Hump Day

I love genealogy, especially DNA genealogy. Late yesterday, my favorite library called saying a book I requested was here. I went before closing to get it. I’m already about half way in. I can see I’ll reread the investigative section~~since I’m a dna angel, I understand the research and it’s so exciting.

Did you know Jefferson created a Bible? It was made by cutting and pasting. Not like in a word program as we do today, but with a razor blade. He had a column for Greek, Latin, French and English from his favorite parts. He described himself as a Christian but not  belonging to any denomination or as he said a denomination of one— himself.  This Bible is at the Smithsonian and a fellow there, Richard Kurin, thought about all the razor blade work. The Bible needed better preservation and the Smithsonian was doing it. Richard asked if they found any blood spots. A whole Jefferson genome 🧬. Wow. They said no, but there were some light red hair in some of the pastings. This was in 2011, the rest is history. I recommend the book! Yes, it’s complicated but so intriguing!

Below is a lock of hair cut from Thomas Jefferson July 4, 1826– the day he died.  His grandson Nicholas snipped it from his head.

My cousin Joe B. Powell gave me his dna when he was in his 90’s. It was a precious gift and has unlocked mysteries for me. When I asked, he didn’t even hesitate but instantly said “sure”. The hard part was finding him home to collect his spit. He was always working on his farm, hauling hay, tending cattle, fixing fence. But I did find him and I am so glad. He kept a notebook and wrote down thoughts. He filled notebooks and would start anew. In his 90’s he observed, “On the other side there is no such thing as time. Today lasts forever”. Digest that thought. No need to think of yesterday or worry of tomorrow as there is only now.

Yesterday, at sunrise, God sent a sign in the sky. Amazing.  And we got 3 1/4 inches of rain, but we’re still need more!