Darcy on the Hudson By Mary Lydon Simonsen

Darcy on the Hudson

By Mary Lydon Simonsen

Mary Simonsen definitely did her homework on Darcy on the Hudson.  There is an incredible amount of history woven through out the story.  The story begins in the summer of 1811.  Mr. Darcy, his sister Georgianna and Mr. Bingley are on there way to visit America.  While there they meet the Bennet family.  Of course sparks fly between Elizabeth and Darcy but there American/British differences keep them apart.  It is a turbulent time between the two countries.  

A pleasant surprise in this story is Mrs. Bennet.  I loved her! She is much more firm with Lydia and Kitty.  She believes her girls should be capable to take care of themselves, they were taught to cook and do chores. She was wise, had common sense and her husband was proud of her.

Something else I found interesting, there are similar quotes as in the original Pride and Prejudice, but are said by different people.

Darcy on the Hudson is an excellent story!  I enjoyed it very much. 

Scrapbooking and Writing...

Today I am supposed to begin my marathon with the MotherLOAD, a scrapbooking class on Big Picture Classes.  The last nine weeks have been basic training, getting ready for twenty-six days of a layout a day.

During this class I also took another class called Write Now with Amy Sorensen, also an onlline class with Big Picture Class.  That was an intense class.  I didn’t finish but I learned a lot!  We had a writing prompt everyday and three writing assignments a week for four weeks.  Yesterday was the last day of that, but I can go back and excess the class handouts, audio messages and videos.  It was well worth it!

So as I had both of these classes going on, I also started our homeschool year on August 8.  Needless to say it was a busy and crazytime.

Both of these classes have taught me to let go.  Let go of my perfectionism, to stop worrying about what other people think (I can’t really shut that one off very well!).  Another thing that keeps me from writing is the fear of offending someone.  That they might take what I say the wrong way.  That is one reson I started this blog. It’s my blog and I can write what I want! (that sounded unkind).  What I mean is that I hope I can write without fear on here.

Furthermore I have that blank page staring at me.  The writing prompts helped with that.  Just write.  Just write and eventually something of substance comes out or as Amy puts it “an original thought”.

I’ve always wanted to be a writer.  I don’t know if I’ll every be a writer of stories. I don’t know if I am that creative or if I have that good of an imagination. I never thought I’d be that much of a reader but I am now. Who knows what the future will bring.

So, I think I’ll clear off my scrapbook table (finish the last two layouts I made) and get ready for my marathon!  Wish me luck! Or better yet say a prayer for me!

My work table!

A Modern Day Persuasion by Kaitlin Saunders

     Okay, I’m a huge Jane Austen fan and I read many Jane Austen variations and some sequels. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite! I love P&P what ifs and variations. Persuasion is my second favorite story of Jane’s. 

   A Modern Day Persuasion follows the original story Persuasion pretty much exactly.  Ms. Saunders did a wonderful job adapting it to the modern day. She worked out all the details so it would make sense in today’s world. I loved that in this version you know what Rick (Captain Wentworth) is thinking.  The letter Rick leaves for Anne toward the end is very romantic. 

This is a clean romance. 

My First Post!!

ahhh....my first post! What to write, what to write?  The question is why did I start a blog?  Especially when I don’t have enough time in the day to get done all that I need or want to get done!  Well, I’m doing it to make myself write. Two, to have some place to post things more than what I would on facebook. To post about the books I read and what’s going on in my life. When I post on facebook everyone (my friends) can read it and really, who wants to read everything about me? At least on here I feel like no one else is going to read it! ;-) unless they really want to! 

It’s a beginning!  Now I’m not looking at a blank wall!!  Please be patient with me as I begin this adventure.  Hopefully my writing will get better the more I do this. That’s my plan. That’s the answer to my question!