Praise for this Book, My Father’s Tree, Has Come from Several Unreliable Sources
Craig Tate Simpson Jr
from Seattle Washington, had this to say:
“I never paid much attention to history in school. Memorizing names, dates and drivel was never for me. Finding my ancestors making history puts a different spin on things. Who knew a Smith was right there with Daniel Boone in Kentucky or a great grandfather recorded the first purchase of land from the Indians of New England? I sure as heck didn’t. And a Smith had a hand in protecting my Freedom from Religion? Didn’t know that either! Say hey to Wilbur for me. Is his left eye still cattywampus?”
Dear Craig: Yes. Wilbur’s left eye took a direct hit in dodge ball when he was in Grade 4. It will always be ‘cattywampus,’ but he soldiers through life without complaint. -ss
Dr. Smith’s Cousin Edith expressed an ardent interest:
“I want to know more about Wilbur “Rancidbatch” Denton. He is a fascinating personality. How is he related to those of us in this Smith family tree? Would I be able to meet him if I come to see you in Wisconsin? Or do you still hate me for short sheeting your bed and putting your hand in warm water while you were sleeping way back in sixth grade? I hope not! It would be fun to have a beer with Wilbur!”
Cousin Edith, I don’t recall the short sheet prank but do remember you sitting on poison ivy in your Catechism dress in Grade 8. Wilbur is married and disappeared winter before last. -ss
Bill W., a devoted anthropologist in Asheville NC, noted:
“I can’t help but think that a lot of the people mentioned in this book are dead. It seems like a really obvious pattern. Just when I was getting interested in a character like Olaf Stille, the guy ends up dead and Wolfert Gerritsen von Kouwenhoven, same thing. Dead. What’s the deal with that? Do you conduct any guided tours of Smith family sites?”
Dear Bill: I stopped doing the family tours the year we were stopped for smuggling Canadian Nutella back into the Unites States. Nearly cost me my teaching license. -ss
Ellen D. of Tacoma Washington writes:
“I enjoyed the fact that Dr. Smith spent an equal amount of time delving into the family history of the mothers in the family tree: Jane Stilley, Sarah Davis, Grace Fountain, Annetje Pietersdr van Kouwenhoven, to name a few. I never knew we had so many of the first settlers in New Amsterdam, Jamestown VA and New Sweden. I’m glad he didn’t just write about the Smith men and leave it at that!”
And R. Anderson of Topeka KS offered this:
“I appreciated the author’s ability to transcend the ages from Europe to colonial America and make the characters come alive. I enjoyed the snapshots of life in past centuries and finding my own ancestors in places like Jamestown, Sagadahoc, Wautauga, Plymouth Rock and the Great Dismal Swamp of NC. But I agree with some of the other comments in here, too many of the cool characters died. It was like watching Game of Thrones on steroids or reading The Bible, the good guys all die.”
An old friend in Richmond VA, Dave “the Moose” Kincheloe asks:
“Whatever happened to Wilbur “Rancidbatch” Denton? Is he still alive? Or did he die too? I have never read a book with so many dead people in it. Does Wilbur still do home brew? He should have tastings. That’s an unfortunate name for a guy who likes to brew beer.
Moose: Wilbur released a Pilsner before he disappeared. It was delicious. Are you still active in your curling club or is it hard to find good ice in Virginia? ss
R. Taylor of Tempe AZ takes offense at crass commercialism
“I think Dr. Smith needs help. Am I the only one who realized he has a penchant for Scotch whisky? And what is with the product placement ads posted in some of the chapters? This kind of low-level money grabbing in literature must stop before it gets started. People should be writing for the sake of art and good literature with no intention of making a dime off their efforts! Imagine if Shakespeare had expected to profit from his prowess as a writer, or Tom Clancy, Stephen King or JK Rowling!”
RT: Thank you for noticing the ads ‘R Taylor,’ if that is your name. But honestly? Nothing a little aromatherapy can’t cure. The smell of money. ss
This tweet from Dr. Leona Mascara, Preston, Australia was discovered shortly after our Twitter feed was hacked.
“As I was reading Dr. Smith’s search for the ancestors of Peter Smith of Westmoreland, I realized how easily we lose sight of our forefathers in western civilization. We pay more attention to the daily drivel in the lives of the Kardashians than we do our own families. I am not sure what I should do with that insight. Maybe I’ll stuff it for now and watch another episode of Fixer Upper or Die Hard 2. I love Bruce Willis.”
Then there is this from an old high school pal, Slammin’ Jack D., Undisclosed Location
“I don’t know if you remember me or not but you took me for my paycheck in a poker game back in high school with a king high nothing. I had three of a kind and you bluffed me right out of my earnings. That was some great acting on your part. Anyway, just want you to know I have been looking for you ever since.” –
Hey Slammy! I am staying one step ahead of you my friend. -SS
Big Ed Thompson, Edmonton Alberta, Canada writes:
“Looking forward to the next volume! Hopefully the author lives long enough to write it! Let’s go Oilers! I got freinds who work the oil rigs up here who could take care of Slammin’ Sammy if you like. Just say the word.”
Thanks Big Ed: Word!
MY FATHER’S TREE
