Having said that, my husband and I are actually quite lucky in the fact we are both retired, so we don't have to be 'out' there unless we need and/or want to. On the first of January, I did all my shopping for three months - the butcher just about had a fit because I bought over 25 pounds of lean ground and loads of chicken, stewing beef, and a couple of roasts. I have a vacuum sealer and I portion out the food and then freeze them. The only things I must shop for are vegetables and dairy products. Oh! - and wine. I bake all my own bread and have tons of vegetables/fruits that I preserved last fall. I hope all of you are doing your best to stay safe and sane.
Let's get on it with a bonnet, shall we? We ended with Mr. and Mrs. Bennet becoming - ahem - amorous:
All of Meryton was in an uproar over the pending arrival of the gentleman to Netherfield, especially when it became known that Mr. Charles Bingley, a man with over four thousand a year, planned on attending the quarterly Assembly with a large party. The shops in the small village soon ran out of ribbons, lace, dancing slippers, and fans – the local modiste and her assistants were run off their feet with orders for new gowns.
The ladies of Longbourn were equally excited, but not frantic in their preparations. Their papa had visited Mr. Bingley when he arrived and the young gentleman had returned the honor a few days later. The ladies, unaware of the visit until a few minutes after he left, caught sight of him as he cantered down the graveled drive just before he crested the hill and disappeared from sight.
The sum total of their experience was that he wore a blue jacket and rode a very large horse.
Finally, the night was upon them and the Bennet family was surrounded by friends and neighbors, enjoying moments of great hilarity and somber reflection as news of an unexpected death of one of their neighbors became known. A woman, well into her sixth decade, had become a permanent fixture in the clutch of women who tittered behind fans during these types of events. Her caustic wit would be sorely missed, especially by Elizabeth Bennet. In previous Assemblies, she’d sat out dances in order to visit with the lady. More than once, during the night, her gaze flew to the chair the citizens of Meryton left empty that night in honor of their dearly departed friend.
I just signed up for your newsletter. I enjoyed this excerpt. Since I am late to the party, is this something new I can look forward to reading in the future? That was so touching that they left the chair empty in honor of the lady who died. I suppose you have a surprise waiting in regard to that lady. Yes? Sorry, my mind wondered there for a minute. I am also in awe of your preparedness for winter. I applauded you for having a vacuum sealer. Unfortunately, I do not have a freezer. Heavy sigh. I am so jealous. Well, it is what it is. Blessings on this new work.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is something new you can look forward to. I'm about half way done with the manuscript. As to my preparedness... I am a bit of a prepper and who knew this current crisis would fit my mind set? I freeze and can as much as possible. It's my latest passion, after writing, of course. Thanks for popping by.
DeleteWonderful job of pulling the reader into the frenzy of preparations for this beg event!
ReplyDeleteBravo on your canning and putting up food for the winter. I have slowed down a lot now that it's just my husband and me at home. One year we had a hundred tomato plants in our garden. Sort of an accident that it happened, but that's another story for another day. ;-) I Can hardly wait to retire, to not have to go out into the world every day. :-)
It is just hubby and I as well, but there are these people... who keep returning for home-made meals... I can't wait for tomato season. Hubby bought me a food grinder so I can make tomato and apple sauce. I see lots of spaghetti in our future!
DeleteSweet and sad in leaving the empty chair. A great snippet!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteIt says a lot about Elizabeth (as well as the old lady) that she preferred her company.
ReplyDeleteI always thought of Elizabeth as a caring person. A little self-centered, but then she IS only twenty years old, and we were all self-centered at that age.
DeleteThe ending definitely packed an emotional punch, reminding us that in the amidst of joy, there is always a tinge of sorrow. Enjoyed the snippet.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteLovely snippets. I settled into the scene with ease.
ReplyDeleteTweeted.
Thanks so much for tweeting, Daryl.
DeleteFlowed very smoothly and I liked the vignette about the elderly lady who passed away. Nice sense of the community in how they left the chair empty. Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteInteresting descriptions and very apt.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThat was pretty mean of their father to invite the gentleman over and not warn them!
ReplyDeleteAh, but that was how it was during Regency times - and - Mr. Bennet has a decidedly dry sense of humor. He loves to tease his family in a myriad of ways.
DeleteWhat a fabulous picture you paint of the goings on! Enjoyed reading it on this cold, wintery day.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteLoved the line "The sum total of their experience was that he wore a blue jacket and rode a very large horse." LOL Don't you hate it when that's all you know about a new young man in the neighborhood? :) Fun snippet.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! You live for a glimpse of the new boy, hoping he'll be cute and like you.
DeleteI can't wait for the ladies to get a better look at the man in the blue coat on a large horse.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteThe neighborhood is excited at having a well-heeled bachelor moving into their midst. He brings with him friends who spend money, no doubt. Fun snippet.
ReplyDeleteOh ho. Money to spend...in town. And he's a well-heeled bachelor!
ReplyDelete