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Fables Foibles & Follies
"Fables, Foibles & Follies" is a delightful potpourri of stories collected from the author's immediate family members, distant relatives, friends and close acquaintances. Each of the seven tales within the book detail the fruits borne from forgotten and newly discovered branches of a twisted family tree. Once the bough is bent and shaken, a myriad of unexpected fruit can fall at the feet of the inquisitive arborist.
The time-lines of these stories cover many generations. A ‘generation’ has been described as the period of years between the birth of parents and the birth of their offspring. Today, most schooled intellectuals define a generation as approximately thirty-three years, being careful not to commit that standard to any strict semblance of accuracy.
A few years ago, the author's daughter (in-law) gifted him a subscription to one of those family discovery and heritage DNA services that you see advertised all over the television and internet. To be succinct, he surprisingly uncovered two siblings and countless relatives he never knew he had. With some patience from his wife, and tons of help from old friends, close family and newfound relations, the author constructed quite an impressive family tree that goes all the way back to the middle 1600’s. The gigantic, circular DNA roadmap includes genetic tags from Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Great Britain, Ireland, the Balkans and Central Europe. It is likely that the Balkan, British and Irish DNA roots stem from the pillaging and plundering of Northern Europe and the British Isles by medieval Viking hoards. With that in mind, it’s no wonder the author played the Sousaphone in junior high and enjoys the taste of rakfisk, whale and lutefisk.
The author discovered that his relatives certainly wore coats of many colors, spoke in many tongues, and traveled on foot, horseback, wagon and ship just to make it to the New World. It's easy to imagine that some of them may have been driven out of town on a rail. He spent many hundreds, perhaps a thousand or more hours doing research into his ancestry.
It is a foregone conclusion that even government-issued identification does not tell you who you really are. That little laminated card in your wallet or purse is nothing more than a government-sanctioned suggestion.
The author suggests that if you want to know the whole story, you need to figure out who you are all by yourself. It’s a daunting task, but please, do try to have fun despite the run around, red tape and bureaucratic rigmarole.
A tree planted in the most fertile of soils under the most preferable conditions can still mature into a twisted, gnarled mass of branches.
Conversely, a rose emits the same sweet smell whether it’s planted in a raised bed or a manure pile.
If you find yourself looking for a new place to live, consider a book.
And remember, think before you spit into a test tube.
How’s that for a collection of irreverent parables of wisdom?
The time-lines of these stories cover many generations. A ‘generation’ has been described as the period of years between the birth of parents and the birth of their offspring. Today, most schooled intellectuals define a generation as approximately thirty-three years, being careful not to commit that standard to any strict semblance of accuracy.
A few years ago, the author's daughter (in-law) gifted him a subscription to one of those family discovery and heritage DNA services that you see advertised all over the television and internet. To be succinct, he surprisingly uncovered two siblings and countless relatives he never knew he had. With some patience from his wife, and tons of help from old friends, close family and newfound relations, the author constructed quite an impressive family tree that goes all the way back to the middle 1600’s. The gigantic, circular DNA roadmap includes genetic tags from Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Great Britain, Ireland, the Balkans and Central Europe. It is likely that the Balkan, British and Irish DNA roots stem from the pillaging and plundering of Northern Europe and the British Isles by medieval Viking hoards. With that in mind, it’s no wonder the author played the Sousaphone in junior high and enjoys the taste of rakfisk, whale and lutefisk.
The author discovered that his relatives certainly wore coats of many colors, spoke in many tongues, and traveled on foot, horseback, wagon and ship just to make it to the New World. It's easy to imagine that some of them may have been driven out of town on a rail. He spent many hundreds, perhaps a thousand or more hours doing research into his ancestry.
It is a foregone conclusion that even government-issued identification does not tell you who you really are. That little laminated card in your wallet or purse is nothing more than a government-sanctioned suggestion.
The author suggests that if you want to know the whole story, you need to figure out who you are all by yourself. It’s a daunting task, but please, do try to have fun despite the run around, red tape and bureaucratic rigmarole.
A tree planted in the most fertile of soils under the most preferable conditions can still mature into a twisted, gnarled mass of branches.
