First Post – Saying Hello on my Birthday!

Verifying myself with a picture and date.

Before jumping into this steemit community, for me research is of utmost importance for any venture. So off I went…

I appreciate the concept of earning through the block chain via a community of building upon each others interests. Love how the word steem chosen to represent esteem = to value! Bottom line, extremely excited to become part of this win win scenario and plan to invest in Steem Power! It’s the Law of Attraction manifesting unfolding right before us. How awesome!

Okay this is an introduction post, thus a little more about me…
isal stands for
I = me
sal = the first three letters of my last name.

Happily married.

Born and raised in Michigan, spent many years Out West in Colorado, Down South in Florida, and now live On East Coast in Virginia.

Spent about 6 months over in Germany, years ago. Here are our kids on their way to visit first castle.

I am the daughter of flower farmers.
I won't be out in the field or doing any farmers markets this year (boo), but will be visit the farm a couple times.
For now shall enjoy my dahlia gardens around the yard (waiting patiently for some blooms)!

I am an avid family tree researcher and history buff.
It’s an excellent way to discover and honor ones past.
Not so much about the “famous” people found, although everyone has them, but it’s a connection that brings to life history around the world with the everyday people.

Seriously it is a fascinating roller coaster ride.

For example, I knew we had a touch of the Potawatomi tribe in our lines, then I learn another family line captured and scalped during the French/Indian war with only a son (my ancestor and daughter to survive).

And a grandmother condoned as a witch with a grandfather sitting on the trials to condemn.
It goes on and on…

Another passion I hold dear is communication. As a teen, I started volunteering with children in a year round school. As the years progressed spent time in large live-in state run insitutions (until they closed down), elementary schools in the “star” rooms, group homes, a respite worker in foster homes for children brain damaged by abusive parents, and a university with a grant for an outlet program.

It is here I had one of my most memorable experiences (of many) working with a real life Helen Keller. A fascinating lady who could not see or hear. We had a wonderful relationship building on her sign language skills and learned Braille together.

Thus upon meeting my husbands parents and discovered both were deaf, I knew right away he was the man for me!
By the way, a pet peeve of mine is looking at those old census records with the notation stating deaf and dumb, this is so far from the truth!

One more tidbit about me… I adore Bob Dylan.

When my daughter was a young teen, she discovered him. She had this pile of bootlegs stacked in the car glove compartment. I would be like NO, not another Bob song!
Then we went to our first concert and it was game over... in future posts… shall share some of our road trip adventures experienced across the countryside seeing him in concert.
Yes. We did meet him.

Above picture from one of favorite concerts, front row.

Thanks for reading!
Looking forward to joining this community as a minnow hoping to become a whale!