Victorian Gossip - A Classic With Bite

Our new book club, affectionately called TBR or The Book Readers, is trying a new format. Basically, we spin a wheel with the attendees’ names, then spin again for our predetermined group of genres. Whoever the wheel lands on chooses the book and writes the questions for our next Book of the Month.

I was chosen first and landed on Historical Fiction. However, I have grown pretty tired of the usual historical fiction centered on the world wars or early American history, so after some debate with myself and a quick check with the club, I picked a book that has been on my own “to be read” list for a while. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë. This bold but mostly unknown classic earned a 3.5 to 4 stars from me. Mostly it's considered Victorian Realism, however, in terms of the modern reader, we felt it was close enough to Historical Fiction.

Anne Brontë published under the name Acton Bell to avoid bias against women writers, and her work is now recognized as some of the earliest feminist writing in English literature. She died at only twenty-nine, yet her voice and the story remains strong and slightly modern.

This story begins when a widow arrives at Wildfell Hall with her son and a fierce desire for privacy. Gossip follows her immediately, springing from a mix of social control and boredom that still exists today. As we read Gilbert Markham’s letters, we see him refusing the rumors and grow determined to uncover the truth she is protecting.

What is she hiding? As a new, modern reader, has society changed in its view of women? Can men and women ever truly be friends or does someone always feel more deeply? Are young people even able to listen to the advice of their elders or must they experience life to understand it? These were the questions that came to me.

The book blends mystery, relationships, and the courage required to choose freedom, all within a gentle Gothic atmosphere. 

Here is my honest confession. I enjoyed this far more than Wuthering Heights. Emily’s emotional storm has never been my favorite and I hated the characters. Anne’s characters felt more real because she was still great at developing characters and shocking readers. And although the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film with Keira Knightley is beloved by me, reading and listening to The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was more enjoyable than my experience with Pride and Prejudice. Anne’s pacing and style of using Gilbert's letters and Helen's diary made it feel like I'd stumbled across the Victorian TMZ. 

This 1848 story has been adapted into several different lengths and that makes it perfect for readers who like something beefy or for those who just want a story without too much extra. If you decide to read this with a group, below are the questions I provided my club. [SPOILER ALERT!]

Book Club Questions: The Tenant of Wildfell HallQuestions: 

1.       From 1-5 stars, what would you rate this book?

2.       Why do you think Anne Brontë chose to use “the tenant” in the title, and what does it tell us about Helen’s place in society?

3.       The story highlights the youthful infatuations of Helen and Gilbert along with the advice they received. If you could have shaken some sense into either of them, what simple piece of advice would you have shared?

4.       After a night fueled by Arthur’s drinking and entitlement, Helen refused to indulge his mocking the next morning. As she walks quietly out of the room, he mutters “confounded slut.” It’s a small moment with big weight and is meant to shock Victorian readers. What was Anne trying to show by this sudden quip of cruelty in contrast to Helen’s gentleness?

5.       When did Helen’s character and strength shine the most for you?

6.       What was your favorite moment of the book, and which one made you think, “Absolutely not!”

7.       Gilbert’s letter reveals his plan to play the long game as Helen’s “friend” until she catches feelings. Knowing his dishonestly, how did you feel about them becoming a couple in the end?

8.       Do you think Anne Brontë risked her own reputation by challenging Victorian norms about marriage, women’s autonomy, and domestic abuse?

9.       If Anne were sitting here with us tonight, what question would you most want to ask her?

What is National Women's Equality Day?

Photo of purple, white, and yellow women's suffrage flag flying

On August 26th, the United States celebrates National Women’s Equality Day, honoring the fight for women’s rights that began with the first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York, in July 1848. Organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Martha Coffin Wright, Mary Ann M'Clintock, and Jane Hunt, the convention introduced the Declaration of Sentiments. This pivotal document addressed the legal and social inequalities faced by women and called for various reforms, including the right to vote. Frederick Douglass, a supporter of women’s suffrage, also attended. After 72 years of relentless advocacy, the 19th Amendment was ratified on August 18 and certified on August 26. Sadly, none of these pioneering figures actually lived to see this victory.

