First Hummingbird ...

I had my first hummingbird in the garden this evening. Of course, I didn't have a dang camera, but I expect he will be back. He found the purple hyacinth vine flowers very interesting. Yipee - hummers... 

The flowers of the vine are impressive, but I love the pod even more. This year's plant just sort of showed up from seeds from last year. They are tough vines. They start of with the first few leaves kind of raggedy, but that's no big deal. It's vigorous, so it needs something tough to grow on - I use our six foot chain link fence and I still have to keep it in check from taking on the roof line of the house. Great vine though -- just lovely. And ... hummers.... Next time I'll get a picture of the little bugger.

Everything Austen II - Jane Austen Ruined my Life -Beth Pattillo

Summary: Professor Emma Grant had always believed in happily-ever-after. After all, Jane Austen and her parents were proof enough of that. But in the place of a moment, she realizes that her dream marriage was a sham and to add insult to injury, her husband and his lover ruin her academic career in one fell swoop. Who do you blame - Jane Austen of course. She taught us to believe in Elizabeth marrying Darcy at the end of the Pride & Prejudice. Lured to England with promises of letters that might resurrect her academic career, Emma has nothing else to do but try. 


Comments (some spoilers): Having an academic life (14 years - good lord have I been that long in higher education?), I know unfortunately, how things work. I know what tenured faculty can be (though thankfully only a VERY few) and I know how manipulative graduate students can be - I was one after all in this country and in England. 
Emma begins her story like this, "Most of all, I'm going to England to prove there is no such thing as a happy ending. And that I was a fool to think I could ever have one." Ouch - what a way to start. 
But philosophically, hasn't Miss Austen ruined us all to some degree. It largely turns out for the best for her heroines; they marry for love, not money, though some of them get both (think Lizzy Bennet), but that's not the real world.
I enjoyed the book. I liked the idea of Emma's story coming thorough slowly and the details not just being dumped in my lap at the beginning. The Formidables - what a hoot -- I only wish they do exist... maybe they do and are waiting for me to worthy of their work. 


I quibble with one minor thing and one maybe not so minor. Minor things - Starbucks ... over  and over  - no one goes to the bloody pub? Come on - I lived there - we drink beer at lunch. No pub visit at all? This is not the England I know. 
Okay - not major, but certainly not minor - page 44 - Adam and Emma visit Kenwood Park and Adam wonders if it  could be an inspiration for an Austen house such as Pemberley, Rosings, or Mansfield Park, to which Emma replies, "Not Mansfield Park ... Austen never really describes it, not the way she does other houses. But I can't image a family like the Rushworths living in someplace this elegant."  The Rushworths... um,  perhaps the Bertrams instead. 


Over all -- fun read, love the Formidables and of course Adam (but dear lord who wouldn't?), but Emma better get back to him soon (I'm not kidding).  Can't wait for the next book... Mr. Darcy broke my Heart.

Everything Austen II - The Other Mr. Darcy - Monica Fairview

The Other Mr. Darcy - Monica Fairview


Summary: Caroline Bingley is our heroine. Caroline is sincerely broken-hearted when Mr. Darcy marries Lizzy Bennet— that is, until she meets his charming and sympathetic American cousin. Mr. Robert Darcy is as charming as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is proud, and he is stunned to find the beautiful Caroline weeping at his cousin's wedding. Such depth of love, he thinks, is rare and precious. For him, it's nearly love at first sight. But these British can be so haughty and off-putting. How can he let the young lady, who was understandably mortified to be discovered in such a vulnerable moment, know how much he feels for and sympathizes with her?


