Tuesday 10 April 2012

It's a question of posies, top hats and the written word...

Back in March Bonnie kindly invited me to play questions and answers.
I've been a little late but here they are!

I do seem to keep talking about books...

 
1.  What is your passion?  Do you have more than one?


My passion is words and their power; I love to read a perfect line of poetry or battle with words to express exactly what I mean to say.

Dylan Thomas above my bath

I also love noticing things, whether it is the lone white bluebell, or watching the subtle ways people react towards each other.



2.  If a movie were to be made about your life, who would be cast to play you?
If I was feeling rather big headed I would choose Kate Winslet... when she was plumper!

3.  You've won a vacation sweepstakes, do you choose a mountain resort or a beachside cottage?  Where in the world would we find you?

For me it would be a beachside cottage. I love Devon, so if it was a small sweepstake I’d be there. If it was a magnificent win I’ve always wanted to visit the Polynesian Islands, which look so beautiful yet so different from anything I’ve ever experienced.
4.  Describe what makes a great book.  Is it prefect writing, a great story, good character development, a popular author, or just a great escape?  Or all of the above?
I think it is always the quality of the writing with me. That is why I love Jane Austen. Her beautifully balanced prose never disappoints. Otherwise, I do like novels to give me a real sense of place, with detailed descriptions, so when I re-read it I feel as if I’m returning to a well loved home.

5.  When you need to leave stress behind, how do you decompress?


I pick a posy of flowers from my garden, taking my time, looking at all my plants, smelling the air and listening to the birds.


A hot bath with Lavender oil, reading a favourite book
A glass of wine and a chat with friends


6.  What is your style. classic, sporty, bohemian, or trendy?  What one item can you not live without?
Definitely bohemian. I don’t think I have a particular item I can’t live without. The days of wearing my beloved tail-coat and top hat sadly have passed…

Luckily, some things are passed down...


7.  Tell me about the teacher who had the most profound influence on the person you are today.  Not all teachers are in the classroom.
I'm lucky to have been guided by many amazing people. If it has to be one, I would probably chose my dearest family friend Bob Cardona, because he was such a help and inspiration when I was putting my life back together after my husband left me.

8.  What was your favorite book as a child or teenager?  How did it affect what you read today?  Is it still a favorite?
I loved and still love Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. The passionate, brave voice of the narrator Jane was so different from most ‘old fashioned’ books I had read. It awakened my interest in the Victorians and in the Social History of Women.
As a child I also loved ‘Little White Horse’ by Elizabeth Goudge- She has a gentle spirituality and a wonderful ability to describe somebody's home. I still gain comfort from her books today.


9.  Here in the south there is the old rule of not wearing linen before Easter.  We have about two weeks before Easter.  Are you a traditionalist or do you throw the rules out the window?
I don’t like rules at all. I’m much more rebellious now than ever I was as a teenager!

10.  You are hosting a small dinner party.  Do you allow your guest in the kitchen and make preparation part of the party, or is it all your show?  How about the clean up?


I have such a tiny kitchen; it only really fits one person! Anyway, I like to do all the preparations beforehand, so I can enjoy the evening. As to clearing up- NEVER until the next day, if anybody is still there… then they can help!

11.  Why did you begin your blog?  Has it turned out as you had hoped?  Have you discovered anything about yourself?
I have always wanted to be a writer but realise that I don’t have the qualities within me to create decent fiction. I love to capture life (by words or photographs) so a blog allows me to do this. I like the discipline of it and I am amazed and so grateful to readers and followers who from their support and comments now feel like friends. It has brought me such pleasure and comfort in this last year.



Please visit  Bonnie's blog and all the other wonderful and eclectic sites.  They each have a story to tell and they do it beautifully.
http://livinglifebytheseatofmypants.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/lets-play-tag.html
 Thank you Bonnie, I have enjoyed myself!

26 comments:

  1. Hello Jane:
    What fascinating insights these questions and answers give to your life. We have so enjoyed looking 'behind the scenes of the blog', smiling and nodding in turn at the things that we recognise in ourselves as well as the surprise elements which make you uniquely you.

