The official blog of Denise M. Baran-Unland, author. Discover her books for all ages at bryonyseries.com.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Old Sly Eye by Russell Gordon Carter
We'd settled down last night to read this story, Daniel, fifteen, and I, amidst Daniel's fake yawns, his way of telling me he was about to be bored, despite my gushing, "Oh, I remember this one! It's good!!!"
Halfway through the story of a seventeenth century American boy trapped inside his home with a deadly panther, Daniel had taken over all the parts and was speeding through the story.
Its author, Russell Gordon Carter (1892-1957) wrote hundreds of short stories for children. They appeared in such publications as Boy's Life and Saturday Evening Post. In later life, when he branched into adult literature, he tended to write stories with an Irish theme.
Read Old Sly Eye and other stories by Carter for free online.
Halfway through the story of a seventeenth century American boy trapped inside his home with a deadly panther, Daniel had taken over all the parts and was speeding through the story.
Its author, Russell Gordon Carter (1892-1957) wrote hundreds of short stories for children. They appeared in such publications as Boy's Life and Saturday Evening Post. In later life, when he branched into adult literature, he tended to write stories with an Irish theme.
Read Old Sly Eye and other stories by Carter for free online.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Making the Bryony Video, Step 4: Wardrobe by Piecemeal
Victorian-style men’s clothing and long blond wigs, I thought, were the least of my concerns.
During one of the Bryony pre-shoot days at the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life and Joliet History, museum director Pat Magosky showed me a closet full of clothes, but at my first, untrained eye, they resembled 60’s leisure suits, certainly not the appropriate garments for John Simons. Still, I was not worried.
Since the one costume shop in town had closed its doors, I called the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet, figuring they’d have what I needed, but they steered me right back to the Magosky mansion and to another costume shop miles away. Since one of the fellows I was fitting lived out of town, I didn’t want to take chances on renting a costume that might not fit.
So, I poured out my request on Facebook and contacted Joliet Junior College. The forthcoming suggestions from Facebook were impractical. However, JJC offered to help if I ever needed Victorian women’s clothing. I was about to contact the two local universities on my list when my publicist called to see if I had assembled all props. I poured out my sad tale. She listened somewhat patiently (Dulcinea is patient and kind), and then reminded me Seth had participated in Civil War reenactments.
“There are Victorian clothes in that mansion,” Dulcinea said. “You just have to find them.”
“Maybe,” I hedged, “but I wish Heather could help. I can’t put it together so it looks right.”
Heather Frelichowski of Crafty Mom Inc., who’s making me two Victorian walking suits and a ball gown, is an expert on sewing and fashion, but Heather was sick and couldn’t help.
“What about the wig?” Dulcinea asked.
“Nothing.” LARGE sigh.
Dulcinea, in conjunction with Relentless Iota Productions (a company that specializes in custom set design and fabrication of costumes and props) is experienced in costuming, etc. I don’t have a clue (I only know what I like), so I REALLY needed her help with this.
So, Dulcinea, because she is kind, too, rearranged her schedule and met me at the Magosky mansion the next day. That time, Andrea Magosky, the education coordinator, had laid out an array of Victorian and pseudo-Victorian themed coats, shirts and ties, as well as three top hats. They had probably been in that closet the entire time. So much for 60s leisure suits (Say that three times fast).
Quickly, Dulcinea rejected some items and arranged combinations of others on hangers while my fifteen-year-old son Daniel amused himself by trying on some of them. Photos of Daniel’s experiment here: http://bryonyseries.blogspot.com/2011/04/wigtraption-is-now-word.html
The clothing worry was gone. All we needed was a wig for John Simons’ long hair.
We parted ways, I to re-record an audio interview for Bryony and rescue a hypoglysemic attack with fast food, and Dulcinea for some uneventful wig shopping. Apparently, long blonde hair is not a popular wig item, but Dulcinea had other venues she would hit tomorrow. I wasn’t worried. When Dulcinea needs something, she gets it.
That night, Dulcinea called, pleased with herself. In the past, she had created wigs from human hair and had some blonde remnants. Not knowing the size of “John Simons'” head, she was stitching these to an adjustable headband our actor could wear under a top hat. We were saved!
Well, not quite.
At midnight, fifteen hours before show time, an exasperated and out of patience Dulcinea called again. The wig was shedding on her as fast as she was stitching it. Enough was enough. Tomorrow, no matter what, she was buying a wig.
During one of the Bryony pre-shoot days at the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life and Joliet History, museum director Pat Magosky showed me a closet full of clothes, but at my first, untrained eye, they resembled 60’s leisure suits, certainly not the appropriate garments for John Simons. Still, I was not worried.
Since the one costume shop in town had closed its doors, I called the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet, figuring they’d have what I needed, but they steered me right back to the Magosky mansion and to another costume shop miles away. Since one of the fellows I was fitting lived out of town, I didn’t want to take chances on renting a costume that might not fit.
So, I poured out my request on Facebook and contacted Joliet Junior College. The forthcoming suggestions from Facebook were impractical. However, JJC offered to help if I ever needed Victorian women’s clothing. I was about to contact the two local universities on my list when my publicist called to see if I had assembled all props. I poured out my sad tale. She listened somewhat patiently (Dulcinea is patient and kind), and then reminded me Seth had participated in Civil War reenactments.
“There are Victorian clothes in that mansion,” Dulcinea said. “You just have to find them.”
“Maybe,” I hedged, “but I wish Heather could help. I can’t put it together so it looks right.”
Heather Frelichowski of Crafty Mom Inc., who’s making me two Victorian walking suits and a ball gown, is an expert on sewing and fashion, but Heather was sick and couldn’t help.
“What about the wig?” Dulcinea asked.
“Nothing.” LARGE sigh.
Dulcinea, in conjunction with Relentless Iota Productions (a company that specializes in custom set design and fabrication of costumes and props) is experienced in costuming, etc. I don’t have a clue (I only know what I like), so I REALLY needed her help with this.
So, Dulcinea, because she is kind, too, rearranged her schedule and met me at the Magosky mansion the next day. That time, Andrea Magosky, the education coordinator, had laid out an array of Victorian and pseudo-Victorian themed coats, shirts and ties, as well as three top hats. They had probably been in that closet the entire time. So much for 60s leisure suits (Say that three times fast).
Quickly, Dulcinea rejected some items and arranged combinations of others on hangers while my fifteen-year-old son Daniel amused himself by trying on some of them. Photos of Daniel’s experiment here: http://bryonyseries.blogspot.com/2011/04/wigtraption-is-now-word.html
The clothing worry was gone. All we needed was a wig for John Simons’ long hair.
We parted ways, I to re-record an audio interview for Bryony and rescue a hypoglysemic attack with fast food, and Dulcinea for some uneventful wig shopping. Apparently, long blonde hair is not a popular wig item, but Dulcinea had other venues she would hit tomorrow. I wasn’t worried. When Dulcinea needs something, she gets it.
That night, Dulcinea called, pleased with herself. In the past, she had created wigs from human hair and had some blonde remnants. Not knowing the size of “John Simons'” head, she was stitching these to an adjustable headband our actor could wear under a top hat. We were saved!
Well, not quite.
At midnight, fifteen hours before show time, an exasperated and out of patience Dulcinea called again. The wig was shedding on her as fast as she was stitching it. Enough was enough. Tomorrow, no matter what, she was buying a wig.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Making the Bryony Video, Step Three: Finding Melissa Marchellis
Up until this month, Bryony filmmaker Stephen Tuplin had an actress interested in playing Melissa. After we set a production date, the actress had a conflict of interest, so Stephen asked my seventeen year old daughter Rebekah to portray Bryony's main character. He liked her "look," for the role, he said.
I thought Rebekah would refuse. She is very shy, preferring to hang out with one friend at a time rather than a room full of people. To my surprise, she agreed to do it, so I copied the script, and she began practicing "swaying and swooning."
Five hundred miles away, her older sister, Sarah Stegall, Bryony web administrator, was seeking someone to "makeover" Rebekah. Sarah found two people. Vanna Fleetwood to cut and style Rebekah's hair, and Jennifer Wesolowski to do her makeup.
