Here it is March of 2010 and I haven't used my blog for over a year. What a shame. What a waste. BUT, I'm finally back to writing and therefore to writing on my blog. I am on page 127 of the sequel to my Saratoga Summer: 1863. The books is Saratoga Winter: 1865. It tells the story of the youngest of the five O'Malley brothers who migrate to America. Connor was the hero of the summer book and Egan is the hero of the winter one.
It took me 127 pages to get all the players in Saratoga where the scary things happen. I can't wait to see what all occurs.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Scottish Humor
Some of these gave me the giggles......
Exercise
After a lifetime of hearty eating of all the wrong kinds of food, Davie
McFlannel was as wide as he was tall (OK - he wan't very tall...). One of
his friends suggested to him that he should exercise to lose some excess
weight - even a short walk (to the public bar, perhaps) rather than driving
there and back might help. Davie glowered and commented, pointedly: "I like
long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me." Then he
added: "The only reason I would take up exercising is so that I could hear
heavy breathing again....."
Lachlan's Laws - # 71
That great Highland philosopher, Lachlan McLachlan, propounded a number of
irrefutable laws of life, the universe and everything, usually after a
"bevvy" in the Auchenshuggle Arms on a Saturday night. Here is another
example: "Eve and the apple was the first great step in experimental
science". It has to be said, however, that the Scots' author and playwright
James Bridie may have made the comment first.
Bad Grammar
Wee Donald wasn't very good at grammar and spelling at Auchentoshan Primary
School and the teacher kept testing him in the hope that he would
eventually learn. One day the teacher asked Wee Donald "Give me a sentence
beginning with 'I' " Wee Donald thought for a moment and then began "I
is..." The teacher angrily interrupted him and firmly said: "How many times
do I have to tell you that you must always say 'I am' !" Wee Donald looked
crestfallen and resumed: "All right. I am the letter in the alphabet after
H...."
Exercise
After a lifetime of hearty eating of all the wrong kinds of food, Davie
McFlannel was as wide as he was tall (OK - he wan't very tall...). One of
his friends suggested to him that he should exercise to lose some excess
weight - even a short walk (to the public bar, perhaps) rather than driving
there and back might help. Davie glowered and commented, pointedly: "I like
long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me." Then he
added: "The only reason I would take up exercising is so that I could hear
heavy breathing again....."
Lachlan's Laws - # 71
That great Highland philosopher, Lachlan McLachlan, propounded a number of
irrefutable laws of life, the universe and everything, usually after a
"bevvy" in the Auchenshuggle Arms on a Saturday night. Here is another
example: "Eve and the apple was the first great step in experimental
science". It has to be said, however, that the Scots' author and playwright
James Bridie may have made the comment first.
Bad Grammar
Wee Donald wasn't very good at grammar and spelling at Auchentoshan Primary
School and the teacher kept testing him in the hope that he would
eventually learn. One day the teacher asked Wee Donald "Give me a sentence
beginning with 'I' " Wee Donald thought for a moment and then began "I
is..." The teacher angrily interrupted him and firmly said: "How many times
do I have to tell you that you must always say 'I am' !" Wee Donald looked
crestfallen and resumed: "All right. I am the letter in the alphabet after
H...."
Monday, August 4, 2008
Saratoga in 1863
This little article is about my favorite city--Saratoga Springs, NY. In fact, I used to live there during the summers with relatives, who have since moved south. But, my love for that city remains--so much so that I wrote a historical novel, SARATOGA SUMMER: 1863, that describes the movements of a family from the Conscription-riot action in new York City to the rural placidity of Sartoga. And they did it all just in time for the first legalized racing in that city. Saratoga Flat Track is the oldest continuously viable track in America, I believe.
It’s an equine attraction
Racing Museum is destination for fans of the track in Saratoga
Saturday, August 2, 2008
By Bill Buell (Contact)
Gazette Reporter
— There are enough museums in Saratoga Springs to satisfy most history buffs, regardless of their particular interest, but if it’s the middle of summer and you’re in Saratoga, then the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame is definitely the place to be.
“Our attendance increases significantly in the summer. So July and August are by far our busiest months of the year,” said Mike Kane, communications director at the museum. “We get a lot of racing fans who come in the morning and then go to the races in the afternoon.”
With Saratoga Race Course being dark on Tuesdays, you might think the Museum and Hall of Fame would be particularly busy on that day. Not so, according to Kane.
“I think Tuesday tends to be a transition day in Saratoga,” he said.
“People who have been here for a week go home, and other people who are coming for the week are just arriving. If you’re looking to pick out a day to come to the museum, Tuesday’s a pretty good one. You won’t feel at all crowded like you might think.”
New exhibit
Visitors to the museum, 191 Union Avenue, will see a new exhibit on equine medicine that opened just last month.
“It’s an exhibit that ought to be appealing to people of all ages and interests,” said Kane. “We realized that the public really got involved in following the Barbaro injury and how he was treated, and the difficulties in trying to treat horses. It’s got a video component and lots of photographs and graphics. It’s a wonderful exhibit, and it’s an exhibit that might make you cry.”
Another new exhibit focuses on a number of U.S. presidents and their fascination with horses, while other museum highlights include a 90-minute documentary on the 2006 Kentucky Derby.
“And real racing fans will want to see the Hall of Fame and read some of the plaques, like Eddie Arcaro’s or maybe check out the Secretariat plaque,” said Kane. “There’s a lot of history here with plenty of familiar names.”
He said that most people, if they don’t take in the movie, can get in and out of the place in about two hours and see pretty much everything. That leaves lovers of military history, dance, automobiles and general Saratoga history an opportunity to visit one of Saratoga’s other museums.
