In January – The Things I Didn’t Write
There are so many things I wanted to write about in January. I really wanted to tell you about the quintessential snowy New England weekend I spent many years ago at a old and lovely brick manor house in the middle of a Western Massachusetts forest and how each room was decorated with a dash of woodland magic. I would have described the china bowls of wild berries and moss, the baskets of pinecones, and I would have written that every room had a hissing fire in the grate. But then we had an extended January thaw and I lost passion for the story and so I almost wrote a story about a commonplace book I kept for a season long ago and forgot about until recently, and how in its pages I found a girl I wished I cherished more because I think she was pretty neat. And then, I had a blog post nearly written in my head about my hero, Col. John Glenn and his honorable life and for-the-ages love story with his beloved wife Annie, and how, although I mourned in the weeks leading up to Christmas, the story evaporated in the holiday rush.
I also wanted to write about a dear yellow house that is for sale in the neighborhood I grew up in and how my reveries turned rapturously fantastical one morning as I drove to work and imagined myself buying the place, decorating it and actually living there even though it would mean I would have to move out of state and leave my family and job. I would have also told you that as long as I could remember, the house was yellow and that if I were to ever be its mistress, it always would be…
And I wanted to tell you about all the new books I am reading these days especially the one about a woman who saved a century of family clothing including everyday dresses from the 1940’s and enchanting ballgowns with the dance cards to match. And speaking of books, I almost wrote about the oldie-but-goody cookbook my grandmother gave me long ago and how I have been revisiting it for comfort food cooked from scratch and how I have come to realize that sometimes the old ways of cooking are the best ways.
And I thought you might like to read that my very favorite junk shop was closing and I had special permission to shop the “attic” and all the treasures I found there for practically nothing including a beautiful etched crystal pitcher and how I brought it home and filled it with white lilies that cheered me with the scent of hothouse days to come. And I would have written that I also found a brand new Ralph Lauren white ruffled flat sheet for pennies which now graces my bed (seen in the picture above).
I also meant to write about music and how I re-discovered the lilting and ardent voice of Susan Boyle and how I now believe she is the archetypal woman’s songstress whose personal compositions will positively possess you on dark January nights. I wanted to say something too, about my new bottle of the indie Chanel fragrance, Chanel 1932, and how it compares to my other winter favorite, Chanel No. 5 (it has a lovely jasmine “bite”).
Yes…these are the things I wanted to write for you in January. I am so sorry.
11 Comments
donna macdonald
Readers, I will review the books on the blog soon!
susie @ persimmon moon cottage
I enjoyed reading about the things you almost didn't write about…but then did, just a bit.
It would be good to here more about the book titles, they sound so interesting.
Laura Gallagher
I, too, can't wait for the name of the book of the lady who saved the family dresses! Love your blog and read it daily.
Fran M.
Here's another reader who's longing to know the title of that book and the title of your Grandmother's cookbook too!
donna macdonald
Soon Fran! I promise!
Dana L.
Your writing style is lovely. I have a great affinity for manor houses decorated for the wintry season, yellow houses, thought-provoking books, attic treasures, and Chanel fragrances. I am so intrigued by the book you mentioned about the woman who saved a century of family clothing (I cherish sentimental clothing)- what is this book called?
donna macdonald
Dana, I want to do a proper review…so I am almost done reading the entire book. Will blog this weekend. Thank you for your readership!
Anonymous
And you just did, giving us just enough of a taste of each one to crave more. Wishing you a happy January!
donna macdonald
Happy January to you seablue and thank you for your regular comments!
Christine McCann
I enjoyed your musings–each of these snippets intrigues me to hear more! Christie
cherre henderson
Hi Donna, these would have been great stories. I am intrigued by the book you mentioned. What is it called? Such a beautiful post. ❤️