On the Sunday afternoon before the April 20 shoot, Jennifer, Rebekah, her friend, and I huddled in a department store bathroom experimenting. Jennifer strove for a natural look, since "Melissa" would be on her way to bed, but wanted to highlight Rebekah's large, blue eyes.
Meeting in a department store had its advantages. Not only was it a location for us, we had a ready supply of product just waiting to be purchased and tried out on Rebekah's face. Fortunately, Rebekah had brought her own makeup with her, so few additional itens were acquired.
Coversation was mostly, "Watch how I put this one and now you try it," and, "No, we're not line for the bathroom." Rebekah's friend took "before" and "after" pictures with her camera phone to send to Sarah for posting on the Bryony blog and Facebook pages. (We've haven't gotten that far yet, oops!).
Although she exhorted Rebekah to practice at home, Jennifer had so much fun, she offered to come out to the Magosky mansion the night of filming and do Rebekah's makeup. Good thing, too, because Rebekah came down with a nasty cold later that day and didn't feel up to playing with cosmetics.
While we were playing with eyeliner and mascara, Rebekah's older brother, Timothy, was looking for 70s-style pajamas. He had taken Rebekah shopping the other day, found a couple of possibilities, and sent, after having received permission from an employee, photographs from the floor to me for critiquing. ("Excuse me, ma'am, may I please take pictures of women's nightwear?").
Again, we found two pairs that might work, so we sent the images to Stephen and dug through a bin of DVDs waiting for his reply. He suggested buying both. That way, if one didn't work well under the lights, we had options. We paid eighteen dollars total and left the store, feeling like we had an MGM budget.
Now all we needed were a couple of Victorian men's suits and a blond wig. How difficult could that be?
I thought Rebekah would refuse. She is very shy, preferring to hang out with one friend at a time rather than a room full of people. To my surprise, she agreed to do it, so I copied the script, and she began practicing "swaying and swooning."
Five hundred miles away, her older sister, Sarah Stegall, Bryony web administrator, was seeking someone to "makeover" Rebekah. Sarah found two people. Vanna Fleetwood to cut and style Rebekah's hair, and Jennifer Wesolowski to do her makeup.
On the Sunday afternoon before the April 20 shoot, Jennifer, Rebekah, her friend, and I huddled in a department store bathroom experimenting. Jennifer strove for a natural look, since "Melissa" would be on her way to bed, but wanted to highlight Rebekah's large, blue eyes.
Meeting in a department store had its advantages. Not only was it a location for us, we had a ready supply of product just waiting to be purchased and tried out on Rebekah's face. Fortunately, Rebekah had brought her own makeup with her, so few additional itens were acquired.
Coversation was mostly, "Watch how I put this one and now you try it," and, "No, we're not line for the bathroom." Rebekah's friend took "before" and "after" pictures with her camera phone to send to Sarah for posting on the Bryony blog and Facebook pages. (We've haven't gotten that far yet, oops!).
Although she exhorted Rebekah to practice at home, Jennifer had so much fun, she offered to come out to the Magosky mansion the night of filming and do Rebekah's makeup. Good thing, too, because Rebekah came down with a nasty cold later that day and didn't feel up to playing with cosmetics.
While we were playing with eyeliner and mascara, Rebekah's older brother, Timothy, was looking for 70s-style pajamas. He had taken Rebekah shopping the other day, found a couple of possibilities, and sent, after having received permission from an employee, photographs from the floor to me for critiquing. ("Excuse me, ma'am, may I please take pictures of women's nightwear?").
Again, we found two pairs that might work, so we sent the images to Stephen and dug through a bin of DVDs waiting for his reply. He suggested buying both. That way, if one didn't work well under the lights, we had options. We paid eighteen dollars total and left the store, feeling like we had an MGM budget.
Now all we needed were a couple of Victorian men's suits and a blond wig. How difficult could that be?
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Making the Bryony Videos, Step Two: Finding a Mansion
While I was writing Bryony's initial drafts, I wrote a series of stories for the Herald News in Joliet(http://heraldnews.suntimes.com)/ about the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life and Joliet History.
Since its owner, Seth Magosky, died in 2007, his parents have struggled to fulfill Seth's dream of renovating the museum, so they were eager to show it off to me. I declined for two reasons: lack of time and an unwillingness to wander around Victorian mansions until my story was finished. I wanted Bryony's ideas to come from my imagination, not from an actual house.
Once I began querying agents and small presses, I was ready to see the mansion. Amazingly, the layout was exactly as I pictured it, a much smaller and somewhat adapted version of Simons Mansion. It's an interesting place to visit, as it is full of period clothing, furnishings and accessories. One room is devoted to antique dolls; the third floor ballroom has a pipe organ; and the main parlor has a full concert grand piano.
In January, I approached the Magoskys about using the mansion for filming the Bryony videos. They not only enthusiastically agreed, but offered to stage any room with any props we wanted and open up the museum anytime we wanted to film.
Their only request was for me to tune the piano, if James Onohan, Bryony's composer and pianist, felt it warranted it. Stephen Tuplin, our filmmaker, didn't think it was necessary because he wouldn't be using the audio, unless an out-of-tune piano would mess up James' playing. I didn't want to take any chances, so the day before shooting, the piano was tuned.
So, in February, Stephen shot some "B" footage, and in March, when Sarah Stegall was in town for the Big Brothers Big Sisters' Bowl for Kids' Sake (proceeds from the Bryony cookbook will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters), Stephen filmed her interview inside the mansion.
Then came a flurry of emails to coordinate filming of the trailer and music video. But before we could do that, we needed pajamas and a makeover for my seventeen year old daughter Rebekah, who would be playing Melissa, and Victorian suits for both our John Simons.
You'd think with four theatres in the Joliet area and one Victorian mansion, period clothing would abound, but we couldn't locate a single one. Blond wigs were even harder to scrounge up and frustration and panic were mounting. Actually, it was Dulcinea Hawksworth, my publicist, who saved the day.
In the eleventh hour, we contrived what we could not find. Our tools? Headbands, human hair, and earrings, along with creative shoppings and pairings. More tomorrow.
Since its owner, Seth Magosky, died in 2007, his parents have struggled to fulfill Seth's dream of renovating the museum, so they were eager to show it off to me. I declined for two reasons: lack of time and an unwillingness to wander around Victorian mansions until my story was finished. I wanted Bryony's ideas to come from my imagination, not from an actual house.
Once I began querying agents and small presses, I was ready to see the mansion. Amazingly, the layout was exactly as I pictured it, a much smaller and somewhat adapted version of Simons Mansion. It's an interesting place to visit, as it is full of period clothing, furnishings and accessories. One room is devoted to antique dolls; the third floor ballroom has a pipe organ; and the main parlor has a full concert grand piano.
In January, I approached the Magoskys about using the mansion for filming the Bryony videos. They not only enthusiastically agreed, but offered to stage any room with any props we wanted and open up the museum anytime we wanted to film.
Their only request was for me to tune the piano, if James Onohan, Bryony's composer and pianist, felt it warranted it. Stephen Tuplin, our filmmaker, didn't think it was necessary because he wouldn't be using the audio, unless an out-of-tune piano would mess up James' playing. I didn't want to take any chances, so the day before shooting, the piano was tuned.
So, in February, Stephen shot some "B" footage, and in March, when Sarah Stegall was in town for the Big Brothers Big Sisters' Bowl for Kids' Sake (proceeds from the Bryony cookbook will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters), Stephen filmed her interview inside the mansion.
Then came a flurry of emails to coordinate filming of the trailer and music video. But before we could do that, we needed pajamas and a makeover for my seventeen year old daughter Rebekah, who would be playing Melissa, and Victorian suits for both our John Simons.
You'd think with four theatres in the Joliet area and one Victorian mansion, period clothing would abound, but we couldn't locate a single one. Blond wigs were even harder to scrounge up and frustration and panic were mounting. Actually, it was Dulcinea Hawksworth, my publicist, who saved the day.
