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Friday, January 14, 2011

Journeys




I so much admire the water colors of the British naturalist Edith Holden and her day book of 1906. The original hand drawn and lettered copy of The Country Diary Of An Edwardian Lady was discovered in an attic more than half a century after it was first produced. Now out of print, the facsimile  reproduction was first published in 1977.



The chapters are organized by months, and I like looking it over as the seasons change. I'm fascinated that over a hundred years ago, in a rapidly changing world after the turn of the last century, there was a woman quietly taking pause in her solitude almost daily to appreciate and to record the beauty surrounding her.



Yes, the lives of women have changed greatly since those times. But the need for beauty and for creative expression has not.



Edith's era is often referred to as the Golden Age of travel. And the remnants of that generation hold a fascination for me as well.



I passionately love old leather luggage, and the pots and jars that went inside.



I'm pretty pared down when I travel, so not much of what you see here is included. Although one of these travel candle tins from tokyo milk is nice and easy to carry along, and provides a bit of comfort in a strange smelling room after a tiring journey.



A pretty pouch is easy and convenient to carry. And a silk scarf is not only surprisingly light and warm around your neck, but can control lamp light almost as well as a dimmer switch in an unfamiliar room.



The Edwardians seemed so genteel even in the humble classes. They had fewer possessions that were more highly prized. And some of those artifacts speak loudly of this in the very fact of their survival.



We are all astonished, those of us who are into salvaging little bits of the past, at how much of it remains to be had for so very little for those who take the trouble to find it.



It all carries a history and a mystery with it on its journey.



Like a beautiful little manuscript hidden for decade upon decade up in the attic of Gowan Bank, in the tiny town of Olton, Warwickshire, Great Britain.



Thanks so much for coming along!
Bon Voyage, and Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline


13 comments:

  1. Very pretty post indeed...
    Have a Blessed day
    Tonja

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  2. Lovely post ~ amazing isn't it. Have a wonderful day! ;-)

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  3. I am always touched and amazed by your lovely blogs and how you manage every day to post such loveliness and creativity. You are a continual inspiration ~ thank you.
    Cindy

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  4. Hello dear, whenever I visit, I see many things in your post. Always very romantic his inspiration, which makes me empathize with you. Then as today's post, you explore fascinating details, past life using our imagination flying objects and trying to locate in that space and time along through their beautiful images. Details as beautiful as pearls and graphics in the books. thanks, blessings, Rose Marie

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  5. I'm so glad I popped in for such a charming post and an introduction to Miss Edith.
    Travelling in those days was art form that sadly in these days of jets is gone. Can you imagine all those lovely things being handled at an airport...or worse yet...lost?
    Thank you for such a gentle way to start my morning.
    D

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  6. Very pretty post such charming and lovely objects...so very gentile. Thank you for sharing.

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  7. Charming!! Reminds me that everyday life does not have to be mundane... thank you for visiting my little funny birdcage, I appreciate your comment and hope you visit again!

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  8. What lovely treasures!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  9. Your photos of your gorgeous vignettes could be in the old Victoria magazine. The Country Diary book has been on my Amazon Wish List for awhile. I'll have to move it up in line because I keep on supplanting it with newer books. Several years ago I gifted a friend with a copy (I believe from Victoria Trading) and wish I had purchased myself one, too. Bess

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  10. What a great traveling tip about the scarf!
    Brenda

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  11. Exquisite. I think we have too much and don't treasure it (much of it is plastic junk anyways) but what lovely things they had and the artistry that went into them and so much of that is lost. Thanks, you really held me!

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  12. Jacqueline, this is a touching post. Your vignettes perfectly reflect the lovely words and thoughts of this post.

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