In prior blogs, I have often taken well-known idioms or proverbs and discussed them, and while I have not done so in recent years, I thought it would be interesting to post about such things occasionally. Therefore, I have chosen for my first such post to discuss the proverb “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” The roots of this saying go back to antiquity, to a Sanskrit treatise on statecraft: The king who is situated anywhere immediately on... Read More Read More The post The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
In prior blogs, I have often taken well-known idioms or proverbs and discussed them, and while I have not done so in recent years, I thought it would be interesting to post about such things occasionally. Therefore, I have chosen for my first such post to discuss the proverb “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” <img data-recalc-dims="1" fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-3279 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/friend-2754279_1280.png?resize=412%2C206&ssl=1" alt="" width="412" height="206" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/friend-2754279_1280.png?resize=300%2C150&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/friend-2754279_1280.png?resize=1024%2C512&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/friend-2754279_1280.png?resize=768%2C384&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/friend-2754279_1280.png?resize=540%2C270&ssl=1 540w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/friend-2754279_1280.png?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 412px) 100vw, 412px" /> The roots of this saying go back to antiquity, to a Sanskrit treatise on statecraft: The king who is situated anywhere immediately on the circumference of the conqueror’s territory is termed the enemy. The king who is likewise situated close to the enemy, but separated from the conqueror only by the enemy, is termed the friend (of the conqueror). — Kautilya, Arthasastra The meaning of this saying is rather obvious: when confronted by an enemy, two opposing factions, while they might not be natural allies, have a common interest and thus, for purposes of such a conflict, may term themselves friends. In ancient Rome they had a similar proverb which stated: <img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3278 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/roman-forum-7232340_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/roman-forum-7232340_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/roman-forum-7232340_1280.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/roman-forum-7232340_1280.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/roman-forum-7232340_1280.jpg?resize=405%2C270&ssl=1 405w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/roman-forum-7232340_1280.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />“Amicus meus, inimicus inimici mei” (“my friend, the enemy of my enemy”) The Roman proverb was well known in Europe by the eighteenth century, though it was not translated into an English version until the late 1800s. We can see this in various historical settings, in particularly in the Second World War. The Axis powers were largely united by ideology, though perhaps in opposition when considering some of the other reasons they joined together, but the<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3282 alignright" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Franklin_D._Roosevelt_Churchill_and_Stalin_at_the_Livadia_Palace_in_Yalta_-_NARA_-_197002.jpg?resize=300%2C227&ssl=1" alt="" width="300" height="227" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Franklin_D._Roosevelt_Churchill_and_Stalin_at_the_Livadia_Palace_in_Yalta_-_NARA_-_197002.jpg?resize=300%2C227&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Franklin_D._Roosevelt_Churchill_and_Stalin_at_the_Livadia_Palace_in_Yalta_-_NARA_-_197002.jpg?resize=357%2C270&ssl=1 357w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Franklin_D._Roosevelt_Churchill_and_Stalin_at_the_Livadia_Palace_in_Yalta_-_NARA_-_197002.jpg?w=640&ssl=1 640w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Allies are a distinct example of this. The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and various other allies had common forms of government and societies, but the Russians were a different story. Ruled with an iron fist by Stalin, the Soviet dominated country was not ideological ally of the democracies of the west. Yet, they were united in purpose, that being the defeat of the Nazis, and both viewed the other as critical to the realization of that goal, enough to cooperate until the end of the war in an uneasy alliance. We can also see certain ways in which the proverb is still applicable today, not only with the alliances the west has with certain Middle Eastern countries, but in the Ukraine war with Russia to a certain extent. It is certainly not may intent to make a political point here, so your mileage may vary on how much you see this apply to conflicts and political alliances of today. Even in our personal lives we can see it—how many times have you united against another even in your own families, if only in something as simple as friendly teasing? I hope you enjoyed this little investigation of a common proverb. I hope to post a few of these every so often. Incidentally, with respect to the feature image, while you can find proverbs in fortune cookies, we have always noticed in my family that profound sayings in fortune cookies are the exception rather than the norm. As such, we have taken to calling them “advice cookies!” Tell me I’m wrong! The post The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
Miscellaneous Monday – It Taught Me to Hope Cover Reveal
Today, on this episode of Miscellaneous Monday, I bring you the cover reveal for It Taught Me to Hope as promised. For any who missed it, you can go here for the post that includes the excerpt and description. In this cover, you might see a few subtle differences from what I usually try to portray in the covers I commission. For one, if you noticed that Darcy appears a little more . . . well, shall we say rugged than... Read More Read More The post Miscellaneous Monday – It Taught Me to Hope Cover Reveal appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
Today, on this episode of Miscellaneous Monday, I bring you the cover reveal for It Taught Me to Hope as promised. For any who missed it, you can go here for the post that includes the excerpt and description. In this cover, you might see a few subtle differences from what I usually try to portray in the covers I commission. For one, if you noticed that Darcy appears a little more . . . well, shall we say rugged than usual, this is by design. The Darcy in this story is older than in Pride and Prejudice and has spent several difficult years regretting his mistakes with Elizabeth. While I did not describe him in the book as having grown a beard, I think it’s a nice touch. The beard and his slightly unkempt hair help establish a man who is older, wiser, and sadder than he was as a younger man. Yet the expression with which he regards Elizabeth shows his devotion, though in true Darcy fashion he does not wear his feelings on his sleeve. Elizabeth, by contrast, has not experienced what Darcy has in the period of their separation. She too has undergone the passage of years, loss, and disappointments aplenty, but she has a happier disposition than Darcy, and joy comes more easily to her features. This facet of her character is also illuminated through the sun shining just over hear head, which is another nice touch. Elizabeth is older and wiser than she was before, and as she has had several years to consider Darcy—the story having diverged from Pride and Prejudice after receiving his letter at Rosings—she no longer holds a grudge, but has not thought of him much in recent years. Thus, when Darcy returns to her life, she is initially shocked, but she is able to quickly recover. This serves her in good stead as it allows her to see him through clear eyes for the first time in their acquaintance, to understand him better. As she stated to Wickham in Pride and