Where I Come From

It has long been felt that our family was mostly Irish, with some German thrown in.  Also, we had a rumor of perhaps some native American on my mom's side as well.

Since I had more questions than answers, I went out and took one of those DNA tests.  Here are my results:

Some notes on these findings:

• Europe West and Great Britain also cover Ireland, so my Irish is likely well above the 23% shown above.
• The Scandinavian and Spanish findings were big, big surprises.  Definitely were not on the family radar screen.
• The two trace regions were Eastern Europe and Turkey, but both were so small that they were likely genetic noise.
• The Native American rumor is just that.

Overall, it was a fun process, and now brings up a lot of questions as to who we all are and where exactly we came from.

Saturday Song Share: The Tragically Hip - Locked in the Trunk of a Car

Let me out...

Somali Men Terrorize Lake Calhoun Residents

This is just the start of things to come:



It is only a matter of time before something horrific happens in Minnesota, and that state's stance on Islam in general, and the Somali community in specifics, will be the reason.

Everything You Need to Know About the 2016 Election...

Your Honor, I rest my case.

ISIS Beheads Catholic Priest During Mass

In France yesterday two men with ISIS ties stormed a Catholic church during morning mass, beheaded the priest, and savagely attacked a nun.

Details of the atrocity can be found here

For a while now I've been harping that evil is on the march.  Could any other example make this more clear?  

Imagine the world outcry if a mosque were stormed and the imam decapitated.  Now compare that to this story.

You don't think big things are conspiring to provide evil with the momentum if most desperately needs?

Scary, scary times are ahead of us.

Munich Mourns, Obama Jokes

This could be the most inappropriate statement by at sitting president in my lifetime:



This last April, my wife and I walked those very streets in Munich.  

One president once told the German people, "Eich bin ein Berliner!"  Now our president tells the German people, in their moment of sorrow, about his daughter.

Absolutely unbelievable.

Saturday Song Share: Ike and Tina Turner - Nutbush City Limits

Ike doesn't do much, but Tina more than makes up for him.  What a talent:

Vacation to the Rescue

It has been a hard couple of months.  Work has been at a pace requiring me to work most weekends, and very long hours during the week.  It's hard to complain as I feel I'm doing the best work of my career right now, but I know my schedule has been very unhealthy and not sustainable.  

Likewise, the world just seems to continue to get worse by the day.  I won't bore you with the laundry list associated with that - we're all quite well aware that in many respects we're circling the toilet.

But just when things appear ready to snap, over the hill like the cavalry rides vacation.  One full week with my family.  It will be filled with laughs, sleep, fishing, good food, better wine, great conversations, and precious memories.

One last day to go.  

I'll keep you posted on our goings on.  Until then, I wish you all the comfort of a similar peaceful space.