Since the pandemic I have really been trying to balance life, and at the same time practice mindfulness. I  always prided myself in making sure I was "ok" no matter what, but I see now that life pre-pandemic was too busy, and at times overwhelming trying to put enough time aside for people I cared about. It was amazing to me as well the impact of not having a physical connection with others.  Technology was helpful for a time to somewhat satisfy this craving, however seeing and hearing a person on a screen was just not enough.  It was the physical presence of another that really completed the connection, and when safer to do so a hug, fist tap or handshake really let me breathe again; everything came full circle.   It was amazing how people became creative and had lawn visits, drive by birthdays and graduations.  People had their patio chairs brought to the front of the house, curtains on homes were never closed, and yes people did put Christmas lights on their homes in July.

Barrie Examiner Sept 1916, photo by CJ Scott Private Emerson Watson Armstrong, 20th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Forces, born in Allandale, Ontario December 21, 1896 to William  Armstrong and Johanna Reynolds (Archives of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Series Registration of Births and Stillbirths 1869-1913, reel 134; Record Group: RG 80-2).     According to his military records acquired from Library and Archives Canada, he enlisted with the 20th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force in Toronto, Ontario November 29, 1914; just a few weeks prior to his 19th birthday.   War Diaries from LAC further confirm that the 20th battalion left in May 1915 on the SS Megantic , however the first letter received by his mother Johanna was dated October 4, 1914 with a note of "In Belgium" .  Based on the contents of the letter it could be as simple as him loosing all track of time and maybe wishing he was somewhere else.  Or was he living in a nightmare?  He states on page 3 shown

Emerson Armstrong, Photo by CJ Scott Spring is definitely here in Canada.  Longer days, warmer temperatures, flowers popping up in the garden, windows opened to let the fresh air in, and some serious spring cleaning.   I don't know about you but when I start a thorough spring cleaning, I start tackling the bookshelves, and I seem to find myself going through family albums, and a pile of records that I have not yet been able to input into my research log.   This year the pile is larger than ever as I had to sort through my Mom's belongings in preparation for Long Term Care.  Its amazing to go through another family historian's pile of stuff! daunting but very necessary!   It was a year of bitter sweet findings in that I found some old photos of family that I had never seen before like this photo of my Dad as a young teenager, and I found several documents including a few certificates from the Royal Conservatory of Music for piano.  My Mom always sang or played something, and

When we see a successful person they almost seem larger than life.  We forget that they had parents, a childhood, and a story of how and why they became a success.  When we look a bit closer into their lives we find that these successful people have faced challenging circumstances, and have somehow come out of the ashes doing incredible things.  These stories excite me as they offer hope, and appreciation for those that were courageous enough to believe in something beyond themselves.   I remember talking to a family member about my Grandfather, who seemed reluctant in sharing some of his childhood experiences. I guess when we share a negative experience with others we are afraid of what people may think, but then I say, ok....but what did they do to overcome it?  I think that sometimes we loose site of the real story.  I mean, you have to tell the whole story to appreciate the outcome....right? John Wesley & Hattie May, Photo by: CJ Scott On August 30, 1910 John Wesley was born to

Irish Sea shoreline - Dublin 2018, Photo by: CJ Scott In 2018 I journeyed to Northern Ireland for an overdue adventure filled with uncertainty, excitement and connection with family I had never met.  The first day of my arrival I took some time to sit outside of my hotel and take in the scenery.  As I sat staring at the shoreline of the Irish Sea I started thinking how amazing it was to finally be here.  I also started wondering what my Nana, Lillian Breen, was thinking as she left these shores and came to Canada back in 1927.   She never spoke to me of where she came from, but I do remember there were times that she was sad because she missed her family.  It was not until I was asked to do a family tree school project that I asked her if she could answer some of my questions.  Although very grateful for the conversation I had more questions.  She came from Northern Ireland and lived in County Tyrone  having 11 siblings which she easily named.  I am so grateful for having to complete t