Prejudice, “. . . from knowing him better, his disposition was better understood.” Elizabeth will put that statement to the test in It Taught Me to Hope. As for Wickham, do not suppose his influence does not permeate this novel, though I will leave it for you to discover his exact role. Wickham’s actions have a significant impact on the story in more ways than one. Aside from Wickham, most of your favorite characters are present, though there are a few that have either passed on or no longer remain in contact with Elizabeth. The identities of those characters will become clear early in the story. I would place a scene the cover depicts as fairly late in the book. There is one particular scene that it fits, a part that I was rather proud of. It delves into the growth of the two major characters, their hopes and wishes, and the peace they—especially Darcy—have found just by being reunited and learning to understand the other better than they did before. As I noted in the excerpt post, It Taught Me to Hope will be available on Amazon Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, Paperback, and Hardcover on Thursday. An audiobook narrated by Harry Frost is also in the works, to be released in September. I hope you enjoy this alteration of Elizabeth and Darcy’s situation, and anticipate the ride to reach their happily ever after! And so, without further ado, here is the cover! <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-3298 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/It-Taught-Me-to-Hope-eBook-Cover.jpg?resize=640%2C960&ssl=1" alt="" width="640" height="960" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/It-Taught-Me-to-Hope-eBook-Cover-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/It-Taught-Me-to-Hope-eBook-Cover-scaled.jpg?w=1707&ssl=1 1707w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/It-Taught-Me-to-Hope-eBook-Cover-scaled.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /> The post Miscellaneous Monday – It Taught Me to Hope Cover Reveal appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
It Taught Me to Hope – Announcement and Excerpt
As I have a new release approaching, I thought it would be a good idea to offer a bit of a sample of what is coming down the line. This is a full length novel and it examines what might have happened had several things fallen into place leaving Elizabeth in control of Longbourn and still single when Darcy returns to Hertfordshire years later. I will have a cover reveal post later this week or perhaps early next week. Until... Read More Read More The post It Taught Me to Hope – Announcement and Excerpt appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
As I have a new release approaching, I thought it would be a good idea to offer a bit of a sample of what is coming down the line. This is a full length novel and it examines what might have happened had several things fallen into place leaving Elizabeth in control of Longbourn and still single when Darcy returns to Hertfordshire years later. I will have a cover reveal post later this week or perhaps early next week. Until then, I give you the description and an excerpt for It Taught Me to Hope. * * * Six years after meeting Mr. Darcy for the first time, Elizabeth Bennet receives a shock when he returns to Meryton, for the last time she met him was in Kent, the day after his ill-fated proposal in Hunsford parsonage. Never had Elizabeth suspected he might return to her life, for the Mr. Darcy she had known was a proud, disagreeable man, despite his condescension in proposing to her. The Mr. Darcy who returns, however, is different, still a man of much confidence but with a strange hesitation toward her. With him comes his sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy, a young woman of whom Elizabeth has heard much. Before long, the two ladies become friendly, and with Elizabeth’s younger sister, Mary Hardwick, who lives nearby, they forge a close friendship. The last years have been hard on Darcy, for he has existed in an indeterminate state, unable to forget about Elizabeth and unable to give her up and move on in his life. A chance encounter in London gives Darcy the courage to return to Hertfordshire, where he is determined to make one more attempt to secure Elizabeth’s favor and end his suffering. As the two long-sundered acquaintances meet and begin the uncertain path to understanding and love, they must endure another suitor determined to obtain Elizabeth’s hand, unpredictable events, the return of Elizabeth’s elder sister after a tragic event, and the specter of their previous misunderstandings. The path to true love is never smooth and the road on which Elizabeth and Darcy travel has been rougher than most, but Darcy is determined to succeed, and Elizabeth is impatient to find the love that has eluded her. * * * “Charlotte, something is strange tonight,” said Elizabeth. “Your father, who is always an open book, greets me as if he suspects some momentous event is about to unfold, and your behavior is even more puzzling. If there is something significant about tonight, I plead with you to inform me what it is.” Charlotte only offered her a lazy smile, which by this time was beginning to annoy Elizabeth. Instead of an open response, Charlotte was even more mysterious. “Tell me, Lizzy—you mentioned something familiar about the notion of someone coming to the neighborhood to lease an estate. Does this evening not put you in mind of a similar night soon after the Netherfield party arrived, the first function the officers attended in the neighborhood?” “Of course, I remember the event,” said Elizabeth, impatience welling up within her breast. “That was the night your father presented me to Mr. Darcy as a desirable dance partner, only days after he insulted me in Meryton’s assembly hall.” “Yes, I remember you recounting that occasion to me.” Charlotte smiled, though it was not a gesture of provoked memory. “That, and Mr. Darcy’s subsequent behavior on other occasions, were what formed the origin of my suspicions about his preference for you, and his actions in Kent firmed that opinion.” “I recall your teasing on the subject,” agreed Elizabeth, by now quite cross with her friend. Elizabeth determined not to consider Mr. Darcy’s actions and proposal confirmed Charlotte’s suspicions, given her friend’s lack of knowledge on that subject. “Perhaps you should explain yourself, for I am becoming quite cross with you. Why would you mention such subjects as Mr. Darcy and his haughty behavior in this very room?” “Was Mr. Darcy haughty when he followed my father’s officious suggestion and stated his willingness to dance with you?” “Your father left him little other choice.” “Ah, but left with little choice on another occasion, he proclaimed his disinclination for dancing and disparaged your charms, though I remain convinced his reasons for saying as much differed greatly from any disapproval of you.” “Charlotte, if you do not tell me at once what has provoked your behavior, I will not speak to you again tonight!” At that moment, as Charlotte regarded her, amusement and satisfaction emanating from her, Elizabeth caught sight of a new arrival at the entrance, coupled with the jovial greeting from the host. Turning, Elizabeth felt her mouth widen in shock, for there in the door, speaking with Sir William, stood the tall figure of Mr. Darcy. * * * Just a short blurb, but it gives you the premise of the novel. The release date is next Thursday the 17th. There will also be an audiobook, though that is not scheduled until September. I hope you enjoy it! The post It Taught Me to Hope – Announcement and Excerpt appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
What’s-up Wednesday – A Few Thoughts and an Excerpt
I am not a morning person, though my body always tries to tell me that I am. When I was working for a big corporation that shall go unnamed, I had a friend who had worked shifts for many years and he used to speak about how he had difficulty sleeping. I sympathized, but I did not have any experience, so I could not do much empathizing with him. Somehow in the years since, my own sleeping has suffered to... Read More Read More The post What’s-up Wednesday – A Few Thoughts and an Excerpt appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
