Out of the Doldrums

I fear last night’s Writings ended up sounding rather dark, and not at all as Optimistic as I often feel. When I think on it, I do have quite the collection of lovely friends and acquaintances still at school and at least four graduated school fellows will be very near. Adding Master Fox, well, it will be quite the family away from family! After yesterday’s funk, it was particularly nice to have a pleasant morning and today started quite well for I awoke to a call from my Corsair (something that could never fail to make a morning better) who was himself particularly cheerful as he started training for his new Employment this day and will soon be a Proper Working Man and not my Fine Ruffian at all! This is not to say he wasn’t before, for he is often occupied in many theatric and artistic endeavors, but for those he makes no salary and the Public Eye is not so keen to consider them “real work.” The only misfortune that this change brings is that he shall have far less time available for playing the Knight to my Lady, and with my departure fast approaching such moments as we might have together are already Much Diminished. Of course, it is not fair of me to sulk, for should he not be working we would see nothing of each other in the days further ahead, as he would have no other recourse than to walk the great distance to my Ivory Tower.

Ah well! Although I am at times of a difficult nature, Corsair puts up with my moods like a gentleman, so I feel I owe it to him to be, at least in this matter, a gracious and gentle woman (as I am quite sure that our separation will not be hard solely for myself).

In any case, I have enough to occupy my thoughts today, for Mother and I are in town with much business to accomplish, from paperwork to repairing my primary writing machine, with hopefully time for a few last minute purchases for school and a mother daughter luncheon in between.

On Leaving and (Never) Growing Up

Monday - August the 27th

Today was a hot and altogether unpleasant day, with heavy humid air that persisted even when the sun gave way to evening to rains. Mother and I are both suffering from a cold and found the weather to agitate Our Malady, which was particularly unpleasant given that I have Work on Mondays (after which I feel tired and worn even on good days). Perhaps in part from said weather, I also found myself strangely Restless, and could not feel entirely comfortable no matter my position or preoccupation. I think however, that my nervous tension arose largely from thoughts of returning back to school. As much as I love my dear Towers (and as pleased as I am at the prospect of a Room of My Own), I cannot help feeling gloomy over leaving my family and estate, and having formed such an attachment to my Corsair, I have yet another part of myself to leave behind and worry over. That may be the best way to say it- I find each person and place that I Love absorbs some piece of me, and when I part from them I part from It as well. Thus, I leave for the Final Term in pieces, returning to parts of myself left there but leaving others behind. It would not worry me so much if I had a great many friends to return to, but so many of my dearest companions are already graduated and gone. I think the Finality of the Final Term also weighs on my mind, for it when it is over it closes more than a Great Chapter in my life; it will be the proper end of the Book of my Youth and I will be fully out into the world of Grown-ups. Such thoughts exhilarate and thrill for I can see a great many paths before me, many bright and filled with adventures I have longed to take, but they also make me wish for Neverland or some other Realm of endless childhood. There is a cold and far-too-rational Miss Morewit lurking inside of me who relishes in painting the bleak image of taxes and wages and the doldrums of everyday working life. I fear she would turn me into some stern Ms. Lesswit if I let her, so I must remind myself of them many Small Pleasures and bright things to look forward to with Change, and I feel better again.

So, I shall try not worry for anything and instead be Quite Cheerful thinking of the weeks of art and paint and clay ahead of me, for it promises to be a semester to trump all others!

~ Morewit

On Parks and Dogs

Sunday- August the 26^th

Being a particularly fine Sunday, Mother, Mr. Corsair, and I aspired to visit The Rocks, a grand Park we had much wished to frequent this summer, but had failed to find time for earlier.  The Park proved to be glorious, if more crowded that we would have like (it is far more pleasant to have such a Wilds to oneself so one can explore at Leisure without the bothers of renegade youths running here and there while their chaperones follow, calling out). Corsair seemed quiet at home among the towering stones, though I fear he was Not Enamored with the larger cave that remains one of my favorite features of the park. It seems to be closer quarters now than how I remember it, but I still find navigating the chill stone in the dark to be quite the Thrill.

