40 files changed, 622 insertions, 454 deletions
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/recipients.org b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/recipients.org
deleted file mode 100644
index e4e2149..0000000
--- a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2020/recipients.org
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,99 +0,0 @@
-#+TITLE: winter solstice letter recipients
-
-* DONE Alisha Nielsen
-31140 Rhea Valley Rd.
-Meadowview, VA 24361
-USA
-* DONE Bill Goebel
-2413 Calypso Rd
-Apt 2
-Madison WI 53704
-USA
-* DONE Carol & John Wright
-1550 Trusler Circle,
-Oregon WI 53575
-USA
-* DONE Claire & Ralph Till
-* DONE Collin Engstrom
-* DONE Darien Morrow and Kaitlyn Fischer
-* DONE Elizabeth Breuer
-3402 Rutland-Dunn Townline Rd
-Stoughton WI 53589
-USA
-* DONE Felix Radford
-140 Cottage Street 3FR
-New Haven CT 06511
-* DONE Justin Earley
-1830 Denver West Dr.
-Apt 2432
-Golden, CO 80401
-USA
-* DONE Kate Webber & Steve Burger
-96 Bowdoinham Rd
-Sabattus ME 04280
-USA
-* DONE Katherine Taylor
-418 Admiral Cove
-Tarpon Springs FL 34689
-USA
-* DONE Czech Family (Kyle, Emily, Danny)
-* DONE Kyle Sunden
-1009 N Sunnyvale Ln Unit D
-Madison, WI, 53713
-* DONE Marilyn Roberts
-1431 N 5th Ave
-Grafton WI 53024
-USA
-* DONE Mark and Roger
-3848 Blazing Star Rd
-Deerfield, WI 53531-9682
-USA
-* DONE Nathaniel Nielsen
-1450 Marclair Dr.
-Apt. A
-Concord CA 94521
-USA
-* DONE Nathan Neff-Mallon
-1830 Northwestern Ave
-Madison WI 53704
-USA
-* DONE Nina Halperin
-Calle Italia 157
-Dpto. 602
-Cercado de Lima 15074
-Peru
-* DONE Parker/Eckert Family
-4482 Medowlark Court
-Napa CA 95668
-* DONE Sam Price
-1010 N Dodge St.
-Iowa City, IA 52245
-USA
-* DONE Sarah Charley
-Sarah Charley
-149 Route de Divonne
-01210 Versonnex, France
-* DONE Susie & Mike Truninger
-902 W.8th St.
-Davenport IA 52802
-USA
-* DONE The Boyer Family
-1338 San Miguel Ave
-Santa Barbara CA 93109
-* DONE The Kohler Family
-5713 Dorsett Dr.
-Madison WI 53711
-USA
-* DONE The Manly Family
-17821 E Baintree Ave.
-Roland Heights, CA 91748
-USA
-* DONE The Nielsen Family
-746 Keeler Ave
-Berkeley CA 94708
-* DONE The Thompson Family
-* DONE Tyler Roberts
-2801 Western Ave
-Apt 723
-Seattle, WA 98121
-* DONE Zach Ott
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/recipients.org b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/recipients.org
deleted file mode 100644
index c544aea..0000000
--- a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2021/recipients.org
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,152 +0,0 @@
-#+TITLE: winter solstice letter recipients
-* DONE Alexander Moore
-2816 Messanie St
-St Joseph, MO 64501
-USA
-* DONE King Family (Cypress, Jaxson, two children Jonathan and Grace)
-723 Andy Nowling Rd
-Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
-USA
-* DONE Linda Thompson
-1 Hogtown Bayou Lane
-Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
-USA
-* DONE Alisha Nielsen
-31140 Rhea Valley Rd.
-Meadowview, VA 24361
-USA
-* DONE Bill Goebel
-2413 Calypso Rd
-Apt 2
-Madison WI 53704
-USA
-* DONE Catherine Elliott
-4044 Park Ave
-Minneapolis, MN 55407
-USA
-* DONE Collin Engstrom
-2852 59th St NW
-Apt 218
-Rochester MN 55901
-USA
-* DONE Czech Family (Kyle, Emily, Danny)
-420 Fairway St
-Mt Horeb, WI 53572
-USA
-* DONE Darien Morrow and Kaitlyn Fischer
-16W505 Mockingbird Lane
-#102
-Willowbrook, IL 60527
-USA
-* DONE Elizabeth Breuer
-3402 Rutland-Dunn Townline Rd
-Stoughton WI 53589
-USA
-* DONE Felix Radford
-140 Cottage Street 3FR
-New Haven CT 06511
-* DONE Hannah Frame
-660 Maryland Ave
-Apt 12R
-Pittsburgh PA 15232
-USA
-* DONE Justin Earley
-1830 Denver West Dr.
-Apt 2432
-Golden, CO 80401
-USA
-* DONE Kate Webber & Steve Burger
-96 Bowdoinham Rd
-Sabattus ME 04280
-USA
-* DONE Katherine Taylor
-418 Admiral Cove
-Tarpon Springs FL 34689
-USA
-* DONE Kevin Michaels
-#302 523 W Wilson St
-Madison, WI 53703
-* DONE Kyle Sunden
-1009 N Sunnyvale Ln Unit D
-Madison, WI, 53713
-* DONE Margaret Pickoff
-166 Nassau St
-Apt 3, Princeton, NJ 08542
-USA
-* DONE Marilyn Roberts
-1431 N 5th Ave
-Grafton WI 53024
-USA
-* DONE Mark Jochem
-PO Box 162,
-Sun Prairie, WI 53590
-USA
-* DONE Nathaniel Nielsen
-1450 Marclair Dr.
-Apt. A
-Concord CA 94521
-USA
-* DONE Nathan Neff-Mallon
-1830 Northwestern Ave
-Madison WI 53704
-USA
-* DONE Nina Halperin
-Calle Italia 157
-Dpto. 602
-Cercado de Lima 15074
-Peru
-* DONE Parker/Eckert Family
-4482 Medowlark Court
-Napa CA 95668
-* DONE Sam Price
-1124 St Clement St
-Iowa City, IA 52245
-USA
-* DONE Sarah Charley
-Sarah Charley
-149 Route de Divonne
-01210 Versonnex, France
-* DONE The Truninger
-902 W.8th St.
-Davenport IA 52802
-USA
-* DONE The Boyers
-1338 San Miguel Ave
-Santa Barbara CA 93109
-* DONE The Kohler Family
-5713 Dorsett Dr.
-Madison WI 53711
-USA
-* DONE The Manlys
-17821 E Baintree Ave.
-Roland Heights, CA 91748
-USA
-* DONE The Nielsens
-746 Keeler Ave
-Berkeley CA 94708
-* DONE The Thompsons
-827 Brown St
-Iowa City IA 52245
-USA
-* DONE The Till Family (Claire & Ralph)
-656 Grotzman Rd,
-Arcata, CA 95521
-USA
-* DONE The Wright Family (John & Carol)
-1550 Trusler Circle,
-Oregon WI 53575
-USA
-* DONE Tyler Roberts
-2801 Western Ave
-Apt 723
-Seattle, WA 98121
-* DONE Zach Ott
-915 Ellis Ave
-Apt 212
-Baraboo, WI 53913
-USA
-* DONE Paul Hudson
-1132 Morraine View Dr
-apt 101
-Madison WI 53719
-USA
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/1813.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/1813.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9bc803a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/1813.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/blaise.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/blaise.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d07e534
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/blaise.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/death-camp.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/death-camp.jpg
deleted file mode 100644
index 4cf164a..0000000
--- a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/death-camp.jpg
+++ /dev/null
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/lake-superior.JPG b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/lake-superior.JPG
deleted file mode 100644
index 3cd8b70..0000000
--- a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/lake-superior.JPG
+++ /dev/null
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.jpg
index 9a2884b..ada3db3 100644
--- a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.jpg
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.pdf b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.pdf
index 8d7c882..16fd5d0 100644
--- a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.pdf
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.pdf
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.tex b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.tex
index 0ebeabe..c8aaeb4 100644
--- a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.tex
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/letter.tex
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 % text
 \usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
 \renewcommand{\familydefault}{\sfdefault}
+\usepackage{lipsum}
 
