What is your eye drawn to first? My first impression is The Hat. Then the small waist and the very ladylike stance.
In the first example, I wonder many pins were used to hold her chapeau in place? The second lady’s concoction seems to depend on the band secured tightly under=the-chin (Not easy for swallowing that first sip of tea.) And those FEATHERS! The first seems be a concoction of netting holding those fine fathers in place. (At least one would hope so in an impish breeze.) Ah, but those opulent ostrich plumes! (Strangely enough, the headgear is actually called a peach-picker. Perhaps the shape is similar to those practical fruit baskets?) Now I know why the title of one of the impudent songs of the public houses came to be . . . “Where did you get that hat?” These ladies wear their hats with great aplomb. They know without a doubt they will be noticed. At least by other ladies who also hope to earn the supreme compliment of being a head-turner. However, I’m not so sure about the gentlemen’s thoughts. Especially when seated behind such creations in a theatre. Do you long for those hat-wearing days? Do you feel cheated that fashion nowadays seems to eliminate this must have accompaniment to a lady’s wardrobe? No? Then I’m with you!
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I’d been having an unusual pain in my right arm – as if I’d been sleeping on it. Then the next night as I was getting ready for bed, I found blisters on my arm. Then I guessed my uninvited visitor was Shingles. And a doctor soon confirmed my suspicions! Pain and fatigue have been constant companions for many years in combatting fibromyalgia. However, I found there is something worse than fibromyalgia - Fibromyalgia PLUS Shingles!
Relentless physical or emotional pain is unbearable. As believers what should we do when we are hit on all sides in ways that are seemingly inexplicable and unfair? I confess that on occasions when perplexed I argue with Him. And one day, when my pain level was high, I threw a tantrum. I screamed and I cried. I told God to show up. “Where are you God? Are you there? Do you care?” I begged Him for His help. Guess what? Everything changed in a heartbeat. He turned up. He’s been my Safe Place even in pain. Over the years, I have learnt to run into His loving arms. He hears my cry. He picks me up. He set my feet on solid ground. Here are a few ways I get through tough times, pain and suffering:
Have you ever experienced that moment in your life when everything changed . . . Suddenly? That’s the theme of ‘Everything can change in a heartbeat.’ Perhaps in answer to prayer. . . maybe many prayers. Or seemingly, God simply taking us by surprise.
When my husband went to be with his Saviour, I can only explain it as a lack of feeling. A strange numbness descending on me. His passing wasn’t sudden, as the doctors’ prognosis was 3 months at best. He suffered no real pain . . . just constant discomfort. And in that time - knowing he could leave at any moment, - we talked over our life of sharing the message of the Good News of Jesus in word, music and art. We were so grateful for each day granted. Best of all, the Lord graciously gave my dear man a whole year and 3 months. That last week he went downhill fast. His time in hospital was a short 3 days. Once the phone call from the hospital came in the early hours, I realized two things: I’d never see him alive again. But I knew he was with his Saviour, Jesus. Right then, I lost all feeling. I shed no tears & my mind was a complete blank. But not my spirit. I called out “Help me, Lord.” Then His inner Holy Spirit reminded me of this truth “I will never leave you or forsake you.” & I believed it. I challenged God with my favourite Bible verse - Proverbs 3:5&6 “Father, my whole life I’ve trusted you with all my heart, I’ve acknowledged You in everything I do, and You promised You would direct my paths. And that means right now, Father, I’m asking you to show me what to do next.” In that very moment, for me. . . Everything changed in a heartbeat! Immediately the sense of having lost control, left me. And I knew God would guide me that day. It happened in amazing ways. I was able to take each step deliberately. First, I needed a Funeral Director. So, I looked online, read through many ads and saw this - Simplicity Funerals. I liked the sound of Simplicity. It was early & my son, on work holidays, made us a cup of tea. I made the call at 9 am. The director was kind but said, “You’ll need to make an appointment.” My heart sank. Yet the very next moment she said, “But if you can come now, I’ll see you.” We both hastily dressed and drove to the Funeral Office. The first question was this, “Do you have a grave plot?” I admitted I didn’t have one. I had spent the last year of his