Conversely, a rose emits the same sweet smell whether it’s planted in a raised bed or a manure pile.
If you find yourself looking for a new place to live, consider a book.
And remember, think before you spit into a test tube.
How’s that for a collection of irreverent parables of wisdom?
- GenresNonfiction
200 pages, Paperback
Published January 15, 2019
4 people are currently reading
1898 people want to read
About the author
Edward R. Hackemer
12 books224 followers¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Edward R Hackemer lived in Western New York for 55 years before retiring from government service and moving to North Georgia; roughly halfway between Atlanta & North Carolina.
His college education was abbreviated by induction into the US Army in 1968. Ed's civilian employment history runs from paperboy, dishwasher, paper mill laborer, laboratory technician, warehouseman, and over-the-road truck driver. His life experience includes military, federal and county public service in addition to nearly countless trans-Atlantic trips. Ed earned an honorable discharge from the US Army, spent time overseas, and remains happily married. He met his wife in Europe, and upon relocation to the United States she became a proud, naturalized American citizen.
(What a nice word naturalized is! Although it sounds organic and environmentally friendly, his wife isn't green. She's a blonde.)
Ed is currently enjoying retirement with his natural wife, son, daughter in-law, and two grand daughters.
Occasionally, he may be found in the company of his Lenovo Chromebook out on the patio or at his desk plunking out sentences on an HP Pavilion.
Facebook1:
https://www.facebook.com/EdwardHackemer
Facebook2:
https://www.facebook.com/edward.r.hac...
Blogspot:
https://inacreampackard.blogspot.com
~ the Past can be Tense.
but the Future is Perfect. ~
Life is grand. Remember. That's important.
Wishing you all good reads ....
Edward R Hackemer lived in Western New York for 55 years before retiring from government service and moving to North Georgia; roughly halfway between Atlanta & North Carolina.
His college education was abbreviated by induction into the US Army in 1968. Ed's civilian employment history runs from paperboy, dishwasher, paper mill laborer, laboratory technician, warehouseman, and over-the-road truck driver. His life experience includes military, federal and county public service in addition to nearly countless trans-Atlantic trips. Ed earned an honorable discharge from the US Army, spent time overseas, and remains happily married. He met his wife in Europe, and upon relocation to the United States she became a proud, naturalized American citizen.
(What a nice word naturalized is! Although it sounds organic and environmentally friendly, his wife isn't green. She's a blonde.)
Ed is currently enjoying retirement with his natural wife, son, daughter in-law, and two grand daughters.
Occasionally, he may be found in the company of his Lenovo Chromebook out on the patio or at his desk plunking out sentences on an HP Pavilion.
Facebook1:
https://www.facebook.com/EdwardHackemer
Facebook2:
https://www.facebook.com/edward.r.hac...
Blogspot:
https://inacreampackard.blogspot.com
~ the Past can be Tense.
but the Future is Perfect. ~
Life is grand. Remember. That's important.
Wishing you all good reads ....
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 18, 2019
Lester Moore and Ekateria Priede spent a romantic night in a Gotenburg Hotel. A quick departure the next morning kept them and Maxim protected. The family jewels, Maxim is indeed precious.
Annie Fargahl came to the United States to find a new life for her. There was not much in Ireland to keep her there. She got a job as a domestic as an identured servant. She served four years then she was free to go.
All this time she was thinking of her brother Donagh, who had left home 10 years earlier.
Her story was found in her diary.
Growing up in Dubuque; taking no guff from bully's in school, life didn't go as planned.
Trying to avoid the draft for a time he spent three years at Fort Wood, Missouri.At Grandpa's funeral, Ed found out the stories he heard from Grandpa being in the Navy; were all false.
Marriage and family was the next step in life, plus a new job. Ed was a salesman for Ballsy Co. Traveling was his favorite thing, especially flying to the conventions.
Kasey ended up in Hollywood. After some failed romances, she came back to Mayville, now a mother of three.
Earl and Ray were the best of friends, who loved to hang out at the local 5 and Dime. This store had
it all. Kids games , stamp collecting and model airplanes to build.
