Dew of the Sea Costume History, Theology & Thoughts

When my heart grows weary And my soul takes flight From the dull and dreary  Of the darkest night There's a voice I hear A voice of love Bringing hope so dear Sent from above And the depths of despair From the point of the low Become heartfelt care That a child could know For a child is simple A child is so kind Each smile and each dimple Inquisitive mind Open heart and restless soul So much to learn from the young, little foal So much to be found  When the times grow tough  Each sight, smell and sound Is barely enough Except when they come From the gentle and mild Sweet little hands Of a precious child.  ❤️

  Who to do next? I think in continuation of my analysis of authors that inspire me, I can only follow up Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë with L.M. Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott. I hope to inspire the readers of this post by sharing my observations of how inspirational these women were - and how inspirational their works continue to be...  As you may know, L.M. Montgomery was the author of the Anne of Green Gables series, the originator of the Emily of New Moon series and the creator of various other lovable worlds like Pat of Silver Bush. As the amazing author, originator and creator of these spectacular works, L.M. Montgomery could be described as the very epitome of memorable characterisation. She created individuals, who were altogether so lovable and left such an impact on the people who encountered them in her books that I would say L.M. Montgomery gave her readers a precious gift each time she penned a character. Anne Shirley, with her red hair, abundant imagination...

Do you ever find yourself barely able to breathe from the sheer captivation of the written word? Some books have that effect, don't they?  In this post, I thought I would dive into the reasons for my sincere appreciation of some of my very favourite authors, exploring how their works have inspired and taught me... Let's start with Jane Austen (as I often do 😉). She is the queen of omniscient narration, with the occasional use of free indirect discourse. In plain English, this means she is excellent at narrating a story in 3rd person, while tapping into a specific character's thoughts and feelings. She does this with multiple characters at different points in her novels, without using 1st person to share her characters' internal workings. She cleverly reveals their opinions and emotions, but not all at once. Sometimes it's subtle, sometimes it's momentous. At any rate, Austen was an author who loved to surprise her readers and equally loved to make them laugh.  ...

 A Poet's Prayer  Chapter One  "And how are you this morning, Mrs. Stainton?" Robert brought her a steaming mug of coffee. "Enjoying wedded bliss?" She laughed and lifted her lips to kiss his cheek.  "Ever so much, my dear." "How good of your neighbour to watch over Thomas and Minnie, while we're away."  "Yes, indeed. Mrs. Deacon is invaluable. And Dorothy promised to pay them a visit. They couldn't be more thrilled. The kids took to her like ducks to water!" "Do you mind, Rose darling..." Robert began, as he produced a scrap of paper and a pencil. "I'd like to write you a poem."  "Must I sit still as if you were sketching my likeness?" "Only for a couple of minutes, my dear."  And so she posed, ensconced in a dressing gown and smiling disposition.  As promised, the poem only took a few minutes to scribble.  "There," he announced, proudly.  "May I read it yet?" ...

  Autumn Leaves crunched  Beneath my feet Squirrels munched  And took a seat Perching on the branch above Silver, lime, bronze and dove Colours, soft, vibrant, serene Sprayed and splashed across the scene. With flurrying tails  And scurrying trails  Bounding, he leaps And then he creeps  Pouncing upon  Carpets that shone  Sinking in the leaves.  Spring The leaves shimmer. The waters glimmer. Glistening, still, Listening till  The birds crash through... A bright flash, too, As their wings take flight. More things in sight... Those gleaming beaks  And fluttering tails. My eye - it seeks  The crowd that sails On high o'er lakes and trees beyond The peaceful clime, of which I'm fond.  A Seasonal Riddle Underneath the crackling path, Where trampled leaves make children laugh... Come and wake me if you dare! Though asleep, you'll find me there. Cold and bitter, ice and snow. Frosts that shimmer, flakes that glow.  Each bush...

Epilogue  Rose's heart pounded, as Robert led the way to the nearby park.  She was on the verge of asking, "where are you taking me?" when she realised that would be a needless question. It was clear Robert was seizing the opportunity to enjoy her company after a long day's work and watch the dusky, golden sunset from the benches by the park. It was the only splash of green in the area and much-appreciated by the residents of the city, especially the cotton mill employees. The fresh outdoor air was a welcome relief when compared to the thick, dense weight of cotton that permeated the air they breathed, daily, in the suffocating swamp of a factory.  Robert reached a bench and beckoned for Rose to take a seat beside him.  "You must know," he took her hand and pressed it to his chest. "I can't conceal it any longer. You must know that I love you." Rose's heart skipped a beat. "I... I love you too," she found herself saying after an i...

 Chapter Four  "Rose, my dear, you look as though you haven't got enough sleep! This industry is known for causing fatigue." Dorothy patted her back fondly and smiled. "You lying awake, dreaming of the future? Wondering if it contains a certain young gentleman we're both very fond of?" "Unfortunately, no." Rose sighed. "The reasons for my tiredness and the fact I had a sleepless night are far less agreeable." "I'm all ears." "Well... I've received a letter from my landlord and we are, as it turns out, no longer able to stay in the house. We have been given two weeks to vacate." "Oh, Rose!" Dorothy exclaimed. "I'm so sorry. I wish there was something I could do." "I've been praying for a miracle." "Of course you have. As will I." Rose paused in her work and shut her eyes tight. "Lord, send me a miracle," her heart whispered. "Send me a miracle."...

