Those who know me well know how much I would have loved studying at Oxford, or visiting Oxford for a season, or just once to have sat in a corner of the Eagle and Child pub absorbing the atmosphere.
Two of my very favorite young writers know exactly what it feels like.
Sarah Clarkson is studying at Oxford right now. One of her blog posts is... here.
She also writes about her new experiences at Oxford over at The Rabbit Room... here.
Last fall, Lanier made a video of herself chatting at The Eagle and Child for The Rabbit Room, along with beautiful prose... here.
I'm not jealous, no not me... why would anyone think I'm jealous? Do you think this shade of green looks good? The shade is called envy green. ;)
Actually, I am so happy for both of these exceptionally talented women to follow their own dreams.
Alas... for those of us who must experience Oxford through reading...
I highly recommend the memoir Surprised By Oxford by Carolyn Weber (another very talented writer!). I have come to know Carolyn just a little and she is just as charming and nice in person (okay, through e-mails) as I thought she would be from her writing.
Then there is the fiction series by Melanie Jeschke called The Oxford Chronicles. I have read through these twice! The titles are Inklings, Expectations, and Evasions. Long time readers know I've recommended these books a number of times.
Added Note: A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken also has Oxford as a background part of the time.
As for me... I am still chipping away at gotta do's. A friend came over Saturday and helped hubby fix our washing machine. I went to the laundromat last week so I don't have a lot of clothes to wash but Christopher called to say he is bringing over his load (I am glad I can help him in this way). :)
The very last stack of Save the Date cards were addressed and stamped and placed in the rural mailbox this morning... to make their way to various towns soon. I don't have a lot to do for the wedding itself, there will be invitations to address and send within a couple of months.
However, Stephanie and I are catering the reception so I must start practicing my culinary and decorating skills soon. As you can tell from her cupcakes and cake pops... she has come a long way and will be difficult to catch up with (and I was the one in the family who wanted to be a pastry chef!).
As I've said before, you will be able to tell the mother and sister of the groom as they are the two ladies covered with flour and sugar!
9 comments:
Thanks for this. I don't know how I missed your recommending these books but I'm really excited. Also the link to the girl in Oxford it will be fun to follow her adventures there. This is another subject of interest we have in common. If it's about books or it British I'm interested.
Oh the two of you will have great fun working together doing fun things and coming up with grand plans.
You provided the links and off I went enjoying the video and the piece. The way she described C.S. Lewis as offering faith to her as a fairy tale (I understood this and did not rise up in a silly hen-clucking way) where others had offered her a morality play was sweet.
Now, I'll go and read what Sally had to say. You never know, Brenda. You could wind up at Oxford some beautiful day. Anything's possible!
I'm right there with you. I don't think I'll make it to Oxford in this lifetime, so, like most of my traveling, I have to do it vicariously. But with the internet, we have SO MUCH to see and so much information, there has been no better time to be a stay-at-home. As long as you have internet access you're ok.
Have you read Dorothy L. Sayers Gaudy Night? It's set in an old fashioned women's college at Oxford. Good mystery.
Happy cooking...will you be sharing your ideas here??
Elizabeth in NC
It's going to be a grand occasion!
Your post made me smile.
Boy do I ever remember the busy-ness of a child marrying. I have one married daughter. Wow. I did not have time to focus on all the emotions until after it was all said and done.
I also enjoyed reading Inklings, the first in the series, years ago. I think I may have to pick that up again this year and read the last two.
Still smiling.
In His Grace,
Michelle
I've never heard anyone else recommend The Oxford Chronicles and I really liked all three books! I felt like I was there with the characters, so I'm glad to see that you always recommend them too. I obviously have good taste. just kidding. :)
I must try the Oxford Chronicles -- how have I missed your past recommendations...not sure.
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