I spent a great part of the summer of 2011 researching the days of yore.  Although I only managed to visit a small portion of the  myriad museums and historic sites Nova Scotia has to offer, I had a marvellous time, learned much, bought dozens of local history books, and took oodles of pictures. 

This is not one of those photos.  When I visited Uniacke Estate Museum Park, the front of the house was covered with scaffolding.  This is the picture and description from their website: "Uniacke Estate Museum Park is part of what was the expansive country estate of Attorney-General Richard John Uniacke (1753-1830). Built between 1813 and 1815, the grand country house is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Canada. The estate offers visitors a vivid glimpse of life in the early 1800s among Nova Scotia's gentry."

Here are just a few of the many images I captured on my most recent visit.  Uniacke Estate Museum Park is one of my favourite places in the province.  The house, with its beautiful furnishings, overlooks a lake; and there are numerous hiking trails of varying distances and scenery to enjoy.

Above:
The room has a Broadwood pianoforte (not shown), which probably took two months to arrive from England.  The portrait is of Uniacke's daughter, Alicia, at 19 or 20 years of age.  
When I saw the footwear in a display case, I immediately thought of CDs and called to my daughter, "Come, see dees shoes!"
Below:
The barns and outbuildings contained all sorts of farming implements and carriages.  In another building, we watched male and female mannequins being garbed in period clothing.

We visited Liverpool, NS, during Privateer Days.  Musket fire made me jump out of my skin during a reenactment. This photo was taken at an apothecary display in one of the many local museums.

One of the highlights of my summer was a day spent at Fortress of Louisbourg, which I dubbed 'a Disneyworld for history buffs'.  The place is amazing!  Here's the official description:  "France's jewel in the 18th century. Canada's treasure today. North America's largest historical reconstruction.  Discover an 18th-century adventure nestled on the edge of a continent–a place where muskets and mortars, women in hoop skirts and men in wigs, town criers and the 'iron collar' are a part of everyday life."
Here are some random shots taken that wonderful day in Cape Breton.

While in Cape Breton, I visited Cossit House,  built in 1787; and  I learned a lot from my guide.  The photo is of the 'birthing room'.  The Rev. Mr. Ranna Cossit's wife, Thankful, would have given birth there; but it was also used to quarantine the sick. 

Back on the mainland, one of my daughters accompanied me to Prescott House in the Annapolis Valley.  'Acacia Grove' was the elegant Georgian home of horticulturalist Charles Prescott. Nova Scotia's apple industry was cultivated by Prescott from 1811 to 1859.  His love of gardening is obvious even in the display of plates (above).  I can't remember if the bedroom (below) was his or not. 

Next post will include a few other things I did on my summer vacation (not all of it was spent researching).

In this continuation from Part 1, which is what Part 2 usually means, I’ll touch upon more of the books sitting on my shelves.  Perhaps those books should be touched upon more often ... with a duster.  Dang!  I said I wouldn’t mention dust again.  Anyway, I went through a phase of reading volumes of bestsellers; but most of those novels were passed along for others to enjoy.  Very few (see below) remain on my shelf, although I took pleasure in them at the time.  

I went through a science fiction phase and total obsession with all things Star Trek.  I have two, count ‘em, two bookcases (not just shelves) full of novels, non-fiction books, and technical manuals.  I am not ashamed to admit I was, and still am, a Trekker.  Once upon a time, family and friends knew not to bother me when reruns aired, even on my wedding day.  Now I’m more of a word nerd than a Trekker; but those novels and manuals remain ... gathering dust.

Here are just a few other books and authors, in no particular order, that have a permanent place on my shelf:

• A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Dickens)
• The Cry of the Kalahari  (non-fiction by Delia and Mark Owens)
• Gondar and also Kala (Nicholas Luard)
• Bill Bryson’s works
• Janet Evanovitch’s ‘Stephanie Plum’ stories (a guilty pleasure) 
• Ken Follett’s novels
• Wilbur Smith’s works (especially River God and its sequels)
• Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series (Oh, yeah!  My love of Jamie & Claire is only surpassed by my love of Darcy & Elizabeth.)
• Jane Austen’s six novels (My favourite is Pride and Prejudice.) 
• I’m going to include Regency stories written by Austen’s fans amongst my favourite reading material.  There’s a wealth of Jane Austen fan-fiction out there, and I’m very happy to be part of that community.  By the way, Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge does not come with a dust jacket. 

