Secretive
@secretive.bsky.social
I'm me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Personal opinions, on what I may post or comment, can vary from one person to the next. C'est la vie/Que sera sera/et al. I might, or might not, possibly be on Facebook, Twitter [aka "X"] and-or other social media sites.
I may have a bit of a "good news" to share?
Since I was about 15 years old, I've smoked. Tried quitting a couple or so times over the years, but ... uhm, yeah ... never really managed to "kick the habit" for longer than a week or so ...
Well ...
It's been over a month now. :)
Since I was about 15 years old, I've smoked. Tried quitting a couple or so times over the years, but ... uhm, yeah ... never really managed to "kick the habit" for longer than a week or so ...
Well ...
It's been over a month now. :)
a little girl in a blue shirt is standing in front of a shelf full of trophies .
Alt: a little girl in a blue shirt is standing in front of a shelf full of trophies .
media.tenor.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:19 AM
I may have a bit of a "good news" to share?
Since I was about 15 years old, I've smoked. Tried quitting a couple or so times over the years, but ... uhm, yeah ... never really managed to "kick the habit" for longer than a week or so ...
Well ...
It's been over a month now. :)
Since I was about 15 years old, I've smoked. Tried quitting a couple or so times over the years, but ... uhm, yeah ... never really managed to "kick the habit" for longer than a week or so ...
Well ...
It's been over a month now. :)
Late "spring cleaning" family tree project, for 2025, underway. This year: newspaper clippings/book mentions.
I pick a 'project' every year where I'll gradually go through the tree to get particular older & newer added sources/info named, & text info for 'em, to having same format throughout.
I pick a 'project' every year where I'll gradually go through the tree to get particular older & newer added sources/info named, & text info for 'em, to having same format throughout.
a woman is dusting a shelf with a mop and feather duster
ALT: a woman is dusting a shelf with a mop and feather duster
media.tenor.com
July 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Late "spring cleaning" family tree project, for 2025, underway. This year: newspaper clippings/book mentions.
I pick a 'project' every year where I'll gradually go through the tree to get particular older & newer added sources/info named, & text info for 'em, to having same format throughout.
I pick a 'project' every year where I'll gradually go through the tree to get particular older & newer added sources/info named, & text info for 'em, to having same format throughout.
Decided to try Postmortem doily pattern [have the paid copy, but designer has also youtube videos (free) for it] Finding myself referring to both. Center/skeleton part fairly easy [except I think the "spine" in mine is a bit wonky' but still 'doable']. On round 4 of edging/coffin - so 5 rows to go!
a skeleton is dancing in a black background
ALT: a skeleton is dancing in a black background
media.tenor.com
June 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Decided to try Postmortem doily pattern [have the paid copy, but designer has also youtube videos (free) for it] Finding myself referring to both. Center/skeleton part fairly easy [except I think the "spine" in mine is a bit wonky' but still 'doable']. On round 4 of edging/coffin - so 5 rows to go!
Since January, I've turned to crocheting doilies more as a way of "helping distract the mind from current events/politics" for just a little while during the day ... I've already crocheted more than I did in 2024 _&_ 2023 together.
I don't have _that_ many tables ..
I don't have _that_ many tables ..
a young boy in a blue striped shirt is sitting at a table with his hands folded and asking , so ?
ALT: a young boy in a blue striped shirt is sitting at a table with his hands folded and asking , so ?
media.tenor.com
June 19, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Since January, I've turned to crocheting doilies more as a way of "helping distract the mind from current events/politics" for just a little while during the day ... I've already crocheted more than I did in 2024 _&_ 2023 together.
I don't have _that_ many tables ..
I don't have _that_ many tables ..
@pgh-scanner.com
Just in case you haven't seen/heard this one yet - from Oakmont, PA:
www.tiktok.com/@bababooey99...
Just in case you haven't seen/heard this one yet - from Oakmont, PA:
www.tiktok.com/@bababooey99...