Comments (some spoilers): How can I possibly feel bad for Caroline Bingley - groan? Oh, but I do. Anyone who has ever had their heart well and truly broken can feel for her. But to be honest in Pride and Prejudice, I never thought Caroline had a heart at all - just ambition. And to be seen in such a state by a man you don't know - let's just compound grief with humiliation to start things off right. Ouch. Seriously, Ouch. But Caroline and Louisa return from the Darcy wedding to Netherfield to spend time with Jane and Charles Bingley. Caroline has become more civil, more thoughtful perhaps, and seems a real help to Jane. Jane seems to be counting on Caroline's assistance, But Jane is so sweet, it is hardly surprising. In contrast, Louisa Hurst has become more crass. Perhaps the death of her basically useless husband, is the case... or perhaps it's because she can't have any fun because she's in mourning.
It has been several months since Darcy and Elizabeth married, and an unexpected arrival takes place at Netherfield - Mr. Robert Darcy arrives with news for Jane to come to Pemberly as Elizabeth is unwell. Of course she does with Charles immediately, but Caroline and Louisa wait to let Mr. Robert Darcy rest and for the arrival of a proper escort in the person of Col. Fitzwilliam. Caroline couldn't be in much more of an awkward situation, but does want to be a help to Elizabeth - or specifically Jane at Pemberly.
So this is where the fun begins... the 4 journey to Pemberly, get way laid by geese (geese! of all things), visit to a fortune teller at the fair, and spend several days at the home of a friend of Col. Fitzwilliam's. There are proposals, engagement rumors, fake engagement, and finally making it to Pemberly. Where the adventure continues with the arrival of the entire Bennet clan, then Lydia, stolen jewels, and finally Caroline realizing her own self.
Caroline rises to the occasion, more than once and proves herself worthy of all that is good and will make her truly happy.


It was at the fair that I started to realize that Caroline's upbringing could not have been much fun. She and Louisa were in a position to become ladies with the knowledge that their family money came from trade. They couldn't do anything (such as attend a fair) that would place them closer to the trade side of their family instead of being girls, and later ladies, of importance. That could not have been fun. Is that what makes her so conceited? Robert Darcy hits a key point - Caroline is always blaming herself for things - does that too go back to her upbringing. We find out more about her parents and that I think illuminates something of her personality as well. Ms. Fairview has created a very three dimensional character.
There were so many funny references to Pride and Prejudice in this book. I won't point them out, but you'll see them. Some made me laugh out loud. I'm not sure about all the traveling  - the Bennet family, Lydia, etc. it gave me pause, but did not distract me nor did it distract from the novel. I really enjoyed Robert Darcy's open character and his practical way of thinking. He is a lovely character and a true American.
I enjoyed this book so much that I have added The Darcy Cousins to my ever growing Everything Austen II list. This was a great read about a character I never thought I could like, but in the end, I liked Caroline Bingley a great deal.


Lovely book Ms. Fairview!

Everything Austen II - Additions #3

Okay, Okay, I can't help myself ... I'm adding to my Everything Austen II list (again!) -- this may not be smart, but then again, sometimes neither am I.


From one of my favorite bloggers and a generally very funny person - Mags.
The Jane Austen Handbook - Margaret C. Sullivan
Also from the delightful Monica Fairview - I just finished The Other Mr. Darcy, so I had to...
The Darcy Cousins - Monica Fairview

Jackalope's Saloon - Our first visit, and it won't be our last.

Jackalope's Saloon
It has 4 4-top tables and seats 10 at the bar (which if you do the math is more that the maximum occupancy of 25). It doesn't open until 6:00pm, but by 7:00pm it's almost full. The floor moves when you walk (expected in an old house), there is bead board walls and bead board ceilings. It's the most narrow restaurant I think I've been (excepting in New Orleans), but feels spacious. It makes me think I'm in New Orleans - our first visit and I loved it. The decor is red walls, rose garlands, statues of our Lady, skulls, and Jackalopes of course. There are paintings and black cats, portraits of dogs, lots of candles, funky chandeliers, and some paintings of scantily clad women ... probably something that would put people off here, but I guess most of us have been to New Orleans enough that this doesn't seem to put anyone off - I loved it personally and it didn't seem to bother anyone who ventured in. 
The menu focuses on Tex Mex, but also has sandwiches and some vegan options too -- that's always a good thing to see. Not that I'm vegan, but I think variety is good thing if you can do it well. They have a small kids menu which is always a good idea. The have a good variety of beers with several of them largely tied to the Tex Mex theme and seem to be carrying a couple of wines at a time. Our beer of choice for the evening - Sol. 
One of the interesting things that caught me totally off guard - it is a cash only restaurant -- I didn't know anything was cash only any more, but we managed (thankfully, they would take a local check and I actually had checks in my purse - astonish me.). That said, several men were sent off to get cash from the closest drug store that gives cash back... it was funny. I guess no one carries cash any more. 

