I have more important stuff to write about but first wanted to confess that I had trouble leaving May and backdated my last post. Since my very first month of blogging at JournalScape I've always had trouble saying *goodbye* to the months as they fly by. I just couldn't leave May for some reason, but here I am in June and glad for it.

Now onto the important stuff!

Several months ago a scholar moved into my downstairs apartment. She's someone with extreme British History and Literature prowess so far above the bar of anyone I know. Her expertise is impressive.

She taught for 43 years at the high school advanced placement level and also at a local college. She reads more than anyone I know. She's brilliant! Absolutely brilliant. And interesting.

Her name is Linda.

In the evenings, we've been watching BBC films and series. We just completed watching the 1980 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. I restrained myself from pausing the film too often to ask her a million-bazillion questions.

The other day I had a brainstorm - my own brilliant moment, which of course included my brilliant friend, Linda. I suggested that we select an Austen film and invite people to watch it together. It could be feature length for one sitting or perhaps a series where we would meet for several weeks. I volunteered a plea (begged) that she would give a presentation before the film/episode and lead us in discussion afterwards. She was agreeable! Yay! I believe there are several reasons she acquiesced - to shut me up, but also because of the passion she has for everything and anything Austen. She's brilliant!

Linda's fine head is jam-packed with interesting history and details. Of course, I always ask the veryveryvery most important questions like, "OMG, what was personal hygiene like?" Or even more important, "Did they shave their legs back then?" Or then, "OMG those carriages must have been stuffy, those manors musty."

I also make astute observations like, "Boy Howdy, I bet those fans they flapped back and forth were more than just for decoration. Phewy."

Yup. I zero in on all the important stuff... and amazingly, Linda always has a knowledgeable response - juicy with all the good stuff.

But seriously friends (if anyone is still reading), if you are interested in forming a Jane Austen Group that ebbs and flows, please get in touch with me. I think it would be a lot of fun. We would meet at my home. Reading the books could be optional? Oh heck, we could gather ideas and put a plan in motion. Oh my goodness - we could have great fun!

All this reminds me of a quote: I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow.

Um, wrong film.

It's a busy time of year, but let me know what you think.






Linda