DNA and left hip replacement.

I am feeling guilty. Both of my darling daughters are having their left hip replaced within a month. This is most likely due to their DNA. My oldest daughter, Nancy, is almost 69. Her surgery is scheduled for September 10 in Irvine, California. My youngest daughter, Kerry, is almost 61. Her surgery will be scheduled soon in Louisiana.

Where did the DNA come from? Their Mother or me? Never mind, I feel guilty. I pray that both surgeries go smoothly and that Nancy and Kerry have a great recovery.

Nancy and Kerry when they were little girls. We did not know about the left hips then.

Nancy

Kerry

Grandfather list.

The list below is of the paternal grandfathers of my children. The list was worked up for the enlightenment of one of my children, but all of my children and their children might be interested in the list.

I realize that most of the brains and talent comes down in the blood of the maternal grand parents, but I do not have that data readily available. I must apologize for the incomplete list.

Name	Relationship	Year born	Where born	Year died	Where died	Remarks
Charles Abner Monson	Grandfather	1881	Covington, KY	1957	Downey, CA
James Mart Munson	Paternal  (Natural) Great  grandfather	1866	Bracken County, KY	1939	Covington, KY
Charles Morton Monson	Paternal (Adoptive) Great grandfather	1851	Nicholas, KY	1919	Alden, KS	James Mart and Charles Morton are brothers.
Abner L Monson	2nd great grandfather	1825	Harrison County, KY	1875	Pinhook, KY	Served several days in volunteer Calvary for Mexican War.
Joel Munson	3rd great grandfather	1791	Bourbon County, KY	1860	Harrison County, KY
Samuel Munson	4th great grandfather	1763	Rowan, NC	1833	Harrison County, KY	Died in a Cholera epidemic.
Samuel Munson	5th great grandfather	1717	New Haven, CT	1790	Fayette County, KY
Solomon Munson	6th great grandfather	1689	Wallingford, CT	1773	Morristown, NJ
Samuel Munson	7th great grandfather	1669	New Haven, CT	1741	Wallingford, CT
Samuel Munson	8th great grandfather	1643	New Haven, CT	1693	Wallingford, CT	Signed original founding document for Wallingford.
Thomas Munson	9th great grandfather	1612	Rattlesden, Suffolk, England	1685	New Haven, CT	Soldier in New England Indian Wars. Signed original founding document for New Haven. Heirs donated land that helped the founding of Yale.
John Munson	10th great grandfather	1571	Rattlesden, Suffolk, England	1650	Rattlesden, Suffolk, England
Richard Munson	11th great grandfather	1545	Rattlesden, Suffolk, England	1590	Rattlesden, Suffolk, England

The mystery of Patches's kittens, litter 2.

Last April/May Patches had a litter under the deck.

They were so much fun. During this time a big bite was taken out of Patches's leg. Also the white kitten disappeared. We found a home for the tabby.

Then a second blessed event. Patches gave birth to a litter late in July. We assumed that the kittens were under the deck. Patches showed up for food several times a day and to wrestle on my lap. I was like an expectant dad. Looking for kittens and calling them at the deck. Days went by. Four weeks old. No kittens. We noticed that Patches was up by the highway often. (litter across the highway?) Our place is about 150 feet from the highway. (heavily wooded). Across the street is about the same. It seems that Patches crosses the highway seven or eight times a day. She must eat at our place and feed her kittens across the street. She is on my porch at five am. She returns for food during the rest of the day.

I am a very frustrated expectant dad. Those kittens are at their peak of cuteness. I have not had even a glimpse! Cats that come out of the woods can be strange.

Nice (as usual) visit to Swartz today.

It was so good to see Rhonda. I noticed some new signs out front on the sign posts.

If you can not find it at Hart's Corner, you do not need it. Lunch today was red beans and rice. Delicious!

Pretty picture. Flowers and Prunepicker.

Much prettier picture. Flowers, Rhonda, and Prunepicker.

My grandson in law, David Newberry, is now 44!

I went to the birthday party today in West Monroe which celebrated the 44th birthday of David. His delightful family members were all present. His wife Joy and sons Ethan, Ross, and Christian.

David did not want a cake. Joy's home made banana muffins were delicious.

David and Sons. Ross, Christian, and Ethan.

Prize present. 25 pound weights. David hopes that he will need 35 pound weights next year!

Recent picture of my grand daughter Lily.

Lily gets prettier every day. 22 year old coed at Fresno State. Am I proud of her? Nice lady.

Fancy steps to my old fifth wheel.

I am so proud of my new porch that I installed a concrete apron to the steps.

I picked up some pavers from Lowes.

Looks better, huh?

Gravel to concrete to steps. Fancy. Should reduce yard dirt tracked into the trailer.

I am getting carried away. Added do0or mat.

Patches and the Prunepicker.