The interesting thing to me was the diverse customers. We were there first so we were able to get photos and talk with Wendy (one of the owners). We just happened to ask did they draw most of their customers from the community, which is an older up scale neighborhood. She said, right now it's a mix of new people (like us) and regulars from the neighborhood. That's got to be a good sign. Next an older gentleman and his wife sat at the bar with us - a first visit for them as well, next to them at the bar was a guy in his mid-twenties, a repeat customer, who spent the majority of his time texting between bites of a great looking quesadilla. Three customers in the 60's came and sat at "their" table. Each Wendy knew by name and were shown the new wine that Jackalope's had in that week that goes well with Tex-Mex food. Then a young family was added to the mix and another middle aged couple. Finally, next to us sat two neighbors of the owners who live on the other side of town - that's a fair drive to make. Our drive wasn't short, but was easy and we'll be making it again. MotH got the chips and salsa (our only disappointment, as the salsa didn't seem to be made on site), and a pulled pork burrito. It was beautiful and excellent at the same time. I had chips with queso and made a total pig of myself (and enjoyed it immensely). 
My plan for next time is either a quesadilla or an order of pulled pork nachos. Either way, I'll bet they are going to be good. 

Everything Austen II - First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice - Alexa Adams

Summary: In Pride and Prejudice Fitzwilliam Darcy begins his relationship with Elizabeth Bennet with the words: "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present to  give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men." What would have happened if Mr. Darcy had never spoken so disdainfully? First Impressions explores how the events of Jane Austen's beloved novel would have transpired if Darcy and Elizabeth had danced together at the Meryton Assembly. Jane and Bingley's relationship blossoms unimpeded, Mary makes a most fortunate match, and Lydia never sets a foot in Brighton. Austen's witty style is authentically invoked in this playful romp from Longbourn to Pemberley.


Thoughts: I suggest you need not read the apology at the beginning of the book, though it was funny, it was quite unnecessary. There are many things to enjoy in this book, some familiar, some more exaggerated, some more calmly rendered, but the characters are true to themselves and the original. I have decided the thing that makes me most happy with a Miss Austen-related retelling or new work using Miss Austen's characters, in part or full, is the openness that must come from our own frustration when characters in the original don't say what they need to or do so too late.  Is this a 21st century sensibility that make much more sense to readers? Or is it that characters often say what I would say (some examples below).
What an interesting take on Pride & Prejudice! The Bennett family is still at their best to embarrass the two eldest daughters and drive Mr. Bennett to distraction. Caroline Bingley is much the same, but Louisa seems to have grown tired of Caroline trying (in vain) to catch Mr. Darcy. It's also nice to see Darcy not being (excuse my language) such an ass when we first meet him at the assembly. Elizabeth tolerates him well - she's level-headed, understanding, and while lively as ever, not provoking.   
Since we all know Pride & Prejudice, I hope that not much is considered a spoiler, but if you have not read First Impressions and want all the surprises (and I think you do), you may stop here and come back after you're finished. 
This book moves quickly, or should I say Charles Bingley does. It doesn't take long after Jane's stay at Netherfield, extended due to illness, that Bingley realizes he's head-over-hearts in love and is fairly confident that Jane is likewise. Her are two lovely changes - Darcy is perfectly pleased with the idea of Jane and Bingley together and Caroline rants that the Bennett girls are beneath Charles - she appeals to Darcy for assistance. As Caroline makes several mistakes during a fit of anger, Darcy replies, "Surely my position in society is a great deal different than your brother's. You forget what he just acknowledged, that your social status is rather closer to the Bennetts than to mine." Now that's just a set down right there. And lovely Charles finally gets backbone, "If you wish to live with me Caroline, you must cease this line of conduct!" Well, if that doesn't send a lady to her room with a headache, I don't know what does. It's so nice that Jane does not have to go through months of sadness. sigh. 
Mr. Collins arrives as expected and plans to choose his wife from one of the beautiful Bennett girls he's heard of. Well, not quite. In the end, perhaps he isn't so stupid as we thought and picks the girl that will be a good minister's wife - the pious, but plain Mary Bennett. While Mrs. Bennett is pleased, but somewhat surprised, Mr. Bennett just kills me with this response to his wife, "If you desire to live out your years in residence with Mr. Collins, the match will of course, receive my blessing, but I for one will be glad to be dead, buried, and rid of the man."  Can I get an Amen!
I have to admit, I'd been waiting for it - the arrival of Wickham. What was this twist going to be and I was pleased to see that Mr. Darcy did the right thing. He informed Mr. Bennett of Wickham's true character and put him on his guard. It's apparent to most of the characters with a little intelligence that Mr. Darcy isn't doing this for his own professed reasons - it's starting to show -- his interested in Elizabeth. Mr. Bennett is forward enough to ask what his intentions are to his favorite daughter. When Darcy tells Elizabeth of Wickham's character and the attempt on his sister Georgiana, Darcy notes, "Astonished, outrage, and tenderness all betrayed one decisive fact. She cared deeply for him and his sister. He knew then that he unequivocally loved her." sigh. 
I can't give away all except to say, that Wickham is still Wickham and he gets what he deserves in one of the most ironic ways possible - loved it! Lady Catherine manages to deal with it -- sort of. And the special plans for Lydia and Kitty - I never would have thought it possible! Weddings take place and all ends well. 