 % graphics
 \usepackage{graphicx}
@@ -23,74 +24,84 @@
 
 \pagenumbering{gobble}
 
-\large{\textbf{Winter Solstice Greetings \hfill 2021}}
+\large{\textbf{Winter Solstice Greetings \hfill 2022}}
 
 \begingroup
 \setlength{\intextsep}{0pt}%
 \setlength{\columnsep}{10pt}%
 
-Hello to all my friends and family.
-Unbelievably, this is the eighth time I'm writing to you all for the solstice season.
-It's become tradition to look back at old letters as I sit down to write.
-Today is the first large snow storm of the year, but I am warm and comfortable writing at my lovely desk.
-My Endlers Livebearer fish gave birth just a few days ago, so I am taking frequent breaks to enjoy watching the very cute fry.
+Greetings to all friends and family.
+It's been a busy year!
+The holiday season has snuck up on me this time.
+Nice to have this opportunity to sit down and review the year that was.
+Hope each of you are finding similar opportunities for quiet contemplation in this season.
+Snow has come to Madison, but it's above freezing at the moment.
+This tends to cause a thick white fog, very quiet and still.
+The sun rises late and sets early.
 
-\begin{wrapfigure}{l}{0.4\textwidth}
+\begin{wrapfigure}{r}{0.5\textwidth}
   \begin{center}
-    \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{"./death-camp.jpg"}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{"./1813.jpg"}
   \end{center}
 \end{wrapfigure}
 
-I was lucky enough to go on \emph{many} great vacations this year.
-I'd like to highlight three, starting with the trip to California I took with my good friend Tyler over the labor day holiday.
-We flew into San Fransisco where we were graciously hosted by Jim and Tracy in their beautiful home.
-We stopped by Claire's family in Napa and Tyler's home town of San Ramon.
-We then traveled down Big Sur to a beautiful ocean-side campground near Santa Barbara.
-We visited Tyler's uncle before heading inland to spend a night among giants in Sequoia National Forest.
-Finally, we camped for two nights in Death Valley.
-We had the entire campground to ourselves (see left)!
-Death Valley was definitely the highlight for me, especially the drive through Titus Canyon and the night sky.
-
-\begin{wrapfigure}{r}{0.4\textwidth}
+On March 25th of this year I bought my first house.
+Here it is (pictured, right) in May---the front yard just bursting with wild violets.
+I participated in ``no-mow May'', of course.
+What a crazy thing it is to buy a house.
+Losing most of my life savings to a down payment, taking on debt, committing to Madison long-term.
+Yard work, utilities, neighbors.
+Rhubarb in the back yard, a kitchen with enough room to chop and dry dishes simultaneously.
+Fisher Street has come to feel like home.
+What's the point of owning a home if not to take on overly-ambitious home improvement projects?
+My father has incredible construction skills, and he has been generous enough to spend many days helping me learn the basics.
+The first two big projects are a fence along the north border and wood floors in the bedrooms.
+
+\begin{wrapfigure}{l}{0.3\textwidth}
   \begin{center}
-    \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{"./porcupine.jpg"}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.3\textwidth]{"./ruffed-grouse.jpg"}
   \end{center}
 \end{wrapfigure}
 
-In July my good friends Claire and Ralph Till visited me for a hiking adventure in the Midwest.
-We drove from Madison to Michigan's upper peninsula, where we spent several days hiking through the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness.
-It's been years since I've been backpacking, and it was a new experience for Claire and Ralph.
-The Porcupine Mountains were amazing---very private campsites with long trails and very few people.
-For hours we hiked along the southern coast of Lake Superior, enjoying the dramatic geometric shapes of the rocky shoreline.
-Here (right) we three are---tired but happy near the end of our hike.
+This year's big vacation was a June trip to Maine with my boyfriend Kevin.
+We were able to see Kate \& Steve, and visit the Bates Campus (first time since graduation).
+We hiked Katahdin and explored the Maine coastline.
+Kevin helped me to enjoy the birds of Maine, which I did not properly appreciate as a student.
+In total I saw 76 bird species!
+My favorite bird was this elusive ruffed grouse (left), which we were able to observe ``booming''.
+A wild spirit of the wild forest, for sure.
+Also this year I was very lucky to be the best man in the wedding of Felix Radford and Kendal Musgrave.
+What a power couple!
+All the best to them in this new phase of life.
 
-\begin{wrapfigure}{l}{0.4\textwidth}
+
+\begin{wrapfigure}[9]{r}{0.3\textwidth}
   \begin{center}
-    \includegraphics[width=0.4\textwidth]{"./lake-superior.JPG"}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.3\textwidth]{"./blaise.jpg"}
   \end{center}
 \end{wrapfigure}
 
-Near the end of September Kevin and I spent a few days exploring Northern Wisconsin and Minnesota.
-It ended up being a tour of many waterfalls.
-We started by camping in Amnicon Falls State Park and visiting Big Manitou Falls (highest in Wisconsin).
-We then camped in Tettegouche State Park (below), where we had our own small private beach with signature Lake Superior pebbles.
-We spent several days exploring the northern coast of Lake Superior---full of picturesque waterfalls, dramatic coastlines, and cozy small towns.
-We'll have to go back soon.
-
-I'm feeling grateful for all the joy I have experienced this year.
-I continue to learn and grow in my professional life.
-Congratulations to Kate and Steve on their marriage.
-Thanks to all who have been great friends, especially Zach, Mark, Darien, Kyle, my Bates Buds, and the Wednesday night game crew.
+Professionally I am ``keeping on''.
+There are still mountains of things to learn about software and hardware development, instrumentation, and teaching.
+I now have two job titles: ``Instrumentation Engineer'' and ``Lecturer''.
+I continue to have enthusiasm for both of these domains.
+Here I am (right) in my shop, mostly renovated but always more to do.
 
-Wishing you and yours a happy new year. Stay in touch!
+Family and pets are doing well.
+I continue to dote on dear Ridgeback (my turtle), who turned 23 this year.
+I separated the endlers by sex to keep them from breeding so quickly.
+Home ownership and improvement projects have brought my parents to Madison often this year.
+Hope that all reading have a restful holiday season and a wonderful 2023.
+Keep in touch, visit!
+Remember, I have a guest bedroom now.
 
