Category Archives: Blog

Arranged: Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI

Blog, French Revolution, Royalty, True Love,

If their lives had crossed paths, would there have been any chance that they’d get together? Yes, yes, YES!

First of all they were the same religion. I’ve concluded that in all marriages—you better have the same standards.

Marie-Antoinette and Louis remind me of the couples that knew each other in high school and went to some of the same church functions, but hooked up after graduation. They became adults, noticed, and took a strong interest in each other.

 

Click here to read a more detailed analysis of this couple.

 

Featured image:Marie Antoinette, Emperor Maximilian and Louis XVI by Josef Hauzinger  Josef Hauzinger public domain.

 

Arranged: Michal and David

Blog, Royalty, , , , ,

Michal and David were both at the royal court, and David was working his way to have power—for which Michal was used. But what if Israel hadn’t wanted kings—would they have gotten married? It’s hard to say since they were from different tribes, and usually tribes of Israel stuck with their own. However, marrying into other tribes still occurred.
When it came to martial rules, though, Israel’s number one was “marry in the covenant.” They had the same religion, and that’s huge. Say that somehow they got “arranged.” Would the marriage have worked?

If they weren’t royal there would have been more privacy. Michal and David would have spent more time together. There wouldn’t have been much competition—if any—with other wives. The two would have had a better chance of having a family together.

Let’s fast-forward to today. There’s still much controversy around royal marriages. I will tie in Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew. The couple divorced, but Sarah still gives flowing reviews of her ex in public. In one interview, she said their marriage would have worked out if they had been “in normal life.”

Let’s say Michal and David had lived in a “normal life”—would their marriage have worked? I strongly believe it would have.

 

Featured image: David and Michal by Virginio Grana, 1865

King David’s Biography, A Poem

Blog, Michal, Poetry, Royalty, Truth

Some think I’m too harsh on King David. It’s heartbreaking for sure when researching people that associated with him. His victims didn’t get that much justice during their lives. Here’s my biography about the man:

“King David’s Biography, A Poem”

King David gloried in his life and times
But tried to cover up his crimes.
He got caught in his lies
And his family cut ties.
He took too many wives
And destroyed many lives.

King David’s Biography, a Poem ©Sarah Patten, 2019

Eleanor Talbot

Blog, , , , , ,

Eleanor Talbot became a star shortly before the infamous Richard III became king. She wasn’t even alive. However, when she was alive, she had met Edward IV (eldest brother of Richard), and supposedly married him in secret.

Soon enough Edward went his way and married Elizabeth Woodville three year later. When Edward died in 1483, the crown naturally went to his twelve-year-old  son, who became Edward V—but only for a short time while it was discovered that the late king had been married to Eleanor while also married to Elizabeth. Supporters of Richard concluded that the marriage between Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville had been bigamous thus making their children illegitimate and out of the succession.  Richard soon became king with much controversy that hasn’t gone away.

I’m in the process of rereading John Ashtown-Hill’s Eleanor The Secret Queen: The Woman Who Put Richard III on the Throne while reading Chris Skidmore’s Richard III: Brother, Protector, King, and it is quite the experience reading opposing views! These books are making me think very hard about Eleanor’s character. I have many ideas about Richard III but haven’t formed any clear picture of Eleanor yet. century-2026562_960_720

There are those who believe that Eleanor gave birth to a child that Edward IV had fathered. If this shaky claim is true, the baby either died young or was quickly taken out  of sight. If she had had a child, then that child and his or her posterity would have kept Eleanor’s memory alive and stood up for her.  When women don’t have living and direct descendants they tend to disappear more than the men who don’t have any heirs. It’s sad but true.

I believe that there are many people who, like Eleanor, want to be found. They want to show up in our history books with their stories truthfully told.

 

Mrs. Hamilton: When You Only Got 97 Years to Live

Blog, , ,

Hands down I agree with the article by Cokie Roberts about how Elizabeth Hamilton–not her husband Alexander–should be on the $10  bill.

Now I don’t totally hate Alexander Hamilton—I mean he’s a founding father. I did a report on him in eighth grade and got a good grade but was weirded-out by his personal life. Then years later, a musical about the man comes out. It made me research him again—and nope—my feelings for him hadn’t changed. While I was on Wikipedia, of course I had to click on his spouse’s name: “Elizabeth Schuyler.”

