The life of the author's name: mistaken for male and chastised in college for not showing up for military drills. She begins in the "Dark Ages" with a history of her Norse ancestors and how they came to Orkney (Scotland). By the 8th century Orkney was a Viking stronghold, raiding Britain for 400 years. The essay includes the history and archeology of the Orkneys and stories of visits with her father who was born there. World War II stories.