My thoughts, it seems, have been like these wispy clouds afloat in the deep blue sky. My words catch on the tail of the wind and flit around without landing on a sentence. Here it is, more than a week since my last post and I really cannot say why.
I could blame it on the Queen. Not Elizabeth, who just celebrated a historic milestone. No, it is another English queen who ascended the throne of England at the age of 18 and has captured my attention for the past few weeks.
Victoria.
We are just now viewing this delicious historical drama here in the States. My friends from across the pond, or via other televised means, have already seen this lush period piece. For those among us who await such treasures on PBS’s Masterpiece, we are just now four or five episodes into the first season of Victoria.
What drama and maneuvering and courtly demands led to Victoria and Albert’s wedding – replete with a break in tradition. A white wedding gown! Of course, there is much more to this series, but, I do love a wedding.
Have you been watching Victoria?
I have also been listening to the audio book of Kate Morton’s “The Secret Keeper”,
and taking my time lost among the leafy pages of “Meetings With Remarkable Trees” by Thomas Pakenham. This volume first came to my attention at L. Marie’s always fascinating blog, El Space. Her post on trees and this book can be found here.
The arboreal photographs and elegant essays have been welcome companions during the gloomy days and long nights of this winter and they have left me longing for my wanderings among the forests and preserves around me. I was at last able to satisfy that longing and take a long walk walk around Lake Katherine and . . .
. . . where I found myself under the surveillance of a goosenecked spy!
Such things happen when one has her head in the clouds.
Thank you, dear friend and readers, for being so patient with me.
Oh I’ve read The Secret Keeper! Have you finished it yet? I loved the story however I couldn’t stand Dolly’s character.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not finished, but, Dolly is not very likable – although Dorothy is. 🙂 For me, reading this, they seem like two separate characters. I’m finding excuses for getting in the car and running errands to “read” it.
LikeLike
I love the sound of that Kate Morton book, I must be one of the few people who’ve not read anything by her so will keep an eye out for that. Your photos are, as always, gorgeous. Winter is such a good time for excellent tree photos… I think I prefer it to summer.
LikeLike
Oh, Cath, I agree with you. Winter is a good time for tree photos. One can see a tree’s character and find the nests otherwise obscured. Thank you.
The Secret Keeper goes back and forth from the ’40’s/war to the ’70s with a pivotal scene in which the main character sees her mother kill a stranger in their country yard. You might enjoy this one.
LikeLike
Yes, my husband went down to the bottom of the garden today and saw that a pheasant has made a nice comfy home in one of our trees. 🙂
My town library apparently has a copy of The Secret Keeper so I’ll be liberating that this week when I pop in.
LikeLike
How exciting a find that was. Wow. I hope you will both be able to observe pheasant housekeeping. 🙂 Thanks for coming back to tell me about it.
Good to learn that you will be a liberating force at your library. I am about 3/4 of the way through it.
LikeLike
“To every thing there is a season.” Enjoy your season of wispy thinking, it sounds like you’re making good use of it! 🙂
LikeLike
For certain, Janet. I should be reading my book for our discussion on Wednesday. Ah well . . . We finally have sunshine, which draws me outdoors and for walks and drives and Morton’s book has me riveted. 🙂
LikeLike
I so want to watch Victoria. Now that I’m back online (long story, but the gist of it was my computer stopped working), maybe I can stream it finally!
LikeLike
I’m enjoying Victoria, L. Marie, and actually think you will enjoy streaming it when you can. I need to see each episode twice to take it all in. There is certainly some artistic license, but, it has my attention and checking things out for historical accuracy.
I was hoping all was well with you and glad to see your name pop up. Sorry to hear your computer has stopped. 😦 Enjoy today’s sunshine.
LikeLike
There is never the need for any patience when reading your posts my dear. I always enjoy every word you write. We subscribed to Netflix and Amzon TV for the first time about a year ago and have become so immersed in what is available that I have almost totally stopped watching network TV — even PBS. We binged on Downton Abbey (Bill didn’t think he’d like it, but he did) and last summer watched all episodes of ‘The Crown’ — I didn’t even have to persuade him on that one. And now I guess we’ll have to wait for Victoria to come to Netflix — meantime there unlimited …. It really would be kind of easy to become a total couch potato these days. We haven’t let that happen (so far anyway) because there are chores to do and food to cook and friends and family and blogs and books and music and birds and the great outdoors … And I’m very glad to know that your health and the weather are letting you enjoy the latter two.
LikeLike
Sallie, your words are as sweet as honey on this Valentine’s Day. Thank you.