I am not a morning person, though my body always tries to tell me that I am. When I was working for a big corporation that shall go unnamed, I had a friend who had worked shifts for many years and he used to speak about how he had difficulty sleeping. I sympathized, but I did not have any experience, so I could not do much empathizing with him. Somehow in the years since, my own sleeping has suffered to the point that I rarely sleep as much as I should anymore, though my problem with sleeping is usually staying asleep rather than falling asleep. Of course, some of my troubles are self-inflicted, as I rarely go to bed when I should. Then again, when I do, I often find myself wide awake in the middle of the night. <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3268 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/spring-break-4071466_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1" alt="" width="300" height="169" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/spring-break-4071466_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/spring-break-4071466_1280.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/spring-break-4071466_1280.jpg?resize=768%2C432&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/spring-break-4071466_1280.jpg?resize=480%2C270&ssl=1 480w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/spring-break-4071466_1280.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />This is why I love spring break. My youngest child, a daughter age fifteen, is gone to school for her last day of classes before a two week spring break, though by the time you read this, she will have been growing moss in her bedroom for the past week or so. For the next two weeks I do not need to get up early in the morning, which is always a benefit. Even if I sleep as much on such days as I do on days when I need to get up early, somehow the ability to wake up naturally results in better rest and more alertness the following day. Two weeks of freedom, then the final sprint to the finish of the school year. The summer, then rinse and repeat. Such is life, I suppose. What does this have to do with anything? Just a small insight into my life, coupled with a peek at what is going on now. I have so many projects going on now that it can be difficult to keep them straight. As I indicated in a recent post, I am making a concerted effort to try to branch out into other genres, and this has resulted in the need to reinvent myself as a writer. It can be difficult to do that on little sleep. How do I need to reinvent myself you ask? Well, writing fantasy, for example, is quite different than writing regency romance. Besides all the other details that go into fantasy that are assumed when writing in the real world (culture, customs, history, civilizations, etc.) the vernacular is different, though I have not proceeded to the actual writing yet. There are certain words one cannot use when writing historical fiction–if a character in 1800 England started talking about nuclear fission, for example, that might be a little out of place. Of course, the same goes for fantasy, but even commonplace words that we use in everyday English that were not in use two hundred years ago are generally acceptable for fantasy. Having said that, there are similarities too. Certain societies in a fantasy world might speak more formally, while others might have a distinctive accent. In general I do not hold with the notion of perplexing the readers with a bunch of jargon and pig Latin to try to show that a dialect is being used, but there are ways to make it clear while keeping a reader’s eyes from glazing over.<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-2034 alignright" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/On-Wings-of-Air-Kindle-Cover.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1" alt="" width="200" height="300" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/On-Wings-of-Air-Kindle-Cover-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/On-Wings-of-Air-Kindle-Cover-scaled.jpg?resize=684%2C1024&ssl=1 684w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/On-Wings-of-Air-Kindle-Cover-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1150&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/On-Wings-of-Air-Kindle-Cover-scaled.jpg?resize=1026%2C1536&ssl=1 1026w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/On-Wings-of-Air-Kindle-Cover-scaled.jpg?resize=1368%2C2048&ssl=1 1368w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/On-Wings-of-Air-Kindle-Cover-scaled.jpg?resize=180%2C270&ssl=1 180w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/On-Wings-of-Air-Kindle-Cover-scaled.jpg?w=1710&ssl=1 1710w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/On-Wings-of-Air-Kindle-Cover-scaled.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /> For any reading this who are interested in fantasy, I do have some available if you are interested. Be warned that it is a trilogy and the third book is still forthcoming, but I think it is a good read nonetheless. It is a collaboration with Lelia Eye, and one we spent many hours planning, writing, and polishing until it (hopefully) gleamed. If you are interested, click on the cover which will take you to an Amazon page where you can purchase it. Back to historical fiction which is still my bread and butter, I have a quick excerpt I thought I would share with you today. This project still does not have a firm title, but the working title is A Season In London. The book is not due to come out for some time yet, but I hope this little snippet will catch your fancy! * * * Clever proverbs and pithy adages aside, it was nothing less than the truth that a young woman lacking significant fortune and the ability to move in society must be in a pitiable state. When these deficiencies are multiplied by a factor of five, the problem reaches prodigious proportions. Such was the dilemma that faced the Bennet family of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. “Oh, Mr. Bennet!” cried Mrs. Bennet, the wife of the estate’s master one evening while they were dining as a family. “How we are ever to marry our daughters to men worthy of them I cannot imagine. Why, they are becoming old maids before my eyes.” Mr. Bennet was a man with a satirical eye, one who delighted in the follies of others so long as they did not interrupt his solitude or invade his study, the one room in the house he could find peace. As Mr. Bennet had married his wife more than twenty years before, he boasted an intimate acquaintance with her nerves, which were renown throughout the neighborhood. Mrs. Bennet was a silly, uninformed woman, still handsome in her forties, yet not a stimulating companion for a worldly and intelligent man such as Henry Bennet. As such, his response to his wife’s exclamation was not surprising, for his daughters had seen it many times before. “I hardly think it is that bad, Mrs. Bennet, though I will own that I saw a wrinkle at the corner of Lydia’s eye the other day.” “Oh, la, Papa!” exclaimed the girl, at fifteen the youngest of the five Bennet daughters. “Perhaps you should look to Jane and Lizzy for wrinkles for they are far closer to becoming old maids than I am.” <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-563 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Elizabeth-Excerpt-300x300.jpg?resize=216%2C216&ssl=1" alt="" width="216" height="216" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Elizabeth-Excerpt.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Elizabeth-Excerpt.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Elizabeth-Excerpt.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Elizabeth-Excerpt.jpg?resize=768%2C768&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Elizabeth-Excerpt.jpg?resize=270%2C270&ssl=1 270w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Elizabeth-Excerpt.jpg?w=1080&ssl=1 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 216px) 100vw, 216px" />The two eldest daughters, aged two and twenty and twenty respectively, could not help but share a look heavenward. Though Elizabeth reflected that her mother was not incorrect about their positions, that of having no eligible men nearby who were both looking for a wife and interested in a woman of little dowry, her method of expressing herself opened the door to Mr. Bennet’s teasing. “Oh, fiddlesticks!” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet into the sudden burst of giggling at Lydia’s words, in which her elder sister Kitty joined. “Lydia has many years yet to find a husband. Yet if we do not do something and soon, Jane’s beauty shall fade, and Lizzy will not be far behind.” “These trials are, we read, sent to test us,” said Mary, the Bennets’ middle daughter who was fond of the sound of moralistic quotes falling from her lips. “Good things come to all those who wait.” “Yet we are also told that faith without works is dead,” said Elizabeth, waggling her eyebrows at her younger sister. “That is exactly it,” said Mrs. Bennet, nodding to Elizabeth. “I have spent much time thinking on this subject, Mr. Bennet, and I have determined what we must do.” “Oh?” asked Mr. Bennet, setting his fork and knife down on the table and leaning back in his chair. Again, the entire family understood this response, for Mr. Bennet expected that his wife would amuse him. “Tell me, my dear, what you have cooked up. It cannot be the men of the neighborhood, for to my certain knowledge there are few who would suit that are looking for wives.” “What of the officers?” asked Kitty, though her giggling ruined any suggestion that her question was serious. “I should love to marry an officer! Perhaps Denny or Sanderson would do!” That Lydia should suggest marriage to an officer of the local regiment was of no surprise to her family. Since those fine fellows had arrived at their winter quarters in Meryton, the nearby market town the previous autumn, little had passed Lydia’s lips that did not concern the officers in some fashion. Their antics in the months since had convinced Elizabeth that they strayed perilously close to the line of ruining the entire family and making it impossible for any of them to marry. If only Elizabeth could convince her mother of the need to restrain their wild tendencies. “That is nonsensical, even for you, Lydia,” said Mr. Bennet, though his sense of the absurd could not but fuel his mirth. “Officers in the militia are not paid enough to support themselves let alone a wife. Every man among them is supported by his family or he would be unable survive.” “That is enough, Lydia!” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet, aiming a gimlet eye at her youngest progeny. “When you have heard what I have to say on the subject, you will agree with me that we cannot contemplate the officers as husbands.” “Yet you have not shared this wisdom with the family,” observed Mr. Bennet. “Please, Mrs. Bennet, let us all understand your boundless wisdom. How do you mean to find husbands for our girls?” “Why, that is simple, Mr. Bennet,” said his wife. “As there are no eligible men in Hertfordshire, we must go to where there are men looking for wives. Therefore, we must go to town and attend the season.” The post What’s-up Wednesday – A Few Thoughts and an Excerpt appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
Writing. What a funny business. As I have often told my wife, writing anything can be a chancy endeavor. Of all the books I have written, I recall exactly one where the writing seemed to go smoothly, and even that one did not start out easily. I usually start out okay, get bogged down in the middle–sometimes several times–and though I try to finish strongly, I often wonder if I have written complete trash. I do not recall ever making... Read More Read More The post Funny Friday – Writing Quotes appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
Writing. What a funny business. As I have often told my wife, writing anything can be a chancy endeavor. Of all the books I have written, I recall exactly one where the writing seemed to go smoothly, and even that one did not start out easily. I usually start out okay, get bogged down in the middle–sometimes several times–and though I try to finish strongly, I often wonder if I have written complete trash. I do not recall ever making some pithy remark about writing that will be handed down as proverb to future generations, but others of far more fame than I possess certainly have. As a tribute to writing and all its glory, I would like to present to you a collection of writing quotes from famous authors, most of which are humorous, but all have something profound to say about the craft! From now on, ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put. Winston Churchill Ah yes, the dreaded sentence ending with a preposition. The trick I have often found is to decide whether to alter a sentence that ends in a preposition or leave it, as the alternative just sounds stupid! Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good. Dr. Samuel Johnson I have posted about Samuel Johnson before. His quotes are always worth a laugh, though I will note that sometimes I feel this statement is all too apropos. When someone is mean to me, I just make them a victim in my next book. Mary Higgins Clark I love it! What better revenge is there than to kill someone off in a literary sense? <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3254 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/pen-4163403_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/pen-4163403_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/pen-4163403_1280.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/pen-4163403_1280.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/pen-4163403_1280.jpg?resize=405%2C270&ssl=1 405w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/pen-4163403_1280.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />The pen is mightier than the sword, and considerably easier to write with. Marty Feldman Though I have never tried to write with a sword, I can imagine it! If you have any young friends who aspire to become writers, the second-greatest favor you can do them is to present them with copies of ‘The Elements of Style.’ The first-greatest, of course, is to shoot them now while they’re happy. Dorothy Parker This sounds more than a little harsh! But she may have a point . . . Writing in English is the most ingenious torture ever devised for sins committed in previous lives. James Joyce Fact check true! <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3258 alignright" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/glasses-4704055_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/glasses-4704055_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/glasses-4704055_1280.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/glasses-4704055_1280.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/glasses-4704055_1280.jpg?resize=405%2C270&ssl=1 405w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/glasses-4704055_1280.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Easy reading is damn hard writing. Nathaniel Hawthorne I would argue that all writing is hard, but I cannot disagree with him in a general sense. I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide. Harper Lee An absolute necessity. Sometimes people make nasty comments for the most puerile reasons, but it takes true courage and humility to accept a well-written critique, even if it makes you want to cry. It is perfectly okay to write garbage – as long as you edit brilliantly. C.J. Cherryh Trust me, I live by this maxim! Sometimes I find it’s all I can do to just get it down. “I can fix it in editing!” The beautiful part of writing is that you don’t have to get it right the first time… unlike, say, a brain surgeon. Robert Cormier It certainly does lower the pressure! The road to hell is paved with adverbs.<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3252 alignright" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/blackboard-2721887_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/blackboard-2721887_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/blackboard-2721887_1280.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/blackboard-2721887_1280.