In the eleventh hour, we contrived what we could not find. Our tools? Headbands, human hair, and earrings, along with creative shoppings and pairings. More tomorrow.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Making the Bryony Videos, Step One: Stephen Tuplin
Book trailers, in general, turn me off. They're too static and dry. I wanted something more visually exciting for Bryony.
Enter Stephen Tuplin.
Stephen is all about movies. Growing up, he'd invite a dozen kids to his house for the sole purpose of watching a movie together. The events were so well put together, and my son Timothy enjoyed them so much, that we offered similiar affairs at our house all the years we ran The Higher Ark youth group.
No one was surprised when Stephen was accepted into Tribeca Flashpoint Academy in Chicago as a film student. We had seem some of his childhood endeavors (His squirrel movie was a cult favorite at our house), so we all knew he had talent, and I enjoyed watching his progress from the clips he posted on Facebook.
I explained the project to Stephen, then sent him the manuscript and the illustrations. Soon afterward, he explained his vision for the trailer, along with a mention that he had an actress interested in portraying Bryony's main character Melissa Marchellis and some location ideas. Really, all he needed to do was film it.
That, I thought, was that.
Then, in December, when Bryony's web administrator, Sarah Stegall, was in town, we had a Bryony "Meet and Greet" so everyone on the team (thus far) could shake hands round and put names to faces. At the meeting's close, Stephen leaned over and said, "Your website needs more content. I'd also like to make a music video and shoot interviews with members of the team."
The music video would feature James Onohan, the pianist and composer, playing the Bryony theme song he had created for our upcoming Bryony CD, The Best-Loved Compositions of John Simons. That CD will also feature Onohan's original music.
I agreed to Stephen's suggestion, with an idea of my own. "Let's dress up James in period clothing and shoot him at a concert grand piano in a Victorian mansion," I said.
Stephen loved the idea. Of course, now we needed to find appropriate costumes, a concert grand, and an old mansion, or at least, fabricate a reasonable facsimile.
After much thinking and prayer, I'd found the answer.
Enter Stephen Tuplin.
Stephen is all about movies. Growing up, he'd invite a dozen kids to his house for the sole purpose of watching a movie together. The events were so well put together, and my son Timothy enjoyed them so much, that we offered similiar affairs at our house all the years we ran The Higher Ark youth group.
No one was surprised when Stephen was accepted into Tribeca Flashpoint Academy in Chicago as a film student. We had seem some of his childhood endeavors (His squirrel movie was a cult favorite at our house), so we all knew he had talent, and I enjoyed watching his progress from the clips he posted on Facebook.
I explained the project to Stephen, then sent him the manuscript and the illustrations. Soon afterward, he explained his vision for the trailer, along with a mention that he had an actress interested in portraying Bryony's main character Melissa Marchellis and some location ideas. Really, all he needed to do was film it.
That, I thought, was that.
Then, in December, when Bryony's web administrator, Sarah Stegall, was in town, we had a Bryony "Meet and Greet" so everyone on the team (thus far) could shake hands round and put names to faces. At the meeting's close, Stephen leaned over and said, "Your website needs more content. I'd also like to make a music video and shoot interviews with members of the team."
The music video would feature James Onohan, the pianist and composer, playing the Bryony theme song he had created for our upcoming Bryony CD, The Best-Loved Compositions of John Simons. That CD will also feature Onohan's original music.
I agreed to Stephen's suggestion, with an idea of my own. "Let's dress up James in period clothing and shoot him at a concert grand piano in a Victorian mansion," I said.
Stephen loved the idea. Of course, now we needed to find appropriate costumes, a concert grand, and an old mansion, or at least, fabricate a reasonable facsimile.
After much thinking and prayer, I'd found the answer.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Easter Week by Joyce Kilmer
Not only is this poem Victorian, it references Ireland and Robert Emmet, both part of the Bryony theme.
"Romantic Ireland's dead and gone,
It's with O'Leary in the grave."
Then, Yeats, what gave that Easter dawn
A hue so radiantly brave?
There was a rain of blood that day,
Red rain in gay blue April weather.
It blessed the earth till it gave birth
To valour thick as blooms of heather.
Romantic Ireland never dies!
O'Leary lies in fertile ground,
And songs and spears throughout the years
Rise up where patriot graves are found.
Immortal patriots newly dead
And ye that bled in bygone years,
What banners rise before your eyes?
What is the tune that greets your ears?
The young Republic's banners smile
For many a mile where troops convene.
O'Connell street is loudly sweet
With strains of Wearing of the Green.
The soil of Ireland throbs and glows
With life that knows the hour is here
To strike again like Irishmen
For that which Irishmen hold dear.
Lord Edward leaves his resting place
And Sarsfield's face is glad and fierce.
See Emmet leap from troubled sleep
To grasp the hand of Padraic Pearse!
There is no rope can strangle song
And not for long death takes his toll.
No prison bars can dim the stars
Nor quicklime eat the living soul.
Romantic Ireland is not old.
For years untold her youth shall shine.
Her heart is fed on Heavenly bread,
The blood of martyrs is her wine.
"Romantic Ireland's dead and gone,
It's with O'Leary in the grave."
Then, Yeats, what gave that Easter dawn
A hue so radiantly brave?
There was a rain of blood that day,
Red rain in gay blue April weather.
It blessed the earth till it gave birth
To valour thick as blooms of heather.
Romantic Ireland never dies!
O'Leary lies in fertile ground,
And songs and spears throughout the years
Rise up where patriot graves are found.
Immortal patriots newly dead
And ye that bled in bygone years,
What banners rise before your eyes?
What is the tune that greets your ears?
The young Republic's banners smile
For many a mile where troops convene.
O'Connell street is loudly sweet
With strains of Wearing of the Green.
The soil of Ireland throbs and glows
With life that knows the hour is here
To strike again like Irishmen
For that which Irishmen hold dear.
Lord Edward leaves his resting place
And Sarsfield's face is glad and fierce.
See Emmet leap from troubled sleep
To grasp the hand of Padraic Pearse!
There is no rope can strangle song
And not for long death takes his toll.
No prison bars can dim the stars
Nor quicklime eat the living soul.
Romantic Ireland is not old.
For years untold her youth shall shine.
Her heart is fed on Heavenly bread,
The blood of martyrs is her wine.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Meeting the Easter Bunny By Rowena Bennett
First published in 1930, this poem is not Victorian, but it was the first one I memorized for fun. Enjoy!
On Easter morn at early dawn
before the cocks were crowing
I met a bob-tail bunnykin
and asked where he was going
"Tis in the house and out the house
a-tispy, tipsy-toeing,
Tis round the house and 'bout the house
a-lightly I am going."
"But what is that of every hue
you carry in your basket?"
"Tis eggs of gold and eggs of blue;
I wonder that you ask it.
"Tis chocolate eggs and bonbon eggs
and eggs of red and gray,
For every child in every house
on bonny Easter day."
He perked his ears and winked his eye
and twitched his little nose;
He shook his tail - what tail he had -
and stood up on his toes.
"I must be gone before the sun;
the east is growing gray;
Tis almost time for bells to chime."
And he hippity-hopped away.
On Easter morn at early dawn
before the cocks were crowing
I met a bob-tail bunnykin
and asked where he was going
"Tis in the house and out the house
a-tispy, tipsy-toeing,
Tis round the house and 'bout the house
a-lightly I am going."
"But what is that of every hue
you carry in your basket?"
"Tis eggs of gold and eggs of blue;
I wonder that you ask it.
"Tis chocolate eggs and bonbon eggs
and eggs of red and gray,
For every child in every house
on bonny Easter day."
He perked his ears and winked his eye
and twitched his little nose;
He shook his tail - what tail he had -
and stood up on his toes.
"I must be gone before the sun;
the east is growing gray;
Tis almost time for bells to chime."
And he hippity-hopped away.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Gasps
Long night, short rest, and big deadlines today!
Over the next few days, I'll share the details of last night's filming of the Bryony book trailer and the Bryony music video.
But for today, we'll let the pictures tell the story.
