More Alice Fun - Tag Swap

Don't be late for this important date - March 10th, to participate in this delightful Alice swap at Karla's Cottage Blog.
Here are some tags that will be in the swap from The Old Parsonage Blog - I want these badly, aren't they beautiful!

She's Back!

Alice is back - and I am looking forward to seeing her this weekend, perhaps, or very soon after.

Here are some beautiful, old book illustrations to celebrate her return.









Several of these images were obtained at this site, please check it out!
Public Domain Images

Lady of the Butterflies

The Period Wardrobe blog has some information up about a small production called, "Lady of the Butterflies." I am completely intrigued because I can find little to no other information about it. In my search, I found a book by the same title, but they don't appear to be related...or do they?
Here is a clip of the production below, which looks like a dual modern/period Cinderella story. I will continue to watch the site for updates. I am also linking it in the "Diversions" section, should you like to watch for yourself.

Tiffany Haynes Showreel 2010 from Tiffany Haynes on Vimeo.

Flora and Fauna

"The Talking Oak" by William Maw Egley
"Love's Messenger" by Marie Spartali Stillman

Virtual Literary Tour - Canadian/French Authors

I'm off to Canada, then France for my last Virtual tours. Come with me as I explore two more literary sites before returning home. (See the American Tour / See the British Tour)

Virtual Literary Tour - American Authors

Just got back from my virtual literary tour of England and am now heading to my favorite American literary sites - all is well! Then to Canada and France.








Famous Concord, MA author homes - click here

Virtual Literary Tour - British Authors

Longing for a real "literary tour" but, sadly, this will have to do for now! After my British tour, I'll be heading to America! And finally Canada/France.

A Sigh For Spring

Spring - she is coming...I can sense it, see it, feel it. She is just around the corner, peeking her head around the bend. She is shy, and not yet ready to be fully introduced, still I glance and my eyes don't waver.
I court her however I can - by nodding to the buds that are starting to appear in the treetops, by watching the air for the flutter of robin wings, that heartiest of spring birds who appear so quietly out of nowhere that you almost miss their arrival.
I court her by noticing the muddy ground that will no more embrace the heavy snowflakes of January, but lets them melt away into nothing, and all that remains is the soggy, russet earth.
Let her come as she pleases, in her way - the soft, graceful manner of her approach, for I will be ready when she comes calling, I will meet her at the door, invite her in to stay awhile, and give a sigh of relief and delight at her arrival.

Copyright 2010 - The Bookish Kind, All Rights Reserved

Dewey Readmore Books

Read Dewey's story here.

The Belle of Amherst

The play is the thing! I've just been to a one woman play about Emily Dickinson called, "The Belle of Amherst." Absolutely loved it - very informative and historically satisfying!
Here are some pictures of the stage. Photos were not allowed during the performance, but you can get an idea of what it looked like.



I also dug up some photos of other performances and playbills from the internet.


Here is a video clip performance of the play that I found on youtube, and another interesting one that shows her home.




Emily Dickinson wrote beautiful words, most of which I am (currently) ignorant of. I was thrilled at the performance tonight to recognize four or five of the poems as they were quoted. Emily is worth investigating should you want to know more, like I do!
Emily Dickinson Museum
International Society
Wikipedia
Poets.org
Online Literature
1976 Movie Starring Julie Harris
Study guide of the play
10 Facts About Emily Dickinson


Two of my favorite Dickinson poems
~~~~~~~~~~
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

~~~~~~~~~~
TO make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,—
One clover, and a bee,
And revery.
The revery alone will do
If bees are few.

Captive Heart

Amazing true story!

Poets of Nature...

I came across this delightful looking poetry/audiobook/etc, site while browsing Bronte Blog. They specifically featured the "Poets of Nature" CD's, but there are many other recordings there that look interesting.
Here is a sampling of the Emily Dickinson poem:

Other poets featured on the CD are, Thoreau, Emerson, Tennyson, and the Bronte sisters, to name a few.

To be honest, I cannot remember where I came across Flaherty's Crossing, which is a new book available this month. Here is the "book trailer" for it. I find book trailers fascinating! Please keep in mind I have not read this, it just looked interesting, so I pass it along here.

Cadbury Flake Bar

Ribbons of chocolate and air, make this the best chocolate bar - ever!
Anglophiles everywhere agree! (This is not 'scientifically proven' - yet, but I am willing to test it out, should someone ask) :)

Beautiful In Each Season

That which has been dormant will soon awaken,
And before too long, nature will sing its song of spring.
As time passes, and winter gives her baton to spring,
It amazes me again, how the same things look very different,
Yet so beautiful, in each season.

The mountains white with snow,
Slowly melting into the delicacy of spring,
Soft, purple warmth, and majesty,
Vibrant alpine colors uncommonly displayed.

The trees bared of all covering,
Budding, then full blossom and green growth,
Ending with a finale of color,
All the while pointing upward.

The skies; pale pink pastels,
Rich, blue, firmament, brimming with life,
Flocks, in formation patterns,
White, falling down as icy raindrops.

The oceans' quiet, broken by migrating whales,
Birds gather seaside for a dive and feast, below,
Smooth, as a mirror, calm, like a sea of glass,
Windy and tempestuous, as cold wrestles warm.

That which has been dormant will soon awaken~ ~

Copyright 2010, The Bookish Kind - All Rights Reserved

Photo Credits
Tim Coffey - Spring Nest
Bill Bonebrake - San Juan Mountain Range Behind Fall Foliage
John William Waterhouse - Miranda The Tempest

"Bright Star" Nominated For An Oscar

Nominated for Best Costume Design - Janet Patterson