Patches and I are sweet on each other. Several times Patches has walked up the driveway to meet me if I park my car up at the road for a few minutes. Then she walks me down the driveway. She often meets me in the yard when I park. She then leads me to the gazebo where we pet and wrestle. I am trying to train her not to bite me. Ouch!

I have had two dogs, Lucky for 15 years, and Rex for three years. But that was 35 years ago. I have never had a cat. I really don't have a cat now. Patches has conditionally adopted me. She came out of the woods and moved into John and Kerry's yard.

She is on her second liter. I am anxious to see the new kittens. They are about four weeks old but have never been out from under the deck. A wet nipple review indicates that the liter is small. 2 or 3 kittens.

Patches has never let me pick her up. I can not touch her normally. She jumps onto my lap when she is ready. Lap time for months has always been in the gazebo. She would lead me there. Since I now have a covered porch (with a chair) I have been working on getting Patches to come on the porch and get on my lap. Tonight I succeeded!

I wonder if I can get her in the trailer.

New life in the Koi Pond.

Some time last year John put some tiny turtles from Lake Bruin in the Koi Pond. One of the turtles has really grown. Here is a recent photo.

Interesting looking guy. He is sharing the Koi Pond with this frog.

And some Koi.

Incidentally the next milestone in my life is my 95th birthday. July 20, 2020. You are invited to the party. I sure hope you can make it. It is only 1797 days.

A guy needs some excitement in his life. I enjoyed the countdown to my 90th birthday. Now for the countdown to my 95th.

Unionville Store Saturday Breakfast 8/15/2015.

Much Parish business looked into today. Several Police Jurymen. One candidate for Pariah Assessor showed up. Walter prepared his usual delicious breakfast featuring range fed eggs.

Richard makes a point with his hatchet.

Gentle cynic.

My last blog quoted Eric Hofer's "The True Believer". The quote was:

Three types of persons are mentioned in the quote; (1) The religious fanatic, (2) the fanatical atheist, and (3) the gentile cynic.

Some of the people that I love are atheists. I thought that reading this quote might cause them to rethink their belief. I do not believe that we know enough to believe with certainty, in either God or no God.

The term gentle cynic caught my eye. I have looked up the definition of gentle and cynic. I believe that the term states my religious status.

I recently turned 90 years old. I have been exposed to the Christian message since the age of five. Many wonderful people have tutored me. I have read the Bible. I have studied the Bible. I have been well churched. I have even attended a Billy Graham rally. I have attended many classes and church retreats of several days. After 85 years of thought and study I am an unbeliever. I do not believe in the basic tenets of Christianity or any other religion. I am at peace with my religious status. I believe that I am as happy as one can reasonably expect.

My 85 years of religious study has left me with a strong affinity (love) for Christians and Christian music. I love gospel music. I am a bluegrass music fan. Bluegrass music is as often as not, Christian music. This does not bother me, one whit.

I pray. (a lot)

Some thoughts on religion.

I came across the following in The True Believer by Eric Hofer.

The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic who cares not whether there is a God or not. The atheist is a religious person. He believes in atheism as though it was a new religion. He is an atheist with devoutness and unction.

Interesting. This statement agrees with my thoughts on the subject. Many atheists, that I have met, are true believers. Personally I find it difficult (impossible?) to be a true believer.

Northeast Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Society, Meeting of 8/9/2015

Our own Lourine Buff was the guest speaker. She gave a very entertaining and informative talk about her trip to the National Genealogical Society meeting in Saint Charles, Missouri. Made you wish you had gone.

ARK-LA-TEX Genealogical Association. Seminar of 8-8-2015.

I attended this all day seminar in Shreveport and enjoyed it immensely. The one speaker was Charlie Gardes. He is a professional genealogist in Houston. He spoke at length on several topics. Including the Civil War and German Genealogy. His days work was received enthusiastically by some 70 people.

Charlie Gardes.

Charlie  and the Seminar Moderator Jim Johnson.

Whoops! I did not mean to be in this picture.

The enthusiastic seminar attendees.

Rhonda remembers me!

I sure missed Rhonda while I was in the state of Washington for two weeks. Rhonda came into my life eight years ago when I started going to Jefferson Corner. John and I drove to Swartz to visit Rhonda and her Mom, Rosa today. They now run a convenience store (Harts Corner) in Swartz.

What do you know? Rhonda, remembered me.

She served John and I a wonderful meal. John said that it was so good that it was sinful.

Black-eyed peas, twice baked potato, pork chop, and brisket. Garlic bread and a delicious desert.

Rosa would not take any money. She sure is nice. Thank you Rosa. Our two meals were easily worth $30. She has pulled this on me before. I have to go to a system of not eating her food until she has put my money in her register.

I slipped in a selfie taken with a conventional camera.

John is resting after his wonderful meal.

Stop by for a good meal and a nice visit with the folks at Harts Corner.