Becky Wade's Blog, page 103

Singing Through the “Off” Days (and a free book!)

I’m so happy to welcome Jill Lynn back to the blog today! I love how authentic she is in this post about something we all deal with — those “off” days that can get us down. Jill will be giving a copy of her brand new book to one of you who comments, so be sure to scroll down and check out the details!-Becky

I have always been one of those people with all the feels. If you’re experiencing something and you’re near me, I’m probably feeling it with you. It can be overwhelming sometimes! But most days I’m thankful God made me this way. I love being able to empathize with a friend and hopefully love them well when they’re going through something.

On the flip side of having all the feels is that I also have down or off days. For me it usually happens like clockwork…I’m not saying it’s hormonal but it’s totally hormonal. LOL This peri-menopausal stuff is for the birds!

When my off days hit, I try not to get too upset at the disruption. I try to give myself grace. (Try being the operative word.) If I don’t get my errands done or my writing is atrocious that day, I reach for grace. But at the same time, I try to keep moving and doing what I can. Because otherwise I’d never get anything done!

I am one of the (few?) writers who does not listen to music while I write. I actually like silence or white noise. But when I’m cooking or cleaning or driving then I’m definitely all about the music.

When my kids were young we had just started a business, so my husband’s days were long. It was usually around 5:00 that I was exhausted from being a stay-at-home mom and ready for reinforcements. But sometimes he wouldn’t get home until 6:00 or 7:00. That’s a long day as a stay-at-home mom!

Jill’s kids, back in the day

When I hit my breaking point, I would turn on the music and the kids and I would dance around the living room. We would blast the volume, dance terribly, and it didn’t matter what anyone thought. It was a great outlet. I have such fond memories of those moments now even though at the time, I was just trying to survive.

Lest you think I was a wonderfully perfect parent, I definitely was not. I lost my temper and had to fight impatience. There were days I hid in the garage for 10 minutes just for a moment alone. But, music and dancing were definitely a saving grace for us.

I recently started a playlist on Spotify…10 songs to brighten your mood. I thought it would be fun to have something I could click on when I’m having a weird day and I need to sing or maybe even dance to get myself out of a funk. My kids are far past the point of dancing in the living room these days, so I have to jam by myself. If you have Spotify, you can find the playlist here. (It’s an eclectic mix heavy on the 80s.)

Jill’s kids now

I’d love to hear what you do when you’re having an off day….

How do you get yourself out of a funk?

This month I’m celebrating my 10th Love Inspired book—The Veteran’s Vow—being in stores. For those who grab a copy online or while grocery shopping, I hope you enjoy. Be sure to check out my current giveaway.

I’m also going to give a copy of The Veteran’s Vow away to one of the readers of this blog. (Paperback for US shipping/Digital for international.) Enter by sharing this post online and then drop a comment below to let us know where you’ve shared. We’ll randomly draw a winner on Wednesday, March 2nd.

The Veteran’s Vow: When service dog charity head Ellery Watson learns that Behr Delgado suffers from war-induced trauma regarding dogs, she determines to heal that trauma with the one dog who can change his world and assist with his physical disabilities. But she never expects that Behr’s assistance with her nephew and impact on her life will heal her in return.

Jill pens stories filled with humor, faith and happily-ever-afters. She’s an ACFW Carol Award-winning author and has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University. An avid fan of thrift stores, summer and coffee, she lives in Colorado with her husband and two children, who make her laugh on a daily basis.

Jill’s web site | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Is Your TBR Pile Groaning?

There are so many good books coming out this year. There are already so many wonderful choices for your reading pleasure. Last time I was on here, I posted about my friend Sarah Sundin’s latest novel Until Leaves Fall in Paris. Today I thought I’d share four more I’m excited about. Three I’ve already read, and one is waiting patiently on my to be read pile. Let’s dig in!