History galore
“There’s a lot of wonderful history in Saratoga Springs and the place to start soaking it all in is the visitor center,” said Mary-Jane Pelzer, director of the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center, 297 Broadway.
“We tell some of the Saratoga story right here, and we have all the information people need about the other museums. People who love history will love spending time in our city.”
It’s an equine attraction
Racing Museum is destination for fans of the track in Saratoga
Saturday, August 2, 2008
By Bill Buell (Contact)
Gazette Reporter
— There are enough museums in Saratoga Springs to satisfy most history buffs, regardless of their particular interest, but if it’s the middle of summer and you’re in Saratoga, then the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame is definitely the place to be.
“Our attendance increases significantly in the summer. So July and August are by far our busiest months of the year,” said Mike Kane, communications director at the museum. “We get a lot of racing fans who come in the morning and then go to the races in the afternoon.”
With Saratoga Race Course being dark on Tuesdays, you might think the Museum and Hall of Fame would be particularly busy on that day. Not so, according to Kane.
“I think Tuesday tends to be a transition day in Saratoga,” he said.
“People who have been here for a week go home, and other people who are coming for the week are just arriving. If you’re looking to pick out a day to come to the museum, Tuesday’s a pretty good one. You won’t feel at all crowded like you might think.”
New exhibit
Visitors to the museum, 191 Union Avenue, will see a new exhibit on equine medicine that opened just last month.
“It’s an exhibit that ought to be appealing to people of all ages and interests,” said Kane. “We realized that the public really got involved in following the Barbaro injury and how he was treated, and the difficulties in trying to treat horses. It’s got a video component and lots of photographs and graphics. It’s a wonderful exhibit, and it’s an exhibit that might make you cry.”
Another new exhibit focuses on a number of U.S. presidents and their fascination with horses, while other museum highlights include a 90-minute documentary on the 2006 Kentucky Derby.
“And real racing fans will want to see the Hall of Fame and read some of the plaques, like Eddie Arcaro’s or maybe check out the Secretariat plaque,” said Kane. “There’s a lot of history here with plenty of familiar names.”
He said that most people, if they don’t take in the movie, can get in and out of the place in about two hours and see pretty much everything. That leaves lovers of military history, dance, automobiles and general Saratoga history an opportunity to visit one of Saratoga’s other museums.
History galore
“There’s a lot of wonderful history in Saratoga Springs and the place to start soaking it all in is the visitor center,” said Mary-Jane Pelzer, director of the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center, 297 Broadway.
“We tell some of the Saratoga story right here, and we have all the information people need about the other museums. People who love history will love spending time in our city.”
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Being LAX
I know I've been very lax in doing my blog every day, but I feel I have a reason. Immediately after having two shots of cortisone in my herniated discs, the very next day, I was involved in a terrible auto accident. Fortunately, it seems that nothing was broken but I now have to get two more MRIs, one on my shoulder, which slammed into the left side of the car, and one on my knee, which got jammed in the procedure.
After doing all that and returning the rental car to Bennington, on Thursday, I'm going to a friend's cottage on a Long Island beach. Sevan gals from the local Red Hat contingent are going. We won't be back until Sunday and I'm looking forward to the trip................there's nothing like lying on the sand, staring at the sky.
I have made a promise to myself that, after the weekend is over, I will get back to my suspense novel--FULL FORCE. I have done little or no writing since I first started have the severe back pains due to the disc problems. I will take my therapy sessions for four weeks and write like a demon. On the 8th, the Cambridge Fiction Writers (CFW) will begin to meet again, and I'll be glad to see them all. But most of all, I'll be glad to restart the novel--or rather--continue where I left off.
After doing all that and returning the rental car to Bennington, on Thursday, I'm going to a friend's cottage on a Long Island beach. Sevan gals from the local Red Hat contingent are going. We won't be back until Sunday and I'm looking forward to the trip................there's nothing like lying on the sand, staring at the sky.
I have made a promise to myself that, after the weekend is over, I will get back to my suspense novel--FULL FORCE. I have done little or no writing since I first started have the severe back pains due to the disc problems. I will take my therapy sessions for four weeks and write like a demon. On the 8th, the Cambridge Fiction Writers (CFW) will begin to meet again, and I'll be glad to see them all. But most of all, I'll be glad to restart the novel--or rather--continue where I left off.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Stuff for research
I'm putting this information on the blog, because it's the sort of thing I use for researching when writing my historical novels. I want to keep it where I can get to it easily,
. Check out Charles I. He is the king in my novel, Clan Gunn.
Contact Today
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Page last updated at 07:20 GMT, Saturday, 19 July 2008 08:20 UK
E-mail this to a friend Printable version
Monstrous monarchs
Are there too many awful rulers to pick the worst?
With the pressure of ruling and the stress of succession, perhaps it is no wonder that so many of Britain's kings and queens have made a mess of their reign.
On Tuesday, Today spoke to historians taking part in a debate organised by English Heritage, which seeks to answer the question of which British monarch should be considered the biggest failure.
Their nominees - Edward II, George IV and Mary, Queen of Scots - are certainly contenders for the dubious honour of Britain's worst monarch.
But following the programme, listeners emailed us to disagree with the selection.
It seems there is barely a name in the royal lineage - from Vortigern to Victoria - not considered by someone as an utter failure.
Perhaps the only way to avoid controversy is to rule in the style of Edward VII who, as historian John Cannon says:
"Loved uniforms, was good on names and didn't outstay his welcome."
The contenders
There were calls for William the Conqueror to be added for conquering England and Harold for being conquered.