Over the next few days, I'll share the details of last night's filming of the Bryony book trailer and the Bryony music video.
But for today, we'll let the pictures tell the story.
 |
| Christopher Blankenship on set of the Bryony book trailer. |
 |
| A sinister view as James Onohan gets into his role as John Simons. |
 |
| Josh Siegers working with Rebekah Baran during filming for the Bryony book trailer. |
 |
| James Onohan as himself in Victorian clothing for the filming of the "Bryony" music video. |
 |
| Christopher Blankenship as John Simons and Rebekah Baran as Melissa Marchellis during shooting for the Bryony book trailer. |
 |
| James Onohan Playing "Bryony." To view the complete album visit http://www.facebook.com/BryonySeries. Click on photos and then the album P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life. |
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Wigging Out and Writer's Groups
Converations with my publicist Dulcinea Hawksworth are always profitable. Yesterday, she had two surprises for me.
She has not one, but two "John Simons" wig for tonight's shooting of the Bryony trailer. I'm also going to help lead a writer's group, beginning next month.
For the wigs, Dulcinea shopped around. One is a regular, full-size wig, but the other is a modified hairpiece, that she stitched to a headband, which "John" can wear under his head. This gives "John" options, in case one doesn't fit or doesn't look right.
The writer's group is at a healing and wellness store that is already displaying the Bryony cards and will carry the book once it's released. She will give me full details later. I haven't led a writing group since I taught a high school features writing class at Joliet Area Christian Cooperative, so I'm really looking forward to it.
In the meantime, hoping I can squeeze a nap into the day. Rising at midnight followed by work, school, a Holy Week service, and an evening film shoot makes for a LONG day.
Still...this is gonna be fun!
She has not one, but two "John Simons" wig for tonight's shooting of the Bryony trailer. I'm also going to help lead a writer's group, beginning next month.
For the wigs, Dulcinea shopped around. One is a regular, full-size wig, but the other is a modified hairpiece, that she stitched to a headband, which "John" can wear under his head. This gives "John" options, in case one doesn't fit or doesn't look right.
The writer's group is at a healing and wellness store that is already displaying the Bryony cards and will carry the book once it's released. She will give me full details later. I haven't led a writing group since I taught a high school features writing class at Joliet Area Christian Cooperative, so I'm really looking forward to it.
In the meantime, hoping I can squeeze a nap into the day. Rising at midnight followed by work, school, a Holy Week service, and an evening film shoot makes for a LONG day.
Still...this is gonna be fun!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
"Wigtraption" is now a word
Yesterday, Dulcinea met me at the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life in Joliet and helped me piece together men's period clothing for James Onohan and "John Simons" for Wednesday's shooting of the Bryony music video and trailers.
Dulcinea is full of modification tips and hopes to attend the filming where, with "pins and needles" she can give my pseudo-vampires the right late 1890s look. I sure hope she can make it, because I don't have her "nip and tuck" talent. I can tell if an outfit's right only after assembly.
Joining us were two of my sons, Christopher and Daniel, who received their first tour of the museum, including the awesome view of Joliet from the top floor. Daniel, who fancies himself the reincarnation of Henry Matthews, my dandy vampire, finally had his chance to don some real Victorian clothes.
Pictures to follow from Bryony's web administrator Sarah Stegall, as the author is technologically disadvantaged and hasn't learned (yet) how to do it.
I wouldn't say Daniel's garb is quite as impressive as past Bryony blog guest Sir Frederick Chook (http://www.frillyshirt.org/salon/portraits-of-the-editor/), but I must say he cuts quite the dashing figure. He may just be Henry yet.
As I write this blog, I'm reading a post from my dressmaker regarding my walking suits. One has red shimmer fabric; the other, blue. She has modified the pattern to make them appear "vampire-y" (whatever that means; can't wait to find out), and is currently ruffling twenty yards of satin.
Oh yeah, I'm as excited as Melissa approaching Halloween night!
Monday, April 18, 2011
WHEW!
Deadlines, editing, housework, meals, bills, homeschooling, one sick child, one sick cat, bad modem with subsequent loss of Internet and phone (gotta set up that new voice mail), and Bryony besides.
So where is Bryony in the production line?
* I'm feverishly working on another round of edits.
* The orignal actress for the Bryony book trailer is busy with a play this month, so the filmmaker, Stephen Tuplin, asked my seventeen year old daughter Rebekah to be Melissa; he likes her "look." So we rehearsed her script last night, which, despite good-natured heckling from two of her brothers, went fairly well. She's currently practicing swooning and swaying.
* Yesterday afternoon, we met with a make-up artist friend of web administrator Sarah Stegall. She experimented with eye and lip products on Rebekah, who then purchased a few items to fill in her supply gap.
* We also went shopping for 70's-style pajamas for Rebekah and found two. Stephen said to buy both, since it's better to have costumes choices. I will remember that today at the mansion.
* Today, I'm meeting with Pat Magosky, director of the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life to piece together costumes for James Onohan to wear in Bryony music video (http://www.jamesonohan.com/) and for the actor playing John Simons in the book trailer.
* Also today, the USF student and I are re-recording the audio interview. This time, I hope to be better prepared (...as I watch the minutes tick by...).
* Found and sent three James Onohan song clips that sound vampirey enough for the student's audio project. None of them are James' Byrony music. We're not sharing those until they are officially released. James has created the Bryony theme song and is working on nine extra tracks. I've heard two more, and the are awesome!
* Some members of the Bryony team are patiently waiting my interview questions, since Stephen his hoping to film those videos this week, too.
* Two thousand Bryony business cards dispersed; another thousand ordered.
And, yes, despite being a little cranky, I'm still having fun!!!
So where is Bryony in the production line?
* I'm feverishly working on another round of edits.
* The orignal actress for the Bryony book trailer is busy with a play this month, so the filmmaker, Stephen Tuplin, asked my seventeen year old daughter Rebekah to be Melissa; he likes her "look." So we rehearsed her script last night, which, despite good-natured heckling from two of her brothers, went fairly well. She's currently practicing swooning and swaying.
* Yesterday afternoon, we met with a make-up artist friend of web administrator Sarah Stegall. She experimented with eye and lip products on Rebekah, who then purchased a few items to fill in her supply gap.
* We also went shopping for 70's-style pajamas for Rebekah and found two. Stephen said to buy both, since it's better to have costumes choices. I will remember that today at the mansion.
* Today, I'm meeting with Pat Magosky, director of the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life to piece together costumes for James Onohan to wear in Bryony music video (http://www.jamesonohan.com/) and for the actor playing John Simons in the book trailer.
* Also today, the USF student and I are re-recording the audio interview. This time, I hope to be better prepared (...as I watch the minutes tick by...).
* Found and sent three James Onohan song clips that sound vampirey enough for the student's audio project. None of them are James' Byrony music. We're not sharing those until they are officially released. James has created the Bryony theme song and is working on nine extra tracks. I've heard two more, and the are awesome!
* Some members of the Bryony team are patiently waiting my interview questions, since Stephen his hoping to film those videos this week, too.
* Two thousand Bryony business cards dispersed; another thousand ordered.
And, yes, despite being a little cranky, I'm still having fun!!!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
A'Gaming We Will Go
For several months, the Steward of Tara has been hard at work at the first Bryony computer game, and it is ready for a test run.
This Wednesday, after his interview at the P.Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life in Joliet, Illinois, Ed Calkins will try out the game with several of my sons, while, in the next room, Stephen Tuplin will film the Bryony music video featuring pianist and composer James Onohan (http://www.jamesonohan.com/).
The Steward's been mum on the details, but he has said it will involve role playing--with Ed Calkins being the strongest and most ruthless character--and strategy, which Ed is certain to win.
His only dilemna is whether or not to release the game now or wait to for the upgrade. My question: If you've created yourself as an unbeatble character, how much upgrading can you do?
This Wednesday, after his interview at the P.Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life in Joliet, Illinois, Ed Calkins will try out the game with several of my sons, while, in the next room, Stephen Tuplin will film the Bryony music video featuring pianist and composer James Onohan (http://www.jamesonohan.com/).
