Comments on: Over the river, and through the wood http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2007/11/22/over-the-river-and-through-the-wood/ musings, thoughts, and writings of Barbara W. Klaser Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:05:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.3-beta1 Comment on Over the river, and through the wood by: Barbara http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2007/11/22/over-the-river-and-through-the-wood/#comment-12381 Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:05:56 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2007/11/22/over-the-river-and-through-the-wood/#comment-12381 I came across several references to Admiral Lord Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar while I researched the name of the ship my great-granfather arrived here on. Mary Reed's essay, <a href="http://home.epix.net/~maywrite/tos48.htm#forecasts">FORECASTS FOR THE FORECASTLE</a>, in her and Eric Mayer's latest issue of <a href="http://home.epix.net/~maywrite/tos48.htm">THE ORPHAN SCRIVENER</a>, reminded me of that. So I want to add here that it's not lost on me that my great-grandfather's first joke regarding his American last name may have been his taking the name at all. I remember that when my grandmother told the story she mentioned that he said he wanted to "Anglicize" his name, rather than Americanize it as I put it. Adding to that his knowledge of languages and his later work in promoting education in his community (he served on the school board), I can't believe the connection was lost on him. I've since read that Danes love word games and plays on words. I can imagine him thinking it amusing that he took the name Nelson as soon as he got off that ship named Trafalgar. Considering that Admiral Lord Nelson died in the Battle of Trafalger, I can even imagine my great-grandfather decided it was time to end his life at sea (a riskier way of life back then than it is today), and on that ship, while he was still alive. Another somewhat weird fact I came across is that my birthday falls on the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. Thanks, Mary, for the reminder. I came across several references to Admiral Lord Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar while I researched the name of the ship my great-granfather arrived here on. Mary Reed’s essay, FORECASTS FOR THE FORECASTLE, in her and Eric Mayer’s latest issue of THE ORPHAN SCRIVENER, reminded me of that.

So I want to add here that it’s not lost on me that my great-grandfather’s first joke regarding his American last name may have been his taking the name at all. I remember that when my grandmother told the story she mentioned that he said he wanted to “Anglicize” his name, rather than Americanize it as I put it. Adding to that his knowledge of languages and his later work in promoting education in his community (he served on the school board), I can’t believe the connection was lost on him. I’ve since read that Danes love word games and plays on words. I can imagine him thinking it amusing that he took the name Nelson as soon as he got off that ship named Trafalgar. Considering that Admiral Lord Nelson died in the Battle of Trafalger, I can even imagine my great-grandfather decided it was time to end his life at sea (a riskier way of life back then than it is today), and on that ship, while he was still alive.

Another somewhat weird fact I came across is that my birthday falls on the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

Thanks, Mary, for the reminder.

]]> Comment on Over the river, and through the wood by: Wayne http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2007/11/22/over-the-river-and-through-the-wood/#comment-12145 Sun, 25 Nov 2007 11:09:15 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2007/11/22/over-the-river-and-through-the-wood/#comment-12145 Wow, lovely. I'm completely drawn in. Wow, lovely. I’m completely drawn in.

]]> Comment on Over the river, and through the wood by: Bev Jackson http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2007/11/22/over-the-river-and-through-the-wood/#comment-12141 Sat, 24 Nov 2007 21:52:47 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2007/11/22/over-the-river-and-through-the-wood/#comment-12141 A beautiful post, Barbara -- and what amazing history (in your family!) And I feel part of that interconnectedness, I do. Happy holidays. A beautiful post, Barbara — and what amazing history (in your family!)
And I feel part of that interconnectedness, I do. Happy holidays.

]]> Comment on Over the river, and through the wood by: Sarah http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2007/11/22/over-the-river-and-through-the-wood/#comment-12138 Sat, 24 Nov 2007 16:28:09 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2007/11/22/over-the-river-and-through-the-wood/#comment-12138 Every day, not just on holidays. Many times I've wished for the brotherhood of man (and woman) for the other 364 days of the year. I sometimes wonder if holidays serve as lip service to our ideals, so we can go on being as blind and selfish as we want the rest of the time. It might interest you to know that Lydia Child was a distant relative of mine and that I went to high school with her direct descendant, Clarence Child. Among the men of the family, there is an inherited blindness. Clarence went completely blind before dying of cancer a couple of years ago. Maybe that has helped the Child family to see what others refuse to perceive--that we are all part of the great interconnected web of life. That we must cherish and protect each other. And differences are only superficial. Every day, not just on holidays. Many times I’ve wished for the brotherhood of man (and woman) for the other 364 days of the year. I sometimes wonder if holidays serve as lip service to our ideals, so we can go on being as blind and selfish as we want the rest of the time.

It might interest you to know that Lydia Child was a distant relative of mine and that I went to high school with her direct descendant, Clarence Child. Among the men of the family, there is an inherited blindness. Clarence went completely blind before dying of cancer a couple of years ago. Maybe that has helped the Child family to see what others refuse to perceive–that we are all part of the great interconnected web of life. That we must cherish and protect each other. And differences are only superficial.

]]> Comment on Over the river, and through the wood by: Eric Mayer http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2007/11/22/over-the-river-and-through-the-wood/#comment-12132 Fri, 23 Nov 2007 20:55:14 +0000 http://barbarawklaser.mysterynovelist.com/2007/11/22/over-the-river-and-through-the-wood/#comment-12132 When I was a kid everyone did go to grandfather's house for Thanksgiving. In the case of my immediate family, though, that was just next door. Now I go to my brother's and the highway at least goes through woods and over a river. Thanks for the inspiring essay. When I was a kid everyone did go to grandfather’s house for Thanksgiving. In the case of my immediate family, though, that was just next door. Now I go to my brother’s and the highway at least goes through woods and over a river.

Thanks for the inspiring essay.

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