Victoria got a mention for being miserable and Richard the Lionheart for being absent (and spending all England's money on crusades).
Alexander III ruined a good reputation by falling off his horse at an inopportune moment and Lulach the Simple was nominated for, well, being simple.
So who did you nominate? The top three contenders in our highly un-scientific survey are as follows:
HENRY VIII
An egotist who murdered two wives for failing to provide a son, who destroyed an entire culture to satisfy his own desires and launched failed, unnecessary wars
Robbie, Blackburn
Among the most popular contenders is Henry VIII.
Ironically, he was in the frame for last year's debate on the best British monarch.
However, in his personal life he did little to secure public popularity.
Historian John Cannon, editor of the Oxford Companion to British History, agrees with our emailers' sentiments.
"He is a horrid beast. It turns one's stomach over a bit - when he looses his taste for a wife he has their head cut off.
"He is then marrying and dancing within a week. Perfectly dreadful," he says.
Cannon says that Henry inherited a kingdom in rude health with no debts and little conflict. He left it split, bankrupt and, the worst crime for any monarch, without a clear successor - leading to a long and destructive battle for the throne.
CHARLES I
In the 17th Century, it took an unprecedented combination of deviousness and political incompetence for a king to end up tried and executed as a tyrant, murderer and public enemy
John, London
Another popular choice, not mentioned by the panel, is Charles I.
He was a monarch who believed so fervently in his divine right to rule that half the country rose up against him.
Eventually, of course, Charles was beheaded on 30 January 1649. Called martyr by some, many Today listeners branded him incompetent instead.
Historical biographer Lady Antonia Fraser agrees he should have been included on the list.
"He was a weak king in a situation that demanded a strong one.
"He was ended by his own actions, making inevitable a civil war that brought no great good to anyone," she says.
MARY I
She was a religiously bigoted tyrant full of prejudice and narrow mined religious fervour. Her reign held terror for any that did not conform to her ideals
Jane, Derby
And who could ignore the ignominious reign of Mary I?
After attempting to return England to Catholicism, she unleashed vengeance on unlucky Protestants so fierce she earned the title 'Bloody Mary'.
Professor David Loades can understand why Mary I is still so unpopular.
"She burned about 285 protestants in the course of three and a bit years.
"When you consider that the Spanish inquisition probably burned about 30 or 40 it was a very severe persecution.
"No-one at that time had any scruples about burning heretics, but she did burn rather a lot," he says.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Tuesdays programme the panel of experts taking part in the English Heritage debate nominated their worst three monarchs.
Here are the charges against Edward II, Mary Queen of Scots and George IV.
EDWARD II
After being forced to abdicate, Edward was imprisoned and brutally murdered
Edward ruled from 1307-1327. In that time he not only lost the war with Scotland that his father started but was also imprisoned by his estranged wife and forced to abdicate on grounds of incompetence.
Historian Alison Weir nominated Edward II. The charges are as follows:
A poor soldier during the war with Scotland.
Saw English defeat by Robert the Bruce in 1314, therefore failing to realize his fathers dream of a united Britain.
Irritated the nobility by lavishing money and rewards on his male favourites.
Forced to abdicate on grounds of incompetence following imprisonment by his own wife's army.
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS
Mary was next in line to the English throne at the time of her execution
Scotland's queen from 1542 to 1567 managed to be implicated in murder and treason, forced into exile, imprisoned for 19 years and executed.
Historian Sarah Gristwood nominated Mary, Queen of Scots. The charges are:
Suspected involvement in the murder of husband (and second cousin) Henry Stuart at Kirk o'Field in 1565.
Marriage only three months after the murder to the Earl of Bothwell, also a suspect in the murder. This caused Scotland's Protestant Lords to rise against her.
Decision to flee to England, where she thought Elizabeth I would protect her, but where she was imprisoned for 19 years.
Suspected involvement in numerous plots to assassinate the English queen, eventually leading to a trial for treason - and execution.
GEORGE IV
George became obese from eating one too many lavish royal banquets
The Playboy prince ruled Britain as Prince Regent during his father George III's madness and as King from 1820-1830, following his father's death. Despite seeing Britain's victory in the Napoleonic Wars, George's reign was notable mainly for his lavish lifestyle and womanising tendencies.
Historian Martyn Downer nominated George IV. These are the charges:
Serial womaniser.
Scandals with his mistresses and extravagant spending while Britain suffered the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars.
Married his cousin Caroline of Brunswick to please his father and clear his debts.
Barred his (by then estranged) wife from his coronation.
. Check out Charles I. He is the king in my novel, Clan Gunn.
Contact Today
News Feeds
RSS feed
Radio 4 Home
The World at One
PM
The World Tonight
Broadcasting House
BBC News
Page last updated at 07:20 GMT, Saturday, 19 July 2008 08:20 UK
E-mail this to a friend Printable version
Monstrous monarchs
Are there too many awful rulers to pick the worst?
With the pressure of ruling and the stress of succession, perhaps it is no wonder that so many of Britain's kings and queens have made a mess of their reign.
On Tuesday, Today spoke to historians taking part in a debate organised by English Heritage, which seeks to answer the question of which British monarch should be considered the biggest failure.
Their nominees - Edward II, George IV and Mary, Queen of Scots - are certainly contenders for the dubious honour of Britain's worst monarch.
But following the programme, listeners emailed us to disagree with the selection.
It seems there is barely a name in the royal lineage - from Vortigern to Victoria - not considered by someone as an utter failure.
Perhaps the only way to avoid controversy is to rule in the style of Edward VII who, as historian John Cannon says:
"Loved uniforms, was good on names and didn't outstay his welcome."
