'Cause we're that awesome

I typed in "austen hero poll" on Google. And my little, obscure Austen blog came up 3rd in line--right after the GoodReads listing, too! But look two more results down and what do you see? "Popcorn popping--" I mean, The Brambler's cross-advertising of the poll. Woohoo! (Thanks again!) So the word is out there and hopefully spreading. I want to see the reasons. Because it's not that I'll disagree with you (though it is hard for me to see anyone beat out Mr. Tilney), but that I'll get to know you all better, and understand much about you that wouldn't typically come in an everyday small talk conversation. I'm so excited!

!!!!

Hurry!, dear fellow Janeites:

The Austen Hero Poll closes in 5 days!!!

Tell your Austen-loving friends! Get them to vote! Cast your own vote(s)! Email me your reasons/defenses! Stand by your (Austen) Man/Men! Let's have some fun!

(How many exclamation points can I use in a post?!?! :-) )

A Novel Idea--really

Comment from my one and only Austen blog follower:

"Do we get to discuss all the men we voted for?"

Why, yes, the letter Bee. What a fantastic idea! Thank you! In the next day or two, I will put a contact email on the blog. Then you may all email me your writings for the Austen men you voted for. Yes, each one. A separate "entry" for each one if you so choose! Then, when the poll is closed, I shall post your own expostulations, sighs, glories, etc. of these great men. Then shall the discussions commence! I'm very much looking forward to it.

Dear Henry--Part 2

What trait next doth make my heart a-quiver? Why 'tis that of improving one's mind with extensive reading. For I am an avid reader myself and thoroughly enjoy a good book. Even more do I enjoy discussing reading, books, and other related topics with others. And if such an conversation may be had with a gentleman, so much the better. The male mind always brings with it fascinating views, opinions, and analyses that my opposite female one would never discover on its own.

So it is with pleasure to know that Dear Henry--

*Understands how wonderful reading is.

"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid."

*Knows and enjoys the pleasure of being held in suspense, and eagerly presses forward to know what happens next.

"Here was I, in my eagerness to get on, refusing to wait only five minutes for my sister, breaking the promise I had made of reading it aloud, and keeping her in suspense at a most interesting part, by running away with the volume, which, you are to observe, was her own, particularly her own. I am proud when I reflect on it, and I think it must establish me in your good opinion."

*Welcomes conversation about books, likens books to every day living, and sees humor in reading as well as lessons to be learned.

"If we proceed to particulars, and engage in the never-ceasing inquiry of 'Have you read this?' and 'Have you read that?' I shall soon leave you as far behind me as—what shall I say?—I want an appropriate simile.—as far as your friend Emily herself left poor Valancourt when she went with her aunt into Italy."

Henry not only reads, knows how to read, and learns from reading, but he loves to read.

"'Is there a felicity in the world...superior to this?'"

Why, yes, Marianne Dashwood. Yes, there is. But we'll glory in more of those at later dates.

"I Know Exactly How You Feel"

First, name that movie quote.

Second, I really do. With some of Austen's characters any how. That has always been one thing I love of Austen's writing. She creates the most realistic characters. You will see people with those traits in all walks of life. And as you meet/see/know them, you can't help but think (if you are a knowledgeable Janeite), "Oh, she is such a Miss Bingley" or "That poor Colonel Brandon" or "I'm trying so hard to understand this Jane Fairfax!"

I find my own self identifying with varying aspects of various Austen characters.

Like Charlotte Lucas. Worried that at our similar ages and "without having ever been handsome" and other more glaring flaws that my chances at "the only honourable provision for a well-educated young wom[a]n of small fortune" are rather minimal. Of course, hopefully unlike Charlotte I will not settle, and will take advantage of the bends in my road and let my spirit fly unfettered.

Like Fanny Price. Who tries to go about doing right and going by her heart, and yet still gets question and berated--by those who should trust she knows her own feelings and leave her to her convictions. 

Like Emma Woodhouse. Who can be "so unfeeling to" others, and yet am properly remonstrated either by loved ones or my own self and then feel "anger against herself, mortification, and deep concern....[s]o agitated, mortified, grieved."

