Jun
Saturday Salon — My sister, the foreign correspondent
My sister recently returned from a trip to England, Scotland and Ireland. The first part of her trip was a walking tour in Yorkshire, which, for those of you who don’t know yet, is where the majority of The Short and Fascinating Tale of Angelina Whitcombe takes place.
My sister is also the first person to read anything I write, from first page to first kiss, to the end. Thus, as she knew that a sketchbook is featured prominently in the novella, she sent me this little bit of artwork created during her travels.
By the riverbank
Then she sent me a photograph of what she was attempting to draw.
I see the inspiration. Do you?
Speaking of inspirations, she also walked past the idyllic landscape which Ruskin said was an inspiration and certainly was for Turner and other artists.
Close to Ruskin's view of this area
Inspired by Captain Martin, the hero of my new novella, she sent me this photograph of Knaresborough Castle, which could certainly use a dark and brooding hero.
Knaresborough Castle
She also brought back these charming stuffed animals, which of course made me think of Tessa’s books.
Sheepdog and little lamb
Apparently the Duke of Argyll was signing keepsakes in the gift shop when she happened to visit Inveraray Castle. Thus, I have my very own book signed with “Argyll.”
Now, I am trying to imagine the titled descendents of my heroes and heroines sitting in a gift shop doing the same.
We all know from Jane Austen, that a woman must be highly accomplished. According to Darcy, “the word is applied to many a woman who deserves it no otherwise than by netting a purse or covering a screen.” According to Miss Bingley, “a woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word…”
After her intrepid journey through the Pennines and the Dales, I believe one could say of my sister “she is a great walker.” She certainly showed off some of Miss Bingley’s qualifications: drawing (on her iPad), singing (Karaoke), dancing (on a cruise at the end of her trip), and proficiency in foreign languages (using her high school French when visiting Normandy). (To the despair of our matchmaking mother, she didn’t come affianced.) While journeying, my sister read (at my behest) the entire 50 shades trilogy. Do you think this is what Darcy had in mind by extensive reading? Regardless, what accomplishments do you think a modern woman should possess?
Jun 23, 2012
1:13 am
Hi Sabrina,
I’d say your sister has enough talents to call herself accomplished in any era.
Her trip sounds fabulous and I adore those little animals.
How wonderful that she got you a signed book and the photos are beautiful – she can add photography to her list of talents.
As for the modern woman – the ability to express herself with intelligence, defend herself with words, and be proud of her accomplishments whatever they are and however simple or grand they are.
Happy Saturday Everyone!
Jun 23, 2012
9:36 am
“the ability to express herself with intelligence, defend herself with words, and be proud of her accomplishments whatever they are and however simple or grand they are.”
Lovely, Amy!
Jun 23, 2012
11:06 am
Nice, Amy!
Jun 23, 2012
11:36 am
Thank you, thank you.
*curtsying with gratitude and modesty* : )
Jun 23, 2012
2:05 pm
Very nicely said, Amy.
Jun 23, 2012
9:05 am
Sounds like your sister had a great time and I love that she thought of you to bring you some treasures. I always think of my family when I go on trips.
To me the modern woman should have a sense of the current events in the world, including political and entertainment happenings. I don’t understand those people who refuse to watch the news. She should be up to date in technology and be able to work her smartphone and computer. With working these two wonders, she is able to draw, take pictures, read novels, write on this wonderful blog and facebook, as well as dancing to her favorite tunes downloaded into said phone/computer. Being a bluestocking is a good thing.
As a person, she should stick to the Golden Rule and the Old Fashioned Values of our grandparents and not be too above anyone. In other words, be the kind a gal, that our hero would love to bring home to their mother.
Jun 23, 2012
11:08 am
So glad that you list novel reading as an essential accomplishment, Jamie. Jane Austen would most certainly approve
Jun 23, 2012
2:06 pm
Ability with technology is a definite must!
Jun 23, 2012
9:51 am
I love your sister’s sketch, Sabrina. That’s about the amount of visual artistic talent I have, and it truly spoke to me. (I’m not kidding.)
According to my observations, the modern women is expected to be a successful professional person in her chosen field, a devoted daughter, a support to her sisters, a trusted confidant to her brothers, a friend capable of extraordinary feats of shopping, a near-professional quality hobbyist of some sort (scrap booking, organic gardening, marathon running, etc.), well read, conversant in all matters Hollywood, a highly trained parent, exceptionally fit, a scout troop leader, an interior decorator, an adventuresome lover, a personal accountant, and willing to wear four-inch heels for any amount of time. To quote Lizzy, “I never saw such a woman.”
Jun 23, 2012
11:39 am
So true, Katharine! She would definitely be a woman to contend with on all levels. I’m with you and Lizzy, “I never saw such a woman” either, at least not one who hadn’t driven herself mad in the process. : )
Jun 23, 2012
2:07 pm
I really like that sketch too!