The contenders
There were calls for William the Conqueror to be added for conquering England and Harold for being conquered.
Victoria got a mention for being miserable and Richard the Lionheart for being absent (and spending all England's money on crusades).
Alexander III ruined a good reputation by falling off his horse at an inopportune moment and Lulach the Simple was nominated for, well, being simple.
So who did you nominate? The top three contenders in our highly un-scientific survey are as follows:
HENRY VIII
An egotist who murdered two wives for failing to provide a son, who destroyed an entire culture to satisfy his own desires and launched failed, unnecessary wars
Robbie, Blackburn
Among the most popular contenders is Henry VIII.
Ironically, he was in the frame for last year's debate on the best British monarch.
However, in his personal life he did little to secure public popularity.
Historian John Cannon, editor of the Oxford Companion to British History, agrees with our emailers' sentiments.
"He is a horrid beast. It turns one's stomach over a bit - when he looses his taste for a wife he has their head cut off.
"He is then marrying and dancing within a week. Perfectly dreadful," he says.
Cannon says that Henry inherited a kingdom in rude health with no debts and little conflict. He left it split, bankrupt and, the worst crime for any monarch, without a clear successor - leading to a long and destructive battle for the throne.
CHARLES I
In the 17th Century, it took an unprecedented combination of deviousness and political incompetence for a king to end up tried and executed as a tyrant, murderer and public enemy
John, London
Another popular choice, not mentioned by the panel, is Charles I.
He was a monarch who believed so fervently in his divine right to rule that half the country rose up against him.
Eventually, of course, Charles was beheaded on 30 January 1649. Called martyr by some, many Today listeners branded him incompetent instead.
Historical biographer Lady Antonia Fraser agrees he should have been included on the list.
"He was a weak king in a situation that demanded a strong one.
"He was ended by his own actions, making inevitable a civil war that brought no great good to anyone," she says.
MARY I
She was a religiously bigoted tyrant full of prejudice and narrow mined religious fervour. Her reign held terror for any that did not conform to her ideals
Jane, Derby
And who could ignore the ignominious reign of Mary I?
After attempting to return England to Catholicism, she unleashed vengeance on unlucky Protestants so fierce she earned the title 'Bloody Mary'.
Professor David Loades can understand why Mary I is still so unpopular.
"She burned about 285 protestants in the course of three and a bit years.
"When you consider that the Spanish inquisition probably burned about 30 or 40 it was a very severe persecution.
"No-one at that time had any scruples about burning heretics, but she did burn rather a lot," he says.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Tuesdays programme the panel of experts taking part in the English Heritage debate nominated their worst three monarchs.
Here are the charges against Edward II, Mary Queen of Scots and George IV.
EDWARD II
After being forced to abdicate, Edward was imprisoned and brutally murdered
Edward ruled from 1307-1327. In that time he not only lost the war with Scotland that his father started but was also imprisoned by his estranged wife and forced to abdicate on grounds of incompetence.
Historian Alison Weir nominated Edward II. The charges are as follows:
A poor soldier during the war with Scotland.
Saw English defeat by Robert the Bruce in 1314, therefore failing to realize his fathers dream of a united Britain.
Irritated the nobility by lavishing money and rewards on his male favourites.
Forced to abdicate on grounds of incompetence following imprisonment by his own wife's army.
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS
Mary was next in line to the English throne at the time of her execution
Scotland's queen from 1542 to 1567 managed to be implicated in murder and treason, forced into exile, imprisoned for 19 years and executed.
Historian Sarah Gristwood nominated Mary, Queen of Scots. The charges are:
Suspected involvement in the murder of husband (and second cousin) Henry Stuart at Kirk o'Field in 1565.
Marriage only three months after the murder to the Earl of Bothwell, also a suspect in the murder. This caused Scotland's Protestant Lords to rise against her.
Decision to flee to England, where she thought Elizabeth I would protect her, but where she was imprisoned for 19 years.
Suspected involvement in numerous plots to assassinate the English queen, eventually leading to a trial for treason - and execution.
GEORGE IV
George became obese from eating one too many lavish royal banquets
The Playboy prince ruled Britain as Prince Regent during his father George III's madness and as King from 1820-1830, following his father's death. Despite seeing Britain's victory in the Napoleonic Wars, George's reign was notable mainly for his lavish lifestyle and womanising tendencies.
Historian Martyn Downer nominated George IV. These are the charges:
Serial womaniser.
Scandals with his mistresses and extravagant spending while Britain suffered the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars.
Married his cousin Caroline of Brunswick to please his father and clear his debts.
Barred his (by then estranged) wife from his coronation.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Autos and accidents
Am recovering from an auto accident last Tuesday. Am bruised and battered but not broken. Am definitely lucky. Car is about $7000 sick and is being fixed. Am recuperating, sitting on my bed with the laptop. I just found this article and thought the described in all her facets, would make a wonderful character...........
- Born Livia Aurelia Magnus, in northern Gaul, in 55 BC
- Daughter of a Roman Centurion and a landowner
Livia’s mother was consistently ill while she was growing up, and her father almost always away on military campaigns under the command of first Crassus, then Julius Caesar. She was therefore responsible for the running of the land, and for making decisions regarding the welfare and disputes of the peasants and farmers occupying their land. The responsibilities were many and continuous, and as so many men were away at war, she never married.
She was known for being incredibly strict with lazy or insubordinate servants, and used corporal punishment without a second thought. However, in several instances she intervened on behalf of destitute women, including a woman whose husband was executed by the state, and a woman whose daughter was raped and impregnated.
