Hi Cari Jo, I came here because of my first Thanksgiving without my brother. I read your post and I would like you to know that I have many dreams of my brother too. Most times, I can only remember bits and pieces of it and I usually wake up both sad and angry...angry because I can't remember too much of the dream. Take care

Styptic powder, or actually - flour. I had my dog's black nails clipped at a groomer near my office once - he was nicked but good, he licked off the powder and bled all over the car. Ick. I've had good luck clipping him with the guillotine-style clippers. I wait until he's tired and laying down on a chair, then I pick up a paw and do it from the underside - easier to see. He still fusses though. And gives me that "how could you do this to me?" look.

You know, we are all the products of everything that has gone on before us. We are all accidents of the momentary interminglings of all of our ancestors over thousands of years. We cannot change the past. Things are what they are. Or, were. Mysteries, even unpunished murders from a century ago, are over and done for. And, believe it or not, I really am interested in the past! I love history, family history and lore. But, we need to remember that we are looking at the past through our 21st Century eyes, with our 21st century values and capabilities. Things have changed. As I said earlier, I am sure we ALL have odd, questionable things in our heritage. In about 1902 it was assumed that my great-aunt spent 17 years in prison. She returned to her family and never said a word about it. No one will ever know why she was gone, but there was plenty of speculation in the family, from being a madam to possibly murdering one of her clients. Does it matter? Not to me. It is a great story, though. My husband's grandfather had two families, one on each end of the railroad line he worked on. He didn't die of TB, either, like the family lore has it. But they don't know how he really died, and, to their knowledge, no one from either family has ever met. My great-grandmother did not know that her mother died in another state until several years later, either. She hadn't run away or anything. She was simply out-of-touch for a few years. It is just the way it was back then. And, they didn't always know cause of death. People simply died and were buried. A lot of personal fortunes - personal, financial, historical, political - have gone astray through history. Even things thought to be well-documented, like historic battles, JFK's assassination - for goodness' sake, even the moon landing is disputed! It is all wonderfully interesting, and part of our lives. Five thousand dollars is a lot to spend on curiosity, though, to my way of thinking. But, if you have the money, spend it on whatever you like. Fundraising? Well, um.....

I'm not sure whether to feel complimented, amused, or something else but no. I'm nowhere near Mensa material anyway, but those I have known over the years who were involved with the group could consistently be described as being pretty nerdy and pretty geeky. I'm just an ordinary average guy. If you met me on the street, there would be no way for you to see the outfit I wear under my clothes with the big red S on the chest. Just kidding.