Yours Faithfully, Amanda

March 23, 2017 Dear Jane, I thought I might share with you a poem I wrote about a year ago and it just so happens that it was inspired by the beloved heroines of your treasured novels. Since it is Women's History Month and the world celebrated World Poetry Day this past Tuesday, it seemed fitting to share a poem about my favorite authoress and her divine leading ladies.  Now before I share my poem, I find myself remembering a humorous and lively conversation between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice :  These two love birds can't fool us.     "And so ended his affection," said Elizabeth impatiently. "There has been many a one, I fancy, overcome in the same way. I wonder who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!"    "I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love," said Darcy.    "Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Ev...

March 19, 2016 Dear Jane, I do hate to complain, but I must confess to being quite ill as of late. I believe in my heart that I have a sinus infection (but I often believe myself to be suffering from sinus infections, you know). I dare say, I am rather like your character Mary Musgrove (née Elliot) of Persuasion  who famously said the above-listed quotation. As you well know, Mary always fancies herself indisposed but this particular time, however, I really am!  I had no intention of specifically using this quote, but I should not be surprised as I just finished re-reading Persuasion (a great favorite of mine!).  Since last I wrote to you, I celebrated my twenty-seventh birthday...goodness me, I am getting old! However, I have decided that I quite like this age as it is exactly the age of Anne Elliot in Persuasion and as she is one of my favorite literary heroines, why should not I be happy with twenty-seven? Much can happen to a woman at the age of twenty-seven a...