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Monday, June 15, 2009
Monday, May 04, 2009
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Two Go to Ireland
I chose Mayo because it’s where some of our family originated. But I knew there would be very little to see (as it turned out, nothing) related to them so I decided I just wanted Jonathan to see that part of Ireland and to get him thinking about his ancestors nation and lifestyle, if not their specific lives and locations. Our trip covered some of the remotest parts of Western Europe and we spent much of our time on the Atlantic coast. Lots of crashing waves and gusting winds. And we saw an awful lot of sheep!
Our first bit of fun was the airport, Knock Ireland West Airport. After landing we came to a stop at the end of the runway, we turned around and taxied back up the runway to the terminal. As we pulled into the two-airplane-sized parking area, we watched the other airplane do a 180 degree on the spot and just as we got off our aircraft the other plane came roaring down the runway for take-off just feet from us. Jonathan and I agreed this was the coolest airport we’d ever been to!
I shalln’t write an exhaustive account of our holiday, but just give the highlights. These were Jonathan’s favourite parts of the trip:
1. Downpatrick Head
A sea stack broken away from Mayo’s northern coast. We had a bit of a bumpy drive to get there (never take a wrong turning in rural Ireland unless you have powerful shock absorbers). The coast is riddled with caves and as we walked up to the edge to see the stack we passed several spots where the caves have collapsed and the spray from the crashing waves blows up through the aperture.
2. Lighthouse and seashore
Jonathan has never been to a lighthouse and that was his only must-see. So I drove him to the tip of the Belmullet Peninsula to see the Blacksod Point lighthouse. Jonathan was intrigued by a snall plaque on the wall (just visible on the wall) that commerated a weather forecast the lighthouse sent for D-Day in 1944. We then walked down onto the beach where we collected seashells and Jonathan played cat and mouse with the waves, games we repeated up the road at Elly Bay, at Achill and at Roonagh Pier.
3. Croagh Patrick
The holy mountain where Saint Patrick fasted for 40 days and nights in the seventh century. The mountain is 765 meters high and we made it to about 100 meters, a decent victory for a 9-year-old and his auntie who rides the elevator to her third floor apartment. It afforded us a stunning view of Clew Bay and it’s dozens of grassy islands.
Some other highlights for me were the playground in Newport
and the bleak beauty of the Dooagh pass.
The Mayo landscape features dozens of mountains, many along the coast, and all of them bare of trees and bushes, and covered just in bracken and grass, kept short by the ubiquitous sheep that cling to the steepest of inclines. There were sheep everywhere, in gardens, on cliff tops, on the lakeshore, in the middle of the road...
Here is the complete set of photographs.
Our first bit of fun was the airport, Knock Ireland West Airport. After landing we came to a stop at the end of the runway, we turned around and taxied back up the runway to the terminal. As we pulled into the two-airplane-sized parking area, we watched the other airplane do a 180 degree on the spot and just as we got off our aircraft the other plane came roaring down the runway for take-off just feet from us. Jonathan and I agreed this was the coolest airport we’d ever been to!I shalln’t write an exhaustive account of our holiday, but just give the highlights. These were Jonathan’s favourite parts of the trip:
1. Downpatrick Head
A sea stack broken away from Mayo’s northern coast. We had a bit of a bumpy drive to get there (never take a wrong turning in rural Ireland unless you have powerful shock absorbers). The coast is riddled with caves and as we walked up to the edge to see the stack we passed several spots where the caves have collapsed and the spray from the crashing waves blows up through the aperture.2. Lighthouse and seashore
Jonathan has never been to a lighthouse and that was his only must-see. So I drove him to the tip of the Belmullet Peninsula to see the Blacksod Point lighthouse. Jonathan was intrigued by a snall plaque on the wall (just visible on the wall) that commerated a weather forecast the lighthouse sent for D-Day in 1944. We then walked down onto the beach where we collected seashells and Jonathan played cat and mouse with the waves, games we repeated up the road at Elly Bay, at Achill and at Roonagh Pier.3. Croagh Patrick
The holy mountain where Saint Patrick fasted for 40 days and nights in the seventh century. The mountain is 765 meters high and we made it to about 100 meters, a decent victory for a 9-year-old and his auntie who rides the elevator to her third floor apartment. It afforded us a stunning view of Clew Bay and it’s dozens of grassy islands. 4. Museum of Country Life
We stopped at the National Museum of Ireland's branch in Castlebar which describes and displays the traditional lifestyles of rural Ireland. I thought this would be the best way to learn something about our own family, which we did. And Jonathan was delighted with his 8 out of 10 score (later upgraded to 10 of 10) on the quiz on traditional farming techniques - he would have made an "excellent" farmer.
