This one is specially for Caroline and Nan who have left comments saying how much they enjoy looking at my crocks. So for you, and for all crock lovers everywhere, here is the next one:
This picture reminds me of a truly lovely day spent in Concord, Massachusetts visiting the home of Louisa May Alcott. It is not very large and only parties of 15 at a time are allowed round the house. I was visiting my daughter Helen (who was at Harvard at the time) and she and I and James (yes my now future son-in-law) took a train out to Concord and spent a blissful hour or two being taken around Louisa May's home by a guide who obviously loved her job and, though she must have given the same spiel more times than she has had hot dinners, gave the impression of loving every minute of it. To see the home of the author of Little Women, Good Wives etc etc was truly magical and I found myself on the verge of tears several times.
Of course, there was a shop attached to the house and I was abandoned in there for about an hour while I had a delve and a rummage.
Not only did I come out with the obligatory mug, pictured here for your delectation and delight, but I emerged with an edited selection of her journals, various tea towels, key rings, note pads, aprons (they definitely saw me coming) and, the gem of the collection, her very first book Moods which | had never heard of and pounced upon as soon as I saw it. I shall re-read soon and write about it.
Inside this book, I have written my name on the bookplate headed up Orchard House, Concord (oh yes I bought those too) and it is a memento of a truly wondrous day.
Downside of all of this is that when I arrived back in the UK and went to print my pre-digital films, the cannister containing the film of some 40 shots I had taken that day had vanished and despite searching high and low, I never found it. To say I was upset is putting it mildly.
Still, that just means I will have to go back and take them all over again....