Livia was educated by Greek tutors, and could read and write in four languages. She was interested in science, astronomy and agriculture.
In the summer of her 31st year, she was notified that a carriage of female nobles were passing through the area. She made ready the estate for their arrival. The four women arrived in the night, brilliantly dressed. The Strangers, though clearly wealthy, never supplied their names. They were shown their rooms and brought food and wine. The following night, Livia visited the eldest of the Strangers in her chambers to see that they were pleased with the accommodations. The woman asked her to sit and talk with her. They sat for many hours and conversed about philosophy, astronomy and statecraft. The evening stretched on and seemed, pleasantly, to last an eternity. Just before dawn, Livia felt light-headed, as though she were going to pass out. It was in this moment that the Stranger “sired” her. When she awoke at dusk the following evening, the Strangers were gone, and Livia knew everything would be different.
The following events happened swiftly, almost instinctively, for Livia: She waited for her father’s return home; then murdered both her parents, most of the slaves, and sold the land and cattle. The few young female slaves she spared, she kept in her service as she travelled to Rome.
She conducted much of her business in men’s dress, but revealed her womanly aspect when, after amassing great wealth, she approached the realm of the Caesars. Livia was never a woman of great sensual desire while she breathed, or thereafter, for she had never found a man worth the true effort, but she developed the ability to seduce and manipulate the stoniest of all men. Her chief interest was profit, strategy and the science of winning.
For hundreds of years, Livia bought and sold property, while setting up international trade systems, and moving precious commodities through the Roman Empire. When the Empire dwindled, Livia moved further north into Europe, changing her name many times, and finally settled in Ireland. She found her seat at the sea.
Throughout the dark ages, she stored the great literature, art and documents that were thought lost to the world. She read, she thought, and she feasted on the local villagers. She rarely sought any company, let alone that of others’ of her kind. But she would, very, very rarely, take a particular interest in the plight of a resourceful, young peasant woman who could not seem to transcend the circumstances of poverty. When the family of one of these young women reached the peak of its’ suffering, she would swiftly murder the parents, feast on the brood, and then transform the young woman into one of her own kind. The young woman would do as Livia had done; sell the property and disappear into the world like a ghost. One of these young woman, whom Langstrom found in the early 1860s in the southern United States, was Laura Watson. Though Livia would never have considered it in this sense, she was giving birth to the children she never had… or never even knew she desired.
By the early 19th century, Livia was now living under the name Elizabeth Langstrom. The first name she chose after the most notorious female serial killer in history, Elizabeth Bathory; the last after the English gentleman whose property she had appropriated in Switzerland, and in which she was now living.
One weekend in June, in the summer of 1816 (“The Year Without a Summer”), Langstrom hosted a group of English poets at her villa in Switzerland. Dejected, bored and disillusioned by her too-long life, she usually kept company away, but her interest was piqued by this self-indulgent group of romantics. For three nights, she silently watched the group read from Tales of the Dead, and create horror stories of their own. They were high on laudanum, but their gothic imaginations, and the language they used to express their dark desires, took hold of her. Among this group was P. B. Shelley, Mary Shelley, Lord Byron and an unassuming doctor and man of science, John Polidori.
Only Langstrom foresaw the massive effect the meeting of these souls would have on the world of romantic poetry. But even she did not realize the obsession that would take hold of her. Long after they were gone, she could not shake the impression that the stern, elegant Dr. Polidori had on her. She felt he kept a secret from her that she had to discover, but did not even know its’ nature. For years, she kept a watchful eye on his life, his family, his literary work. And though she never made her presence known to him, she sensed he was aware of her.
When Polidori died, she stood at his grave during the funeral, wondering at the meaning of her obsession. Polidori’s first-born son looked up at her, and she realized that the chain had not broken.
The next two centuries played out with great ferocity for Langstrom. She did not know what her fate was, but she felt a palpable awakening coming, and she acted with purpose, and with passion. She killed with passion. She exploited with passion. She destroyed and built empires with passion. Her sense of humour returned, and her personal powers grew. And all the while, she knew every step of every son in the long line of Polidori’s descendants.
In 1970, Simon Polidori, the great-great-great grandson of Polidori, emigrated from his home in Cambridge, England, to the East Coast of Canada, with his wife, Sophie. For many years, Langstrom had had her minions report his actions. But their reports came back elusive. He was elusive. It was as if he was intentionally and skillfully avoiding her detection. Shortly thereafter, she was told that he had died. Childless.
In the spring of 1978, Langstrom, who had located to Los Angeles, where she had assembled a massive media empire, travelled to Nova Scotia. She was drawn there, as though her fate was linked with Polidori, despite his passing. When she found herself at Harker’s Cove one evening in June, she felt herself staring at her own fate; at what had led her there after one and a half centuries: The young David Manners, only 8 years old. Here was her soul’s match that she had waited two thousand years to claim.
At this point begins the story of Elizabeth Langstrom, in Eternal Kiss.
Posted by Paul Kimball at 11:16 PM
Labels: characters, Elisabeth Langstrom
- Born Livia Aurelia Magnus, in northern Gaul, in 55 BC
- Daughter of a Roman Centurion and a landowner
Livia’s mother was consistently ill while she was growing up, and her father almost always away on military campaigns under the command of first Crassus, then Julius Caesar. She was therefore responsible for the running of the land, and for making decisions regarding the welfare and disputes of the peasants and farmers occupying their land. The responsibilities were many and continuous, and as so many men were away at war, she never married.
She was known for being incredibly strict with lazy or insubordinate servants, and used corporal punishment without a second thought. However, in several instances she intervened on behalf of destitute women, including a woman whose husband was executed by the state, and a woman whose daughter was raped and impregnated.
