Orgulho e paixão e girl power

Olá, Janeites,
Entramos em mais uma semana de GIRL POWER na novelinha Austen Nation gone crazy.

O noivado! Ah, que lindin!... Eu tô que nem LYDIA!...
pic do twitter

Né, Schirlei ? 
Depois da semana passada de moedor de carne com diferentes estórias de abuso, agora parece que será hora de redenção - ou ao menos de mostrar as garras!
Embates de mulheres fortes, façam suas apostas em quem sairá com vantagem do primeiro round contra Lady Catherine Margareth. Julieta ou Elisabeta? E a maneira como essa nova Lady C trata a filha Briana?... Senti um perfume de Lady Susan com Frederica...

uol tv e famosos

Haha, essa aí é a atriz Natália do Vale do Café (hihi,não resisti!) como outra badass, a nossa é essa... behold the mighty Lady Catherine!

pic do Insta

Vamos entrar numa de comparar as Lady Catherine da vida? Sim, né, por que nos negar esse prazer se já é a segunda nessa novela?... 

d'aprés hablando de jane austen

Ó só, melhor abstrair da neura de descobrir de onde o autor está tirando as referências de Austen Nation. Eu acho que ele fez como no sorteio de grupos da Copa do mundo: em um bowl tem os personagens escritos em papeizinhos que nem amigo-oculto, no outro características de Austen. Toda semana que precisa começar um novo bloco de capítulos ele fecha os olhos, põe uma mão em cada bowl e seja o que Deus quiser!

Sabe aquela minha lista de personagens? Acho que no final da novela vou precisar dar uma revisada...
E fico pensando em outra coisa: na coletiva de estreia, o autor disse que o tema da novela era o 'empoderamento feminino' ou coisa parecida, lembra disso? Leu essa entrevista? O termo eu odeio desde que li entrevista do W Olivetto falando como ele criou esse slogan; mas na novela, agora que estamos nesse momento - acho que o início do fim da trama - tiro, porr**da e bomba, vejo que há uma certa coerência na ideia...
O que acha?

Vamos a esta semana, que lá vem personagem novo quando a Globo já começa a soltar pistas da próxima novela que irá substituir Orgulho e paixão!... Êta-lelê!

Resumo de 'Orgulho e Paixão' da semana de 25 a 30 de junho

Ernesto e Ema selam sua despedida com um beijo; 

Josephine se mostra para sua família; 

Lady Margareth exige que Darcy volte com ela para a Inglaterra

25 JUN, Segunda-feira
Tibúrcio passa mal ao ver Josephine, que não acode o ex-marido. Mariana fala com Elisabeta sobre Mário. Brandão conta a Mário/Mariana como o Motoqueiro Vermelho expulsou Uirapuru do Vale do Café. Xavier ameaça Mário/Mariana. O Barão garante a Tenória que irá aguardar até que ela aceite conversar com ele. Ernesto e Ema selam sua despedida com um beijo. Amélia pede que Mariko tente descobrir mais sobre seu estado de saúde. Camilo se reconcilia com Julieta. Darcy desconfia de um telefonema misterioso à sua procura. Josephine se mostra para sua família.

26 JUN, Terça-feira
Todos na Mansão do Parque ficam chocados com a aparição de Josephine. Elisabeta flagra Ofélia lendo sua reportagem no jornal. Ernesto se despede de Luccino e Fani. Elisabeta entrevista Ofélia. Cecília leva Rômulo para falar com Josephine. Ema sugere que Mariko namore Ernesto. Darcy recebe um bilhete, que acredita ser de seu pai, e fica indignado. Susana questiona Julieta sobre o falso casamento de Camilo. Aurélio proíbe Ema de se casar com Edmundo. Mário/Mariana vê Brandão e Josephine juntos. Darcy se surpreende com a chegada de Lady Margareth.

foi à roça, perdeu a carroça, Rainha....
pic to twitter

27 JUN, Quarta-feira
Lady Margareth exige que Darcy volte com ela para a Inglaterra. Charlote encontra a mala de Uirapuru no quarto em que ela o mantém preso. Ernesto sofre com o trabalho em seu primeiro dia na fábrica. Lady Margareth afirma que Darcy se casará com sua filha Briana. Ema descobre sobre Josephine. Darcy conta para Elisabeta sobre a promessa de noivado feita por sua família. Mário/Mariana chora por causa de Brandão e Josephine. Lady Margareth humilha Briana. Luccino beija Mário/Mariana. Elisabeta invade o jantar de Darcy e enfrenta Lady Margareth.