Oakmont, PA. My best guess is someone is in town for the US Open, and probably has zero idea what in the world a deer is, or why one is running down the street. This stuff writes itself, honestly. #U...
TikTok video by Sam
www.tiktok.com
June 14, 2025 at 7:04 PM
@pgh-scanner.com
Just in case you haven't seen/heard this one yet - from Oakmont, PA:
www.tiktok.com/@bababooey99...
Just in case you haven't seen/heard this one yet - from Oakmont, PA:
www.tiktok.com/@bababooey99...
Family Tree Puzzle: A man born abt 1787 [in part of mordern-day Kentucky] married a woman [born abt 1797 in the Carolinas] in 1831 in Indiana & had a son, John, in 1832. The 3 appear together in 1850 US Census in Indiana. Seems pretty straightforward, right? Nope - anything but "straightforward"
a person is putting a piece of a puzzle together with the hashtag # jejeisan48
ALT: a person is putting a piece of a puzzle together with the hashtag # jejeisan48
media.tenor.com
June 8, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Family Tree Puzzle: A man born abt 1787 [in part of mordern-day Kentucky] married a woman [born abt 1797 in the Carolinas] in 1831 in Indiana & had a son, John, in 1832. The 3 appear together in 1850 US Census in Indiana. Seems pretty straightforward, right? Nope - anything but "straightforward"
I went and splurged on getting myself a rocking chair for my porch. It only set me back $35, found it listed on a local buy-sell-trade group and the person was willing to deliver for no additional charge. Woot-woot, Mama will be a-rockin' tonight [and tomorrow night & the night after that ...]!!
May 26, 2025 at 11:43 PM
I went and splurged on getting myself a rocking chair for my porch. It only set me back $35, found it listed on a local buy-sell-trade group and the person was willing to deliver for no additional charge. Woot-woot, Mama will be a-rockin' tonight [and tomorrow night & the night after that ...]!!
For my next crochet/doily project, I've decided to try a youtube tutorial pattern [by Crochet Swan] ... this one uses motifs made individually and joined together then move on to do the outside edging. Doesn't it look nice in the vid preview pic?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2i0...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2i0...
Crochet Tablecloth With Only ONE Crochet Motif 🧶 For Tablecloth Crochet Table Mat, Table Nappe
YouTube video by Crochet Swan
www.youtube.com
May 24, 2025 at 8:50 PM
For my next crochet/doily project, I've decided to try a youtube tutorial pattern [by Crochet Swan] ... this one uses motifs made individually and joined together then move on to do the outside edging. Doesn't it look nice in the vid preview pic?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2i0...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2i0...
On last row of an 18-row doily pattern. Not particularly pleased ... I feel 'it' looked better in the schema [I prefer universal/diagram patterns for doilies] and kept hoping "maybe the next row ..." [in terms of starting to like it thoughts]. *sigh* May jus' frog it & look for a different pattern.
a woman is smiling and says not great
ALT: a woman is smiling and says not great
media.tenor.com
May 15, 2025 at 4:31 AM
On last row of an 18-row doily pattern. Not particularly pleased ... I feel 'it' looked better in the schema [I prefer universal/diagram patterns for doilies] and kept hoping "maybe the next row ..." [in terms of starting to like it thoughts]. *sigh* May jus' frog it & look for a different pattern.
For Mother's Day one of my children got me a collapsible/portable 'washing machine' I've been debating about.
Perk 1: right size for my kitchen counter w/o blocking my access to the coffeemaker :)
Perk 2: it collapses so can be stored in the pantry!
Let's just say I'm very happy with my gift!
Perk 1: right size for my kitchen counter w/o blocking my access to the coffeemaker :)
Perk 2: it collapses so can be stored in the pantry!
Let's just say I'm very happy with my gift!
a man wearing a black hat that says wayne 's world gives two thumbs up
ALT: a man wearing a black hat that says wayne 's world gives two thumbs up
media.tenor.com
May 15, 2025 at 2:24 AM
For Mother's Day one of my children got me a collapsible/portable 'washing machine' I've been debating about.