We have toyed with switching to Netflix and there is a British subscription that a few of my friends have that tempts me as well. It is encouraging to hear how well is is working for you. Tom isn’t as enamored with series such as Downton Abbey (though a few times I told him he would like an episode once they introduced sports cars – haha). I am impressed with Bill. I really want to see The Crown. We both have access the other doesn’t – but, it is fun looking forward to some of these. I am guessing that Victoria uses more artistic license that The Crown.
You two keep so busy that I doubt you will turn into couch potatoes and I thank you. Yes good health and now some good weather – yay!
LikeLike
Happy Valentine’s Day Penny! Oh yes I am in love with Victoria and Alburrt, as she says! Such a nice break from 21st century news.
LikeLike
Happy Valentine’s Day to you as well, Marilyn. I thought you would like Victoria and her Alburrt 🙂 ! I was very amused at the end of this past episode when Alburrt caught Victoria jumping 100 times! haha
LikeLike
Do take as much time for wispy thinking, reading, viewing, and wandering as possible, dear Penny! They seem like just the things to take us through these winter days. We are enjoying Victoria here, too! I am discovering just how much I never knew about the rules, traditions, and etiquette of the Monarchy during Victorian times. It’s a very good idea to watch each episode twice. I should do the same to be certain that I understand everything. Lake Katherine looks lovely in the wintertime. We will be sure to go exploring there soon! Happy ♡ Day!
LikeLike
They certainly do seem like just the right things at times, Dawn. I hope your Valentine day was filled with love and some time outdoors. 🙂
I might have known you would be watching Victoria. Can you imagine all of that protocol? They are such lush sets and the costuming is exquisite. I find I miss things being said and done for the scenery. haha Now, more than ever, I yearn to visit the Victoria and Albert Museum. Have you been watching the show after Victoria? I forget the actress’s name, but, she takes us to the palaces and goes a little deeper into the history.
Lake Katherine. It is wonderful to visit in wintertime, for you can see all the nests in the trees and the sun glistens on the lake. There were so many geese on the lake, then tons more on the canal. It was a very brisk and enjoyable walk.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoy watching Victoria, the costumes are so beautiful. PBS and Masterpiece Theater have given me many hours of entertainment. I always enjoy reading your lovely posts. Thank you Penny!
LikeLike
I know, Gerlinde; they are exquisite costumes. I can’t imagine getting into them. I have known some of the history between England and Germany, but, am fascinated by what I didn’t know and want to learn more. I am concerned for public television (and radio) and would miss all the fine features on Masterpiece.
You are most welcome, Gerlinde – and I thank YOU!
LikeLike
The history between England and Germany ( there was no Germany just small principalities until the last century) . Albert was the prince of one of those small states. Victoria’s daughter married the furture King of Germany. Unfortunately he died of throat cancer and was only King for a little while. His young son Wilhelm became King. He was influenced by generals and loved war, while his father was a peaceful king . Oh well , I could go Penny .
LikeLiked by 1 person
I treasure your input, Gerlinde. Thank you. All the hereditary lines and connections are fascinating. If memory serves me, King George VI, Elizabeth’s father, died of throat cancer. Maybe it was lung cancer. At any rate, I’m enjoying Victoria. It would be fun to see the costumes some day. 🙂
LikeLike
I love your wanderings even though, as usual, I am late to reply. It is so nice to wander a little after the confines of winter.
LikeLike
Thank you, Janet. I’m glad you enjoyed my wanderings – and it is never too late to stop by. Between my foot last fall and then winter, I did not get in as many walks as I usually do, so, I was especially happy to be outdoors.
Lots of geese here.
LikeLike
Penny, you do know how to enliven your winter days. I’m going to have to get that series from the library, then I can ‘blame the queen’ if I get distracted!
LikeLike
Oh, Juliet, I hope you can get it from your library and find some good scenes to blame on Queen Victoria. We have one more episode to this first series and I am going to miss it until next year. 😦
LikeLike
Thank you for being so patient with me in not coming around to read your beautiful posts, Penny. I think my head has also been in the clouds! Oh my yes we are really enjoying “Victoria.” I’m going to be so sorry to come to the end of this first season in just a couple of weeks. I’m also interested in the beautiful tree book you are enjoying. It sounds to me like you’re using your time really well. I think with all your wonderful warm weather you have a bit of spring fever! 🙂
LikeLike
You are sweet, Debra. I love whenever you can stop by. I am both slower at visiting my favorite blogs and slower at posting my own. I was thinking “Victoria” was on your weekly schedule. 🙂 It will be a long wait for the next season – and hoping PBS will be able to continue to brings these excellent series to us. The casting, the historical fiction, the costumes – the birth control (those scenes elicited a hearty laugh).
Thank you, my friend.
LikeLike