We stopped at the National Museum of Ireland's branch in Castlebar which describes and displays the traditional lifestyles of rural Ireland. I thought this would be the best way to learn something about our own family, which we did. And Jonathan was delighted with his 8 out of 10 score (later upgraded to 10 of 10) on the quiz on traditional farming techniques - he would have made an "excellent" farmer.
Some other highlights for me were the playground in Newport
and the bleak beauty of the Dooagh pass.
The Mayo landscape features dozens of mountains, many along the coast, and all of them bare of trees and bushes, and covered just in bracken and grass, kept short by the ubiquitous sheep that cling to the steepest of inclines. There were sheep everywhere, in gardens, on cliff tops, on the lakeshore, in the middle of the road... And lastly, there were the scars on the landscape where the peat turf has been dug. In most places the grass has long since grown over, but the troughs where our forebears cut their fuel are still clearly visible. And it's not just a feature of the past. Most cottages we passed, even the most prosperous looking homes, had stacks of turf drying under tarps in their gardens. An interesting link to the past.
Here is the complete set of photographs.
Monday, February 09, 2009
I have just found my first Osborn in the Kensworth-Flamstead-Studham-Whipsnade area. Robert Osborn, in Studham, in 1592 or 34 Eliz (the 34th year of the reign of Elizabeth I), four years after the Armada and England still in it's "Golden Age".
I'm studying the village of Kensworth and it's families. Nearly a quarter of my English ancestors are connected with this village (about 5 miles to the west of Luton). I know the family names, but it's not always easy to sift out the people from whom your are directly descended. And there are some interesting characters from this area as well. So I reckon if I want to isolate the ones who are most relevant to me, and to try and piece together their stories, it might be worth taking a look at the whole village and it's history. It's also a bit of an exercise in research and genealogy. And an excuse to spend time in the research library on 42nd street. I have good reasons for that.
So the Osborns (along with the Pyes and Sharps and Philpots and Hollands and Chipperfields and Scriveners and Crawleys and Binghams and Gilbys) are one of my Kensworth families. Robert Osborn may not be a direct ancestor, but he's starting place. Perhaps I'll work my way down to an Osborn I know I'm connected with and perhaps not. It's still exciting!
I'm studying the village of Kensworth and it's families. Nearly a quarter of my English ancestors are connected with this village (about 5 miles to the west of Luton). I know the family names, but it's not always easy to sift out the people from whom your are directly descended. And there are some interesting characters from this area as well. So I reckon if I want to isolate the ones who are most relevant to me, and to try and piece together their stories, it might be worth taking a look at the whole village and it's history. It's also a bit of an exercise in research and genealogy. And an excuse to spend time in the research library on 42nd street. I have good reasons for that.
So the Osborns (along with the Pyes and Sharps and Philpots and Hollands and Chipperfields and Scriveners and Crawleys and Binghams and Gilbys) are one of my Kensworth families. Robert Osborn may not be a direct ancestor, but he's starting place. Perhaps I'll work my way down to an Osborn I know I'm connected with and perhaps not. It's still exciting!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
... which is at least 10 times a day!Saturday, January 10, 2009
And we're back!I
We had our work "holiday" party on Thursday. I was chatting to my colleague and friend Anna Marley who asked if I knew any other Mormons at Mercer. I said no, had never met or heard of any. It turns out this was a nifty coincidence in the making...
A new temple worker walked into the dressing room as I was changing for my shift last night. Upon seeing me, she smiled and introduced herself and asked did I work for Mercer. She said she had seen me at the party the night before. She had recognised me, and at first thought she knew me from work, but then realised she had seen me some months before at her ward doing a training session on the new family history website.
So there we have it... there are at least two Mormons at Mercer! AND we work on the same temple shift.
A new temple worker walked into the dressing room as I was changing for my shift last night. Upon seeing me, she smiled and introduced herself and asked did I work for Mercer. She said she had seen me at the party the night before. She had recognised me, and at first thought she knew me from work, but then realised she had seen me some months before at her ward doing a training session on the new family history website.