560px-Elizabeth_Schuyler_Hamilton

I was shocked.

“Ninety-seven? Ninety-seven. NINETY-SEVEN!” I couldn’t believe it. I told my roommate who listened patiently to how I can’t stand Alexander Hamilton but that his wife, Elizabeth, was extraordinary.

Martha Washington said, “She was always my ideal of a true woman.” In Alexander Hamilton’s farewell note he closed with calling Elizabeth “Best of wives and best of women.”

How did she make it to ninety-seven? Well, she and her sisters had been savvy in preserving themselves through the Revolutionary War. She proved she had a survival instinct. She was active. She was forgiving and loving. She had a purpose.

While preserving her husband’s memory (through gathering his papers and shutting down negative comments about him), she also had to pay his debts (was Alexander really qualified to be Secretary of the Treasury? Um…no!) and auction off their house . Miraculously, she was able to repurchase it. So who’s the real treasurer? (She had even helped him  draft his financial plans!) She was the brains. Elizabeth also founded the first orphanage in New York (plus she also took in orphans into her personal home) and helped Dolley Madison raise money for the Washington Monument.

Elizabeth died fifty years after her husband. She was a survivor, but I further believe she had a divine mission to accomplish.

She greatly contributed to having her husband—and the other men who founded the United States Constitution as well as the document itself—being remembered and revered.

 

 

 

Images:
Paintings: Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton by Ralph Earl

 

An Angel’s Account of the Behind the Scenes of the Largest Nativity

Blog, Christmas,

Have you seen the Christmas music video about the largest Nativity? It’s officially called “Over A Thousand People Came Together to Break a Record And Bring This Moving Christmas Hymn to Life.” If you haven’t, you will. If not now, then I want you to click on it later in this post!

The following account was mostly written last year–2014–shortly after the nativity video came out.  This gives a different point of view than the other behind the scenes videos and accounts….

Diary Notes

My last journal words for the month of November:

I signed up to be part of the largest nativity ever (hopefully). I followed links on Facebook ward page that led to the event.

It’s tomorrow!

The very beginning of the next day’s entry:
My fingers are beginning to unthaw.

A New Friend

I thought I dressed warm enough for the day of filming. I mean I had two layers of socks and jeans under my white skirt. I just had a thin shirt underneath the white sweater I had worn backwards to hide the buttons.

Check-in was at two. I was nervous I wasn’t going to get a good parking spot so I went early to one of the designated parking areas—the parking lot of the temple. I drove there before one o’clock to make sure I didn’t run into any traffic. I didn’t.

There were cars parked there but very few which belonged to the grounds workers. I kept thinking, Just give it more time, and you’ll have families to follow.

I hoped and prayed for angels.

Sometime after a prayer, a car pulled up a few spaces over. The driver was wearing white and had her hair curled. I hoped for the best. After a while, I just had to get out of the car. I had to get to Rock Canyon Park. I had to know if the other person dressed in white was going to the same place. I couldn’t be shy.

I walked over and said, “Um, excuse me…”

The driver opened the door. She was wearing an angel costume! What a relief. We set out to Rock Canyon Park.

As my new friend, Haley, and I walked across some road work, I found out she was from a few towns over and decided today to be a part of the nativity. “I knew about it weeks ago but decided I was going to do it today. I went to Wal-Mart this morning to put together my costume. I took off work.”

We found the park, and a lot of cars were parked curbside. There was some confusion on where to sign in and where to wait.

We were told we could wait on the grass by one of the white tents. I saw a few people come out with the “bell costume.” Basically a white bell shape screen that could go over your head. I couldn’t be a bell angel. I had signed up too late.

with hayley 2014

Me and Haley shortly after checking in at the park. My prayers of finding an angel to follow were answered.

The Little White Tent We Saw In the Distance

Most people were there with their families.

Grass shot 2014

This was one of the first views after I checked in. Here are  tents and angels lounging on the grass.The VIP tent was much farther away .

I wasn’t too worried about grass stains, but Haley and I thought it would be best if we sat in some of the chairs further down the field. We wondered what the red balloon was and why some people were taking pictures with a guy who had a camera. “I think he’s a famous YouTuber,” said Haley. We saw the archway where we knew the main cast of the nativity would pose. We saw the hill we would be standing on.

