Beatrix Potter II

Beatrix gradually recovered from Norman's death and bought a farm in the north as a holiday home... she was interested in breeding sheep and in preserving the countryside. She grew fond of William Heelis, the local solicitor who gave legal advice to her about the farm. Her parents were not too happy about this love affair either as he was just a country solicitor. But Beatrix was independent financially and in 1913, she married William. Her father died and she persuaded her mother to come up to the Lake District. She became a founding member of the National Trust which existed to preserve buildings and areas of natural beauty. Beatrix was keen to improve the breed of sheep on her farm and she devoted herself to this and wrote rather less. She was admired as a successful farmer and a talented scientist, as well as for her writing. Her marriage was childless but they were a devoted and happy couple. Beatrix died in 1943, and William died a few years later.

Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) I

Beatrix Potter was an author of children's books, who created numerous characters who are loved by children. She also illustrated her works, and designed merchandise for sale. She was born to a Unitarian couple who came from Manchester. The Unitarians were more radical in their beliefs than most Christian denominations and it was the religion of Elizabeth Gaskell. Mrs Gaskell's husband William was a family friend to the Potters. She was born in London, and her family was wealthy. Her father had had a good education and had become a lawyer. He also invested in the stock market which made him very rich. However Beatrix's mother was demanding and rather difficult... and she isolated her children because she feared them catching germs. Beatrix was educated by governesses, and early she acquired an interest in the natural science. She kept many animals as pets and observed their characteristic and habits. On summer holidays in Scotland she carefully learned about plants and the natural world. Being a girl, she had no chance to go to university, but writing and drawing were considered suitable female skills. She began to write for children, creating Peter Rabbit and other animal characters. her books were very successful and she began to make money, and she developed a friendship wtih Norman Warne, the son of her publisher. He worked with her on some of her books and they fell in love. Beatrix found that her parents were hostile to him as a suitor, because they regarded him as being in trade. After a while they agreed to a private engagement, but Beatrix feared that she would never get away from being obliged to help and look after her parents. THen suddenly Norman died of pernicious anaemia at the age of 37. Beatrix was devastated, but she did keep on with her work.

Beds and Blue Jeans, by Nadine Sutton. On Amazon

Beds and Blue Jeans is a story, novella length about a young bar singer in Nashville in the 2010s.. who has found himself being pursued by a lot of lady fans. He has a girlfriend who has just had his baby, but the relationship with Patty isn't going too well. Sam lets himself be caught by various ladies but can he learn to appreciate Patty and settle down with her and their baby.

Willow Cabin

This novel was published in the 1950s and is like some of Frankau's novels, autobiographical. Pamela had had an affair with a poet, her heroine Caroline has an affair with a married doctor. The novel opens with Caroline taking part in a play and being much admired by audience and critics. She is beautiful and talented. She meets Michael Knowle who is a surgeon, and who has a half American wife who does not usually live with him. Mercedes spends time abroad, in the US or France, and is a successful set designer. Michael is fond of Caroline, but she falls deeply in love with him and while she accepts the limitations of their affair, she really wants to be with him. She goes on holidays with him and they enjoy each other's company, but they are both aware that there will probably be a war before long. Caroline is illegitimate.. her father deserted her, and her mother married another man who is kind enough but Caroline does not really get on with him or her mother. She leaves home to be able to enjoy her life more, and to pursue the affair with Michael. War breaks out and Michael joins the army medical corps. Caroline has let her theatrical career lapse, because she was more interested in her love life.. but she now joins the women's services and devotes herself to her war work. She sees Michael when she can, and learns that Mercedes has been working with the Resistance in France. A couple of years into the war, Michael is discovered dead in his hotel in London. He took a lot of sleeping pills but there seems to be no note or evidence that it was suicide. He was a bad sleeper and probably took the pills to get some sleep. Caroline is devastated, but goes on with her war work. She learns that Mercedes has managed to escape from France and gone to Spain but she is very ill thanks to her ill treatment by the Germans. a few years after the war, Caroline has returned to acting. Some of her friends have told her that they think Michael could have gotten a divorce if he really wanted to but she still loves him. Then while touring in America, Caroline meets Mercedes who has moved there. SHe had a lot of money but has used it to buy a farm and help out immigrants. Mercedes produces evidence that Michael might have killed himself and Caroline feels more at peace and goes on with her life.....

