extended family

All about how to stay connected, strengthen ties and talk politics with your big, happy extended family.

Blackened and Burnt
It is difficult to narrow down one specific iconic summer food but I can try. A simple blackened seemingly burnt hot dog off the grill always screams summer to me. It is not so much because it is a favorite food but because of the memories that such a common thing invokes in me. Memories of family picnics that were a staple of summer over half my life.
By Gibbles4 years ago in Families
The Great Watermelon Debate
Saturday, June 5, 1976 Annual Forza Family Reunion, Cavalier Park “Did anyone bring salt?” As I stepped away from the buffet line, I scanned the picnic tables for a white shaker among the detritus of plates, cups, napkins, and utensils.
By Staci Troilo4 years ago in Families
Kickball and Parfaits
My grandparents’ long, grassy yard was shrouded on three sides by trees and the fourth by their old farmhouse. The yard sloped downwards, which would seem like a flaw to potential homebuyers and land assessors, but in our eyes, it was perfect for endless games of kickball and was esteemed for the additional challenge it brought to the game. Whenever the dozen or so cousins all got together for one single day during every summer that yard became our territory and woe to the unsuspecting adult who walked in the way of flying ball or speeding runner. My parents, brother, and I lived in Texas while the rest of the family lived in Ohio, so the week out of each year we would spend with them was an event, and the family barbeque with all the aunts, uncles, cousins, babies, and scattered boyfriends or girlfriends that would take place was the highlight of the year. It was one single day, one afternoon, one evening, but in that day lay the entirety of summer.
By S.A. Paris 4 years ago in Families
The paradise of childhood
In those days, rural children could not just eat, but also help the family work. I'm afraid that no child in the countryside does not work hard, probably from the time they can walk, they have to help the family work closely, for example, when the grain drying, responsible for booming chickens to drive birds; adults work, in the field to guard the water tank, and so on. There are too many and too many jobs, anyone can be useful, the children do not know that they can take over, can take over even if they grow up.
By SondJam4 years ago in Families
Summer...
How does the warm and tantalizing feeling of summer taste? To me, I always imagine sweet and natural flavors. Things that leave a lasting freshness to the palate such as strawberries, cantaloupe, and other fruits have long been my favorite parts of summer.
By Sai Marie Johnson4 years ago in Families
Daddy
When I was married, my ex-husband said he hated people over five calling their parents 'mummy or daddy'. I was brought up by my stepfather, who I usually called by his first name or abbreviated name until that point because in private there was nothing he could do about it and I sometimes had my own small rebellions against my controlling husband, just to get me through the day.
By R.N.M.N.R4 years ago in Families
Letting Go of My "Indian Princess" Ancestry Narrative
I'm an amateur genealogist, and I LOVE it. My family tree has over 10,000 people in it. I write about being a genealogist every month for our local newspaper. I help other people with their family trees. But as much as I love my hobby, I'm embarrassed about one of my reasons for getting into it. I wanted to confirm a family story that my grandpap was descended from a Native American woman. These "Indian Princess" narratives are common among white people in the USA, and we are susceptible to fetishizing our connection to the Native identity, without recognizing the role of our white ancestors in genocide and land theft. My journey into genealogy started out with a misplaced desire to distance myself from my white ancestors, but over time I learned to fully claim my European ancestry in all its complexity.
By Andrew Gaertner4 years ago in Families
At The Hop
Back in the 1960s, as is today, high schools have their sports teams, cheer leaders, and other various social events to keep the teens busy, especially during the week. After school, we'd have band, glee club, drama club, etc.
By Margaret Brennan4 years ago in Families
When they're smoking they're cooking, when they're burnt they're done!
"When they're smoking they're cooking when they're burnt they're done!" Thats what my Great Uncle Ross would say when he cooked hot dogs on the grill. One of my fondest memories as a kid was visiting my Grandma's house for a cookout.
By Craig Maxwell4 years ago in Families
Andy
Does it matter that when he was nine years old he saw a vision of the Virgin Mary? He, a little Presbyterian boy, the son of a preacher, for whom the Virgin Mary was Catholic folly. Does it matter that she held a sign for him to read with the name of a city that he had never heard of in a country that was nothing but the land of myths and dreams? Does it matter that thirty years later he came to live in that very city? Does it matter that this is true?
By Emily Hanchett4 years ago in Families
Libby Hills
When I sit and think about it, I have known a lot of crazy people in my life. No surprise right? We all know someone who is crazy, but I never thought the craziest person I'd ever meet would end up not only being one of my closest friends, but also a family member. Her name is Elizabeth Handel aka Liz Handel.
By Joe Patterson4 years ago in Families
I’m so thankful
In life sometimes there are very few people who understand you . You might not be understood by your mom , or your dad . You might lose a grandma and grandpa you loved a lot . But there is a special tribe of people who always understand you . They call you friend . There are certain people who get you and understand you at your worst. They are always kind and always there and you know in your heart you can rely on them. You trust them more than people you’ve known your whole life.
By April Liao4 years ago in Families