Exploring the Past to Improve the Future
By Eilene Lyon I’d like to introduce you to my maternal grandfather, Laurence Martin Smith, aka Smitty. In his retirement years, he took to writing down some stories about his life (don’t we wish all our ancestors would do that?!). I’ll be sharing some of them with you over the coming months. The Fastest Dog... Continue Reading →
By Eilene Lyon Every year for four days in March, I attend the local film festival. Though I love the feature films, I try to see as many shorts and documentaries as possible. After watching a series of international narrative shorts this morning, which were excellent, I went to see the documentary, “12th and Clairmount.”... Continue Reading →
Repealing The 2nd Amendment is Possible By Eilene Lyon Here’s a pop quiz for my American readers: In which decade was the last amendment added to the Constitution? No cheating! A. 1930s B. 1950s C. 1970s D. 1990s Some might say that the 27th amendment is inconsequential, and the fact it took more than 200... Continue Reading →
Winter Olympics History By Eilene Lyon I was so inspired by the American women’s relay in cross-country skiing. The first gold medal EVER for the U.S. in cross-country skiing in Olympic history. Go Team USA! The winter games began in 1924, so that’s nearly a century-long drought – it seems only the Chicago Cubs have... Continue Reading →
Week 8: #52Ancestors – Heirloom By Eilene Lyon I don’t come from families that generally pass down heirlooms. I suppose that might be for the best – I don’t like a lot of stuff (aka clutter) in my life. I do have a family quilt that I used as a bedspread for many years. Unfortunately,... Continue Reading →
By Eilene Lyon You may have surmised by now that I love the desert. Whether I’m counting cacti or tagging tortoises - or just taking a walk through the wilderness - the sunlight, landforms, and wildlife captivate me. Some of the most stunning American desert landscapes are now protected as National Parks and National Monuments.... Continue Reading →
By Eilene Lyon Integration Comes to Little Rock Just over 60 years ago, Little Rock Central High became the setting for the first real test of the landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown vs. Board of Education. My aunt was in high school when she made the move from Portland to Little Rock. She... Continue Reading →
Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery. Orville’s name can be read on the 3rd tablet on the right in the full-scale image. http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/pacific/manila-american-cemetery#.VWyrJ5DbLIW By Eilene Lyon Orville E. Bodtker was the son of Fred Bodtker and Mary Ann Sumner (grandson of Emil Bodtker and Minnie Gusso), making him my second cousin, twice... Continue Reading →
Human Created Content - Creative Writing - Australia
Life is a series of transitions, and so is the retirement journey.
Creative, non-monetary forms of payment
Random musings on style and substance
Where the locals go, because the locals know!
Internet home for Marie Zhuikov: Blogger, Author, Poet, Photographer
Reflections of an inquiring retiree ...
The opinions expressed are those of the author. You go get your own opinions.
I write about genealogy on this site. Come see what's going on!
Fun With Genealogy
Discover and re-discover Mexico’s cuisine, culture and history through the recipes, backyard stories and other interesting findings of an expatriate in Canada
Navigating the second half of my life
The people, places, and things that make the Willamette Valley shine
Journeys Through the Second Half of Life
Doing the best I can to keep it on the bright side
My 'Well of Lost and Found Thoughts'
Author, Speaker, Family Historian
thoughts about life from below the surface
... stories of significant others in the Allery, Cutting, McCulloch and Robertson tribes ...
Celtic, Mythical and More ...