While adventuring, I could not help my amusement when I noticed in My Dear Ruffian a resemblance to the sporting dogs we used to raise when I was younger - for he would chase off to explore some hollow or crevasse, reappearing coated with woodland debris (and looking altogether too pleased with himself) to wag his tail at us for a moment before becoming distracted by some new challenge and trotting off again. In-between such visits, Mother practiced her skill at photography, of which I am ever envious, and took a number of lovely shots. She was also of a mind to capture an image of Corsair and I together, but I fear her skills were not quite up to the challenge of two such as Us, for looking at the photos afterwards, it seems that invariably neither of us could manage a normal face if the other’s looked halfway decent. Still, I am Glad to have such memories preserved and very thankful to Dear Mother for it.


After the light began to fade and we tired some of traipsing about, we returned to our own fair estate in search of Dinner. Finding none to greet us (Father had consumed a late and rather splendid sounding luncheon while we were out and had not been of a mind to cook) but having plenty of eggs on hand from our hens, we decided to create a garden omelet. Corsair and I undertook the task, but I’m afraid he soon tired of my Suggestions – the fellow is many things, but a proper wielder of a cooking knife he is not!  His Methods were still more than equal to the poor vegetables, and we soon had a Fine and Fluffy omelet of all the best vegetables and herbs from the garden (that, my Ruffian insisted, more resembled a quiche). Corsair and Father found it passably edible, but Mother thought it stood among the better omelets she had encountered so I was Well Pleased.

~Chef Morewit

(When tired out, he reverts more to a pleasant lap dog, making very peaceable company)

In Which a Lady Returns from a Long Absence

To all my Dear Friends-

I have been much distracted from my Writings, which is quite shameful of me- as some well-meaning (and much in the right) companions have seen fit to remind me. I have a few new-old writings to supply below the following, but they are from some time ago, and are nowhere near enough to fill the long gap between Then and Now. Having made so many promises to keep up with my journaling, whatever could have led an Honest Lady astray? Well, a great many things in truth, but one Pressing Matter in particular, which is that rather than spending my time employed in industrious endeavors I have been Very Busy perfecting the fine art of Courting.

Which, you see, is another way for me to say that I have been passing my summer in a happy haze of walks and talks and sweet nothings spent with the Fine Ruffian, Jack Corsair.  A fellow citizen of the stage, we had been acquainted before, but had never had occasion to speak properly or at length. As we were now in the same show with many long hours to while away backstage, we naturally formed alliance as the majority of our other companions were far older or younger than ourselves. I will admit that I was much charmed by his roguish nature and appearance (he is nothing if not a Character and a Showman) but as a discerning Lady ‘twas the gentleman underneath that won me over in the end- for though he is at times wild, he is always as kind and gentle as one could ever wish a man to be. I shall not bore you with the many small and delicate Flirtations that led to our courting, though I must remark on the fact that it was I who found herself out on a limb, nerves all aflutter, suggesting we frequent a coffeehouse together. See now, how my good Alma Matter has taught me to be a Bold Lady! Dear Mr. Corsair would sulk to hear me bring up such old news again, for I have teased him over my superior courage (in this matter) far too much, but I’m sure his Dignity will recover and he’ll not hold a grudge. Though when we met he was something of a vagabond of the theatre, returned to his family’s estate after a period of gallivanting, he has recently secured a post working with individuals in need of special care and attention - a noble pursuit I find quite telling of his character, for I think I would not have the patience or goodness to hold such a position.

As you all must know, coffee went very well indeed, and we have since been very much in each other’s company. I do fear that being in the first rosy stage of our relationship, where there is such enjoyment from spending time together and learning all the small things that make a person, my family has felt slighted by the split in my attentions- something I did not mean in the least part! I must endeavor to remind them that my Love and Loyalty will always be theirs. I will not embarrass myself in an attempt to describe our feelings as something new for I know that they have been felt by many others before. Still, I will say that there is something exhilarating but also wonderfully comforting in finding someone who cares to know all the little pains and pleasures of your day, and makes you happy regardless of other troubles. Ah, I’ve become a sap it seems! Enough of that for now- if I go on I’ll surely work myself into a Gloom for I am leaving my Corsair to return for my final term of Schooling, and I know that I will soon be greatly missing him, home, and family.  There is comfort in the thought of friends I will be returning to, and the fact that Master Fox is even now employed in my city by the sea. He is helping guide and educate the next generation of youths, a worthy task that he is equal too, though we cannot help but worry after him.