This is a short book and fast read, but filled with so many pithy lines and great set ups, you'll be so pleased once you've read it. I personally think this is a lovely way to read Pride & Prejudice. Just do it. Outstanding Alexa!!

Miss Austen's Hateful Characters

I'm going to start reviewing some characters of Miss Austen's and since it's always easiest to start with those you dislike, I shall. The following are the characters, I find, to be the most hateful and unforgivable. Not all of her novels have such a character. Emma, for instance, doesn't have a character I consider evil, though certainly some that are icky and a few that are special for being just right.
These are in no particular order, excepting the order they came to me as I came up with the list. As follows are my list of truly terrible characters {Plenty o' Spoilers}:

Henry Crawford - not thought handsome at first, his snake-like charm makes Maria and Julia Bertram both interested in him. You know he must just love having two sisters fight over him and to his credit he plays the game well; spending time with one sister to enrage the other and then, just in time turning on the charm to the one who thought herself slighted. Choosing to prefer the engaged Maria was a risky move, but again played well - do we think he's done this before - oh yes. He's a cad from way back. No doubt honing his skills where ever he goes and it does not seem to matter if a woman is a beauty or rich or neither, it's all just for his own amusement. Happily Julia finally sees the light (I mean does someone have to hit that girl over the head or what?) and has nothing more to do with Crawford and his flirting ways. Maria, too, makes up her mind that it's best to have a husband with a large fortune and a house in Town than be a play thing for Crawford and marries stupid Mr. Rushmore. Poor Crawford, no one left to play with ... except the paragon of virtue, Fanny Price. Thankfully, Fanny will have none of it -- even when pushed by Edmund, scolded my Mrs. Norris and questioned by Sir Thomas. No matter what you think of Fanny Price, you have to give her credit for standing up for herself in this case. She knew what Crawford was and saw through his game. Did he genuinely fall in love with her? Maybe. But if so, it wasn't enough to keep him from returning to his evil ways and ruining the life of Maria Bertram. Hateful creature - but would he be so hateful, if women weren't so flattered by him?