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/blackboard-2721887_1280.jpg?resize=360%2C270&ssl=1 360w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/blackboard-2721887_1280.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Stephen King Though amusing and often quoted, this is one with which I disagree. (See what I did there?) Too many adverbs is lazy writing and can be quite distracting, but adverbs are words. Cutting them out altogether can often make a novel wordy and sometimes a replacement just doesn’t make sense. I do not like to write – I like to have written. Gloria Steinem Again, a quote I can relate to. Slamming your head against a desk is not fun, but the accomplishment of completing a book is well worth the effort. The best time for planning a book is while you’re doing the dishes. Agatha Christie Actually, I have my best ideas when I am either dreaming or in the shower. The problem is if I do not write them down at once, I forget them without delay! The only thing I was fit for was to be a writer, and this notion rested solely on my suspicion that I would never be fit for real work, and that writing didn’t require any. Russell Baker I used to think this until I took up writing as a career. Writing can often be hard labor of the mind, even if you don’t move anything other than your fingers. <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3253 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ai-generated-8738968_1280.png?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ai-generated-8738968_1280.png?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ai-generated-8738968_1280.png?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ai-generated-8738968_1280.png?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ai-generated-8738968_1280.png?resize=768%2C768&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ai-generated-8738968_1280.png?resize=270%2C270&ssl=1 270w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ai-generated-8738968_1280.png?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very’; your editor will delete it, and the writing will be just as it should be. Mark Twain What is a post of quotes without the great Mark Twain? I have been tempted a time or two to do this, but not with the word “very.” This is what I find encouraging about the writing trades: They allow lunatics to seem saner than sane. Kurt Vonnegut No comment. I don’t believe in being serious about anything. I think life is too serious to be taken seriously. Ray Bradbury Another quote I’ll have to agree with! Sure, it’s simple, writing for kids… Just as simple as bringing them up. Ursula K. LeGuin As I have done both, I can attest to the truth of this statement. <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3255 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/typewriter-8622984_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/typewriter-8622984_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/typewriter-8622984_1280.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/typewriter-8622984_1280.jpg?resize=768%2C511&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/typewriter-8622984_1280.jpg?resize=406%2C270&ssl=1 406w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/typewriter-8622984_1280.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Writing is the most fun you can have by yourself. Terry Pratchett Sometimes it’s a hoot. Other times? Not so much. If you can’t annoy somebody, there is little point in writing. Kingsley Amis I know that I annoy many! There you have it, folks! I hope you enjoyed this little jaunt into the sometimes strange psyche of writers. Until next time! The post Funny Friday – Writing Quotes appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
Those who have been following this blog may have noticed a lack of activity lately. For that, I will take the blame upon myself, for my two partners have recently found themselves in situations that do not allow them time to contribute to the blog. Until that changes, I am the guy. Though I have proven in the past that I struggle a little when it comes to blogging, I will give it the old college try! For today, I... Read More Read More The post An Announcement and Coming Attractions appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
Those who have been following this blog may have noticed a lack of activity lately. For that, I will take the blame upon myself, for my two partners have recently found themselves in situations that do not allow them time to contribute to the blog. Until that changes, I am the guy. Though I have proven in the past that I struggle a little when it comes to blogging, I will give it the old college try! <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3243 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/blogger-2838945_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C215&ssl=1" alt="" width="300" height="215" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/blogger-2838945_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C215&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/blogger-2838945_1280.jpg?resize=1024%2C733&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/blogger-2838945_1280.jpg?resize=768%2C550&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/blogger-2838945_1280.jpg?resize=377%2C270&ssl=1 377w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/blogger-2838945_1280.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />For today, I thought I would finally get to my long-promised update and plan for this coming year. Though we are already halfway through March (spring starts in two days!) my plans for the year are never truly set, as they can change on a whim, an unexpected event, or a myriad of other possibilities that may derail or alter what I mean to do. So much about creative writing depends on my ability to come up with the works that I have planned, and that does not always work out. There are times when a story just is not flowing, and rather than beating my head against a wall, I will often put them to the side and concentrate on something else. Sometimes I take too much time to take that option. It is one of the best things about working for myself, is that I have no true deadlines other than those I set myself. So, here are my plans for the year, knowing that there will undoubtedly be changes when things take a different tack or veer of the rails. Audiobooks: I have two audiobooks scheduled for release this year at present, though that might change in the coming months. The first is Four Days at Netherfield, scheduled for September 9. The second is titled It Taught Me to Hope, which is also<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3237 alignright" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Four-Days-at-Netherfield-eBook-Cover.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1" alt="" width="200" height="300" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Four-Days-at-Netherfield-eBook-Cover-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Four-Days-at-Netherfield-eBook-Cover-scaled.jpg?resize=682%2C1024&ssl=1 682w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Four-Days-at-Netherfield-eBook-Cover-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1153&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Four-Days-at-Netherfield-eBook-Cover-scaled.jpg?w=1706&ssl=1 1706w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Four-Days-at-Netherfield-eBook-Cover-scaled.