After high school Earl and Ray were their separate ways. After his two year army stint, he became a letter carrier.
In 1947 life is coming full circle to the Family on Lumford farm.
Through a DNA kit, the true family was revealed.
The chicken and the pig grew up on a farm owned by Dean and Sanders; well it was really Jimmie Dean and Colonel Sanders. The Chicken and the pig were so happy that people appreciated
I want to thank the Author for sending me this book for my honest review.
Annie Fargahl came to the United States to find a new life for her. There was not much in Ireland to keep her there. She got a job as a domestic as an identured servant. She served four years then she was free to go.
All this time she was thinking of her brother Donagh, who had left home 10 years earlier.
Her story was found in her diary.
Growing up in Dubuque; taking no guff from bully's in school, life didn't go as planned.
Trying to avoid the draft for a time he spent three years at Fort Wood, Missouri.At Grandpa's funeral, Ed found out the stories he heard from Grandpa being in the Navy; were all false.
Marriage and family was the next step in life, plus a new job. Ed was a salesman for Ballsy Co. Traveling was his favorite thing, especially flying to the conventions.
Kasey ended up in Hollywood. After some failed romances, she came back to Mayville, now a mother of three.
Earl and Ray were the best of friends, who loved to hang out at the local 5 and Dime. This store had
it all. Kids games , stamp collecting and model airplanes to build.
After high school Earl and Ray were their separate ways. After his two year army stint, he became a letter carrier.
In 1947 life is coming full circle to the Family on Lumford farm.
Through a DNA kit, the true family was revealed.
The chicken and the pig grew up on a farm owned by Dean and Sanders; well it was really Jimmie Dean and Colonel Sanders. The Chicken and the pig were so happy that people appreciated
I want to thank the Author for sending me this book for my honest review.
Read
March 22, 2022A blonde wife
A sea-born life
Edward Hacky
Is a bit wacky
born in New York
Does Hitler like Pork?
we will only know
by reading this so
his wife a shade
of greenish jade
born in Belarus
hes no doctor suess
but i appreciate
his wild fate
of being an writer
his resume gets lighter
his name is labled
HIS BOOK IS FABLED
A sea-born life
Edward Hacky
Is a bit wacky
born in New York
Does Hitler like Pork?
we will only know
by reading this so
his wife a shade
of greenish jade
born in Belarus
hes no doctor suess
but i appreciate
his wild fate
of being an writer
his resume gets lighter
his name is labled
HIS BOOK IS FABLED
March 1, 2019
While standing alone on a dark, cobbled street somewhere in central Europe, a traveler may wonder who could be casting that intriguing silhouette upon the window up above.
Such tempting tidbits constantly tease the reader’s appetite and tantalize the imagination.
I invite you to go ahead, take that DNA test, open the book and begin turning pages.
{Goodreads invites the author to submit their own review.}
Such tempting tidbits constantly tease the reader’s appetite and tantalize the imagination.
I invite you to go ahead, take that DNA test, open the book and begin turning pages.
{Goodreads invites the author to submit their own review.}
June 5, 2019
~I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review~
I really wish I could give it more than 5 stars.
What happens when you take a DNA test? This book explores a few stories about family members on the family tree. Each narrative contain elements of fact, fantasy, and fiction.
When I first saw the synopsis, I was curious but hesitant because I always have very mixed feelings on books like this. In general, I don't like them but this book has made me fall in love with them.
Each story is different and unique and this made it so hard to pick a favorite story. The story I kept coming back to though was Five: Wanderlust. I thought it was freeing for some reason. I mean, who hasn't wondered what people thought about as they go through their day-to-day jobs. Being a Regional Sales Executive cannot be that exciting, at least in my mind it isn't, but this short made it sound so fascinating.
I already have Hackemer's other books on my Amazon wishlist and hope to pick those up soon. I highly recommend this book especially because it is a short read and can be finished in a few hours. I picked it as my car book, it was what I read in the mornings in the parking lot, waiting for class to start.
I really wish I could give it more than 5 stars.
What happens when you take a DNA test? This book explores a few stories about family members on the family tree. Each narrative contain elements of fact, fantasy, and fiction.