Please remember to vote in your local and national elections. People dedicated their entire lives for us to have this privilege. Be a voice for women as we continue to fight for respect and autonomy today.

Here are some inspiring quotes by Lucretia Mott:

"The great truth which the world has yet to learn is that the equality of men and women is essential to the peace and progress of the world."

"The true remedy for the injustices of woman’s condition is that all men should become as just and benevolent as women have been long forced to be."

The Genre Traveler’s Guide: A Year of Storyworld Adventures

For my next planner, I’m dedicating each month to a different book genre and building a small set of themed activities to go with it. I’ve already mapped out ideas for every month, but am placing ZERO pressure on myself to complete everything. I’ll choose one activity or dive into all of them depending on how much stress or freedom each month brings. The goal is simply to explore, enjoy, and let each genre add a little spark to my year ahead. 

---
Welcome to the Genre Traveler’s Guide, a year of explorations across twelve genres. Each month brings a new world, a fresh vibe, and a themed set of unique activities. No pressure to complete them all or do them exactly as written! These are just to inspire you or provide fun ideas. Choose just one or try them all depending on your needs for the month and watch your planner become a book of lived stories.
 
 

👻OCTOBER — Murkmire Hollow (Horror Realm)
Vibe: Haunted houses + foggy nights + scary movies. A damp, fog heavy kingdom where lanterns glow green and shadows whisper. Quote: “Monsters are real. Ghosts are real too. They live inside us.” - Stephen King
Activities: ☐ Read a horror novel ☐ Have a S'mores & Scary Movie Night ☐ Listen to a paranormal podcast 
☐ Turn your car into a spooky ride ☐ Create a tiny “haunted terrarium” with moss, twigs, and a miniature ghost 
Challenge: ☐ Watch a horror movie alone in the dark.

🧙 NOVEMBER — AMBERWOOD (Fantasy Realm)
Vibe: Cozy magic + fall vibes + escapism. A golden forest where leaves shimmer and magic hums under every root. Quote: “We are all stories in the end.” - Doctor Who
Activities: ☐ Read a fantasy book ☐ Visit a local castle or unique historic building ☐ Read a local myth or legend ☐ Wear something whimsical ☐ Walk casually this month – no need to rush! 
Challenge: ☐ Brew a “Realm” Tea — Create a tea blend inspired by the Amberwood Fantasy Realm.

❄️DECEMBER — FROSTPETAL VALE (Holiday Realm)
Vibe: Twinkle lights + nostalgia + coziness. A crisp valley where frost blooms like flowers and lanterns glow warm against the cold. Quote: “Winter has a way of slowing the world so our hearts can catch up.” - Unknown
Activities: ☐ Read a book based on the winter holidays ☐ Drop off goodies to a fire/police station ☐ Feed some birds a treat ☐ Wear something festive ☐ Do some creative writing- jot down a brief note from the perspective of a snowflake on an adventure to your front yard 
Challenge: ☐ Create a Realm Candle - Choose scents and colors that represent this realm’s essence.

🔍 JANUARY — STARWELL SANCTUARY (Mystery Realm)
Vibe: Wintry weather + detective vibes. A quiet sanctuary under a star strewn sky, where clues hide in constellations. Quote: “The criminal is the creative artist; the detective is only the critic.” - G.K. Chesterton
Activities: ☐ Read a mystery book ☐ Watch a detective movie ☐ Set up a hang-out time with someone else to work on a puzzle ☐ Visit a mysterious local place ☐ Listen to a true crime podcast/documentary
Challenge: ☐ Create Shadow Notes: As you read or watch your mystery, choose one character and jot down anything that feels odd: contradictions, a strange pause, anything that seems off. Use those notes to build a brief detective report about their true motive.

