<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Real Life Legacies]]></title><description><![CDATA[Real Life Legacies]]></description><link>https://www.reallifelegacies.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 07:07:14 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.reallifelegacies.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[To A.I. or not to A.I.]]></title><description><![CDATA[I smiled when I first saw the above comic created by Antonio Meza, making light of Artificial Intelligence or (AI). While simplifying complex tasks, critics caution there are risks with its use. These include losing the elements of control, innovation, creativity as well as the “human touch.” We all love the capability of technology to provide directions while traveling, and the quick unlimited information at our fingertips. In my work as a personal historian, I can now upload hours of...]]></description><link>https://www.reallifelegacies.com/post/to-a-i-or-not-to-a-i</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a6141271a46f8513d73692a</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:16:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f83b0_361b7b28bdd7423ba5f1d53a9d0e2309~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_826,h_446,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>pat2452</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Three ways to say 'I Love You'(to anyone)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Create A 'Story' Photo Book Using One of These Themes:   Twenty Reasons—We'll Always Remember— A Living Tribute 1. 20 Reasons Why We Love You First:  Select photos that illustrate or match up in some way with the stories you have told. The stories don't have to be long, just heartfelt.   Elaborate with stories about:  Exactly what the title says: Tell them why you love them. Be as specific and as silly or sincere as you want! A few samples to inspire your own thinking: We love you for your...]]></description><link>https://www.reallifelegacies.com/post/three-ways-to-say-i-love-you-to-anyone</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a613f7f424f5a9980a24311</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:15:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f83b0_5b869c551dbd4b1bb5b14a7c2ac394e4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_267,h_178,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>pat2452</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Three Lives, Countless Lessons]]></title><description><![CDATA[This year, I’ve had the privilege of working with three extraordinary individuals to  preserve their vastly different but remarkable life stories.   One man’s Jewish grandparents faced an unthinkable choice during the rise of the Nazis: stay together and face almost certain death or flee the country and leave their four-year-old son behind. They chose survival—and in doing so, lost nearly everything, including the life they had built. Through a combination of persistence, resourcefulness, and...]]></description><link>https://www.reallifelegacies.com/post/three-lives-countless-lessons</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a613f166ed1567a596e0297</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:07:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f83b0_dedd5cf61d9345d8bfacbdab3665578f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_312,h_211,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>pat2452</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What's the Story Behind the Picture &#38;  How Are You Organizing All Those Photos?]]></title><description><![CDATA[My father, Leon Hilburger, stands outside a candy store - date and photo details unknown. A distant relative recently shared never-before seen pictures of members of my father's family. Among my aunts, uncles and grandmother were especially interesting photos of my dad who passed away in 1966. In the few pictures we have of him, he was never smiling - not so in these new ones. In the one on the left he is shown uncharacteristically in overalls and work boots in front of a Fanny Farmer candy...]]></description><link>https://www.reallifelegacies.com/post/what-s-the-story-behind-the-picture-how-are-you-organizing-all-those-photos</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a613e68b252e37e4d328391</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:06:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f83b0_7bb806bdb2964a53b9edb2e5287ca1c4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_284,h_507,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>pat2452</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Angola Horror and John D. Rockefeller's Near Brush With Death]]></title><description><![CDATA["What are the tracks that changed your life?" Personal Historian I grew up in the small town of Angola, New York (population 2,127) without ever hearing about "The Angola Horror" — regarded as one of the worst American railroad disasters of the 1800s. She notes that no markers commemorated the victims near the crash site for over 150 years, and she only learned of her hometown's tragic history after Charity Vogel's book on the subject came out in 2007. She suspects this may be because a...]]></description><link>https://www.reallifelegacies.com/post/the-angola-horror-and-john-d-rockefeller-s-near-brush-with-death</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a613d7a6ed1567a596dfdd3</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:02:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f83b0_324fee81eab64c84b2bbc019e2d67a37~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_373,h_249,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>pat2452</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Something of Lasting Importance]]></title><description><![CDATA[Your story is as individual as your fingerprint, part of the historical record, and will have a wider impact than you can imagine. Moving On, Remembering the Turbulent Years" is available locally at Off the Beaten Path Bookstore in Lakewood and The Bookstore at Chautauqua Institution. I was contacted by a person whose mother was a patient at the Newton Memorial Hospital in Cassadaga from 1947-1948. As local residents know, the building now housing the Cassadaga Job Corps, was first used as a...]]></description><link>https://www.reallifelegacies.com/post/something-of-lasting-importance</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a613b4f6ed1567a596df769</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:57:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f83b0_721fd49433144975ba7f4957b3370452~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_300,h_420,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>pat2452</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The "Gift" of Quarantine and Preserving your 'piece of the earth's dirt' ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Saving 50+ years of memories at BonnyBrook Note: Originally published during quarantine period of COVID-19.   Have you noticed that people react differently when given unlimited time at home?  We've all heard about those who have decided to enjoy this unprecedented period with family activities, using the time to bake, enjoy a hobby or finish necessary tasks. There are others, however, who feel isolated or bored when away from their normal routines.   Home has always solicited strong...]]></description><link>https://www.reallifelegacies.com/post/the-gift-of-quarantine-and-preserving-your-piece-of-the-earth-s-dirt</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a613a8cb252e37e4d3277ed</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:50:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f83b0_e449f932bce34a7faea1134dc60e9dd4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_371,h_494,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>pat2452</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[On Indin Time:]]></title><description><![CDATA[A memoir   "Living between two worlds"     An Interview with George Clever Note: Despite the explosion of the social justice movement, little is said about Native American issues in the media. In light of this omission, I thought it important to share the story of George Clever, a former Western New York resident, visual and literary artist, musician and friend. Locals may remember the Clever Store in Bear Lake, NY, which was owned by his brother, Art. George talked with me about writing his...]]