The guys who handed us our orange wristbands said something about singing with Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

We had our eyes on the little tent. We were given a list of prominent people who would be participating. Haley had to explain more on who some of their identities. It was cool sitting in the chairs because we also saw people coming out of a distant little tent near the parking lot.

A woman came out wearing a silvery white robe and some kids came out. People kept going in and out. Haley and I speculated who they could be.

People related to the Piano Guys? Was Studio C going to provide entertainment while we waited? When was David Archuleta going to appear?

“Oh! Oh! Is that Peter Hollens?” Some people dressed as shepherds and Wise Men were appearing.

“Um, who?” I felt a little out of the loop. Haley was obviously a die-hard fan of the singer.

We talked about the other celebs that were on the list. Some were more familiar.

I wasn’t too sure who the some people were except Alex Boye. We spotted him as a Wise Man dressed in orange the instant he walked out of the tent.

Calling All Angels

More and more people were coming. A family in front of us were talking about getting together their costumes together that day.

Then came directions. “Angels with a purple wristband, please report to…” “Angels who have an orange wristband with words written on it, go…”

I turned to Haley. “Is that us?”

“No, we don’t have writing on ours.”

Then I heard, “All angels, go…”

It was time to take the group shot.

I think I took this pic on the way to the group shot. In a few hours, the animals would freak out at the sounds of the helicopters. and booming music.

I think I took this pic on the way to the group shot. In a few hours, the animals would freak out at the sounds of the helicopters and booming music.

We got in line with the rest of the angels to go up to another slope. But as we went through the portable orange fence, we were each given a green and white wristband.

Haley and I got in the middle. Everyone had to scoot in. We could see some of the people below. The main cast of the nativity. I knew they were down there because of the Wise Men’s bright wardrobe. Some officials and cameras were there too.

Angels were taking cell phone pictures and talking about YouTube videos. It was exciting, but I felt sorry for the bell angels who were trying to protect their 3D costumes.

“We broke the record, right?” I asked.

Haley nodded. “I’m sure we did.”

But how would it go on record?

That was answered when we heard there was an official guy to witness the event. I heard the first part about Britain and over 800 angels. “And today…” He started to speak slower and the angels got louder. Cheers caused me to assume we broke it.

with a shepherd 2015

After taking the group picture, we angels managed to come down the steep hill and take some pix with the main cast.

I’m not sure how we managed to get down the hill, but we did and managed to take some pictures with some cast members. One asked, “Aren’t you cold?” I wasn’t till he asked.

lots trying to take pic

The sun was going down quickly, and it was getting colder fast! We needed to rush to the other hill, which was the filming location.

Haley and I left toward the other hill after she got an individual shot with  Peter Hollens.

It was getting colder.

Angel Praises

We were ushered to the  hill.  A guy with a megaphone announced the arranger of the the version of “Angel We Have Had Heard on High” He started teaching us the additional verse we would sing along with the recording.

He’d say lines, we would repeat. “Now say it to your neighbor!”

Everyone seemed to be catching on except me. I was mesmerized by the track. The Piano Guys, Mormon Tabernacle Choir. David Archuleta. That’s a winning combo.

But I still didn’t know the words. I didn’t know the words were available online before that. I tried to recite what I knew to Haley but couldn’t remember.

“We have the words!”

A mother and her daughter, Emily, had the lyrics printed out. It was getting darker but we could make out the words well enough. If there was the rare chance the cameramen got us on tape, I feared I wouldn’t know the words. Plus, memorizing the words gave us something to think about besides the chillier temperature. Perhaps that was the plan the directors had in mind.

When the angels got a break to go to the tents to get warm, most of them gladly rushed to the tents. I could hardly move. So, Haley, Emily, and I practiced. In fact, the first Deseret News article about the event captured the moment with the three of us practicing on the empty hill in one of the many photographs. (Ours was fuzzy.)

We soon thought it best to get to go to a tent since the break was going to be longer than I initially thought. I had adjusted my skirt a certain way where I could have access to my jean pockets. I had the mini fake candle production gave us in one and my phone in the other but still was nervous my phone was going to slip out.

Wising Up

The tent was a little warmer. Our spirits lifted by the sight of donuts, muffins, cocoa, and apple cider. The apple cider was room temperature but the maple donut was delicious. Haley and I rushed to finish our food when we heard the angels needed to go back.

