It's in the Mail!

My DNA is in the mail!

It was an easy thing to do. Open the package, fill in the paperwork - name, address, etc, sign and get a witness to sign - Then open the vial of mouth wash and swish for 45 seconds. Spit the mouthwash, slowly, back into the cup, put the lid on tightly and place the cup in the plastic bag. All the instructions are there, everything you need is included, and there is no cost. Even children ages 7 and up can participate.
The hardest things to do:

• Open the box - open carefully because you re-use it to send the information back to them. It is already stamped and addressed. It weighs only 3 ounces so it doesn't have to go to the postal desk.
• Find a witness - most won't have a problem with this. I had to go out in the yard and get my neighbor, who was working in the garden, to witness my signature.
• Fill in the genealogical chart - not really that hard if you know your name, your parent's names, your grandparent's names, and gr-grandparent's names - 4 generations. If you don't have your gr-grandparent's info, get your child to swish and document through your grandparents or contact the genealogist in your family.
• Hold the mouthwash in mouth for 45 seconds. It reminded me of the Listerene commercial.
• Fill everything out before swishing. It must be in the mail within 24 hours after the sample collection.
• Wait a year or more to find out about any possible connections.

You can order several of these kits if you need them. What a great family reunion project or to use at your genealogy meeting!

Looking for Skeletons in My Closet

The body of Notre Dame football legend George Gipp is exhumed for DNA testing.DNA helps identify remains of nine participants of 1944 WWII bombing run

New molecules discovered that block cancer cells from modifying cell DNA

DNA testing is in all the news these days, or maybe I am just more aware of it. I am still reading "The Seven Daughters of Eve." It takes a while when my reading is relegated to a short time at night before falling asleep. On the other hand, maybe that gives it time to soak in. Anyway, I am learning a lot! Not to mention satisfying my curiosity about previously much debated subjects -

• Was Anastasia really a survivng daughter of the Czar Romanov?
• Was Thor Heyerdahl's theory correct?

I am sure there are even more interesting tidbits to come.

Meanwhile, I received my mitochondrial DNA testing kit from Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation today. It was free and even has return postage on the box. Get yours and join in the quest to discover branches of your family tree.

"You are invited to participate in a research study designed to create a large database of combined genetic and genealogical information. The primary purpose of the database will be to link molecular genetic information to written pedigrees......

All information and samples will be encoded in such a way as to remove your personal identification, however a link will remain available to the researchers."

I have been hitting my head against a brick wall for a long time. When I tried to get family information from my GM, she advised me to be careful of the skeletons I might find in the closet. I told her they were my skeletons and I really wanted to see them. I wonder if my elusive ancestors will be revealed.

Parallel Parking

My family has always given me grief over my attempts to parallel park. I think I do pretty well about 7 times out of 10, and would do better if I had more practice. I have to admit that most of the time I look for head-in parking places, but I can do the parallel thing.

Now, it appears that we are all off the hook. Nissan has designed a new car that is soooo easy to parallel park!

The Pivo 2 three-seater electric car has wheels that can turn 90 degrees
for easy parallel parking.

I wonder what all the backseat drivers will do now.

Wordless Wednesday

Orchid at Quail Gardens
Photo by Uncle Dan

Check out more pictures here.

Revealing Secrets

The Glen Rose, Texas, area has long been known for its dinosaur footprints. Now we are watching history in the making as Canyon Lake Gorge is denuded and its secrets revealed. After the big flood of 2002, Texas watched as the waters receded revealing limestone walls, waterfalls, and fossils. There is evidence a 3-toed dinosaur strolled the banks of the gorge on limestone that is 111 million years old. Guided tours are now opening to the public, but there is already a 6-month waiting list.

It is well known that Central Texas is hot and dry. What a surprise to have so much water at one time that the earth reveals its secrets to us. The canyon will be fragile for a while. Hopefully, people will respect its newborn status and step lightly.

Reach for a Star

"A Shiny Christmas Star: An Old West Christmas Trilogy " is the title of my friend, Steven Douglas Glover's, first published book. The flavor of the old West, a hint of romance, and a touch of O. Henry, combine for interesting reading that just makes you want to curl up in front of the fire and read. This delightful little book makes a great stocking stuffer, a hostess gift, or send it instead of a get-well card. But first, sit down and read it yourself, you'll be happy you did. It is available from Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com.

Read the Publisher's review of the three stories in this book:

"A Shiny Christmas Star" - U.S. Marshal Cole Stockton and his best friend Laura Sumner both have fitful dreams about blankets of snow and starving "little" people. When they lead a quest to find the origin of the nightmare, four people come together in this heartwarming story about the true meaning of Christmas.

"Star of Peace" - Cole has a dilemma: he can't find a suitable Christmas gift for Laura. In the meantime, a traveling medicine show advertises "the fastest and most accurate gunman in the world" - and Cole is glad to show him up. Laura has a hard time keeping track of her baked holiday goodies, and Cole discovers the peace of Christmas.

"The Greatest Gift" - Just days before Christmas, Cole is en route to Laura's ranch. Laura has visions of frozen wastelands and senses that Cole is in extreme danger. When Cole is attacked by a large cougar, both man and beast fall into an icy river, hurtling toward the falls. Cole is hurt, lost, and alone in the frozen wilds of Colorado with seemingly no means of survival...

Author Steven Douglas Glover delivers three classic stories about the faith, peace, and love that are Christmas.

Occupied

This was taken from a Round Rock Christian Church newsletter.

OCCUPIED

Martha in the kitchen, serving with her hands;

Occupied for Jesus, with her pots and pans.

Loving Him, yet fevered, burdened to the brim.

Careful, troubled Martha, occupied for Him.

Mary on the footstool, eyes upon her Lord;

Occupied with Jesus, drinking in His word.

This the one thing needful, all else strangely dim:

Loving, resting Mary, occupied with Him.

So may we, like Mary, choose the better part:

Resting in His presence--hands and feet and heart;

Drinking in His wisdom, strengthened with His grace;

Waiting for the summons, eyes upon His face.

When it comes, we're ready--spirit, will, and nerve;

Mary's heart to worship, Martha's hands to serve;

This the rightful order, as our lamps we trim--

Occupied with Jesus, then occupied for Him!

--Lois Reynolds Carpenter