Now, I feel I’ve go on quite enough for one day, but I intend to be severe with myself again and write daily.

With much Affection,

~Lady Morewit

In Which Mother Returns

June the 18th

Mother is back, and we rejoice! However, while she returned full of Exciting News, our fears were also confirmed- Mrs. Rigaud proved to be, in Mother’s words, the most Cantankerous Companion she had ever endured a trip with. I should think she will now appreciate our love all the more after such a disastrous affair. In any case, there were gifts from afar including a bar of Pine Tar Soap which I absolutely adore! The scent is strongly connected to my fond memories of sailing, but does not linger strongly to ones showered skin (which I would not mind in the lease, but I fear others are not so enamored with the smoky savor of pine tar). It also seems to clean almost too well, before I first tried it, I had never actually been squeaky clean in the Literal Sense! I am quite convinced that I shall shower with nothing else for the rest of my days.

~The Clean Lady of Morewit

Lesswit

June the 17th

Still sore, but the pain feels more like the good sort of tired-ache, which means my muscles are surely beginning to heal. Mother is coming home tomorrow, which pleases us Greatly. Cards at Miss Makebrew’s Coffee House today, which means Master Fox and I shall be Making Merry with Good Friends (a pleasant past-time we shall never tire of)!

~Lady Morewit

In Which a Lady is Very, Very Sore

June the 16th

Am sorely regretting my overexertion in sport yesterday - I was so eager to advance and learn moves that I pushed myself more that I would have, and now my poor Body is paying dearly. I am quite sure that there is no single muscle in my body that does not ache. I do not much feel like writing today, as I’ve been hobbling about like a little old woman while doing Father’s List of Chores.

~The Very Aged Lady of Morewit

A Mother Departs

From June the 15^th

We escorted Mother to the City today where she was to rendezvous with an acquaintance for a grand trip. She was to be a Person of Importance amongst a gathering against That Most Terrible Industry, which made us proud, but she is such a cornerstone of our family that it was hard to see her off knowing that she would be gone from the Manor until Monday.  It was also with some trepidation that we saw her leave, as her travelling companion was one Mrs. Rigaud – a Lady that Master Fox and I both find to be less than amiable, despite her high status and fine intelligence.  But what’s done is done! We shall see how it goes, and hope for the best.

The rest of the day passed quickly, for after returning home it seemed that we were immediately out again, this time to Town. Master Fox had gotten it into his head that he WOULD teach myself and our friends a rather newfangled sport (of sorts) the has recently reached our shores by way of France. I was quite eager to learn it myself as it is just the sort of Rough and Tumble Activity that appeals to me (and as you all know, I am not really a dainty Lady, and never turn up my nose at Good Fun).

Thus, I spent some hours leaping and rolling and vaulting about in the Park and making a proper fool of myself, I’m sure. It was not all in vain though, for I managed to acquire some little skill at a few simple vaults and improved my roll. Master Fox was eager to teach his gentleman friends the same, but when we had first arrived Master Merritop had been in the midst of doing chores for his Lady Love, and Master Tigan was not in sight. After a time, Tigan appeared with a male acquaintance in tow, but his arrival didn’t bring the willing accomplice we had expected. Tigan was not himself, being rather Dulled Down and Tired, and unwilling to properly join-in with our merriment and sport. I suppose I ought not to judge another without knowing him well, but I could not help but feel it was in part the Companion’s fault, for the young man seemed a very Common sort of fellow with no life to him. Why, I’m quite sure I would have enjoyed the company of a toad, for a toad at least has some spark to his eye and a semblance of character. There we have it. I’m a spiteful sort of girl, trying to blame the poor fellow for anything. I’m sure he was… very nice.

