With 2015 so close, I have, again, made a list of things that I want to achieve in the upcoming year. I have a list of bucket-list items that keeps growing because I haven’t checked off many items. It is seriously time to start doing stuff instead of thinking about it.
Become More Spiritual
1. Become more spiritual. As I get older I have found that connecting with The Bigger Picture (whatever that may be for you) has become very important. I’ve found Yoga and Meditating to be helpful in making this connection and creating a more meaningful life.
Make Healthier Choices
2. Make healthier choices. Eating healthier and exercising always makes it to the New Year’s resolution list each year. I do well with it in spits and spurts but can’t seem to maintain consistency. With Pinterest and Blogs available at my finger tips that offer helpful ideas instantaneously, I am hopeful to make the most of this resolution this year.
Blog
3. Blog. Since I began blogging seriously only a few short months ago, I have found it to be supremely therapeutic and rewarding. Stories, thoughts and ideas that were once trapped in my mind and lost daily, now have a venue to get out into formed thoughts and shared with the universe. Amazingly, many have commented and reached out to let me know my thoughts have resonated with them. Incredible for the mental wellness. More blogging is on the roster for 2015.
Save for Travels
4. Save for travels. I have places I want to go and people I want to see. And I want to show the world to my kids and my husband. I’m tired of talking and dreaming about it. It is time to put funds away to start doing this. And I’m not talking about the all-inclusive Caribbean vacations. I want to take my kids to various locations throughout Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. I want to explore our past and our present and set sites for our future.
Start a Family History Book
5. Start a Family History book. My family history is rich with amazing stories and tales that I’ve discovered since I began researching it several years ago. I have a lot of branches and a lot of knowledge that needs to be compiled into something concrete that I can start to pass on to others who may be interested.
Only a few ideas but some things that I want to take seriously and spend some intentional effort on this year. I’ll be exploring others ideas also. Please leave some comments on thoughts or ideas that you might have for 2015. Happy New Year!
Having some time off over the holidays has allowed me to some family history research. I’ve been delving into my husband’s family because there are long and heritage-rich ties to Cornwall, England. With a name like “Cornish”, there was no doubt that there would be lots of history to explore.
Thomas James Cornish on his farm
The “Cornish” history as far as my husband’s family is concerned, began in Ontario sometime around 1843. It was then that 18-year-old Thomas James Cornish, a native of Poundstock, Cornwall, England, came to Canada. He was born September 8, 1925 in Pounstock, the only son of Saul Cornish and Eleanor Suiter. According to Cornish Genealogy, written by Cora (Cornish) Leaman in 1967, he had learned the tailor’s trade at which he spent seven years apprenticing for as a boy. He had one sister, Mary Ann, who also came to Canada and settled in North Dorchester with her husband, Andrew Venning. Thomas and Mary Ann’s parents are buried in Trewan, Cornwall, England. According to online records, Saul was a resident of Piper’s Pool, a small hamlet in North Cornwall.
Thomas and Mary Ann Cornish
In 1847, it was recorded that Thomas married Mary Ann Varnum, in Whitby, Ontario. By 1848, he had moved his bride and their first son, Albert to a farm located on the 4th concession of North Dorchester, one mile west of Crampton, Ontario. Ultimately, Thomas and Mary Ann raised a family of 7 sons and 5 daughters in North Dorchester. Ten of their children remained in the area of the now called, Middlesex County in Ontario but 2 children moved to the United States. Saul, to Iowa and then to South Dakota in 1879 and Ellen to Iowa and later to Kansas City. Many of Saul’s and Ellen’s descendants have remained in Iowa, South Dakota and Kansas City.
Standing: Eunice, Ellen Seated Middle: Mrs. Cornish, Mary Ann, Nancy Seated Front: JanieBack: Wesley, Martin, Tom, Arthur Front: Albert, Thomas James Sr., Saul, Porter
Thomas and Mary Ann remained in North Dorchester. It was here that Thomas died at 81 and Mary Ann at 91. They are buried in the Dorchester Union Cemetery, a cemetery where many of their descendants are still buried to this day.
