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 ...

May 19, 2018 Dear Jane, As a self-proclaimed anglophile, I would be remiss if I did not write about two very important English historic events which occurred/is occurring on this date. The first event dates back quite a few years (four-hundred and eighty-two, to be exact) and the other is happening presently, as I write! But we shall go in order by year. "It is however...my Duty to declare that this amiable Woman was entirely innocent of the Crimes with which she was accused..." Miss Austen will, of course, recognize the above quote as being one of her own, but pray, permit me to enlighten my gentle readers. The above quote is from Miss Austen's, The History of England , a delightful parody of Oliver Goldsmith's book of the same title, written when the authoress was around the age of fifteen. It refers to Queen Anne Boleyn and her unfair trial and treatment by King Henry VIII. Jane was a firm believer, as am I, in Anne's innocence and today happens to be the 482nd...

May 3, 2018 Dear Jane, A flowery image I took this very morning! I write to you as we begin the month of May with both exceedingly hot weather and the most beautiful flower blossoms. In truth, I prefer the latter without the prior, but seeing as we saw two snow showers in the beginning of April, one must not be too particular! It seems that summer is fast approaching whether or not we are ready for it, Jane. Happily, I have a great many things to look forward to (though the hot weather is not one of them). I fear that it will sound as if I am bragging about my upcoming adventures but please know that this is not my intention; I merely wish to keep you informed...and cannot think of anything else to write about at present. Is this not a writer's greatest obstacle? My upcoming schedule (pronounced SHED-YOOL) is as follows: -------------------------------------- May I couldn't resist taking a  bookish photo! I, along with my sister and two friends, will be ...

March 8, 2018 Dear Jane, First of all, Happy International Women's Day! Oh, how you would have loved to celebrate such a momentous day whilst you were living. I must say that you are a very important figure in Women's History , Jane,  and will always be remembered as such. I must now acknowledge that I forgot to wear purple today and humbly ask the women of the world to forgive me. The Gentlemen! Secondly, it has once again been too long since last I wrote, but I wish you to take solace in the fact that I often have the intention and wish to write even if I do not often follow through. I must say that I am all astonishment that we are already in the midst of March! Why, my father has already celebrated his sixty-fourth birthday, or as he likes to call it, his "Beatles birthday," and my sweet nephew, Octavian, celebrated his eight month birthday (both on the fifth day of this month). Laugh.Out.Loud. 28+1...equals 29. Now, this is difficult for me to conf...

December 27, 2017 Dear Jane, Season's greetings and Merry Christmas, my dear friend! But more importantly, Happy Belated Birthday! I know not if you are aware of this (I, myself, would surely lose track), but you recently celebrated your 242nd birthday on the sixteenth of December in the Year of Our Lord, two-thousand and seventeen. Quite the milestone, I must say! Happily, I celebrated your birthday in the best way possible and I shall tell you all about it in this letter. Before I get to that, however, it is also worth noting that Christmas was but two days ago and as it was my darling nephew's first, it was a most joyous occasion. And to make it even more special, we woke up to a beautiful blanket of Christmas snow which was ever so charming and festive. Being amongst my family for the holiday was the best gift I could ever ask for. Merry Christmas from the Forkers and von Gootkins! Now to return to your birthday festivities. The sixteenth of December began with an ...

October 31, 2017 Dear Jane, I write to you after a rather long reprieve, and for this I must apologize. In truth, I do not quite know the reason for it, though it is most likely a mixture of laziness, being engaged in various activities and then, I fear, a bit more laziness. Please, do forgive me, dear friend! Anyway, I write to you on this, one of my favorite holidays, All Hallows Eve (better known as Halloween). Even when I have no engagements to speak of (such as plans to beg neighbors for candy, dinner parties, balls, etc.), it is still a day filled with magic, mystery and possibility! If there are any naysayers out there who doubt this magic, then I put this question to them: As a notoriously slothful individual, what could suddenly possess me to take up my pen and write a letter to my favorite authoress if not for pure, unadulterated magic? The answer? Nothing. Eighteenth-century quill drop. Now then, since last I wrote much has happened. Firstly (and most importantly) my...

July 18, 2017 Dear Jane, It is a truth universally acknowledged that one would be remiss if one did not pay tribute to you on this, the 200th anniversary of your passing. This day, whilst sorrowful, is one of great celebration around the world and I can't help but wonder what you would think of the accolades you are receiving two-hundred years after your untimely death. It is quite a marvel to behold Jane! Social Media (for your own sake, I shall not explain this institution as it can be quite frustrating at times) is aglow with praise of you!  Photo Credit: Amanda Forker This day is one of great importance as you have been such a constant friend and inspiration to me over the years, Jane. Your novels bring me hope, joy, understanding and just plain happiness. I must confess, however, that I had great hopes of travelling to England this summer in order to partake in the many celebrations occurring all over Hampshire in your honor, but sadly, the opportunity did not ari...