May 17, 2020
Today is a 'numbers' day.
Today is my sister Janice's birthday. She is 3 years younger than me, so that would make her 37. Please, send her some love!
Today will likely be the day that I will have driven my current vehicle 100,000 kilometres. We got it just under 5 years ago, so 20,000km/year is not a bad average, especially considering that our last two major trips have been taken by plane, and not by us driving to Florida and back (as the usual has been).
There are two other important numbers that strike today:
One: My mother's family (Mifflin) has met every year in Southwestern Ontario for a reunion, for as long as I can remember (and more). This year was due to be a big celebration, as it is the 175th anniversary of the family settling in Southwestern Ontario. More about that later...
Two: With this post, I will have written 10,000 words about me, and my t-shirts.The actual word that does the deed is *THIS* one. Okay, instead of counting and actually planning one of these posts, I can get back to writing...
My shirt today has no design on it. I've only done that 2 other times in this series, primarily because I didn't want to draw focus away from something else (ie: my brain reset, Easter, and today).
The Mifflin family (for The Office fans out there, the Mifflin in Dunder Mifflin it is NOT the same family - that is FICTIONAL. I am real.) has a rich history all over the world.
Thomas Mifflin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Mifflin) signed the US Constitution - not the same branch as mine.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing was formed in 1864. Again, not the same branch.
Cornelius Mifflin, and his brother William settled in Upper Canada in 1845. THIS is my branch. I am the 7th generation in Canada after those gentleman. You can read more about my family here: http://mifflin.ca It's not like I don't have the time, so I should add some more photos and stories to the site!
We usually have about 50 people show up in Merlin Ontario on the Victoria Day Weekend. It is a typical family pot-luck gathering. I remember many trips that we took there over the years, meeting (and RE-MEETING) our cousins, aunts and uncles every year! Fortunately, it is a lot easier to stay in contact with everyone these days, but Caroline and I still make a weekend of it, and just enjoy the surroundings and chat with as much family as possible. Plans are already in place to make next year the celebration that this year should have been!
Have a wonderful day everyone.
Here's to Cornelius and William, and Janice, and writing as a cathartic device!
#StayHome #StaySafe #TShirtADay