@jeridansky I can't imagine there's any family without some horror in their back story *somewhere*—I mean, I've met humans and read history. I take solace in that this was generations ago and didn't directly impact anyone still living.

@wilpercy @jeridansky But when I was a kid in the '70s, we were watching some WW2 documentary, and my mother practically jumped off the couch and said "that's my father!" in one of the scenes. I've been looking for that footage off and on ever since without luck (no one in the family remembers the title of the documentary, and TV Guide archives have not been helpful—too much to search).

@wilpercy @jeridansky My recent discoveries have mostly been less happy (stories of family violence, in fact.) But a few years back I discovered I'm not the only person in my lineage with a patent when I stumbled on my 3x-great-grandfather's patent for a removable handle for a cross-cut saw.

@jeridansky @wilpercy Both of these stories are awesome. Thank you *both* for sharing. (I'm my own family's geneaology nerd, and I love fortuitous findings like this when they happen.)

The only non-gull critter I spotted on last weekend's brief hike.

#photography #mammals #rabbits #nature #massachusetts

Female Northern Cardinal hanging out in the back yard in the weekend's snow.

#photography #birds #wildlife #birdphotography #nature #masswildlife #massachusetts #wildmassachusetts #massachusettswildlife

One of our backyard feeder visitors during the weekend's storm: a House Finch puffed up against the cold.

#photography #birds #wildlife #birdphotography #nature #masswildlife #massachusetts #wildmassachusetts #massachusettswildlife