23 and Me

Ken and a couple of his second-cousins spent some time this fall traveling to old cemeteries, comparing family photos and records, and sharing family stories, all in a effort to get to know their family histories a bit better.

That's where "23 and Me" comes in, for Ken, at least.

For his birthday this month, I ordered a "23 and Me" DNA test kit.

According to the 23 and Me website, the test results will enable Ken to:

• Know what percent of your DNA is from around the world
• Build your family tree with relatives
• Trace your lineage from over 750 maternal lineages and over 500 paternal lineages

Ken sent his saliva sample to the headquarters about a week ago.

He has received confirmation that it was received, and he will find out the results in 6-8 weeks.

Ken says he won't be surprised if there's some American Indian in his family history somewhere.

We'll see if he's right. Regardless, it should be interesting to read the results of Ken's DNA test.

Heart problems

I seem to be having heart problems these days. By heart problems, I mean Valentine heart problems.

Two years ago I made dozens of these little white, pink and red hearts. They were quick and easy, and they made nice little gifts to give a few friends. Those I kept, which is this pile in the photo, I put into a square glass vase each February and let them be my Valentine "decor."

Last year I made a few of these for Valentine's gifts. Per usual, I kept one for myself, too. Ken helped me with the wire that holds the little message; I did the rest. Again, they were fun to create.

But this year I seem to be having heart problems. I can't decide what the design for Valentine's '14 should be.

I've downloaded several free (and not free) crocheted hearts and flowers patterns, dusted off my crochet hook, and had a go at creating something.

But even now, after two weeks of fiddling around with yarn and crochet hooks, and the occasional knitting needle, I'm not satisfied with the results.

I wish I were an artist. Artists, the real ones, not the artist wannabes like myself, know how to use color and design to create something with va-voom.

I'm somewhat pleased with the rose-colored heart in the right-hand corner, the one with the blue, yellow-rose-ish and teal flower. And the pale pink one, just below and to the left of it is OK.

But that big, red heart? Can't for the life of me find three colors that work well together as a flower to adorn it. The green, white, and purple flower perched on it now is only sitting there temporarily as I wait for a brainstorm to strike.

This seems to be a difficult time of year for brainstorms,... for me, anyway.

Sledding, not sliding

Eight-year-old Violet came for a sleepover one night during Christmas break.

While she was here, I suggested we try out the flying saucer I'd purchased just recently. I hadn't gone sliding in 50 years, and I wasn't sure Violet had ever gone sliding, so this was our golden opportunity, given the snow and the hill in our back yard.

Whenever I mentioned sliding, though, Violet immediately corrected me: "Not sliding, SLEDDING."

So we went sledding.

I took the first turn down the hill, because I wanted to see where I'd end up. If it was in a tree or somewhere deep into the woods, I'd know I'd better not allow Violet to use the flying saucer. I always like to return her to her parents intact, if at all possible.

My trial run went well, and before long Violet was whooping and hollering her way down the hill. I heard numerous shouts of "Awesome!" and even a couple shouts of "Epic!"

Violet and I went shopping the next day. While we were out and about, she came up with what she thought was a brilliant idea: "Let's look for another flying saucer, Aunt Jean. Then you and I can race each other down the hill."

I made sure we stayed out of stores selling sledding equipment.