A Little Recognition

  No, this isn't directed at me. Not in the usual sense, anyway.

  Although I might only be flattering myself for doing most of my own (often) research as much as is possible, the original design of "Fayette/Westmoreland Forgotten History" was envisioned to let my profile stay in the background. Honestly, I still feel much the same way.

   I've been accused in the past of being somewhat of a loner. Fair enough. Well, no man is an island and all that, but here I mean to point the way 'down the road and up around the bend'. I hope this has been achieved to a meaningful extent. There are more levelheaded historians out there and I'll grant that at times I can be a bit dogged, perhaps a little hot headed, though few have seen that side of me. I guess we all have a few faults.

  Lately, there were a few revelations sort of whispered by a passing bird, or maybe a healthy little twist of conscience. Whatever I wasn't just wool gathering. This lead naturally to the insight that certain people brought a touch of influence to make the site just that much more meaningful. I felt I could share that outlook. Occasional offers, poignant moments, a little gentle goading and a piece of info well placed and rightly timed. This shined a fresh light on my shadowy domain.

  You know, I was thinking. Lannie Dietle has been a helpful, considerate guy and a good author...Kim Brown is such a nice, encouraging woman and a great asset as President of the Bullskin Township Historical Society...Keith Romesburg a cousin I finally got in touch with, has helped me to some extent with ancestral memories and locations...and Nancy Sova, always so nice and thoughtful with those hints she gave me,  the scans from a rare book, etc....Jeff Hann and his insights and discoveries are such a bonus. And I could go on. (Anthony, Scott, Wayne, Heather...). To all of these, I have real pride in association.

   If you wish to 'join the club', (yes, I'm being slightly facetious), by all means, do get more involved. Anonymity is, of course, allowed!

  Those with tidbits of info and memories of this or that, possibly a photo of something, can contribute greatly toward furthering our understanding the history of this region.


  Well, you know what? I decided to give them a place of  Honor HERE. Where else? A very simple gesture, really.

  That is just what I have done. I sincerely appreciate any back links too!

  They have in common their collaboration with me and this site, from time to time and sometimes,  vice versa to one degree or another, in mutual exchange. Beyond that, they are valued friends and some are genuine colleagues. There are days when I am writing and bugging them a lot. Then there are moments we all can relate to, when you are pressed to keep up with a discussion and almost find yourself picking and choosing what is the heart of quite a few e-mails to best comment on and respond to. Some people don't always show their feelings, that is a personal choice. Certainly many treat each other, most often regularly, in a quite professional manner, which is fine. Occasionally, we do relate more informally and share a few laughs and rarely, a little secret. As a matter of course, most of these persons have your own involved situations in life and busy schedules, like anyone else.

A term that mirrors in my mind, is this one: survivors. They, somewhat like myself, have run the gamut, all dealing with this world and various ups and downs in their own unique fashion, doing the best they can. That was what my Mom use to say to me, "We're survivors, don't forget that." She certainly was and I sure won't! I believe that saying was inspired by my grandmother, Ida Hoover and some of her hardships, including losing two sons to World War Two in a very small amount of time, experiences she rarely spoke of publicly. We all associate with people that have different degrees of problems on their plate, right? Many of them are deserving of true respect, and I am particularly concerned with their accomplishments, friendships and who they are. Their personal tastes, interests and various concerns intrigue me. What a blessing many of these people are in my life.

  No, it's not a holiday or anyone's birthday. I haven't been drinking, either, just wishing those comrades a personal thanks for being there.

  I am proud I am not just a lone wolf, although some aspects of going it alone do have a glamorous appeal. Wisdom tends to refine ones connections by encouraging us to value others and assess our lives with a broader outlook, thus enhancing our own worth through reciprocation and interaction. I myself have been on the receiving end of just this quality of experience, adding extra color and texture to my world and I only hope to return the favor.

   I wish the best to everyone that visits the website, reads a few pages and picks up something that they enjoy.

   ~  Histbuffer