Perk 1: right size for my kitchen counter w/o blocking my access to the coffeemaker :)
Perk 2: it collapses so can be stored in the pantry!
Let's just say I'm very happy with my gift!
Perk 1: right size for my kitchen counter w/o blocking my access to the coffeemaker :)
Perk 2: it collapses so can be stored in the pantry!
Let's just say I'm very happy with my gift!
Another, & bit boring, "what I've doing since I last posted" thingies:
* Been working on the family tree. Have 39 blog posts for direct ancestors - but in the tree, itself, I've added over 200 sources for folks in it.
* I'm _still_ on the last 'picot hell' row of doily started in early Feb.
* Been working on the family tree. Have 39 blog posts for direct ancestors - but in the tree, itself, I've added over 200 sources for folks in it.
* I'm _still_ on the last 'picot hell' row of doily started in early Feb.
a woman in a pink shirt with the words little bit of this little bit of that below her
ALT: a woman in a pink shirt with the words little bit of this little bit of that below her
media.tenor.com
March 29, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Another, & bit boring, "what I've doing since I last posted" thingies:
* Been working on the family tree. Have 39 blog posts for direct ancestors - but in the tree, itself, I've added over 200 sources for folks in it.
* I'm _still_ on the last 'picot hell' row of doily started in early Feb.
* Been working on the family tree. Have 39 blog posts for direct ancestors - but in the tree, itself, I've added over 200 sources for folks in it.
* I'm _still_ on the last 'picot hell' row of doily started in early Feb.
Started another doily; a pattern I've done before - but it is a bit tricky of a pattern so knew, beforehand, its penchant for changing 'what stitch combinations' are used 'where' as it went along in the 21 rows of it.
I have had to 'frog' 2 rows [row 17 and 18] repeatedly - like 4 times now. Ugh!
I have had to 'frog' 2 rows [row 17 and 18] repeatedly - like 4 times now. Ugh!
a close up of a woman 's face with a turtleneck on
ALT: a close up of a woman 's face with a turtleneck on
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Started another doily; a pattern I've done before - but it is a bit tricky of a pattern so knew, beforehand, its penchant for changing 'what stitch combinations' are used 'where' as it went along in the 21 rows of it.
I have had to 'frog' 2 rows [row 17 and 18] repeatedly - like 4 times now. Ugh!
I have had to 'frog' 2 rows [row 17 and 18] repeatedly - like 4 times now. Ugh!
"An Apt Illustration!"
Sullivan Daily Times [Sullivan, Indiana]
Monday, 4 Oct 1915 - Page 1
[illustration credited to Rehse in New York World]
Sullivan Daily Times [Sullivan, Indiana]
Monday, 4 Oct 1915 - Page 1
[illustration credited to Rehse in New York World]
January 20, 2025 at 10:36 AM
"An Apt Illustration!"
Sullivan Daily Times [Sullivan, Indiana]
Monday, 4 Oct 1915 - Page 1
[illustration credited to Rehse in New York World]
Sullivan Daily Times [Sullivan, Indiana]
Monday, 4 Oct 1915 - Page 1
[illustration credited to Rehse in New York World]
My plans for tomorrow is having coffee while leisurely watching/listening to some YouTube vids [about genealogy and other topics] & working on the family tree. Later in the day I may do a few more rows on a current doily in progress while watching a movie.
I may do the same Tuesday as well.
I may do the same Tuesday as well.
a woman in a blue jacket is sitting at a desk with a sign that says i 'm not gonna watch it
ALT: a woman in a blue jacket is sitting at a desk with a sign that says i 'm not gonna watch it
media.tenor.com
January 20, 2025 at 3:26 AM
My plans for tomorrow is having coffee while leisurely watching/listening to some YouTube vids [about genealogy and other topics] & working on the family tree. Later in the day I may do a few more rows on a current doily in progress while watching a movie.