Oh. They needed the bell angels.

We went by a mother and her daughters who were by a heater. We took turns to be by the warmer spots. We went over the lyrics. I panicked each time a guy in a vest announced it was time for the angels to go back to the hill. Once again, it was the bell angels.

But a lady came up to me and Haley and asked if we went to the VIP tent.

“It’s warmer. Lots of people are taking pictures with Alex Boye.”

Haley and I ran to the little white tent. There was a photographer taking pictures of people against a lighted backdrop with words: ShareTheGift and Radiant.

In the VIP tent--or another chance to meet some stars. Plus, #ShareTheGift.

In the VIP tent–or another chance to meet some stars. Plus, #ShareTheGift.

There was a table with handouts that said “Share the Gift. I will share the gift by…” Alex Boye and another cast member were taking pictures with people. I noticed their picture was done. “I want to take a picture with a Wise Man,”  I said.

I held up my Share the Gift paper for the photographer and then rushed to Alex Boye who was filling out how he was going to share the gift. He said, “I will share the gift by sharing…wisdom. Get it?”

With Alex Boye! He was super nice and added cheer.

With Alex Boye! He was super nice and added cheer.

Haley and I took individual  phone pix with him. He was even more fun than he was in his videos.

Someone announced, “They need all angels now!” We got out of the tent, and the hill was covered with angels again. I think they started to play the music, and we ran to what we assumed was our spot before.

An Angel’s Eye View

We took out our candles. I made the mistake of taking out my cell phone. David Archuleta’s voice rang out and that meant the cameras were rolling. I couldn’t find my pockets fast enough so trusted the phone would be safe enough resting on the wrinkles near the pocket.

There was a lot of stopping and starting for aerial shots, close-ups. Haley and I got close to one (but didn’t make it in the video) The camel and donkey looked like they were having a hard time—especially with the loud sounds! A shepherd (who I’m now pretty sure was Jeremy from Studio C) had to chase the donkey a couple times, but they were all gentle with the animals. I was impressed by that—and the bell angels.

The bell angels were in some sort of order and had to turn their light switch on at a certain time. (The bell angels are the lights you see moving that form the nativity profile at the end of the video.) The switch lit up the bottom of their costumes blue.  “Let’s do it again,” said the booming voice. Wow. How did they manage to turn on a switch? And multiple times! My fingers were becoming more frozen. The bell angels kept at it. They came on at a certain time and had to time when their blue lights went off.

When the ground people (this time I mean the bell angels and the nativity cast) were getting directions, I was trying to get my phone back in my pocket.  I was able to open up my pocket with enough space for my phone. My phone got near the pocket but my hands couldn’t cope together. My fingers were wrapped around the phone but wouldn’t budge. I tried not to give up but so it was painful, and I just put it on some denim wrinkles again.

I’ll have to say the night was tough. My thoughts then: “But this is going to be a good story. We’re going to be so glad.”

The arranger of the video and other megaphoned voices were also encouraging. “You guys are doing great!” People with children were allowed to leave. If you could stay, it would be nice. Haley and I kept saying we were going to stay the whole time. And we did. We went to the trouble of finding white clothes and coming here, so we would take the trouble to stay till it was done.

My feet were hurting, and my boots were getting uncomfortable. It felt a little better when we walked down the hill ever so slowly. The main cast were clearing out. But some stayed. Between shots, an announcer said, “Alex Boye has agreed to stay a half hour after and take pictures with any of you guys who want to.” The directors kept on saying encouraging comments like “You’re doing awesome!”

The best motivation, though, was when one director said, “Think how this video will bring people closer to Christ.”

Going Home

It was a little past ten when we were dismissed. Some of the directing crew told us we all did a good job and to look for the video on December 12th on YouTube. We got to keep our candle but I used my phone walking back to the parking lot. Haley and I actually found our way back pretty easily, but what if I hadn’t had anyone to walk back with? It was late.

We had expected the lot to be fuller but it wasn’t—which meant it was easier to drive out. It was yet another tender mercy for me. I had quite a few angels looking out for me.

I got home, and maybe two hours later checked if we got in the news. We did! I texted Haley about our blurry shot, and she confirmed it was us.