Like Anne Elliot. Who once loved someone so deeply and shared everything she could with him, only to later be constantly in his presence and suffer the agonies of not being able to speak as freely as in former times. To no longer be able to share the dreams, wishes, thoughts, desires, hopes, and revelations of her mind and heart. Instead, to watch and endure almost daily the painful severance that persistently presents itself to her. Like her, I do "not wish for more of such looks and speeches...cold politeness...ceremonious grace...[they are] worse than anything." I would prefer to open my heart again. To have again my best friend. Yet this is not to be. So, perhaps, instead I will soon move on as Anne did who "found herself by this time growing so much more hardened to being in [his] company than she had at first imagined could ever be, that the sitting down to the same table with him now, and the interchange of common civilities attending on it...was become a mere nothing."

Like Catherine Morland. Who is overflowing with flaws, and yet still eventually have a Henry Tilney--so clever, intelligent, humorous, considerate, forgiving, understanding, and accepting--come along and love her. I will have my own Henry some day. I know that. Until then, I suppose like Catherine I'll "remain...at [home] to cry." Well, and have some fun and happiness, too. 

The Wisdom of Chick Flicks

[from my online personal journal]:

Because somehow they know how to speak to the impractical, emotional, irrational, hopeless romantic, sentimental being that is, well, this particular female. At present, it's the women in "Steel Magnolias" (I really must be on a random kick with that or something).


Since I feel exactly like M'Lynn:


And wish the solution could be as easy as Clairee's:


But know that Annelle is right:


Such the pity. Guess I'll have to find some other way. Well, best to leave on a happier note. I have chosen scenes from other Chick Flicks. Various ones having various meanings for me, particularly right now. If you are one of the male readers, I did say Chick Flick for a reason. Your choosing to watch or not is left up to your agency.


The Happy Jane Eyre Discovery by CK, Jenna, and me. Was able to pass this most wonderful version on to Chantelle. SaraLyn, too, yes?
This great discovery shared with CK and Jess B.



North & South--thanks for introducing me to this one, Sarah G.!

Captain Wentworth and Anne finally come to an understanding.


Couldn't help always finding the humor in this romantic finally-coming-together ending. "Oh dear."

I have always loved Mr. Palmer! Or, I should say, the Hugh Laurie Mr. Palmer. Perfect!


Oooooooh Henry. (You could probably end at 3:11 on this one. The dance is the best part of the clip.)

Happiness with Henry

Dear Henry, Dear Henry

Yes, it is no secret that my favorite Austen hero is Henry Tilney. Who might this Henry be? It is he of the Northanger Abbey fame that I speak of. As only Austen can describe:

He seemed to be about four or five and twenty, was rather tall, had a pleasing countenance, a very intelligent and lively eye, and, if not quite handsome, was very near it. His address was good, and Catherine felt herself in high luck....[S]he found him as agreeable as she had already given him credit for being. He talked with fluency and spirit—and there was an archness and pleasantry in his manner which interested, though it was hardly understood by her.

But one entry would not be sufficient to extol the merits of this fine if fictional young man. So I shall just regale you with his glories one glory at a time. Today's wonder-of-ment is Henry's choice of profession. As a younger son, he needed to pick some way to make a living, for he would not inherit any of the family fortune. Austen usually talks of two professions--military and clergy. I have respect for both, of course. But a man who chooses to serve God and God's people in their spiritual and immediate temporal welfares unknowingly endears himself to me. Yes, indeed, I could just simply say as Austen did of Catherine:

She liked him the better for being a clergyman, "for she must confess herself very partial to the profession"; and something like a sigh escaped her as she said it.

*sigh*

Of Note

If thou dost wonder of the blog listings which do rest themselves upon the side of this my creation, I have made mention of some blogs which do give me pleasure to peruse. One such boasts the appellation of "Mormon Mommy Blogs." Though not a Mormon Mommy myself, two of my insignificant blogs (that of the religious nature and that of the everything-else nature) have found their honors in being added to the lists found thereon. The honor is to be among so many other more noteworthy endeavors. Yet I do appreciate it all the same.