Would you read this book?

ANNA IN THE PORTRAIT 

by Linda McMann 

CHAPTER 1

Hillside Manor 1909

 “He’s here, he’s here! He’s come for Anna,” said Bessie running into the room wringing her hands. Her eyes darted around the mahogany paneled room looking for a place to hide behind the massive walls of books.

“Go. Now. Leave us,” Isabella said to the housekeeper as she hurried across the rich burgundy Persian rug and shooed her away. She locked the double doors to the library, leaned against them and heard Bessie's heavy footsteps tromping down the hallway towards the back of the manor.

Isabella’s heart pounded in her chest as she gathered her swirling thoughts together and concentrated on the instructions for the spell she was about to cast. It had to work, it just had to.

She moved to the fireplace and hugged her distraught young daughter. Above the mantel hung a portrait of Anna, commissioned and completed upon her graduation from Miss Porter’s Finishing School this past spring. Long dark curly hair framed her petite face and violet eyes, matching the iridescent purple cape around her shoulders, gleamed with unshed tears . Isabella fastened the ancestral sapphire pendant around Anna’s neck and placed her rose gold wedding band in her palm.

 “Mother are, are, you, you sure?” said Anna. Tears gave way and slid down her cheeks as she struggled for control, gripping the ring.

The desperation in Isabella’s eyes spoke louder than her words. “It’s the only way I know to insure your safety, my love. We don’t have much time.”

 She closed her eyes and cleared her mind for a moment, then clasped her daughter’s hands as she spoke:

“Be still

  Be safe

  In this painting you shall dwell

  Till one true love breaks the spell

  Be still

  Be safe

  Carefully watch and wait

  For release to your one soul mate.”

The instant her daughter vanished, a flash of blinding light filled the room. Isabella shielded her eyes with trembling hands. Her knees gave way and she sank to the floor. She touched her head gingerly and rubbed at the ache there with one hand. She moved her hand over her heart.

Did she do the right thing? Did she say the right spell? She looked up at the portrait. It changed ever so slightly to show her twenty-year-old daughter now wearing the sapphire pendant and holding her gold wedding band. A hint of lilac, her favorite fragrance, remained in the air.

Relief and sorrow washed over Isabella as she stood, pressing her palms down the front of her skirt, absently smoothing the fabric. It worked. Her daughter and the pendant were safe. She stumbled as she took the first step, and grabbed the back of a chair, steadying herself. Squaring her shoulders, she moved forward opening the doors to the library and walked to the front door of the manor to answer the insistent knocking.

             She stood tall as she met Alfred’s gaze. She must maintain control.

“I’ve come for Anna. We are to be married as our families agreed. I will be moving the date forward, since you are without protection now that your husband is gone.”

She looked into his cold eyes and saw the lack of compassion there, even as his words belied it. “My husband called on you yesterday to cancel the betrothal and I know you’re responsible for his death. You will not take our daughter.”

“I have the agreement in writing and you have no choice in the matter, Mrs. Harris.” He advanced forward, raising his fist and shaking it at her. “Do not underestimate me. I will have Anna as my wife.”

Isabella stepped backwards involuntarily. She met his glaring eyes and strengthened her resolve. Her voice rose, “Anna has been sent away to safety. She will not be marrying you now or ever. Good day to you, Mr. White.”

She slammed the door and bolted it, leaning back against its solid support. She could hear him shouting threats, and slowly sank to the floor as every bone in her body lost its rigidity. A desolate moan escaped her lips. She hugged herself with arms that would never hold the two people most dear to her again, and rocked back and forth.

“God be with you darling girl, as I cannot.”  

Two amazing food preparation tips in one post!

Bananas
Okay, I've eaten bananas for a very long time, and I usually resort to using a knife to open the end to start the peeling process. Now I have learned another way: peel a banana like a monkey. Here's a video to show you how:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBJV56WUDng


Corn
A friend of mine just sent me a video on how to cook corn that is amazing. Fast, easy, and it stays hot! We tried it tonite and it works! Check it out!

http://youtu.be/YnBF6bv4Oe4

A traumatic day in the neighborhood

I've been thinking about the families in Colorado that are going through the tragedy of losing their homes to wildfires. Seeing pictures on the news brings the devastation home clearly. But nothing brought it home more clearly than what happened just across the street today.This morning our neighbor's home caught on fire. The couple left for work, leaving their older son at home sleeping. The fire started and quickly spread. The son was able to get out of the house and to a neighbors to call 911. When I walked out to open our gate at 9:30 a.m., smoke was pouring from all the windows and the east wall was a bright orange ball of fire. The first fire engine was already there connecting to the hydrant closest to the home. I could hear others on the way. By 12:30, they were finishing up; the house is a total disaster. The cause - the clothes dryer. Luckily no one was hurt, and two dogs and a cat are also safe. Makes you want to check the lint trap in your dryer, right?

Spring Garden Project

This spring our garden project was to widen the flower bed at the back of the house (you can see where it originally ended by where the dirt stops) and add plants and a water feature.