28 JUN, Quinta-feira
Lady Margareth ofende Elisabeta e Darcy a defende. Ernesto convence Januário a trabalhar com ele na fábrica. Ema rompe seu noivado com Edmundo. Josephine afirma a Rômulo que Tibúrcio não a socorreu no lago, quando ela se afogou. Ernesto afirma a Mariko que desistiu de Ema. Luccino descobre que Fani sabia que Josephine estava viva. Mariana revela seu disfarce para Cecília. Edmundo enfrenta Tibúrcio. Ema sonha com Ernesto e decide ir para São Paulo com Aurélio. Januário consegue o emprego na fábrica. Lady Margareth demite Elisabeta e Venâncio.

29 JUN, Sexta-feira
Lady Margareth se enfurece ao ver Venâncio ser aplaudido pelos funcionários ao deixar o jornal com Elisabeta. Julieta exige que Susana se desculpe com Aurélio. Mariana questiona Luccino sobre o beijo que deu em Mário. Xavier recebe uma carta de Susana. Josephine chega à casa de Brandão e Mário/Mariana se apavora. Rômulo e Cecília saem para passear. Fani se recusa a falar com Edmundo. Ema e Elisabeta se reencontram. Lídia se encontra com Otávio no hotel. Josephine pede para conversar com Cecília. Lady Margareth se apresenta a Julieta.

30 JUN, Sábado
Josephine tenta ganhar a cumplicidade de Cecília. Susana manipula Briana e ela se recusa a falar com Elisabeta. Lídia tenta agarrar Otávio. Ernesto destrata Ema. Julieta se preocupa com as exigências de Lady Margareth. Brandão se aconselha com Mário/Mariana sobre Josephine. Ema e Ernesto se beijam. Amélia se sente mal e pede para ser cuidada por Mariko. Briana deixa seu esconderijo quando Darcy e Elisabeta saem do quarto. Julieta vai com Olegário ao local de lutas de Camilo. Edmundo pensa em Fani. Darcy encontra Briana em seu quarto.

Comentários...
A mulherada tá com a macaca, viu só? A-M-A-Y!
Uma Darcy friend querida acha que a maldade do núcleo Mansão do Parque é na verdade Josephine e não Tibúrcio. Ela diz:
"Eu acho q Tibúrcio não quer Edmundo com Fani e fez tudo para acabar com eles, mas tb q Josephine forjou a própria morte pra conseguir fugir e começar nova vida com Brandão. Não acho que Tibúrcio tenha tentando matá-la (Eu digo: Como em Northanger...) ou mentido para Cecília qdo ise que Josephine balançou o barco
Ele é controlador e ditador, mas não assassino.
Então são duas estórias: 1- Tibúrcio mandão, ditador que controla os filhos e a mulher; 2- Josephine querendo se livrar, forjando a morte, fugindo, mas ficou má por conta da separação dos filhos e do amado (Brandão). Agora quer vingança, então não acho que ela seja de todo má, com os filhos e Fani não é, até deveria aprovar o amor de Edmundo e Fani. É que casar com um cara como Tibúrcio que vive mandando e se importa com aparências deve ser horrível mesmo.
Foi na cena do barco com Cecília que pensei nisso, pq ele ficou realmente assustado e não queria matar a nora... Posso estar errada, mas como a estória é meio MP e meio NA, tem que ser meio doidinho mesmo." Muita coisa!
Depois que ela me colocou essa caraminhola na cabeça, passei a ver os botox do mal as ações dela com outros olhos. No capítulo BONZÃO de sábado, ela disse ao seu quadro que o ex teria que pagar 'Pelo que ela poderia ter sido, se tornou e sofreu só pq não aceitou ficar presa a um casamento sem paixão.' Mais ou menos essas palavras. O que me chamou atenção foi o uso de 'paixão' nessa conotação. Tenho estudado termos e sentimentos pq ando escrevendo muito e aprendido bastante sobre infatuation x long lasting feelings. Um dia blogo sobre isso, é papo longo. Mas aqui me pareceu que ela ferrou com a vida de todos 'só pq queria felicidade imaginada'. Daí me lembrei desse post que vi no insta.