Pamela Frankau

Pamela Frankau was a British novelist who came from an artistic and literary family. Her father, Gilbert Frankau was a novelist also, but he left his wife and daughters at an early age and Pamela did not have a close relationship with him. She was educated at a boarding school and when she left school, she started writing, and had a lot of success. She became the mistress of Humbert Wolfe, a poet who was married. They had an intense affair, in spite of his marriage and when he died in 1940 Pamela gave up writing for several years. She served in the women's services during the War, and during that time began a lesbian affair with a fellow officer. This lasted for a time and her lover influenced her towards becoming a Catholic. At the end of the War, she married an American naval officer and went to America with him; they had a son, who died at birth, and after a few years the marriage ended in divorce. Pamela returned to the UK, and went on writing. In 1953, she met the American British theatre Director, Margaret Webster and the 2 became a couple. They divirced their time between Hampstead and Martha's Vineyard where Webster had a home. They were happy and fulfilled and Pamela went on writing, one novel in particular, the Willow Cabin, was based on her affair with Wolfe. In the 1960s however she got breast cancer and died in 1967. A few of her books are still in print.

Northanger Abbey II

Catherine innocently beleives that Isabella really loves James. She then receives an invitation to Northanger abbey to stay with the Tilneys. It is a scary looking castle and when Catherine learns that General Tilney's wife has died, she begins to believe that he murdered her or is keeping her prisoner. She sneaks around fearfully looking for evidence, and then Henry finds out what she is thinking. He scolds her kindly, telling her that General Tilney is not a very nice man and was not the best of husbands but he certainly did not harm his wife, and that the General did genuinely grieve for her when she died. THen the General discovers that Catherine whom he thought an heiress is not rich, and he abruptly orders a chaise for her to go home. Catherine is very upset, but her parents welcome her home and she has now matured, thanks to Henry's talking to her about her silly fantasies. She then learns that Isabella has thrown over James, whom she was semi engaged to, because she has been having a flirtation with Frederick Tilney, Henry's older brother, who is much richer. So she realises that she made a mistake in being such good friends with Isabella, who is a scheming minx, and that Eleanor was a much nicer girl and a better friend. She is growing up. Henry calls on the Morlands and asks for Catherine's hand, when he find out how the General treated her. He realises he is in love with her, and she loves him. THe Morlands are pleased, though Henry as a younger son is not as rich as his brother will be. But he is a good young man with a jolly nature, and they agree to an engagment. However they stipulate that he must secure his father's consent as they dont want Catherine marrying into a family where she is not welcomed. Henry agrees and works on his father to get him to at least tolerate the idea of the marriage. He writes often to Catherine, and the Morlands turn a blind eye.... In about a year, the General gives way and the couple are married. Eleanor finds a husband as well which pleases the old tyrant. Henry and Catherine are set to live happy ever after.

Northanger Abbey

This is the Austen novel that I've read the least, as it is a parody of Gothic novels which were popular during Austen's lifetime. They were about wild and dangerous goings on, and usually set abroad. However, Catherine Morland, the heroine is a rather shy girl of 18, who lives with her mother and her clergyman father, and several siblings. Mr Morland is not rich nor is he poor. Catherine gets an invitation to go to Bath for a holiday with Mrs Allen a middle aged neighbour. She is very excited but Bath proves rather dull and there is no sign of having adventures. She meets a young clergyman called Henry Tilney and his sister Eleanor. Henry is lively and witty and Catherine who is shy and naive, finds it hard to understand when he is joking. But she likes him and Eleanor. However she also meets a young lady called Isabella Thorpe who is an experienced flirt, not very well off but who shares her passion for adventurous sensation novels. THey become close friends and Catherine is very fond of her, but through Isabella, she meets her loutish brother John, who tries to pay court to Catherine in a clumsy unattractive way. James, Catherine's brother comes to Bath for a visit, and he becomes infatuated with Isabella, who thinking the Morlands are much richer than they are, encourages him.