We started by digging up the asphalt, shaping a new bed, and adding a drain.

Then we added a watering system and four truckloads of soil!

Next came the pad for the fountain, the plants (thanks for your help, Nancy), and bark mulch.

And finally Amelia

She's a beauty. The entire fountain stands 80 inches tall.

I can see and hear the waterfall from the kitchen window. The neighbors say they love to hear the peaceful sound of the fountain while they work in their yard. Our project is a success and makes a beautiful retreat!

From the pen of a child

This condolence note I received when my mom passed away has a special place in my heart. It was written by Hannah, the eight year-old granddaughter of the owner of the foster home my mom lived in. Hannah came with her mother to visit several times a week and got to know the ladies well. She read to them, brought water, talked with, drew pictures, and generally entertained them. She was surprised when my mom passed away, after a very short decline. 

Her grandmother said she had lots of things to tell me, so she took several pieces of paper and wrote down her thoughts. 

 Hannah is a pretty special young lady, don't  you think?

Angels with Wings

Today is Memorial Day. I’ve been to the Abbey and placed flowers in the stands for my parents and two sisters. It’s now afternoon and I’m weeding in my garden. The clouds periodically block the sun, so it’s not too hot. The weather guy says 65 for today’s high. It’s not there yet, but I’m comfortable in my long sleeved shirt and jeans. I pick gardening today because it’s mindless yet rewarding; the results of my work will be apparent and satisfying at the end of the day.

 I become aware of the cheerful song of a bird in the tree above me.  When I finally spot the bird, it’s a Robin. The bird continues to sing to me for half an hour. I move in slow motion, comforted by the melody, continuing my gardening tasks.

The Robin seems to want more attention than I’m giving it, so it hops to the top of the trellis with the clematis canopy of white flowers, and seemingly increases its volume. I can’t help it. I talk to the bird, thanking it for singing to me on this sad day. I’m missing my parents and my sisters- missing the laughter and the conversations we had. Mom’s passing last November was the last of the four.

I talk to the Robin, who is still perched on the trellis and tell it how much I appreciate the serenade. It’s not lost on me that one of my sister’s name was Robin. I talk to Robins a lot. I feel comfortable telling the bird that she would love the young man her son has become and the wonderful wife he now has. How proud she would be that he works with mentally challenged children and helps teach them activities of daily living so they can be part of and contribute to society. It sings a few more happy notes, then leaves.

Suddenly two doves land in the cedar tree beside me. They begin their haunting co-coo-co volley. I love the sound; it reminds me of the vacations we spent as a family in Hawaii. Every morning we woke to the sound of the doves welcoming a new day. Today, they also sing to me for longer than usual before they take flight together.  It seems they have a lot of information to impart with their limited vocabulary.

I’m smiling by now, because it is a glorious day. I feel in touch with nature and content. I’m sitting on the ground and weeding beneath a group of delphinium that is stunning with its deep purple and blue shades. A hummingbird darts beside me and even though I’m only a foot away, takes it time drinking from the throat of the farthest stalk. It finishes its feast and stops before me midair, its wings whirring.  I sense it looking into my soul. Then it takes off as fast as it appeared

.

I’ve been visited by four angels today. My garden has become a special place of beauty and solace  because I've been blessed by the presence of angels with wings.

Remembering Mom and Dad

Mom and Dad,

I’m sending this note to tell you how much you are missed. I hope you are comfortable in the all-seeing, all-knowing heavenly world together. Things are definitely different here without you. Matt has taken over as the head of the clan and is doing an amazing job. I didn’t realize how much he takes after you, Dad, in temperament and actions. His business is booming and his family is flourishing.

Two lovely young ladies, Geli and Laura, have been added to the family. You would love them both. Nick and Geli are about to celebrate their first wedding anniversary and Drew just announced his engagement to Laura. They will be married next summer. Natalie is busier than ever with her job and enjoys being with her friends in the social city of Seattle.

Matt and Debbie have purchased a beach house on the Oregon coast to carry on the Family Beach House Legacy.  It probably has too many stairs for you both, but there is a bedroom on the main level with a bathroom nearby. And it’s close to the golf course, Dad, so you could practice your swing with a bucket of balls.

Cris and I are enjoying our retirement. Cris spends a lot of his time in his shop building and restoring interesting and fun cars. He just completed a 1955 Ford Pickup and is now putting the finishing touches on a 1927 Model T Roadster. We’re driving them to several car shows this summer in Oregon and Washington and yes, they both have seat belts. 

Dad, the life memory book you wrote for Matt and I has spurred me on to write too. I’ve taken nine writing classes over the last two years and have completed a novel, some poems, and many short stories that I would have loved to share with you. I post them on my writing blog and have met many wonderful and encouraging friends through my involvement there. 

We have eight grandkids now that are loads of fun and keep us young. Their personalities are as varied as night and day which makes it extra special to get to know them individually. They are growing up so fast. I imagine that’s what you said about us as kids too.

I sure miss talking with you both, but am comforted to know you are together and healthy again in heaven. Give Robin and Diane a hug for me.

Love, 

Linda