Lest anyone fear, I survived mother’s day. And had a good time of it, too, on a picnic with friends. And then my friend RGP made me cry. In a good way.

Now? It’s hot. Pea’s word of the day is “sweltering.” She is “sweltering in her clothes.” Her hair, she says, is sweating and it’s getting into her blood and making her hot. (I’ll keep the secret of boob sweat from her for a few more years.)

Gman? Still sick. We took him to the doctor today and yes, it’s been professionally confirmed that he is sick. He’s on sulfa and steroid nose spray, and oh, lots of sleeping.

I have been transcribing Dearest Maude letters like crazy (they’re currently scheduled out through the end of May, but there are so very many more!)

I received a packet of info in the mail today for the project, including an interview with a great-great aunt, details about my great-great grandfather’s farming operation and how he put one over on the railroad, and the way my great-grandmother was raised.  Talk about free-range parenting! It was, quite literally, free range parenting.  It’s one thing to know the names and dates, but to read something written (spoken) by family long-dead is so different and amazing. I also learned the melodeon owned by my great-great-great grandmother is in a museum about 6 hours’ drive away.

(I went on a kick a few  years back where I bought up books written by ancestors and collaterals. One of them is a HILARIOUS history of Oregon. I have got to tweet that material someday.)

Going through my personal archive of material has triggered a massive allergy attack, so I’m crying as I’m writing this, even after putting drops in my eyes.

And…I’m reading up on grant writing, something that until this past week I knew nothing about. I now know next to nothing about it, but it’s progress. I’ll take it.