Molland's Community

[John]

Having been summoned by Her Ladyship to account for my long absence (*snort*), I am eager to demean myself with grateful respect towards such a Patroness, and herewith offer siuch an account:

I've been kicking off my M.A. dissertation on the Cavalier poets (Henry Vaughan, Bishop King, Herrick, Andrew Marvell, Lovelace), I've moved into a new Hall of Residence (dorm? Not sure of the US for that) and become an RA, which means "glorified prefect-come-housemaster-come babysitter", I converted to Anglicanism (a choice of religion that suprised only one person: me), got stuck on the French subjunctive, and discovered that hanging out in abandoned 19th century cemeteries can be fun. (cf. Anne of Green Gables). My favourite epitaph so far is:

"Sacred to the Memory of Elizabeth Jane Lowry, shot while on her way to Primitive Methodist Bible Class, Hannover St, 1857. Blessed are the Dead who die in the Lord"

Intruiging. Who shot her in the middle of early Auckland? Why? Was it a Maori attack, or an anti-Wesleyan serial killer, or did she walk into a bar fight? I must find out one of these days.

Otherwise, sweltering in the humidity, rereading Harry Potter, getting back into strength training, drinking too much coffee and watching classic films. "The African Queen" last week. Oh, and discovering the joys of deadlines, raspberry drops, plum wine and shepherd's pie. Mine is not so good as Dad's, but I have yet to give up.

What's everyone else up to?

[Cyberlibrarian]

Hi John!  How is your Good Friday going so far?  Even though, by now, it's almost Holy Saturday for you.

Anyway, I hope you have a blessed and joyous Easter. 

[Deb R.]

Good grief, honey chile -- you've changed so much I would hardly recognize you!  See what happens when a country boy moves to the big city?  Sounds like you're adapting well and not wasting too much time (do you ever sleep?).

Poor old Elizabeth Jane!  Yes, my first thought was that someone desperately wanted to keep her out of the clutches of that evil Wesleyan cult.  May she rest in peace.

Hope you got to go home to celebrate Easter with your family.  Have a peaceful and blessed holiday!

And that applies to all y'all.  --Deb   

[Mags]

"Sacred to the Memory of Elizabeth Jane Lowry, shot while on her way to Primitive Methodist Bible Class, Hannover St, 1857. Blessed are the Dead who die in the Lord"

Is that why you converted?

 

[John]

To answer your questions in order:

1. Good Friday was OK--I am not used to fasting, but I managed to hold it together. Just! Stripped altars and Stations of the Cross, and all the usual things. It is the expiring minutes of Holy Saturday now, I helped dress the altar this afternoon (not too sure how I ended up volunteering for that, but my grandmother would be proud, were she not six hundred kilometres South), and schlepped chairs about while elderly people sat on them and told me I was doing it wrong.

2. Haven't changed at all, really. Anglicanism (at least here) is a country religion, and as I said, it's my grandma's fault, with a little help from Lancelot Andrewes, John Donne, Richard Hooker and George Herbert. Most people seemed to assume I was an English catholic anyhow. Harry was always an indulged sin, alcohol is an excellent pain-killer (there's something in 2nd Timothy about that, I'm sure), and while I am temporarily camping in the big smoke I might as well be useful. I'll apply somewhere English-speaking, cold and rural for doctoral study, I reckon. Notre Dame, maybe? 

3. Early NZ was a fairly lawless place--liquor sellers and seal-hunters and traders and jacks-of-all-trades everywhere. Poor Elizabeth must have just got in the way. And no, I am not afraid of anti-chapel killers; I went to boys' grammar school and carry a large walking stick--lawless elements, militants selling the "Socialist Worker" and Greenpeace activists bother me at their peril! 

[Deb R.]

Hey John!  I recently rented "Her Majesty" NZ flick set during 1953 visit of Queen Elizabeth.  I believe it was all filmed on northern island of NZ, and while storyline was pretty predictable, I was fascinated watching the background scenery of your part of the world.  To tell the truth, the dairy farms on rolling hills looked very much like my region in Virginia.

[John]

Yes, that part of the North Island is probably relatively similar. The South Island, now, there's nothing like it. Nothing to match.