If you’ve considered having your DNA analyzed by one of the popular testing services, is it because you believe secrets lurk in your family tree? As I recently discovered in doing research for my Romancing Our Roots novels, many people are talking about DNA surprises, also called (MP) misattributed paternity or (NPE) nonpaternity events/not parentContinue reading “The Emotional Impact of Discovering Your True Parentage”
Category Archives: Life As We Know It
Ten Things I Know
I hated typing class. Yet it turned out to be one of the most useful things I’ve learned. No one imagined you’d ever type with your thumbs. As you get older, you realize your brain is like a pc losing storage space. Make room for the good. Purge the rest. Beauty is in the eyeContinue reading “Ten Things I Know”
Heartbreak of Another Sort
You’ll know when you’ve reached that golden age, when suddenly you become a magnet for all sorts of medical interventions. Are your joints stiff? How about a knee or hip replacement? Blood pressure jumped up a few notches? We’re happy to handle that with medications. Cataracts? Let’s banish those and improve your vision instantly. OnceContinue reading “Heartbreak of Another Sort”
Will I Succeed at Writing Suspense? I feel the tension mounting…
GOOD ARTICLE FROM MY INBOX>>> Writing Suspense January 15, 2025 / Stephen Geez By Stephen Geez Most novels and stories have at least some scenes that require suspense. Others build suspense throughout the story. Your suspense scenes need to contrast with other plot elements so readers feel the emotion of jeopardy. Suspense requires periods of “relief” toContinue reading “Will I Succeed at Writing Suspense? I feel the tension mounting…”
LETTER FROM A WWII WAR ZONE
We see images and reports of wars in foreign lands daily on the TV news. It has desensitized us somewhat to the actual horrors the participants experience, but I’m sure those on the scene are forever affected. Like many men of his generation, my father fought in World War II. He spoke to us veryContinue reading “LETTER FROM A WWII WAR ZONE”
The Story Behind The Love Genes
I’m sure many of you have done a DNA test now that they have become widely available for matching up relatives. Even if you haven’t, many television programs focus on how detectives can use DNA to identify suspects in crimes, and how genealogists use genetics to trace the guest stars’ roots. The science becomes moreContinue reading “The Story Behind The Love Genes”
Who’s Writing Now?
It was inevitable that there would be artificial intelligence programs capable of creating essays, novels, and all sorts of written material. Robots can vacuum your floors and drive a car. I’m still holding my breath for that hover car they had in the Jetsons. But I decided it was time to test drive ChatGPT, anContinue reading “Who’s Writing Now?”
Social Media in the 1890s
Homesteading in Nebraska social media group posts: Bill Johnson-2 days ago-What was at the corner of Apple and First Streets before the blacksmith moved in? Post a drawing if you have one. Even if the post is just a hitching post. LOL. Mavis Johnson-1 day ago-Bill, stop writing nonsense to that Homesteading mailbox. You knowContinue reading “Social Media in the 1890s”
Toby, Elaine, and the Lord
This story starts out being about me. Facebook reminded me this morning that it had been five years since my brother, Clay, and I went to visit the Art Institute of Chicago. It was quite inspiring for me, and probably more so for Clay, an artist who paints with oils. One of my favorite paintingsContinue reading “Toby, Elaine, and the Lord”
Are We There Yet?
It’s been two long years. We thought 2020 was cursed. Everyone wanted it to just end. But 2021 was not much better. The Covid nightmare went on and on. I feel like we are finally back to business as usual. But not normal, unless you call it the new normal. People are still testing positiveContinue reading “Are We There Yet?”