Nancy Bartholomew

You know you're getting old when you look down at your legs and find your mother's knees have somehow attached themselves to your body.

That is Stage One of "You're an Old Person-itis."

Stage Two- You start searching for dead relatives.  You think this is a fascinating activity. It replaces the need to believe you've still got "It." In fact, the hunt for dead relatives distracts you from a lot of aging's more unpleasant realizations.

When you hunt for dead relatives, you realize you're a part on an ongoing continuum.  Great Aunt Phebe was a rancher.  Papa Lee grew up on the ranch at Butter Creek and he loved to garden. And so do I.  It's in our blood...Just like my mother's knees.

Once you realize you're fated to have your mother's knees, you can sort of stop trying to make them go away and realize it's just part of the great genetic package.

It's a wonderful rationalization for eating extra strawberry cake.

I found out many fun things.  For instance- I'm related to Shakespeare.  That's a relief.

But then I found the picture below and realized there are drawbacks to researching your past.  Sometimes your ancestors aren't the sweet darlings you thought them to be.

In addition to claiming Shakespeare, I'm now stuck with the Wicked Witch of the West...Apparently her real name is Rose.

Of course that's Her- she's holding a freaking scepter!