E unum pluribus. Out of one organized religion, many ancestors have I found. I've written many different essays on my maternal ancestors' Scots-Irish heritage and, in particular, their Scottish Covenanter beliefs and religious practices. Here are just a few of the topics related to my ancestors' involvement in the Covenanter/Reformed Presbyterian communities in which they… Continue reading Mystic Sweet Communion
At least it’s a little easier with a backhoe than with a plow. Relocating has become easier, and more options to assist in the moving process are available than ever before. But at the end of the day, it’s still one of the most stressful of life events. I’ve written quite a lot about my… Continue reading Pulling Up Roots
Granted, we think our daughter is a gem, but her middle name is actually in homage to the grandmother she never knew. In Ashkenazic tradition, one of the greatest expressions of love is naming a newborn in memory of someone who has passed away. This can come in the form of using the same exact… Continue reading We Named Her Beryl
