GUEST POST: My Father’s Banjo

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Beyond the Trees

(We are pleased to present another Guest Post from our friend Jan Mueller, a history and genealogy librarian with an interest in personal history.) My Father was a gifted—and entirely self-taught—musician. He took great pleasure in music of all kinds—an affinity … Continue reading →

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A Modern Twist on Legacy Letters

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Beyond the Trees

Some time ago we shared a funeral planning website, My Wonderful Life, which offers users the chances to document all their final wishes and identify the “angels” who will be responsible for seeing they are fulfilled. We love this site … Continue reading →

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Who Do You Think You Are?

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Beyond the Trees

(We are pleased to present another Guest Post from our friend Jan Mueller, a history and genealogy librarian with an interest in personal history.) Given the tremendous pop culture presence generated by UK-based reality series such as “Who Wants to be … Continue reading →

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You’re Never Too Old For a First Day Photo

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Beyond the Trees

Like many moms, Jennifer and I both have collections of first day of school photos, which we started taking years before we met each other. Every year, from preschool on, no matter how rushed I was as a working mom of … Continue reading →

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GUEST POST: Holiday Traditions, Old and New

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Beyond the Trees

(As we head into the holiday weekend, we are happy to bring you these reflections on holiday traditions from our friend Jan Mueller,  (We are pleased to present another Guest Post from our friend Jan Mueller, a history and genealogy librarian … Continue reading →

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Life Stories as Gifts

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Beyond the Trees

A few weeks ago David Brooks asked readers of his New York Times column to send him the gift of their life stories. Yes, that’s what he called it, a gift. He went on to describe what he called a … Continue reading →

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Preserving the Memories that Make a House a Home

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Beyond the Trees

(We are pleased to present another Guest Post from our friend Jan Mueller, a history and genealogy librarian with an interest in personal history.) One of my alternative routes home from work takes me along the street where I grew up. … Continue reading →

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Our Parents as People

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Beyond the Trees

In the past 12 hours, I have seen and heard more of Diane Keaton than I had in the past several years combined. Last night I caught her on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and this morning she was … Continue reading →

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Shrinky Dink Family History

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Beyond the Trees

Remember Shrinky Dinks? Created in 1973, this shrinkable plastic was all the rage among the crafty set, and even though I was terrible at arts and crafts, even I could manage this one with my kids. The only problem I … Continue reading →

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Saving Stories Before It’s Too Late

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Beyond the Trees

(Adapted from a post on WingTips: Helping Empty Nesters Fly.) Three years ago, my father died after a very brief sudden illness. Before he got sick, if you had lined up 100 75 year-olds in a room, you would have … Continue reading →

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