 \vfill
 \raggedleft
 
 Blaise Jonathan Thompson \\*
 \hspace{0pt} \\
-725 W Washington Ave. Apt 306 \\*
-Madison, Wisconsin 53715 \\*
+1813 Fisher St. \\*
+Madison, Wisconsin 53713 \\*
 \hspace{0pt} \\
 1-424-225-2493 \\*
 blaise@untzag.com \\*
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/porcupine.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/porcupine.jpg
deleted file mode 100644
index d472948..0000000
--- a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/porcupine.jpg
+++ /dev/null
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/recipients.org b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/recipients.org
index b31ffe8..89dd3f1 100644
--- a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/recipients.org
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/recipients.org
@@ -1,144 +1,37 @@
 #+TITLE: winter solstice letter recipients
 * DONE Alexander Moore
-2816 Messanie St
-St Joseph, MO 64501
-USA
-* DONE King Family (Cypress, Jaxson, two children Jonathan and Grace)
-723 Andy Nowling Rd
-Defuniak Springs, FL 32433
-USA
-* DONE Linda Thompson
-1 Hogtown Bayou Lane
-Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
-USA
 * DONE Alisha Nielsen
-31140 Rhea Valley Rd.
-Meadowview, VA 24361
-USA
 * DONE Bill Goebel
-2413 Calypso Rd
-Apt 2
-Madison WI 53704
-USA
 * DONE Catherine Elliott
-4044 Park Ave
-Minneapolis, MN 55407
-USA
 * DONE Collin Engstrom
-2852 59th St NW
-Apt 218
-Rochester MN 55901
-USA
-* DONE Czech Family (Kyle, Emily, Danny)
-420 Fairway St
-Mt Horeb, WI 53572
-USA
+* DONE Czech Family (Kyle, Emily, Danny, ??)
 * DONE Darien Morrow and Kaitlyn Fischer
-16W505 Mockingbird Lane
-#102
-Willowbrook, IL 60527
-USA
 * DONE Elizabeth Breuer
-3402 Rutland-Dunn Townline Rd
-Stoughton WI 53589
-USA
-* DONE Felix Radford
-140 Cottage Street 3FR
-New Haven CT 06511
+* DONE Felix & Kendall Radford
 * DONE Hannah Frame
-660 Maryland Ave
-Apt 12R
-Pittsburgh PA 15232
-USA
+* DONE Hanne Elleby
 * DONE Justin Earley
-1830 Denver West Dr.
-Apt 2432
-Golden, CO 80401
-USA
 * DONE Kate Webber & Steve Burger
-96 Bowdoinham Rd
-Sabattus ME 04280
-USA
 * DONE Katherine Taylor
-418 Admiral Cove
-Tarpon Springs FL 34689
-USA
 * DONE Kevin Michaels
-#302 523 W Wilson St
-Madison, WI 53703
+* DONE King Family (Cypress, Jaxson, two children Jonathan and Grace)
+* DONE Kristi Ferguson
 * DONE Kyle Sunden
-1009 N Sunnyvale Ln Unit D
-Madison, WI, 53713
-* DONE Margaret Pickoff
-166 Nassau St
-Apt 3, Princeton, NJ 08542
-USA
+* DONE Linda Thompson
 * DONE Mark Jochem
-PO Box 162,
-Sun Prairie, WI 53590
-USA
-* DONE Nathaniel Nielsen
-1450 Marclair Dr.
-Apt. A
-Concord CA 94521
-USA
+* CANCELED Nathaniel Nielsen
 * DONE Nathan Neff-Mallon
-1830 Northwestern Ave
-Madison WI 53704
-USA
 * DONE Nina Halperin
-Calle Italia 157
-Dpto. 602
-Cercado de Lima 15074
-Peru
 * DONE Parker/Eckert Family
-4482 Medowlark Court
-Napa CA 95668
 * DONE Sam Price
-1124 St Clement St
-Iowa City, IA 52245
-USA
-* DONE Sarah Charley
-Sarah Charley
-149 Route de Divonne
-01210 Versonnex, France
-* DONE The Truninger
-902 W.8th St.
-Davenport IA 52802
-USA
 * DONE The Boyers
-1338 San Miguel Ave
-Santa Barbara CA 93109
 * DONE The Kohler Family
-5713 Dorsett Dr.
-Madison WI 53711
-USA
 * DONE The Manlys
-17821 E Baintree Ave.
-Roland Heights, CA 91748
-USA
+* DONE The Michaels Family (Mandy, Brian, & Wren)
+* DONE The Michaels Family (Ross & Beth)
 * DONE The Nielsens
-746 Keeler Ave
-Berkeley CA 94708
 * DONE The Thompsons
-827 Brown St
-Iowa City IA 52245
-USA
 * DONE The Till Family (Claire & Ralph)
-656 Grotzman Rd,
-Arcata, CA 95521
-USA
+* DONE The Truningers
 * DONE The Wright Family (John & Carol)
-1550 Trusler Circle,
-Oregon WI 53575
-USA
 * DONE Zach Ott
-915 Ellis Ave
-Apt 212
-Baraboo, WI 53913
-USA
-* DONE Paul Hudson
-1132 Morraine View Dr
-apt 101
-Madison WI 53719
-USA
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/ruffed-grouse.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/ruffed-grouse.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8636562
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2022/ruffed-grouse.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2023/letter.jpg b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2023/letter.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..42cbe17
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2023/letter.jpg
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2023/letter.pdf b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2023/letter.pdf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7cf1a38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2023/letter.pdf
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2023/letter.tex b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2023/letter.tex
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..73a51bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2023/letter.tex
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+% document
+\documentclass{letter}
+\usepackage[margin=0.5in]{geometry}
+\usepackage{multicol}
+
+% text
+\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
+\renewcommand{\familydefault}{\sfdefault}
+\usepackage{lipsum}
+
+% graphics
+\usepackage{graphicx}
+\usepackage{wrapfig}
+
+% signature environment
+\newenvironment{sig}[1]%
+ {\begin{list}{}%
+         {\setlength{\leftmargin}{300pt}}%
+         \item[]%
+ }
+ {\end{list}}
+
+\begin{document}
+
+\pagenumbering{gobble}
+
+\large{\textbf{Winter Solstice Greetings \hfill 2023}}
+
+\begingroup
+\setlength{\intextsep}{0pt}%
+\setlength{\columnsep}{10pt}%
+
+Greetings to all friends and family.
+This has been a difficult year for me.
+The end of a relationship, medical issues (I'm okay), problems with the house.
+I'm tired, struggling to feel the holiday spirit.
+That said, melancholy is a time-honored Christmas theme just the same as cheer and joy.
+Elvis Presley recorded ``Blue Christmas'' in 1957.
+My favorite Christmas Song---``Christmas Time Is Here''---brings forth nostalgic feelings from the full palette; bitter, sweet, uncomfortable, homey...
+
+To be quite honest, I don't want to write a holiday letter this year.
+Cynically, the yearly letter-writing tradition is braggadocious.
+Uncynically, this is an opportunity to practice gratitude for all the wonderful gifts life continues to bestow.
+Times of hardship can also be gifts, to the extent that they deepen my appreciation for the simple things in life that are so easy to take for granted.
+
+In late January Claire \& Ralph visited me in Madison---their first time in my new house.
+We enjoyed hockey and other winter activities.
+Claire \& Ralph helped me shop for a new bed-frame for the guest bedroom.
+On our way to buy a very expensive frame, we decided to stop by Habitat ReStore and found a wonderful frame for \$75!
+I've since bragged to many visitors about my \$75 bed.
+
+In February Uncle Jim visited, his first time visiting Madison since I've lived here.
+Jim recently retired, and was nice enough to include me in his cross-country road trip.
+It was special to see Jim, and he was so helpful---fixing the rocking chair and installing a larger toilet paper holder.
+
+This year I was able to start vegetables from seed and enjoyed a healthy garden harvest, with much to share.
+I'm pleased to report that the retaining wall along the north side of the property is done, although there is still the matter of the pavers, and the fence, and much more fun to be had with landscaping.
+
+In October my parents and I enjoyed a trip to Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
+Wonderful to be able to find the time to take vacations together as a family.
+
+\begin{center}
+  \includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{"./shop.png"}
+\end{center}
+
+Work continues to be fun.
+I now manage a team of five focused on electronics for instrumentation.
+Here's a picture of most of us with the Machine Shop and Glass Shop.
+Sebastian wore his Halloween costume.
+
+Thank you all for being a part of my life this year.
+Please---stay in touch.
+
+\vfill
+\raggedleft
+
+Blaise Jonathan Thompson \\*
+\hspace{0pt} \\
+1813 Fisher St. \\*
+Madison, Wisconsin 53713 \\*
+\hspace{0pt} \\
+1-424-225-2493 \\*
+blaise@untzag.com \\*
+https://blaise.zone
+
+\end{document}
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2023/recipients.org b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2023/recipients.org
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3491c87
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2023/recipients.org
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+#+TITLE: winter solstice letter recipients
+* DONE Alexander Moore
+* DONE Alisha Nielsen
+* DONE Bill Goebel
+* DONE Catherine Elliott
+* DONE Collin Engstrom
+* DONE Czech Family (Kyle, Emily, Danny, ??)
+* DONE Darien Morrow and Kaitlyn Fischer
+* DONE Elizabeth Breuer
+* DONE Hannah Frame
+* DONE Hanne Elleby
+* DONE Justin Earley
+* DONE Kate Webber & Steve Burger
+* DONE Katherine Taylor
+* DONE King Family (Cypress, Jaxson, two children Jonathan and Grace)
+* DONE Kyle Sunden
+* DONE Linda Thompson
+* DONE Mark Jochem
+* DONE Nathan Neff-Mallon
+* DONE Nina Halperin
+* DONE Parker/Eckert Family
+* DONE Sam Price
+* DONE The Boyers
+* DONE The Kohler Family
+* DONE Drier
+* DONE The Manlys
+* DONE The Nielsens
+* DONE The Thompsons
+* DONE The Radford Family
+* DONE The Till Family (Claire & Ralph)
+* DONE The Truningers
+* DONE The Wright Family (John & Carol)
+* DONE Zach Ott
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2023/shop.png b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2023/shop.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..272e887
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/2023/shop.png
diff --git a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/blaise-thompson-letters.md b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/blaise-thompson-letters.md
index e19ed2a..60c8985 100644
--- a/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/blaise-thompson-letters.md
+++ b/memories/blaise-thompson-letters/blaise-thompson-letters.md
@@ -54,3 +54,15 @@ start:  2014
 <figure>
   <img src="./2021/letter.jpg">
 </figure>
+
+# 2022
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./2022/letter.jpg">
+</figure>
+
+# 2023
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./2023/letter.jpg">
+</figure>
diff --git a/memories/jimmy-thompson/index.md b/memories/jimmy-thompson/index.md
index bf6c502..60aa6b6 100644
--- a/memories/jimmy-thompson/index.md
+++ b/memories/jimmy-thompson/index.md
@@ -4,47 +4,47 @@ end: 1979-12-31