In any case, we had a great deal of fun later with the Love Birds, especially when Master Fox tried to teach us some simple cartwheels, which none of us could quite manage to perfect.

Till tomorrow,

~Lady Morewit

A Most Wonderful Afternoon

The hour is late as I write this, but as promised, fingers to key and pen to paper Each Day. I spent my morning buried under mounds of clothing as it was Laundry Day for Master Fox and I, and it had been far too long since I had properly washed my wardrobe (and I fear 'tis overlarge). My efforts were rewarded of course, as I had a freshly laundered outfit to wear out on the town to see all our lovely friends! We took the automobile to Madame Makebrew's establishment and no sooner had we passed the threshold than a Most Torrential Rain began- an inauspicious beginning but you see our luck held well for we garnered not a drop while our friends, arriving later, did not fare so well. Miss Teatrola, Master and Miss H. Ţigan, and the Courting Pair (Master Merritop and dear Miss Indianna) made up Our Company, leaving us missing only one of our usual accomplices- the Very Dear Miss Woodwise (of course, being now Very Fine, the eldest Miss Ţigan is living in the City and is often missing from our gatherings). In any case, a great deal of Coffee and Catching-Up was passed about, as well as much bemoaning our lack of cards (not that we ever play at Gambling of course, our Cards are quite innocent). This was remedied when we all traveled over to the Teatrola Estate to enjoy a late supper of Sweets and Salts and play many card games. We also were able to pop over to the house where Miss Woodwise was hard as work looking after a large brood of children, and surprise her with a short visit. We left all festivities shortly after to return home, happy to see our our beds after a Long Day.

~A Most Contented Lady

~We three Fine Ladies at cards

In Which a Lady is of the Theatre

Yesterday I promised a little news, and you shall have it- I am to be the lead in a small Theatrical Endeavor in the town theatre. Mr. H. Polaris generously lauded my Acting Skills, which was most flattering as I feel that in such I am often overshadowed by the very talented Master Fox. After our practice (which I must admit left me quite winded, there being a Great Many Lines) I found myself stranded on the theatre steps. As there was no respectable establishment open at such an hour, I settled myself down to a Long Wait, as Mother and Master Fox were employed elsewhere and could not come for me with any haste. I am Quite Capable of looking after myself so I was not troubled overmuch by my predicament, and instead communicated over Wire with Monsieur Noblesse. With such invigorating conversation the time passed quickly and after a time our automobile did show itself, out of the dark.

Today we are in town once more, working on various Correspondences, and for myself, this writing. I was quite pleased to receive an invitation out from a Good Friend, Miss Teatrola, who desires to gather our “Cercle d'Amis” together for some Amusements. It will be with only the Greatest Pleasure that I accept, for it means I shall see my dear Miss Woodwises and Master Merrytop, and the Very Fine Miss H. Ţigan and Master Ţigan.

 We shall not linger very long today though as we need to find parts with which Father may repair his Farm Equipment.

Best,

~Lady Morewit

Post Script - The Theatre! How very grand I am now, eh?

A Final Writing for the Day!

10^th of June

Finally, a chance has arisen to actually make my thoughts, directed at you dear readers, readable to you. I have some Small News from today, but I have only a little time to dally with my writing so I think I will write it later on this Glorious Sunday and sent it with my next batch of days. Such a pile of correspondence below for you to read through! I hope you will.
 
Much love and warm thoughts,

~Lady E. Morewit

A Lady Needs Sleep

June the 9^th (or very early on the 10^th if one watches the clock)

I could not bear to sleep without turning out at least a single word, for it is far too early to break my promise of daily writing.

My dear Kit has no sooner finished raising her brood of kittens than she is bothering Tom Cat for another, which Mother and I agree we should not allow. So, she is Caged (and very unhappily) until we can find a Good Doctor to fix her so that she will have no more young.

No, it won’t do- I must go to sleep now. I am Worn Through after general daily bustle, culling weeds from amongst the beans, and helping Father prepare to make hay. Despite that work done, it seemed a day overlong without cause. I shall redeem myself, I hope, with a better show of writing tomorrow.