I may do the same Tuesday as well.
I may do the same Tuesday as well.
Excitement of my day:
A duck showed up at my apartment. Daughter took a pic of the critter to ask in the community group chat "Is this your duck? If so, it's currently at <address>." Duck was reclaimed within 10 minutes of posting. Apparently the duck, per the owner, is an "escape artist".
A duck showed up at my apartment. Daughter took a pic of the critter to ask in the community group chat "Is this your duck? If so, it's currently at <address>." Duck was reclaimed within 10 minutes of posting. Apparently the duck, per the owner, is an "escape artist".
Duck Waddle GIF
ALT: Duck Waddle GIF
media.tenor.com
January 19, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Excitement of my day:
A duck showed up at my apartment. Daughter took a pic of the critter to ask in the community group chat "Is this your duck? If so, it's currently at <address>." Duck was reclaimed within 10 minutes of posting. Apparently the duck, per the owner, is an "escape artist".
A duck showed up at my apartment. Daughter took a pic of the critter to ask in the community group chat "Is this your duck? If so, it's currently at <address>." Duck was reclaimed within 10 minutes of posting. Apparently the duck, per the owner, is an "escape artist".
Sipping some coffee while watching Murdoch Mysteries & weaving in ends on some more doilies in the "doilies stash" [only made around 30 doilies in 2024]. In other words, a relaxing, lazy morning here in my neck of the woods.
a man in a suit and tie is wearing a top hat with murdoch mysteries written on the bottom
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is wearing a top hat with murdoch mysteries written on the bottom
media.tenor.com
January 12, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Sipping some coffee while watching Murdoch Mysteries & weaving in ends on some more doilies in the "doilies stash" [only made around 30 doilies in 2024]. In other words, a relaxing, lazy morning here in my neck of the woods.
Weekend spent on the family tree. A couple, per 1810, 1820 & 1830 US Censuses' hash marks, had about 4 children: 2 males & 2 females [I added these without 1st names]. Other online trees, with same couple, don't share any children for them. Tonight I may've found their oldest son's marriage records?
a woman is looking at her phone with the words oh i think i found one written below her
ALT: a woman is looking at her phone with the words oh i think i found one written below her
media.tenor.com
January 12, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Weekend spent on the family tree. A couple, per 1810, 1820 & 1830 US Censuses' hash marks, had about 4 children: 2 males & 2 females [I added these without 1st names]. Other online trees, with same couple, don't share any children for them. Tonight I may've found their oldest son's marriage records?
Reposted by Secretive
If forced to choose, I would definitely rather have Matt Gaetz getting makeup tips from George Santos on OAN than in Congress.
January 6, 2025 at 3:19 AM
If forced to choose, I would definitely rather have Matt Gaetz getting makeup tips from George Santos on OAN than in Congress.
Using a free "image to text" site's tool to help with transcribing of newspaper clippings for the family tree. The resulting OCR text still needs a bit of editing/"clean up", particularly if the image/text is "meh" quality, but helps save some time in my opinion [especially for long articles].
a woman in a white lab coat says i 'm gonna save you some time
ALT: a woman in a white lab coat says i 'm gonna save you some time
media.tenor.com
January 6, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Using a free "image to text" site's tool to help with transcribing of newspaper clippings for the family tree. The resulting OCR text still needs a bit of editing/"clean up", particularly if the image/text is "meh" quality, but helps save some time in my opinion [especially for long articles].
Brought in New Year while working row 29 of a 30-row doily pattern. Last row was finicky picot edging I completed yesterday.
Now working on an Easter Rabbit [filet in the round] doily ... while looking at my basket of [2024-made] doilies waiting ends weaved in/washed & blocked #procrastination
Now working on an Easter Rabbit [filet in the round] doily ... while looking at my basket of [2024-made] doilies waiting ends weaved in/washed & blocked #procrastination
January 3, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Brought in New Year while working row 29 of a 30-row doily pattern. Last row was finicky picot edging I completed yesterday.
