The Lens: As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am a fan of the show “Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.” If you are unfamiliar with the show, Dr. Gates and his team research the ancestry of…
Welcome to The Refracting Lens & Liz’s Luncheonette
Welcome to The Refracting Lens and Liz’s Luncheonette! The Refracting Lens was created to put out an idea (The Lens) then see where the idea takes me (The Refraction). Posts specific to The Refracting Lens can be accessed on “The Refracting Lens” page.
Recently added to this blog is new page, Liz’s Luncheonette. While both blogs strive to present something to think about, Liz’s Luncheonette is devoted to igniting or reigniting our care for the well-being of others. Posts specific to Liz’s Luncheonette can be accessed on the “Liz’s Luncheonette” page.
I am Somebody (or am I?)
The Lens: As I have mentioned (probably ad nauseam, by now), I am a direct descendant of Jose Francisco Ortega*. I have also mentioned delving into my family history to see how many of us descendants of JFO there are.…
The Gift of Time
The Lens: My, how time flies when you are running crazy. Each summer, I make a list of things I want to get done. Most summers, I make abysmal progress on the list. One of the things on my list…
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em
The Lens: My husband was complaining . . . again. Seems the sailboat he, my son, and my son’s friend own needs engine repair. We are the epitome of DIYers – a by-product of spending too many years worrying about…
Top-Down, Bottom-UP
The Lens: This is an extension of my “Degrees of Separation” post. So, if you haven’t read it yet, take a few quick minutes to read it before continuing on. Done?? Ok, here we go . . . Connectedness. Years…
The Art of Falling
The Lens: I took a header the other day. Carelessness, pure and simple. I was crossing the street on the way to work. A co-worker had pulled up and was parking her car. As I was crossing, I turned and…
New Year’s Resolutions
The Lens: When you think about it, New Year’s Day is just another day. So it is the first day of a new year. So what? There is nothing different about that day than any other day. Or maybe there…
Degrees of Separation
The Lens: In my last post (over a month ago – how time flies when you are running your behind off), I talked about the PBS show “Finding Your Roots,” in which the host, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., delves into…
One Person’s Sorrow
The Lens: A couple of years ago, my sons gave me a gift subscription to Ancestry.com. I wasn’t sure how much I would like it, but it was certainly an interesting gift. Once I got rolling on Ancestry, though, I…