🤠 FEBRUARY — SUNCANYON (Western/ Western Romance Realm)
Vibe: Desert sunsets + cowboy love stories. A warm canyon realm glowing with sunset colors and soft desert winds. Quote: “Never was a horse that couldn’t be rode, never was a rider that couldn’t be throwed.” - Texas proverb
Activities: ☐ Read a Western romance ☐ Visit a country-themed place ☐ Wear boots or a hat sometime this month ☐ Make chili or cornbread ☐ Have a sunset moment
Challenge: ☐ Ranch Rescue — Volunteer to help with a local farm or animal shelter for a day

🧭 MARCH — BLOSSOMROOT VILLAGE (Adventure Realm)
Vibe: New energy + movement. A lively spring village where every path leads to a new discovery. Quote: “Adventure is worthwhile.” - Aesop
Activities: ☐ Read an adventure novel or watch a movie ☐ Visit a restaurant in a new town ☐ Listen to the “Genre Traveler’s Guide – Adventure Playlist” on Spotify ☐ Have a cozy reading day ☐ This month carry a small adventure kit (small journal and pen; tiny paint set and art book etc.) 
Challenge: ☐ Move your body and dance this month. Go out, do it in your house, or even in the car…just dance at 100%

🌸 APRIL — RAINWHISPER CROSSING (Fairytale Realm)
Vibe: Spring blooms + whimsical vibes. A misty crossing where rain sings and fairytales drift through the air. Quote: “The world is full of magic things.” - W.B. Yeats
Activities: ☐ Read a fairytale retelling ☐ Watch creative youtuber: @samanthacboyer ☐ Create a Fairytale Bookmark ☐ Be a kid at heart; find a “Portal” and walk through a doorway, arch, or tree opening as though it goes somewhere magical ☐ Get out of your comfort zone and go on a poetry picnic
Challenge: ☐ Imagine for a day that a tiny unicorn or fantasy creature follows you; let it make you smile each time you remember “it’s there.” 

🌾 MAY — SEEDGLINT FIELDS (Dystopian Realm)
Vibe: Stark beauty + resilience. A cracked, sunlit field where hope glints between the ruins. Quote: “We do not survive alone.” - Margaret Atwood
Activities: ☐ Read a dystopian novel ☐ Notice something growing out of place (a flower in concrete, a tree in a sign pole, a weed in a parking lot crack) ☐ Appreciate water – from your faucets; visit a river, pond, fountain, or lake.  ☐ Do a no tech evening ☐ Go outside and say goodnight to the moon
Challenge: ☐ Create Relic Art - Create a relic by transforming a found, forgotten object into a symbol of resilience using only materials you already have.

☕ JUNE — SUNWEAVE TERRACE (Cozy Fantasy/Mystery Realm)
Vibe: Summer cafés + comfy clothes + low-stake activities. A warm terrace realm woven with sunlight, soft breezes, and gentleness. Quote: “The little joys are the biggest treasures.” - Unknown
Activities: ☐ Read a cozy mystery/fantasy – nothing too intense ☐ Walk a familiar path but note 3 new things  ☐ Visit a café, silently observe a stranger, write a one paragraph meet-cute. ☐ Watch a beachy movie – bonus you catch someone in the show reading! ☐ Visit a farmer’s market 
Challenge: ☐ Create or update a cozy reading corner in your home!

💫JULY — TIDEWHISPER COVE (Sci-Fi Realm)
Vibe: Summer nights + stars + futuristic fun. A glowing coastal realm where the ocean hums with future energy. Quote: “For my part, I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” - Vincent van Gogh
Activities: ☐ Read a sci-fi story ☐ Visit a planetarium ☐ Try a new gadget ☐ Go to the website https://www.futureme.org/ and send a note to your future self ☐ Decide on a signature summer beverage for the month 
Challenge: ☐ Watch the stars for 20 minutes. Bonus if you do some barefoot grounding!