I wanted to start with Sarah Ladd’s latest novel The Letter from Briarton Park. This Regency novel releases on March 1 and is WONDERFUL. I’ve always enjoyed Sarah’s books, but she’s really upped her writing by adding strong mysteries to her atmospheric historicals. This one involves a young woman who has no idea who her parents are, and her journey is launched when she receives a letter from a man who claims to know her past. That is the event that sets her on a journey that will alter her life if it doesn’t kill her. Layer in a touch of mystery, a dollup of romance, and a gothic home, and this is one compelling novel.

Up next is Toni Shiloh’s lovely new novel In Search of a Prince. First, can we pause for a moment to enjoy that gorgeous cover? It is stunning! Add in a touch of Prince Diaries combined with Black Panther and Wakanda, and this was a book I thoroughly enjoyed. Toni has created a book of identity and becoming who we were created to be in a story of unknown princesses and a fairly hidden country. If you love Rachel Hauck’s royal books, you will thoroughly enjoy this novel.

I received Trust Me in one of life’s beautiful mistakes. It was supposed to be a copy of The Letter from Briarton Park, but I received this instead (Don’t worry: my copy of Sarah’s book arrived a couple days ago). I have read Kelly’s earlier suspense and am eager to tear into this one. Right now, it’s waiting patiently on my TBR pile, but it’s waving its hand begging for some attention. This tag line has me itching to pick it up: Her best friend is murdered the same way her brother was years ago. Is there anyone she can possibly trust?

The last book I wanted to share with you is Lynn Blackburn’s next Malicious Intent. A fast-moving read that races from the opening page. Ivy and her company are under attack, but the reasons aren’t clear. What is clear is that the boy she fell in love with is back in her life years after she ghosted him. The question is what they’re going to do about it. Gid can’t believe Ivy is back and will do anything to keep her safe. This book is everything I’ve come to expect from the author: riveting romantic suspense. It’s a read I highly recommend.

Which of these would you pick up first? What book have you enjoyed recently?

Reading Challenge Accepted

Hi friends,

I recently shared that I’m starting a Reading Challenge for 2022. I’m going to read one book a month—all recommended by my lovely readers. I was floored with all the fabulous suggestions. Thank you all so very much! It was super hard to keep the titles to just 12 but here are the ones I chose. All the rest of the awesome suggestions are in my TBR pile, and I’ll be excited for the bonus reads.

Since we’re well into February already, I’ll be reading January’s book in March along with March’s pick.

January’s read: The Mistletoe Countess | Pepper Basham.

I received so many recommendations for Pepper’s Christmas novella, I just had to check it out and it sounds lovely. I also had the pleasure of being in North Carolina a few months ago and got to share lunch with Pepper. She’s such a kind and gracious lady, I can’t wait to dig into my first read of hers.

February’s read: Shadows of Swanford Abbey | Julie Klassen

I love Julie both as a person and a writer. She’s fabulous and so are her stories. This one was described to me as Northanger Abbey meets Agatha Christie. Who wouldn’t love that? Can’t wait to dive in!

March’s read: Brandon | Christy Barritt

I have the pleasure of doing writing retreats with Christy and she’s awesome. So many of her books were recommended to me, but I took one look at the cover and was hooked! Not to mention, the premise grabbed me from the start.

April’s read: A Margin for Murder | Lauren Elliott

Lauren Elliott is a new author for me, though she’s not new by any means. Her reputation for great mysteries is strong so I’m looking forward to digging into the first book in her series. I have a feeling I’ll end up reading them all thus far.

May’s read: Tacos for Two | Besty St. Amant

I had the pleasure of meeting Betsy many years ago. We were both guests at a dear friend’s house in Texas during ACFW in Dallas many years ago. She was a sweetheart and I got so many recommendations for this fun novel. I’m really looking forward to something new and playful in the best sort of way.

June’s read: The Souls of Lost Lake | Jaime Jo Wright

Jaime Jo is awesome. Such a giving heart. We’re taking over each other’s FB Pages for one day in June and I thought what better book to read than her April release. She’s a super talented author so when I saw several recommendations for her, and the back cover copy, I knew I needed to add this one to my list.

