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For the discussion of all things Austen, and a great deal more.
Re: JaOctGoHoNo 2023? - 1 year ago
I was wondering the same thing recently, even though my time is much more limited right now. For some reason, the thing that came to mind this morning was a quote I've always found profoundly scary from Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband: "I remember having read somewhere, in some strange book, that when the gods wish to punish us they answer our prayers." There's so much wish fulfillment in FF (andby MichelleRW - Tea Room
Re: Resolución - 1 year ago
Thanks for following along and leaving a lovely comment Alida, I think both the Moreno family and their son-in-law would agree with your sentiments. It was interesting for me to learn more about Argentina writing this story and I was very glad to share what I learned with readers. Per Elena: I felt she got her happy ending, just not in the way we're trained to think about for JAFF. She's more indby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Re: Estancia Aldea Norteña 33: Nuevas Posibilidades de Todos - 1 year ago
Thanks for the critical feedback, I rewrote this section several times trying to get it right but sounds like things still weren't made clear. My idea from the start was that Catalina (like Catherine) was a very average student, graduating secondary school with a solid B/C average (though I have to emphasize I don't know the actual grading system used in Argentina, since it wasn't germane to the sby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Resolución - 1 year ago
"Resolution," solving or ending a difficulty (Cambridge Dictionary). It was a very short engagement, far shorter than Sra. Lola Aguirre could have wished. She was not completely unprepared, of course, having long kept an eye out for a suitable wedding ensemble of her own. "But it is far too fast! We ought to have a few months, at least enough time for proper bridesmaid's dresses to be ordered.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Estancia Aldea Norteña 33: Nuevas Posibilidades de Todos - 1 year ago
"New Possibilities for Everyone," future prospects or potential (Collins Dictionaries). It was a long year for Catalina, but not so long that this story would stretch to tell everything that happened. In summary, there were tests and teachers to learn from, new people to meet, and always the promise of hearing from her distant friends. Javier came home at Christmas and began working for Tío Ruby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Re: Estancia Aldea Norteña 32: Decisiones Para el Futuro - 1 year ago
That's definitely our heroine's goal; next chapter will reveal how well she achieves it.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Estancia Aldea Norteña 32: Decisiones Para el Futuro - 1 year ago
"Decisions for the Future," fixing of a purpose in the mind (Wordnik). The Morenos gladly invited Enrique to eat dinner with them, and were kind enough to refrain from asking any questions until after the other children had been sent out to clean the dishes. Sophia and Andrea giggled and whispered to each other, especially when little Raquel with oblivious candor asked very loudly if he was goiby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Estancia Aldea Norteña Chapter 31: La Posta se Revela - 1 year ago
"The Past is Revealed," telling a secret (Macmillan Dictionary). There was no time to enjoy their reunion, as there were still many people in the waiting room, and Mamá stepped out just then with a patient. "This is Señor Tilve," Catalina spoke at once, then stopped tongue-tied, not sure how to explain his sudden appearance. "My apologies for coming at a bad time," he said smoothly, steppingby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Re: Estancia Aldea Norteña 30: Separación y Reunión - 1 year ago
Just wait until Monday's installment: there's more sighing to come!by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Estancia Aldea Norteña 30: Separación y Reunión - 1 year ago
"Separation and Reunion," coming together again after being apart for a long time (Britannica Dictionary). The bus station was mostly empty that early in the morning, besides a mother with four children crawling around, and a few shifty men smoking in the corner despite the signs warning against it. Catalina clutched her suitcase and garment bag, worried to lose sight of either, checked her ticby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Re: Estancia Aldea Norteña 29: Amor en Movimiento - 1 year ago
I didn't notice the significance until your comment, but yes, he gave up his phone without a peep. Elena's got him pegged for sure.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Estancia Aldea Norteña 29: Amor en Movimiento - 1 year ago
"Love in Motion," affectionate, benevolent concern or care for others (Wiktionary). Friday was impossibly long, and yet not long enough. She had offered to go into the office, since she'd only worked three days that week, but Enrique refused. "Holidays are not to be made up later. Besides, I'll be leaving early anyway." He smiled mysteriously as he gathered up his bag to leave. "There's an appoby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Estancia Aldea Norteña 28: La Danza Continúa - 1 year ago
"The dance continues," reference to lyrics from "Floricienta," theme song to the telenovlea of the same name (Lyrics.com). Everyone slept in the next day, and brunch was largely the leftovers from Easter. Sr. Tilve was not altogether satisfied. He complained loudly about the café, dumping both his and Catalina's out after tasting it. There were complaints about the weather, overcast and windy,by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Estancia Aldea Norteña 27: Una Dulce Pascua - 1 year ago
"A Sweet Easter," the culmination of the week-long events that preceded Christ's death, re-enacted every year in liturgical ceremonies (World History Encyclopedia). Easter Sunday dawned brilliantly, and though being apart from her family for the first time in her life on this holy day, Catalina enjoyed it. She put on her best dress, the one Tía Lola had told her looked so well, taking specialby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Re: Estancia Aldea Norteña 26: Hay Revelación - 1 year ago
Thanks for picking up on that little bit nestled amidst the drama. Also: he knows how to cook breakfast!by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Estancia Aldea Norteña 26: Hay Revelación - 1 year ago