Original Cornish Headstone in Dorchester Union Cemetery
As a busy, full-time working mom, quick, easy and inexpensive are standards for me. I had to come up with something for my team of 13 at work and I didn’t have time to whip up the beautiful DIY body sugar rub that I had planned to make since last Christmas. Instead, I went to the liquor store and cleaned them out of mini rum bottles, picked up a case of coke, some festive gift bags and headed home. (Keep in mind, I also had teacher gifts, 2 class card sets for each of my boys and lunch items to pick up that night too – did I mention that “quick” and “easy” were “MUST HAVES” for my co-worker Christmas project)
I had planned to beautifully tie each little liquor bottle to the pop can but I’m just not that crafty and I didn’t have that kind of time to invest. Instead, I tied a little ribbon on each bottle. Then, I stuffed them each into one of the festive bags with a tuft of tissue paper and Voila:
Rum and Coke for Christmas! (For the non-alcohol consumers, I doubled up on the Cokes)
Living life to the fullest is my challenge everyday. As I mentioned in a previous post, I refuse to use the term “suffering with depression” or “battling depression” or just plain using the word “depression”. Just the term in itself plants a dark seed within my soul and I feel it start to fester and fight to spread its roots. But flipping it around and challenging myself to live an amazing, satisfying and meaningful life is the way I choose to view it. I am not a psychologist, psychiatrist, doctor or anyone affiliated with medicine so I do not propose anything research-based or proven effectiveness but I do say these are ideas that have worked for me. I am always tweaking, detouring and searching for new things that help me to live a fulfilling life. This will not be the last post on this subject, I promise, as it is an everyday reality for me. But for now… these are some things that contribute to my love for life:
1. Meet with friends. I make myself do it. It’s not that I don’t want to meet with friends, I just find I get caught up in the everyday stuff like laundry and cleaning the toilet. Then, before I know it, the day is gone and I have nothing memory-worthy to show for it. I always feel better when I spend time with friends. They offer me support, love and some good laughs. Great for the mood!
Attitude of Gratitude
2. Attitude of Gratitude. Every morning or night, I think of 5 things I’m grateful for and I thank God, or the universe, for bringing those things, people or experiences into my life. Sometimes, if it’s been a particularly rough day, I will remember that water flows freely from my tap or that I travel to work in my own car. Regardless, every day, I can find at least 5 things to be thankful for.
3. Yoga. Love, love, love yoga. It’s exercise, relaxation and spirituality all rolled into one; great for the soul. I have tried to get into the gym routine because I know how important exercise is to my mental health and well-being. The truth is, I HATE IT! I feel like I’m torturing myself. Yoga makes me feel like I’m rewarding myself. As my instructor says, it’s a gentle coaxing of the body as opposed to assertive pushing. And the best part, at the end, there is at least 10 minutes of lying still and quiet. You don’t have to feel guilty for stealing a few minutes to yourself because it is a requirement of the practice. It’s wonderful and the benefits are plenty.
4. Blog. This has been hugely therapeutic for me. I’m a big journaller – it helps me get my thoughts out – good or bad. Blogging allows me to get the good thoughts out in an organized manner. It keeps me focused and it gives me the added benefit of maybe helping others.
5. Read. I have acquired a collection of different books over the years that I keep by my bed for when I’m settling down for the night. I will pick up different ones depending on my mood. Some nights, I will read from my fiction novels (right now I’m working on Outlander by Diana Gabaldon), other nights I might read from “The Happiness Project” by Gretchin Rubin and still others I might tackle some spiritual reads. Reading lets me escape or become inspired. A fabulous book that I’ve had by my bed for years is “Simple Abundance” by Sarah Ban Breathnach. It has an affirmation for everyday of the year to help keep your mental wellness in check.
6. Cry. Sounds counter-productive right? Sometimes, I just want a good cry … alone. I don’t want sympathy, or an audience or drama. I just want to lock the bathroom door, have a warm bubble bath and just cry in the tub. I find it cathartic and I usually feel better after. Sometimes, I’m not even sad, I might be touched or just feeling overwhelmed and I just want to feel those emotions wholeheartedly without being judged.
7. Listen To Classical music. Some of you may be thinking “ugh – that makes it worse”. I found switching the radio from my usual “hit” music to something slower, clearer and subtler, helps to calm my mind (maybe not something like the William Tell Overture). It makes me feel smarter too. That’s probably psychological but if it aids in self esteem boosting, I say, do it.
