Trying to keep up family traditions

[fbhjr]

Here in Massachusetts, yesterday was Patriot’s day.  Nothing to do with GW
Bush’s one for September 11th.  This one goes back to the start of the
revolutionary war more than 200 years ago.

My mother is very proud of the fact her family helped settle Massachusetts
and was involved in the war for independence.
When I was young she had me join the children’s version of the DAR to be
involved in all that patriotic stuff.  I did get quite involved and was a
national officer in it for several years.  Mostly because it was a good way
to meet girls.  But, I eventually tired of it (having met my now wife and
no longer needing to look for girls) and dropped out.

Two of my mother’s ancestors were involved in the war.  One joined his
local militia.  They heard the British were taking over Newport RI, and
marched down to help drive them out.  The battle of Tiverton RI took place
and my great to the whatever grandfather got there only 2 days late for the
battle.
At that point, he decided he’d done enough and went back to the farm.

His father was arrested for being a rebel.  He was put onto a prison ship
in Boston harbor.  He called for the jailer and said:
“Just so you know, I’ve got smallpox.”
He was released so as not to infect everyone else on the ship.
Like his son, he decided that was enough and went home.

So, in the spirit of my ancestors, I didn’t do much yesterday and mostly
hung around home.
Yes, I did go get some blood work done at the doctor’s,  bring my wife
lunch, shop for dinner, scanned a couple of dozen photos for my wife and do
two loads of laundry.
But, like showing up late for a battle or lying your way off of a prison
ship, it really doesn’t count for much.