Yours Faithfully, Amanda

July 18, 2018 Dear Jane, Photo by Yours Faithfully, Amanda We have once again reached the sad day of your passing. It has been two-hundred and one years since you departed this earth, but your memory and legacy are stronger than ever. To be sure, janeites around the globe mourn your early death (you were only forty-one) and yet we simultaneously rejoice in the beautifully written words you left behind for us. In truth, it is a most bittersweet day.  Now, as I have much updating to do, I will leave off with a short poem and the promise of another letter either this week or the next.  I wrote the short poem below after being inspired by the picture you see on the right. I took this photo this very morning, and the words, "She needed a hero so she became one," instantly caught my attention. You really were your own hero, Jane and I still admire you so very much! (And yes...that is a Jane Austen action figure.)   Jane the Hero She needed a hero and so ...

October 10, 2016 Dear Jane, When last I wrote, I mentioned that I would not write again until I had some diverting fall excursions to tell you of. Happily, I had a most lovely Friday evening last week and I hearily wish to tell you all about it. (Pray, do not be alarmed by the quotation above as it will all be explained in good time.)  A portrait of Miss Charlotte Brontë. After a surprisingly pleasant day of temping, I was determined to visit the Morgan Library (one of my most favorite places in New York City) in order to walk through an exhibit currently on display there called, "Charlotte Brontë: An Independent Will." Fortunately, the Morgan offers patrons free admission on Friday evenings from seven o'clock until nine o'clock so I had no excuse to miss it.  Miss Brontë's writing desk... I need one of these! Now, as Miss Brontë found her fame many years after your passing, you would not have known her, but she certainly knew you, Jane. I implo...

June 16, 2015 Dear Jane, I regret to inform you that this letter is delivered to you from my renewed place in the "real world." I am both happy and disappointed to report that the 'Miss Nelson is Missing' tour formally came to an end on the twelfth of June in the Year of our Lord, two-thousand and fifteen, on a Friday.  Between the two of us, Jane, I do not believe we would have been able to continue much longer anyways, as our van was slowly (or rather, rapidly) breaking down. Along with not being able to shut the back door from the inside and lack of air circulation (to name just a couple of things), we also lost a tire. It was the beginning of June and we were just beginning our journey to Massachusetts. After sitting for quite a long time in traffic, we were were finally driving through Connecticut, when suddenly, one of our back tires blew out and gave us a terrible fright! (Naturally, it was also pouring rain.) Anyway, we had to quickly pull off the road, ...

March 12, 2015 Dear Jane, It is with great displeasure that I now write to you as an old maid...pray, let me explain my meaning. The last time I wrote to you I was a young and vivacious twenty-five year old whereas now I am an old, spinster-like twenty-six year old. Where has the time gone? What prospects have I to look forward to?! If I am being truly honest with myself, my prospects are no different from what they were when I was twenty-five (last week), so I shall find it within myself to "keep it together." My only solace is that I am not a financial burdern on my parents (as poor Charlotte Lucas from Pride & Prejudice  feared she was at this age) and I am not at the point where my only chance for happiness is marrying a man like the daft and dreadful, Mr. Collins. Now there is some silver lining, Jane. North Carolina Blizzard- View from the Van Anyway, life here has continued on as normal whilst I have been performing in "Miss Nelson is Missing....

December 9, 2014 Dear Jane, I have decided to write you directly as I have the most riveting and extraordinary news to share with you! Now, I am going to ask that you sit down when you read this for you may not believe what I must tell you and may very well suffer a fainting spell....Are you quite ready, Jane?  Last night, my sisters and I attended an athletic event known as a "basketball game" and had the opportunity to see their Royal Highnesses, William & Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in person! Forgive me, Jane, for I am still overwhlemed by the fact that we were truly in the same room as them! I should also note that the King and Queen of American Pop Music, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, were in attendance and met the Royal couple as well. I must say that I never thought that I would ever see them in person and it was a dream come true, Jane. Catherine and William have long been favorites of mine and my sister's and we just simply had the time of our...

October 10, 2014 Dear Jane, How is it that we are already in the midst of October? I fear that time is flying by much too quickly for my liking, and I am sure that I would feel much more at ease if it moved at a more leisurely pace. It seems that if one stops to rest for a single moment, the whole day is gone, and then the next begins without anything getting done at all! It is a truly vicious cycle, Jane, but "tis life" as they say and we must be glad for there is so much good to be had in it.  As you may know, Jane, I am quite partial to the month of October. The bewitching fragrances of leaves and pumpkin in the air are invigorating and truly allow one to feel all the joys of autumn. Unfortunately, living in New York City, I have yet to breath in these fine hints of autumnal bliss. However, the smell of rubbish seems to lessen as the air gets cooler, which is something that one must always be grateful for. I am fortunate that I was able to have a nice holiday at home...

July 18, 2014 Dear Jane, I write to you with a heavy heart, as I realize that today is, in fact, the anniversary of your untimely death. It has been one hundred and ninety-seven years since your bright light faded, but rest in peace knowing that you have left behind a legacy that will no doubt last for centuries to come. I chose the above quotation (from Pride & Prejudice , of course), as it perfectly describes my relationship both with you (as my favourite author) and your novels. I can scarcely remember the moment that I became enthralled by the worlds you created so brilliantly within your novels, but I am so very glad that I did. In fact, I have found that it is most certainly, a truth universally acknowledged that life is a little brighter with Miss Jane Austen by one's side.  As you may remember, Jane, I am currently residing in the great state of Ohio for these summer months, performing in a production of "Mary Poppins" at LaComedia Dinner Theatre. You ...

February 9, 2014 Dear Jane, This fine quote from Pride and Prejudice  is more true than you know, Jane. I realize that I did not truly know myself until the moment I began this tour. I am learning so much about myself as both a person and a performer, I hardly know where to begin.  Firstly, I  sincerely hope this letter finds you well and in the very best of spirits. I fear that my apologies (no matter how sincere they may be) in regard to being a neglectful correspondent are becoming tiresome and repetitive for the both of us. I have decided that a resolution of mine in the year of our Lord, two thousand and fourteen, will be to pen a letter, at the very least, once every fortnight. While I am quite aware that this is an ambitious pursuit for a lazy creature, such as myself, I am quite determined to succeed.  Now, Jane, as you will remember, I am currently touring the country with a musical production called "Are You My Mother?" I must say that it has been q...

January 2, 2014 Dear Jane, How can I ever make amends for my prolonged absence from our (well, my) correspondence? I don't believe I can, therefore, I will just have to prove to you that I am still a loyal companion by writing another letter. I must say that I am quite eager to share some rather exciting news with you that I have not, as of yet, announced publicly. However, I must ask you not to get yourself overly excited for it is not as astonishing as announcing an engagement of marriage (for instance), but it is exceedingly agreeable never-the-less. Before my own announcement, I must wish you the happiest of belated birthdays, Jane! Can you believe that you turned two hundred and thirty-eight on the 16th of December in the year of Our Lord, two thousand and thirteen? I certainly cannot. The fact that you continue to make such an impact in the lives of women (and men, I am sure) all over the world after two hundred and thirty eight years, is quite a remarkable feat! ...