Livia was educated by Greek tutors, and could read and write in four languages. She was interested in science, astronomy and agriculture.
In the summer of her 31st year, she was notified that a carriage of female nobles were passing through the area. She made ready the estate for their arrival. The four women arrived in the night, brilliantly dressed. The Strangers, though clearly wealthy, never supplied their names. They were shown their rooms and brought food and wine. The following night, Livia visited the eldest of the Strangers in her chambers to see that they were pleased with the accommodations. The woman asked her to sit and talk with her. They sat for many hours and conversed about philosophy, astronomy and statecraft. The evening stretched on and seemed, pleasantly, to last an eternity. Just before dawn, Livia felt light-headed, as though she were going to pass out. It was in this moment that the Stranger “sired” her. When she awoke at dusk the following evening, the Strangers were gone, and Livia knew everything would be different.
The following events happened swiftly, almost instinctively, for Livia: She waited for her father’s return home; then murdered both her parents, most of the slaves, and sold the land and cattle. The few young female slaves she spared, she kept in her service as she travelled to Rome.
She conducted much of her business in men’s dress, but revealed her womanly aspect when, after amassing great wealth, she approached the realm of the Caesars. Livia was never a woman of great sensual desire while she breathed, or thereafter, for she had never found a man worth the true effort, but she developed the ability to seduce and manipulate the stoniest of all men. Her chief interest was profit, strategy and the science of winning.
For hundreds of years, Livia bought and sold property, while setting up international trade systems, and moving precious commodities through the Roman Empire. When the Empire dwindled, Livia moved further north into Europe, changing her name many times, and finally settled in Ireland. She found her seat at the sea.
Throughout the dark ages, she stored the great literature, art and documents that were thought lost to the world. She read, she thought, and she feasted on the local villagers. She rarely sought any company, let alone that of others’ of her kind. But she would, very, very rarely, take a particular interest in the plight of a resourceful, young peasant woman who could not seem to transcend the circumstances of poverty. When the family of one of these young women reached the peak of its’ suffering, she would swiftly murder the parents, feast on the brood, and then transform the young woman into one of her own kind. The young woman would do as Livia had done; sell the property and disappear into the world like a ghost. One of these young woman, whom Langstrom found in the early 1860s in the southern United States, was Laura Watson. Though Livia would never have considered it in this sense, she was giving birth to the children she never had… or never even knew she desired.
By the early 19th century, Livia was now living under the name Elizabeth Langstrom. The first name she chose after the most notorious female serial killer in history, Elizabeth Bathory; the last after the English gentleman whose property she had appropriated in Switzerland, and in which she was now living.
One weekend in June, in the summer of 1816 (“The Year Without a Summer”), Langstrom hosted a group of English poets at her villa in Switzerland. Dejected, bored and disillusioned by her too-long life, she usually kept company away, but her interest was piqued by this self-indulgent group of romantics. For three nights, she silently watched the group read from Tales of the Dead, and create horror stories of their own. They were high on laudanum, but their gothic imaginations, and the language they used to express their dark desires, took hold of her. Among this group was P. B. Shelley, Mary Shelley, Lord Byron and an unassuming doctor and man of science, John Polidori.
Only Langstrom foresaw the massive effect the meeting of these souls would have on the world of romantic poetry. But even she did not realize the obsession that would take hold of her. Long after they were gone, she could not shake the impression that the stern, elegant Dr. Polidori had on her. She felt he kept a secret from her that she had to discover, but did not even know its’ nature. For years, she kept a watchful eye on his life, his family, his literary work. And though she never made her presence known to him, she sensed he was aware of her.
When Polidori died, she stood at his grave during the funeral, wondering at the meaning of her obsession. Polidori’s first-born son looked up at her, and she realized that the chain had not broken.
The next two centuries played out with great ferocity for Langstrom. She did not know what her fate was, but she felt a palpable awakening coming, and she acted with purpose, and with passion. She killed with passion. She exploited with passion. She destroyed and built empires with passion. Her sense of humour returned, and her personal powers grew. And all the while, she knew every step of every son in the long line of Polidori’s descendants.
In 1970, Simon Polidori, the great-great-great grandson of Polidori, emigrated from his home in Cambridge, England, to the East Coast of Canada, with his wife, Sophie. For many years, Langstrom had had her minions report his actions. But their reports came back elusive. He was elusive. It was as if he was intentionally and skillfully avoiding her detection. Shortly thereafter, she was told that he had died. Childless.
In the spring of 1978, Langstrom, who had located to Los Angeles, where she had assembled a massive media empire, travelled to Nova Scotia. She was drawn there, as though her fate was linked with Polidori, despite his passing. When she found herself at Harker’s Cove one evening in June, she felt herself staring at her own fate; at what had led her there after one and a half centuries: The young David Manners, only 8 years old. Here was her soul’s match that she had waited two thousand years to claim.
At this point begins the story of Elizabeth Langstrom, in Eternal Kiss.
Posted by Paul Kimball at 11:16 PM
Labels: characters, Elisabeth Langstrom
Auto accidents
Am recovering from an auto accident last Tuesday. Am bruised and battered but not broken. Am definitely lucky. Car is about $7000 sick and is being fixed. Am recuperating, sitting on my bed with the laptop. I just found this article and thought the described in all her facets, would make a wonderful character...........
