Coming on noon local time. You are sitting
in the community center lot waiting on Carol to complete her exercises. You
completed your week’s worth earlier this morning. It is a partly cloudy warm
summer day and Carol suggested reading under the shade of a tree this afternoon;
something you have no problem with. – Amorella
1149
hours. I like keypadding in the shade more than reading, but I can do either
one. I do have Kim’s book to get back to. I also would like to complete the
poem section of Grandma 12 so I can move on to Grandma 13.
You have been reluctant because you think
you have used up what is already from the earlier second volume. Go back and
see what you have for the poem in the original, Running Through. –
Amorella
1153
hours. I have to smile here. I would have never thought of something so simple
as a possible solution. Thanks, Amorella
Too many forests in your head, boy, and not
enough focus on the trees. – Amorella
You and Carol each had an Egg McMuffin and
diet/regular Coke and are now sitting under the shade trees in north central Rose
Hill with the Whitaker Family Mausoleum to the southeast. Carol forgot her book
and is reading the mail instead – it will be a short stay. You copied your poetic
text. So, let’s have a look. – Amorella
** **
Lord Simon
and Lady Catherine of the Manor Stonebridge
Whispered
long intercessory prayers of suffrage;
In hope
first son Robert lived a prosperous and good life.
He did,
though his eighty-six years had periods of great strife.
Angry
words once uttered, cannot be silenced once heard,
The
receiver of the words is stunned and so stirred;
The
utterance may cause parting ways but at the end of the days
The Dead
and the Living stubbornly exist in such sorrow and haze.
** **
Work with this, boy, and then we’ll be done
with it. – Amorella
1321
hours. It is more interesting to have something solid to work with. I’ll see
what I can do.
** **
Angry
words once uttered, cannot be silenced once heard,
The
receiver of the words is stunned and so stirred;
The
utterance may cause parting ways but at the end of the days
The Dead
and the Living stubbornly exist in such sorrow and haze.
** **
1339
hours. I have 703 words. I don’t need any more.
No, you don’t. When convenient add Grandma
Twelve and post. - Amorella
***
Grandma’s Story 12 nfd © 2016, rho, GMG.2
This story takes place during the reign of the English King Richard II,
1388. We have a short discussion, says Grandma, between the great-grandson of
Lady Catherine and Lord Simon Montarran, Lord Simon who is 28 and his wife,
Lady Catherine Delmont Montarran of Stonebridge who is 22.
“Lord Simon,” inquires to Lady Catherine, “Do you find the
Ideas of John
Wycliffe unsettling?”
She replies, “People are born when they are born, m’Lord, and die under
God’s instructions.”
Perturbed, he responds, “That doesn’t sound like commentary by
Wycliffe.”
Lady Catherine without a skip in thought states, “It is my own
commentary. Should I tell the authorities one thing in public and think another
in private.”
“This is hypocrisy, m’Lady. I would prefer you do not speak such
content.
Lady Catherine innocently replies, “We say and do things in private we
do not speak of in public, m’Lord. You know it, I know it, and our firstborn
son, Simon our Lord Stonebridge, knows it.
It is the innocence that attracted Simon to young Lady Catherine in the
first place. Her forthrightness caught his heart ajar and in doing so, it
allowed healing and sharing. And, Oxford is thus indebted to the Stonebridge
contribution to their classical libraries.
Young Aristotle skilled in logic and Greek
Did not know Orwell and the modern newspeak
Wycliffe the Philosopher living in old Oxford town,
Set forth his English translation of the Bible renown
And with a storm in motion questions for women and men,
Who is to read what? And, where will it end?
Translating the Latin Bible with mind and hand.
It causes John Wycliffe to be consciously banned.
Lord Simon and Lady Catherine whisper intercessory prayers ;
In hope first son Robert lives a prosperous and good life.
He did. His eighty-six
years were mixed in gladness and strife.
...
Grandma
smiles and begins. The focus of this particular family discussion has to do
with first-born rights in three generations of Lake Manor in 1388. James Robert
Greyston is 63, his first-born son, Daniel is 33, and Daniel’s first-born son,
Joseph, is almost 12. Young Joseph declares to his grandfather Lord James
Robert that his desire is to become a priest and that he wants his inheritance
in advance to give it to the Church when he says his vows.
