Abe and Me

It has been a while since I have posted on here. There really hasn't been much lately that has caught my interest. As You all know I have moved my exercise program indoors for the winter. I have continued riding the bike, just down in my basement till the warmer weather returns in spring.

The problem with riding indoors is the pure boredom of just sitting there looking at the scenery of the basement, which consists of a few pieces of old furniture and whole bunch of toys in which Gracie is growing a little to old for! After a few attempts of watching TV, which had to be blaring to hear it, which in turn with the bike noise included drove the dog completely wacko, I have moved to reading a book as I ride. I have completed 5 books while riding now, all novels.

I was at the library a few weeks ago and found a new biography on Abraham Lincoln by Ronald C. White Jr. titled "A. Lincoln". What this world probably doesn't need is another book on Abraham Lincoln as he has been dead for 145 years and there probably are not too many people to interview to come up with a new angle on his life! I ignored my first instinct to pass it up and brought it home.

With most history or biographies we are not talking about a quick invigorating read here. It is work sometimes to get through the material. I did learn that Lincoln when he read something, always read it out loud as he felt that by using two of his senses, hearing and sight, he was better able to remember what he read. I have taken his advice while reading and it has helped me to retain much of what I have read. Being at home by myself I don't disturb anyone! I have really enjoyed my time with Abe as I have learned some things and it has helped me forget what I am really doing downstairs and thats getting this old body in better shape!

The book has also got my mind thinking about our genealogy. Many times during the book during the 1850's Lincoln went to Bloomington, Illinois to speak. This gets you to thinking about our ancestor Richard Long and if he was ever able to hear him speak. I am going to do something here which any good genealogist would never do and that is speculate. (If you want to see what happens when a genealogist starts speculating look at Ancestory.com!) I would think that in the 1850's entertainment was lacking, no radio, TV, Internet, there were some books, but not sure on the availability. I know listening to political speeches was a big form of entertainment during those times, So I am speculating Richard Long probably heard him speak! We will never know, but just having a relative that close to history is exciting!