- Born Livia Aurelia Magnus, in northern Gaul, in 55 BC
- Daughter of a Roman Centurion and a landowner
Livia’s mother was consistently ill while she was growing up, and her father almost always away on military campaigns under the command of first Crassus, then Julius Caesar. She was therefore responsible for the running of the land, and for making decisions regarding the welfare and disputes of the peasants and farmers occupying their land. The responsibilities were many and continuous, and as so many men were away at war, she never married.
She was known for being incredibly strict with lazy or insubordinate servants, and used corporal punishment without a second thought. However, in several instances she intervened on behalf of destitute women, including a woman whose husband was executed by the state, and a woman whose daughter was raped and impregnated.
Livia was educated by Greek tutors, and could read and write in four languages. She was interested in science, astronomy and agriculture.
In the summer of her 31st year, she was notified that a carriage of female nobles were passing through the area. She made ready the estate for their arrival. The four women arrived in the night, brilliantly dressed. The Strangers, though clearly wealthy, never supplied their names. They were shown their rooms and brought food and wine. The following night, Livia visited the eldest of the Strangers in her chambers to see that they were pleased with the accommodations. The woman asked her to sit and talk with her. They sat for many hours and conversed about philosophy, astronomy and statecraft. The evening stretched on and seemed, pleasantly, to last an eternity. Just before dawn, Livia felt light-headed, as though she were going to pass out. It was in this moment that the Stranger “sired” her. When she awoke at dusk the following evening, the Strangers were gone, and Livia knew everything would be different.
The following events happened swiftly, almost instinctively, for Livia: She waited for her father’s return home; then murdered both her parents, most of the slaves, and sold the land and cattle. The few young female slaves she spared, she kept in her service as she travelled to Rome.
She conducted much of her business in men’s dress, but revealed her womanly aspect when, after amassing great wealth, she approached the realm of the Caesars. Livia was never a woman of great sensual desire while she breathed, or thereafter, for she had never found a man worth the true effort, but she developed the ability to seduce and manipulate the stoniest of all men. Her chief interest was profit, strategy and the science of winning.
For hundreds of years, Livia bought and sold property, while setting up international trade systems, and moving precious commodities through the Roman Empire. When the Empire dwindled, Livia moved further north into Europe, changing her name many times, and finally settled in Ireland. She found her seat at the sea.
Throughout the dark ages, she stored the great literature, art and documents that were thought lost to the world. She read, she thought, and she feasted on the local villagers. She rarely sought any company, let alone that of others’ of her kind. But she would, very, very rarely, take a particular interest in the plight of a resourceful, young peasant woman who could not seem to transcend the circumstances of poverty. When the family of one of these young women reached the peak of its’ suffering, she would swiftly murder the parents, feast on the brood, and then transform the young woman into one of her own kind. The young woman would do as Livia had done; sell the property and disappear into the world like a ghost. One of these young woman, whom Langstrom found in the early 1860s in the southern United States, was Laura Watson. Though Livia would never have considered it in this sense, she was giving birth to the children she never had… or never even knew she desired.
By the early 19th century, Livia was now living under the name Elizabeth Langstrom. The first name she chose after the most notorious female serial killer in history, Elizabeth Bathory; the last after the English gentleman whose property she had appropriated in Switzerland, and in which she was now living.
One weekend in June, in the summer of 1816 (“The Year Without a Summer”), Langstrom hosted a group of English poets at her villa in Switzerland. Dejected, bored and disillusioned by her too-long life, she usually kept company away, but her interest was piqued by this self-indulgent group of romantics. For three nights, she silently watched the group read from Tales of the Dead, and create horror stories of their own. They were high on laudanum, but their gothic imaginations, and the language they used to express their dark desires, took hold of her. Among this group was P. B. Shelley, Mary Shelley, Lord Byron and an unassuming doctor and man of science, John Polidori.
Only Langstrom foresaw the massive effect the meeting of these souls would have on the world of romantic poetry. But even she did not realize the obsession that would take hold of her. Long after they were gone, she could not shake the impression that the stern, elegant Dr. Polidori had on her. She felt he kept a secret from her that she had to discover, but did not even know its’ nature. For years, she kept a watchful eye on his life, his family, his literary work. And though she never made her presence known to him, she sensed he was aware of her.
When Polidori died, she stood at his grave during the funeral, wondering at the meaning of her obsession. Polidori’s first-born son looked up at her, and she realized that the chain had not broken.
The next two centuries played out with great ferocity for Langstrom. She did not know what her fate was, but she felt a palpable awakening coming, and she acted with purpose, and with passion. She killed with passion. She exploited with passion. She destroyed and built empires with passion. Her sense of humour returned, and her personal powers grew. And all the while, she knew every step of every son in the long line of Polidori’s descendants.
In 1970, Simon Polidori, the great-great-great grandson of Polidori, emigrated from his home in Cambridge, England, to the East Coast of Canada, with his wife, Sophie. For many years, Langstrom had had her minions report his actions. But their reports came back elusive. He was elusive. It was as if he was intentionally and skillfully avoiding her detection. Shortly thereafter, she was told that he had died. Childless.
In the spring of 1978, Langstrom, who had located to Los Angeles, where she had assembled a massive media empire, travelled to Nova Scotia. She was drawn there, as though her fate was linked with Polidori, despite his passing. When she found herself at Harker’s Cove one evening in June, she felt herself staring at her own fate; at what had led her there after one and a half centuries: The young David Manners, only 8 years old. Here was her soul’s match that she had waited two thousand years to claim.
At this point begins the story of Elizabeth Langstrom, in Eternal Kiss.