The Steward's been mum on the details, but he has said it will involve role playing--with Ed Calkins being the strongest and most ruthless character--and strategy, which Ed is certain to win.
His only dilemna is whether or not to release the game now or wait to for the upgrade. My question: If you've created yourself as an unbeatble character, how much upgrading can you do?
Friday, April 15, 2011
Delaying Is Not Forgetting
In these three short stories from Hans Christian Andersen, we are reminded that all is paid in due time. For Mrs. Meta Mogen, a simple act in previous years saves her from an assailment. In the second story, the deed of a window does not go unnoticed, and in the final story, we learn we can mourn what we never had. Read them for free online here http://www.aesopfables.com/cgi/aesop1.cgi?hca&a19.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Sue's Diner
Signature dishes includes boiled fish with gravy, fish loaf, and fish chowder. Its Friday night fish fries include the diner's own tartar sauce. If you're not fond of fish, we recommend Sue's Diner's own lemon chicken with caramelized onions.
No reservations necessary, but expect a wait.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Assorted News from Munsonville
The Bryony team is busy! Here's what we've been doing:
* The author is working hard on her editorial notes and even pulled at twenty-four plus day last week before calling it a night (morning?). She hopes to finish by the end of the month, so more long days are ahead.
* The filming of the official Bryony book trailer and music video is scheduled for next week. In the meantime, we are feverishly seeking two men's Victorian suits.
* There is a possibility of a second music video in an historic theatre.
* James Onohan (Bryony's pianist/composer) has written several songs for the 10-song CD, The Best-Loved Compositions of John Simons (http://www.jamesonohan.com/).
* The author will be re-recording the audio documentary on vampires, hopefully this weekend.
* The Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids' Sake statistics are posted. The two Bryony teams--Just Steve and Stake and Blade--beat their $1000 goal by $105!
* We may have a sponsor for the Bryony cookbook.
* Almost 2000 Bryony business cards have been dispersed. They are FREE. To get yours, contact BryonySeries@gmail.com, and we will send some to you.
* The author is working hard on her editorial notes and even pulled at twenty-four plus day last week before calling it a night (morning?). She hopes to finish by the end of the month, so more long days are ahead.
* The filming of the official Bryony book trailer and music video is scheduled for next week. In the meantime, we are feverishly seeking two men's Victorian suits.
* There is a possibility of a second music video in an historic theatre.
* James Onohan (Bryony's pianist/composer) has written several songs for the 10-song CD, The Best-Loved Compositions of John Simons (http://www.jamesonohan.com/).
* The author will be re-recording the audio documentary on vampires, hopefully this weekend.
* The Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids' Sake statistics are posted. The two Bryony teams--Just Steve and Stake and Blade--beat their $1000 goal by $105!
* We may have a sponsor for the Bryony cookbook.
* Almost 2000 Bryony business cards have been dispersed. They are FREE. To get yours, contact BryonySeries@gmail.com, and we will send some to you.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life
By Denise M. Baran-Unland
This story originally ran in the Herald News (www.heraldnews.suntimes.com), December 2007.
When Andrea Magosky of Joliet shared her love of architectural history with her son Seth, how could she have known she would spend her retirement preserving and managing a museum?
“At the time, a good day for us was throwing the kids in the back seat of the car with lunch meat and stuff and going to look at the old houses,” Andrea said.
Because of her influence--which included raising Seth in the Hickory Street home that architect F.S. Allen built for himself—Seth dreamed of the day he would purchase a Joliet Victorian home and convert it into a museum.
Unfortunately, Seth only lived six months in the Hiram B. Scutt mansion at 206 Broadway Street in Joliet when he died suddenly of Marfan Syndrome (a connective tissue disorder) on March 17—St. Patrick’s Day—2007.
But his parents Patrick and Andrea Magosky are determined not to let Seth’s dream die, too.
They have not only assumed the expense of owning the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life and Joliet History, they are also managing it and resoring it. Despite local interest in their project, convering an old mansion into a museum is a challening project for them.
“It’s been a lot for us to take on,” Andrea said. “But we just keep going.”
Although events in November and January with the Will County Ghost Hunters Society were sold-out, the museum’s first fundraiser, a Christmas-themed cocktail party, had a scant turnout due to an ice storm and raised only a few hundred dollars. Brutally cold temperatures and plenty of snow days reduced attendance at the mansions monthly Victorian teas and the number of phone calls the Magoskys received for tours.
“We’re getting more calls now that the weather is warming up,” Andrea said. “A senior’s group from Downer’s Grove wanted to have an event here last year and someone told them we didn’t exist. We want people to know that we’re here and that we rent the museum for a number of things like parties, showers, business meetings and small wedding receptions.”
Period antiques are scattered throughout the house and the Magoskys have taken great pains to use only color schemes from the time period. They recently replaced four chandeliers and their hardware because "they just weren’t right for it," Andrea said. A donated pipe organ has found a home on the third floor and a concert grand piano resides in main floor’s double parlor.
They have also made a number of repairs to the home, including plastering holes in the walls and the ceilings in the lower level servants’ quarters--where the original kitchen and dining room are located-- and on the main floor. Any boards missing from the hardwood floors were replaced. Boards of lesser quality than those in the man floor were used in the servants’ quarters, Andrea said.
Athough the lower level rooms are now used for parties, the Magoskys would like to see the original dining room and kitchen restored to its correct use. Presently, the only available kitchen is on the second level, but, although it has a commercial refrigerator and a commercial sink, it can only be used to warm foods. Scutt’s bedroom was converted into the museum’s main dining room.
There are three bedrooms on the third floor as well as a work area and a library of Seth’s books. A collection of 20 or so dolls, from the Civil War period through the 1950s, reside in the lady’s bedroom, but Andrea hopes to create a special area for them on the fourth floor. She would also like to convert unused space on the third floor into a ballroom.
All that takes money the Magoskys just don’t have. That is nothing new to Andrea. Lack of money is what nudged her love of architectural history in the first place.
When Andrea was a little girl, her family was so poor they could not afford a car. This meant if Andrea needed to go somewhere, it was often on foot. She varied her routes from her Hacker Avenue home, just to look at all the big houses on that part of town. That love of architecture spilled later onto Seth.
“Seth would go out and walk all over different neighborhoods, looking at the houses. He always said he wanted to own a house on Eastern Avenue and when he grew up, he did just that,” Andrea said. “When I worked as a visiting nurse on the south side of Chicago and Seth was off school, he’d ride with me to look at the houses. He became very familiar with that area.”
At 13, Seth, then a student at St. Patrick’s Catholic Grade School, delivered his first architectural presentation, an extra credit project for him. He later majored in the History of Architecture at the University of Illinois in Chicago. He wrote a regular column about local historic homes for the Herald News and authored “Historic Impressions: The History and Architecture of Joliet Homes.”
Seth was also nationally known for his expertise on the Civil War era and did a number of historic portrayals, most notably John Wilkes Booth and Marshall Field. “He had been booked until the end of the year,” Andrea said.
Tours of the museum are by appointment only. Call (815) 723-3052. Visit http://www.museumofvictorianlife.org/.
This story originally ran in the Herald News (www.heraldnews.suntimes.com), December 2007.
When Andrea Magosky of Joliet shared her love of architectural history with her son Seth, how could she have known she would spend her retirement preserving and managing a museum?
“At the time, a good day for us was throwing the kids in the back seat of the car with lunch meat and stuff and going to look at the old houses,” Andrea said.
Because of her influence--which included raising Seth in the Hickory Street home that architect F.S. Allen built for himself—Seth dreamed of the day he would purchase a Joliet Victorian home and convert it into a museum.
Unfortunately, Seth only lived six months in the Hiram B. Scutt mansion at 206 Broadway Street in Joliet when he died suddenly of Marfan Syndrome (a connective tissue disorder) on March 17—St. Patrick’s Day—2007.
But his parents Patrick and Andrea Magosky are determined not to let Seth’s dream die, too.
They have not only assumed the expense of owning the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life and Joliet History, they are also managing it and resoring it. Despite local interest in their project, convering an old mansion into a museum is a challening project for them.
