I asked my Dad what 'generations' meant and why would such a nice man like Mister Chapman call Spotty a bitch?
Mom explained about the dog.
Dad told me that I could be anything I wanted to be. He spun the story of William Smallwood, a youngster, just like me, who wanted to be a soldier. Why, there wouldn't be a United States today if William Smallwood hadn't gone on to learn soldiering; saved General Washington's bacon several times over, he did. So, very early in life, I was told, "Our Willie can do anything" and filled with exciting stories of people who believed the same way.
After high school, I left Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on a National Sea Products Scholarship to Canadian Services College, Royal Roads. During my first year of military discipline, I had moments of doubt about my Dad, but, in the end, he was right because I did graduate from Royal Roads and went on to study History and Political Science at the Royal Military College, Kingston. My Dad was proud of me when I graduated from that place; let me tell you.
Before I was twenty-two, I was a long-range navigator on the four-engine transport aircraft, 'North Star', flying almost anywhere in the world. Later I flew on two jet fighter squadrons, one with the CF 100 'Canuck' patrolling the East German border and the other flying the supersonic CF101 'Voodoo' for NORAD.
When the armed forces were integrated, I resigned and took a job in Halifax with the Department of National Defence. I had become Director of Civilian Training and Development at National Defence Headquarters before I retired.
I indulged myself, carving a wooden chess set that is played on a chessboard eight feet square. Yes, there are little horses and men with shields red or blue. Little? Not really. They all stand at least knee high. Took me five years to complete the entire set.
Then I earned my real estate broker's license so I could work for my wife and daughter. Yep! I still believed that Willie could do anything. It was a test, though.
When it was grandchildren time. I recounted the old stories. I came to realize that each story had a thread that entwined with the threads of other stories. Giving them a little tug here and a pull there, a picture emerged as to what it must have been like in the early days in North America. Through my study and research, I confirmed the widely accepted belief that power corrupts and thus the historical adventure series, ABUSE OF POWER, was born.
In the first book of the series (encompassing the years 1749 to 1757),
most of the victims are Acadians. There are heroes; there are triumphs
and true love overcomes all. In the second book, The Colonials and The
Acadians, the story carries on with many of the same characters but,
during this period, 1757 to 1761 the Acadians aren't the only victims.
The reader can sense the swelling spirit of independence among the
peoples of the Atlantic seaboard. The third book, Crooked Paths (1755 -
1862), is rife with Indians, pirates and a sorry group of men and women
who were driven into the wilds of Newfoundland to evade the relentless
pursuit of the powerful officials of the British Empire. ABUSE OF POWER
4: The Planters (1761 - 1921) introduces the Brewster family. A wealthy,
influential man, William Brewster leads his congregation to North
America where he will build a City of God in the wilderness. In
succeeding generations, the Brewsters continue the quest until 1921
where, in Nova Scotia, the quest is ended. Then there is Volume #5:
Expulsion and Survival (1758 - 1902). Many peoples make up The Islanders
of today; this is the tale of how it all started. There are the
Acadians (some of them who had fled from Nova Scotia to escaped
deportation) and, as a result of the English capture of Fortress
Louisbourg, again face expulsion or submit to the English overlords who
are called “proprietors”. In book 6, Rebels, Royalists and Railroaders (1841 – 1910) there is the growth of a new nation as the ribbons of steel of the Intercolonial Railway span the Maritimes. Most of this story takes place in New Brunswick, giving us the adventures of the family as they build a railroad and then drive the big steam locomotives across the land. Book
7, Lives of Courage (1912 – 1932), is where Canadians go off to war
where we experience the recruitment of volunteers, training and
transport of the recruits and some of the battles that turn them into
veterans – changing their lives forever.
The home front is not spared.
When the 6th of December, 1917, dawned crisp and clear
in wartime Halifax, no one could imagine just how much courage would be
needed to get through the next day… let alone the rest of the epoch.
I do believe, if my Dad were alive today, he would forsake the cookie
and candy business to hawk his son's stories; and he really did love
selling sweets.
Meet my daughter
www.ElaineSmallwood.com
Meet the family artist
www.FredaNaussfineart.com