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./baby.jpg">
-  <figcpation>Jimmy as a baby.</figcaption>
+  <figcaption>Jimmy as a baby.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./child.jpg">
-  <figcpation>Jimmy as a child.</figcaption>
+  <figcaption>Jimmy as a child.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./jimmy-george-orville.jpg">
-  <figcpation>Jimmy with Uncle George and Father Orville.</figcaption>
+  <figcaption>Jimmy with Uncle George and Father Orville.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./elsie-ave.jpg">
-  <figcpation>Jimmy at Elsie Ave.</figcaption>
+  <figcaption>Jimmy at Elsie Ave.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./alma-green-acres.jpg">
-  <figcpation>Jimmy and his mother Alma. Possibly at their home in Green Acres.</figcaption>
+  <figcaption>Jimmy and his mother Alma. Possibly at their home in Green Acres.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./brothers-green-acres.jpg">
-  <figcpation>Jimmy (center) with brothers Orvie (left) and George (right). Possibly at their home in Green Acres.</figcaption>
+  <figcaption>Jimmy (center) with brothers Orvie (left) and George (right). Possibly at their home in Green Acres.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./michael-1954.jpg">
-  <figcpation>Jimmy (left) and much younger brother Michael (right) at Green Acres. 1954. Jimmy was the oldest of 5 brothers. Michael was born in 1949.</figcaption>
+  <figcaption>Jimmy (left) and much younger brother Michael (right) at Green Acres. 1954. Jimmy was the oldest of 5 brothers. Michael was born in 1949.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./teen.jpg">
-  <figcpation>Jimmy as a young adult. To Laverna. Laverna likely hand colorized this photo, which would have been in black and white originally.</figcaption>
+  <figcaption>Jimmy as a young adult. To Laverna. Laverna likely hand colorized this photo, which would have been in black and white originally.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./marriage.jpg">
-  <figcpation>Jimmy and Laverna are married. 1956, St. Paul's Lutheran Church.</figcaption>
+  <figcaption>Jimmy and Laverna are married. 1956, St. Paul's Lutheran Church.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
@@ -56,36 +56,36 @@ end: 1979-12-31
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./bowling.jpg">
-  <figcpation>Jimmy (far left) in a local bowling league.</figcaption>
+  <figcaption>Jimmy (far left) in a local bowling league.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./david-child.jpg">
-  <figcpation>Jimmy with child. Possibly son David.</figcaption>
+  <figcaption>Jimmy with grandson Chris Payne. Chris, son of Linda and Tom, is around 2 in the this photo. Taken during Christmas Time in Davenport IA.
+. Possibly son David.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./david-car.jpg">
-  <figcpation>Jimmy with son David working truck "GMC Jimmy". David was on leave from Air Force. Likely West Lake park.</figcaption>
+  <figcaption>Jimmy with son David working truck "GMC Jimmy". David was on leave from Air Force. Likely West Lake park.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./david-camping1.jpg">
-  <figcpation>Jimmy with son David camping.</zfigcaption>
+  <figcaption>Jimmy with son David camping.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./david-camping2.jpg">
-  <figcpation>Jimmy with son David camping just outside of Yellowstone.</figcaption>
+  <figcaption>Jimmy with son David camping just outside of Yellowstone.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./family-with-alma.jpg">
-  <figcpation>Top row: Alma (Jimmy's mother), Orville (Jimmy's father), Jimmy, Mike (Jimmy's Brother), David (Jimmy's son). Bottom row: Jimmy's brothers Richard, George. Final brother Orvie took the picture.</figcaption>
+  <figcaption>Top row: Alma (Jimmy's mother), Orville (Jimmy's father), Jimmy, Mike (Jimmy's Brother), David (Jimmy's son). Bottom row: Jimmy's brothers Richard, George. Final brother Orvie took the picture.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./david-bowling.jpg">
-  <figcpation>David and Jimmy. Jimmy died that night, while David was flying to Germany. December 1979.</figcaption>
+  <figcaption>David and Jimmy. Jimmy died that night, while David was flying to Germany. December 1979.</figcaption>
 </figure>
-
diff --git a/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2019-03_0.png b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2019-03_0.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7d0845f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2019-03_0.png
diff --git a/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2019-03_1.png b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2019-03_1.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a21cb89
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2019-03_1.png
diff --git a/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2020-02_0.jpg b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2020-02_0.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..89050c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2020-02_0.jpg
diff --git a/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2020-02_1.jpg b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2020-02_1.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e808b98
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2020-02_1.jpg
diff --git a/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2021-02_0.png b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2021-02_0.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f975fa9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2021-02_0.png
diff --git a/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2021-02_1.png b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2021-02_1.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7aeefc1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2021-02_1.png
diff --git a/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2022-03_0.png b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2022-03_0.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8c34e9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2022-03_0.png
diff --git a/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2022-03_1.png b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2022-03_1.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8865a0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2022-03_1.png
diff --git a/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2023-02_0.png b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2023-02_0.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a754462
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2023-02_0.png
diff --git a/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2023-02_1.png b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2023-02_1.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5ab1fba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/2023-02_1.png
diff --git a/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/index.md b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/index.md
index 74026b8..4d8c0b8 100644
--- a/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/index.md
+++ b/memories/nancy-thompson-letters/index.md
@@ -243,3 +243,38 @@ start:  1981-12
   <img src="./2018-04_1.jpg">
   <img src="./2018-04_2.jpg">
 </figure>
+
+# March 2019
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./2019-03_0.png">
+  <img src="./2019-03_1.png">
+</figure>
+
+# February 2020
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./2020-02_0.jpg">
+  <img src="./2020-02_1.jpg">
+</figure>
+
+# February 2021
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./2021-02_0.png">
+  <img src="./2021-02_1.png">
+</figure>
+
+# March 2022
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./2022-03_0.png">
+  <img src="./2022-03_1.png">
+</figure>
+
+# February 2023
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./2023-02_0.png">
+  <img src="./2023-02_1.png">
+</figure>
+\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/memories/ThompsonNancyJean/child.jpg b/memories/nancy-thompson/child.jpg
index f2074be..f2074be 100644
--- a/memories/ThompsonNancyJean/child.jpg
+++ b/memories/nancy-thompson/child.jpg
diff --git a/memories/ThompsonNancyJean/home-owner.jpg b/memories/nancy-thompson/home-owner.jpg
index c7db0b9..c7db0b9 100644
--- a/memories/ThompsonNancyJean/home-owner.jpg
+++ b/memories/nancy-thompson/home-owner.jpg
diff --git a/memories/nancy-thompson/index.md b/memories/nancy-thompson/index.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6fa3c3e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/nancy-thompson/index.md
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+title: Nancy Jean Thompson
+start: 1943-12-25
+
+
+This memory encompasses the life of my mother, Nancy Jean Thompson.
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./child.jpg">
+  <figcpation>Nancy as a child.</figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./nancy-jim-1950.png">
+  <figcpation>Nancy and Jim in 1950.</figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./home-owner.jpg">
+  <figcpation>Nancy as a new home owner. One year after moving to Iowa City, in the front yard of 827.</figcaption>
+</figure>
diff --git a/memories/nancy-thompson/nancy-jim-1950.png b/memories/nancy-thompson/nancy-jim-1950.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f7723f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/nancy-thompson/nancy-jim-1950.png
diff --git a/memories/radford-wedding/announce.jpg b/memories/radford-wedding/announce.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..07c1d7f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/radford-wedding/announce.jpg
diff --git a/memories/radford-wedding/bates-banner.jpeg b/memories/radford-wedding/bates-banner.jpeg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7180f75
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/radford-wedding/bates-banner.jpeg
diff --git a/memories/radford-wedding/blaise-fences.jpeg b/memories/radford-wedding/blaise-fences.jpeg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ed2d41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/radford-wedding/blaise-fences.jpeg
diff --git a/memories/radford-wedding/index.md b/memories/radford-wedding/index.md
index 8344510..995db66 100644
--- a/memories/radford-wedding/index.md
+++ b/memories/radford-wedding/index.md
@@ -6,144 +6,192 @@ _This memory is written in first person from the perspective of Blaise Thompson.
 
 # 2022-08-10 Wednesday
 
-Hello world.
+After stopping in Iowa City to swap the Accord for the Accura, Kevin and I drove on to Windmill State Park in central Nebraska.
+We camped, it was humble but adequate.
+The nearby Platte River was mostly dry, we visited Rowe Sanctuary where we saw many Western Kingbirds.
+This area is apparently a very popular and famous stopping point for Sandhill Cranes on their migragion.
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./dry-river.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Platte Riverbed dry on a hot August day.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./kingbird.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Western Kingbird.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./windmill-campground.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Our campsite at Windmill State Park.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 # 2022-08-11 Thursday
 
+Driving west through the panhandle of Nebraska, we ate lunch at a restaurant called simply "Diner".
+We then "summited" Nebraska, going to the highest point in the very south west corner of the panhandle.
+The electric windmills were a sight to see.
+
 <figure>
   <img src="./diner.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Lunch at the Diner.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./windmills.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>New electric windmills dominate the horizon near an abandoned farm house.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./pronghorn.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>A wild pronghorn.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./highpoint.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Nebraska high point marker. Note the horned lark taking shade.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./kevin-highpoint.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Kevin signs the highpoint log book.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./hola.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>A horned lark sits on the fence, with horns visible.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
+We drove south into Colorado and to our campsite in Pawnee National Grasslands.
+We stayed in the grasslands at Crow Valley Family Campground.
+What a stunning place and a wonderful campground.
+
 <figure>
   <img src="./pigeon.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Pigeons crowd around a telephone pole near Crow Valley campground.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./plover.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>A mountain plover, rare bird that we were very lucky to see. It is taking shade near a fence post and signage.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./band-winged-meadowhawk.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>A band winged meadowhawk dragonfly seen in the ghost town of Keota.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./twelve-spotted-skimmer.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>A twelve-spotted skimmer dragonfly seen in the ghost town of Keota.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./cows.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Cows enjoying the grassland near our campsite.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./pawnee-campground.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Our grassy campsite. It was so hot we slept without the rain fly.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 # 2022-08-12 Friday
 
+On friday we headed south to Denver for a day of activities with Felix.
+We enjoyed breakfast at the Musgrave home, went to the bachelor party (fencing!), checked out my suit from Men's Wearhouse, attended the rehersal dinner, and finally enjoyed a stunning meal at a very fancy restaurant.
+What an exhausting day!
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./blaise-fences.jpeg">
+  <figcpation>Blaise prepares to lose to Felix in a friendly fencing match.</figcaption>
+</figure>
+
 <figure>
   <img src="./fort.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Wedding guests enjoy dinner at The Fort. Kevin enjoyed rocky mountain oysters.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 # 2022-08-13 Saturday
 
+The wedding day!
+As best man I was responsible for transporting Felix and many other logistical details.
+It was a wonderful wedding at Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Denver.
+The service was a traditional episcopal one, and the organ was used to great effect.
+After the service all enjoyed a long and joyus reception at the Musgrave home.
+
+<figure>
+  <img src="./wedding-party.jpg">
+  <figcaption>Best man, groom, bride, and bridesmaid.</figcaption>
+</figure>
+
 <figure>
   <img src="./kevin-blaise-church.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Kevin and Blaise pose in the church after the wedding ends.</figcaption>
+</figure>
+
+</figure>
+<figure>
+  <img src="./announce.jpg">
+  <figcpation>The newly wedded couple is announced at the reception.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
+<figure>
+  <img src="./bates-banner.jpeg">
+  <figcpation>Kendall, Amrita, Kevin, Blaise, and Felix hold the Bates banner at the reception.</figcaption>
+
 # 2022-08-14 Sunday
 
+Our goal on sunday was to make it back to Iowa City.
+We stopped a few times to check out more birds and wildlife.
+Unfortunately a tire burst on the way home, so it became a bit more of an adventure than we would have liked.
+Still, we made it safely to Iowa City at just past 2 AM.
+
 <figure>
   <img src="./magpie.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>A magpie seen preening itself near McDonalds.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./damselfly.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Damselfly seen at Lake McConaughy, Nebraska.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./halloween-pennant.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Halloween pennant dragonfly seen at Lake McConaughy, Nebraska.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./northern-leopard-frog.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Northern Leopard Frog seen at Lake McConaughy, Nebraska.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./kevin-dam.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Kevin poses in front of the large dam at Lake McConaughy.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./kite.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Mississippi Kite seen in downtown Ogallala.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./tire.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Our burst tire which caused quite the delay.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 # 2022-08-15 Monday
 
+Waking up late, we enjoyed a simple meal and a walk at Palsades Kepler before heading back to Madison.
+
 <figure>
   <img src="./nancy.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>Nancy poses at Palasades Kepler state park.</figcaption>
 </figure>
 
