GDG- Hello to all and shameless non-self promotion

[Jean Florio]

Hello GDG'ers,
 
It's been a while since I've posted or followed the discussions.  I spent the winter dealing with my dad's sudden cardiac issues, including an emergency triple bypass, followed by some bothersome complications.  Thankfully, he is doing better now, but I spent a lot of time commuting to and from hospitals these past few months.
 
This year will be only the second Muster I've missed since I began attending back in '97.  I'm bummed that I won't get to check out the new VC, but it'll be there when I do get back to PA.  My daughter is graduating from high school this Sunday.  She's going off to college in August at the University of Central Florida to study Hospitality Management.  She's looking forward to getting away from the winter weather for a few years.
 
My son just finished his third year at the University of Richmond.  He's doing great as an honors history major/philosophy minor, with all A's or A+'s.  I flew down to Richmond to see him get inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in March.  I was able to spend 4 hours walking around the Tredegar site and visiting the American Civil War Center, which was great.  Chris presented a paper in April on his fellowship research from last summer entitled, "Lincoln's Lawyers:  An analysis of Abraham Lincoln and His Collaborations with Co-Counsels".  This essay examined Lincoln's legal career in light of his relationships with informal legal partners and evaluated these relationships within the socio-political context of antebellum Illinois.
 
He's going to be doing his senior honors thesis on the effects of the southern slave rebellions on the North, with emphasis on the abolitionist movements in Boston, NY, and Philadelphia.  He also was chosen to participate in the Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American History scholars program for 5 weeks this summer in NYC.  He's also planning on applying for a Fulbright in the fall.  So I guess he's doing ok. 
 
Well, that's my news.  I'll be working like a dog once she leaves to pay for the tuition bills, so I'll be continuing to lurk mostly.  I hope you all have wonderful weather for the Muster and a great time on the tours.  Chris Army, I will send along my membership check shortly.  And Sal, I'll e-mail you about the DVD's as I would love a copy.
 
My best to all,
Jean Florio