The Doll Room

Last Monday, my "An Extraordinary Life" story was about Andrea Magosky, who recently died from complications of COVID-19.

Andrea and her husband Pat Moagosky owned and operated the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life an Joliet History in memory of their son Seth, who owned the house and was slowly transforming into a museum at the time of their death.

The Magoskys were very supported of the BryonySeries. We filed the Bryony book trailer and music video there; they (along with the Joliet Junior College theater department) lent us costumes for VampFest (our launch event, which raised $1,400 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties), hosted a book signing, and had stacks of my original business cards near the front door.

Andrea especially loved dolls and devoted one room in the museum to them. I love dolls (as a child I played with dolls as much as I read), so I loved to wander this room and revel in her collection.

When the Magoskys lost the museum, they also lost the dolls. Here are photos of some of those dolls:

Bryony - Official Book Trailer

A Quick Guide to BryonySeries Social Media

Other than this blog, what are the other BryonySeries social media options? (for those dying to know...and a few who aren't).


Facebook: Daily postings of (mostly) curated content with comments and quotes as how they relate to the BryonySeries. Also there's some nice photo albums Sarah Stegall created on all sorts of topics: filming the trailers, the Magosky mansion, several Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraisers (VampFest, bowling, and a cooking demo/signing at BBBS). Check it out at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries.

Twitter: Daily postings of curated content relating to anything supernatural (including vampires), tips for writers, recipes (relating to the Victorian era, the 1970s, or anything that looks good to me), dark or gothic Victorian poetry or short stories, and places to buy BryonySeries related items (everything from fairy dust to DIY Victorian dollhouse kits). Check it out at www.twitter.com/BryonySeries.

Instagram: Totally devoted to Bertrand the Mouse and his adventures or life perspective. Generally one post a day. Check him out at www.instagram.com/bertrand_bryonyseries.

Interested in following just me? On Twitter, I post Herald-News content mostly, but I'm expanding into sharing blogs from other writer comrades. I'm at www.twitter.com/denise_unland61.

And of course, there's the website at www.bryonyseries.com, a virtual Munsonville with plenty to read and see. Stop in at the site map at www.bryonyseries.com/sitemap. to find your way around the village.

Then visit Dalton's Dry Goods to purchase BryonySeries product (once the page is built, that is), www.bryonyseries.com/dalton-s-dry-goods.

Other pages include:

Fetes and Feasts: For upcoming events. www.bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Board of Trustees (still growing): Bios and links of other artists and professionals who helped with BryonySeries. Currently with a typos in its link, the hazard of my dyslexic (but very technically capable) daughter building the site. www.bryonyseries.com/broad-of-trustees.

Music Room: To learn more about John Simons and the real-life musician who brought his sound to life). www.bryonyseries.com/music-room.

Steward of Tara: Meet the only actual person to appear in the books. www.bryonyseries.com/the-steward-of-tara.

Darlene's Tour: A few quotes and "photos" of Munsonville, along with fake driving directions. www.bryonyseries.com/darlene-s-tour.

BBBS: Information about the nonprofit BryonySeries supports. www.bryonyseries.com/bbbs.

Sue's Diner: Weekly recipes and photos from the official BryonySeries fundraising cookbook. www.bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner.

Munsonville Library: A timeline of events relating to the BryonySeries publishing process. Woefully out of date (for now), but still worth checking out. www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-library.

Harold Masters: For now contains a bit of original fiction by other authors but that will eventually change. www.bryonyseries.com/harlod-masters.

Munsonville Times: Links to BryonySeries in the news. Most of them are old links that no longer work but check back as we do add new ones. www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times.

Humane Society: A peek at the animals in BryonySeries. www.bryonyseries.com/humane-society.

Society: Short for "The Munsonville Society for the Humanities." Read BryonySeries reviews. www.bryonyseries.com/society.

Promotions: None now, but that changes.

Press Kit: Blank, for now. www.bryonyseries.com/press-kit.

BryonySeries Videos: Trailers, music videos. We also have open mics and author interviews but they're not posted yet. www.bryonyseries.com/bryonyseries-videos.

Visage Holiday Edition: A different cover and various appendixes not found in the official edition. Out of print. Visit this page to get a copy. www.bryonyseries.com/visage-holiday-edition.