So there we have it... there are at least two Mormons at Mercer! AND we work on the same temple shift.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Another one?!
I got an email to say my hotel reservation in Venice has been switched to their sister hotel in Santa Croce because my hotel will be "under rennovation" while we're there. Did this one catch fire as well ??
Monday, November 17, 2008
Top ten reasons why I had an amazing weekend
Friday
1. Even though I had a tense, tiring week at work, somehow I was in tip top shape when I arrived at the temple and wasn't tired at all. It was the best shift I've had in months.
Saturday
2. I found a cool clothing store in the East Village where I can buy a vintage dress for my posh Christmas party and because I'm skinny I fit into anything I want.
3. I got to see the work Joanne and Drew have done on their lovely little house in Keyport. And I got to snuggle and play with the doggies. Auntie Genevieve has missed them.
4. I had the most delicious dinner I've eaten since moving to New York. Blackened 12 ounce pork chop, french onion bread pudding and porcini mushroom cream sauce. Everything cooked to perfection. I can still taste it. Drew's Bayshore Bistro in Keyport, NJ, try it for yourself.
5. Watched Bond speed through the Tuscan hills in the new Aston Martin. I have such a crush, and not on that Daniel Craig, though he's pretty gorgeous as well.
6. Jason and I played with our iPhones together til the wee small hours.
Sunday
7. We played with our iPhones some more, but not during the important bits of church. I promise! And he downloaded the scriptures for me so I can read on the subway.
8. Watched episode 3 of Venice - courtesans, the Grand Tour, Santa Maria de la Salute and Napoleonic invasion. I'm getting so excited to go.
9. We all scarfed luau Hawaiian food leftovers - salted pulled pork, roast chicken, pineapple and pina colada cake - until our tummies hurt so much we wanted to die. And then we all had some more.
10. Jeff Butler and I talked up a Scando-lovin' storm at the Mug and Mingle pre-Christmas shindig. Gave him the best relationship advice/pep talk of his life. He's gonna owe it all to me!
1. Even though I had a tense, tiring week at work, somehow I was in tip top shape when I arrived at the temple and wasn't tired at all. It was the best shift I've had in months.
Saturday
2. I found a cool clothing store in the East Village where I can buy a vintage dress for my posh Christmas party and because I'm skinny I fit into anything I want.
3. I got to see the work Joanne and Drew have done on their lovely little house in Keyport. And I got to snuggle and play with the doggies. Auntie Genevieve has missed them.
4. I had the most delicious dinner I've eaten since moving to New York. Blackened 12 ounce pork chop, french onion bread pudding and porcini mushroom cream sauce. Everything cooked to perfection. I can still taste it. Drew's Bayshore Bistro in Keyport, NJ, try it for yourself.
5. Watched Bond speed through the Tuscan hills in the new Aston Martin. I have such a crush, and not on that Daniel Craig, though he's pretty gorgeous as well.
6. Jason and I played with our iPhones together til the wee small hours.
Sunday
7. We played with our iPhones some more, but not during the important bits of church. I promise! And he downloaded the scriptures for me so I can read on the subway.
8. Watched episode 3 of Venice - courtesans, the Grand Tour, Santa Maria de la Salute and Napoleonic invasion. I'm getting so excited to go.
9. We all scarfed luau Hawaiian food leftovers - salted pulled pork, roast chicken, pineapple and pina colada cake - until our tummies hurt so much we wanted to die. And then we all had some more.
10. Jeff Butler and I talked up a Scando-lovin' storm at the Mug and Mingle pre-Christmas shindig. Gave him the best relationship advice/pep talk of his life. He's gonna owe it all to me!
The final countdown begins today
10 days - I meet baby Andrew
11 days - I'm in Venice
I'm working on setting up a gizmo on my iPhone that will allow me to post photos taken on beautiful brand new iPhone immediately to the blog, giving you all an almost real time travelogue. That's instant London, babies, Venezia, mamma mia!