“It’s been a lot for us to take on,” Andrea said. “But we just keep going.”
Although events in November and January with the Will County Ghost Hunters Society were sold-out, the museum’s first fundraiser, a Christmas-themed cocktail party, had a scant turnout due to an ice storm and raised only a few hundred dollars. Brutally cold temperatures and plenty of snow days reduced attendance at the mansions monthly Victorian teas and the number of phone calls the Magoskys received for tours.
“We’re getting more calls now that the weather is warming up,” Andrea said. “A senior’s group from Downer’s Grove wanted to have an event here last year and someone told them we didn’t exist. We want people to know that we’re here and that we rent the museum for a number of things like parties, showers, business meetings and small wedding receptions.”
Period antiques are scattered throughout the house and the Magoskys have taken great pains to use only color schemes from the time period. They recently replaced four chandeliers and their hardware because "they just weren’t right for it," Andrea said. A donated pipe organ has found a home on the third floor and a concert grand piano resides in main floor’s double parlor.
They have also made a number of repairs to the home, including plastering holes in the walls and the ceilings in the lower level servants’ quarters--where the original kitchen and dining room are located-- and on the main floor. Any boards missing from the hardwood floors were replaced. Boards of lesser quality than those in the man floor were used in the servants’ quarters, Andrea said.
Athough the lower level rooms are now used for parties, the Magoskys would like to see the original dining room and kitchen restored to its correct use. Presently, the only available kitchen is on the second level, but, although it has a commercial refrigerator and a commercial sink, it can only be used to warm foods. Scutt’s bedroom was converted into the museum’s main dining room.
There are three bedrooms on the third floor as well as a work area and a library of Seth’s books. A collection of 20 or so dolls, from the Civil War period through the 1950s, reside in the lady’s bedroom, but Andrea hopes to create a special area for them on the fourth floor. She would also like to convert unused space on the third floor into a ballroom.
All that takes money the Magoskys just don’t have. That is nothing new to Andrea. Lack of money is what nudged her love of architectural history in the first place.
When Andrea was a little girl, her family was so poor they could not afford a car. This meant if Andrea needed to go somewhere, it was often on foot. She varied her routes from her Hacker Avenue home, just to look at all the big houses on that part of town. That love of architecture spilled later onto Seth.
“Seth would go out and walk all over different neighborhoods, looking at the houses. He always said he wanted to own a house on Eastern Avenue and when he grew up, he did just that,” Andrea said. “When I worked as a visiting nurse on the south side of Chicago and Seth was off school, he’d ride with me to look at the houses. He became very familiar with that area.”
At 13, Seth, then a student at St. Patrick’s Catholic Grade School, delivered his first architectural presentation, an extra credit project for him. He later majored in the History of Architecture at the University of Illinois in Chicago. He wrote a regular column about local historic homes for the Herald News and authored “Historic Impressions: The History and Architecture of Joliet Homes.”
Seth was also nationally known for his expertise on the Civil War era and did a number of historic portrayals, most notably John Wilkes Booth and Marshall Field. “He had been booked until the end of the year,” Andrea said.
Tours of the museum are by appointment only. Call (815) 723-3052. Visit http://www.museumofvictorianlife.org/.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Bryony Business Cards....
....are in and the first 1500 or so are distributed.
These plastic-coated cards features the Bryony logo, complete with Bryony's signature vines (created by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt (http://www.imaginarylinesstudio.com/), tagline (a drop of blood, a deceptive fantasy), and contact information: website, blog, Facebook page, and email.
THANK YOU Christine at CAL Graphics, Inc. (http://www.calgraphicsinc.com/) for designing a fabulous logo!
Best of all, they cards are FREE!
If you'd like some, contact me at BryonySeries@gmail.com, and I'll send you some.
These plastic-coated cards features the Bryony logo, complete with Bryony's signature vines (created by Kathleen Rose Van Pelt (http://www.imaginarylinesstudio.com/), tagline (a drop of blood, a deceptive fantasy), and contact information: website, blog, Facebook page, and email.
THANK YOU Christine at CAL Graphics, Inc. (http://www.calgraphicsinc.com/) for designing a fabulous logo!
Best of all, they cards are FREE!
If you'd like some, contact me at BryonySeries@gmail.com, and I'll send you some.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Concepts in...um...uh...Communication
That was the name of my first Mass Communications class eons ago at the University of St. Francis in Joliet. I dreaded speeches and showed it by peppering them with the equally dreadful ums and uhs.
Decades of living behind a computer screen and controlling the interrogations haven't improved my fault either. It just doesn't show when I'm the one asking the questions.
Today, a USF student interviewed me about Bryony for a ten-minute audio documentary (Mass Comm class project) on vampires. Her questions were thorough and well-thought out. Neither were they too hard for me, but I definitely speak better with a keyboard than my mouth, especially when someone is holding a tape recorder before it.
The student, however, seemed pleased. The author is cringing because the young woman's professor is my former speech teacher. Thirty years is a long time, so it's a fair bet he doesn't remember me, which is good.
No matter how old you are (and I am old), there's always a part inside that wants to shout, "I'm better now!"
Decades of living behind a computer screen and controlling the interrogations haven't improved my fault either. It just doesn't show when I'm the one asking the questions.
Today, a USF student interviewed me about Bryony for a ten-minute audio documentary (Mass Comm class project) on vampires. Her questions were thorough and well-thought out. Neither were they too hard for me, but I definitely speak better with a keyboard than my mouth, especially when someone is holding a tape recorder before it.
The student, however, seemed pleased. The author is cringing because the young woman's professor is my former speech teacher. Thirty years is a long time, so it's a fair bet he doesn't remember me, which is good.
No matter how old you are (and I am old), there's always a part inside that wants to shout, "I'm better now!"
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Breaking News: Cluricauns on the loose in Tara.
By Sarah Stegall
Ed Calkins has been awfully busy attending to his duties in Tara. Some may feel he is neglecting his fame derived from Bryony, however he is truly a busy ruler. Currently The Steward of Tara is tending to a rowdy bunch of Cluricauns.
Commonly mistaken for Leprechauns, these amusing look-a-likes are causing a stir in Tara. Having no desire to work or do well, this particular bunch of Cluricauns has taken the liberty to enter wine cellars of the rich and drain dry the appeasing liquid. There are also reports coming in that they are harnessing up the neighboring livestock, bog jumping and racing through the fields, their play cloaked by the blankets of night. As you can imagine, the reports have some truth for a sheep was just found in a bog.
Ed Calkins has been awfully busy attending to his duties in Tara. Some may feel he is neglecting his fame derived from Bryony, however he is truly a busy ruler. Currently The Steward of Tara is tending to a rowdy bunch of Cluricauns.
Commonly mistaken for Leprechauns, these amusing look-a-likes are causing a stir in Tara. Having no desire to work or do well, this particular bunch of Cluricauns has taken the liberty to enter wine cellars of the rich and drain dry the appeasing liquid. There are also reports coming in that they are harnessing up the neighboring livestock, bog jumping and racing through the fields, their play cloaked by the blankets of night. As you can imagine, the reports have some truth for a sheep was just found in a bog.
Friday, April 8, 2011
The Night the Bed Fell by James Thurber
American cartoonist and intellectual humorist James Thurber was born in 1894, which loosely gives him a Victorian connection. Other than that, The Night the Bed Fell is a real-life-based story that anyone who lives in a house full of characters will immediately understand.
The story opens with the father of the family announcing he is sleeping in an old bed in the attic so he can think. The mother protests, convinced the bed will collapse and kill him. The family includes a number of eccentric personalities, including a cousin who fears he will stop breathing in his sleep and two aunts who just know they are being robbed each night (One piles her belongings outside her door, and the other gathers her shoes at her bedside and flings at the first sound).
A glimpse inside my house will reveal my husband who is kind and curmudgeonly by turns, me who rarely comes out of the attic, and a series of adult or nearly adult children who are nearly identical in appearance, but quite different and often clashing in personalities.