July’s read: Of Literature and Lattes | Katherine Reay

I read Katherine’s first book Dear Mr. Knightly in one sitting and I’ve been hooked on her novels ever since. She creates such a rich and vibrant tapestry. I always feel immersed in her story world. I’m not sure how this one slipped off my radar but I’m excited to have it on my list.

August’s read: Murder in the Mystery Suite | Ellery Adams

Again, another new author to me, but hardly a new author. It was so fun getting these recommendations that are out of my usual reading focus. It sounds like a wonderful series so I’m starting with the first one, though I have a feeling it won’t be my last.

September’s read: Come Back to Me | Jody Hedlund

Jody’s books received the most recommendations. Nearly every other email and I’m not at all surprised. She’s a wonderful storyteller and I can’t wait to start this series. The covers alone are captivating, but the story premise is beyond intriguing. I have a feeling, I’ll be powering through the three books in September.

October’s read: In Search of a Prince | Toni Shiloh

I’m ecstatic Toni is with Bethany House! Her cover is exquisite, and the recommendations for In Search of a Prince kept rolling in. It looks like a stunning read, and I’m excited to read my first Toni Shiloh novel.

November’s read: Sunburst | Susan May Warren

Susie’s books are full of adventure and suspense. I’m sure Sunburst will be no exception. I can’t wait to read about an overseas setting and learn about the country of Nigeria. Plus, Ranger Kingston sounds precisely like my kind of hero.

December’s read: Jingle All the Way | Debbie Macomber

I couldn’t go into December without a Christmas read and since none are out yet for 2022, I’m going with a recommended Debbie read. I adore her stories. They exude her warmth and signature style. I plan to curl up and read this one in front of the fireplace with a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

Thank you all for these recommendations. I’m thrilled to be reading such wonderful-looking novels.

Reader Question: Which novel on this list would you be most excited about reading, or have you already enjoyed?

Blessings,

Dani

Baking in Regency England

In the novel I’m currently working on, one of my genteel heroines, finding herself in reduced circumstances, is trying her hand at baking to help make ends meet. To write these scenes, I perused a few cookery books from previous centuries, looking for some relative easy recipes for her to try.

Regency cook: Number One Royal Crescent, Bath

Here is the easiest cake recipe I could find in the 1780 edition of The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy by Hannah Glasse:

Beat together for an hour with your hand…? There ain’t nothin’ easy about that! I don’t know about you, but that makes me thankful for an electric mixer.

Or how about this “Spunge cake” recipe from Modern Domestic Cookery and Useful Receipt Book by Elizabeth Hammond, 1819:

After beating the whites by hand until a very stiff froth, then you had to beat the remaining ingredients for another forty minutes. Any bakers out there want to give this a try? I’m guessing cooks then had very strong arms.

Number One Royal Crescent

Then you had to know how to gauge and regulate the temperature in a wood-burning oven like these. A quick oven? A hot oven? A slow oven? This makes me thankful for the dial on my modern appliance.

Do you like to bake? Which modern kitchen convenience are you most thankful for?

Chickens 101

I am a writer, sure. But I have many other interests, including my grandchildren, my dogs, and my chickens. The chickens are a relatively new fascination, as I got my first flock in 2018. I quickly learned the following things about them:

Chicken facts you didn’t know you NEEDED to know.

There are more chickens than people in the world. There are in fact 3 chickens per every man, woman and child. That’s over 25 billion chickens, more than any other bird on the planet.

Chickens can recognize over 100 faces, so you can be sure your chicken knows exactly who you are just by looking at you! (Mine come running when they see me in my bedroom window. So precious!)

You can generally tell the color of eggs a chicken will lay by looking at their ears! Chickens with white earlobes lay white eggs. Brown egg layers have red earlobes. (My rooster has purple earlobes!)

Unlike dogs, chickens can see (and dream!) in full-color, just like us!