Over the years many of the books I once enjoyed reading have disappeared from my shelves.  Certainly, the children’s stories, comics, Nancy Drew series, and Lucy Maud Montgomery novels have long been passed along for others to appreciate.  Yet particular favourites, even from childhood, remain in my possession.

Two works by local Nova Scotian authors have been boxed and moved from shelf to shelf as I changed address.  Beautiful Joe by (Margaret) Marshall Saunders touched me more than Black Beauty.  The works of author Kay Hill, my mom’s friend, include And Tomorrow the Stars: The Story of John Cabot.  Perhaps thorough enjoyment of that biography was the onset of my enduring interest in historical characters, whether real or fictional.  

Eons ago, my Grade Six class was assigned a novel to read.  It was Airs Above the Ground by Mary Stewart, and I was instantly hooked.  I have remained a loyal fan of her work but was especially enchanted by Stewart’s The Crystal Cave and its sequels.  That enchantment with the Arthurian legends inspired me to seek out many other authors‘ works on the topic, and my fascination never waned.  The first book I’ve written (Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge) has a chapter in which its characters recite puns about King Arthur and his knights.  The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley still sits upon my shelf, and then there’s Jack Whyte.  I highly recommend Whyte’s Dream of Eagles / Camulod Chronicles series.  Start with The Skystone and then enjoy its many sequels.  For me, discovery of Whyte’s works was akin to stumbling upon treasure, and his books only leave my shelf to be reread ... or when I have to dust.  I could fill several blog posts with my intense dislike of housework, but I won’t. 

More favourite reading material will be revealed in Part 2 of My Bookshelf’s Shelf Life.  Dust will not be given further mention, except for a certain silky Maltese named Dust Bunny, who appears in Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge.  

One of my 'pride and joy' daughters wrote a post for my publisher's blog.  Here's the link to:   'J. Marie Croft - blown away by biggest fan'   

 (from September 23, 2010)


Interview with
 J. Marie Croft
Author of
Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge

Hi Joanne. Welcome to my first interview on Austen Authors. Please give us a brief summary of your book, Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge.

Impeccable comportment is mandatory in Regency England, a society governed by strict rules of conduct. Perfectionist Fitzwilliam Darcy, heir to an august ancestral estate, is the epitome of an unimpeachable gentleman, at least until…

Our hero’s immaculate image is somewhat tarnished when he and his handsome traveling companions arrive, hot and sweaty, at Pemberley and decide to take a fateful plunge into a scummy pond. An embarrassing encounter on the estate’s lawn leaves a long-lasting impression on Jane and Elizabeth Bennet, who are new acquaintances of Georgiana and Anna Darcy. With both families in London for the Little Season, Darcy finds himself thrown again into the path of perky Elizabeth Bennet; but a handsome army officer just might blockade further advances.

This romantic comedy is a lighthearted adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and features a softer, sweeter, sillier side of Austen’s beloved characters.


Your interpretation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is truly unique. Classifying it as “humorous” does not do it justice. Would you please describe it for us?

Hey, I was quite content with your calling it ‘unique’ and ‘humorous’, Mary. But I’d also describe Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge as being full of pretentious puns, artful alliterations, a child who says the darndest things, a Candel-lit Christmas (not a typo), Regency slang, corny clichés, a drunk Mr. Darcy, as well as healthy, wealthy, and wise-cracking characters. It’s sweet, light, and fluffy, sort of like angel-food cake ... without the angel ... or the food ... or the cake. No, wait. I forgot about Jane Bennet (although she’s not quite so angelic as usual), and there are a few dinner parties, and, huh, there’s even a wedding cake. Hmm, so yeah, I suppose it’s exactly like angel-food cake.


