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Hi, Rusty!
Ah..."motet" and "totem"...I get it now!
I don't really know much all that much about my ancestors , Rusty.
It was my newly found third cousin who, in fact, first approached me.....
She had put together a family tree stretching back quite a way.
Then my Scottish cousin ( who died a few years ago) and I managed to tie up what information the two of us had with what she knew......and so agreed that she and I were indeed related.
I myself have never been especially interested in looking back to discover "roots", although I was pleased to hear of an existing "live" relative (and her family)
She and I are still in touch - although other offshoots of both families have not been interested in establishing any contact.
Maybe it is just too tenuous a link for them?
I don't know.......

Hello, Elle!
There is quite a lot of interest in tracing family trees nowadays.
It is not a thing I have ever done.
I am more interested in the young ones, and I have made sure they all know where they came from.
The puzzle was quite tricky today.
You did well to complete!

Good morning, Rusty!
It is dreich here today, despite the weather forecast saying otherwise.
I prefer the cold, crisp and frosty, dry mornings!
I have a technically "free" day, with no specific plans........although there is list of jobs that I could tackle.......
Coffee first though........
What sort of a day lies ahead for you?

Good morning to you, Elle!
Beautiful morning here.
It is frosty and patches of black ice here and there, but a great start to the day!
I am just home from ASDA.
No plans, though.
Will take the day as it comes.
Remember and tell Sally about the choir.
If she can make jam or wee cakes she will fit in fine!

Hi, Rusty!
I have been reading about the Aberfeldy choir.
I had thought that they were going to sing!
I shall pass on all your information when next I see Sally......telling her husband about it might well mean that she never finds out!
Of course, she could already know.......as I believe they know the district well.
My phone has not stopped ringing this morning!
My daughter phoned to tell me that she is coming for the weekend!
Arriving Saturday, going home on Monday!
It will be, of course, be lovely to see her, but I now need to re-arrange my weekend!
Then a friend rang for a chat.......
And now it is nearly lunchtime!

Hello, Elle!
That is good news about your daughter's visit!
She may fix your computer darkening while she is with you?
There are a couple of clips on YouTube of the choir singing.
But, I agree Sally will probably know of the choir if she knows the area.
And it is a lovely part of the world!
Sally may well know the "Birks of Aberfeldy", a lovely place to walk.
A fairly well known song by Burns as well.
"Birk" is a Scots word for the "birch tree" (write that down in your wee book, Elle!)
I have had toast for lunch.
Seemed a sound idea on this freezing day!

Update, Elle!
I found the "Birks" on YouTube.
A fine walk!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5nEWum173A

Fingers crossed!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
Toast sounds good!
We had tomato soup.
Usually I will only have a yoghurt or fruit, but, as you so rightly said , one needs to adapt to the weather!
Tomato soup went down well!
I agree about the lovely countryside - the "Birks" walk is in beautiful surroundings.
And Waterfalls, too!!
I listened to the singing of Burns' poem.
I am doing the QC....brain not up to the harder puzzle.
Very dark and dull out...
I am musing on whether or not to go out for another walk......

Hello, Elle!
I can't be doing with Burns or his poems, myself, but the Birks is a lovely place.
And yes, waterfalls, too, if you fancied a bit of "taghairm"!
I have finished my puzzle.
I thought it was on the easier side today, except for a three letter word, which had to do with an abbreviation of a Latin legal term.
Took me a while to fathom it!
But that's the beauty of the puzzles!
Still a beautiful day here, cold though!

Hi, Rusty!
Brrrh.....it is very cold out!
And uniformly grey and dull....... the dog enjoyed herself though!
You are well ahead of me with your puzzle....
I have only done the QC so far.......that was very much on the simple side today!
Here's one for you to test your growing knowledge of London
(I have a feeling we have had similar before but in the 15 x15 ?)
1d: Union leader leaves well-liked part of London (6)
Yes, I think Sally will enjoy her new life -style when she moves next month.
I wonder has she any bullock -hides though?
Right, a coffee to warm me up, then maybe I shall take a look at the larger cryptic.
If you think it is easier...then I might manage it!