Yours, Exhausted,

~Lady Morewit

In which a Lady Experiments and Speaks to a Very Dear Old Friend

8th of June

 A glorious and unexpectedly productive day! Having made it to town yestereve, I did have the chance to read up on the Benefits and Creation of rosewater. A mild astringent, rosewater can be used as a facial cleanse on its own, or be added to other tinctures. It is also a most fragrant addition to many puddings and recipes (one such being the favorite drink of the brilliant Leonardo Da Vinci), and should one manage to make it, rose oil is a lovely perfume. Having a few rose bushes with Excellent Fragrance, I went out this morning and collected a large colander full of petals (after the morning dew had dried under the sun). One must begin the cooking process as soon as the petals are gathered and rinsed, which I did in a large yellow canning pot. The directions call for the most ingenious use of a “cold finger”- in this case, the lid of the pot is placed upside-down and filled with ice once the water inside is boiling.  Inside the pot, a shallow bowl is placed in the middle, on any sort of lift (a glass carafe, a small canning jar filled with water for weight, etc.) and when the steam hits the cold lid, it rolls neatly down and drips into the bowl. It is thusly that one creates Rose Water. Of course the process is simply and quickly explained, but is much longer in reality, and takes much tending with the ice.

I was enormously pleased with the first sampling of the water, but I fear I may have left the second batch on for more that I ought, for it had an almost green scent (though still quite rosy). Of course, having had Some Success, I now have high ambitions for other Waters and Oils that I might create – and market? Perhaps I dream too far ahead.

After my industrious morning, Mother decided that we might go to town and frequent The Coffee House. A pleasant place owned by Madame Makebrew, we often settle down at one of the tables and take care of correspondence, other work over Wire, and absorb town and world news that does not reach the country-bound Morewit Manor. It was here that I received a Wire from a Dear Old Friend that I have not seen for many years- one Mr. Rowan Noblesse. We met as School Children (though of course we did not see ourselves as such at the time) nearly 8 years hence, and were much drawn to each other’s company for we had similar interests and natures. I will confess that I found him Most Diverting at the time for he seemed to me Superior to the other gentlemen of my age. Though parted for such a length of time, we kept in correspondence, and have retained a fine friendship and much affection for each other. It was lovely to speak (as it were) to Mr. Noblesse and reacquaint each other on our respective lives and thoughts, and lovelier still to find that he has secured a summer mentoring post that will bring him closer to my home! I am not yet sure if or how or when I might have occasion to visit him there, but it is something that I dearly wish do, for such an Opportunity might not arise again for some time. 

Despite the pleasantness of the day, I find that speaking to one old friend has reminded me of how many other Dear Friends I have been neglecting of late! I fear the number is too high, and I am truly and properly embarrassed at my lack of social graces. I shall have to find some way to make recompense to them all… perhaps a fine evening tea? But as that only serves my nearest companions I suppose Many Apologies must be penned.

~A Lady Abashed

A Lady Breaks-Fast

7th of June

Awoke today after a number of Fantastical Dreams (perhaps as I had been taken with yesterday’s flurry of writing at the wee hours of the night?) which have now faded to vague recollections of a yellow photographer’s box, an Indian whistle, an a Dear Friend deciding to make his home in a wooden tube scarcely larger than a flute (and he being of normal human size, it was no wonder he complained of being cramped)! In any case, I have now settled myself down in the sitting room with a slice of toast, a spoonful of cherry pie innards, and a generous serving of coffee - college does increase any lady’s consumption of the bitter brew, and truly, there was only really enough remaining for one Thirsty Breakfaster. I expect I shall be wanted in the garden in short order, but I feel that a few stolen moments for breakfast will not be missed… but only a few. There is a great deal of tending due to garden and grounds, as is always the case in spring.  A certain project of my own that I hope to see to fruition is the creation if my own rose water. It has the most pleasant scent, and many uses, so it would be a Useful Accomplishment, should I ever remember to get myself to the town library and search out the Process.

