I get another proof or not? I sleep on it.

When I got up this morning I went into prayer over the book. Do I or don’t I order proofs or do I go out on a limb of faith and place my order? Faith is the substance of things not seen.    2 Corinthians 5:7. I live my life by this verse.  I pray again. It’s in God’s hands. I order 100 copies.

Book signing at Cibolo Coffee Haus located on Cibolo Valley Road across from the Cibolo Fire Station. Date: 23 April 5 p.m. See you there.

Until then…………………………….

Can you believe it…nine more months to Christmas. Time is flying by way too fast. Or is it I’m getting older. Who knows. Wait, if I’m getting older I should be getting slower at doing things, so time should be going by slower. I like that reasoning. But my life is not going by like that.

Mr. “C” says he can’t keep up with me. My sentences run into each other. I run from one room of the house to the other always putting away something, straightening something, letting the dogs out to do their business, and whew I’m pooped. I still haven’t fallen asleep in the chair while watching television with Mr. “C” yet.

I’m at the Cibolo Coffee Haus today trying to play catch up, but do we ever get caught up? Think about it. We go without sleep all week to get things done and we think we’ll sleep all week end. We look forward to the week end. The coziness of the bed with the big fluffy pillows and warm blankets. Our bedroom dark from the heavy, blackout drapes. But it doesn’t happen. We are up at the crack of dawn to let the dogs out, get to a weekend meeting by seven and so it goes. We never get caught up on the sleep missed!

Okay by now you get the picture. I’m trying to play catch up. I’m working on second novel. The first one is having some renovation done to it by my super powered, wonderful, editor in chief, and business partner. And I do have a beta reader working on it too. Hope I didn’t make too many mistakes for them to fix. I can only pray.

Thank you Jesus for giving me the story to put to paper. Amen.

Until then…………………………………..

The logo for our publishing company. Finally…… So you can see what I’ve been up to and what I’ve fallen behind in. Yes, the blog that has to be revamped too. So much to do so little time. And let’s not forget the most important part of all this. MY WRITING!  You can check out our web site at www.franklinscribes.com

My little Katie. No this is not the final cover but it is Katie. The book has been put to bed as they say in the movies…..waiting for my proof for last minute boo boos. Then and only then will I hit the button and say publish. Watch for the big book signing at Cibolo Coffee Haus on April 2nd at 5 p.m. I will continue to keep everyone updated on date and place of book signings. I’m so excited! Just like a little kid.

Already working on the second book “Chasing Rabbits”. A memoir wrapped in DNA.

Until then………

I’ve been busy, really busy trying to get everything to my publisher and make sure I did things right. I’m sure there will be boo boo’s, no wait, think positive! I’ve had so much fun with my little Indian girl taking just the right picture.

No, this is not the one I picked for the cover. But close. She is my model…..Now admit it. She is working it.

As soon as I can figure out how to change it from a pdf I’ll post.

Until then……………..

Yes, the time has finally come. All is done except the cover, and we are having trouble with that. So we are diligently working on that this weekend. That means more pictures to be taken to get the right shot. I didn’t realize, with all the pictures taken, we couldn’t find one I was satisfied with. Guess I’m looking for perfection. Yeah, I am!

So, book signing will begin about the middle of Feb (I hope). I will keep everyone posted on that.

Until then…………………….

I know it’s not New Year’s yet but I’m so full of all the good stuff that has happened this year I know I’m going to explode. Well, maybe not, but I just have to share with what has happened the last six months.

And I want you to know my Jesus has really taught me patience! I just have to remember it!

My book has gone to the publisher. Yea! We’ve been working on the book cover. So watch for the big book launch probably after the first of the year. I’m so excited.

Now for the next BIG thing. I finally found my biological father (patience here). I feel like it’s taken a life time but it’s probably only been the last twenty years that I’ve really worked at it.

AND now for the last three weeks so much has fallen into place. Today another cousin has helped me tremendously. Can’t wait to get back to Ancestry to work on some more of it. Will keep you posted on that. He said there was a surprise waiting on one of the lines (your Highness)…..okay so away I go to do some one digging!!!

Until then………………………………..