For anyone who has just bought the Wives and Daughters video series, I summarize the story and insert my own observations of the characters on the video today.
I like listening on any device to the story on LibriVoxwhile going about the myriad of things I need to do around here.
This is the summary of the movie series. Some people like to see it for themselves first, and that's okay. I'm making this available for anyone who just wants the summary of the story.
The last chapter in the book was not the garden party, ( as I stated in the video) but rather Roger’s visit to the Gibsons.
Thank you so much for visiting. The broadcast is at the end of this post.
Today I went for a walk with Lucy in Venice, Italy. So refreshing!!
We are doing the best we can here at The Manse, even with "dark, narrow halls and a fire that smokes".
I read from these two books today:
Emily Barnes suggested small, free efforts to make being home beautiful, and "The Lost Art of Dress" explains why sleeveless clothing in public was not acceptable in the past. It stated that sleeveless garments are at a fashion disadvantage. I discussed the value of sleeves when designing and sewing, because they give more fabric to use to create style and interest. There is a variety of sleeve patterns available, and below are some of them.
Below is an Etsy pattern:
Another subject covered in the video— the old fashioned train case.
Since I sometimes turn The Manse into a train for a vacation trip when the children visit, I became interested in train cases. These were small boxes for temporary supplies to last the trip without having to get into the bigger suitcases or trunk before arrival. They contained personal care items.
A web search for train cases will yield some history of this charming little box.
I found these at Dollar Tree,(total cost for these 4 colorful bags was $5.00), and I know they are lunch carriers, but they look like the train cases and were the same size as a reproduction train case I once bought.
These lightweight insulated bags from the dollar store can be filled with supplies for car travel or kept in a guest room. I use one of them to carry my books and craft materials when sharing an art project with someone.
We are working hard to make the outside of The Manse have good curb appeal and look less abandoned.
Today's dress at home:
Cotton tropical print fabric,
with this pattern and different sleeves:
With apron (Walmart.com) for work:
With coordinating jacket for going out:
Painting by George Clausen (1852-1944) "The Visit"
Poems I Read on the Broadcast:
Ad Lib
At seven A.M., I don't envy the mob
Who rise, shine and shower and go to the job.
In rain, sleet or storm, whether snowing or blowing,
I stay home and savor the joys of not going.
Cheers to you dears out fulfilling yourselves.
I'll bake me a cake, and I'll straighten my shelves,
I'll write some light verse and I'll practice some Bach...
If my neighbor drops in, I'll take time for a talk.
I'd rather have a family than fortune or fame;
I don't think my apron's a Red Badge of Shame.
You're welcome to banking, computers and math,
Guns, plumbing and business. I'll take a hot bath.
Art, music, letters--the good things of life
Are no less my own, since I'm mother and wife.
If I scrub, mop or dig in the garden, I'm free...
Remember, the choices were all made by me.
author: Helene Lewis Coffer
**********
Painting by Paula Vaughn
Free Girl
The sun through the curtain says it is a new day,
I stretch as I wake, hearing my brothers at play.
They are pretending to be men going off to cut trees,
For wood in the fire so we don't all have to freeze.
There is work for me, too; I do not live in leisure.
The family likes my cooking; they think I'm a treasure.
I'm practicing for when I'll be out of this house
To tidy the home of my dear future spouse.
author: Miss Lily of the Valley
In today’s broadcast and the previous ones, I encourage girls at home not to go out to work, due to several factors: influence, impact on others, change of values from the prevailing culture, and health.
In the next video I will talk more about being busy at home
Please enjoy catching up on some things at home while you listen:
Today I walked in Paris with Lucy. You can do this in your home, and you do not have to do each
exercise the same way. For example, when she does something too strenuous for you, just do it a different way or sitting down. You can actually adapt any of these exercises to chair exercises or to your own strength level. What could be better than walking around Paris without having to pay the fare.
I read an article from Tea Time, which had a page of 19th century paintings depicting tea, including this one by Mary Cassatt
A Cup of Tea by Mary Cassatt, circa 1880
Included in class today was the art book, above. It has good instructions for everyone, and you don't have to be a grandmother. It is a good instruction book for homeschool, or for yourself to use as project lessons for leisure. I plan to use it to get some art skills.
A favorite artist and painting. I like the fabric of the lady's dress.
The Courtship by Edmund B. Leighton 1852-1922
The lesson on courtesy that I read today came from the chapter called "Keep A Civil Tongue" in the book "Simple Social Graces" by Linda Lichter. Victorians believed that carelessness in speech resulted in carelessness of actions.
Today's tea: Rose Mint from Bigelow
Dress fabric: Fabric Traditions
With jacket for going out.
Made with this pattern.
With apron: Hobby Lobby
I hope you will enjoy being home while you listen today.