PAREM DE FAZER AS MULHERES SE SENTIREM MAL PELA MANEIRA COMO HOMENS ESCOLHERAM AS TRATAR
pic de king sophie's world

Mas a ideia de que Josephine seja do mal é boa... Espero que o plot seja bem explicado. Por enquanto ela só atazana Charlote e Fani, parece que vai encher a cabeça de Cecília tb... Torcendo para isso ser meio para um fim bacana.

E Mariana/Mário que vai fazer Luccino sair do armário? Piadinha muito sem graça (sorry, to rindo aqui), mas é uma maneira bem bacaninha de chegar no assunto da orientação sexual, admita aí! Bicho, logo eu que sou tão sem paciência para S&S tô toda hora me surpreendendo com esse núcleo.

PAUSA PARA O SOCO 

muito bem dado de Mariana em Uirapuru/Wickham! 

Buahahahahaha 

Quem nunca sonhou em fazer isso com seu embushte de estimação?

Quase quebrei uma vértebra com seu soco, moço-que-eu-acho-que-conheço!
eu: pena que está bem, né embushte!

E Wickham com as calças six inches deep in mud correndo do motoqueiro vermelho! 

Buahahahah x2. 

'Quer uma carona?' 
ahahaha

Sobre pais&filhos teremos o Barão conversando com Tenória e ao que parece, dá a ela a escolha de se chegar a ele. #apoio
E Julieta com Camilo... Quirida, fala logo do casamento falso que você armou. #ficadica Susana sabe das tramoias, vai se voltar contra vc logo, logo já que tá chegando outra badass no Vale, tsk, tsk. 
Ainda mais forçando a The Mônia a reconhecer que o boy está ganhando seu cuore... Ah, l'amour!

pic do twitter

Headstrong, obstinate girl!!!!

Juleitinha tá toda lovy-lovy com Mr. Woodhouse e nem se viu ser destronada... Geeente, mais uma Lady Catherine e essa, ó, parece que vai ser faca na caveira! Toda Lady Susan com sua filha que de boba, parece não ter nada... Sabe que sempre achei a personagem Anne de Bourgh sonsa? Jeito de safadeenha toda se fazendo de doente como Amélia mulher de Jorge Knightley... Êta que deu nó!
Nesse resumo, 4 coisas me chamaram atenção de cara:
1- Lady Margareth exige que Darcy volte com ela para a Inglaterra: LEVA LIZZY PARA PEMBERLEY, que a gente quer ver como é!!!

2- Briana deixa seu esconderijo quando Darcy e Elisabeta saem do quarto.

Essa novelinha tem que ir para o horário das 23hs! Eu estou adorando como o autor nos homenageia usando todos os standards de Austen Nation: tanto os do canon como os das fanfics. Sabem que os... err.... atributos de Mr. Darcy têm até nome? Bunchage! ahahahaha Esse Darcy tá toda hora a postos! Adoro!!!!

pic do twitter

Mas essas juras de amor infindáveis são prelúdio de... é, minha gente: treta! Tenho até medo quando eles ficam de mela-cueca. 