 <figure>
   <img src="./fetch.jpg">
-  <figcpation>CAPTION</figcaption>
+  <figcpation>David and Karaby play near the Cedar River.</figcaption>
 </figure>
diff --git a/memories/radford-wedding/wedding-party.jpg b/memories/radford-wedding/wedding-party.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b329586
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/radford-wedding/wedding-party.jpg
diff --git a/memories/yesia-torosian/index.md b/memories/yesia-torosian/index.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..23bdcb5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/memories/yesia-torosian/index.md
@@ -0,0 +1,281 @@
+title: Yesia Torosian
+start: 1884-05-05
+end: 1960-10-08
+
+_Yesia Torosian was Betty's Father, Nancy's Grandfather, and Blaise's Great Grandfather._
+
+# Turkey
+
+1884
+
+May 5 -Yesia B. Torosian born in Fenese (Currently Develi) Turkey.
+He told Esther that his full name was Hadji Yesia because this was his grandfather’s name.
+He (we assume Yesia’s grandfather) was called Hadji because he had gone to Jerusalem where his (Yesia’s grandfather) mother was born.
+This could have been a woman who had the last name of either Torosian or Jerahian.
+Assuming each generation was 22 years younger than the previous one this woman may have been born in Jerusalem  ~ 1818.
+
+Map 1912-1919 from book by Mardiros Balaian “Kayseri and its surrounding.”
+
+Father- Hernard (Haroutun) Torosian
+Born 1858 in Fenese, Turkey  or 1850 in Avaran Azerbaijan, which is close to the Caspian Sea.
+As of 1926, 12% of the ethnic groups in Azerbaijan were Armenian.
+Mailman
+Died- unknown, after birth of last child, before Yesia would have been able to remember him.
+
+Mother- Miriam B Jerahian (Djerhian) – referred to as Hadji.
+Born 1858-???
+She may have immigrated in 1912 since she came with John’s wife-to-be and they were married in 1912.  The wife’s name was Paroos Takousian born in 1893.  When she came to the US, she first lived on the East Coast stayed with Miriam’s children.  Then she moved to the West Coast to live with Yesia and John for health reasons.  John began living in Turlock as of 1919 and Yesia began living there in 1913.
+We believe she was called Hadji due to some connection with Jerusalem.
+In an interview with Esther, Yesia said his real name was Hadji Yesia because Jerusalem where his mother was born. This would mean the woman born in Jerusalem was Yesia’s grandfather’s mother.
+In 2019 Jim and Nancy explored whether the Armenian Apostolic Church records kept in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem had any record of Miriam being born in or married in Jerusalem.  There is no such record.  As of 2022, Jim is doing further exploration as to the connection between Miriam and her use of the name Hadji.
+Died 1924- in Turlock CA, Buried in Fresno CA
+
+Life in Fenese and Constantinople
+For three years (age 8-11) Yesia had been an altar boy in the Orthodox church in his Fenese.  He knew the liturgy music well.
+He left Fenese (27 miles from Kayseri) when he was 13 to work as a shoemaker with an uncle in Constantinople   The trip took 5 days on horseback and he travelled with an aunt and a cousin.  It took 5 days to get to Constantinople and he cried when he left Fenese because he had been happiest there.   Zaroohie had a photograph of this uncle.
+At some point he visited the American College in Tarsus with 40-44 boys and men on their way to Symerna.
+
+Siblings:  Roupen, Harry, Mariam, John, Arusyag
+
+# New England
+
+1900
+
+Yesia comes to America- with the help of Harry.
+We had papers, written in Turkish, which may have been the papers he was given by the Turkish government as he left.  We left them with George Hintlian in Jerusalem as he advised us that it was not safe to take them to Turkey. This was in 2019 and he has not returned them yet.  If they were papers which indicated if Yesia left as a Turkish citizen there would be a strong argument that the property bequeathed to him by his relatives in Fenese should have been given to him.  See information in year 1933.
+He left Constantinople at the age of 17 due to Turkish fear of Armenian revolutionaries.
+The trip was facilitated by a go-between who helped get money from Harry for Yesia’s trip.  The boat left Constantinople Sept 15, 1900.  The cost to Marseilles was 3.50 or one napoleon.  There were 100 French nuns and 4-5 Armenian refugees on the boat. The boat was full of lice.  They spent one night in quarantine in Pera Greece on the way to Marseilles.  The go between took the refugees to a hotel in Marseilles where they stayed 15 days.  Harry was sent a wire asking for money for the trip.  Yesia never knew how much Harry sent.   From Marseilles they went to Paris on a one night train which took 12 hours.  From Paris they went to Bolognia on another one night train.  They spent 17 days on a German ship (Hamberg American Line – also with lice) going to NY.   It contained about 30 Armenian refugees.   On the boat Yesia barbered earning enough (1.50) to wire Harry who was then to wire  a Mr. Iskenderian to meet him at Ellis Island.   They landed in NY on Oct 19, 1900 spending the first night in Castle Garden. The cost of the trip from Marseilles to NY was 47.00.
+Somewhere on the trip, a fellow refugee stole one gold piece from his person (tied around his neck in a little bag)  by cutting the string while he slept.  It was worth about 750.00.  John had given it to him when he left Constantinople.  Yesia never told John about this loss  .
+Mr. Iskendarian gave Yesia 5.00 dollars and bought him a ticket to Wooster.  Harry picked him up in Wooster even though they did not recognize each other at first.  Harry took him to Framingham hoping to catch the train for Milford.  However they missed the train and did not arrive in Milford until Sunday morning.
+
+1900-1908
+
+He also worked in a shoe factory in Farmington MA.  He worked in a foundry in 1904.
+
+Based on an interview Esther had with him:
+Yesia saw President Taft when he visited Hopedale Mills
+Yesia also saw Buffalo Bill in Milford MA
+Yesia could not join the military because he was not a citizen
+
+1906-7
+
+Yesia became a citizen on Aug 14 in Worcester MA
+Yesia worked in Providence RI for the New England Butt Co.  He lived in a boarding 	house on Pearl St.
+
+1908
+
+Feb 15-Yesia marries Azniv Shakargian in Milford MA. Grandma went with Mr and Mrs 	Kalunian from Providence RI to Milford MA by trolley for the wedding.  The Kalunians 	were going to be the bridesmaid and bride groom.  It has snowed all day.  When they got 	off the trolley car the snow was up to her hips.
+
+Nov 5-Esther (Asrig Stella) born in Woonsocket RI, 66 Freeman St.
+
+1908-09
+
+Harry set Yesia up with a fruit stand business in Woonsocket RI.
+This only lasted one year.
+While in Providence RI, Yesia was a pioneer in the Tashnag
+
+1910
+
+June 5-Roxy (Araxy) born in Milford, MA
+
+# California
+
+1912
+
+Yesia and Azniv, Esther and Roxy moved to Fresno
+Uncle Harry gave Yesia 90 when he went to Fresno from the NE.  They came to CA from Milford,on the train with another family (Dostaurian’s).  The trip took 5 days.
+Yesia was a member of the Episcopal Church of Fresno
+TIME IN FRESNO- visiting Stepan’s house/property
+Memories of Grandpa Stepan’s home in Fresno- It was a Victorian home with an adjoining kitchen.  She thought the kitchen was the original place and that the Victorian part was added.   She remembers looking out a window from the kitchen which was an ideal height and width- 14 inches deep and 12 inches up from the floor.  There was a step from the adobe kitchen to the house.   There was a dining-room but they always ate in the kitchen.  She was weaned from the bottle in that kitchen.  Grandma threw both her bottle and Roxy’s bottle into a coal fire in the kitchen stove showing them that they were destroyed.  Roxy switched to using a cup but Esther just stopped drinking milk.  Esther also had a vivid memory of her aunt canning fruit in the kitchen and her aunt sealing the tin cans with a brown resin in dim kerosene light.
+
