As a student of history I appreciate old houses and like to read historical fiction and biographies. A few years ago I began researching my family history. As my parents age and have forgotten their past, I am trying to revive it. Last year we visited the house in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania where my mother spent the early years of her life The house still stands, at the top of a hill, as does the home of her grandparents across town. The current occupants have no memory of my mother’s family, but the place endures. I will make more visits like this, to see the places where my ancestors lived and worked and raised families. Continue reading
marie kondo
Getting organized the Japanese way
I recently heard about a book that promised to change your life. It’s called “the life-changing magic of tidying up: the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing” by Marie Kondo. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I put my name on a list of over 100 waiting to read it at the library and a few days ago I received an email that a copy was available. Continue reading