Hens mate with multiple roosters, however, if they decide they don’t want any chicks from a particular rooster after mating, they can eject that rooster’s sperm.

The joke “Why did the chicken cross the road?” was first printed in 1845 in a New York magazine with the classic “to get to the other side” answer.

Raising chicks can be fun. I hatched these in 2019.

The breed “Ayam Cemani” is a very rare breed with black feathers, beak and even organs! Their cost? $2,500 dollars. (Don’t believe it–I’ve seen them cheaper on eBay. I even hatched some and gave them to a friend.).

Mother hens talk to baby chicks while still in the egg, and the chicks chirp back to their mom! (I’ve seen the first hatchlings urge the other eggs to hurry up!)

Chickens were firstly domesticated in China 8,000 years ago.

In 2004 it was discovered that chickens are the closest living relative to the T-Rex.

Chickens have three eyelids.

Some breeds have beautiful bum bum feathers. So elegant!

The most amount of eggs any chicken has laid during a day is 7 eggs, and the most during a year is 371 by a white leghorn. (They usually lay an egg every 22 hours. The fancier the chicken, the less eggs they lay. That’s why most large scale chicken farms use plain white chickens who lay every day).

Roosters are so fearless at protecting their flock that the ancient Romans believed even lions were afraid of roosters! This was evidenced in several fables, such as “The Lion And The Elephant“.

Chickens can taste saltiness but they can’t taste sweetness.

You can buy a “chicken poop” lip balm on Amazon. (Why would anyone want to?)

Human babies take over 7 months to develop object permanence. Chicks? They take two days.

Chickens can’t really fly. Their longest recorded flight? 13 seconds.

Chickens have their own unique language with over 30 different sounds. (One woman, author of CHICKEN TALK, realized that her chickens had a word/sound for her.)

The United Kingdom virtually eliminated salmonella by vaccinating chickens.

One farmer managed to increase egg size and production without any change in feed. His secret? Classical music. (I’ve got to try that! I LIKE classical music.)

On average over 97 chickens are killed every 0.05 seconds after living a terrible life in cages. The ethical alternative? Backyard chickens! Happy hens laying lovely eggs.

Chickens can’t see in the dark.

Chickens disguise their illness when they’re not feeling well . . . that’s why when a hen gets sick and looks sick, she’s usually at death’s door.

Who wouldn’t love a beautiful lavender orpington? This is Dolly.

The pecking order is real. The way to stop one bird from bullying the others is to separate her from the flock for a few days. When she is returned, she most likely will have lost her place in the pecking order.

Chickens have a type of PMS. When they “go broody,” they stop laying eggs and want to do NOTHING but sit on eggs to have some babies. Some breeds go broody a lot; others rarely go broody (like the commercial breeds). A hen will sit on any hen’s egg, and sometimes she’ll sit on golf balls or rocks, so strong is the urge to hatch some eggs.

A fertilized egg will hatch after 21 days if kept at a steady 99.5 degrees. A broody hen will pluck out her belly feathers in order to keep the eggs warm. I’ve seen a few bald-bellied hens!

I’m sure your eyes are beginning to glaze over now, so I’ll stop. But I have more chicken stories, if you want to read ’em! Just let me know!

Inspired by Scripture

This Sunday feature is brought to you by ClashVerseoftheDay.com. You may sign up to receive a beautiful photo with Scripture in your inbox each morning or view the verse each day online.

What does “really liked” mean?

As a reader, I love Goodreads. I especially love seeing the reviews by my friends because that often means I discover books I wouldn’t have read otherwise.

But I am also an author, and I have struggled with putting ratings on books. So for a long time, I only rated my 5 star reads. All other books, many of which I loved, got a review but no rating. The problem with that is, I don’t get an accurate picture of the books I’m reading. I love Goodreads’ “year in review” reports, and putting ratings on only my 5 star reads gives me an average rating for my reading year of … 5 stars. That’s not an honest picture. For instance, my average rating for 2022 so far is actually 4.4 stars, not 5.0 stars.

