Like many people I have a bucket list. It’s not a very long list. Just a few places I’d like to visit and things I’d like to do. I’m a pretty simple man. Also, like most I’m sure, I can’t seem to complete anything on it, because my bucket is so full of holes that I have to keep plugging it to keep what little is in there from falling out.
I’ve recently added a new place to my bucket list. That is to visit the country of Wales. Why Wales, you ask? Well… keep reading and I’ll tell you. My daddy’s family has been traced back to the mid 17th Century Scotland. Other than a few names, though, I don’t have much information on them. I do know that the spelling of my surname, Black, is of Welsh origin, and that the Black name is associated with the Scottish Clans McGregor, McClain and Lamont. Our tartan closely resembles that of Clan Gregor, who was labeled as enemies of the king and ran up into the mountains. My theory has always been that my ancestors were of Clan Gregor, who ran up into the mountains and into Wales, where the name was changed in an effort to hide and live peacefully, without retaliation from the Crown. Again, this is just my theory. I’m not a historian, and my reasoning could be way off base.
But the reason I’ve recently added Wales to my bucket list is not to go on any genealogical expedition. It’s because I have had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of one of Wales’ great authors, Mr Graham Watkins. Look out for Bucket List: Part 2 to learn more about Graham and his books. If you just can’t wait for Part 2, you can go to his website at, grahamwatkins.info, and check out his library.
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brokenanvil29325
Hi, Y’all,
I started my blog in September of 2017. A lot of stuff has happened since then, and I have added a lot of posts. I have recently purchased a domain – jimgblack.blog – through WordPress.com, who has been posting my blogs from the beginning, and so I am editing this post to bring it up to date.
So…the title, Broken Anvil…what does it mean? I hear you asking. When I was younger my daddy used to say I could tear up an anvil, if I could ever get my hands on one. It wasn’t that I was a destructive little brat (depending on whom you ask), just very inquisitive as to how things worked. So, I would tear things apart to get to the insides. I just never could put them back together – hence the reason I’m not a surgeon.
Anyway, I have often thought that Broken Anvil would be a good name for a lot of things, none of which I could ever get around to creating. So I figured, what the heck? Use it as the title for my blog. If you look at my profile, you will see that I started this venture to practice my writing and just have fun with it.
I am starting my first book, and welcome any and all help, advice, tips, tricks and criticisms I can get. I hope you will read and follow my posts, and recommend me to others. My two biggest wishes are that I will become a better writer, and that you will just enjoy what you read. I have a lot of interests, and will write on a variety of things. Some serious. Some humorous. But always from the heart and my warped perspective on things. You can also follow me on Twitter and my writing page on Facebook, which I see needs a lot of serious work, by clicking on the social media icons found on each page. I hope you like what you see. If you do, please leave a like and/or a comment. And feel free to recommend my blog to others who might enjoy it.
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Jim G Black Writes 
Very cool. I, too, have Scottish ancestry. But I am a mutt…many different types of blood flow thru my veins:) Including the Crown’s and Irish.
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I’m the same. Scots, Irish, Welsh, Norse and Sioux on dad’s side, and English, French, Cherokee and who knows what else on mom’s side. Hell, I’m my own melting pot! LOL!
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I’m off to Wales next month. I’ll send you lots of pictures 🌺
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I’ll look forward to seeing them 🚙
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