Daniel
is in a private room with his father Lord James, and thus this conversation
ensues. “Father, tradition holds that Joseph inherits the estate once I am
gone, but in this case Joseph wants to give the estate in advance to the Church
which is always looking for more land. I do not mind Joseph giving a portion of
his inheritance to the Church, but it is unfair that the estate go to the
Church too. It is not the money, but the principle of family inheritance, of
our Manor, of our woolen mills, and of our family estate. It is a generous
thought for this lad, and I am happy you are willing to do this, but it seems
to me loyalty should be bound to family before the Church.”
“The
family before God? That is an impertinent comment for you to make,” grumbles
Lord James.
“The
Church is not God,” argues Daniel.
“That
is the Devil’s tongue,” snaps Lord James.
“It was you who taught me to question such matters as Church and State,
and I have studied at the University just as you have, and I have a good friend
in Oxford who agrees with me.”
“And,
who is that,” admonishes Lord James.
“Lord
Stonebridge, Simon Montarran.”
“Oxfordshire.
I know his like -- arms traders and merchants.”
“They
deal with the king’s men just as we.”
Lord
James mutters, “You appear to be loyal to the words of the young Lord
Stonebridge over those of your father, Lord Lake.”
“Damn you!”
utters Daniel. He turns and in quiet dignity walks out of the room never to
speak to his father again.
Angry words once uttered, cannot be silenced once heard,
The receiver of the words is stunned and so stirred;
The utterance can cause parting, but at the end of the days
The Living and the Dead can stubbornly swim in such haze.
...
***
You
are home. Grandma Thirteen begins with 7022 words. This is going to be a
challenge because there are three ‘friendly’ letters and responses between Lady
Allowyn and Sir Geoffrey. - Amorella
You cut Grandma Thirteen down to 1200 words
and now have to cut it further to 800. As you have eight parts that would make
for a max of 100 words per section. – Amorella
1942
hours. I can do this. It is becoming an interesting and fun challenge.
Drop in the working draft to remind you of what you
accomplished this evening then post. – Amorella
1944
hours. This is fun.
** **
Grandma’s Story 13 – draft ©2016.GMG.2
The daughters-in-law and first cousins Lucrietia and Mary marry their
childhood sweethearts, Nicholas and Jacob. Unknown to either woman, Nicholas
and Jacob are twenty-two generations removed from shared grandparents Criteria
and Renaldo.
Lucrietia and Mary begin a discussion.
Lucrietia says, “My
grandson Lord James Thomas and his second wife Anna Elizabeth have a daughter,
Allowyn.”
Mary’s eyes smile brightly as she replies, “And, I have grandson, Sir
Geoffrey.”
Some time later the letters begin their flow. 76 w
Letter One: Sir Geoffrey to Lord Robert.
Greetings,
Robert,
We
have not got together for a while. We need to do so. Grumbling about our lives
is a necessity I think. As second sons in our respective families, we have not
the glory of our older brothers, both lords. Chances are we shall not inherit
the scattering of estates, but I do hope we can make our own ways.
I
have Lakes but brother Charles has Ipsley. He has a church and we do not. I do
like the manor at Lakes though, and I suppose, should something happen brother
and his son I would be declared Lord Lakes. It does have a pleasant ring about
it. Remember, when we used to make up stories about how we would be lords
someday. That really was not so long ago.
Everyone
appears content as I sitting writing this letter after a delicious dinner of
roast goose. Jeannine organizes the kitchen especially well. The food is always
quite excellent. You and your attractive Allowyn shall have to come for the day
and dinner. Perhaps if you see this colt he will wet your interest in horse
breeding of your own.
Let
us know when day and dinner would be convenient, whether you are interested in
the colt or no.
In
kindness,
Geoffrey 220
Letter Two: Lady Allowyn (for Lord Robert)
to Sir Geoffrey.
Dearest
Sir Geoffrey,
Thank
you for thinking of Robert regarding the sale of your foal. I am sure that he
has an interest in viewing the fine animal, as do I. The health his elder
brother James is not good.
As
you are an old friend of the family I thought it right to tell you this news
has sent Robert into a deep melancholy and I have taken over much of his
correspondence.
To
that end I dare say that a trip to Lakes to see the colt will do him some good.
A rather fanciful thought, as Robert would say, but I enjoy such a dabbling.
