Its in the details...

Found out details of what some of the things we are to blog about the other day, and FINALLY have a few extra minutes to write down my thoughts...

My family is an older Anglo-American family. I am able to trace my father's family to as early as 1610, as this is a published family tree. My Great- Great- Great-Grandfather Gardiner Fowles is listed as a decedent of one George Fowle (ISBN: 0880820284 ). My oldest son Benjamin Gardner is named in his honor. Gentlemen farmers by trade, they included local school teachers, local politicians, shop keepers, salesmen, Congressmen, Patriots, and a United States President.

My mother's family is Polish-Germanic coming to the United States during the 1880's. It has only been the past two generations that Polish was not spoken or heard in the home. Coal miners, farmers, and laborers were what they were before they left Poland, and that is what they became after coming to America. Today my Grandmother is a retired Registered Nurse, and my Grandfather is a Professor Emeritus from University of California, Davis with Ph.D. in Botany.

My father is Protestant. My mother is Roman Catholic. I was raised Catholic, but have since stopped following the Catholic faith. I am what could be described as a recovering Catholic. This does not mean that I do not have a belief in a all mighty god. Far from it. I am simply unable to understand why a all mighty god is interested in me and my everyday life and how I treat others. I do believe that there are consequences for every action. Even if those consequences are unknown.

Education growing up was important. Reading for pleasure and for additional knowledge was encouraged as soon as we were able to comprehend what was written on the page. Consequently my reading comprehension was off the chart before middle school, and I was able to discuss advanced course work with my teachers throughout high school.

I was raised in Northern Nevada, first in the Stead area, later in Carson City. Carson City only has one high school for a population of 55,000. Also remember that Carson City is 168 square miles. San Bernardino is only 60 square miles. Lots of only space growing up, much of it state owned.