I want to tell you about a new craft beer brewing up in Kitchener-Waterloo and I haven’t even tried it yet. That’s right, haven’t tasted it, haven’t been to the brewery, haven’t even seen it in a glass. It’s what is behind this up-and-coming brew that has me excited. It’s called Together We’re Bitter and it’s not just a beer, it’s an experience. Together We’re Bitter is set to be the first co-operative brewery in the K-W region. What does that mean?
I went to a colleague of mine to answer this question, Rob Shorney. His is one of the pictures on the “Who We Are” page of the Together We’re Bitter web site. His explanation of what he and his TWB teammates were working on, inspired me. He explained that everyone on the team had an investment into the co-operative but it wasn’t about making money. It was about creating something beyond just a good-tasting beer. “Half the reason a beer tastes good is the atmosphere in which it is shared and we want to bring music, food, friends and beer together to create that”. They are working towards a “brewpub” that will serve its own beer made on the premises, along with local musicians, great pub fare and of course lots of friendly and fun, beer enthusiasts. He made it very clear that the brew vision was NOT about Lamborghinis and corporate “fat-cat” attitudes, it’s about the community and building something from the grass-roots. Everyone who is a part of TWB is a “worker/owner” with most money earned going back into the brewpub.
The excitement about what he was embarking on was evident as he shared this collaborative endeavor. I told him that it seemed more like it was about brewing passion than beer. It’s a perfect vision for Kitchener, a city that has been revitalizing its downtown and celebrates diversity and creativity. TWB is all about those ideals. I love this quote that I took right from a promotional video:”Kitchener has a unique and vibrant history. We’re growing and we’re diversifying. Our beer should reflect that”.
TWB has a Kickstarter campaign to help raise funds for a fermenter, equipment and gear to help them with their launch. If you’d like to learn more about the co-operative and even better, be a part of the campaign, check it out. They can also be found at TWB, Facebook and Twitter. I can’t wait to experience the whole package when it comes. It is set to arrive in Kitchener summer 2015. You can bet I will reserve my place in line.
I made a significant find a couple of weeks ago. In my pursuit to find more about my Mason ancestry, I noticed a gap. My second great grand-uncle, Charles Mason, had 3 sons, John, David, Walter and James. I had extensively searched the older brothers but never pursued James up to that point. To anyone new to ancestry research, one does not simply uncover an ancestor’s story in a couple of clicks on the computer (although sometimes, one might get lucky and that does end up being the case). It’s like solving a logic puzzle, you go over the clues you have and read, reread and reread them as your brain searches frantically for a lead. It’s the ultimate in detective investigation. When you get that lead, you go to your resources, search and cross-examine your search until you can verify your lead as fact. Then, you add it to your tree. This is at least, how I have tackled my ancestry. When you uncover something, it’s like unearthing treasure. I find it exhilarating.
It took me a while to find anything on the James Mason I was looking for until one day, a record showed up on Ancestry.com. It was his Attestation Papers for joining the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force for the First World War. He enrolled in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada on July 13th 1915. His actual signature shows up on the scanned copy of the document. There is something I can’t describe, that I feel when I look at the actual physical signature of James Allen Mason, the then, 17-year-old youth. It’s a force that almost makes the hairs on my arm stand up knowing that his young hand would have made that signature in the flesh almost 100 years ago.
A part of the 45th Canadian Battalion, he set sail across the Atlantic in March 1916 to arrive in Liverpool on March 25. On July 7, 1916, the Battalion was absorbed into the 11th Reserve Battalion which reinforced the 52nd Canadian Battalion serving in France. Sadly, serving with the 52nd Battalion brought James to serve the ultimate sacrifice. It was during the Battle of the Somme that he lost his life. Only 19 years old. I was hopeful that James would have returned to Manitoba to live a new adventure, one that I would continue to trace, but alas, it ended abruptly in the trenches of France.
Vimy Canadian Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France
Exploring further, however, I learned that James has left the most honourable legacy. He is buried amongst his fellow soldiers, who also gave their lives for our treasured freedom, at the magnificent Vimy Memorial in Pas-de-Calais, France. I’ve heard about the Vimy Memorial and felt proud to be a part of a nation that provided such support to both World Wars but now, I have so much more to identify with. I have a first cousin, 3 times removed, who gave his life so that his family, his nation and his descendents could live free. Thank you to James and all the others that gave so much. #IRemember!