George Wickham - handsome and smooth and insinuating all kinds of things against Mr. Darcy with people he had only just met. Not nice. How is that evil creatures, more often than not, come is what are seemingly nice packages. Wickham is so very charming (and don't look too shabby in a uniform), but so easily spreads lies to undermine someone whom he perceives has wronged him (Darcy). When the truth comes out we find that Wickham has moved from woman to woman in order to secure a fortune through marriage and has almost persuaded Darcy's younger sister, Georgiana, to elope with him for her 30,000 pounds. Thankfully, he was stopped by Darcy. Everyone is deceived in him when they meet him because he oozes charm, but when they think back on the situation it becomes clear that he's a charlatan. Of course, much of this is not known until it's too late and stupid Lydia believes herself in love with him and elopes with him. Pushed to the point, he just wanted some companionship and was still on the make for a wealthy wife. Had it not been for Darcy, Lydia's (and her family's) reputation could not have been salvaged. Deceitful and insinuating.

John Willoughby - handsome, romantic, articulate, fun. What could be better? Well, let's see, perhaps if he didn't get young women knocked up, leave another girl (and her family) who loves him with little notice, behave like a total jerk at a ball, write hateful notes (yes, we know why, but he was weak), and then marry a rich woman leaving the girl who loves him to almost allow herself to die over this betrayal. In the end, Willoughby admits that he began by just playing with Marianne Dashwood, but did fall in love with her. So does that make him better or worse? Better because he had to be suffering some too, or worse because he left love for money? I'm glad he suffered, but he's still a scoundrel for securing money over love and not doing the right thing.

Isabella Thorpe (and her equally creepy brother John Thorpe) - Another pretty package, but no real feeling heart. Perhaps she doesn't have a heart at all. It must have been wonderful having Catherine Morland following her every word and being such an influence over dear young Catherine. But to then also be the master of Catherine's beloved brother James - get engaged after all  -- but Isabella thinks of no one but herself. When she has to wait for Catherine she complains, when she finds out what Mr. Morland (with 10 children) is willing to do for herself and James she complains - right in front of Catherine no less. When James is not around she's a shameless flirt.  And then wonders why James will have nothing more to do with her, begging Catherine to help her out of her fix.  Deceitful and scheming describe Isabella Thorpe. 

Now on to creepy brother John and creepy is the best way to describe him - ugh. Spreads gossip, tries to move up the social ladder, makes moves on Catherine that she either is too naive too see or just ignores and then is exasperated at Catherine for having no feelings for him (like she could - ugh). He's pushy in changing Catherine's plans with the Tilneys to get his own way. Perhaps that's his and Isabella's biggest flaw - they want their own way and will not be happy until they get it  - no matter what it does to anyone else. They are self-centered.

Mrs. Norris - Now this woman is just plain mean - but only to people she perceives as lower than her, in this case Fanny Price. She's great at sucking up to her sister and her sister's husband, Sir Thomas Bertram, and of course the Bertram children can do little wrong, but poor Fanny suffers the brunt of Mrs. Norris' mean streak. Fanny, in Mrs. Norris' eyes, never does anything right. She uses Fanny to run errands without regard to Fanny's health or well-being. She makes sure Fanny knows she is not up to the level of the grand Miss Bertrams (but we know how that turns out, don't we?) In the end, Mrs. Norris gets what she deserves - spending the rest of her life taking care of her beloved Maria, who has disgraced her self and her family.


What a group, aren't they? I've debated in my head if Caroline Bingley should be in the group as well... and can't decide. Part of me says yes, but part says that she's just a pathetic creature. Time will tell. 
Next - tackling Austen's icky characters and there are so so many. 

Pickles...how much is not normal?

How many jars of homemade pickles does a normal person have in their fridge? I mean is it normal to have so many that it takes an entire shelf? I don't water process my pickles because I have had bad luck with less than crisp pickles and to me that's a crime. So here are the stats:
Bread and Butter Pickles - 3
Dill Pickles - 7
Pickled Okra - 1
Hot Pickled Carrots - 1
Pickled Pear Tomatoes - 1
Pickled Banana Peppers  - 1
Pickled Ginger (in Sherry, no less)  - 1
Plus:
Squash Relish (yum)
Hot Pepper Jelly
Blueberry Jelly


A friend just gave me some banana peppers so I think I'm w/in my rights to make more of those, but I'll be steering clear of the pickling cukes for a while. There is no sense in looking like a mad woman. 

