Writing, Shopping and Unmentionables

Yesterday, I nearly finished Chapter Eleven of my new novel Monday's Child set in the Regency. It's fun to write. The heroine got herself into 'hot water' through an indiscretion and is about to plunge into it for the second time.

The phone rang. My daughter asked if I would like to go into town, do some shopping and have a coffee. I considered my heroine and dismissed her.

I popped into Primark and chose a fleece pyjamas which only cost an unbelievable £3 about $2. They had been reduced from £7. My pyjamas have a discreet pattern. I would have bought more if I could face the idea of wearing ones patterned with garish Christmas designs. I also bought a very pretty, frilly white scarf, some gloves and, as my heroine would say, some unmentionables.

Love and Marriage - Poem

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were love'd by wife, then thee:
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me ye women if you can.
I prize they love more than whole Mines of gold,
Of all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.

Anne Bradstreet (c1612-1672)

Love & Marriage - Poetry

"Who could relate, save those that wedded be,
The joy, the ease, and the prosperity
That are between a husband and wife?

Geoffrey Chaucer (c.1340-1400)

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales are on the to be read pile of books on my bedside table  I enjoy reading a bit here and a bit there and have decided Chaucer must have a walk-on-part in my mediaeval trilogy.

When to Marry - Old English Rhyme

Married when the year is new
He'll be loving kind and true.
When February birds do mate
You need not fear your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow
Joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can
Joy for the maiden and the man.
Marry in the month of May
And you'll surely rue the day.
Marry when the June roses grow
Over land and sea you'll go.
Those who in July do wed
Must labour for their daily bread.
Whoever wed in August be
Many a change is sure to see.
Marry in September's shine
Your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry
Love will come, but riches tarry.
If you marry in bleak November
Only joys will come, remember.
When December's snows fall fast
Marry and true love will last.

Old English Rhyme

Accomplished Regency Ladies

"It is amazing to me," said Bingley, "how young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished as they all are...They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses. I scarcely know any one who cannot do all this, and I am sure I have never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being informed that she was very accomplished" - Pride and Prejudice.

It seems that young ladies learned many accomplishments from the time they were children. They studied French and spoke Italian so that they could translate romantic songs, as well as singing and practicing on a pianoforte and or a harp.

They also practised the art of drawing with a pencil and coloured their sketches with watercolours. Gothic novels such as The Mysteries of Udolpho included ancient castles about to fall into ruins and eerie landscapes. Such subjects were popular - even more so if a tree struck by lightning or another picturesque feature could be included.

I can easily imagine young ladies heads bent over their sketches, fingers striking chords or feet practising dance steps. I can also imagine some rebellious little ladies who did not want to please their mammas and papas by becoming expert in the arts of filigree, with decorative needlework, netting and other feminine accomplishments.

Chorleywood Book Festival

I am looking forward to a talk this evening organised by The Chorleywood Book Festival. Anne de Courcy has picked a topic about which we mostly know very little. During the 19th century, when Britain ruled India, many young men went out to work in the Raj in various roles. A band of women followed hoping to 'hook'  a man. They were known as the Fishing Fleet and her book carries that title.

I have read my own copy of the book and am sure I shall enjoy the event.

My Garden in November

If the rain holds off it's time for me to get on in my organic garden. The broad beans are flourishing and will withstand winter weather. There are bright red apples on a tree, some of which might be ready to pick and store for later in the year. I already have eating and cooking apples and desert pears wrapped in newspaper and stored in trays in my cold greenhouse. Today I plan to harvest the rest of my carrots and store them in a box of dry compost as well as harvesting the beetroot. I shall store some, make beetroot pickle, give some to my daughter and make apple and beetroot juice. Nothing will go to waste - the beetroot greens are delicious cooked like spinach and sprinkled with a little lemon juice.

Back to Work

I'm back to work on my new novel after the Festival of Romance. I am researching balls in the Regency era. It seems he first dance was often The Minuet and the last dance was always the old favourite, Sir Roger de Coverly (later The Virginia Reel). I've had fun watching various dances performed on YouTube.

Festival of Romance

I thoroughly enjoyed The Festival of Romance in Bedford u.k.. I met friends, made new friends and for the first time met my book-trailer designer, Lynne Cobin who kindly popped in for a chat with me. My white silk sari embroidered with gold and my costume jewellery were greatly admired and I admired other historical author's historical costumes.

 

The extract I read from my novel, Far Beyond Rubies, was very well-received, and although the paperbacks had not arrived from my publisher, MuseItUpPublishing I thoroughly enjoyed talking to visitors at the book fair. Lots of people helped themselves to the postcards with pictures of the jacket covers of Far Beyond Rubies, Tangled Love, False Pretences and Sunday's Child on the front and brief descriptions of the novels on the back.

 

 

Festival of Romance

I've decided to leave earlier than necessary for The Festival of Romance to give myself a little time to have a look around Bedford. Amongst other things I want to visit the Higgins Museum.

I'm a little nervous as the paperback copies of Far Beyond Rubies haven't arrived, and I'm wondering if people will stop at my book table to help themselves to postcards featuring the jacket covers of my books and to some nibbles.

Once I'm part of the festival I know I shall enjoy seeing old friends and making new ones so I am looking forward to it.

I shall post about the events next week.

Festival of Romance

Tomorrow, I shall attend the Festival of Romance in Bedford. For details or to buy last minute tickets visit www.festivalofromance.co.uk.

Everything I plan to take with me is lined up on the beds in the spare room. Later on this morning I shall pack my bags. Hopefully, I have not forgotten anything I shall need.

I'm really looking forward to meeting friends, making new friends and acquaintances and the opportunity to meet members of the public who enjoy reading.

Kitchen Sink Drama etc. Continued.

When the carpenter turned up at 8 a.m. yesterday, I had emptied the cupboard under the sink and the work surfaces. The new cupboard did not match the other ones. He called out his supervisor who measured up and said all the cupboards and worktops need to be replaced. I also need to have parts of the walls re-tiled and the area behind the oven tiled. Hopefully the work will be completed in a fortnight. Deep, deep sigh! Since August, while waiting for the wall under the sink to dry, the kitchen has been in chaos. Anyway, at least the plumber came and re-connected the water.

 

As for the etc. I sorted out the postcards illustrated with the cover of my novel Far Beyond Rubies - they should arrive today. However, the copies of the novel have not yet arrived from my publisher and there are only 2 and a 1/4 days to go before I leave for the Festival of Romance.

 

Another problem has been solved. Thank goodness, the mechanic from the AA sorted out my car. Hopefully, I shall reach Bedford and return home without incident.

 

In spite of all the upheaval I managed to write and keep up with writerly activities, but, today, I need time out so my daughter and I are going to swim and visit the health suite at the local sports centre and enjoy the Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.