Included in this mix are six cats: Frances, a loner; Midnight, petite, skittish, and sweet; Faith, who has a nervous, teeth-grinding tic; Hope, an instigator; Charity, who has two fetishes: playing in water and chewing slender electrical cords; and Alex, who tags at your heels and cries to be picked up.
Our bed has never fallen, but in the next room, Faith just ran over Timothy (who WAS sleeping) and then jumped up onto a shelf and knocked a box on him. He flew out of bed, threatening evil things to her, should he catch her.
He won't, of course, but I wouldn't put it past her to flick water from her bowl on him the second he falls asleep.
The Night the Bed Fell is available for free reading online.
The story opens with the father of the family announcing he is sleeping in an old bed in the attic so he can think. The mother protests, convinced the bed will collapse and kill him. The family includes a number of eccentric personalities, including a cousin who fears he will stop breathing in his sleep and two aunts who just know they are being robbed each night (One piles her belongings outside her door, and the other gathers her shoes at her bedside and flings at the first sound).
A glimpse inside my house will reveal my husband who is kind and curmudgeonly by turns, me who rarely comes out of the attic, and a series of adult or nearly adult children who are nearly identical in appearance, but quite different and often clashing in personalities.
Included in this mix are six cats: Frances, a loner; Midnight, petite, skittish, and sweet; Faith, who has a nervous, teeth-grinding tic; Hope, an instigator; Charity, who has two fetishes: playing in water and chewing slender electrical cords; and Alex, who tags at your heels and cries to be picked up.
Our bed has never fallen, but in the next room, Faith just ran over Timothy (who WAS sleeping) and then jumped up onto a shelf and knocked a box on him. He flew out of bed, threatening evil things to her, should he catch her.
He won't, of course, but I wouldn't put it past her to flick water from her bowl on him the second he falls asleep.
The Night the Bed Fell is available for free reading online.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Sarah Stegall's Thoughts on Bryony, Part 4
16) Last fall, when the author was hospitalized, you did some guest posting on the Bryony blog. What did you write about?
"Coffee, dreams, DNA, updates, a short story, a funny story from the eyes of my three year old, and an interview."
17) How did you come up with ideas?
"I wasn't entirely sure what the rhythm was behind the blog so I tried to keep in theme with Bryony, without it actually being Bryony. Everything I posted was indirectly related to vampires or the book."
18) What group of readers might enjoy Bryony?
"I don't think it can be pinned down to just one age bracket or just one type of reader. Bryony offers a little for everyone. My 75 year old grandpa read it (loved it) and my twenty and thirty something friends have been hounding me for my copy of the manuscript."
19) Why will they enjoy it?
"It's an exciting, thrilling, story. Some elements are left up to the reader to weigh in on, while other parts leave you reading twice as fast to get to what you think is going to happen, only to find out it's cleverly deceptive and the story changes. For the main character, Melissa, she is back and forth between 1975 and the Victorian Era. Readers can look forward to their favorite time era depending on what interests them. Also, food and music are nicely intertwined throughout Bryony."
20) Tell us about James Onohan and his contribution to the overall project. Why made you seek out and persuade this composer to join the Bryony team?
"James is my greatest mistake (for the book, I never make mistakes in real life). While researching out of date music, I stumbled across a song of his on Youtube. He composes all his music and the song I was hearing sounded like it ran off the pages of the book, straight into my ears. His sound mimicked exactly what we were missing. I immediately emailed him and after a brief correspondence, he agreed to jump on board. Currently he is composing the book's theme song, (a huge part of the series) and working on ten new compositions for a cd to go along with Bryony."
"Coffee, dreams, DNA, updates, a short story, a funny story from the eyes of my three year old, and an interview."
17) How did you come up with ideas?
"I wasn't entirely sure what the rhythm was behind the blog so I tried to keep in theme with Bryony, without it actually being Bryony. Everything I posted was indirectly related to vampires or the book."
18) What group of readers might enjoy Bryony?
"I don't think it can be pinned down to just one age bracket or just one type of reader. Bryony offers a little for everyone. My 75 year old grandpa read it (loved it) and my twenty and thirty something friends have been hounding me for my copy of the manuscript."
19) Why will they enjoy it?
"It's an exciting, thrilling, story. Some elements are left up to the reader to weigh in on, while other parts leave you reading twice as fast to get to what you think is going to happen, only to find out it's cleverly deceptive and the story changes. For the main character, Melissa, she is back and forth between 1975 and the Victorian Era. Readers can look forward to their favorite time era depending on what interests them. Also, food and music are nicely intertwined throughout Bryony."
20) Tell us about James Onohan and his contribution to the overall project. Why made you seek out and persuade this composer to join the Bryony team?
"James is my greatest mistake (for the book, I never make mistakes in real life). While researching out of date music, I stumbled across a song of his on Youtube. He composes all his music and the song I was hearing sounded like it ran off the pages of the book, straight into my ears. His sound mimicked exactly what we were missing. I immediately emailed him and after a brief correspondence, he agreed to jump on board. Currently he is composing the book's theme song, (a huge part of the series) and working on ten new compositions for a cd to go along with Bryony."
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Sarah Stegall's Thoughts on Bryony, Part 3
11) How did you wind up with the Bryony website?
"When I created the FB page, I was disappointed because we didn't have a coinciding website to further direct readers. As a reader, when I become interested in a series, I check out all that the series has to offer online. Where was the website? Where was the blog? Ugh, so frustrating."
12) Why was creating the Bryony website important to you?
"I felt I was contributing to getting projects accomplished. In my head I was crossing off my own checklist and I was racking up new experiences left and right. We needed a website and I was eager to learn how to make one."
13) What will people find on the website?
"Mass information involving the team behind the book, additional links directing readers to other sites, interactive pages where they can submit their own short stories, view unique pictures, eventually listen to the theme song and purchase related merchandise, and possibly be able to play different types of games."
14) Why are those elements there?
"To draw readers into the world Denise has created with the Bryony Series and to immerse themselves in all things Bryony. We want readers to be able to get their fill. I don't want anyone left hanging."
15) What else do you hope to add?
"Anything that is demanded. Our site features a guest book where comments and questions can be left. Oh, and games. I have all these nifty ideas for games and nobody that knows how to design them."
"When I created the FB page, I was disappointed because we didn't have a coinciding website to further direct readers. As a reader, when I become interested in a series, I check out all that the series has to offer online. Where was the website? Where was the blog? Ugh, so frustrating."
12) Why was creating the Bryony website important to you?
"I felt I was contributing to getting projects accomplished. In my head I was crossing off my own checklist and I was racking up new experiences left and right. We needed a website and I was eager to learn how to make one."
13) What will people find on the website?
"Mass information involving the team behind the book, additional links directing readers to other sites, interactive pages where they can submit their own short stories, view unique pictures, eventually listen to the theme song and purchase related merchandise, and possibly be able to play different types of games."
14) Why are those elements there?
"To draw readers into the world Denise has created with the Bryony Series and to immerse themselves in all things Bryony. We want readers to be able to get their fill. I don't want anyone left hanging."
15) What else do you hope to add?
"Anything that is demanded. Our site features a guest book where comments and questions can be left. Oh, and games. I have all these nifty ideas for games and nobody that knows how to design them."
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Sarah Stegall's Thoughts on Bryony, Part 2
6) Why did you become involved in the Bryony cookbook project?
"I wanted to be involved in something good. I love to cook and I'm always recipe hunting, so I figured I would be a positive force behind the project."
7) Why is the cookbook a good idea?
"The Bryony Series mentions food quite a bit and some of the dishes are rather entertaining. I felt readers like myself would want to try and recreate these dishes themselves."
8) Is the Bryony cookbook just another collection of recipes?
"In some ways yes, but overall not really. How many cookbooks floating around your kitchen feature eclectic recipes from the Victorian Era and the 70's?"
9) What made you take the initiative in designing the Bryony Facebook page?
"It started as a gift; I created it on Mother's Day, 2010, but ultimately I was already thinking big. I wanted to have my hands dirty in all things Bryony."
10) What elements did you add as you developed the page?