3- Darcy encontra Briana em seu quarto. Quem nunca pensou em ocupar o lugar de Lizzy Bennet? Huh? Diga se tem coragem!

bobagem... só pq tenho 12+ livros escritos sobre eles? Nem é fixação!...
pic do twitter

4- Last but not least: mais uma mulher forte wakanda style!

revista Sétimo Céu n. 316 - outubro 1972 - Bloch Acervo : José Henrique Uessler
pic de revista amiga novelas

Natália do Vale (do Café) já vai chegar-chegando com a NOVA LADY CATHERINE.

Até parece que sou suuuper feminista, mas quem me conhece e/ou me visita aqui no blog sabe que sou Kid Abelha: Tenho pressa e tanta coisa me interessa, mas nada tanto assim. O lance é que o machismo está demais, por todo lado, sufocante... Já estamos no século 21, já era para as coisas estarem diferentes.
Talvez eu esteja tão atenta ao machismo opressor e desavergonhado por conta da minha dedicação aos Romances Históricos. Já disse aqui e no chá que participei na Bienal RJ que minha maior dificuldade em compor uma estória de época era aceitar como a mulher ocupava lugar de subjugação. Tive que arrumar maneira de lidar com a questão... 
Por falar nisso, o livro fofo de contos de época já saiu. Na Bienal SP vou estar no chá da editora conversando, autografando e curtindo essa gracinha.

Aqui no Rio, antes da Bienal de SP, teremos outro encontro, da editora Bezz na editora Cultura do Cine Vitória. Bora?

Responde

Se

Vai

Poder

Pracabar, vamos de ERMA que tá tudo de fofilys, né?

montagem do twitter

Aqui a vida tb cor de rosa e ainda tem uns gatinhos lindos... 
Meu LIVRO NOVO!

(Off Austen)

Já no ar!

Beijos e até a próxima semana!

Venham comentar tudinho

 com a gente no Facebook!

It's the NEW YEAR and I believe in magic!

Welcome 2018!!!

It's the New Year, just another day for some but I do believe in magic and magical beginnings. You know, that silly thing about evening every account at midnight December 31st and starting over January 1st 0:00hs.

After the very difficult year, this belief is something I've been cherishing for the last month.

I have big plans for 2018, big JAFFs and Historical Romances, lots of ideas swimming in my head.

*Friendship of a Special Kind* will finally get its reviewed version with 3 brand new scenes (at least one hot), and here on the blog there will be much more from 9 ways to live Pride and Prejudiciously (am now working on another reality-like dream for Bertha).

Another year, heart full of hope, let's go friends!

Happy New year, y'all!

Feliz Natal, Merry Christmas

Hohoho!
Silly greetings, but so appropriate!

This day, so very hot here in Rio - over 37°C - it's time to revisit all we lived this past year, count our blessings and lick our wounds. I've had my share of bad times this year and can't see 2018 arrive fast enough.

Good books and great stories came, many more will arrive next year - I'll dive more in historic fiction - but mostly I'd like to find peace.

Wouldn't you?

Merry today!

Feliz hoje!

9 ways to live Pride and Prejudiciously - chapter 1

hello,
So, as I said before, here I start putting my healing process to action.

It's an unpretentious love story composed of nine short stories reliving Pride and Prejudice over and over. I am a die-hard Janeite, any excuse is a good enough excuse to experience Darcy & Lizzy for me, so here I'll do it left and right and upside down.

So, shall we start this adventure?

Nine ways to live Pride and Prejudiciously

WIP, modern (mostly), adult (you know me...), fun, fluff, heart healing stuff.

CHAPTER 1
A heart full of ideas

Bertha smiled, nodded her agreement, scanned the client's phone for her app QR code, stabbed the computer adding free espresso shots and asked for the name to scribble on the cup. 

‘Mark with a K.’ The girl said. 

Bertha frowned. 

‘I miss my boyfriend, this way it'll be like hi’s around here when you call out.’ 

‘Ok.’ Bertha rolled her shoulders and wrote Kark with her sharpie. It always made the costumers' day when she misspelled their names.

‘Go, B. Your break's up.’ Another cashier arrived close behind the coffee house counter. ‘I can handle the line.’

