Here are a few snippets of emails from my correspondences with mom... you can really see her love of our family genealogy (and books!) come through in what she writes: "Hi Mirvat. No need for thanks for the tablecloth. Sorry it is so bulky. But it seems to be serviceable. I had chemo yesterday in Tampa. I don't usually tolerate it too well. I regurgitated twice last night. When that happens, usually the worst is over and its up hill from here. They days down here are consistently in the low 90's now (90-93). It cools down maybe to the upper 70's or low 80's if we're lucky. We had our first wet-season soaker rain yesterday and did we ever need it. Everyone, even the nurses at the infusion center, has seasonal allergies from all the pollen that accumulates when there is no rain. So hopefully, the allergy problem will be eliminated now that rainy season is upon us. Does the grass a world of good too--it was getting very brown because sprinklers are limited to twice per week until June when the rains come. Well, again, have a safe and enjoyable journey. Remember, in Quebec the word for lavatory is "toilette" --I remember learning that as a child from Grandma Buchanan... They took a trip to Montreal to visit a shrine and had difficulty finding "facilities" due to the language barrier. hehe! Love to you both, Mom" "Hi Mirvat. I just read this week's (9/18/06) issue of Newsweek. There is an article about a new book (to be released on 10/03/06) written by Charles Frazier. He is the author of Cold Mountain. The book is in the same vein as we have been discussing--the Cherokees around the time of the forced removal. Its called "Thirteen Moons". Here is a link to an excerpt from it: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14738541/site/newsweek/ I'm going to see if I can order a copy asap! I didn't read Cold Mountain, but I saw the movie. What a tear-jerker. Charles Frazier has a Ph.D in English--pretty impressive!. He's probably too credentialed to get chosen by Oprah for her book club! Stay in touch...Love, Mom" "Thank you sooo much for the gift card. You know I'll put it to good use! Really, I know you recently started a new job. You should't send me a gift. I'd much rather you send me an ecard and then save your money to visit Mike and me here in sunny FL! I'm not planning on coming to Michigan until Dan's wedding next July, so I'm counting on you girls (and your special someones) to make a trip down here before that. I miss you all. Thanks again for remembering me! Love, Mom" "I called Grandma to ask her about this. I got the anwering machine. She may know about Mary and/or Margaret. Will let you know...Wow! You have a terrific memory. I looked for your baby book and the family tree is there. I'll copy it and send it to you. I'd send you the photo album too but I can't bear to part with it. But I will share... are you still coming to Florida in January?" "Hi Mirvat. I just spoke to Grandma and I wanted to put this in writing before I forget it (old timer's disease, you know). Seems like there were Johns, Marys, Margarets, etc on both sides of George Buchanan's family--maternal and paternal. Grandma is of the opinion that John Buchanan (George's father) was born in Ireland as well as (as you discovered) John McGhee (is that Mary McGhee's father or brother?). I'm getting confused... Anyway, George's mother died and his father (John Buchanan) took the three eldest children (all girls--Elizabeth, Mary and Margaret) to live with him and he soon remarried in Scotland. George's maternal aunt, Bridget McGhee, never married and took the baby George to care for after her sister Mary died. It was Margaret (15) who sailed with George and Aunt Bridget--she was George's youngest sister (George was 13 when he sailed to the U.S). John Buchanan later sailed to the U.S. too and had two more daughters from his second marriage. Grandma doesn't know if George ever saw his father again--but he was raised by his maiden aunt Bridget. George's mother, Mary, apparently came from a large family with several brothers among whom are John McGhee and Willie McGhee. That's all Grandma can remember (which I think is pretty good for her age). Mike will email you our family tree later tonight. I will also mail you a copy because the original in your photo book is very light/not much contrast. Happy hunting. Love, Mom" "Hi Mirvat. Thanks for the update. It sounds like things are looking up for you! I've heard a little about Randy and I think I've seen a couple pix of the both of you. Forgive me for saying this-- he could pass for an Arab. I hope you both do what makes you happy. Life is too short to be unhappy and alone. Lucky you--Novi has some great shopping! The birds nest thing, as you call it, is really just thinner angel hair pasta--called shirea--not sure of the spelling in English. Pronounced shy-ree-uh. Accent on the 2nd syllable. It can be found in any Middle Eastern food store. Sometimes its just loose and not in "bird's nests". But it's always in a small package. You brown it in a little bit of Crisco (I buy the green label "0 trans fat" Crisco). Not too brown--just slightly golden. Then drain the excess Crisco, add the soaked/rinsed rice, add cold water--enough to cover the rice/pasta 1/4-1/2 inch above. Bring it to a boil, cover with a lid, turn the heat down to low and cook for 20-25 minutes. Its been hot here in Fla but we're used to it. We get daily afternoon rains which tend to cool things off. We go for a golf car ride some mornings and most evenings if it isn't raining. The thunderstorms are horrendous, if you remember. Scary. So much lightening--and so close. Thank God, we haven't had any hurricanes yet this season--such a blessing after the last couple years. Our spring was exceptionally dry, which may be partially responsible for the lack of hurricanes, so far. We would love to have you and Randy visit--anytime. We have a spare bedroom with a queen size bed and a sofa bed (double) also--in case more than one of my girls wants to come at the same time. In the Solivita village center there is a work-out room with state-of-the-art equipment and an indoor track above the indoor pool. All climate controlled and very nice. Only adult guests--no children--are allowed in the amenities in the village center. We also have numerous outdoor neighborhood pools. Our house is centrally located between two of them. The theme parks are about 25 miles away. Remember the Jellystone RV park in Orlando (near Universal Studios and International Drive)? We live about 30 miles due south of there. Very convenient to almost everything in Orlando. Don't be worried about the "critters". I understand they were on the prowl while searching for water due to the drought this spring. Haven't seen a snake since, though "Big Al" (the alligator) is still in one of the retention ponds. Mike is busy perfecting his photography skills, both still and video. One of his still photos won a contest and was published in our community monthly publication. He really is quite a talented photographer. Gotta go. Know you and your fella are always welcome in our home. Take care. Love, Mom"