Scribal Terror

He ran away to join the cavalry

My great grandfather William Meyers ran away from home several times, starting at the age of fourteen, intending to enlist to fight for the Union in the Civil War but each time his parents dragged him home. Finally they gave up and let him enlist at 15. He survived the war and was discharged in the state of Tennessee in 1865.This is his certificate of discharge from the 10th Ohio Cavalry following the general order to demobilize [click to enlarge]. He was eighteen at the time of the discharge and had served since 1862.

Here is a picture of William wearing a very small hat. He was my maternal grandmother's father and all the women in his family were members of the Grand Army of the Republic Ladies' Auxiliary.

Happy Grad!

Family fun

Don't you think it's great when the whole family gets together and picks dilberries off the maltese?

Junior prom

The Paperclip is growing up.

Big Soft Ginger Cookies

These are really good. I just made some, using butter rather than margarine and a really strong, black molasses  -- not yer wimpy, watery brown stuff --- and rolled them in turbinado sugar. I also baked them on parchment paper (one of the keys to great cookies).

Spanish-American War, 1898

I found this photo in my family collection. I'm not sure which one of the men is related to me, but I'm pretty sure I remember that one of my maternal grandmother's brothers (possibly Edward Meyers) fought with TR in Cuba. Family legend has it that he won a medal for sneaking through the enemy lines to steal oranges. Family legend also has it that he was gay, and very, very dashing.

Happy Birthday, Ana!

And many, many happy returns.

PS: Ana's blog is Run, Jester, Run!

Julie attack

Julie P just came up behind me in the office and gave me a big hug. This was a bit of a surprise because I thought she was either in Indiana or Phoenix.   Then she was off on her travels again as swiftly as she had arrived. She came HERE to get her hair done. Freaking jet setters ALL want their hair done in Urbana Illinois.

Paperclip and the squishy block

Sixteen years ago. She doesn't care that much about the squishy block now.

Morning whine

I am now officially too fat for my fat jeans. If you want to stay in shape, don't let anybody cut your thyroid out.