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /> tentatively a September release, though I do not have a firm date. I have at least two more that I will be submitting to Tantor this year, though I have no idea if they will make the publication cut off by the end of the year. New Pride and Prejudice Works: Those of you who are familiar with my books might wonder about my reference to It Taught Me to Hope, as it is not currently in my library of books. That is because it is a future release, next month to be exact. More to come on that in the coming weeks, including a cover and a description. As always, I am hard at work on variations, with several more, a mix of shorter and longer works . . . in the works, if you will excuse the pun. As basic premises, I have a long novella based on the theory that Elizabeth never goes to Hunsford and meets Darcy at Pemberley; there are a couple of twists in this one which will hopefully make it interesting. As a shorter novel, I have a plan for a work that explores what might happen if Darcy showed more determination in making his sentiments known to Elizabeth at Pemberley instead of beating around the bush. When Elizabeth learns of Lydia’s elopement, Darcy takes drastic measures to ensure he is in a position to assist. Then I have two long novels in the works, both planned to be among the longest I have ever written. In the first, Darcy is from a cadet line of the family but inherits Pemberley upon the master’s tragic death. This one has a mystery aspect to it, though it takes a bit to get to that point. It also features Elizabeth and Darcy already engaged and in love at the start of the story. The second novel explores what might happen if Mr. Bennet married a most unexpected woman after Mrs. Bennet’s untimely passing. Yes, I have killed off Mrs. Bennet again! Fantasy: For other works, I have long wished to get into other genres, and I have decided to make a concerted effort to do so this year. In the fantasy space, Earth and Sky, the trilogy collaborated with Lelia Eye is still on hold until she finished dealing with some family business. I hope we can get it finished this coming year, as it has sat on the shelf for far too long. I also have a series of books for which I have an outline, but as it is another collaboration, I have been waiting for the other party to commit to actually writing it. I hope something will begin to move on that front this year. <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3244 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/dice-7307194_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/dice-7307194_1280.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/dice-7307194_1280.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/dice-7307194_1280.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/dice-7307194_1280.jpg?resize=405%2C270&ssl=1 405w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/dice-7307194_1280.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Finally in fantasy, my younger son has been playing tabletop games with his friends for years, and he creates some really imaginative worlds. In a collaboration with one of his campaigns, I am going through his notes and building a history for one of his worlds with the intention of creating a series of books based on that world. I suspect it will be some time before any fruits of this project will reach the public, but it is good to be working on it regardless. The fact about Fantasy is that it is much more work to create a series of books based on a fictional world than to do P&P variations. Fantasy not only requires the writing, but the author must consider the world, the history, customs, holidays, peoples, potentially non-human races such as elves and so on, and a bunch of other details. More to come on these endeavors in the future. Others: And last but not least, I have long had an idea for a series of cozy mysteries that my sisters have been asking me about, so I will try and fit work on this idea into my schedule this year. I have no idea how long it will take to build this project to the point where I can begin to work on it, but I hope will have something soon. Whew! Looks like I am going to be busy this year! Thank you all for your support and interest in my work. I hope we all have an excellent year! The post An Announcement and Coming Attractions appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
Image by Mike Singleton from Pixabay For today’s version of Trivia Thursday, I offer a selection of trivia for Jane Austen fans. As some of you know, I create variations on her most famous work, Pride and Prejudice. The following list is not confined to that novel, but rather explores the author’s influences and the times she lived in: Anonymous Authorship During her lifetime, Jane Austen did not take credit for any of her creations. The title page of her first novel, Sense... Read More Read More The post A Jane Austen Trivia Thursday appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
Image by Mike Singleton from Pixabay For today’s version of Trivia Thursday, I offer a selection of trivia for Jane Austen fans. As some of you know, I create variations on her most famous work, Pride and Prejudice. The following list is not confined to that novel, but rather explores the author’s influences and the times she lived in: Anonymous Authorship During her lifetime, Jane Austen did not take credit for any of her creations. The title page of her first novel, Sense and Sensibility (1811), credited the author simply as “By a Lady.” Later works were attributed to “The Author of Sense and Sensibility.” <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-3225 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/dominika-walczak-QXr1TTXfCfA-unsplash.jpg?resize=324%2C486&ssl=1" alt="" width="324" height="486" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/dominika-walczak-QXr1TTXfCfA-unsplash.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/dominika-walczak-QXr1TTXfCfA-unsplash.jpg?resize=180%2C270&ssl=1 180w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/dominika-walczak-QXr1TTXfCfA-unsplash.jpg?w=640&ssl=1 640w" sizes="(max-width: 324px) 100vw, 324px" /> Photo by Dominika Walczak on Unsplash Austen’s First Heroine Jane Austen wrote her first full-length novel, Elinor and Marianne, in 1795. She revised the work and published it as Sense and Sensibility. The Unfinished Works Austen left two unfinished novels: Sanditon and The Watsons. Sanditon is about a developing seaside resort, while in The Watsons the story is about an impoverished young woman making her way in society. Her Favorite Heroine Austen once said in a letter that Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice was “as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print.” She Was a Pianist Austen loved music and played the piano every morning before the rest of her household woke up. This love of music often appears in her novels, with characters performing or enjoying musical gatherings. <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-3228 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fortepiano.jpg?resize=320%2C480&ssl=1" alt="" width="320" height="480" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fortepiano.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fortepiano.jpg?resize=180%2C270&ssl=1 180w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fortepiano.jpg?w=479&ssl=1 479w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" /> https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3571626 The Prince Regent Connection Despite her distaste for the Prince Regent (later George IV), Austen dedicated Emma to him. This was arranged, at his request, by his librarian, James Stanier Clarke, who arranged for the dedication. Limited Formal Education Jane Austen received no more than a few years of formal education. Most of her knowledge came from books, family discussions, and her own curiosity. This prolific author was, for all intents and purposes, self-educated! Her Mysterious Death She died at 41, possibly from Addison’s disease, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, or tuberculosis. The exact cause of her illness is unknown. Austen’s Personal Library Her home of Chawton Cottage housed many of the books that influenced her writing. She had a habit of rereading Shakespeare, Samuel Johnson, and William Cowper. Her Fandom Sir Walter Scott wrote about her in his journal: “That young lady had a talent for describing the involvements and feelings and characters of ordinary life, which is to me the most wonderful I ever met with.” Although she passed in 1817, her books have never been out of print. They gained steady recognition after her death in 1817, especially after the publication of her nephew James Edward Austen-Leigh’s A Memoir of Jane Austen in 1869. His memoir reignited public interest in her novels, solidifying her place as a literary classic. Today, her novels remain widely read, studied, and adapted, ensuring their continued relevance and availability. Courses that cover her works are taught in universities around world. Do yourself a favor and discover or, rediscover, her captivating stories. Even today, more than 200 years since she wrote her last sentence, they offer entertaining insight on the human condition. The post A Jane Austen Trivia Thursday appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
