Counting Sheep

         Childhood days in the 1950s to early 1960s you were often given helps to a good night sleep. Sheep jumping over a fence was not a usual activity seen around my Bluegrass area of Winchester, KY. You were more likely to see horses jumping over a fence but, not sheep. Somehow, no one caught on to this visual aid and, "counting sheep" seemed to be the more common advice. Anyhow, my earliest childhood sleep aid was my nightly prayer said with Mom kneeling against the side of my lower bunk bed. Our hands were place in that correct "prayer position" ... eyes closed ...side to side ... we said slowly:

                                            "Now I lay me down to sleep"

                                            "I pray the Lord my soul to keep"

                                             "If I die before I wake"

                                             "I pray the Lord my soul to take."     Amen!

        

Sleep

         Lots more of this innate, biological function (cycle) (rhythm) known to all, is happening among my "now a days". Say what? Can you believe it? My Guyton medical school "Physiology" text (front cover shown) states on page 659,

 "Sleep is defined as unconsciousness from which the person can be aroused by sensory or other stimuli."

        Hum ... sensory or other brain activity it is? States of brain activity ... wakefulness , extreme excitement, different levels of mood, and so on it would go ... activating forces it would seem. Well, have to dig a little more into the activating!

New Tricks

         Adjusting the habits of daily living can be challenging. Change this habit... change that habit ... which way might be the best to proceed? Let's see now, something about "Old Dogs" and "New Tricks" or, some sort of thing? No more sitting in my chair with heavy books on the leg. Lots more up and at-um. Eat more! Drink more fluids! Take new pills twice a day! Change ways of lifting and, sitting and standing. Anyone with an old "Top Hat" to pull out a "Rabbit"? Anyhow, my quote of this day in July from a very wise man-

                    "For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:"

                                                                                   Ecclesiastes 3:1

My quote for this day of June 2026

                                     "The burden which is borne well becomes light."   OVID

MS and ME and ... a PE

         Life events have a way of directing us down various roads less traveled. As previously posted [Nov. 9, 2025] my usual "Life, Liberty, ... and ..." gave new roads called a ... "PE" ... = pulmonary embolism! Certainly, a road most folks would choose not to travel. Anyhow, the last 4 -6 weeks has been my road less traveled by many! Added to MS (multiple sclerosis) and ME (that's me) [see post July 11, 2018] is now the big ... "PE". The last couple of months in hospitals brought many such roads less traveled. Can you believe it? Yet, here we go a blogging again! Let's get going!

A Quote for This Day In May 2026

        Having recently, rediscovered, a quote written some years past, in one of my research notebooks (RN#127) some 50+ years ago, thought it would be still valuable for this May. So, here goes ... 

     "History is the voice of the past, teaching by the follies, as well as by the wisdom, of our forefathers.   The rocks and quick-sands are as essential in a chart as the safe harbor".

        Did not note the author or source of this quote. Does anyone recognize the source? Please help give the credit if you would happen to know in the comment section of this post. Good to know where all those "quick-sands" might be located!

A Thought Pad

         Circling the world in my thoughts about my Jones surname ancestors has been a focus of many a days climbing out a host of family tree branches. Out this branch ... out that branch ... fall out a few times ... but, up and at 'um! Anyway, what to do with all these discoveries? A "thought pad" ... hum ... somewhere to keep that information for any future adventures. Since my earlies days of tree climbing [see post July 10, 2010] the following scan of a basic note pad (memory storage) is given to anyone who might need such a help. A "Think Tank Tumbler" my humor would call it. [see post "mentalis mastication" of October 3rd, 2025!] So here it is, staring with a clean, white copy paper, 24 lb. wt., 96 % white. Four columns and 12 rows drawn in order.

        It can be used to jot down any note or reference in any order. It can be used as a date Calander for any year in history with a 12 month duration, month by month. (top to bottom) with year listed on top! Don't know how well it will copy but, you can design your own think pad. Keep smiling until then. The Jones Genealogist, April 18, 2026. 

P.S. Here is an example how the pad was actually used. (Even with color markers!)