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    1. Hello Jane and Lance, I did feel a little self-indulgent writing this post but I enjoyed pondering the questions. The hardest was the 'teacher' question, there have been so many inspiring people in my life. Jane xx

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  2. I've just visited your blog and am now a follower too! It's such fun to find a new writer you connect with isn't it? Jane xx

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  3. Jane.... You did a fabulous job. I so enjoyed reading your comments and your pictures are perfect. I would love to stroll through your beautiful flowers and chat about books and such with you. I am almost certain I could learn so much. Thank you so much for playing, and I think your timing was perfect. Oh, I think Kate would be the absolute choice. Bonnie

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    1. Dear Bonnie, I have had SUCH FUN!!! I especially enjoyed going through my photographs, choosing those that fitted. And I too would love to wander through my garden with you and talk of flowers, books and our lives. Jane xx
      ps Gosh! thanks about Kate...!

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  4. It is indeed, Jane! Thank you so much for visiting me! I'm going to add you to my sidebar so I can find you easily!
    HUgs,
    Anne

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  5. Hi Jane - this is such a lovely post. My favourite childhood books were also Little White Horse and Jane Eyre. I identified with 'plain' Maria in LWH but I didn't really understand the fearful erotic angst of Jane Eyre until I was much older! Your garden and house are so lovely - I much prefer yours to mine, only a mile away ( well I don't have a garden for a start).

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  6. Thank you! Isn't is amazing the bond one feels when you both love the same books? I'm lucky with my house and garden but actually all is looking as if it needs a bit of work at the moment... Jane xx

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  7. I saw book lady and I had to come check out your blog....love it!!!
    I'm following along and will be back!!

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    1. Hello Rayanne, Thank you for your kind comment, I've just been reading your blog and you too have a new follower! Jane xx

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  8. Great post!

    And I do love all your gorgeous antique books and quilts...you must let me know, please, if you ever do any fairs in London or East Anglia! :)

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    1. Hello Belinda, Thank you! I haven't done many Fairs yet but I hope to be brave and try to spread my wings a little further in the future. I will definitely keep you posted. Jane xx

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  9. Thank you for telling us more about yourself, Jane. Yet, I found no surprises in what you said. Jim

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    1. Hi Jim, Yes, re-reading what I wrote made me smile a little to myself! Jane xx

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  10. This was fun to find a little more out about you. I love the pictures that you added to each question, especially the garden party and your garden.....beautiful!! Diane

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  11. Hello Diane, I'm glad you enjoyed this post and my photos. The garden party meal was a special romantic treat for David and myself but the furious blackbirds from last year spent the whole time trying to shoo us off! Jane xx

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  12. Just popped over from visiting Wild Acre, super blog
    I will be back!

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    1. Hello Lisa, Glad you have you visiting. What a friendly lot we are! Jane xx

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  13. Love your answers. We do have lots in common. The top hat and tails has made me smile too. Karen X

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    1. Hello Karen, I'm glad you approve of my past attire! I do rather miss dressing in such an eccentric manner...Jane xx

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  14. Thank you so much for visiting me, Dear, and for your sweet comments...so nice to meet you!
    Hugs,
    Anne

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    1. I'm very pleased to have found you! Hope you ave a happy weekend. I'm planning a tea party so a-baking amd a-scrubbing up of the house will fill my hours! Jane xx

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  15. Hello again Jane,
    Just stopping to say hi and thanks for your very kind comment. I really feel like we have a lot in common!! I re-read your post and liked it all over again! Happy Sunday!!!

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    1. Thank you again Rayanne, I'm so glad you like my blog. I need to get back to posting more regularly but as with most people, life gets hectic! Jane xx

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  16. I'm curious that the south says no linen before Easter. In the US, it is no wearing of white after Labor Day (September) until Easter.

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  17. Superstitions are so varied aren't they? I hadn't heard of either of these from the U.S.A. The only one I follow is not doing any washing on Good Friday... Jane xx

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