"I themed it out so readers could expect their favorite posts, pictures, songs, and so forth. I try to keep posts different and funny so readers don't lose interest."
"I wanted to be involved in something good. I love to cook and I'm always recipe hunting, so I figured I would be a positive force behind the project."
7) Why is the cookbook a good idea?
"The Bryony Series mentions food quite a bit and some of the dishes are rather entertaining. I felt readers like myself would want to try and recreate these dishes themselves."
8) Is the Bryony cookbook just another collection of recipes?
"In some ways yes, but overall not really. How many cookbooks floating around your kitchen feature eclectic recipes from the Victorian Era and the 70's?"
9) What made you take the initiative in designing the Bryony Facebook page?
"It started as a gift; I created it on Mother's Day, 2010, but ultimately I was already thinking big. I wanted to have my hands dirty in all things Bryony."
10) What elements did you add as you developed the page?
"I themed it out so readers could expect their favorite posts, pictures, songs, and so forth. I try to keep posts different and funny so readers don't lose interest."
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sarah Stegall's Thoughts on Bryony, Part 1
1) Do you normally read vampire stories?
"Not normally, although I did read the Twilight series twice and I'm working my way through the Anita Blake series (the main character, Anita, is a vampire slayer, zombie riser, and in a major conflict between Master of the City [head vampire] and the next in line head werewolf)."
2) So why did you request a copy of Bryony, followed by drafts of Visage and Staked?
"Simply because I love to hate. I was assuming it would be cheap writing and was surprised by how well I liked the manuscripts. Then I wanted to read the whole story. I hate being left in limbo."
3) What was your reaction the first time you read it?
"Denise has no idea what she created and how perfect the story is for today's crowd."
4) You had just finished the Twilight series around the time you read Bryony? Is not Bryony just another Twilight?
"Absolutely not! Other than the fact Bryony has vampires in it, it's not a sappy love story. It's more like the ultimate plot, deceptively intertwined between characters and books."
5) I have heard you read all three books at least three times. Why?
"The first read was to get through them, the second time to catch all the things I missed the first round, and the third was to actually enjoy the books as they are meant to be. With every read, I learn a different aspect I missed previously."
"Not normally, although I did read the Twilight series twice and I'm working my way through the Anita Blake series (the main character, Anita, is a vampire slayer, zombie riser, and in a major conflict between Master of the City [head vampire] and the next in line head werewolf)."
2) So why did you request a copy of Bryony, followed by drafts of Visage and Staked?
"Simply because I love to hate. I was assuming it would be cheap writing and was surprised by how well I liked the manuscripts. Then I wanted to read the whole story. I hate being left in limbo."
3) What was your reaction the first time you read it?
"Denise has no idea what she created and how perfect the story is for today's crowd."
4) You had just finished the Twilight series around the time you read Bryony? Is not Bryony just another Twilight?
"Absolutely not! Other than the fact Bryony has vampires in it, it's not a sappy love story. It's more like the ultimate plot, deceptively intertwined between characters and books."
5) I have heard you read all three books at least three times. Why?
"The first read was to get through them, the second time to catch all the things I missed the first round, and the third was to actually enjoy the books as they are meant to be. With every read, I learn a different aspect I missed previously."
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sarah Stegall and the Magic of Bryony
My cell phone rings, and there's a chorus of groans.
"Betcha it's Sarah," one disgruntled adult child says. It doesn't matter which adult child. They've ALL said it. Nary a day passes when Sarah and I don't speak at least once, and one time is on the low side.
That wasn't the case a year ago.
Sarah is my oldest daughter. She lives out of state, but she could have lived on Pluto for all we communicated, mostly by email, even if she had lived next door. Things had been tense at best since her teen years, although we had progressed to some polite, if not friendly, communication.
Then, after the first round of editing, my niece asked to read Bryony. Except for four members of my household, no one else had read it or expressed a remote interest in reading it.
That got the proverbial ball rolling.
My niece loved it and begged her mother, my sister, to read it. My sister told me yesterday she had resisted, certain the story wouldn't be very good. But she read it, to please her daughter and loved it, so much that my parents wanted a copy. They, too, loved it, and my mother said so to Sarah.
That's when my daughter called and wanted to know why I hadn't let her read it. I told her she might, if she liked.
Sarah later told me she only wanted to read it so she could publically and harshly denigrate it. Hoiwever, I already knew that, which is why I couldn't box up a copy and send it out to her fast enough. Bryony was about to face her greatest critic.
A couple days later I received a Facebook message from Sarah: "Where are the other two drafts?" That was all, but she was in, "sucked in," she likes to say. Well, it is a vampire story. It was also a peaceful truce to years of conflict.
Since then, Sarah has created and maintained Bryony's Facebook page and website, helped with the cookbook, and has been the book's biggest champion and promotor. No one, including the author, has more enthusiasm for the story. Sarah has read Bryony cover to cover more than anybody and intends to keep that record, even after the book's release.
I like to think her reaction is a testimony to a good story. Sarah says she'd hate to see Bryony take off and miss her chance at being rich and famous. Hmmm....
"Betcha it's Sarah," one disgruntled adult child says. It doesn't matter which adult child. They've ALL said it. Nary a day passes when Sarah and I don't speak at least once, and one time is on the low side.
That wasn't the case a year ago.
Sarah is my oldest daughter. She lives out of state, but she could have lived on Pluto for all we communicated, mostly by email, even if she had lived next door. Things had been tense at best since her teen years, although we had progressed to some polite, if not friendly, communication.
Then, after the first round of editing, my niece asked to read Bryony. Except for four members of my household, no one else had read it or expressed a remote interest in reading it.
That got the proverbial ball rolling.
My niece loved it and begged her mother, my sister, to read it. My sister told me yesterday she had resisted, certain the story wouldn't be very good. But she read it, to please her daughter and loved it, so much that my parents wanted a copy. They, too, loved it, and my mother said so to Sarah.
That's when my daughter called and wanted to know why I hadn't let her read it. I told her she might, if she liked.
Sarah later told me she only wanted to read it so she could publically and harshly denigrate it. Hoiwever, I already knew that, which is why I couldn't box up a copy and send it out to her fast enough. Bryony was about to face her greatest critic.
A couple days later I received a Facebook message from Sarah: "Where are the other two drafts?" That was all, but she was in, "sucked in," she likes to say. Well, it is a vampire story. It was also a peaceful truce to years of conflict.
Since then, Sarah has created and maintained Bryony's Facebook page and website, helped with the cookbook, and has been the book's biggest champion and promotor. No one, including the author, has more enthusiasm for the story. Sarah has read Bryony cover to cover more than anybody and intends to keep that record, even after the book's release.
I like to think her reaction is a testimony to a good story. Sarah says she'd hate to see Bryony take off and miss her chance at being rich and famous. Hmmm....
Saturday, April 2, 2011
How to Make Kilts | eHow.com
Ed Calkins needs a new kilt. He outgrew the one he owned and gave it away, but new kilts cost too much. Here is the perfect solution. How to Make Kilts eHow.com
Friday, April 1, 2011
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
In the seventh grade, I was fascinated with the Dan Curtis made for TV movie based on this story, and I couldn't wait to check out James' version from the library.
Not only is the full text available online, many scholars have disssected and analyzed this story for possible subliminal themes and the meaning of the ending, which is obscure.
The story centers around the manuscript of a deceased governess. She details her experiences of caring for two children in a house where the previous governess has died.
James purposely is unclear about whether the ghosts of the first governess and her dead lover (another former staff member) are haunting the children of if the governess herself is obsessed and projects that obsession onto the children.
The story still intrigues me almost four decades after I first read it.
Not only is the full text available online, many scholars have disssected and analyzed this story for possible subliminal themes and the meaning of the ending, which is obscure.
The story centers around the manuscript of a deceased governess. She details her experiences of caring for two children in a house where the previous governess has died.
James purposely is unclear about whether the ghosts of the first governess and her dead lover (another former staff member) are haunting the children of if the governess herself is obsessed and projects that obsession onto the children.
The story still intrigues me almost four decades after I first read it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)