Who’s That Singing in the Family Tree?
November 7, 2012
Alice’s first e-mail of the day:
“Susan B. had a pretty good night.”
Susan B. Anthony
Family lore has it she’s one of the Quaker ancestors on my father’s side, and so Alice and I are chirping happily along with her today.
We’re also going to the dentist for the removal of some stitches, but even that won’t cast a shadow over such a fine day (I hope).
Here’s a Dakota woman for you – Norma Deloris Egstrom from Jamestown:
November 7, 2012 at 10:23 am
So glad freedom is still ringing & singing in this land of ours! Yea for Susan, Alice, Andrea, Peggy, and all the other strong American women!
November 7, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Exactly! ALL!!
November 7, 2012 at 10:35 am
Your mother is very sharp. That’s a wonderful comment.
November 7, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Thank you, Jan. I agree on both counts.
November 7, 2012 at 10:39 am
This morning, I am with my mother at the eye doctor. It is a lovely, clear day. My anxiety about the election is just beginning to dissipate. My daughter and I watched the returns together. We had the sound off most of the time because she was quizzing me on the material that will be on her Health exam today. (She says it is more fun to study that way.) She has been studying survival skills: where should you hit a shark that is attacking you? What are the six treatments for hypothermia? I did fairly well. It turns out that my ‘mommy knowledge’ covers most of the survival curriculum.
Vivy was most excited about the three states that approved gay marriage. Obama’s victory looked on screen just like another Senate race projection- “not enough build up,” according to my daughter. We stayed up to listen to his acceptance speech. She grew all teary-eyed as he spoke, and felt pride in being an American and a Democrat. We survived a tough race. We struck the noses of those sharks, Romney and Ryan, and sent them back to the dark money ocean from whence they came.
Love to you and Alice.
Beth
November 7, 2012 at 12:06 pm
A very entertaining young woman, passionate about learning and wary of incoming sharks and splashes in water that’s way, way too cold, the very two things we all managed to avoid last night. Thanks so much for sharing her with us, Beth. And best of luck for your mother at the eye doctor.
November 7, 2012 at 10:49 am
Oh what a beautiful morning, indeed!!! But how do you trace ancestry to Susan B? I’m doubtful. She had no children. And it would be easy to trace, if true–she died only a little more than 100 years ago. But….we are all of us, feminists and reformers and people who move things FORWARD, her descendants! I’m with you there. Kudos to the amazing and tireless and brilliant Thalia Zepatos for the four big wins on gay marriage. She has been working for gay rights for a very long time; I can’t imagine where we’d be without her.
November 7, 2012 at 12:03 pm
The fact that she didn’t have children would not mean SBA is not in the family tree, Ruth.
Others in the family have traced her. She’s an Anthony Quaker from precisely the same area as the other Anthony Quakers in my father’s father’s family (his middle name, in fact, was Anthony, not that that proves anything), but anyway the family’s elders knew of and talked about the connection way back when, but unfortunately not at a time when I was old enough to understand what it meant.
And about Thalia, yes, I completely agree with you. One of this country’s true leaders and heroes.
November 7, 2012 at 3:08 pm
Sigh. I just adore you and Alice.
November 7, 2012 at 4:14 pm
Quite mutual, dear Elizabeth.
November 7, 2012 at 5:48 pm
Alice’s comment is spot-on…and yes, it was a very good day today! Felt like Nature was celebrating along with us, too, with such a sunny sky.
November 8, 2012 at 12:30 am
Beautiful, succinct synopsis. Cheers to Susan B.!
I appreciate that shark exchange and the metaphors drawn.
November 8, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Thanks, Allison!