  Chapter One  Rose Lambe gazed out the window longingly. It was a bright, warm, sunny day and the dense, heavy atmosphere of the cotton mill proved an oppressive contrast to the blue, summery sky. Oh, to be out of doors on a day like this! Though the mist hung low and thick in the winter, summer was a welcome break from the overcast gloom of the city. Although she rejoiced that Thomas and Minnie were benefiting from the beautiful day, she earnestly wished she could join them.  She was grateful nonetheless. Mrs. Deacon had promised to take the children to the park and Thomas had squealed at the prospect. Minnie had wailed into Mummy's skirts that she wanted to work the mill just to be with her.  "Come, Minnie," Rose had coaxed, gently pushing some stray curls and tucking them behind her daughter's ear. "You and Thomas are going to have a wonderful time at the park, as kind Mrs. Deacon has offered to take you. Have fun. And enjoy yourselves. You'll do that for...

 Hi everyone.  Introducing... If Hearts Could Fly.  I would like to start posting a short story in sections. Part one will be the first three chapters. Part two will consist of the next two chapters. And part three will contain the final chapter or epilogue. Enjoy! 😊 Synopsis for If Hearts Could Fly: Rose Lambe is a young mother, raising two little children on her own in Victorian England. Her late husband, Peter Lambe, has passed away and she has to earn a substantial income herself to sustain her young family. While working in a cotton factory in the north of England, Rose encounters a tough financial challenge that threatens her security. Surrounded by her friends, she displays admirable courage in the face of tribulation...  Will her most interesting acquaintance -the handsome and very poetic Robert Stainton - prove to be an answer to her prayers? If Hearts Could Fly is a short story /novelette, attempting to combine contextual accuracy with vivid imagination. H...

  The first of Jane Austen's novels to be published, (1811), Sense and Sensibility is a masterpiece that has thrilled readers for over 200 years. It was adapted for screen in the 90s by Miramax studios and again in 2008 by the BBC. The novel itself, when I first read it, was a sheer delight. I particularly recollect the highlight of a cliffhanger at the end of one chapter that kept me hooked, spurring me on to the next. I would definitely recommend Sense and Sensibility for Jane Austen fans, who require a taste of her unbeatable characterisation and the incorporation of themes that the entire novel revolves around. Let's dive into these a little more deeply... Austen's skills shine in this novel, most splendidly. Not only does she present two most lovable and admirable heroines, but she provides them with husbands, building the tension and excitement gradually throughout the plot, until the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne are happily settled in matrimony, upon closing...

 

  To be observed by those of us immersed in the literary world, the 1800s prove to be a jam-packed century, full to the brim with authors, poets and geniuses of literature. Of all centuries, I personally find the 19th to be most intriguing. England saw the Regency Period within the Georgian era, as the Prince Regent ruled on behalf of his inept father. Then Queen Victoria became this nation's monarch at the age of 18 and in the year 1837, igniting the Victorian era into motion, which lasted for the rest of the century. We benefit today from the books that were written during these times; we still read them 200 years later, eagerly devouring their contents. What exactly were they and who wrote them? Let's start with Jane Austen.  Within her lifetime of only 41 years, she wrote six complete novels and they are stunning masterpieces. Besides Sanditon, her unfinished novel, and her juvenilia, she managed to create and publish four books before her death in 1817. Two of her novels ...

  THE PUFFED SLEEVE DRESS. The classic scene of Anne getting Her First puffed sleeve dress is etched memorably in many fans' hearts as a heartwarming display of Matthew Cuthbert and Anne Shirley's close Friendship. But there is one stark difference between the Book Dress and Miniseries dress... The COLOUR! Book dress. "...Matthew had sheepishly unfolded the dress from its paper swathings and held it out with a deprecatory glance at Marilla, who feigned to be contemptuously filling the teapot, but nevertheless watched the scene out of the corner of her eye with a rather interested air. Anne took the dress and looked at it in reverent silence. Oh, how pretty it was--a lovely soft brown gloria with all the gloss of silk; a skirt with dainty frills and shirrings; a waist elaborately pintucked in the most fashionable way, with a little ruffle of filmy lace at the neck. But the sleeves--they were the crowning glory! Long elbow cuffs, and above them two beautiful puffs divided by...

GOLDEN HOUR BY THE SEA a wonderful evening spent by the sea with friends all around we chatter about our news,  full of life's goodness we abound Diving in with merry laughter shrieking from the cold! we pull out stories of each other some new and some old. photos taken, pull out your funny pose! close your eyes or point your toes. memories made never fade with friends, it never Ends.  

  In the late autumn of 2022, I set out with my sister to do something I would have previously considered unthinkable. To go without the comfort blanket of my parents to a place I'd never been, to do work I'd never done. Farm sitting, with a friend I'd technically only known 3 weeks and a few days. And it was Wonderful. I was so nervous to go that many times I had thoughts of backing out, making excuses and staying put.  But I didn't. And I am so Grateful. We arrived at a place we'd never even heard of in the Yorkshire peaks. A small Farm with roughly 30 cows, 100 sheep, 300 chickens and 4 sheepdogs. It was stunning, being set almost halfway up one side of a ridge of the snaking valley. The Pretty Stone farmhouse was beautiful too with its homely lived-in feel. There was a long table where we could sit outside in the fine weather evenings, watching the sunset over the valley. And now to the work... Each morning, we got up at half 7, or 8ish and shared out the duties...

   Historical accuracy of hair and costume Hair was uniformly curled or pulled back, no beach waves, long straight fringes or loose hair in public. Bonnets were worn out of doors as appropriate for social situations of the era accurately printed and varied fabrics, class appropriate for Bennets as they are still in the gentry class                                                      characterisation Lizzy is witty, has sparkling dark eyes and also sensible and refined as described in the book Jane is sweet and sensible and looks similar to the portrait which Austen said was what she imagined her like Mr Darcy is tall, proud and also uncomfortable in new social situations as described in the book Mr Bingley is shown to be friendly but also mature and sensible although he lets himself be led by his friend, (I particularly object to the 2005 port...