Recently, I read a blog post about how to write interesting reviews. I don’t know if I will ever take the time to craft longer, more detailed reviews than the ones I currently write, but the post did suggest using one’s own rating system.

Goodreads equates 1 star with “I didn’t like it,” 2 stars with “It was ok,” 3 stars with “I liked it,” 4 stars with “I really liked it,” and 5 stars with “It was amazing.” I understand what the “amazing” one means, but what does “I really liked it” mean? It just isn’t descriptive enough. You might mean something quite different when you say you “really liked” something than what I mean when I say it.

I can’t change what Goodreads means, but I can explain better what I mean. Enter “Robin’s Ratings.” From now on, here’s what those stars mean to me:

Robin’s Ratings

5 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4 = Excellent read. Couldn’t put it down. Will recommend to others.
3 = Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining.
2 = The book was fine but not a favorite. Perhaps a matter of personal taste.
1 = For whatever reason, I didn’t enjoy it and can’t recommend.

I plan to paste the above legend at the end of my reviews wherever I post them so people will understand my personal rating system.

Do you like to review the books you read? Are we Goodreads friends? You can find me on Goodreads here.

~robin

The Top 7 Reasons I Stop Reading a Novel

I’ve noticed over the past couple of years that I’ve developed an especially bad habit–I’m having a harder and harder time finishing novels that I pick up.

I wasn’t always so hard to please! There once was a time when I finished almost every book I started.

But these days, my shelves (both real and virtual) are overflowing. I have plenty to read. But not enough time.

And to be perfectly honest, the longer I write, the harder it gets to find books that I like. My internal editor often comes out in the middle of books and gets impatient or too picky.

If I had to list the top 7 reasons why I stop reading a book, here they are:

1. Not enough conflict and tension. If the story doesn’t drop me into the central problem and the ensuing issues right away, I’m likely to get bored. Even if the conflict is introduced right away but is weak, contrived, or non-cohesive (ebbs and flows with non-essentials), I still might yawn. Every time I set a book down, I need a compelling plot line that makes me want to return.

2. The characters don’t make me care. If the characters are abrasive, boring, not heroic, or simply haven’t done anything to make me like them, then I usually have a hard time staying tuned to the story.

3. Too slow moving. Even with good conflict and tension, and even with characters that I’ve grown to care about, if the story begins to slow down or the author slips in paragraphs/scenes that don’t move the plot along, I often lose interest. This includes backstory dumping or internal narration with very little else going on.

4. Overwriting. If the writer describes too much, has verbose dialogue, has large paragraphs, is redundant, overuses adverbs or dialogue tags, or is just plain wordy, I usually start skimming. I like to get to the heart of the story and only need to know those things that truly add flavor and character.

5. Lack of depth. If a major part of the story happens at a very surface level or if the writer doesn’t take me deeper into the passions and emotions of the characters, then it’s harder for me to engage with the story. This is often connected with the development of the character and the lack of past pains and motivations that usually drive the emotional current of the story.

6. Subject matter doesn’t appeal. Yes, sometimes, for whatever reason, the subject matter of the book or the themes don’t hit me deeply enough. Or perhaps the character growth/issues seem superficial. Or the whole plot of the book centers around something that just doesn’t hold my attention. As much as we want to give weight to all topics, subjects, and settings, there is some truth about universal commercial appeal and finding themes most people can relate to on some level.

7. Amateur writing. This could take on the form of a number of things including not writing by scenes, too much telling and not enough showing, underwriting (not giving me a sense of setting or character), over-dramatizing (so that the story isn’t believable), or even making beginner mistakes (using clichés, stilted dialogue, too many characters, etc.).

So those are my top reasons for putting a book down and not picking it back up! On the other hand, I have to agree with Jane Austen, “If a book is well written, I always find it too short.”

What about YOU? What makes you put down a book?

Karen Recommends . . .