I will never forget the experience. I was definitely brought closer to Christ that freezing night. As I shivered, I had considered what I would have done the night of His birth. Maybe this was a way of showing I would have rushed to see the baby in the stable. I’d like to think I actually participated when the host of angels appeared to the shepherds.

P.S.  When I saw my candle the next day, it was still on! It was a reminder to share the gift. Share how much the Savior means to me. Do what he would do and let my light shine.

Going Viral

I was still waking up when I checked my email on Friday. I perked up when I got an alert saying the video was up!

I clicked on the link. Huh. Just a little over 300 views.

That didn’t last long. What I thought was more impressive than the video was how it was coming up on Facebook. I even got emails from family asking if I saw the video yet.

As I’m writing this—less than four days later—the numbers are going up. I think we’re almost at 900,000 now. (Update on December 13, 2015-over 9 million nearing 10!) 

But the thing that matters most is the feeling. As I watch it, I get excited about the additional verse and the music buildup and then the outside nativity appears. As I watch and recall standing in the cold, I do get a warm feeling. Something tells me This actually happened. People traveled far to see the child who would save them. Thousands and thousands more—or maybe trillions more—were probably singing the night of Christ’s birth. I hope I was among them.christmas-graphics-plus-free-christmas-clip-art

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrLoWt2tfqg

Images and Videos:
Video is inserted at the end of this post. The featured photo is a screen shot of the video that features some blurry angels. I doubt I’m in that blur, but hey, I was somewhere else in white.

All other images taken by Sarah Patten.

From Maria Anna to Martha: 5 Influential Piano Gals

Blog, Mothers, Music, My Family, ,

Life would be a dark place if it weren’t for music. But thanks to creators of music, my world is a happier place. I’m indebted to so many but I have to say there are some standouts that paved the way for my love of music. Maria Anna Mozart, Fanny Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann, Jane Bastien, and Martha Patten.

Maria Anna Mozart

The two prodigy siblings. Wolfgang was inspired by his big sister, "Nannerl" Anna Maria

The two prodigy siblings. Wolfgang was inspired by his big sister, “Nannerl” Anna Maria

When we hear “Mozart,” don’t we think of the boy? Wolfgang Amadeus? We don’t think of  his talented sister Anne Maria Mozart as much.  Smithsonian  magazine called her “The Family’s First Prodigy.”

Her father, Leopold–a court musician and teacher to his children–took them on tour across Europe. The trio was a hit and the siblings made a good team. She was considered one of the greatest pianists.. However, Leopold pushed more for his son’s performances as it was easier for males to break into a professional music career.

Wolfgang saw Anna Maria as a role model. She accompanied him and played his compositions. She also wrote her own, which we sadly don’t have today. But we do have their letters and her diaries which display affection and eccentricity.

I can only imagine her reactions when she opened to write in her diary and found that her brother was at it again. Pretending to be her and writing  irreverent language that I rather not repeat.

 

Fanny Mendelssohn

Portriat of Fanny Hensel 1842 by Moritz Daniel Oppenheim

Another  equally talented sister. She composed over 460 compositions and sometimes they were attributed to her brother, Felix, because it just wasn’t proper for a woman to publish music. Felix, though,  corrected Queen Victoria that a piece she was fond of was not by him but by Fanny.

She said that one of her piano works, The Year, was for “home use entirely.” Of course it wasn’t, but I’m sure she gave informal concerts to her family that the world will never know.

Clara Schumann

Drawing of Schumann

Clara was romoted by family and friends but had a mind of her own and showed the world that women are master performers too.

 

Clara’s career was promoted by her father and associates but had a mind of her own. She took the opportunity to show the world that female pianists can be equal to men. I thank her for that.

I’m not sure if I would have gotten along with her, though. But it was nice of her to promote the career of her husband, Robert. I also have to laugh that while he was a student and guest of her father, Robert scared her by popping out of nowhere dressed as a ghost.  She wouldn’t fall in love with him til later,  but perhaps that’s when the sparks started to fly,

Jane Bastien

Everyone in my piano teacher’s studio knew I was on the lowest piano level. (Some things haven’t changed much.) Even when I was promoted to second on the program, it was common knowledge.. For years, I was playing pieces by either Jane or James Bastien. When I saw other names such as Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, I longed to be playing those composers—or any other composer however obscure. Anyone but Bastien.

HOWEVER……..