You have more puns per square inch of writing paper than any other author I have ever read. Do the puns just flow from your pen or do you write a sentence and then insert the puns?

A reader at the Derbyshire Writers Guild had a similar question for me last year. I believe her exact words were, “May I ask whether these pleasing puns proceed from the impulse of the moment or are the result of previous study?” Sound familiar? Perish the thought, but I may have more in common with Mr. Collins than I care to admit. The puns arise chiefly from what is passing at the time; and though I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such wordplay as may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as possible. Seriously, Mary, I wish I could channel Jane Austen; but, instead, it appears it’s none other than Mr. Collins who inspires me. 


How disciplined are you in plotting your story? Do you work with outlines or just start typing?

Well, I tried working with an outline and mapping out how to get from point A to point B; but the characters in Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge threw away my map and hijacked the vehicle I was using. I was then disciplined, forced to perform stenography, and instructed to just type whatever they dictated. The dictators changed my plotted course, and it veered wildly from my original destination. I thank them for steering me away from that insipid place.


Why did you choose Jane Austen? Does her work lend itself to pun-filled re-imaginings?

If Austen’s Pride and Prejudice could lend itself to zombies, there can be no objection to lighthearted, pun-filled re-imaginings; but I must not decide on my own performance. I’ll let readers do so and hope they’ll not be offended that I took such liberties with Austen’s characters. Gah! First Mr. Collins, and now, by taking liberties, I also have something in common with Mr. Wickham. Sheesh! 


You have indicated that you are a fan of A&E’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. So I shall assume that you had Colin Firth in mind for Mr. Darcy, but who did you picture for Colonel Fitzwilliam?

I’m so glad you asked that question. It behooves me to answer with the assistance of a few visual aids. So, without further ado, allow me to present to you the four handsome gentlemen of Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge:

These gents bear a remarkable resemblance to (respectively) Colin Firth, James Purefoy, Rupert Penry-Jones, and Richard Armitage. Uncanny, isn’t it?

Now, Mary, I know you only asked about Colonel Fitzwilliam; but, but ... just look how pretty they are! To further transform these fine fellows into characters from Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge, you must picture them in Regency attire ... but without hats, gloves, cravats, waistcoats, and coats ... just damp, clinging white shirts, snug breeches, and tall boots. Er, no further comment.


Is there anything you would like to tell your readers?

Um. Let me think. Hmm ... something to tell them ... Ooh, ooh, ooh! I know! Can I tell them to buy my book?


Joanne, I agree with you. Those are four gorgeous guys. Thanks for sharing your love of Austen with us. It is love, right?

Thanks, Mary!

At a local video store one day a few years ago, I headed to the check-out to rent The Jane Austen Book Club.  I have since purchased the DVD, but that’s beside the point.  Anyway, the young lady working behind the counter saw the title and said, “Is this about that author?”    

“Er, no.  It’s not about Jane Austen.  It’s about people who are discussing her works in a book club,” said I.

“Oh,” said the clerk as she handed me a receipt.  “Has she written anything lately?”

I stared at her, probably slack-jawed and bug-eyed.  Totally flummoxed, I believe I might have mumbled, “No” before thanking her, taking the receipt and rental, and stepping out into the sunshine.  I stood at the curb for a moment, still in a daze, shook my head, and contemplated going back inside to enlighten the unenlightened young woman.  I glanced over my shoulder, through the storefront window; but, of course, the next customer was being served by then.  I let it go but have often kicked myself for not speaking up.

To be honest and fair, when I was her age I hadn’t yet read Austen either; but at least I knew about the classics and had a rough idea when they were written.  

How I wish Jane Austen had lived longer and written more.  Fortunately, we have inspired writers offering prequels, what-ifs, alternate universes, and sequels about the Austen characters we love so much.  Of them we can ask, “Written anything lately?”

And, um, if you're wondering whether I've written anything lately ... Well, I did just write this blog post.  Does that count?