Today I got a sweet email from Czech cousin Ondrej  “Ondra” Matejka. To those of you who have read Adventurers Against Their Will, Ondra is a great-grandson of my father’s Aunt Valda – Valerie Marik.  Ondra’s brother Martin Matejka is mentioned in the book because he made the connection in Great Britain for me with Hana Winternitz relatives.

About eight or so years ago, Ondrej “Ondra” and his lovely then-girlfriend-now-wife, Martina came to visit us in Orlando when they were doing a garden-design internship near Tallahassee, FL. They now live in Predhradi, not too far from Prague with two children and their

Ondra and Martina with new daughter Anezka at Benesov, Czech Republic family reunion 2009

gardening business. Ondra recently read the book and wrote me this note with the connection below to the son of Honza Schoenbaum/Seba of my book!!:
Hi Joanie,

I have just finished reading your book. It showed me part of our family history which I did not know about as well as part of our national history with its mood. It also showed me in how lucky times we live despite all that “crisis” around us. I am glad for that. Thank you. I am looking forward to meet you here in the Czech Republic this year.

love, Ondra

P.S. While reading your book I ran across name Schoenbaum/Šeba conected with a village Jevany. I did some garden maintenance for a man name Michal Šeba in Jevany. I believe he is a son of Honza Schoenbaum from your book. I should do some work for him this spring again, so I will talk about it with him. Do you think he knows about your search and book?