11 days - I'm in Venice
I'm working on setting up a gizmo on my iPhone that will allow me to post photos taken on beautiful brand new iPhone immediately to the blog, giving you all an almost real time travelogue. That's instant London, babies, Venezia, mamma mia!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
North of the border
I was supposed to be spending today clawing my way up the side of a pyramid. But the gods and the elements had other ideas, and our hotel in Mexico City had a fire at the beginning of the week. No hotel ... no holiday. Everything was cancelled and here I sit, still in New York City, still haven't had a holiday yet this year.
Dad says we'll go to Oaxaca next year instead, so I still get a trip to Mexico and we don't have to dodge muggers, kidnappers and assasins. Ok, fair enough.
I still need a holiday though!
Dad says we'll go to Oaxaca next year instead, so I still get a trip to Mexico and we don't have to dodge muggers, kidnappers and assasins. Ok, fair enough.
I still need a holiday though!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
In ready supply
My roommate Libby called out to everyone in the apartment yesterday asking for some Bandaids for a cut finger. I rushed to her aid, reminding her that I always have a huge stash of Bandaids.
"It's one of the top three (not quite sure why I said that) things I always have!"
"What are the other two?" she asked. "Attitude and travel plans?!"
And she's right.
"It's one of the top three (not quite sure why I said that) things I always have!"
"What are the other two?" she asked. "Attitude and travel plans?!"
And she's right.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Another trip?
I would love to take Jonathan on a little trip next February, just the two of us. And I would like to do some family history research in Ireland. Jonathan has shown a lot of interest in family history (don't tell him yet, but I'm grooming him to be the next Bovee genealogist) so I thought a trip to Ireland might be the perfect thing. I had County Mayo in mind, but thought I should probably do a bit of research ahead of time to make sure we had a good enough reason to go!
My great-great grandmother Ellen Mulherin, later Ellen Ducie, (the lady on the right with the rather interesting hairdo)
came from Mayo and thanks to some records newly made available online, I was able to find her exact date (5 April 1867) and place (Coolcronan, North Mayo) of birth. I knew from her obituary that Ellen had a least one brother, and with a little further digging I discovered that in fact she had two brothers, Thomas and James, and three sisters, Anne, Elizabeth and Bridget (there's always a Bridget!).
We already knew the names of Ellen's parents, Ellen McDonnell and Patrick Mulherin. I found a record of their marriage, also in Coolcronan, which supplied me with the names of both Ellen's grandfathers, Martin McDonnell and Thady (short for something?) Mulherin, my fourth great grandfathers and Jonathan and Andrew's (can I just tell you how exciting it is to write Jonathan and Andrew) fifth great grandfathers. Most of my research now involves extended families, so it's quite a special moment when I discover the name of a direct ancestor.
So now Jonathan and I have somewhere to go. We don't come from wealthy families, so there's no ancestral pile to visit. There's probably no physical legacy of these chaps, but, as with my dead of winter expedition to Wisconsin last December, it's just nice to be somewhere where our family was. And of course we'll cruise around a bit and do some serious 9-year-old stuff as well. Does anyone know what 9-year-olds like to do? Auntie's a bit out of the loop I'm afraid.
My great-great grandmother Ellen Mulherin, later Ellen Ducie, (the lady on the right with the rather interesting hairdo)
came from Mayo and thanks to some records newly made available online, I was able to find her exact date (5 April 1867) and place (Coolcronan, North Mayo) of birth. I knew from her obituary that Ellen had a least one brother, and with a little further digging I discovered that in fact she had two brothers, Thomas and James, and three sisters, Anne, Elizabeth and Bridget (there's always a Bridget!).
We already knew the names of Ellen's parents, Ellen McDonnell and Patrick Mulherin. I found a record of their marriage, also in Coolcronan, which supplied me with the names of both Ellen's grandfathers, Martin McDonnell and Thady (short for something?) Mulherin, my fourth great grandfathers and Jonathan and Andrew's (can I just tell you how exciting it is to write Jonathan and Andrew) fifth great grandfathers. Most of my research now involves extended families, so it's quite a special moment when I discover the name of a direct ancestor.
So now Jonathan and I have somewhere to go. We don't come from wealthy families, so there's no ancestral pile to visit. There's probably no physical legacy of these chaps, but, as with my dead of winter expedition to Wisconsin last December, it's just nice to be somewhere where our family was. And of course we'll cruise around a bit and do some serious 9-year-old stuff as well. Does anyone know what 9-year-olds like to do? Auntie's a bit out of the loop I'm afraid.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
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