The New Year is now upon us, and events are moving faster and propelling the world to the future. It is not my purpose to bore you with my opinion of those events, for we all know what they are and you know what they say about opinions. I have long thought that the chances were high that 2025 would be a significant year for several reasons, and I hope on a personal note that it is, for I have... Read More Read More The post What is Your New Year’s Resolution? appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
The New Year is now upon us, and events are moving faster and propelling the world to the future. It is not my purpose to bore you with my opinion of those events, for we all know what they are and you know what they say about opinions. I have long thought that the chances were high that 2025 would be a significant year for several reasons, and I hope on a personal note that it is, for I have some things I have been trying to do these past years that I hope will come to fruition. <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3213 alignright" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/destination-1285851_1280.png?resize=300%2C212&ssl=1" alt="" width="300" height="212" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/destination-1285851_1280.png?resize=300%2C212&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/destination-1285851_1280.png?resize=1024%2C724&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/destination-1285851_1280.png?resize=768%2C543&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/destination-1285851_1280.png?resize=382%2C270&ssl=1 382w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/destination-1285851_1280.png?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />With the New Year, many will take the opportunity of a new start to set resolutions for the coming year. Whether their goals include personal improvement, professional advancement, or any other such wishes, now seems to be the time to do it. For myself, however, I have never seen the point of making resolutions. Let me explain. I suppose, most of all, I consider the exercise pointless. To anyone reading this that is in the habit of setting resolutions, when was the last time you made a resolution and stuck with it longer than the end of January? Perhaps it fell by the wayside even sooner? To be clear I have not done any research on the subject I consider pointless, but I have often read articles suggesting that the vast majority of resolutions do not keep them long, and that is only considering those who agree to tell the truth when asked in a survey or the like. What use is there to set a goal to lose 10 pounds only to ignore it a few weeks later? Now, I am not advocating or suggesting goals are useless, so bear with me. <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-3214 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/difference-7370144_1280.png?resize=204%2C204&ssl=1" alt="" width="204" height="204" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/difference-7370144_1280.png?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/difference-7370144_1280.png?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/difference-7370144_1280.png?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/difference-7370144_1280.png?resize=768%2C768&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/difference-7370144_1280.png?resize=270%2C270&ssl=1 270w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/difference-7370144_1280.png?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 204px) 100vw, 204px" />Why wait until the New Year to set new goals? As I see it, the only reason is the sense of renewal that one feels at the New Year. To own the truth, I do not really even celebrate the New Year, for to me it really is not much more than just another day. As a Christian, I am more interested in celebrating Christmas and Easter, my wife and children’s successes, and other significant family events. The New Year is an arbitrary time to set new goals in my opinion, and I have often seen and heard other speak of the goals they will set when the calendar turns, only to look at it and see the date is early March! When then would you wait nine months if you identified something about yourself that needs improvement? <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3215 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/happy-new-year-9203331_1280.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1" alt="" width="200" height="300" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/happy-new-year-9203331_1280.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/happy-new-year-9203331_1280.jpg?resize=682%2C1024&ssl=1 682w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/happy-new-year-9203331_1280.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/happy-new-year-9203331_1280.jpg?resize=180%2C270&ssl=1 180w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/happy-new-year-9203331_1280.jpg?w=853&ssl=1 853w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" />Instead of setting resolutions, I prefer to take action when I identify something amiss rather than wait. It seems to me that we can always improve ourselves, and what time is better than the present? I do not wish to sound preachy, but we should be improving at all times even if that progress is only incremental. That is the reason I have always disdained resolutions, because I hope when the New Year arrives that I am already working on something. Perhaps it may take me a while to make any changes, but I don’t wait to make them when they become clear to me. That said, I wish everyone reading this a successful and prosperous New Year! Stay tuned next week, for I intend to post about a rough roadmap for the following year. The post What is Your New Year’s Resolution? appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash Happy New Year to everyone. Let me start by wishing a not so fond farewell to the dumpster fire that was 2024. Rather than dwell on the year that’s now behind us, I want to suggest a few tunes to help welcome the new one. Let’s start with one of the few U2 songs I can listen to without cringing: Next, I want to lighten the mood with a catchy Bruno Mars tune: How about a live performance... Read More Read More The post Good Riddance 2024, Hello 2025! appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash Happy New Year to everyone. Let me start by wishing a not so fond farewell to the dumpster fire that was 2024. Rather than dwell on the year that’s now behind us, I want to suggest a few tunes to help welcome the new one. Let’s start with one of the few U2 songs I can listen to without cringing: Next, I want to lighten the mood with a catchy Bruno Mars tune: How about a live performance from the “Chairman of the Board”, the incomparable Frank Sinatra: I couldn’t close this blog without a personal favorite rendition of the quintessential New Year’s song: All of us at One Good Sonnet want to wish you and yours a great 2025. The post Good Riddance 2024, Hello 2025! appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
Image by Sabrina Belle from Pixabay I have a confession to make. As the years pass, Christmases from the past hold even greater meaning for me. Every memory shines bright, unmarred by flaws. Though some must have been less than perfect, I cannot recall them and feel no shame in admitting it. Some of them, however, are more vivid than others, for various reasons, often humorous. I remember vividly the year my father, in what he probably thought was a fantastic idea, brought... Read More Read More The post Merry Christmas to all! appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.