Jane Bastien is still one of my favorite composers. It’s evident in the Bastien teaching books that she’s a brilliant teacher. Thanks to her I was wowed and inspired by the other students who went up on stage playing songs by composers whose names I couldn’t pronounce.

I remember bits and pieces from other famous composers’ songs I eventually played, but I remember the very first piano song exactly  I performed in my piano teacher’s annual recital—which of course was a Bastien song.

I became really excited when Jane Bastien was in a piano convention center in San Diego.  She was a gracious, smiling woman, and I got to take a picture with her. Believe me, I couldn’t have been more ecstatic to meet her than meeting the Mozarts themselves.

Martha Patten

I'm honored my favorite pianist happens to my mom. She could have made bucks but continues to share her expertise and expression music with others. Here she is teaching a grandchild.

I’m honored my favorite pianist happens to my mom. She could have made big bucks but continues to share her expertise and expressive music with others. Here she is teaching a grandchild.

 

A Broadway performer said my mom could have made a lot of money if she moved to New York. My  mom can play by ear, improvise, transpose music into  different keys in a matter of seconds.

The piano could be considered her unofficial sibling when she grew up. Piano and clarinet are her specialties, but she can pick up other instruments. She taught band, choir, drama, and private piano lessons. Her students are complimentary of her and  have invited her to watch them in performances. One student, now a junior high school history teacher, puts on an annual medieval faire in which his students get into character and show the oddities of the Middle Ages. At the beginning of one of his faires, he told the audience how he couldn’t remember much of what he learned in middle school but could remember the words to “76 Trombones” and then announced the presence of my mom.

I can’t count how many times she accompanied a variety of groups–school plays, choir, church functions, talent shows, weddings, and just all type of revenues. I know if my lifetime, she’s played and performed for hundreds of people. So I’ll just say thousands.

Her genius is impressive, but her trademark is how she makes the individual feel. I’m honored that I get a front row seat and hear her best performances–which are played at home.

By the way, she has composed but they are usually “for home entirely.” But my favorites are “Crib Lullaby,” “One By One and Two By Two,” and “No Tail.”

 

 

Sources and Links:
http://www.pianowomen.com/

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/maria-anna-mozart-the-familys-first-prodigy-1259016/?no-ist

Wikipedia

http://historyweird.com/1780-mozart-trolls-his-sister/

Images:
Mozart Family Portrait by Croce
Wolfgang and Nannerl Mozart by Eusebuis Johann Alphen
Portriat of Fanny Hensel 1842 by Moritz Daniel Oppenheim
Drawing of Schumann
Grandma Teaching another Prodigy courtesy of Douglas Patten

My siblings drive me crazy

Blog, My Family, Siblings

In honor of Siblings Day and my car reregistered, I decided to give tribute to my siblings and talk about our car memories.

us by the car

Bob

clapping

“Do you see the maroon van yet?” my sister-in-law asked.

I was in a car with people I met a couple hours ago that were headed in the same direction. We were now in a nearly deserted parking lot.

“I think so,” I answered. “Is it covered with snow?”

“I don’t know.”

My ride pulled by a nearly white van. I saw some maroon. “I think I’m right by you guys. Do you see the gray Honda?”

I was annoyed with my sister-in-law when she said, “I really don’t know.”

Another passenger in the car said, “Just see who the driver is.”

I didn’t want to. It was dark and would be slippery.

“Okay,” I told my sister-in-law. “I’m going to knock on the door. Do you see me yet?”

Her response was not encouraging. “Um, no?”

I knocked on the driver’s door. The door opened. It was not my brother’s wife. It was a man wearing a red coat and CowboyS hat.

“Bob!”

“Surprise!” My brother helped me with the luggage and then he and I were off to his house. I don’t remember what we talked about but I remember feeling relieved, secure, and happy. I was finally getting the one-on-one time with my oldest brother.

Dan

rach's wedding

If it weren’t for Dan, I wouldn’t be writing this post. The car I had to reregister this week? Yeah, I bought it from him a couple years ago. He upgraded to a better car though we’re in agreement I’m driving a fairly good vehicle.

But Dan didn’t always have the classiest cars. But when you’re in high school any car would do. I still felt cool riding in his first, cheap car. I was a freshman and he was senior. He would race with a friend to school from seminary. It wasn’t healthy for the yellow car.