A couple weeks ago, I was asked to put together five book recommendations based on a theme of my choice. Since I love historical romance flavored with humor, it seemed like the logical choice for my recommendation list.

There was a catch, however. I couldn’t list more than one book by any author. I accepted the challenge. I even got my Posse to weigh in with their favorites. Since I would be including rationales with my picks, I had to select books I had read myself so I could pen a review, but my Posse jogged my memory on one and inspired me to go out an buy another to read before turning in my list.

Here were my selections:

#1 – To Write a Wrong by Jen Turano

This book has my favorite cover of all time! So perfect for book nerds and writers. Jen Turano is the queen of quirky characters and outlandish plots. Daphne Beekman is a mystery author who consults with the inquiry agency run by the ladies in her boarding house and prefers to keep her distance from actual danger. Until fellow author, and relative recluse, Herman Henderson hires her to find out who is trying to kill him. Writerly comradery plus a growing romantic attachment have Daphne taking lead on the case, instigating all kinds of crazy shenanigans including outlandish disguises, bookish banter, and even an arrow-subverting bustle. This one had me giggling for days.

#2 – The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham

I must have a soft spot for book-loving heroine’s because this novel sports another bibliophile heroine that I adore. The Grace is a sun-shiny book nerd and absolutely adorable. She uses her fiction skills to solve mysteries and protect her new husband from a deadly threat. The brooding Lord Astley has no defense against Grace’s guileless enthusiasm. This story has is all: whimsy, humor, mystery, and plenty of romance. There’s even a secret passageway! It might take place at Christmas, but it’s a story worth savoring year-round.

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#3 – Manor for Sale, Baron Included by Esther Hatch

Esther Hatch was a new author to me. After several of my Posse Pals recommended this book, I decided to give it a try, and I’m glad I did. This sweet regency romance pits a cash-poor nobleman against the savvy female merchant who buys his late-mother’s home. He wants his house back and schemes to woo the lady into marriage. What could possibly go wrong? Only everything. A hysterical battle of wills ensues, filled with practical jokes, horrid wallpaper threats, and a fictitious menagerie. Add to that boxing lessons that turn into the most unique courting ritual I’ve ever encountered in a book, and you have a fun, original read!

#4 – The Lieutenant’s Bargain by Regina Jennings

Regina never fails to delight with her tongue-in-cheek humor and fun-loving stories. In this second-chance love story, Lieutenant Jack Hennessey can’t believe it when fate brings Hattie Walker back into his life. Having the chance to impress her by acting the hero after her stagecoach is attacked, Jack rushes to her rescue. Thinking to pad his heroic resume with some playacting with the local Indian tribe, things get out of hand and leave him and Hattie married. A fact she finds less than delightful. Complications and craziness ensue as Jack tries to undo his error without losing Hattie in the process.

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#5 – Fancy Pants by Cathy Marie Hake

Cathy Marie Hake was one of the authors who made my fall in love with Christian fiction. I wanted to write stories like hers–full of humor and heart. Fancy Pants is one of my favorites. First, the cover is absolutely adorable! Then it uses the female in disguise troupe, one I personally enjoy. This story reminds my of that song from Disney’s Mulan – “I’ll Make a Man Out of You.” An English lady disguised a lad so her uncle (who thinks she’s a boy since her name is Sydney) will let her stay at his ranch. The uncle’s partner, however, finds the foppish boy a disgrace and determines to turn him into a cowhand worth his salt. So fun! Romance can bloom anywhere when you add in the right ingredients, and this one does it to perfection.

Honorable mentions

With space for only 5 recommendations, I didn’t have room to name all the historical authors who use humor to great effect in their stories. Mary Connealy is fabulous at mixing comedy with cowboys in all her books. Margaret Brownley is another who never fails to make me chuckle. And my Posse had great things to say about Roseanna White‘s To Treasure an Heiress and Kristi Ann Hunter‘s A Noble Masquerade.