Snowbell: A BryonySeries short story available for purchase on Amazon or as free download on this page. www.bryonyseries.com/snowbell.

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: We Have a Mansion!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

We Have a Mansion!

Pat and Andrea Magosky, owners of the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life in Joliet, Illinois, are "loaning" us the mansion for filming purposes. Stephen Tuplin has already shot some initial footage and plans to use the location for the Bryony trailer, interviews with theBryony team, and the Bryony music video. The museum even has a grand piano! Bryony web administrator Sarah Stegall will be in town this weekend for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake, so she will be the first person interviewed and photographed on location. Lucky! I'll share more about the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life in future posts. For now, a brief history and some photographs can be seen here:http://www.cityofjoliet.com/business/museum.htm

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Gasps

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.



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.

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: "Every House Tells a Story" by Sarah Stegall

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Every House Tells a Story.

I stepped back into history last Saturday morning when I stepped forward into the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life. With the exceptions of brownies in the parlor and the filmming equipment in the sitting room, nothing appeared to have been changed in over 100 years! Pat Magosky even offered me tea!

A few members of the Bryony team, author included, were there for the filming. I felt like such a celebrity being fitted with a microphone and sharing news about the first book in the Bryony Series. And lets face it, I did fly almost 2,000 miles in two days to bowl in the fundraiser for Big Brothers, Big Sisters and for this book interview. After wrapping up the final take, I got to explore this beautiful house. Ever hear every house tells a story? Well this one can fill its own library.

In the basement you had the servant's quarters and what was once the kitchen, now boasting a bar with tables around the fireplace. On the main floor, when you enter, is the gorgeous staircase, the parlor, sitting room, the porch, a modernish bathroom, and the dining room which features a grand piano (I played it). On the second floor there are three bedrooms a sitting alcove, the library and a bathroom. I spent more time than I should have ooohing and aaahing.

On the third floor, I was enthralled in the "doll room." It might have once been a toy room from the look of it, but now it features dolls from all over, most of them very old. In the ballroom, I played Bethoven's "Ode to Joy" on the pipe organ (coincidentally the only song I've ever been taught) and imagined what life would have been like over 100 years ago.

There was one thing I would not partake in. On the third floor, there is a spiral stepping, (no banister) which has lots of movement. Pat Magosky offers all guests the opportunity to climb up and see the view of Joliet, IL. It's about twenty feet up... I climbed a third of the way up, but I was overwhelmed with more than nagging thoughts about my little boy who I was already missing. I didn't want to put myself in any conflicting situations so I climbed down. (This does say quite a bit about my changed character, because a decade ago I would of raced up those stairs, high heels and all).

As I made my descent down from the third floor I felt a bonding with Bryony's main character, Melissa Marchellis. I could easily see myself living between two time periods. As I felt the polished banister beneath my hand, an overwhelming sense of sadness enveloped me. This house boasts a beautiful history and I wonder how many people will never see the inside, where the rooms come alive, their stories lingering on every object.

Sarah Stegall

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: Cemetery-Hopping and Other Fun Mother's Day Activities

Monday, May 14, 2012

Cemetery Hopping and Other Fun Mother's Day Activities

On Saturday, my oldest daughter, Sarah Stegall, Bryony's online administrator, her five year old son Lucas, and I visited three cemeteries and paid homage to several grandmothers and great-grandmothers, the perfect Mother's Day activity for people caught up in vampire stories.

While Sarah was inside a memorial shop trying to replace a stolen, graveside vase, Lucas, who obviously had one or two things on his mind, said to me, "Will we see ghosts?"

I assured him otherwise.

Then Lucas said, "My mother is afraid of ghosts."

Considering Sarah was nearly drooling over the notion of spending the night in the reputedly haunted P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life and Joliet History (where we filmed Bryony's book trailer and music video), I doubted it.

"She's not afraid of ghosts, Lucas."

Lucas considered this. "Well, she is afraid of werewolves."

Next, we discussed our two dogs that had gone to heaven: Peenut (his) and Scooter (mine) until Sarah returned. Among our various stops, we had lunch courtesy of McDonald's dollar menu (Sarah's treat) and a post-festivities coffee (Sarah's act of mercy), since I had a writer's workshop to attend that evening.

Of course, I thanked her for treating me to a very nice Mother's Day dinner, and no, I wasn't being snarky. We had a wonderful time, but anyone who knows me is no stranger to the fact that, when I'm not writing, I'd rather spend time with family and a few good friends; the activity is unimportant. But then, I have a REALLY fun family.

Other Mother's Day doings:

   * I talked to Joshua Baran (my number three child) off and on through the night (Saturday into Sunday) because his newborn son was having nursing difficulties and kept his mommy and daddy up with his crying.

   *  I attended brunch at my church, St. Nicholas Orthodox in Homewood, with Rebekah Baran, my youngest daughter and assistant to Sarah.

   *  I covered a really awesome Mother's Day event and brought Rebekah with me. A local stylist, in honor of her deceased mother, hosted a spa day for women living in homeless shelters and halfway houses. I can't give details now, but when that story runs, I'll post a link.

  *  Afterwards, Rebekah and I bought cat food and a potted, miniature pink rose plant for the newest mother. Rebekah then treated me to ice cream.

 *  Daniel cleaned the entire house and pushed laundry.

 *  Timothy came home tired from working a Mother's Day buffet at the Renaissance Center in Joliet, but he still wanted to meet Joshua's new baby. While there, Rebekah moved several loads of laundry, Timothy and Daniel took Amber grocery shopping, and Joshua (who is battling bronchitis) settled down for a much-needed nap.

 *  When they returned, Rebekah put away groceries; Timothy cooked them Amber and Joshua and a couple of "instant" meals (including soup) for tomorrow; and Daniel washed dishes. I fed the baby, kept him quiet, and flipped through some magazines (something I hadn't done in years, literally).

 *  We returned home about ten-thirty. Rebekah and Daniel headed straight for bed, and I cooked a quick dinner for Timothy. As he ate, we talked about his day.

All in all, a perfect Mother's Day! :)

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: Every House Tells a Story (by Sarah Stegall)

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Every House Tells a Story.

I stepped back into history last Saturday morning when I stepped forward into the P. Seth Magosky Museum of Victorian Life. With the exceptions of brownies in the parlor and the filmming equipment in the sitting room, nothing appeared to have been changed in over 100 years! Pat Magosky even offered me tea!

A few members of the Bryony team, author included, were there for the filming. I felt like such a celebrity being fitted with a microphone and sharing news about the first book in the Bryony Series. And lets face it, I did fly almost 2,000 miles in two days to bowl in the fundraiser for Big Brothers, Big Sisters and for this book interview. After wrapping up the final take, I got to explore this beautiful house. Ever hear every house tells a story? Well this one can fill its own library.

In the basement you had the servant's quarters and what was once the kitchen, now boasting a bar with tables around the fireplace. On the main floor, when you enter, is the gorgeous staircase, the parlor, sitting room, the porch, a modernish bathroom, and the dining room which features a grand piano (I played it). On the second floor there are three bedrooms a sitting alcove, the library and a bathroom. I spent more time than I should have ooohing and aaahing.

On the third floor, I was enthralled in the "doll room." It might have once been a toy room from the look of it, but now it features dolls from all over, most of them very old. In the ballroom, I played Bethoven's "Ode to Joy" on the pipe organ (coincidentally the only song I've ever been taught) and imagined what life would have been like over 100 years ago.

There was one thing I would not partake in. On the third floor, there is a spiral stepping, (no banister) which has lots of movement. Pat Magosky offers all guests the opportunity to climb up and see the view of Joliet, IL. It's about twenty feet up... I climbed a third of the way up, but I was overwhelmed with more than nagging thoughts about my little boy who I was already missing. I didn't want to put myself in any conflicting situations so I climbed down. (This does say quite a bit about my changed character, because a decade ago I would of raced up those stairs, high heels and all).

As I made my descent down from the third floor I felt a bonding with Bryony's main character, Melissa Marchellis. I could easily see myself living between two time periods. As I felt the polished banister beneath my hand, an overwhelming sense of sadness enveloped me. This house boasts a beautiful history and I wonder how many people will never see the inside, where the rooms come alive, their stories lingering on every object.

Sarah Stegall

BryonySeries Throwback Thursday: "Wigtraption" is Now a Word

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

"Wigtraption" is now a word

 Or so says my publicist DulcineaHawksworth who, armed with photos, has been shopping 'round for the appropriate long locks to transform an ordinary twenty-first century mortal into the nineteenth century immortal John Simons, for book trailer purposes of course.

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!