One morning the steering wheel came off. “What???” Dan tried to keep it in place as we slowly crossed the wide intersection where the most car accidents occurred at school. We made it. Barely, but we made it into a parking spot.

I’m thinking our mom picked us up that day. The car got fixed, and Dan secured the steering wheel with duct tape.  The fixes and the car’s accessories  cost more than the car itself. A CD player. A loose fake arm from Spencer’s that Dan liked to stick out the window.

Hope this didn’t embarrass him. But like I said, I felt pretty cool riding in his car.

Rachel

Rachel is my favorite travel companion. Even when I get us lost, she’s patient. We never go hungry. Wherever we go, it’s a party–complete with Sonic drinks.

Rachel is pretty cool. As she drove me around, her song “Cool Kids” played over and over again. (I wished I could be like her!) One other favorite one was “Rude.” We applied it to a pet.

One of the most exciting times in her car was when we brought home a movie she wanted to watch with me. But we would have to wait for her husband to get home.  Until then we quoted clips in the car and while were eating dinner.  We even threw in wisdom.

“It doesn’t matter what happens in the blender. It’s what happens next.”

When it’s just Rachel and I, it’s a fun guarantee.

1280px-Sonic_Drive_in

 

Joe

A couple years ago, I had the upper hand in some things. That included transportation. Joe is one of the best drivers but needed to borrow my car  a few times.

“Could I use the car this weekend?” Joe asked.

I knew the next thing he was going to say. “I have a date.”

Of course I would let him. And of course he’s gotten a cooler car since then and got married. But he and his wife still help me when I go places.

“Don’t hang up the phone!” (A favorite phrase of his wife) Without her and Joe, I would be in Wyoming right now with bad brakes.

Joe probably thinks (correctly) my car or myself couldn’t survive without him.

Because I needed to reregister my car this week, I needed a smog and safety check and was asking around. I texted Joe who texted back an address. As characteristic of our relationship, he called right after that text.

“This is what you need to know…” He went into greater detail and then asked if I understood. He’s pretty good at simplifying things when I ask.

car sleeping

Zzzzzzzzzz end!

 

Images:
Personal and family photos
Sonic photo taken by Belinda Hankins Miller

The Austen Vs. Barrett Sisters

Blog, Poets, Sisters, True Love, , , , ,

Sisters.

One sister was near marriage but outside forces dashed those hopes. Her writer-sister had a proposal of marriage and….

How will such a story end?

The Austens

Cassandra’s fiancé  worked in order for them to get married. He went on a military mission but died after he caught yellow fever in 1797. Cassandra now had some money, but no man to share it with. She never married.

Then we all know Jane.

CassandraAusten-JaneAusten(c.1810)_hiresParties, balls, humor, but never she seemed to find Mr. Right. She briefly accepted a proposal in 1802. The man was financially secured and perhaps it would have been perfect if she loved him. She didn’t and soon declined.  One portrayal of possible romances include Becoming Jane.

The Barretts

Henrietta could have been a character out of an Austen novel—was religious but determined to have fun and find romance at balls and parties. It seemed marriage was in her grasp at one point, but  any suitor was kicked out of her life by her father.

Mr. Barrett would never let his children marry.

Elizabeth couldn’t spend time outside like she used to, but kept contact with her family, friends, and intellectuals through  correspondences and others visiting her.  Her mind was active, but felt close to death till fellow poet Robert Browning showed intense interest in her.Elizabeth-Barrett-Browning,_Poetical_Works_Volume_I,_engraving One of the sonnets she wrote during their courtship starts:

“My future will not copy fair my past.”

The sonnet talks about the new life she feels like she’s been given. She can’t go back to the past where she thought love was lost.

Elizabeth couldn’t make the same mistakes other did. She had to be stealthier than Henrietta. And unlike Jane, Elizabeth had the means to support herself and was in love with a man who loved her. But could Elizabeth back out at the proposal of marriage from Robert? Would she find enough strength to go through with the marriage?

She did. She eloped with Robert Browning to Italy in 1846. Elizabeth’s father disowned her but she continued to compose poems.

Now what of Henrietta?

Could she find true love? Even if she did, could she find a way to marry?

Four years after her sister eloped, Henrietta married a Captain William Cook.  Like Elizabeth, she too was disowned by her father.

