My Fifth Blogiversary (Yes, I'm Still Here)

(Copyright (c) 2015 Cynthia Shenette) Wow.  Five years.  Where has the time gone?  My, how blogging has changed.  How I've changed. How my blogging has changed.  The blogosphere is a different place than it was five years ago. I started blogging a couple of years after my mom died as a way of keeping the flame alive, remembering those I've lost.  Five years ago I had time.  Now I have everything but.

Last July I went back to work full-time as an academic librarian.  I LOVE my new job, buts sometimes it's very demanding and some days downright exhausting.  I volunteer at my church, and I'm a docent for a local historic preservation society.  I'm an obsessive gardener in the summer and crochet and read in the winter.  I have too many animals to care for, and I've started taking piano lessons.  I help with homework and tote my son back and forth from soccer.  One of my co-workers said there is a rumor at the library that I don't sleep.  And I do genealogy in my spare time. Spare time?  What's that?

But I blog on.  Why?  Because the rewards are too great.  I make connections with other people all the time.  People read a blog post I've written where I mention the name of someone in my family, an ancestor, or someone they knew.  And they contact me.  It's amazing really.  Blogging forces me to delve into one small piece of my research.  I have so much.  It keeps me focused.

Last year my goal was to blog once a month, or write 12 blog posts a year. I almost made it.  But not quite.  Ten, not 12.  C'est la vie.  I need to let it go and move on.  But it still bugs me none the less.  I managed to write ten. Why couldn't I manage 12?  My goal is the same this year.  Twelve posts. That shouldn't be so hard.  Should it?

Thank you, friends, for reading.  For sticking with me.  I know my blog is pretty narrow in focus and not everyone's cup of tea, but if you've taken the time to read my posts, leave a comment, or contact me sometime over the last five years I appreciate it.

So here we are.  Blog on, my friends.  Blog on.



Other Posts You Might Like:

Oh, The Places I'll Go! Or My Fourth Blogiversary
Meditation: The Strength of Ordinary Women
Presenter Interview: Colleen Fitzpatrick, Forensic Genealogist
Tumbleweed Guest Ranch, 1944

Ninety Five Years Ago Today - Wedding Wednesday

Standing, Left to Right: Chester Janowski, Adolf Szerejko, Antonina (Bulak) Szerejko
Sitting: Helen Bulak

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held by by Cynthia Shenette. Text Copyright (c) 2015 Cynthia Shenette)  My grandparents, Antonina (Bulak) Szerejko and Adolf Szerejko, were married 95 years ago today on 11 February 1920 at Our Lady of Czestochowa (St. Mary's) in Worcester, Massachusetts.  I've written previous posts about their wedding here and here and here.

My cousin sent this photo to me last year.  While I have wedding photos of my grandparents only my grandmother and my grandfather are in them not any members of the wedding party.  I guessed that my great Aunt Helen Bulak, my grandmother's sister and only sibling, was probably her maid of honor, but I didn't know for sure. This photo confirms what I suspected, that Aunt Helen was indeed my grandmother's and provides a bit more information.

Writing on the back of the photo says:


 "Chester Janowski Dad's best friend
Auntie Helen
Mom & Dad"

I had no idea who my grandfather's best friend was.  Now I do!  It's amazing how one seemingly small piece of information can add significantly to your knowledge base.

Chester Janowski is mentioned in a few other pieces of paper in my collection of family history stuff, so now I can start putting pieces of a new puzzle together.  I also now know what he looks like so I can see if I can identify him in any of the photos in my collection.

I am currently working on a blog post for April and will write more about Chester in that post.

Happy Anniversary, Grandma and Grandpa!



Other Posts You Might Like:

Niagara Honeymoon - Wordless Wednesday
A Polish Magician and Dating a Clipping - Amanuensis Monday
Always a Bridesmaid - Mystery Monday
The Opal Ring