🔥 AUGUST — ASHEFALL CITY (Thriller Realm)
Vibe: Hot nights + slow burn suspense. A city where cicadas buzz, shadows stretch long, and every quiet moment feels like it’s hiding a story. Quote: Some nights feel like they’re holding their breath.” - Unknown
Activities: ☐ Read a psychological thriller ☐ Have a breakfast picnic ☐ Wear/make a summer anklet in your favorite style ☐ Pamper yourself with a cooling facial mask on extra hot days. ☐ Take a sunset photo
Challenge: ☐ Camp, but inside! Set up a tent or make a pillow fort in your space to enjoy

📜 SEPTEMBER — HARVESTMERE COURT (Historical Fiction Realm)
Vibe: Back to school + history. A warm autumn court filled with markets, old stories, and golden harvest light. Quote: “The past beats inside me like a second heart.” - John Banville
Activities: ☐ Read a historical fiction novel ☐ Watch a period drama ☐ Learn about a historical figure that interests you or visit a museum ☐ Watch a documentary 
Challenge: ☐ Reflect and write down what you never want to forget about yourself or your life right now

When Music Finds Us & Makes Us Feel

Music can be magical. The right artists find me exactly when I need them. One of those artists is Qveen Herby. On my birthday, my daughter surprised me with concert tickets to see her in Austin, and I’m absolutely buzzing. I’ve been listening to Qveen Herby since 2020. Fair warning that her lyrics are explicit, however the message throughout them is all confidence, growth, and self‑worth. Which is exactly the energy I want more of in my life each year.

Qveen Herby isn’t a "radio artist." She’s independent, experimental, and witty. Her sound is bass‑heavy beats, sharp lyricism, and her vocals combine silky singing and rapid‑fire rap. My playlists are full of musicians who don’t fit neatly into mainstream boxes, like her. There’s something refreshing about artists who make music with intention instead of apple-polishing their sound for the mass market. Anyway, her self‑loving style makes my day lighter. 

I've been working on my concert outfit. It's been an interesting process because I want to experiment and be playful. In this though, I realized that I still need to be me. An outfit can't be so outside myself that I'm uncomfortable. It'll likely be some version of this photo. So, the experiment continues!

Overall, music is art, and art is supposed to make us feel something. I’m looking forward to being in the crowd with my daughter, feeling the beat, and singing our hearts out while soaking up every drop of that empowerment.

In July, I'm walking into that concert like it’s my whole new SZN. 

My jams: 

* Vitamins                * MY SZN                * Violence

* Sensational            * The Fool                * Abracadabra 

* Who is She            * Beautiful                * Lucky

* High Priestess        * Wifey                    * Chakras 

* Juice                      * Good Morning       * Stretch Marks 

* Lavish                    * Dragons                 * Aura Poppins 

 

Dream: Ghosts in the Wheat Field

AI's surprisingly accurate rendering of what I dreamed

Welcome to my Dark Dream

I have begun writing down my dreams this year. I usually do not remember dreaming, but lately they have become extremely vivid. Hello, Menopause. I do not think every dream carries deep meaning, but some seem to help me work through emotions and thoughts I have not had time to process. I have also used AI for a bit of external insight. My goal in reviewing my dreams is simply to make sure I am not ignoring something my body or brain might be trying to communicate. 

My Recent Dream

I was watching a scary movie with teens and adults. I remember there was something about an old camera and a missing film chip. In the movie, a young girl disappeared and then the movie began to glitch, so a group of us, including my son, went outside to try and get better reception. I recall that it was night with a distant storm and a wheat field across the main road and to the right. We crossed that road onto one of dirt that ran by a wheat field. While working to get the movie to come in again on a handheld TV, we began to notice faint, ghosts began drifting past us. They didn't interact with us or look our way but simply passed by. The most vivid was a large (6ft'ish+) gray, long‑armed creature crawling vertical along the side edge of the field like it was a wall then disappearing. In that moment, the version of me in the dream thought, "I should have brought my firearm." Next, I slowly noticed that one-by-one several of the people with me had vanished until there were only four of them left. I convince those remaining to go back across the road and into the house (which happened to be my Grandma's house now). As we crossed the street, the others became distracted by a pale cream ghost that began floating down the road. I saw it too but kept walking towards the house assuming the others were behind me. By the time I reached the door, twisted the handle and looked back, I realized that I was the only one left. The shock of that woke me.

