Fashion can sometimes be an additional character in literature. At times, it can even be more suggestive than the text itself. Style of dress does not only connote the era of a novel but a character’s temperament, rank and can even give us a glimpse of cultural expectations. Various authors have employed fashion to convey some truly powerful and on occasion radical … [Read more...]

Hello all, I’m still getting over the flu. So please forgive me if I don't make any sense as I go along. I ache all over at the moment and fear that my ribs are on the brink of caving in on themselves because of my aggressive coughing spells. On the upside, being tended to has been really nice. I have yet to make a meal for myself this week. But … [Read more...]

I’ve got the flu. And yes, I’m currently reeling from the gamut of influenza symptoms, fever, chills, cough, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches, headache -- is irritability a symptom? I barely have enough strength to finish this post. Since I love writing on this blog so much, I’ve decided to summon some courage from the god of fortitude in order to … [Read more...]

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads. And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains … [Read more...]

I know winter solstice doesn’t officially arrive until December 22, but for me, nothing heralds the beginning of winter more than the last day of November. Yes ladies and gents, I’m in a winter state of mind. Our tree and stocking stuffers went up the day after Thanksgiving because we are such Christmas fanatics over here. I’ve even added Christmas accents throughout my … [Read more...]

When my mother’s doctor told her she was deficient in vitamin C, she began stocking our shelves with boxes of sweet tamarinds from our local grocery store. Since then, I’ve done nothing but crave these little pod-like treats. Furthermore, they’re so much fun to eat. You have to nibble your way through their sweet yet tangy pulpy center to get to their glossy, almost … [Read more...]

Nosegay [nohz-gey] A small bunch of flowers; bouquet; posy.   Interesting fact: People rarely showered during the medieval times so to mask unpleasant odors from their surroundings, they carried fragrant nosegays -- thus -- keeping their nose gay. … [Read more...]