Posted by Paul Kimball at 11:16 PM
Labels: characters, Elisabeth Langstrom
- Born Livia Aurelia Magnus, in northern Gaul, in 55 BC
- Daughter of a Roman Centurion and a landowner
Livia’s mother was consistently ill while she was growing up, and her father almost always away on military campaigns under the command of first Crassus, then Julius Caesar. She was therefore responsible for the running of the land, and for making decisions regarding the welfare and disputes of the peasants and farmers occupying their land. The responsibilities were many and continuous, and as so many men were away at war, she never married.
She was known for being incredibly strict with lazy or insubordinate servants, and used corporal punishment without a second thought. However, in several instances she intervened on behalf of destitute women, including a woman whose husband was executed by the state, and a woman whose daughter was raped and impregnated.
Livia was educated by Greek tutors, and could read and write in four languages. She was interested in science, astronomy and agriculture.
In the summer of her 31st year, she was notified that a carriage of female nobles were passing through the area. She made ready the estate for their arrival. The four women arrived in the night, brilliantly dressed. The Strangers, though clearly wealthy, never supplied their names. They were shown their rooms and brought food and wine. The following night, Livia visited the eldest of the Strangers in her chambers to see that they were pleased with the accommodations. The woman asked her to sit and talk with her. They sat for many hours and conversed about philosophy, astronomy and statecraft. The evening stretched on and seemed, pleasantly, to last an eternity. Just before dawn, Livia felt light-headed, as though she were going to pass out. It was in this moment that the Stranger “sired” her. When she awoke at dusk the following evening, the Strangers were gone, and Livia knew everything would be different.
The following events happened swiftly, almost instinctively, for Livia: She waited for her father’s return home; then murdered both her parents, most of the slaves, and sold the land and cattle. The few young female slaves she spared, she kept in her service as she travelled to Rome.
She conducted much of her business in men’s dress, but revealed her womanly aspect when, after amassing great wealth, she approached the realm of the Caesars. Livia was never a woman of great sensual desire while she breathed, or thereafter, for she had never found a man worth the true effort, but she developed the ability to seduce and manipulate the stoniest of all men. Her chief interest was profit, strategy and the science of winning.
For hundreds of years, Livia bought and sold property, while setting up international trade systems, and moving precious commodities through the Roman Empire. When the Empire dwindled, Livia moved further north into Europe, changing her name many times, and finally settled in Ireland. She found her seat at the sea.
Throughout the dark ages, she stored the great literature, art and documents that were thought lost to the world. She read, she thought, and she feasted on the local villagers. She rarely sought any company, let alone that of others’ of her kind. But she would, very, very rarely, take a particular interest in the plight of a resourceful, young peasant woman who could not seem to transcend the circumstances of poverty. When the family of one of these young women reached the peak of its’ suffering, she would swiftly murder the parents, feast on the brood, and then transform the young woman into one of her own kind. The young woman would do as Livia had done; sell the property and disappear into the world like a ghost. One of these young woman, whom Langstrom found in the early 1860s in the southern United States, was Laura Watson. Though Livia would never have considered it in this sense, she was giving birth to the children she never had… or never even knew she desired.
By the early 19th century, Livia was now living under the name Elizabeth Langstrom. The first name she chose after the most notorious female serial killer in history, Elizabeth Bathory; the last after the English gentleman whose property she had appropriated in Switzerland, and in which she was now living.
One weekend in June, in the summer of 1816 (“The Year Without a Summer”), Langstrom hosted a group of English poets at her villa in Switzerland. Dejected, bored and disillusioned by her too-long life, she usually kept company away, but her interest was piqued by this self-indulgent group of romantics. For three nights, she silently watched the group read from Tales of the Dead, and create horror stories of their own. They were high on laudanum, but their gothic imaginations, and the language they used to express their dark desires, took hold of her. Among this group was P. B. Shelley, Mary Shelley, Lord Byron and an unassuming doctor and man of science, John Polidori.
Only Langstrom foresaw the massive effect the meeting of these souls would have on the world of romantic poetry. But even she did not realize the obsession that would take hold of her. Long after they were gone, she could not shake the impression that the stern, elegant Dr. Polidori had on her. She felt he kept a secret from her that she had to discover, but did not even know its’ nature. For years, she kept a watchful eye on his life, his family, his literary work. And though she never made her presence known to him, she sensed he was aware of her.
When Polidori died, she stood at his grave during the funeral, wondering at the meaning of her obsession. Polidori’s first-born son looked up at her, and she realized that the chain had not broken.
The next two centuries played out with great ferocity for Langstrom. She did not know what her fate was, but she felt a palpable awakening coming, and she acted with purpose, and with passion. She killed with passion. She exploited with passion. She destroyed and built empires with passion. Her sense of humour returned, and her personal powers grew. And all the while, she knew every step of every son in the long line of Polidori’s descendants.
In 1970, Simon Polidori, the great-great-great grandson of Polidori, emigrated from his home in Cambridge, England, to the East Coast of Canada, with his wife, Sophie. For many years, Langstrom had had her minions report his actions. But their reports came back elusive. He was elusive. It was as if he was intentionally and skillfully avoiding her detection. Shortly thereafter, she was told that he had died. Childless.
In the spring of 1978, Langstrom, who had located to Los Angeles, where she had assembled a massive media empire, travelled to Nova Scotia. She was drawn there, as though her fate was linked with Polidori, despite his passing. When she found herself at Harker’s Cove one evening in June, she felt herself staring at her own fate; at what had led her there after one and a half centuries: The young David Manners, only 8 years old. Here was her soul’s match that she had waited two thousand years to claim.
At this point begins the story of Elizabeth Langstrom, in Eternal Kiss.
Posted by Paul Kimball at 11:16 PM
Labels: characters, Elisabeth Langstrom
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