Well then, off to the world outside to make myself a Useful Person!

~The (Very Useful) Lady of Morewit
  

A New (New) Resolve

6th of June

Dear Friends,

Having often made promise of more Frequent Writings on my part, and having oftener failed such pledges, I now endeavor to make amends with a Most Ambitious Proliferation. That is to say, I shall be writing daily, even if it is only a one line scrawl made from a Terribly Exhausted State. Now, before you erupt into Harrumphs of Cynical Skepticism, let me protest that I am in earnest! I feel that daily writing shall invigorate and inspire my writing to Great Heights as there is no better Exercise of the mind than to write. As for what to write? I recall fondly my daily journals of my younger years, and I found that penning the stories of one’s life brought Catharsis and Calm.

It is oft said that any day can be the start of a new chapter in one’s life. So prefaced, I will commence with my first true journaling this-
The Quite-Nearly-Almost-True Chronicles of Miss Morewit OR A Year of a Lady’s Thoughts

This morning I was awoken late, an occurrence that never bothers me over much (some days I don’t doubt that I could sleep through ‘til supper if left to my own devices) except that we were expecting visit, and very few of the chores and preparations necessary to receive a caller properly were completed. Should we be town gentry, I imagine we might have in our employ a number of housemaids to bustle about for us, but as the family of a country gentleman we run the manor as Ladies and Housekeepers - and I must admit that I for one bear great pride in the resulting smooth running of The House. Having tidied things up and run to town for a few forgotten essentials, we awaited our caller with a room scented with a gorgeous bunch of peonies from the garden, and graced with strong coffee (that I quite diligently ground myself) and a cherry pie just set out to cool. The gentleman of honor showed himself to lacking the virtue of punctuality, and when Mr. Sesnel finally deigned to make appearance (having sent a note, already late, to inform us of his even later arrival) luncheon was long past.

Mr. Sesnel was a self-proclaimed Professional of Photography, he had made arrangements for Mother to escort him out to forest to collect images of That Most Terrible Industry. But he was not the glamorous town gentry that we had anticipated, appearing a rather round and plain gentleman. He spoke with an elevated voice and, despite the weather being Quite Pleasant, his face had a pronounced sheen, as if it was a boiling summer afternoon. It looked to be a perpetual malady, and knowing such a tendency was his, I thought the poor fellow ought to have had the sense to carry a handkerchief with which to blot his forehead (indeed, should in not have been Terribly Rude, I would have offered him one). I greeted him politely and entertained until Mother made her appearance, but it would be false to say that I was not glad to see the back of him, for his conversational skills were drab even in their brighter moments – however, poor mother had to listen to his ramblings for quite a while longer, so I shouldn't be too Gleeful.

Of course, the Bright Side was that Mr. Sesnel left us with an entire cherry pie to enjoy, which we did, quite thoroughly!

Best,

Lady Morewit

Paper Hearts and Berry Tarts OR A Lady Comments on the Season of Love

It is again the time, my friends, when Pink comes into season, and candles are lit all around (and within many young hearts). It is the long week leading where all Ladies Without Suitors are reminded often and firmly that we are, in fact, Without Suitors. Before I came to school I must admit I didn’t have the same Needled feeling over the Holiday. I exchanged my Paper Hearts and small sugary Delicacies with my Family, and was ever so pleased with any I received in return. There is nothing like a School of Women to remind one what is on most of the Ladies minds at this time. Emotions in our dear Halls run from Lovers filled with childish glee to Gloomy Girls who Sigh over the existence of a Day for Love. Our circle of four falls someplace in-between this year. While we are all busy in our various Endeavors, we have decided to set aside some time this weekend to celebrate Our Friendship rather than feel sorry that we have no Male Company. Being Busy, we have not socialized as much as in past seasons, and the idea of an evening together has lent a Cheery Mood to us all. Feeling the festivity, when I went to a market earlier I splurged and purchased some lovely Fresh Strawberries. 

I wish you all a happy week, filled with Love of All Sorts,

~Lady Morewit