A special thank you to Christian Cassidy for providing some valuable resources for discovering more about Private James Mason and Cardale, Manitoba where he was born and raised. You can learn more about Manitoba and its history on Christian’s Blog: West End Dumplings.
When the series, Outlander, which aired on Showcase earlier this fall, ended for the “mid-season” a couple of weeks ago, I was sad. Each week, I would escape through my own “Craigh Na Dun” (the stairway down to my television) into 1743 and became a part of the world Diana Gabaldon created for Clair. I felt such a connection to the story. As an avid genealogical enthusiast who just uncovered a significant Scottish branch on my family tree, I became instantly involved in the story. I chuckled to myself when Clair revealed Frank’s interest in his own family history for I could completely relate. Clair, Frank, Dougal and (of course) Jamie, became a part of my life for an hour and a half each week. As their adventure unfolded, I was with them, questioning, exploring, experiencing and trying to make sense of it all. It was a grand escape to the Highlands; one that I soon came to anticipate with great longing each week until … IT ENDED! Placed on hiatus for 6 MONTHS!
Outl Outlander
What was I going to do? I couldn’t leave the thought of Clair’s demise alone. Panic set in. Separation anxiety. And then it came to me, so clear. A sign. In bold red letters in the bookstore I was browsing through. “Any two books from the Outlander Series – Limited Time – $15”. Of course – that was the answer. Read the books. I wouldn’t have to wait. In fact, I could become completely immersed in detail that I wouldn’t have seen on the small screen. I could read as much as I wanted, when I wanted for as long as I wanted. It was the perfect solution. I purchased the first 2 books, went to Starbucks for my favourite bistro box, grande blonde roast coffee and put the first crease in my very own Outlander. It felt so good to go back.
I was so excited. I got my husband a membership to a beer-of-the-month club with AmazingClubs.ca, for his birthday. The first delivery arrived this week. I think I was more excited than him. For the next 6 months, a package of 12 specially selected craft beers from across Canada will arrive on our doorstep.
When I brought the box inside it was just a box. Nothing exciting or identifying about it.
A Plain Old Box.
Open it up though …
SURPRISE!!
and SURPRISE!!! A box full of beer.
For this month we received (look at me saying “we” as though I should include myself in this gift of my husband’s – you’d think I got the gift for me …) 4 Pissed Off Pete’s Pumpkin Porter by Nickel Brook Brewery out of Burlington, ON, 4 Farmhouse Blonde Ales by MacLean’s Ales of Hanover, ON and 4 Pumpkin 3.14 (get it … 3.14 is pi … Pumpkin “Pi” – pretty witty if you ask me) by Taps Brewery in Niagara Falls. My husband was worried about the percentage of “pumpkin” branded items in his first installment. He is not a fan of the pumpkin. I, on the other hand, was very pleased. I love pumpkin and I love beer and I thought this first month’s collection was going to serve me just fine since I figured the hubby would abandon the pumpkin beers.
The First Month’s Collection of our Amazing Clubs Beer-of-the-Month
He was up for trying his pumpkin samples and thank goodness he’s a generous type, he was happy to share too. My first sample was the Taps Pumpkin 3.14. It was smooth and crisp with a hint of pumpkin. I must say, I was a bit concerned that the pumpkin might overpower the beer but I thought it was a perfect complement. I was pleased.
Up next, I went for Nickel Brook’s Pumpkin Porter. I LOVED it! I am a fan of the thick and hearty stouts and porters and this did not disappoint. I could taste chocolate through the thick brew and assured my husband that the pumpkin brews would not go to waste should he not wish to consume them.
Finally, the next night, we both tried the final beer, the Blonde Maclean’s Ale. Refreshing and familiar I would say. It was a lighter taste and one I think my husband found more enjoyable. I would say it reminded me more of the standard brew taste of something like Coors Light. A great beer to offer the more traditional beer drinker.
For me, the thrill of being surprised by different brands of beer each month, was worth the membership in itself … and I wasn’t even the recipient. And I was definitely not disappointed in the brands that were provided. I can’t wait to see what next month brings.