We
will plan on visiting by midday Thursday next if that is available to you. The
only thing that would impede our prompt arrival is Robert’s state of mind. Send
Jeannine a fond hello from us both. We look forward to supping on one of your
finely cooked meals soon.
Most
sincerely,
Allowyn 171
Letter Three: Sir Geoffrey to Lady Allowyn.
Good
day, m’Lady Allowyn,
I am quite sorry to read about James. And, my beloved friend
Robert is with Melancholy?
It is strange writing you Allowyn. I cannot remember writing
to any woman other than Mother. I am most surprised that you would be remotely
interested in a racehorse. I am heartened by it though.
Since Thursday next is available to you it would be a fine
time for the four of us to re-acquaint ourselves.
I am looking forward to seeing Robert and yourself. This autumn
has its crispness. I did not know you before your marriage to Robert. Like Lord
James, my older brother Lord Charles leans his sails into the city life. My
Jeannine is too strong-willed for poetry. With Jeannine there are always things
to do.
Tell Robert to cheer up. Jeannine and I look forward to your
visit.
With kind regards,
Sir Geoffrey
155 w
Letter Four: Lady Allowyn to Sir Geoffrey.
Kindest
Geoffrey,
Though
we have received no news of Lord James’ current condition, Robert seems to be
more himself every day. I dare say it was our visit to Lakes, and cannot
believe that Ipsley, which you speak so highly of, could be any grander. The gardens were most delightful, and I
understand how Jeannine dislikes leaving them—even for a day.
I
am glad that you and Robert came to an agreement with regards to the colt. Margaret and Duncan were quite
surprised to see that such a fine animal was coming home with us.
I
much enjoy the weight of a book in my hand. Have you not touched a more treasured object? When I find
quiet time I move hastily to the library read any book of Robert’s or compose
letters until I am found.
Please
send Jeannine my thanks once again for allowing us to visit. There is not a
finer lady in the Midlands, I am sure.
Most
sincerely,
Allowyn
172 w
Letter Five: Sir Geoffrey to Lady Allowyn.
My
Dear Lady Allowyn,
I am quite glad to read that Robert appears to be improving.
He has been a brotherly companion since our Oxford days. Ipsley is grander in
the sense that it is in Warwickshire. Equal ground, we would say, for equal
service to God, king and country.
I shall inform Jeannine of your love for her gardens. She
will be well pleased I am sure. Jeannine loves her gardens as I do the woods
and brook.
Robert bought that colt because you fell in love with the
animal.
Your
name has become a fascination for me. Allowyn is as ancient as both our Celtic
forbearers. You stir wonders within, wonders with no answers. May God His
blessing be upon you and yours until we meet again.
Yours,
in honest trust,
Geoffrey 142
Letter
Six: Lady Allowyn to Sir Geoffrey.
My
dearest Geoffrey,
I have had a fever as of late last night. Robert kissed my
brow as I fell into a deep sleep which rather than being dreamless as I usually
is was full of phantoms and visions such as I have never seen. I have heard large doses of laudanum
create varied pictures in ones mind and yet I had only a warm cup of tea before
retiring to my chamber. I was gazing at myself in the looking glass wondering
what it is that causes me to be so pensive.
I have Robert’s affection and kindness to be sure. I have my children – the joy of their
laughter ringing through the garden, their warm pudgy hands clasped to my
skirts. We now have a manor, on of
which I never aspired to and feel guilt in finding pleasures in the walls that
were meant for my dear brother-in-law James. My mind is lively and quick - too much so I think.
Allowyn 172 w
Conclusion
This
is Grandma. The mix between the Living and the Dead is the bloodline from
humanity’s Eve to your own set of eyes. The mind is continually filled with the
humanity raining down or rises up from beneath. Try to stop a thought and see
where it gets you. What is done, cannot be undone. What is thought cannot be
unthought.
Jeannette and Allowyn have been worldly sent
To Mothers be, with or without consent.
Robert and Geoffrey will flirt and play
Around the ancient oak table with much to say;
Their wives will flirt too, in message and clue
Merlyn will watch for pieces to unglue.
This is for a later time in one year or two
When back to Grandma’s story I will welcome you.
The braiding continues – from past to future tense;
In the shadow of the present, it’s
bound to commence. – 145 w
** **
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