Wednesday, July 30.

We had a great nights' sleep and woke early to sneak out for a quick walk.  The sun was shining and flowers so sweet on Diana's street in Chicago.

My goal today is to connect with Trey... so I set out to do that while Quincey hung out with Diana.  She had all things 'lawyer' to do and while she was writing, emailing, etc, Q watched dog TV.

In the afternoon her friend, Willa came over and we had a lunch Diana made of: chicken salad that had garlic cream, broccoli, red onions, herbs all chilled to perfection, Chicago sour dough and Butternut chardonney.

By the late afternoon, I decided to go by Trey's work place.  Around 7 I walked into Forteza and all classes were in full swing.  To the left was a class using long sword, to the right a private class on boxing and in the back another class but I couldn't tell what they were doing.  As I walked in, all eyes were on me, like... who's coming? who's here?  Funny... Then someone said, HEY TREY... Out he popped and came over immediately with a big smile.  I went to hug him and he said, "ohhhhh, easy, I've got a broken rib." His girlfriend, Patricia, came over and we were introduced.  Very nice, very calm, very open.

He said the last few years his life was based in the fetal position.  So, both of our hearts were in such pain that it was paralyzing us personally and in our mother/son relationship.  

We agreed that healing is happening.  From his side, he's found a wonderful woman who's been supportive in this journey.  One big deal is she encouraged him to stop smoking.  Check.  

Anyway, the new healing is financial healing and focus.  Much discussion about that continued.  

Trey could break away from the classes so we went for a drive to a park and decided to talk, walk, let Q pee.  We were watching a group of 10 or so, having a class in some martial arts when I noticed Quincey's foot was bleeding.  We think after he peed and was scratching the ground he hit some glass and sliced his back pad.  OUCH!

So, we headed to the drugstore to get stuff: betadine, neosporin, bandages.

Once that was taken care of we went to a little Irish Pub and had a beer. Nice.

:))

When I got back to Diana's Patty Rebhotz was there.  Diana picked her up at O'Hare and she's going to do the last leg to Phoenix with me.  We had fresh pesto, pasta, scallops, mushrooms, garlic that Diana made! And, wine... duh... :)

Then off to nightie night!  

xo

Tuesday, Part 3:

Getting out of there was a bit of a nightmare.  Detour after detour after detour.  All curvy, hilly country roads.  ARGH.  But, we did make our way to the interstate and headed towards Indianapolis.

It started raining and we were snaking out of there and up to Chicago by 8:30. Then. A. Semi. Jack. Knifed. So. Gross.

But, all good things happened and with a bit of convincing a messed up trucker decided to NOT BLOCK the side median so we, cars, could exit.  Hauling like a rudderless sled, we sped onto Chicago and arrived at 11pm (midnight my time).

Diana was waiting and we had some snacks, a glass of wind and crashed.  Q was wild with sniffing as their 2 cats were at the other house and Q was just loving the roominess!

What a day!!!

Tuesday, Part 2:

Q and I headed for our detour to Ohio.  While visiting with Susan Hartshorn Saxe in Houston, she gave me information regarding this location as being one where all our 'clan' began, or at least to that generation.

So, once we got out of NYC via Lincoln Tunnel, around the helix, merging into a forever stream of traffic, we headed towards Newark Airport which put us on US78 W.  Getting there was as if I'd never left.  I know exactly where to drive and where NOT to drive.

So, once through that maze we squirreled ourselves past Wheeling, WV and into Monroe County, Ohio.

Woodsfield is the closest 'big' town to Hartshorn Ridge which is about a 20 minute, I think, drive.  

The Hartshorn Cemetery is there as well as the Hartshorn Church of Christ, which is our destination.  I'm following my phone GPS and hope it takes us there!  It's a 2 hour drive from Pittsburgh going SW, so this is a detour to Chicago, but since it's so close, of course I have to see it!  The plan is to be here for 45 minutes or so, lay some flowers, take pictures, feel the energy and press on.

Luckily there's no rain to deal with so all signs are clear and no nasty truck spray!

We went through some lovely rural countryside on our way to HARTSHORN RIDGE.

I made a left when I should've made a right... a truck was passing so I stopped them, asking if this was Hartshorn Ridge? They said, "yes".  I asked is the Hartshorn Cemetery close?  They said, "Oh yes, just continue up the road and you'll see it right next to the church".  :))

So, pressing on and there it stood.

WOW

My, oh, my.

So, Q and I got out and roamed around the cemetery. Someone in my travels asked if I was going to stop by the courthouse and get an area map so I could find the graves.  Well, it did cross my mind and I was hoping I could just find the right ones.  Well, presto!  My great grandfather and grandmother, Cephas and Matilda Hartshorn were right there.

As well as Samuel and Nan, my great uncle and aunt.

The cemetery was loaded with Hartshorns but these two were the direct link to my DNA.  We did stroll around and make notice of everyone, stopping and wondering.  There were quite a few children, from ages 1 day to 1 years. Some military headstones, one with James Hartshorn.  