Rough Music

This is one of my stories on Amazon, a long story about a country rock band in America in the 1970s. The band's 2 lead singers are good friends, and they love their work. But both of them have problems with their wives, with their manager and with touring. Jeff, the lead singer, has an unhappy marriage, and then he finds out that a one night stand is going to impinge on his life. Story is on Amazon... by Nadine Sutton

Beds and Blue Jeans, available on Amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beds-Blue-Jeans-everyday-mayhem-ebook/dp/B01370SMFO/ref=sr_1_1?crid=POWWOAX6F91J&keywords=beds+and+blue+jeans&qid=1648319614&s=books&sprefix=beds+and+blue+jeans%2Cstripbooks%2C59&sr=1-1# Beds and Blue Jeans is a story, novella length about a young bar singer in Nashville in the 2010s.. who has found himself being pursued by a lot of lady fans. He has a girlfriend who has just had his baby, but the relationship with Patty isn't going too well. Sam lets himself be caught by various ladies but can he learn to appreciate Patty and settle down with her and their baby.

Saints Names 2

As a cradle Catholic, I have lived with people who had saints names from babyhood. One which is very popular in Ireland is Patrick. The name means nobly born and is the name of the saint who evangelised Ireland. He came from Britain as a slave, and then escaped and later became a priest. but he returned to Ireland to bring the faith to the Irish people. His name has laways been well loved, and there is a feminine form, Patricia. The name can be abbreivated as Paddy, or Pat.

Wheel of Fortune VIII

Hal is sure that Kester would have found some way of protecting his works from Harry trying to destroy them. He searches the library at Oxmoon, and then hits on a notion. Harry never read fiction, but in the library there are lots of novels. He finds the novels in covers of the Forsyte saga. He discovers that Kester had the books self published, to make them more durable, and he reads the trilogy. He thinks they are very readable and goes to the US to try and market them. He does succeed in making money to do the renovations and the house is opened to the public.....Hal has fallen in love with Caitlin Gwyneth's sister and has become engaged to her. She is not ambitious particularly but she has done a business course to help her become useful in running Oxmoon and its land. Hal brings his father to the house, and it looks beautiful and he feels as if he can now be forgiven for his killing of Kester, and he finds that his ability to play music by ear has returned......

Wheel of Fortune VII

Hal talks to Pam, his pscyhatrist stepmother about the situation with Kester and Harry..... and She says that it was a case of sibling rivalry. Kester looked to his Uncle John as a father figure, but he felt he was never able to live up to John's strength and toughness and that Harry was a similar tough strong young man. The two boys competed for John's approval. Kester envied Harry having 4 sons in a few years of marriage.... but Harry was dissatisfied with his silly but kindly wife... and found his sons a burden. Harry also worried about John.. that he was dissatisfied with him for marrying a girl with no brains or personality, and for winding up living on a small estate in Penhale when he could have done better for himself financially. When Bella died, Harry slept around, while Kester remained faithful to Anna. BUt Pam says that probably Kester felt inadequate sexually, when compared to his womanising cousin. She points out to Hal that Harry did his best for his sons, though he was not finding it easy...and that it was easier for Kester to be a fun uncle..... Hal decides that he has to try and work out some way of saving Oxmoon and that will make up for the problems that were caused by Harry and Kester's feud. Oxmoon is an ordinary manor house, but Kester's collection of objets d'art had made it special for a few years. Harry had approached the National Trust to see if they would take over the house and make it a showplace again... and it could become self supporting. However the Trust had said that the house would need renovation and they would only take control of it, if Harry could supply money for the restoration. Hal decides that he is somehow going to raise the money, and that will be an act of atonement on his father's behalf. However his idea is, to market Kester's collection of novels, and make money out that. Pam tells him that unfortunately, the novels dont exist any more. They had never been published, but Kester kept on trying - and when Kester died, Harry was worried that there might be something in the novels that would give a clue as to Kester's frame of mind before he died.. and it might implicate Harry in his death. So he burned the novels. Hal is devastated.

Saints names

In the early years of Christendom, saints names were popular - but they went out of fashion in Protestant countries as they wanted to pick names which were mentioned in the Bible. So names like Sarah, Ruth, Rachel, Jacob, Joseph etc became common. However in Catholic countries the naming of children after saints went on. In Ireland, children were given saints names, well into the 20th century. Bernadette was a very popular one. It is the feminine version of Bernard... who was also a saint and the name means brave as a bear. Bernadette Soubirous was a French country girl who lived in the 19th century. She was a simple girl but she saw a vision of a lady at Lourdes whom she believed to be the Virgin Mary. The Virgin told her to build a church.. and a church was built there where people with illnesses go to bathe and hope for a cure. Bernadette became a nun and died young.. but she was a very popular saint and her name was well used. Abbreviations include Detta, Nadette and Bernie. St Valentine or Valentinus was a martyr during the Roman Empire. He was killed on 13 February.. and on 14 February the Romans celebrated love and marriage... so Valentine's feast day moved to 14 February and he became known as the patron saint of lovers. The name is usually a masculine on, and can be abbreviated to Val.. as with the Irish singer Val Doonican who died a few years ago. Valentine or Valentina can be given to girls.