Aren't Miss Austen's novels enough?

Is it a bad thing that I really don't care about Miss Austen's letters or read her biographies, of which there must be many? I love her novels, but I don't care to make a pilgrimage Chawton or Bath just because of Miss Austen.  I'm just not sure I need more than her books to get a sense of who she is (was). And does it matter all that much? Do I need to know her to understand her work? I just don't think so. I know next to nothing about Charlotte Bronte, excepting she had a couple of writing sisters (one of whom wrote Wuthering Heights - hated it), but reading Jane Eyre gives me an idea of who Miss Bronte was, not that it matters in the grand scheme of things, since I would love the book even if had been written by a space alien from a Dr. Who episode (even the Ood).
Okay, I know Miss Austen was the daughter of a minister and her best friend was her sister Cassandra; it's quite possible she'd been tossed in love (who hasn't been?), but can that place too much impact on her stories that we start to read things into her works that aren't really there? She's so creative and her characters resonate as real people. Do we need to think that whomever broke her heart is translated into Willoughby or Wickham? I'd prefer not to.
Miss Austen said that Emma was a character no one would like but herself and I find I can't stand Emma for the vast majority of the book. Am I reading into the work Miss Austen's comment? Or ... is Emma just annoying on her own without commentary from Miss Austen. Hell, I never watched Becoming Jane because I thought it unnecessary. Maybe that's it. The novels stand alone, the rest, lovely trivia though it is, is quite unnecessary.

Everything Austen II - Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict - Laurie Viera Rigler

Summary: Jane Mansfield, after an apparent spill from a horse, wakes up in 21st century Los Angeles. She doesn't understand anything modern, nor does she recognize herself – and the clothes! What lady would wear such things – deplorable! One recognizable thing is the works of one of her favorite authors, Jane Austen.

There is also freedom, making her own decisions (w/out the all controlling mother), but also memories of her own family who would be, if the calendar could be believed to be 2009, dearly departed from this world.  Even the man she thought she loved, Edgeworth, would be long dead. She has friends here whom she does not recognize and a former fiancé (jerk) as well. And then there is enigmatic Wes. What does Jane think of him and what does Courtney know of him? And how is that certain memories come through that aren't really her's but Courtney's. Who and what can she trust to maneuver around this new world? Is Jane better off in the 21^st century or would it be better to return to what she knows – if she can?

Thoughts: 

Jane Mansfield (love the name) has it way worse than Courtney Stone (Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict), if you ask me, excepting the discovery of one of our times greatest inventions - hot water showers (any of you been through a hurricane?).

After having read Ms.. Rigler's earlier book Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, I knew I was in for a great story. So many things for Jane to learn and manage and, alone to a large degree, really. Immediately Jane has to put past her ideas of decorum and try to decide who to trust. Wes, Anna, and Paula are all apparently Courtney's friends, but not exactly friendly with each other  - that much is apparent.

Again, the story of Courtney's (Jane's) very complicated life is revealed to the reader and Jane at the same time. I enjoy that because it gives you time to understand a character better. So too do I enjoy Jane's delight in realizing that there are 6 novels by Miss Austen – what a delicious treat for someone who knew of only 2 novels.

I shall not go into all the wonderful discovers and surprises Jane goes through as Courtney, but they are numerous, scary sometimes. and a great freedom for Jane. Vodka seems much appreciated. How lovely.

Deepa, a relatively new acquaintance, is a lovely character that I would like to see more of – genuine, caring and always ready with some pretty steady advice – much like the shape- and time-shifting fortune teller who is a help in Jane's (and Courtney's) confusion.

Frank, Courtney's ex-finance is a jerk and deserves little mention because we all know guys like him don't we??

Now, Wes, our Wes. I'll leave it to you, but let's just say that sometimes nice, decent, loveable guys do finish first.

Bravo Laurie! Loved it!