And yes, there is a lot of expectation these days.
Jun 23, 2012
10:09 am
Wow, Sabrina! Sounds like your sister had a wonderful trip! Thank you so much to both of you for sharing it with us. How totally cool that she met a real live actual duke!
For me, a modern woman should be independent, self-sufficient, and confident enough to go after her dreams. I think Amy’s list is great. I’d like to add, for the independent and self reliant aspect, be able to cook and clean. (I’m still working on the cooking part, lol). And being well read, knowledgable and up to date with current affairs would be a real plus. But above all else, I think she should kind, and have a good sense of humor, because that’s what helps the world go round!
Jun 23, 2012
11:43 am
Ahhh, Lisa, the modern woman is fortunate in this society that she can seek out a man who can cook even better than she. Go forth, my girl, and find yourself such a man and then you can call your self fully accomplished for you’ve already got the rest. *wink*
Jun 23, 2012
2:08 pm
Haha, I’m still working on the cleaning part.
Jun 23, 2012
11:06 am
Great post and great suggestions. My, we are superwomen. I’ll second the domestic skills Katharine mentions. Miss Bingley never had to learn to cook. Nor, of course, did any gentleman. Mr. Hurst might prefer a ragout to a plain dish, but he couldn’t make it himself and these days he’d have to. Come to think of it, I can imagine Mr. Hurst becoming quite an expert in the kitchen and a good thing too. He needed an occupation. I can see Mr. Bingley being handy at the barbecue and Mr. Darcy having a special dish, like steak bearnaise, that he’d make on very rare occasions.
Oh dear. I’ve ended up talking about the guys, but then we all need the same skills these days. Another is being a dab hand with the Google and having the sense to judge whether the results are nonsense or not. Same deal with watching 24 hour news channels.
Jun 23, 2012
11:50 am
My thoughts had gone to the guys too, Miranda. I was thinking how the modern man must change to be called accomplished as well. Being able to cook at least one special meal for a lady would be at the top of my list as well as the old traits of being a proper gentleman.
Today, as soon as a man marries, he totally forgets about holding doors and other such gentlemanly behavior so if he can cook that one meal, well, he can be forgiven – sort of. *wink*
Jun 23, 2012
2:09 pm
Haha. Mr. Darcy’s Steak Bearnaise. Love it.
Jun 23, 2012
6:33 pm
I wish I could go to a barbecue at Mr. Bingley’s. You know that would be one easygoing good time.
Jun 23, 2012
11:29 am
Insanely jealous of your sister and her lovely trip!
I like that karaoke can qualify as singing, otherwise I’d never pass. Your question made me think of my twins as hubby and I discussed what sort of activities we’d like them to try out once they’re that age. What would I want to make sure my little girl knows? Hmm….
First, the classical items: I think dancing should be on the list and some exposure to art and music just like back in the day. In addition: A lady nowadays should be also be schooled on proper flirting ettiquette — namely DON’T DO IT ONLINE!! How to make a 30 minute meal that doesn’t involve a microwave. Change a tire. And don’t forget the martial arts lessons….
Jun 23, 2012
11:46 am
LOL!! I love your list, Jeannie, especially the part about learning to change a tire. I do have to say it is at that point that my accomplishments wane. My greatest fear has alway been that I will get a flat tire where my cell won’t work and I can’t call AAA! I have no idea how to change that sucker.
Jun 23, 2012
12:56 pm
Greta list, Jeannie. I know how to change a tire, in theory, but where I live, out in the boonies, there are tons of gentlemen who seem to find any kind of automotive emergency a fabulous excuse to stop and help. A couple of years ago I had a flat on a very empty back road that sees about 10 cars a day. I figured I finally had to test my skill, but I’d no sooner got the jack out than a guy in a pick up pulled up. Seriously, I think they have a radar. And I am incredibly grateful because it turned out the jack was pathetic. Being a guy in a pick up he had every kind of power tool on board.
BTW, karaoke most definitely counts as singing. No one would want to hear me do it, although I’m not averse to going wah wah wah in the background. (When drunk).
Jun 23, 2012
2:10 pm
And that’s awesome, Miranda. I just have to rely on AAA.
Jun 23, 2012
2:09 pm
Martial arts and ability to change a tire are super important for any gender! I can’t do the tire part, but it is on my list of skills to develop.
Jun 23, 2012
4:04 pm
Hello, everyone. Lud, reading all these accomplishments for women is making me feel even more like a slug than usual. I think I’m going to go take a nap. LOL.
Gaelen
Jun 23, 2012
5:47 pm
A Modern Woman’s most important talent should be the ability to charm a foreign Duke into signing a gift for her sister. Sigh.
Jun 23, 2012
6:46 pm
Hehe. I agree.