Wheel of Fortune VI

Harry is a miserable man, by now... living as a recluse in a cottage near Oxmoon... with his second wife and step brother Daffyd Morgan as his only friends. He has developed a skin condition which makes his life a misery and suffers from depression and has tried suicide. However he married a pscyhiatrist, Pamela Mallinson who loves him and looks after him. Harry has generally refused help from his family and he also refuses to sell Kester's art and beautiful things, and the house is tumbling into ruin. He tries to discourage Hal from finding out what happened in the past. He and Kester both went out that night across a bridge of land which is daily covered by water....and only one of them came back. Hal talks to his various relatives in the area - including Bronwen's children who are now all grown up... and his cousins the Llewellyns who have a farm nearby. During his conversations with the Llewellyn girls, he has a brief romance with Gwyneth, who is a teacher. She tells him that she loved Kester but that he once kissed her and frightened her. Hal turns to a friendship with Caitlin her younger sister who is only 17. Eventually, Hal finds out what happened. Kester did write a note to Harry to lure him into meeting him on the Shipway. Harry however did not trust him and realises that Kester is going to kill him...so he strikes first and knocks Kester out. He throws him into the water and concocts a story which gets him off the hook though some people think he might have killed Kester. Hal is horrified by all this, as he loved both Kester and Harry. He had turned to Kester because Harry was a rather harsh father. But he's shocked to find that Kester killed Thomas, his uncle and that he also tried to kill Harry. And he is horrified to hear that his father DID indeed kill Kester. That's why he refuses to sell Kester's paintings and valuables, because if he does so, he fears that he will never recover from his illnesses... and he will never be able to play music again.

Rough Music by Nadine Sutton.. see Amazon

This is a long novella, about a country rock band - by Nadine SUtton. Its set in the late 1970s and is about a band who are on the way up. The 2 lead singers Jeff Randles and Brandon, are both unfaithful husbands, and they try to make compromises between doing good work and making money..They used to be a bar band but are now enjoying some success on TV and at the Opry but they are always trying to make real music and help people. But the price of success and fame is a lot of touring and it means that they seek solace in sleeping around and taking drugs

Wheel of Fortune Part V

Kester does return to Gower, as Harry feared, and moves into a cottage near the coast. He tells Harry that he wants Oxmoon back, that he was forced to give it up and he will go to the family and tell them how he was compelled. Harry has now sold his estate, Penhale Manor, and has sunk the capital into Oxmoon. He did not inherit the lands in England which were brought into the family by his mother, Blanche and apart from Oxmoon he is comparatively poor. Kester has inherited some of his grandfather's private fortune, which leaves him comfortably off but to him the estate of Oxmoon is a vital part of his identity. Harry has been getting on badly with his eldest son Hal, now around 12, because the boy loves Kester and sees him as more of a father figure than Harry could be. Soon after Kester's return however he is dead.. and it takes some years before the mystery is solved. The final part of the novel is set in the 1960s, some years after Kester's death. It is narrated by Harry's son Hal, who has dropped out to become a singer... He returns to Gower where his father now lives as a recluse, and says he wants to find out what happened to Kester.

Available on Amazon Novella by Nadine Sutton

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beds-Blue-Jeans-everyday-mayhem-ebook/dp/B01370SMFO/ref=sr_1_1?crid=POWWOAX6F91J&keywords=beds+and+blue+jeans&qid=1648319614&s=books&sprefix=beds+and+blue+jeans%2Cstripbooks%2C59&sr=1-1# Beds and Blue Jeans is a story, novella length about a young singer in Nashville in the 2010s.. who has found himself being pursued by a lot of lady fans. He has a girlfriend who has just had his baby, but the relationship with Patty isn't going too well. Sam lets himself be caught by various ladies but comes to appreciate Patty and settle down with her and their baby.