So, we found it, we saw it, we felt alive and connected.  Breathing a bit better and just feeling fine.

As we were leaving I saw an address that had Hartshorn Ridge and stopped to take a photo.  There were 2 people there and I jogged up to them and mentioned I wasn't a stalker, but a Hartshorn, was looking for my past relatives and finally found them in the cemetery up the road... would they mind if I took a picture.  She asked my name and I told her.  She said well... you should talk to Lorne, he's Ray Des Moines grandson.  I said, swell, where can I find him? She said, 'RIGHT THERE'.  I turned around and he was climbing off his tractor and coming towards me.  I re-explained and he said, well, if you REALLY want to know you should contact Eva Jean.  Ok.... :/  He furthered saying she just lives in the brick house up the road you can't miss it.

So, he jumped in his jeep and escorted me to her house, knocking on her door and introducing me and my intention.  WHAT!?

Meet (I guess some type of cousin) Lorne Hartshorn:

Eva Jean was married to Hiram Eugene Hartshorn and is now the keeper of all family knowledge.  She's 86 and has a memory like a vice!  She was pulling out photos and naming each person while looking at them upside down.  Her eyes grew like saucers when she found my dad was Hiram, Jr.  My dad's, Hiram was her hubby's namesake.  I understand that back then, they just kept renaming children the same over and over which makes it challenging to find the real deal.  There are a ton of James, Samuels, Hirams, etc.

The book that Susan gave me on our family's history has many archived photos and documentations donated by Eva Jean.

Her photo's on page 600 with her husband, Hiram.

She brought out maps and documents of land deeds dating in the 1800's and graciously gave me copies.  

I brought out photos of my dad and grand-dad and her eyes got that saucer look again.  :))  She slowly got out of her chair saying she had some photos she wanted to show me, she knew right where they were, she wanted to get them right now, etc.

Two early photos of my grandfather, his two brothers and one of the cousins all dressed up for a trip to Stubbenville, OH.  She thinks it was for either a job or to be a bit wild.  I don't know which, but either sound good to me.  Dapper Dans and posing like gangstas!

She shared that my great grandfather had been married 3 times.  1st wife had 2 kids, 2nd had 7, 3 had 0.  He wanted to be buried next to his 2nd wife.  No one knows why.  :)

We spent 3 1/2 hours talking and talking.  She told me all about her drain pipes that were clogged up and just yesterday, her prayers were answered. Someone who really knew how to fix it came and unclogged it, so now her washing machine will work.  She told me the only place she's been is to Hawaii and how she got to fly over Chicago getting there.  She told me she has 8 kids but one died, grand kids and great grandkids with the youngest being 10.  She told me she loves Hartshorn Ridge, the quiet, the air and will not go to a nursing home.  She told me she has 2 cars: 1984 and 1996 Oldsmobile.  I asked for her address and she told me she'd love to hear from me and so very happy to meet another one of us.  She told me she's very happy that I found my roots.

She plans to lie next to Hiram Eugene.

As I was leaving she said it looked like I could fly to Chicago.  I said, no... I'm driving.  Then she said, no your car looks like it could fly there.  (Prius)

A few last shots of Hartshorn Ridge, Ohio. What a 

FABULOUSLY LOVELY AND SURPRISING DAY!!

If I could paint, this would be it. xxoo

Now, to continue to Chicago... about 6 hours behind schedule.  But, all well worth it!

Monday came pretty early.  By 7:30 I was packed to return to the DRT.  So, all things were cleaned up and packed.  I took Q for his last stroll and Matt called for the bell hop cart.  Things were loaded up, I ran to get the car the we said our final good byes.

It was so much fun to hang with my old buddy!  The best was last night when we ate in and had artichokes, corn on the cob and asparagus and just talked.

Talked about politics, 9/11, USA, ... things and not people.  Loved that and just love him.

Till next time!

Next stop Pittsburgh, PA to visit Bob and Adele, my step-brother and his wife.  Super nice people and are examples of steadfastness.  It rained getting there which was a bummer, but made it spot on time and as soon as we landed, Q was a happy doggie!

We talked and caught up on events of my trip.  I shared with them some discoveries made from my dad's side of the DNA regarding actions of my mom while they were in the early stages of their marriage.  That information has helped my understand more of the BS.  Needless to say, both Bob and Adele were a bit taken aback, just as I was.

Then we headed out to dinner in downtown at a New Orleans style cajun restaurant.  So tasty:)  We each had a different special with each one having very distinctive flavors.  However, the portions were too big, so doggie bags home and they'll have a good lunch for tomorrow.

We strolled around town and then went on the Incline, the mountain side trolly that's old as dirt and still works!

We got back, had ice cream and cookies and CRASHED!  

:0))

Sunday moved in and after the am walk and a trip to Starbucks, we came back 'home' and chatted a bit with Matt.  He had business to take care of and his daily yoga.  Q and I are meeting my gal pal, Sherry Skinker for brunch.  I've know Sherry for several years.  Matter at fact it will be coming up 7! We worked with students in DC for Obama's 1st inauguration.  That fa-reeeezing day!

