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2024 Sep 12
The Narwhal Horn
The Narwhal Horn
On a prior trip to Italy I found a number of folders in an archive, that seem to detail the Top Italians' involvement with some kind of expedition to the North Pole, or at least as far north as Greenland.
In one of the envelopes I also found a key to a safe deposit box which contained an actual narwhal horn??
2024 Sep 04
The Ireland Trip
2022 The Ireland Trip
We just went to Ireland and saw the old Boilers' homestead!! There were a bunch of kids dressed like leprechauns who chased us away with sticks. Apparently this area has been really hurt by tourism, and a lot of (American) tourists have been really disrespectful to the local customs and culture. So, apparently the locals have taken to dispatching kids and teenagers to roam around and chase anyone who tries to go onto properties they're not supposed to.
I guess technically there was a sign telling us not to go onto the old Boilers property because it wasn't safe, probably because it'd fallen into disrepair after they passed away a number of decades ago, but I thought we'd at least be able to get a bit of a closer look. After a long conversation with one of the neighbors my husband persuaded them to let him fly his drone around the property for some pictures.
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2024 Sep 12
Gmom's Caul
Gmom's Caul
While I was looking through some of gmom's possessions I found a jar with a preserved caul?? I didn't know people still kept these!
It is said that it brought good luck when removed and preserved back in the day, but I'm not sure of a use for it now. Maybe it was related to their expeditions for good luck.
Would anyone be willing to take it, or should I just put a ring of salt around it?
2024 Sep 04
The Italy Trip
2021 The Italy Trip
While I was compiling the family tree, I wanted to get my hands on some primary sources, and I figured this would be as good a time as any to take a trip to Italy and see what I could find in any of the local archives around Quarantini and places where the Top Italians had lived.
I stayed near where their old home was, and it was really nice being right on the Mediterranean Sea, waking up to the seagulls and sun and lovely food. My trip was very successful, and for more information on what I found you can look at the Italian branches of the family tree.
I also found a suitcase full of interesting documents, which I think deserves its own article. Stay tuned!
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2024 Sep 12
Top Irish's China Collection
Top Irish's China Collection
Does anyone want to take the Top Irish's china collection off my hands?
There's nearly 30 each of cups, plates, and bowls, all of them a bit too nice to use for regular meals, but we also don't exactly throw lavish dinner parties nowadays.
They're free to a good home!
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