V is for VICTORY!
I’m proud to announce that my aunt, Sherry Mesle-Morain, just won a seat on the Lamoni City Council. Congratulations Aunt Sherry! You were an excellent candidate, and you will be an amazing councilwoman.
Big hugs and lots of love from your Chief “Team Sherry” Officer!
“El Tio” is another year older today (and, um…wiser? not a chance!). Also known as John Philip Wyek, or LTO for short, tall and strange Mr. Tio is such a joy, and occasionally a pain, to have in our lives:) He is also the famous inventor of the “Tio cake”, a birthday cake made by Tio that more often than not has inedible ingredients and strange combinations of props.
To give you an idea of how we celebrate the good times, here are a few of my favorite snap shots of the birthday boy.
Tio and Auntie on New Year’s Eve 2013
Tio (left) and Jim, NYE 2013
Happy Birthday, Tio!
Love,
MegaBrat:)
We had so much fun while Jane was in town! I made sure she got to see all the important places, well, at least the ones you can fit into a 48-hour visit.
We first walked around downtown Petaluma, went in all the antique shops and furniture stores. After lunch at Petaluma Pie Co., we drove out to my favorite spot at the Bodega Headlands.
The next day we went to Della Fattoria for brunch to gear up for the day. We met Auntie and Tio at Cline, where Jane tasted a broad range of wines, and then we toured the grounds while walking her through our wedding day in 2010. After reenacting the big day, we all ventured over to Sonoma for a birthday BBQ, and then finished off the evening with truffle fries from EDK.
It was a pretty fabulous 2 days!
Happy Birthday Jane, I hope you’ll come back and visit us again soon:)
On September 17, 2012, I published a post “My DNA–What? Surely you Jest!! Just a few days earlier I received notification of my DNA results from Ancestry.com. My photograph of a torn up circle representing my DNA was prominently included in my post.
For amateur genealogists everywhere, Ancestry.com’s $99 DNA test was probably their (and my) first chance to actually get a sense, scientifically of “where did I come from”. I bought a test in the Fall of 2012, took the test, received the results and was totally confused. Nowhere in my DNA test results did I see any support for my research concerning my Western European roots. Since my own research indicated strong ties to France and Germany, I tore up my test results in frustration.
What a difference a year makes. On Oct. 17, 2013, I received an e-mail fromAncestry.com notifying me (and, I am sure, everyone else who has taken their DNA test) that “Our breakthrough update is here, with exciting new details and context…”. The new results more closely mirror my years of research into my family tree.
In many respects the old and new results are similar. But in terms of my family history research they are miles apart. Much of the research I had given up as wrong, is now consistent with the new results.
My revised DNA test results: My original test results:
Scandinavian 33 % Scandinavia 43 %
Ireland 30 % [1] British Isles 40 %
Europe West 18 % Middle Eastern 10 %
Italy/Greece 12 % Southern European 7 %
Trace Regions
Iberian Peninsula 4 % [2]
Finland/N. Russia < 1 %
Great Britain < 1 %
Caucasus 1 % [3]
My research is validated in many significant respects: My Lewis ancestors presumably moved to the colonies in the 1600’s from Wales rather than England.
My Western European DNA is consistent with the Mesle migration from Western France where they lived in St. Maixent, Alencon and Poitou (just North of the Iberian Peninsula) beginning in about 1000. By the 1300s, Mesles lived in the Normandy Region of France. By the the 1500s and 1600s, Mesles lived in Germany before relocating to the New World.
My great-grandfather Franz Mesle, nicknamed “the Swab”, almost certainly lived at least briefly in Austria-Hungary. Germans who settled in Austria-Hungary, (near the Caucasus area) were called Swabs. Franz married Katharine Kirsch/ner, daughter of Conrad Kirsch/ner. A Catharine Kirschner was born in Jabuka, Austria-Hungary in the 1800’s to Conradus Kirschner. By 1881 Franz and Catharine lived in Canada and then the U.S.
If my new and enhanced DNA results are correct that I am 1 % English, my maternal great grandparents, John Fox and Jane Bond Fox, both born in England, must be my only English ancestors.
My search continues. The biggest change in my results are, to be fair, a shift of DNA results from Northern Europe to Northern and Western Europe. But this seemingly minor change is significant in connecting my research to my DNA.
I now continue my search. Who am I? Where do I come from? What difference does it make? Maybe none. But my quest continues.
As for my Lumbee ancestors–I still do not have a trace of Native American DNA
_________________________________
[1] “Ireland” includes Wales for purposes of the DNA results
[2] The Iberian Peninsula includes extreme SW Europe: parts of France, Spain, Portugal, Andorra & Gibraltar
[3] Caucasus is on border between Turkey & Kazakhstan in W. Asia
Born October 14, 1914, Carl Mesle turns 99 today. He was born in Sherrill, NY.
During World War II, dad served in the military. After completing his training as an intelligence officer, he was fortunate to have a position working in the Pentagon. As thankful as Mom was to have him in a safe location instead of fighting overseas, dad felt it was unfair that he got to stay home in the safety of the Pentagon while his friends had to go into battle. It was that mentality that drove him to serve his community, to take care of the people who needed help.
After leaving military service, dad worked first, as a professional Boy Scout leader, serving under H. Roe Bartle, before accepting a position as a minister in the Community of Christ Church.