We sat outside at an ... ok... restaurant.  The best thing about it was our chatting and Q being able to just hang with us, watch and meet the other dogs and be a very popular puppy.

Later, there was a street fair so we strolled and bought silly trinkets.  Nice, nice NY Sunday.

We popped back up to Matt's and had a lil glass of wine and chatted a bit more.  Q and I laid down and took a quick nap.  Matt had gone out and returned with a gift-ie for Q.  Q loved Tony's bed, so Uncle Matt came in with his own.  What a surprise and treat!  He LOVES it.  :))))

WOOF!

Finally, Saturday, a day to relax a bit!  Quincey and I took a ton of walks around Central Park, Lincoln Center, Matt's neighborhood...

There were so many new smells, so many DOGS and so many new things to pee on!!!!!!!  Q met a new friend who looked JUST like Tony.  Tony's in Alabama with Glen, so he didn't get to hang with him, but Matt, Glenn and Tony are coming to CA and they'll meet then.

A little latte at the new Tavern on the Green and a few more smells and DOGS.

Later that day Jeanne and Karin came by and met Matt.  Then we gals went for Mexican food and Karin and Jeanne had a great bonding over that fabulous table side guacamole creation.  YUM.

Jeanne pressed on to her condo as the next day she had a ton of things in Philly, so Karin came back to Matt's and we had a bit of wine and laughed, talked and posed for photos.

And congratulations are due to Karin for just landing VP of Technology for Morgan Stanley!

It was a ton of fun and I LOVE these two adorable ones!

Friday we took off for NYC.  First stop was to see Janet Solesky who lives in Inwood.  We go WAAAY back in the arts ed field then she followed into the tour director/management world.  It was great to see her and her husband, Ken.  One thing you can always know about the two of them, they never change that loving way of theirs!

On to Matt West's home at Lincoln Center area.  We unloaded our stuff at the front and the doorman wheeled it to Matt's apt while we went to park the car.

I brought in Q's bed, but he decided he liked Tony's better.  OK..... :/  He was a pooped puppy and Tony's bed is softer, so there ya go.

We all took a quick walk around the block for poo poo time, get goods from Kiehl's and a bottle of wine.

Matt was missing Glen something fierce, as he was in Alabama with Tony the dog, saying good bye to an Aunt who is on her last days... I may get a chance to see him and Q can meet Tony...

Anyway, we stayed up talking, sharing stories, solving world issues and laughing the whole time.  Matt and I have been good friends for 37 years.  We pretty much have shared most of our adult life joys and sorrows and I consider him one of my nearest dearest friends and love him dearly!

Thursday, the 24th, Linda and I had some of her chores to do.  The night before a HUGE lightning/thunder storm blew out the internet so that had to get rebooted and a quick trip to the grocery store...

But, then, reflexology!  Whoop!  1/2 hour for $20.  Can't beat that and it put both of us in an altered state that left us floating.  Yum.

We came back and got to work on the computer but after several hours of dealing with Comcast and NO headway... just decided to have a martini.  Yep.  Done!

We enjoyed the evening on their deck when Jay got home.  Q finally bonded with Jay and, I'd say in a rather big way.

Linda created her home made marinade of soy, garlic, ginger and scallion for pork loins and then she grilled it for dinner along with green beans and black rice.  So good!  She has a way of floating effortlessly while she cooks and everything always is mouth watering.  I don't know how she does it but it's always good at Linda's house when she cooks!

I helped them out with reservations for an amazing trip to Bordeaux, France for a Viking River cruise in October, 2015.  This will certainly be a highlight!  They got the end suite that has the wrap around veranda.  Oh, yeah!

We took a final evening walk with Matty and Q.  Linda seemed to have it under control as white light beamed over her head.

What a beautiful best friend, wonderful husband and, always, loving visit.

Love them both, madly!

Today I leave for NYC and Matt.  :)

We got to Linda and Jay's on Wednesday around 2 and the house was quite and at the door was open.

Linda was playing golf and Jay was at work... so, WE TOOK A NAP!

Jay got home first and was happy to announce his building sold and he was officially retiring.  Good for him!  He's worked hard, kept the family properties up to snuff and has earned his time.

Linda came home and we snuggled in my bed for a minute while we spoke of my travels and discoveries.  She's been a true friend throughout my adult years and knew some extent of my childhood, but this DRT has opened up new knowledge and she could see my heart had finally opened, too.

Quincey was a happy dog finding all kinds of new things to bark at:  squirrels, chipmunks and other BIG dogs.

Watching "doggie TV", as Linda says was a chill past time.

After dinner their neighbor, Nan, came over and brought Matty, a golden doodle.  Wow!  Quincey wasn't quite sure what to think...

After a pretty massive romp, Jay jumped in and Q was a happy doggie to watch the action.  Matty is a wonderful dog that is a big bundle of love.

After the romp, we all called it a night. :)