AI Interpretation - Dreams like this tend to be emotional metaphors wearing horror‑movie costumes. What you described has a very coherent emotional structure once you peel back the imagery. Let me walk you through it in a way that keeps the symbolism grounded and not mystical.

Watching the movie suggests you have been observing a stressful or confusing situation that feels out of your control. There could be something in your waking life that feels unpredictable.

The old camera and missing film chip point to searching for clarity or feels like something is missing. You want to "see" it more clearly but can't access it yet.

A wheat field and distant storms often symbolize vulnerability, cycles (growth, harvest, endings) or an anticipated emotional upheaval.

Interestingly, the drifting ghosts were not attacking. They simply moved past. They could symbolize old fears, mental clutter, or signals of overwhelm that you and others could be experiencing rather than direct threats. As people focused on them, they became distracted. And once they were distracted, they disappeared.

Thinking you should have had your firearm is symbolic of wanting protection and control. Likely not about having your literal weapon but wanting to feel prepared and protected.

People disappearing seems to reflect a fear that support is thinning or that you’re being left to handle things alone. This doesn't mean anyone in your life is abandoning you but more about concern you may be feeling of being the last one standing.

Homes and doors often represent safety and the relief of reaching a place of grounding, even if you arrive alone. You tried to lead others back to safety, but they got distracted. This could represent you often trying to be the responsible one guiding and protecting others - however ultimately you can't control their choices or what pulls their attention.

Things to reflect on:

This dream reads like an emotional snapshot. In your waking life, something feels uncertain, possibly stressful. You’re trying to stay grounded and be responsible. Your mind could be trying to get clarity (the camera), prepare yourself (the firearm), and move yourself and others toward safety (the house), but you seem to be feeling concern that you will find yourself alone. Practically, gentle self‑care may help—hydrate, cool down, rest, and name the feeling so it loses its grip. The dream isn’t a warning; it’s your mind processing stress and moving toward safety.

If you have read this far and take anything from my story and dream, let it be this. Our minds have their own way of sorting through stress, and sometimes the imagery looks far stranger than the feeling underneath. What matters is paying attention to what rises up, even when it comes wrapped in shadows. 

What Remains at Midnight.

Readers know that I decided to try a “princess of the month” theme in my Gilded Scriptoria planner for this year. On paper, it made sense. I love the royal, elevated feel of this planner, and I’ve done character based themes before (Pride and Prejudice, Lord of the Rings) and absolutely loved them. So I assumed this would be the same.

But it hasn’t been.

Last month I spent time with Cinderella. I watched the Disney version, read the retelling Cinder, and tried to settle into the theme. It was fine, but not a story I naturally connect with. And now April is dedicated to Jasmine from Aladdin, but I didn’t enjoy Arabian Nights and I’m not in the mood for the movie either. I keep bumping into the same feeling: I’m trying to pull inspiration from characters, but they aren’t inspiring me right now.

And that’s okay. This is the part I’m paying attention to.

I don’t want to change the theme mid‑year because I like to finish what I start. And I still love my Gilded Scriptoria itself and the activities that lean into feeling royal and intentional. It’s the princess layer that isn’t landing for me.

What I did take from Cinderella, though, was one small detail: the glass slippers stayed when everything else fell away. The dress vanished, the carriage crumbled, the magic dissolved but the slippers remained as a reminder of who she already was.

That’s the part that feels true for me right now. Not the princess. Not the story line. Just the realization of what remained at midnight.

And as I sit with that image, I’m realizing that my planner is the glass slipper. The princess theme may not be working, but the essence of the planner is fantastic. It is what makes me slow down, try new activities, and record memories.