We don’t know much about Henrietta but we know she displayed gumption. Some of that gumption is portrayed in, The Barretts of Wimpole Street.

Though the Barrett sisters could afford marriage, could they be indebted to the Austen sisters who gave some do’s and don’ts when it came to marriage and love?

P.S. And which film is better–Becoming Jane or The Barretts of Wimpole Street?

Sources:
http://www.browningscorrespondence.com/biographical-sketches/?id=977
wikipedia.org
Pictures:
"The Two Sisters" by Henri Fantin-Latour
Portrait of Jane Austen by Cassandra Austen
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Engraving September, 1859,      by Macaire Havre, engraving by T. O. Barlow

Should Have Died, but Survived: The Hanging of Anne Greene

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  Anne Greene thought she was going to die.

She hadn’t gotten a fair trial. She protested that she had not killed her baby. Despite the medical proof the baby had indeed been a stillborn, Anne was condemned to hang. Sir Thomas Read, whose grandson impregnated the maid, took special measures and his influence to see that his “noble” family would not have their reputation ruined.  She still had her friends’  “support,” at her hanging in Oxford on December 14, 1650. She wanted a quick death, so she requested they pull her swaying body up and down and hit it repeatedly. They did until the sheriff told them to stop. Once everyone thought her dead, she was taken down, placed in a coffin, and whooshed away to a group of doctors and medical students. Anne’s body was going to be dissected.

Mostly Dead Something wasn’t right on the day of the dissection. As the physicians opened the coffin, they were in for a surprise. Did the corpse just move? Was that a breath? Yes, she was still alive. But barely.  The dissection lesson quickly did a one-eighty.

1650 Version of ER Some of the treatments included aren’t recommended today, but they did the best for the time to see her breath and make her body warmth again. They poured cordial down her mouth and tickled her throat with a feather which opened and shut her eyes. She coughed and was breathing more. They applied heat plasters, rubbed, and bled her . To remain warm, she was placed in a warm bed by another girl.

Here’s a woodcut that attempts to illustrate the story:

Anne-Greene (2)

 

 

What Comes Around… As Anne Greene was recovering, the justice system decided to pardon  the revived woman. Three days after her execution, Thomas Read died. Maybe from natural causes. People saw these events as acts from God and some science. If you’re like me, perhaps you see it as both. (For more on this topic, watch this interesting video on how religion and science work together.) 1651 was a better year for Anne. She married a John Taylor. Not much is known after that except she had three children and died in 1665. Doctors, students, and others involved in reviving need to get credit for taking action rather than sit and let her die. We have some of the names: Christopher Wren, Robert Matthews, and Doctor Willis. The writer of the pamphlet writer in 1651 called Newes from the Dead or a True and Exact Narration of the Miraculous Deliverance of Anne Greene also should get an award for preserving a record.  

A Book Review Author Mary Hooper borrowed the title Newes from the Dead for her historical fictional novel told mainly from Anne’s perspective as she organizes her thoughts and recounts the events that led to a mysterious place. The book and author deserve a huge honor. Once Mary Hooper heard Anne’s story on the car radio, “I was absolutely captivated, I went straight home to find out more about her.” If Hooper hadn’t written the book, I would have had no idea of this remarkable incident. Writing to preserve stories really benefits future generations–no matter how weird. And going back to the book, I appreciate the theme of thinking carefully before deciding. Over and over again, Anne regrets believing the smooth-talking and (not so) “gentleman” who got her into trouble. She learns the importance of going for the kind, sincere, and hardworking guys–but with caution.

I assume that the real Anne Greene had learned important lessons. The true story is serious, a little comical, but very heartwarming. It also is surrounded by those who had to make tough decisions. I would like to see more people know about the hanging and revival of Anne Greene—and perhaps even see it as a movie.

 

Sources and Links:
A Wonder of Wonders, being a faithful Narrative and true Relation of one Anne Green, who was condemned on the 14 Dec., and hanged in Oxford and was afterwards beg’d for an Anatomy by the physicians and recovered. (1651)
Woodcut from A Wonder of Wonders depicting the hanging of Anne Greene, which she survived.
Newes from the Dead by Mary Hooper on goodreads
Newes from the Dead by Mary Hooper on amazon
Featured image of Sleeping Beauty by W.E.F. Britten included in The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Greene