></description><link>https://www.reallifelegacies.com/post/on-indin-time</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a6139e91a46f8513d73534e</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:47:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f83b0_68befc3c166443a8b486d151f1e44d88~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_172,h_275,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>pat2452</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Join A Writing Group?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Reasons you might not have guessed Cecil Murphey, (front left) ghostwriter and author of 140 books speaks to The Write Circle Group in Sinclairville, NY. “Cec” is author of Gifted Hands, the Story of Ben Carson, 90 Minutes in Heaven and other bestsellers. The writer’s life can be lonely. Whether you’re an aspiring or occasional writer, finding the illusive words to develop your deepest thoughts and ideas can be a challenge. There are those rare occasions when stars align and one gets lost in...]]></description><link>https://www.reallifelegacies.com/post/why-join-a-writing-group</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a6139866ed1567a596df17f</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:44:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f83b0_4b5b0498729c47baa582878fd0a8d04a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_420,h_273,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>pat2452</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[It's Not About You]]></title><description><![CDATA[(and Other Secrets to Writing a Memoir Readers Will Love) When the "age of memoir" began in the early 1990s, ordinary people found themselves with an outlet to share their extraordinary stories. Thanks to the rise of self-publishing, memoirs became a tool for preserving history, reflecting on pivotal life moments, and inspiring others.   But as you contemplate putting your life story to paper, you might hesitate, asking yourself: “Does anyone really care about my story?” The truth is, yes—if...]]></description><link>https://www.reallifelegacies.com/post/it-s-not-about-you</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a613948b252e37e4d3273a9</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:42:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f83b0_fb2978c7be284fb7a719ac3e59f50714~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_609,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>pat2452</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Did Grandpa Die?]]></title><description><![CDATA[It would seem like an easy enough question to answer. Or i s it? What happens when family members give different answers to what seems fairly straight-forward?  Leo Hilburger, unlike Michael (above) would not attain the success of his father. My siblings posed this very question about my paternal grandfather, Leo, one of seven children of German immigrant Michael Hilburger, who arrived in the U.S. in 1833.   None of us kids met our grandfather, as he was deceased before our births. His son,...]]></description><link>https://www.reallifelegacies.com/post/how-did-grandpa-die</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a6138946ed1567a596deea1</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:41:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f83b0_03b6c238c7b141f7b562347a74f6b547~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_679,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>pat2452</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Four Things Every Dying Person Wants to Say]]></title><description><![CDATA[Pat (second from left) with her sisters and mother. It is said that the four things a dying person wants to say to loved ones are: please forgive me, I forgive you, thank you, and I love you. This sentiment can also be felt by those left behind, as I experienced with my mother’s death in December of 2017. I am happy to say she lived her life the way she desired and was still in her home when she passed at 92. In spite of our good relationship, I regretted my impatience with her at times. I...]]></description><link>https://www.reallifelegacies.com/post/four-things-every-dying-person-wants-to-say</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a6138371a46f8513d734dee</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:38:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f83b0_4e5446e59e0b407c9b86672697c81415~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_400,h_300,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>pat2452</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Beating a Dead Horse: A Child's Perspective of the Great Depression]]></title><description><![CDATA[(Taken from C. Zlotchew’s “Beating a Dead Horse: A Child’s Perspective of the Great Depression” published in The Abstract Elephant Magazine, June 30, 2021.) It was a sweltering August day, and a stricken horse lay prostrate on its side in the street. When I say horses in the streets were an everyday sight in my childhood, the average millennial might assume I was born in the last decade of the 19thCentury or at least in the first decade of the 20th-Century in some small town located on the...]]></description><link>https://www.reallifelegacies.com/post/mastering-the-art-of-storytelling-through-effective-interview-questions-and-photography-selection</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4571119139bd7595ff84a9</guid><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 20:00:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f83b0_3b002dd7acd34c4c9c162645220447c8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_400,h_381,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>pat2452</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Can Memoir help us find our True Selves?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Have you noticed self-help gurus and pop psychology will tell us to look forward into the “windshield” of our future and not the “rear-view mirror” of our past. However, sometimes there is a need to reconcile our past with the present. The discovery may come from examining our own or our family’s history or ancestral past. But role, if any, do our ancestors deeds and circumstances shape our life and identity?   In the memoir, A Murder in Madera, author Helene Stapinski seeks to unravel a...]]></description><link>https://www.reallifelegacies.com/post/from-manuscript-to-masterpiece-transforming-your-work-into-beautiful-books</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4570c360c326b155e63289</guid><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:55:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f83b0_4b25c0793e1b48d28fa745870278751e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_868,h_668,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>pat2452</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[“Eating the Elephant, One Story at a time”]]></title><description><![CDATA[Have you ever said, “This is something I need to do someday,” but never start (or finish) that task? You’re not alone.    If life story writing is one of your goals this year, but you've always thought it was too difficult, Take heart! I’m here to help.   Last year, I led guided autobiography classes to uncomplicate a seemingly monumental task—life story writing. While many wish to preserve their memories, experiences and lessons with family members, they just don’t know where to begin. Sound...]]></description><link>https://www.reallifelegacies.com/post/crafting-real-life-legacies-a-guide-to-writing-meaningful-narratives</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4570759139bd7595ff8307</guid><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:54:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9f83b0_e9a5460c7dd34685b888fa3dbe8284aa~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>pat2452</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>