I have discovered another relative from my family tree search. This is Quentin Smythe-Humphrey the Third. Originally born in Melbourne in Australia. He is a distant cousin twice removed. And you can't get more distant than Australia. Every time we removed him he came back to the UK.
He fancied himself as somewhat of an explorer always searching for something new to put his name to it. He claimed that he invented the spoon rest. You know, that contraption some people have in the kitchen for putting your spoon when cooking. There is no evidence to substantiate his claim though.
He also discovered that when you cut down a tree and count the rings in the trunk you can tell the tree's profession - table, wardrobe, desk, bed and so on. He claimed that if a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to see it; it remains upright.
He is also reputed to have discovered the West Pole; as opposed to the North and South Pole. One day whilst sitting on a beach in England near Liverpool he looked at the sun over the sea. Instead of the sun rising as he expected, the sun actually set slowly down on the horizon and disappeared. Obvious really, seeing he was facing West at the time. He suddenly deduced (wrongly) that the West Pole is in America, which is why people said "Go West young man!" So he took the first plane available and flew to the States in search of the West Pole.
As soon as he landed he hired a car and drove and drove in search of the illusive West Pole. Or is it elusive? What's the difference? Look both of them up in the dictionary and decide for yourself. (You learn something new every day on this Blog).
Anyway, he drove everywhere. On one occasion he drove non-stop for a whole day. Tired, he stopped and asked for directions, (which is a miracle for any man to do). He asked, "Am I 24 hours from Tulsa?" The reply was, "No; you're 48 hours from Tulsa; you've been driving in the wrong direction!"
Quentin Smythe-Humphrey the Third never found the West Pole; but he is revered in the UK for something totally different. Whilst Sir Walter Raleigh is often credited with introducing the potato to Ireland in 1589 and England it was Quentin Smythe-Humphrey the Third who introduced us to French fries and potato chips. Until then, the British cuisine consisted of "boiled meat and two veg" - potato and carrots, potato and peas, potato and parsnips, potato and potato. Sometimes it was three veg, potato, carrots and peas. But Quentin brought us fried fish and chips. A staple diet to this day. Without fried potatoes we would not have French fries, and potato chips. Thank you Quentin.
And another thing. Whilst in America Quentin discovered pizza. We did not have pizza in the UK until then. He tried pizza in the States and liked it. He tried every kind; cheese and tomatoes, with pepperoni salami, with vegetables, with ham, with tuna. He tried every kind of pizza and liked it. It is what is known as the Domino effect!
...Quentin sounds like a culinary superstar!
ReplyDeleteHe is, Tom. Have you tried Fish and Chips the British way? With salt and vinegar? Or with Broon sauce like in Scotland?
DeleteGod bless.
The Domino effect - LOL, Victor!!! As I've stated here before, your family tree is full of weird off-shoots, is it not? Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThey are all weird, Martha ... except me. I am the only sane one around.
DeleteGod bless you always.
Oh, and Danny put a link to his music on my latest blog under your comment there and several others who asked.
ReplyDeleteThank you; I'll check it out now.
DeleteGod bless.
😊❤️
ReplyDeleteGod bless, CM.
DeleteSo that is how Domino's pizza came about. :)
ReplyDeleteYep ... you like one you like the lot.
DeleteGod bless, Bill.
Domino effect? (lololol!) What I wouldn't give for one of those pies right now -- white with garlic aioli and black truffle oil. That's not asking too much, is it?
ReplyDeleteAgreed Mevely, especially with garlic oil. Pizza is such a well-rounded meal; unless it is baked in squares then it's a square meal. I sometimes have pizza for breakfast, and then for lunch and again in the evening - it's a well-balanced meal.
DeleteGod bless you and yours.
The words Domino and Pizza go together well - the grandchildren are especially appreciative of this. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday wishes.
All the best Jan
Pizza is favourite with everyone it seems. I sometimes buy the cheese and tomato and put my own extra toppings as well.
DeleteGod bless you and your family, Jan.
It's hard to find a BAD pizza. One of my favorite things to eat. :)
ReplyDeleteIndeed, pizza is a great invention. Better than inventing the wheel - that was useless until someone invented the other three wheels then we had a car.
DeleteGod bless, K.
Quentin is definitely a relation to remember.... Thanks for all the smiles my witty friend. Sherry laughed out loud as she was reading me your comments as she checked them out/
ReplyDeleteLove your way friend, appreciate the prayers....