What are some of your favorite books that utilize humor?

A Quick Trip to Charleston

Months ago we made plans for me to accompany Jeff on a business trip to South Carolina—and to stay a couple of extra days in Charleston. We’ve been there a couple of times before, always on business. And, I confess, since spraining my ankle very badly in Charleston in 2017, I always go back with a bit of fear and trepidation! 

But this time would be a different trip. Unlike the previous ones, this time we had a rental car! Finally we would be able to explore beyond where our feet could carry us. And that made me excited! We also weren’t trying to fit in historical tours around his work meetings. Instead, these were two vacation days after the work was finished.

The first thing we did was stop of Charles Towne Landing State Park. We didn’t know anything about this place except that it was where the city was originally established in the 1600s, but it turned out to be a wonderful morning. While temperatures at our home in Texas were in the teens with snow and ice, we meandered over the trails in this park under a bright blue sky sparkling with sunshine, the temperature somewhere in the mid 60s. 

The park had a lovely visitor’s center and museum which explained the history of the site. Then paved trails led around to different areas. One area contained wildlife native to the area but which had been rescued out of the wild for one reason. The river otters were fun. The black bear was big. But the bald eagle was stunning! I truly had never seen the animal that close up before. It’s huge! And then it squawked for us. Several times. I wish I’d videoed it, for a woman standing there with us was a long-time volunteer and she said she’d never heard it do that before! 

Of course as we wandered through various places with placards describing the history, we were surrounded by towering trees dripping with Spanish moss. And oh how I love sprawling old trees! 

Canopy of treesBig trees, Spanish moss

After that lovely couple of hours we went into the city and found our hotel. Then we walked down to the harbor to do something we had never had the right amount of time to do before: tour Ft. Sumter. The island was much farther out than I imagined. A thirty minute ferry ride to a tiny island with the remains of the fort. We got there in time to watch the Park Ranger do the flag lowering ceremony, then we wandered through the small museum which contained some very interesting pieces of history. After that, we explored the ruins before boarding the boat for the ride to town. I’m so glad we finally got to experience this particular historical site. 

The next day we got in the car and drove out Ashley River Road, the site of the old plantations. Like Savannah, the most interesting history in and around Charleston is from the 17th and 18th centuries. There are many old plantations to tour but we chose two: Middleton Place and Drayton Hall. 

View from original houseSmaller house in which several generations lived

Henry Middleton acquired Middleton Place in 1741, when he married Mary Williams, whose family owned the land. The place is historically important for several reasons: 

It is the site of the first landscaped gardens in America.Henry Middleton was the second president of the First Continental Congress. Henry’s son, Arthur, was a representative in the Second Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Their descendant, Henry, was Governor of South Carolina and Minister to Russia under President Madison. 

The original house was burned during the Civil War, but a smaller house, into which they moved when they returned and in which several more generations of the family lived, is now a museum containing not reproductions, not period pieces, but actual Middleton artifacts and furniture. That almost never happens! But this house and land were occupied by the same family for over 300 years. 

Drayton Hall was just five miles down the road from Middleton Place and they were connected by family ties. (I never got quite clear the relationship!) But the most interesting thing about Drayton Hall is that it is the original house built on that property in the mid 1700s. It was not burned during the Civil War, like so many others. But it also was not renovated or restored. And they have left it that way. It’s so interesting! 

Yes, they have made it safe, but when they do have to make repairs, it is more about learning from the house than “fixing” it to be beautiful. They do archeological digs around it, too. I’ve seen a lot of historically restored homes, but this one excited me so much because it felt like living history. Of course, part of this is possible because the son of the builder of the home, who lived in it from 1784-1820 kept an incredibly detailed diary of daily life. So Drayton Hall excited me as a historian, for all they are learning and discovering on this site. 

We are home now, and once again we have our almost-spring winter weather. And I have work to do. But I’m so glad in that in the midst o fit we got to go back in time for a little while. 

What has been your most favorite historical site to tour and why?