Posted in My thoughts and opinions
If any of you are as familiar with the Anne of Green Gables books as I am, then you will know what that title means. LM Montgomery is one of my favourite authors. I just love the Anne books (Anne's House of Dreams is my favourite), and many of her other books also. They transport me into a world that is romantic, innocent, beautiful and interesting. I am not ashamed to admit that I still read them, enjoy them on audio and follow various internet websites dedicated to her too.Quite by accident I came across a website last night which has a few radio recordings on LM Montgomery's life, writings and excerpts from her journals. They are well-worth listening to, if you are interested. In many ways, she had a sad life, with a sad ending. Just this last year, at the celebrations of the 100 year anniversary of Anne of Green Gables, her family revealed that she took her own life in the end.
But this website is a jewel, a treasure, and here is a transcript of one of the readings from Lucy Maud's journal. It was written in 1920, and is a list of things she likes. It's a fascinating glimpse into her personality, and as I was listening, my husband, who was in the room and didn't know what it was, turned to me and said, "that sounds just like you." And, apart from perhaps one or two things, this list is very akin to my own likes, and just what I would list down too. So, I thought I'd put it up here. I think Lucy Maud would have been very good company for me. A kindred spirit indeed - one from the race that knows Joseph - but then why would I expect anything different from the author of Anne.
"I like my own children and all nice, fat clean babies anywhere.
I like all kinds of books if they’re well written, whether they’re religious or philosophical or sentimental or cynical or humorous or exaggerated or indecent.
I like writing books myself.
I like cats and horses and some dogs.
I like curling breakers and woods and mountains and stars and trees and flowers.
I like nicely furnished houses.
I like good victrola records and the music of the violin.
I like pretty china and glass and old heirloom things.
I like a cosy bed and a tight hot water bottle.
I like to be kissed by the right kind of a man.
I like jewels and pretty clothes.
I like doing fancy work, and I like cooking, and I like eating the nice things other people cook.
I like motoring and driving and walking.
I like a systematic life with the occasional dashings over the traces.
I like open fires and moonlit nights.
I like nice chatty letters.
I like compliments.
I like to see a person I dislike, snubbed.
I like my own looks when my hair is dressed a certain way.
I like a snack at bedtime.
I like going out to dinner.
I like helping other people and I like to be very independent of help myself.
I like sunsets and pictures and sea-bathing.
I like keeping a journal.
I like reading old letters.
I like housecleaning.
I like daydreaming.
I like going to concerts, good movies and plays.
I like, or used to like, before I wedded a minister, dancing and playing whist.
I like reading the Bible, most of it. I like the folklore of Genesis and the drama of the Exodus, and the gorgeous furnishings of the tabernacle, and the doings of the kings and the good maledictions of the Psalms and the warm imagery of the Song of Soloman, and the cynicism of the Ecclesiastesies and the worldly wisdom of the Proverbs, and the idyll of Ruth, and the blazing fire of the prophets, and the wonders of Jesus’ teaching and the poetry of Revelations.
I like listening to good sermons.
I like gardening.
I like good spruce gum.
I like my husband.
I like people to like me.
I like a good joke.
I like rainy days.
I like old homesteads.
I like people who agree with me.
I like chocolate caramels and brazil nuts.
I like, or liked in pre-prohibition days, dandelion wine.
I like perfumes.
I like a little gossip with carefully selected people.
I like shopping at Eatons."
Posted by Anonymous