‘Are you sure? We can double.’ Bertha smiled- not exactly to the pimpled faced girl but to the apron she had sewed herself, including the store logo hand embroidered. It was a beauty.

‘Yeah.’ The girl waved her off. ‘Next!’ She cried out to the line of anxious coffee starving people.

Once at the back tables nesting her mug of hot coffee and milk, Bertha loaded her messages app. Mom, sisters, the friend who would be staying over. She chose that smiling face and put the cell phone to her ear. ‘Hey, B. Arrived in town safely, forgot how chaotic it is! Wow! Look, there are still a couple of documents missing from my files. Could I use your store´s back tables to fill these up and try to bring back before-’

‘Oh, hi!’ Bertha looked smiling and put down her phone. ‘Was just hearing you!’

‘Dear, B!’ Lottie opened her arms for a bear hug the two friends didn't share for long months, maybe years. ‘Why do we wait so long to meet?’

‘You don't like to leave Merytown...’ Bertha smiled sideways.

‘And you dislike coming back.’ Lottie lowered her tote to the floor. ‘We should meet more often.’

‘You look the same, Lottie.’

‘Thanks, I guess?... ‘

‘You know it's a compliment.’ Bertha offered the chair beside her. ‘Tell me everything about home.’ 

‘Oh, well, you know, I'm sure your mom tells you most of the gossip - maybe more than I know.’ They shared a snigger. ‘Mostly people are the same, doing this and that, we're happy in our lives.’

‘Coffee?’ It was the only thing Bertha could say, in her mind no one could be happy living little lives in that little town. She waved to the busboy and pointed at her cup before raising two fingers and winking.

She in fact lived a small life composed of little bits. Had a degree in marketing but worked as a coffee shop manager and occasionally as a cashier at the Met's candy shop. 

Every week had a new fabulous idea for a business venture, a marvelous project to make money while having fun. Lately it was the kitchen aids stuff, small things to help normal people cook better looking cute. Aprons, caps, mittens, pan coasters. But before she could have bet her life on the success of a new line of shoes, patterns and stamping design for clothes, a flawless stratagem to win a reality show, coaching for TV hostesses... Bertha was a girl full of ideas but sadly not a go-getter, she was a dreamer.

‘Are you free to go?’ Lottie smiled to the busboy who brought her an employees’ coffee cup.

‘Home? Almost. What about your documents?’

‘So many forms to fill! I could swear I had it all covered...’ Lottie sadly blew the coffee steam before gingerly tasting it.

‘If anyone asked me, I could never say IRS would get you of all people.’ Bertha frowned. ‘Maybe I could help, show me.’

She did try but had to ask for the other manager to take over when her break time was done. 

One barista short that day, she had to keep as a cashier but couldn't shake a funny feeling evoked by the presence of her old friend in her adult domain. 

Lottie looked the same, taller than Bertha, thin, smilie, big teeth, shot hair, single, an overall happy aura. It made Bertha self-conscious of the few pounds she never made an effort to loose, the plans she never made an effort to make happen, the daring haircut she never ordered at the fancy salon she never visited, the dreamy boyfriend she never found. 

And she kept on working mechanically with a smile to the regular customer: ‘Caffe latte, grande, organic, Williams. Good morning. 3,59!’

Someone passed behind the big man.

‘Bye, Bertha, gotta run to deliver these before they close for the day.’

‘Leave your bag, I'll take it home, Lottie.’ She said.

‘Oh, thanks.’ The friend passed the heavy tote full of books over the tall counter. ‘Sorry, sir.’ 

‘No problem.’ The customer nodded politely.

‘Ok.’ Bertha returned to the computer. ‘Your regular order, sir... That will be… 3,59.’

‘Thank you.’ He answered.

‘You're welcomed, have a good one!’


Later that evening when they lounged in Bertha's crumpled one-bedroom apartment, Lottie was satisfied that she had managed to solve her problems.

‘I wanted to return home tomorrow morning, early afternoon the later.’ She said. ‘Have to sleep in my bed.’