His life has been spent in service to his church and to his community. As he describes it, “I dedicated my life to my church until I turned 65 and then embraced the charitable community.” (Of course, his faith, and commitment thereto, have never wavered.)
Until age related frailties limited his ability to actively participate in life outside the Groves, he participated in the activities of Troop 223 of the Boy Scouts; served on the Board of his neighborhood association, and—the list goes on. He only gave up his prolific writings when his vision failed him.
He has been recognized by many of the numerous civic and charitable organizations he loves and has supported–the Boy Scouts, McCoy Neighborhood Association, the Heartland Foundation, the list goes on. Perhaps my favorite, is his recognition received at the Truman Library where he was, I am sure, thrilled to share the stage with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. But he was so gratified by his recent recognition from members of the Independence African-American Community for his commitment to civil rights.
He has never smoked, consumed alcohol or illegal drugs. He exercised regularly until his body refused to cooperate. Even today, he attends daily devotions at the Groves, expressing thanks for the good in his life and the faith that has sustained him.
Our family is fortunate to experience our mother’s gift of love and dad’s dedication to his faith, his values and his community. Members of his family and friends who have been a part of his life for up many years shared his birthday with him.
Meg and her cousins could not have better role models than mom and dad. Watching their lives so far, I am happy to report that the “apple/s don’t fall far from the trees”.
Happy birthday, dad. Love ya
Long before Jason Aldean’s hit single “My Big Green Tractor”, farmer’s had a love affair with John Deere. John Deere has it all. Founded in 1868, Deere & Company has grown for over 175 years while continually expanding its products, its markets and its core values. It serves farmers, ranchers, landowners, home owners, and builders in the U.S. and throughout the world by providing a broad range of high quality products, large and small. A worldwide leader in agricultural and building machinery, it has roots deep in the community. Simultaneously, it looks to the future by continuing to provide innovative products for its customers.
ALL BUSINESS IS LOCAL– Wow. I love it. With world headquarters in Moline, Illinois, Deere manufactures products throughout the U.S. at plants in Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Illinois, North Dakota and California. It’s marketing, design and distribution sites are even more extensive. In addition, it manufactures its products in Canada, Central and South America, Europe, 
Asia and Africa. The Deere philosophy espouses conducting business and manufacturing operations at home in the U.S., as wells as in the nations it serves.
WORKING THE LAND-PROTECTING THE PLANET– John Deere’s long-standing commitment to safeguarding the environment is reflected in its goal to reduce its carbon footprint in its physical plant and in its product lines. It has adopted 2018 Enterprise Eco-Efficiency Goals. Deere’s goals include reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and its water consumption by 15% between 2012-2018 and recycling 75% of its waste by 2013. Deere introduces its first diesel-electric hybrid wheel loader in 2013.
EMPLOYEES ARE A TOP PRIORITY– Deere also recognizes the value of its employees. Deere offers base pay, bonuses, stock options and other long-term cash awards. Consistent with its recognition as “among the best places to work”, it encourages employees to continue their educations. In a partnership between John Deere, its deals, and select community colleges, Deere’s C & F Tech initiative offers job training through a two-year associate degree focused on an Ag & Turf Technician program and a Diesel Technology program.
Deere’s Supplier Code of Conduct requires suppliers to comply with restrictions on child labor, prohibits forced labor, supports diversity and equal opportunity, requires treatment of all workers with respect and dignity, and protects the right of workers to report concerns without fear of retaliation.
9,500 Deere employees are represented by the American Auto Workers.
DEERE’S PHILANTHROPIC COMMITMENT
Deere’s philanthropic activities include support for education, for the development of sustainable food supplies and economic growth, and community enrichment. These activities also include efforts alleviating hunger, while advancing education and supporting community development.
John Deere: A best buy!
Observing life through Sophia’s 3-year-old perspective is quite an experience. This is one of my favorite pictures of her, because she seems so “in the moment” even though you can only see her feet. For those unfamiliar with the Nelson, the last photo of her clearly reveals her location!
Sophia loves to dance. Constantly in motion, she seemed inspired by the Rozelle Court fountain, as she did the fountains throughout the area.
Lovers of art themselves, mom and dad ensured that Sophia actually toured at least the Nelson’s main gallery area.
Here is Sophia standing beside–instead of hiding behind–the Nelson’s famous shuttlecock.
Our visit was soon over, but we hop Sophia treasures her memories of Kansas City and family as we treasure her.
During one of Sophia’s infrequent trips to the U.S. from her home in the Netherlands, Terry and I wanted to share with her some of our favorite places.
Sheila Kemper Dietrich Park is one of my favorite Kansas City parks for children. There is plenty to amuse any 3-year-old. The park has:
A Sea Monster
A pirate ship
A chance to “steer” the ship
Cartoon characters
And much more. Great fun for the young and young at heart.
Sophia visited us with her parents for 3 weeks in July/August. We tried to show her all our favorite places in Kansas City. Here she is at Kauffman Garden:
Beauty and beauty.
Auntie Carol and Meg, enjoying the sun outside at the Cline Pendulum Club.
Relaxing in the sun, drinking some delicious wine, tasting the yumminess of truffle, and enjoying the company of our handsome hubbies. What a great way to spend a Saturday!
Tio and Jake, enjoying wine on the patio.
EDK truffle fries, the most amazing thing you’ll ever taste in downtown Sonoma.
#BecauseWeLiveHere
Shifting the Balance 