So I’m letting this season unfold as it is. I’ll finish the year with the theme I chose, but I’m releasing my expectation that it has to inspire me every month. I'll let the important things stay while the non-essential can fall away at midnight. Being honest about all this feels important to share because I want to honor what is true...not every month is magical.

For Debbie Debbie

Debbie with the joyful, quirky spark I adore.

I opened the text this morning at 5:30am. 

"Mama. Hey sweetie we lost her. She loved you so much! I will keep in touch about the memorial. Big hugs from me and my mom." 

This message was from her lovely daughter Jessica. She had messaged me often over the past year or so with updates on my friend Debbie.

I met Debbie Murray around 2009'ish at the UNT Health Science Center, and from the very beginning she was one of those people I just… clicked with. We had several Debbies in our office but she was the original. So when someone would ask me which Debbie I was talking about I’d say, “you know… Debbie Debbie.” It rolled out of my mouth once and stuck forever. She always embraced my affectionate little nickname for her. Eventually, even my kids, family, and friends began to know her by this nickname.

Our birthdays are only one day apart, which we treated like a tiny private holiday. I was 35 when I met her. We were from different generations but our friendship felt completely natural. That was one of my favorite things about her. Some people make you forget age differences entirely. Debbie was one of those rare souls who could connect across any gap with people she met.

She had this wonderfully quirky sense of humor. She was a collector of unusual and unfortunate names the way other people collect seashells. The first time she plopped a list of them in my hand, we'd laugh until we had tears in our eyes. I wish I could share some but those poor humans had names that were wildly inappropriate. Ha. Anyway, she had a way of finding the odd, delightful corners of life and turning them into stories worth retelling.

Her years as a prospect researcher gave her a whole library of stories about people, and she told them with warmth and curiosity. People and their stories were ALWAYS important in her work in fundraising. Even when I started digging into my own ancestry she gave me great advice. I think she’d smile knowing I’ve put this out into the world for someone to find someday. She loved discovering little pieces of other people’s stories, and now this is a piece of hers. It just feels right. 

Debbie spoke so fondly of her daughters and of her family. One of her last Facebook messages to me, unknowing that it would be her last, was about Nicki and her ‘great‑grands.’ She often posted memorials for those she'd lost and missed. Family was at the center of her heart. I could hear the love in her voice every time she talked about them. And I'm honored that she extended a similar steady affection to me as I built my own family through adoption and a later‑in‑life marriage. She cheered me on, supported me, and reminded me I wasn’t doing any of life alone.

One year, we went together to the "Empty Bowls" event in Fort Worth to support the Tarrant County Food Bank. I still have my bowl...it holds our coffee filters at home. That photo is below. She also supported St. Jude heavily and causes for people who were hurting and in need among us. And she supported local animal shelters. I even went once with her to the Humane Society when she was looking for a new, older shelter pup. I almost went home with a 3-legged dog myself, named Ilean! Ha. Thinking of Debbie Debbie brings these scriptures to mind:

Proverbs 17:22 + Galatians 6:2  “A cheerful heart is good medicine... Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Over these years, we sent each other funny texts, Facebook messages, and encouragement. The last time I hugged her neck was in a hospital room in Fort Worth before she moved back to South Texas to be closer to her family. I lived over two hours away at that point but took PTO so we could have that moment.

I miss her already. I love her. But as I get all weepy I can hear her in my head telling me not to cry too hard. She’d want me to remember her with laughter and happiness, not get swallowed up in my grief. So like I do with all my friends who have gone ahead before me, I have decided to carry a little of her joyful, edgy humor forward into my own life.

Seventeen years of friendship is no small thing. It changes you. It stays with you. 

Debbie would have been 75 on March 1st. So I’ll keep celebrating our almost‑shared birthday, because some connections really don’t end. They just shift into a different kind of presence.

----

My photos are from an ancient cell phone so they are small and blurry but I treasure them. 

Campus Pride work event

At a Gala event - when we both smile our eyes disappear. LOL

Empty Bowls event - here's us trying to keep our smiling eyes open. ha <3

 

Rest well, my friend.