+They sat by the rabbit cage looking into their pomegranate pink eyes.  She remembered that the grapes looked beautiful but were very sour prior to ripening.  The apricots and peaches were bursting with luscious sweet meat.  The figs were dark purple and ready to fall into their hands at the slightest touch.  They wondered why all fruit did not ripen at the same time.  Sunday afternoons in the summer were sweet days to remember.  On hot afternoons the older cousins were told to go harvest fruit in the fields.  They went willingly and filled galvanized pails with nectarines, Alberta peaches, black figs and hugs apricots.  When the pails were full the arm was drawn close to the clumpy ground.   People pumped out water to cool the harvested fruit when they returned.  In the pail the peaches turned an icy grey color when the air bubbles from the water was held by the peach fuzz.  They wanted to each that fruit but it needed to be cooled to avoid causing a stomach ache.   Harvested watermelons were cut in half and allowed to sit a few minutes to allow quick evaporation and cooling.   Neither refrigeration nor ice were readily available.
+
+Grandma’s table held 12 or more people.  The table cloth was a blue checkered oil cloth. Cousins or aunts would distribute a little bunch of Thompson seedless grapes, or muscats or plums of two kinds, a couple of apricots, a luscious peach and a few squares of watermelon.  They would eat outdoors with friends sitting on straight kitchen chairs in the shade of the house.  Grandpa would entertain them with stories from the old country mixed with Aesop’s fables.  US apricots could not compare with those in the old country.   The fragrance of the musk melon reached a block away.  The youth would express doubt but the old folks would all agree to the fact and give case stories to prove it.  She loved those times when everyone was sincere and true to each other.  The only goals were to be
+comfortable in their old age and to pay their debts.   Those who lived far away would leave about 4 o clock. The uncle would go to the barn to milk the cow.  The aunt would warm water on a stove which had warmed the water for births.  As the sun set Grandpa would roll a cigarette and wait for the evening meal.
+
+Grandpa Stepan’s ranch was on Belmont Avenue (20 acres). Got up at 4am.  Had a cup of Turkish coffee.  Esther’s aunt also got up early and made coffee for herself as well as Stepan.   Stepan sat on a bleached wood bench with his back against a wall and his elbow resting on the blue oilcloth.  The aunt sat opposite Stepan.  The room had a haze of smoke and the smell of yeast rising dough.  One could tell the seasons by a white rose bush which held a nest of birds by the kitchen window.  No words were spoken.  Aunt had to pump water to rinse the cups.  It was better than a faucet because, once the water came, it flowed 4 times as generously as that from a faucet.  Stepan could roll a cigarette using a paper from a book with one hand while returning the silver box to his pocket.  He licked one side of the paper and then the other turning his head back and forth.  His large mustache was stained an orange yellow from the nicotine.  The aunt would roll out paper thin Armenian bread in front of a hot stove for 3-4 hours.  Once rolled out she would put it in the oven and pop out a cooked one –on to a white spread.  She made enough to last the family for a week.  When Esther and the others woke up they would go to the kitchen in their long night clothes and eat the bread most recently cooked.
+Friday’s breakfasts were different- Armenian pancakes and thick cream with honey.
+The day’s work was organized at the breakfast table.  The two older girls would help my uncle with chores outside and the youngest daughter was to help the aunt do the housework IF she wanted to drive to town the next day.
+The aunt’s face was red from the continuous heat of the oven.  Her faded dress was dusted with flour.  The usual pot of beans chuckled madly above her head.  The dining room floor was covered with stacks of bread.
+Sometimes they sat on a plan above the dam and dangled their feet.  Her cousins swam like fish.   Willow trees met across the water.  There were fig trees with leaves so large that on a hot day it was almost chilling to sit underneath them.  Sometimes Hindu workmen with pastel pink and yellow, white turbans would walk by.  They stayed for years in one place eating pancakes and drinking canned milk. They made grape twig dolls using bits of colored silks clothes were made.  One doll was made to look like a girl from Erzincan.  The bits of material were given a fragrance in old perfume bottles.  At the end of the day they loaded a broad wagon with all their paraphernalia- shovels, hoes, knapsacks holding bread, cheFenese and granite stew pans.  Then they sat in the wagon dangling their legs. Stepan’s fox terrier lapped along following the wagon
+
+The Kapigian’s (Stepan’s daughter) home address was 344 M Street in Fresno
+
+Esther and her family used to attend Easter services at the Armenian Orthodox church on Ventura  Avenue.
+1913
+Yesia and Azniv move from Fresno to  Turlock CA
+Azniv and Yesia might have gone to Turlock due to connection with the Azhderian or the Vartanian family.
+At some point after Yesia moved to Turlock he shook hands with William Jennings Bryant in Modesto CA
+Ads began for The Racket Store.  Address 208 West Main Street.  It had a large assortment of merchandise.
+Oct 21  Eva and her children arrive in the US.  They were on a ship named Roma which had come from Franseillos.  The four children’s names were Yester (F 10), Ohanis( M 8) and Fartkis (M6), Roza (F3).  The nearest relative in Armenia listed was Garabed Chakardjian.
+
+1916
+
+Yesia and the family moved to Turlock.
+
+1917
+
+Oct 20-Betty born- in Turlock CA.  Name on original birth certificate was Mary.  This was corrected along with the names of her parents in 1976. Yesia was listed as a merchant and 33 years of age.  Azniv was listed as a housewife and 28 years of age.  Their color or race was listed as “dark.”
+
+1919
+
+The Christmas ad  for The Racket Store indicate that it was open from 8 am to 10 pm.
+Yesia was diagnosed with epidemic encephalitis
+
+1921
+
+Yesia’s brother, John, moved to Turlock and began farming/ranching
+
+1922
+
+Oct 21- Yesia obtained the deed for 244 N Broadway.  It was valued at 500.00
+
+1923
+
+Dec 8- Torosian Gift Shop.  Eventually it became The Racket Store. Address was 208 West Main Street.
+Stepan dies
+
+1926
+
+YB rents acreage from the State Land Settlement at Delhi.  He leased farm property in 	Merced County to grow melons.  This was a point in time when the melon industry was 	booming.  YB was a melon buyer for Arakelian.
+
+1927
+
+Lucien dies
+
+1920-1930
+
+Fenner worked for California Wine Sales from Turlock
+
+1929
+
+Oct 26 -Esther marries Fenner Fuller  (1902 -1964) in Reno Nevada 1st Pres Church 2:30
+Oct 26-Roxy marries  Hal Griffin Davis also in Reno Nevada
+Roxy graduated from high school- Turlock
+
+1931
+
+Azniv  was a solicitor for Clarence de Veuve & Company.  Evidently she worked 	from 244 N Broadway and her phone number was 1510- one envelope indicates he wrote her in 1931.  Clarence was affiliated with the Dubuque Fire and Marine Insurance Company and the Rhode Island Insurance Company.
+
+1932
+
+The Polk directories no longer list The Racket Store.  In 2020, the Turlock Historical Society Museum had a display of items related to The Racket Store.  The information and photos/artifacts should still be part of their collection.
+This was the height of the depression
+
+1933
+
+On August 3 Yesia sent a document to the US State Department asking to claim property bequeathed to him by a Torosian relative (Sarkis Efdi Yanuk Garabed Torosian).
+It included a 3-story stone home and 2 vineyards in Fenese.
+
+PHOTOGRAPH GOES HERE
+
+A photo of a Sarkis Torosian is in a book by Krikorian with two of his brothers.  They were fighting the Turkish as of 1918.  He should not be confused with a Sarkis Torossian born in Everek in 1891.
+