life as my dear man’s caregiver with each day a bonus. So we never bothered to dwell on his eventual death. She said, “I will ring the closest cemetery for you.” When the administrator’s secretary answered, again I was told I’d need an appointment to see them. After a pause, she added, “But if you can come now, then you can decide on what type of memorial you wish.” That was twice the Lord had gone before me, guiding my path! But when my son and I arrived, the cemetery seemed crammed full of mausoleums. We went directly to the office and I boldly asked, “Do you have any other places?” They nodded, “Why yes. We have a new area out west in a natural bushland setting. Let me call ahead for you.” When she passed the phone to me, the person who administrated the cemetery also said, “You’ll need to make an appointment.” And do you know, what she said next was a repeat of what every other person said. ”Just a moment, I’ll check. Ah, if you can come now, I’ll see you.” How amazing! Each time my Heavenly Father had prepared the way. We drove there to make these final arrangements with our hearts lifted, confident in our Lord’s direction. That same afternoon our church leaders and close friends arrived and we prepared all the details of the burial & Thanksgiving Service to be held. Other dear friends also brought a meal for everyone. This happened all on one day! I am filled with gratitude & love the way my Father provides His loving care for us in guiding our steps. I love this young woman’s confident pose. Her choice of clothing reveals she is not one to favour lace, frills and furbelows. Even the bold stripes on her silk or satin shirtwaist, and broad tie worn with flair hints at her poised, self-assured personality.
Her pompadour hairstyle is quite understated, yet soft. It looks to be easily managed without the use of a maid. Girls usually rolled their own hair around a sausage-shaped ‘rat’ of used hair to hold the form. And as the hair was quite long it could be tucked in and pinned. Yet, wouldn’t they have loved the later invention of hairspray? The ring on her finger shows she’s “been taken”. And I imagine her fiancé world have a similar personality trait. Otherwise, she would wind him around her little finger. So maybe he is a mature man several years older than she. Could she be a private secretary to a businessman? That would be rare in those days as men usually chose another male. Yet perhaps her fine credentials challenged him to choose her. I think of her as being named Amy. What story could she reveal about herself? What would we do without friends?
I suppose our closest friends are those we’ve found always stand by us when we need help, encouragement, or plain good advice. I value my friends more than I ever did. I have lost a couple of dear ones but I’m comforted knowing they are with the Lord. I used to wonder at their kindness in being there when I most needed them, but now I know. They, like me, have discovered it’s even more blessed to give of yourself than receive. I heard a touch of disappointment in my friend’s voice when she told me no one was planning anything for her birthday. That was my opportunity to make a special cake for her. She was so surprised when she assumed it was a simple dinner invitation. But then came the candle-bedecked birthday cake! Such a simple thing for me to do for her. She keeps my books. Another friend does my hair, so we have a lunch date every so often. And so it goes. Another two friends visited me in hospital. Now I keep ‘tabs’ on them. It’s mutual give and take, joyfully given and gratefully received. Yet another dear friend guides me in everything to do with computers … no mean feat. Look after your real friends. They are a precious gift to treasure. Sometimes they understand you more than you understand yourself. Old Mrs Slipper-Slapper jumped out of bed
And out of the window popped her head. Said, “John, John, John, the grey goose is gone, The fox is off to his den-o, Den-o, den-o.” Saying, “John, John, John, the grey goose is gone, The fox is off to his den -o.” Then John ran up to the top of the hill. He blew a blast most loud and shrill. Said the fox, “That is very pretty music still. But I'm always home to my den-o, Den-o, den-o.” Said the fox, “That is very pretty music still, And now I'm off to my den-o.” He sat down to dinner with his hungry wife, Did very well without a fork or knife. Never had a better goose in all their life And the little ones pick the bones-o, Bones-o, bones-o Never had a better goose in all their life And the little ones pick the bones-o. I was pleased to be able to pick up a very old copy of this magazine in an old bookshop somewhere in Tasmania. I especially value it as a wonderful source of the Edwardian era I love to write about.