"There is Revelation," making something known that was secret (Cambridge Dictionary). It was a full, beautiful weekend; freed from doubts and suspicions, Catalina was able to enjoy everything much better. The three of them wound about the grounds, sometimes in a vehicle, sometimes at a more leisurely pace. Catalina actually got to pet the little colt up close, feeding him a treat. They all gotby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Re: Estancia Aldea Norteña: Consuelo en Amigos - 1 year ago
Thank you; it's an important moment for them both, and a tricky one to convey without much source dialogue to fall back on. Unfortunately, there's another bit of heartache to traverse she the Javier subplot comes to fruition; that chapter will drop here tomorrow.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Estancia Aldea Norteña: Consuelo en Amigos - 1 year ago
"Consolation in Friends," a person that makes another feel better when unhappy or disappointed (Oxford Learner's Dictionaries). Once in her room Catalina closed and locked the door, then rushed into the bathroom. She wanted to throw up or heave. Instead all she could do was lean over the beautiful sink, hair in her face, crying snotty bubbles until her head ached. It was a match for her heart:by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Re: Estancia Aldea Norteña Chapter 23: Tensión Creciente - 1 year ago
Thanks Alida, I appreciate the correction and for your following along.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Estancia Aldea Norteña 24: Más Afilado Que Un Cuchillo - 1 year ago
"Sharper than a knife," a description of unwise words which poet William Chapman said become embedded into souls (Goodreads). Enrique had not joined her for an early breakfast on Sunday, waiting until nearly everyone else finished before sauntering in to make his oatmeal. But Monday he was once again up before her, sipping café and checking his phone. "I've got to listen to a message but help yby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Estancia Aldea Norteña Chapter 23: Tensión Creciente - 1 year ago
"Increasing tension," rising action or a series of events that create suspense in the narrative (BBC). It was very good that Catalina had no previous experience in art. When Elena got her brushes out and began teaching her about how to start a painting, Catalina had to put her full attention to the task. It was a wonderful distraction from her dark suspicions and she threw herself into the projby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Estancia Aldea Norteña 22: Descubrimientos - 1 year ago
"Discoveries," acts of obtaining sight or knowledge (Merriam-Webster). The dawn sun caused her to blink uncertainty, startled to find herself in such a huge room alone. Memory returned when Catalina reached for the lamp. Carefully, she stepped down off the bed, nervous about glass. Fortunately it appeared nothing had broken last night. After righting the lamp, and finding her slippers, she tuby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Re: Estancia Aldea Norteña 21: Primera Pista - 1 year ago
Thanks for the kind words Alida; I've been very busy myself so I appreciate your taking the time to let me know. The plot is really going to "thicken" in the next few weeks now that Catalina has journeyed to the ranch.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Estancia Aldea Norteña 21: Primera Pista - 1 year ago
"First clue," a piece of information that, if interpreted correctly, cracks the case (The Write Practice). Dinner proved to be even more formal than Catalina remembered on that awkward day at the Tilve beach house. The dining room was very spacious, and here at last there was the look of a ranch house: grand mahogany chairs, a silver chandelier, electric candles pulsing to give the illusion ofby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Estancia Aldea Norteña 20: Cambio de Escena - 1 year ago
"Change of scene," when the protagonist makes sense of and assigns meaning to incremental changes or unexpected events (Story Grid). The next morning Catalina hugged Tía Lola, repeatedly expressing her appreciation for all the many ways she had been such a good friend. The good lady kissed her back, said how much she would be missed, but encouraged her to have a good time. "You're growing up soby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Re: Estancia Aldea Norteña 19: Riesgo Cardíaco - 1 year ago
Tis true. Catalina/Catherine is in a terrible place where there really isn't much she can do. If she were a little more worldly wise or James/Javier had been a little more open to listening to his younger sister, maybe it would be different, but for now, she's in that awful spot where you can see the train wreck coming but don't know any way to stop it.by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Estancia Aldea Norteña 19: Riesgo Cardíaco - 1 year ago
"Risk to the heart," the source of sympathy or generosity; compassion (Free Dictionary). Catalina hoped to spend as much of her limited time left in town with Isabel. Beyond her promise to Javier she realized that with everything going on, they had barely spent any time together lately. But there was also Tía Lola and Tío Ruy to think of, who had been so kind to her, and were the whole reason sby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Re: Invitación - 1 year ago
Oh, there's more teasing a la gothic / telenovela fun to come from Enrique (which will lead to unintended consequences!)by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Invitación - 1 year ago
"Invitation," an action that causes or encourages something to happen (Cambridge Dictionary). Monday was long and boring compared to the excitement of the previous week. Catalina longed to see some of the patients instead of remaining stuck behind the desk. Sra. Mundo was an indifferent conversationalist at best, and actively discouraged chit chat most of the time. Lunch was quiet and subdued,by MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Re: Estancia Aldea Norteña 17: La Vuelta de Tuerca - 1 year ago
Thanks for the feedback: yes, Catalina is very trusting, and always wants to be at peace with others. It's endearing if somewhat concerning at times. But this story is very much one of discovery for her and she will learn more as the story progresses. Per nursing: I think it's more that she's helped her parents for years and since she doesn't have any ambition of her own, becoming a nurse like heby MichelleRW - Derbyshire Writers' Guild