‘Because your lover will miss you?’ Bertha smiled sideways sipping her beer.

‘Kind of.’

‘Wow, secrets!’

‘Nah!’ Lottie waved her friend of. ‘I make love with my bed. I hated they scheduled this hearing without giving me a chance to choose a date. The beginning of the month is my time to be quiet and calm, relaxed.’

‘Cramps.’ Bertha whined. ‘I know...’

Lottie didn't answer, only smiled like a fat cat fed a big bowl of juicy food. ‘This place here is a little over the top, huh?’ She said changing subjects. ‘You have plenty of furniture and still, it seems there's stuff strewn all around the place!’

Bertha looked around her. ‘It's not messy.’ She didn’t mean to, but sounded hurt.

‘It's not a dirty mess, I'll give you that. But you're close to a hoarder. Maybe I could denounce you to that tv show.’

‘Oh, shut it!’ Bertha frowned disregarding the jab as nagging, but then thought it better. ‘Do you think so?’

‘Mhum...’ The friend nodded. ‘How come you have all this in such a tiny place?’ 

‘It's just...’ Bertha's eyes roamed her one-bedroom once paying little attention to details. In her mind she saw each abandoned project perfectly stored away. ‘I have these ideas that at first seem so easy to make happen... Like the aprons we're using at the coffee shop, did you notice?’ Her friend nodded again, smiling this time. ‘I made those, and mittens. Let me show you.’ 

For the next few minutes she explained a detailed business plan for a small business that although rudimentary seemed very possible to Lottie.

‘Never took you for a cook!’

‘Am not!’

‘And how did you come up with this?’

‘Well, you know, observing, thinking, got time in my hands.’

‘So, was it the same with all these other boxes?’

‘And basically what I have stored in cupboards too.’

‘But still you keep your life on hold?’

‘Who are you? My mom?’

Lottie laughed. ‘Just saying, Bertha. You put time into things but when it comes to effort you bail out.’

‘Says the girl who still lives in the house her parents left her, didn't change a couch!’

‘I did change the couch; you'd know if you visited.’

‘Still you're the kettle calling me the pot.’

Both friends pouting, Lottie considered it must have been such a situation her granny warned her about: not an emergency, nowhere near life or death, just close enough to cajole a heart back into rhythm. ‘Like a defibrillator?’ She had asked in mocking humor. ‘You'll see, smart ass.’ Her old granny smiled like the old witch she was. ‘Actually, you'll feel it.’

Lottie starred at her feet for a while to order her thoughts, then inspired noisily. ‘Look, Bertha, I didn't mean to-‘

‘Nor did I. Sorry.’

‘Sorry too.’

Bertha leaned over and they touched beer bottles in a toast to peace.

‘Remember my granny?’ Lottie pressed a smile.

‘Of course!’ Bertha's smile exploded all over her face. ‘I'll never forget that trick of putting a piece of paper in a clear glass of coffee, lighting a candle beside it, singing a charm and suddenly we had the division of waters!’ She raised her voice menacingly. ‘Black at the bottom, clean as crystal on the top! I was so awed by her witchcraft!’ She finished laughing.

‘It wasn't a trick.’

‘Pardon?’

‘She really knew some witch stuff.’

‘Come on...’

‘I know you won't believe me, but I was once in a place similar to where you are now. The difference is that she had an eagle eye on me and rescued my confused heart before I built this empire of cluster.’ Lottie waved a hand around them to show Bertha’s place. ‘Maybe I can't help you, you'd need her, but well, I'm the best you've got.’

‘Talking riddles, baby.’ Bertha rolled her eyes and stood to get new beers. ‘Can you translate?’

‘Sure.‘

When she returned from the tiny kitchen, her friend had taken a small bag of herbs from her tote. ‘Weed? My landlord is a prick, if he smells us, I'm gonna hear it until the end of the world!...’

‘It's not mayjuana. It's tea.’

‘Oh, I see... Tea we smoke!...’ 