+In 2019 Nancy, Jim and Blaise visited the pawprint of Fenese (currently Develi) to see where the Torosian home and vineyards may have been. The guide took us to a place (red dot in the map below) which did not coincide with the location of the vineyards mentioned in papers describing the property.  Further the guide thought the name of the relative who bequeathed the property was Sarkis and not Garabed.  Using the coordinates of photographs we took, we believe one vineyard was 3 miles east of historic Fenese (using the ruins of the Apostolic Armenian Church- St. Toros as the reference point for historic Fenese)  while the second one was 3.5 miles North.
+
+According to a book edited by Nilgun Harmancioglu and Dogan Altinbilek (Water Resources of Turkey- chapter 6 groundwater)
+The thick and extensive carbonate rocks along the Taurus mountain belt favor formation of productive karst aquifers. The fractured rock aquifers are either low yield or of local importance. Igneous rocks have no permeability and they have very limited outcrops. Groundwater occurs in younger volcanic rocks with limited extension. However, volcanic rock aquifers at foothills of volcanoes, such as Erciyes and Nemrut, may supply a great amount of groundwater where they are recharged by snowmelt.
+The volcanic rock aquifer in Kayseri is very productive and behaves hydraulically similar to karst due to large lava tubes, where the groundwater flow is conduit flow type. The aquifer is recharged all year long from the snowmelt of the permanent snow cover of the high Erciyes volcano.
+This corresponds to the description of the vineyards which indicated that both of the Torosian vineyards were watered by ground water.
+
+However, the US officials said they could not force Turkey to do this because it is a sovereign nation.  Subsequently it may be possible that reparations could be made IF the individual left Turkey as a citizen.  We have papers which may document this but we assume they are still with George Hintlian <georgehintlian@gmail.com> (as of Jan 22, 2023) in spite of numerous requests for their return.
+
+Many communities in the US are pulling together stories about their Armenian relatives in commemoration of the 100 year anniversary of the genocide.  A collection of stories from families in PA, titled From Horror to Hope, includes the stories of families from Kayseri.  Here are notes on the problems they suffered in 1915, 15 years after Yesia had immigrated to the US.
+
+Kitabjian Family- the author’s paternal grandmother said that her husband was stoned to death by the Turkish soldiers.  They used stones rather than bullets because they were cheaper.  One of the husband’s brothers was also killed along with three of a surviving brother’s children.
+
+Minassian Family- the author’s maternal grandfather said that the Turkish people killed his parents and two of his siblings.  He survived by hiding over the tall rugs.  Then he took two children of the Kitabjian family and they escaped to Kilis.  Eventually they went to Aleppo.
+
+Apikian family-The author’s maternal grandmother survived along with all of her siblings.  This was partly because the initial order was only to kill Orthodox Armenians.  Protestant and Catholic Armenians were to be spared.  But then the order was changed.  The author’s grandmother was advised by a missionary to convert to Islam.  She did knowing God would know it was not her choice.  She got papers proving the conversion but her husband was already on a death march.  She bribed a Turkish boy with a horse to take the papers to the soldiers accompanying her husband on the death march.  He reached the group in time and her husband was spared.
+
+1936
+
+Yesia was diagnosed with Post Eencephalitis Parkinsons Tremors, which made it 	impossible for him to work
+
+1938
+
+This was the year when Yesia	 had his first visit to UCSF
+
+Fener and Esther lived in Fresno-  84 or 83 Home Ave.
+
+1941
+
+Fenner and Esther lived at 2635 Napa Road Vallejo as of June
+Fenner and Esther began living at 419 Merritt Ave  Oakland as of July
+August 2-Betty marries  Roy James Maurice Nielsen (Oct 26, 1916- Dec 11, 1991).
+
+1943
+
+July 1- Roxy and Chester (Chester Lavera Stevens, born  May 1, 1910 in Ottawa KS-
+            Died 1992)married.
+Dec 4 -  Grandma using stationery with heading State Life Insurance Company Indianopolis for letter to Esther and Fenner..  She says that Betty had asked her to come to Glendale Dec 15 or 16.
+	 Dec 25-  Nancy Jean born to Betty and Roy in Glendale CA
+
+1944-48
+
+Azniv used stationery from the Rhode Island Insurance Company in Providence RI in 1944 and from the  Dubuque Fire and Marine Insurance Company from 1944-48.
+
+1947
+
+Feb 11-  Harry and his wife visit the Bay Area.  The wife needed to be hospitalized here.
+Oct 2 Fenner went to the East to visit his sister Florita and his mother.  Florita had lost 	her husband.
+
+1948
+
+Feb 16- Yesia and Azniv were celebrated on their 40th anniversary.  It took place at the Fenner Fuller Restaurant.  Representatives of the Kapigians and the Morjigians were there.  	There is a record of this event,  but much of it is in Armenian
+
+1949-1950
+
+Azniv sent a letter on Dubuque Fire and Marine Insurance Company indicating that she,
+Mrs.Y B Torosian, was a solicitor working at 244 N Broadway, Turlock CA
+March 29, 1949  Grandma wrote a letter to Esther, Fenner, Betty, Roy, BEDEDIG Nancy.  Evidently Mom had a purchased a sewing machine and was going to make a dress for me with Esther.  Grandma hoped Betty would get more interested in sewing and wanted the family to come to Turlock for Easter.
+
+1950
+
+May 31-Yesia had a heart attack- pulmonary embolism, extensive anterior myocardial 	infarction
+June 16-Betty and Roy and Nancy move into their first home at 638 Viona. Ave. Oakland.
+July 13-Yesia had a blood clot in his lung which led to pneumonia and a 7 week stay in the hospital.
+Aug 1-  James Bennett born to Betty and Roy in Alameda Hospital.
+
+1951
+
+A health report indicated the following.  His first visit to UIHC was in 1938.  As of 1919 he had had Encephalitis Parkinsonism from which the tremors made it impossible for him to work.  As of 1950 he had a pulmonary embolism.  There was an extensive anterior myocardial infarction.
+
+1956
+
+Sept 29- Grandma wrote to Esther and Betty that Mr. Nelson was bringing a TV to her home.  She hoped it would work.
+
+1957
+
+Early April-Yesia had another heart attack
+
+1960
+
+Oct 8-Yesia died in Turlock CA at home.  Esther took comfort in the universal being of all mankind- she had come closer to eternity. She looked at the moon that night and thought that its light was over her and Grandpa.
+	Sometime before Yesia died Grandma wrote a letter to “evrybody.”  In it she says that 	Papa dressed up that day.  Then she said that the very first day Papa ran away from home 	he went to have his 	hair cut, but he didn’t tell her. She “luck” all over for an houre. Roxy 	was about to take a trip to London.
+
+Ararat Cemetery
+1929 W. Belmont Ave
+Fresno CA 93701
+(Ararat Cemetery Improvement Association)
+Latitude: 36.74870, Longitude: -119.83449
+From Book titled The Seropians by Nectar Davidian
+The cemetery was given to the Armenians in 1885
+
+1961, April 18
+
+Museum bond for 6,000,000 carried by a slim margin.
+
+1964
+
+April 29- Fenner died at home probably due to heart disease. Fenner made the restaurant 	a wonderful experience for many.  One man remembered that Fenner would shake his 	little girl’s head and make his famous clicking sound out of the side of this inner throat.  	It sounded like clicking teeth. He would shake the child’s head and say something is 	loose in your head and the children would believe him.  Then he would shake it again 	turn their ears and say “you see I made it go away.”  For any little girl who came in for 	dinner with her doll, Fenner would duplicate her dinner on a demi tasse saucer.
+
+1974
+
+July 19-Azniv moves from Turlock to Oakland CA in one of Esther’s apartments
+
+1980
+
+Oct 15-Esther died at Merritt Hospital- complications from Familial Mediterranean Fever
+
+.
+\ No newline at end of file