This copy is full of the most amazing advertisements. They seem amusing and strange to our twenty-first century eyes. And unlike our sophisticated senses of today, people believed everything they read in print. Look at the claims: These "irresistible” NIBS are only 9pence per box. And they are most delightful for smooth easy writing. Although showing the lady at her desk with inkwell and candle, they are equally suitable for Ladies and Gentlemen. Who could’ve guessed? AND it is made of Yellow Metal and is NON-CORROSIVE. And each of the boxes contain 24 Perry’s Tested Pens. The BATHCHAIR below is an interesting contraption. Wicker & carriage-built, they boasted distinctive construction and unlimited durability. Named for John Dawson of Bath, it carried the sick from their lodgings to and from the spa. Also the rich and famous about their business in the city. But the bathchair eventually lost out to competition from motorized taxis and the new lightweight wheelchairs affordable enough to be privately owned. According to this early 1900s ad, from the Illustrated London News, Harrods advertisement of this wonderful 6 room apartment was going for a mere five hundred pounds! The copy is as follows:
Swift and enthusiastic but hardly unexpected has come the demand from every part of the Kingdom, for details of this most attractive Harrods innovation. Every essential is included in the furnishings. And an adequate supply of Cutlery, Plate, China, Glass, Turnery, Ironmongery, and linen. Ignorant of this ‘Turnery’ I found it to be anything made by a turner. So in wood, I presume. And Ironmongery must be anything metal . . . eg tongs, statuettes? You know, all these everyday things we MUST have. I suppose for the upper classes this would have been a bonus. And it wasn’t a poky place. Situated in the “better class” suburbs and equipped with everything a person needs. Why it had a Best bedroom, Spare bedroom (for a friend?) and a Maid’s room. (So no children here; they’d be back in the country with the nanny.) Because tea was such a prized possession. Many hired expert craftsmen to create a beautiful and ornate caddy that could protect their tea. After all, it was an expensive commodity and so many were traditionally made from silver. Or beautifully turned wood. Some contained cutglass jars with silver lids for different types of tea. Eg. Ceylon, Earl Grey, Green, Black, and Herbal among various others.
Oh dear, how far we have fallen! Not many of us use tea leaves nowadays. I tried to hold faith with the customary Oh, that first cuppa in the morning. And an afternoon pick-up, tea is one of the world's most popular drinks. Of course it is! That’s why it’s grown on nearly every continent rinsing the teapot with hot water. Placing a spoonful each for whoever would partake. … and then to add one for the pot. And giving it a good stir, then letting it draw undisturbed. Invariably I’d use my silver tea-strainer, just in case an errant tea leaf escaped. As every Englishwoman knew back in the day, tea was a panacea for all ills, even depression, or I should say melancholia. We now know different types of tea are also rich in an amino acid that studies have linked with feelings of calm and well-being. Well, duh! They already experienced that. .Now? Shock! Teabags are the thing. Those tiny net bags full of ground tea are meant to cheer us, (but more like saving us time & effort.) How I love the Edwardian Era. I admit the Victorian Era was a favourite until That amazing TV series, Downton Abbey caught my imagination. Especially when the early motor cars were making their way onto the streets, and scaring the poor old horses drawing their carts etc.
But the elegant clothing! I actually chose this smart outfit for my heroine in her first adventure in a flashy roadster. The dove grey garment's severe lines are softened by the high self fabric belt, her white dickie, lace gloves and gorgeous white rose festooned chapeau. (One cannot refer to it as a mere 'hat'.) |
Thanks for dropping by.
As a writer of historical romance, I just love the Victorian & Edwardian Eras. As a singer and artist, my inspiration comes from the One who created all things - the God of the Bible. I will be forever grateful for the talents He gave me. My blog musings are more like a journal of personal thoughts. Enjoy! Archives
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