When I first saw the synopsis, I was curious but hesitant because I always have very mixed feelings on books like this. In general, I don't like them but this book has made me fall in love with them.
Each story is different and unique and this made it so hard to pick a favorite story. The story I kept coming back to though was Five: Wanderlust. I thought it was freeing for some reason. I mean, who hasn't wondered what people thought about as they go through their day-to-day jobs. Being a Regional Sales Executive cannot be that exciting, at least in my mind it isn't, but this short made it sound so fascinating.
I already have Hackemer's other books on my Amazon wishlist and hope to pick those up soon. I highly recommend this book especially because it is a short read and can be finished in a few hours. I picked it as my car book, it was what I read in the mornings in the parking lot, waiting for class to start.
December 5, 2021
I bought this as a Christmas gift for someone who is considereing one of those DNA test kits. When I was thumbing through it, I decided to keep it for myself.I read it, and immediately bought another copy that I can gift!
Every story is unique and different and kept my interest.
They are written like they were happening in the time period of the story. The author puts the characters right smack dab in the time period for each one. That is special when you think that the book has seven stories. I especially liked the ones about the Irish girl and the traveling salesman.
Enough said. I'd give six stars if I could.
Every story is unique and different and kept my interest.
They are written like they were happening in the time period of the story. The author puts the characters right smack dab in the time period for each one. That is special when you think that the book has seven stories. I especially liked the ones about the Irish girl and the traveling salesman.
Enough said. I'd give six stars if I could.
February 23, 2019
These stories were pure joy to read. I tried to decide which is my favorite but they were all unique in their own way.
September 14, 2019
If you haven't read this author before, let me just say you need to. He writes in a style that no other author I've ever read does. He is unique in the way that he can create the era he is writing about with his word choice and descriptions. This book was the perfect showcase for that since it was written in the voice of different characters from different places and eras. He nails it down to the smallest details, whether it is the cocktail they are drinking, the car they are driving, or the slang that they are using.
This book is a collection of little stories based on people in the author's family tree. It was written after his experience with doing one of those DNA tests online and connecting with family members he didn't know before. Through those meetings, he learned of others who came before him and their stories. I most loved the story of Aine, who came from Ireland, and the story of her brother.
One other unique thing that his author does is to pair each of his books with a soundtrack that gives you the true sense of time and place that his writing is about. Each book I have read of his was sent to me with a CD of that music - what a special touch!
This book is a collection of little stories based on people in the author's family tree. It was written after his experience with doing one of those DNA tests online and connecting with family members he didn't know before. Through those meetings, he learned of others who came before him and their stories. I most loved the story of Aine, who came from Ireland, and the story of her brother.
One other unique thing that his author does is to pair each of his books with a soundtrack that gives you the true sense of time and place that his writing is about. Each book I have read of his was sent to me with a CD of that music - what a special touch!
August 1, 2019
Fables, Foibles and Follies is collected stories from family members, friends and other relations of Edward Hackemer.
I truly loved reading this collection. I especially enjoyed the one entitled "An Irish Odyssey". This is an account of Aine Faergahl and her emigration to the United States. She was an indentured servant when she arrived. After working the amount of years needed, she was off to find out whatever happened to her brother Donal who had come over many years earlier to work on a ship. She would never be satisfied until she found out. You too will want to read this story to find out for yourself.
I loved all the excerpts in this book. Mr. Hackemer has a real talent for writing. Enjoy all his books.
I bought this book through Amazon. A great investment.
I truly loved reading this collection. I especially enjoyed the one entitled "An Irish Odyssey". This is an account of Aine Faergahl and her emigration to the United States. She was an indentured servant when she arrived. After working the amount of years needed, she was off to find out whatever happened to her brother Donal who had come over many years earlier to work on a ship. She would never be satisfied until she found out. You too will want to read this story to find out for yourself.
I loved all the excerpts in this book. Mr. Hackemer has a real talent for writing. Enjoy all his books.
I bought this book through Amazon. A great investment.
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March 22, 2022PSA: HIS WIFE IS BLOND NOT GREEN
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews