I love babies. I also love Regency period romance novels and British accents.The term "fish and chips" makes me hungry. Do I long to someday tour London? Yep. Am I overly enamored with the royals? Uh-huh. Congratulations, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, on your new baby boy!
The royal baby would have gotten major press regardless, but I think the success of Downton Abbey brought the fevered "royal pregnancy watch" to a new level. There's nostalgia for a time when Britain was the world's only superpower. We wonder what it would have been like to be born in one of the wealthy aristocratic families, with maids and servants and parties and wardrobes. Even the emerging middle-class often had a servant or maid to help with daily tasks. Of course, not many of us fantasize about being born poor and having to slave away for eighteen hours a day with a few hours off every couple weeks. I know I don't!
While Downton Abbey gives us a fun peek into fictional lives, the British Monarchy provides a real link to a long gone era. Tradition abounds. William and Kate don't flaunt the rules--they were married in a church, Westminster Abbey to be precise. They follow protocol, and we love them for it! Even the birth announcement for the new baby clung to tradition by being displayed on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. Proving the royals aren't stuffy, the announcement also went worldwide through Twitter.
A little old. A little new. Kind of like the time period of Downton Abbey. Everything is changing, and it's fun to watch the characters cling to the old while trying the new.
Did you follow the "royal baby watch"? Why or why not?
Have a lovely Wednesday!
Showing posts with label nostalgia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nostalgia. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
Do Songs Trigger Your Memories?
I'm sitting on my couch. Sophie, the mini-wiener dog, is on my shoulder. Crazy little puppy. Anyway, I'm listening to the radio, and Ray Charles's "You Don't Know Me," just came on.
These old songs spark memories--not only memories of actual events, but memories of who I used to be, and I can't help wonder if I shouldn't be that person still.
Did I change so much? Do I still recognize me?
I get caught up in word counts, revising, critiquing, driving the kids, getting groceries, taking a run. I forget I'm more than this moment. And now I'm listening to these great old songs. Memories bombard me, the ones I'd tucked away in hidden pockets.
- Flashes of going to a fancy restaurant with my sister. We try new foods, enjoying the excitement of being out of college and having good-paying jobs. We giggle. No one can bring waves of laughter on quite like my sister.
- I see myself laughing, dancing in my cute dresses at a million and one wedding receptions--my word!--my family and my husband's family know how to have a good time!
- Sad memories come back too. A big fight. The colors of summer, the dark sky, the tang of the air--it rushes back.
- Dancing with my toddler daughter in the living room of our first purchased house. Twirling, twirling, giggling, giggling until we fall in an exhausted heap.
- The insanely huge spider (it had bones, people!) dangling over our heads us as my husband and I walk up the steps of our first home. I can feel our excitement, our anticipation!
- Staring over a table for two in the Florida Keys. Thinking I married the most handsome, incredible man in the universe. I still think so. :)
- Sitting on a quilt in the park with my baby son for an outdoor concert. His white-blonde hair melts me and his blue eyes crinkle as he squeals in delight.
- Sobbing in a parking lot the first week we moved to another state. Had no idea how we would make it in such a different culture. Felt like we made a huge mistake. (We didn't.)
- Driving a car full of school kids to basketball tournaments. The car shakes as they sing along to the Black Eyed Peas. Love it!
I don't spend a lot of time thinking about the past, but sometimes a song will trigger it--and my heart just tugs and tugs, unable to resist looking back.
It's then I remember--I'm so much more than today.
What songs trigger your memories? Do you ever feel not-quite-in-touch-with-yourself?
Have a wonderful Monday!
These old songs spark memories--not only memories of actual events, but memories of who I used to be, and I can't help wonder if I shouldn't be that person still.
Did I change so much? Do I still recognize me?
I get caught up in word counts, revising, critiquing, driving the kids, getting groceries, taking a run. I forget I'm more than this moment. And now I'm listening to these great old songs. Memories bombard me, the ones I'd tucked away in hidden pockets.
- Flashes of going to a fancy restaurant with my sister. We try new foods, enjoying the excitement of being out of college and having good-paying jobs. We giggle. No one can bring waves of laughter on quite like my sister.
- I see myself laughing, dancing in my cute dresses at a million and one wedding receptions--my word!--my family and my husband's family know how to have a good time!
- Sad memories come back too. A big fight. The colors of summer, the dark sky, the tang of the air--it rushes back.
- Dancing with my toddler daughter in the living room of our first purchased house. Twirling, twirling, giggling, giggling until we fall in an exhausted heap.
- The insanely huge spider (it had bones, people!) dangling over our heads us as my husband and I walk up the steps of our first home. I can feel our excitement, our anticipation!
- Staring over a table for two in the Florida Keys. Thinking I married the most handsome, incredible man in the universe. I still think so. :)
- Sitting on a quilt in the park with my baby son for an outdoor concert. His white-blonde hair melts me and his blue eyes crinkle as he squeals in delight.
- Sobbing in a parking lot the first week we moved to another state. Had no idea how we would make it in such a different culture. Felt like we made a huge mistake. (We didn't.)
- Driving a car full of school kids to basketball tournaments. The car shakes as they sing along to the Black Eyed Peas. Love it!
I don't spend a lot of time thinking about the past, but sometimes a song will trigger it--and my heart just tugs and tugs, unable to resist looking back.
It's then I remember--I'm so much more than today.
What songs trigger your memories? Do you ever feel not-quite-in-touch-with-yourself?
Have a wonderful Monday!
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