Image by Sabrina Belle from Pixabay I have a confession to make. As the years pass, Christmases from the past hold even greater meaning for me. Every memory shines bright, unmarred by flaws. Though some must have been less than perfect, I cannot recall them and feel no shame in admitting it. Some of them, however, are more vivid than others, for various reasons, often humorous. I remember vividly the year my father, in what he probably thought was a fantastic idea, brought home an aluminum tree. Keep in mind as you try to picture this in your mind, this was in the early nineteen sixties, and those trees were neither realistic, nor good looking: Let’s just say that my mother’s reaction was a touch different than dad expected. Of course, he hadn’t bothered to talk to her about it. He worked at Eaton’s department store at the time, so the employee discount might have had something to do with his decision. To her credit, mom didn’t complain about the monstrosity. As I recall (which may or may not be accurate, I confess), her eyes filled with tears and she retired to the bedroom, leaving a crestfallen husband to reconsider his money-saving choice. To his credit, the tree went back into the box and down to the basement, where it stayed until somebody tossed it years later. Lesson learned? Well, like me, dad wasn’t the best at interpreting his long-suffering mates moods or preferences, although he loved her with all his heart. There was a small, hole-in-the-wall sized fruit merchant in my city, called Farmer’s Fruit. For reasons I my father never explained, dad always called it Farmer’s Foul Fruit. I suspect it was just a nickname he or his friends came up with, because as I recall, their produce was first rate. Every year, he made a special trip downtown to buy a box of Japanese mandarin oranges. This was back in the days when the box was wooden and filled to the top with the best oranges on the planet. Unfortunately, they aren’t sold outside of Japan anymore, and the California or Chinese substitutes pale in comparison. That trip was a highlight of the Christmas season for the entire family. I still remember the year he took me with him. The tiny store was filled to overflowing with customers, all looking for their box of Christmas treasure. My parents were not rich, and with seven children to feed and clothe, Christmas was always a challenge. They always managed to give each of us, one memorable gift over and above the obligatory socks, mitts, shirts, etc. I remember one year my father presented me with a coveted Johnny Seven OMA (one man army), the toy every boy just had to have. This toy had everything a soldier could ever need! It was a machine gun, a rocket launcher, grenade thrower, and numerous other attachments for the neighborhood wars we all fought. Of course, something like this would never see the light of day now, but back in the early to mid nineteen sixties, all of my friends were armed to the teeth and loving it! <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-3176 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1200px-Johnny_Seven_OMA_toy_gun-239590076.jpg?resize=456%2C304&ssl=1" alt="" width="456" height="304" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1200px-Johnny_Seven_OMA_toy_gun-239590076.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1200px-Johnny_Seven_OMA_toy_gun-239590076.jpg?resize=1024%2C681&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1200px-Johnny_Seven_OMA_toy_gun-239590076.jpg?resize=768%2C511&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1200px-Johnny_Seven_OMA_toy_gun-239590076.jpg?resize=406%2C270&ssl=1 406w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1200px-Johnny_Seven_OMA_toy_gun-239590076.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 456px) 100vw, 456px" /> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Seven_OMA Of all the gifts I received, though, my all time favorite was the electric train set I got one unforgettable Christmas. <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-3179 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/toy-train.jpg?resize=399%2C399&ssl=1" alt="" width="399" height="399" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/toy-train.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/toy-train.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/toy-train.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/toy-train.jpg?resize=768%2C768&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/toy-train.jpg?resize=270%2C270&ssl=1 270w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/toy-train.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 399px) 100vw, 399px" /> Image by Çiğdem Onur from Pixabay Of course, the best part of each Christmas was the special feeling of the day. Even as a young boy, excited about new toys and wonderful food and treats, Christmas was a day spent enjoying each other’s company and listening to dad explain in his simple and modest way, the meaning of the day and the season leading up to it. That left a lasting impression, which has stayed and strengthened as the years roll on. In closing, let me add to Jann’s wonderful message about the birth of our Savior and the beauty of the scriptural account in Luke chapter 2. No version describes that wondrous night any better. It’s simplicity is powerful and moving. To you and yours, I want to wish you the Merriest Christmas. <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-3182 aligncenter" src="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Nativity.jpg?resize=640%2C423&ssl=1" alt="" width="640" height="423" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Nativity.jpg?resize=300%2C198&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Nativity.jpg?resize=768%2C506&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Nativity.jpg?resize=410%2C270&ssl=1 410w, https://i0.wp.com/aglimmerofgold.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Nativity.jpg?zoom=2&resize=666%2C440&ssl=1 1332w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /> https://unsplash.com/@birminghammuseumstrust The post Merry Christmas to all! appeared first on A Glimmer of Gold.