Now working on an Easter Rabbit [filet in the round] doily ... while looking at my basket of [2024-made] doilies waiting ends weaved in/washed & blocked #procrastination
Now working on an Easter Rabbit [filet in the round] doily ... while looking at my basket of [2024-made] doilies waiting ends weaved in/washed & blocked #procrastination
I wonder if Little Harry ever got relief for his left nostril's 'rubber' issue ... [things my mind ponders while going through old newspapers for my family tree & have other mentions/content, on same page, managing to also "catch my eye"]
Versailles Republican [Versailles, IN], 13 Mar 1884, Page 6
Versailles Republican [Versailles, IN], 13 Mar 1884, Page 6
![Clipping from a newspaper sharing "Little Harry Foreman about four weeks ago got a led[sic] pencil with a rubber on it. He pulled the rubber off and stuck it up his left nostril. Dr. J. C. Hicks was called on Friday morning last to relieve the little fellow but he failed. The little fellow does not seem to suffer much still it must be very unpleasant." Source: The Versailles Republican [Versailles, Indiana], 13 Mar 1884, Thu - Page 2](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:anmtj3mbfndtkvlnpkntnxpf/bafkreig4o6zqxzdzw7jhic5amum5zbmvsh7lfyt2obw4p22azkzblnsjci@jpeg)
December 18, 2024 at 8:38 PM
I wonder if Little Harry ever got relief for his left nostril's 'rubber' issue ... [things my mind ponders while going through old newspapers for my family tree & have other mentions/content, on same page, managing to also "catch my eye"]
Versailles Republican [Versailles, IN], 13 Mar 1884, Page 6
Versailles Republican [Versailles, IN], 13 Mar 1884, Page 6
Yesterday, in family tree workings & thanks to image scans shared for certain records [i.e. 1860 US Census & marriage records' that only had partial text transcripts shared], I did a correction for a guy [often shared with 1st & middle name of Elias Elijah]. Turned out "he" was _twin brothers_.
a woman says it 's more than one in front of a blue background
ALT: a woman says it 's more than one in front of a blue background
media.tenor.com
December 15, 2024 at 6:33 PM
Yesterday, in family tree workings & thanks to image scans shared for certain records [i.e. 1860 US Census & marriage records' that only had partial text transcripts shared], I did a correction for a guy [often shared with 1st & middle name of Elias Elijah]. Turned out "he" was _twin brothers_.
Reposted by Secretive
Hey. You might need this today
December 11, 2024 at 9:43 PM
Hey. You might need this today
@t-pain.bsky.social
Non-musical query : one of my children is on Twitch & you did a Temu "shopping haul-reveal" with 1 item a portable [collapsible?] washing machine for socks & small items. I'm debating getting one to wash doilies I crochet. In your opinion: does it do ok? And with 'delicates'?
Non-musical query : one of my children is on Twitch & you did a Temu "shopping haul-reveal" with 1 item a portable [collapsible?] washing machine for socks & small items. I'm debating getting one to wash doilies I crochet. In your opinion: does it do ok? And with 'delicates'?
a man wearing glasses says just wonderin ' on a prime video poster
ALT: a man wearing glasses says just wonderin ' on a prime video poster
media.tenor.com
December 6, 2024 at 10:37 PM
@t-pain.bsky.social
Non-musical query : one of my children is on Twitch & you did a Temu "shopping haul-reveal" with 1 item a portable [collapsible?] washing machine for socks & small items. I'm debating getting one to wash doilies I crochet. In your opinion: does it do ok? And with 'delicates'?
Non-musical query : one of my children is on Twitch & you did a Temu "shopping haul-reveal" with 1 item a portable [collapsible?] washing machine for socks & small items. I'm debating getting one to wash doilies I crochet. In your opinion: does it do ok? And with 'delicates'?