‘I'm serious.’ Lottie insisted and pulled Bertha's hand to sit by her side. ‘It's serious shit, pay attention.’

‘Oooh, serious pot.’

‘Shut it, Bertha! It's not pot! It's Belladama.’

‘Huh?’

‘Ancient wild belladama, very strong, hybrid, not something you might find in regular shops. It's gold in leaves.’ 

‘And what is it for, this precious treasure?’

‘Happiness.’

‘Get real!’ Bertha was about to stand, but her friend held her arm. 

‘It won't heal your life, it'll only give you a nice view of your it, a… Box seat for a big game; somewhere to stop and think things through.’

Bertha frowned starting to think her friend had gone crazy. Single, close to her forties, living alone in her deceased parents’ house...

‘You should choose an old tea mug, not too big, not too fancy, just one you like. Fill it up with boiling water then place the leaves on top. Cover with a dish, let it sit for a few minutes while you take a shower, eat something light, maybe have a soup. In this bag there is enough for two cups, but you won't have two cups at a time, I'm giving you two trips.’

To your crazy place, Lonnie Lottie? Bertha thought.

‘When the temperature is good for you, there's no right or wrong, you sieve it into another mug and return the strawberry golden tea into the favorite one. Did I say it can't be new? It has to be one you already have, Bertha, that's really important. Then you go to bed.’

There was silence. Bertha didn't know how to answer her friends’ sweet smile. 

Lottie was filled by a mixture of pity and excitement to share her secret; it was a big step for her.

‘I should be happy tonight, then!’ Bertha finally said.

Lottie shook her head. ‘Wait ‘till I get home, have the tea tomorrow evening, it's Friday. Can you take the weekend off?’

‘I guess, but I like to work at the Met.’

‘Not this one, you'll sleep it through.’

‘For two days?’ Bertha's eyebrows raised to the roots of her hair. Like hell she'd drink that poison!

‘More or less.’

‘How do you know I'll be fine if you'll be home already?’

‘I'll know.’ Lottie said with absolute certainty, Bertha was still incredulous. ‘How long have we met?’

‘Since preschool.’

‘And will you doubt me now?’

‘How can I not? You tell me your granny was a witch, start talking in riddles, gives me a magical happiness elixir ...’

‘It's not magic, don't mix things up. When you wake up you'll be the same, but the hybrid belladama will help you see the best side of things. It's a respite, brings up the strength you don't know you have.’

‘Do you use it?’

‘Yes.’

‘How often?’

‘Once every two months. Maybe once a month if I'm not feeling fine.’

‘That's why you didn't change anything since you were left alone after your parents passed away?’

Lottie closed her eyes, smiled fondly, scrunched her nose. ‘I change a lot.’ She grinned. ‘You'll understand.’ Finally, she opened her eyes.


That night Bertha couldn't sleep because she kept the tea pack under surveillance. Lottie had helped her choose a mug and she stored the pack inside the black ceramic bowl with angel wings. 

To give her friend the impression of being attentive, she had put the mug over her books on her nightstand saying she wanted to keep such an important gift close. But in fact she started to fear the thing.

Real witchcraft? Really?

Could it be exciting?

Or just plain stupidity?


Huh!

continue reading here

Life updated: the correct number is 43

Hello there,

It's been such hard days for me here. A time I never wanted to arrive did reach me and I had to watch my father go. So sad.

Yep, the winter is here inside me.

I've written mourning processes several times in my books, won't share my pain here in a single post. Instead, I'll let it sit and melt and blossom into missing my dad's presence. Damn, it still feels unreal!

Yesterday, out of nowhere, I realized he was my age when I was born. 43. Huh.... Such coincidence: he had 43 years before me and we had 43 years together. If you've been here in my blog before, you know how much I like even counts. 

But this one floored me. 

Prayed with all my faith. This has to carry me on, has to mean something.

So, as part of my healing, and specially to keep me busy, will start posting small P&P love ❤️ stories. A few, maybe in a series. After all, Austen knows best:

Stay with me,

Sure need company.

XOXO