John Mason and Mary Hislop’s Headstone in Donegal Cemetery
It was a gorgeous fall day here in Southwestern Ontario. I was spending time with my parents and we thought it would be a perfect day to roam the countryside visiting cemeteries for genealogical pleasure. We had always talked about going to Donegal to visit the graves of the Mason’s that brought my mother’s family from Scotland to Canada. Today we were going to do it.
John Mason is a dead-end for me. I know he was born in Scotland but I have no record or mention of parents or siblings. I know he had 4 children but have only ties to the line that is mine directly. Where are the other Masons’? For a long time, I couldn’t find Charles, John’s oldest son. There was a Charles Mason buried in Donegal, ON but dates didn’t match up. I did eventually find Charles in Manitoba. He had started his own adventure, a story for another time.
At Donegal today, I got to see John’s and his wife, Mary’s, grave stone. I could read it. The original picture I have of the stone is taken too far away for me to make out the inscription. Standing in front of it in person though, I could see that it read “John Mason – a Native of Co of Haddington, Scotland”. I knew that already from the records I had gathered. Stepping back to the next row, I could read the stone for Charles Mason. This would be the Charles Mason that I had already ruled out as a connection because the dates didn’t match. Interesting though, he was also listed as a native to Haddington County, Scotland. This got me thinking. Could he still be a connection? He was the only other Mason in close proximity to John and Mary in the cemetery and his stone was with their’s. The dates would suggest perhaps John and Charles were brothers. I pondered this because in the extensive search that I had done for John Mason in Haddington (or East Lothian), Scotland only yielded a few results for any Mason in that area at that time so for there to be a Charles “Mason” coming from the same county in the same time period was striking.
Charles Mason’s Headstone in Donegal Cemetery
Not wanting to let this go and not sure where to go for answers at the current time (my normal work life leaves little time for extracurricular research in the fall), I thought I would plug this new connection into Ancestry.com to see if it might generate hints that could confirm the connection. Being so I am only inferring my own hypothesis on how Charles Mason may fit into the picture, I included the following disclaimer to anyone who may find it in my online family tree:
“The relation indicated for this Charles Mason is not 100% confirmed. There are not any documents that I have found to show a definitive sibling relationship between Charles and John Mason. The relationship is inferred based on the fact that they both come from Haddington in Scotland, they show up separately in Ancrum, Roxburghshire, Scotland at the same time and Charles is listed with John’s family in the 1861 Canadian census. I am suggesting that perhaps they are brothers but because they are 10 years apart, they do not show up together in the same establishment but did live in proximity to each other. Both boys show up as farm labourers at 15 years of age. I’ve imputed Charles into my family tree to see if there might be hints generated that might shed more light onto either Mason that might connect them definitively”.
I shall report any updates should I unveil more. Stay tuned…
I sit here in Starbucks and I am content. I’ve got my grande, blonde roast coffee, my cheese and fruit bistro box, my journal and my ipad. Jazz is gently playing in the background and I hear the 2 happy barista merrily preparing client lattes and frappuccinos. Life in this moment is good.
Moments like these fulfill me. Sometimes, in my crazy life, I am forced to sit down and take it in and I am grateful because otherwise, I would miss it. My ipad is out of juice, it’s an hour until my next appointment and I have nothing to do but wait.
Waiting for me is not a time waster or a means to an end (usually). It is a gift. I heard my husband tell my boys the other day, that he didn’t enjoy amusement parks because he hated waiting in lines. I had to ponder that because I have always love amusement parks. It never occurred to me how much time I spent in lines. As I thought, I realized some of the best parts of the day were spent in lines. I remember great conversations and laughter. I remember making new friends and meeting new people. Sometimes, I got to see cool things because I was in one place for an extended period of time. Things like witnessing a proposal or watching a baby bird take its first flight (believe it or not, this can be possible in parks in Southwestern Ontario). I’ve found my next hair style or shoes that I would need to scope out. Other times, I just stared off into space, reflecting on the day or letting my thoughts just settle; recharging my batteries. Never did I hate waiting in line. I was grateful. Grateful for the opportunity to slow down and be present.
I know how easy it is to find fault in things. I’ve been prone to it throughout my life. Looking for beauty in the face of a beast, however, has been a practice that has helped in my pursuit of meaningful life. Seeing the gifts that waiting can provide makes one much more content than focusing on the aggravation of loosing time. Especially when the end can be a thrill no matter how short.
The Ginger Genie 
