CLOUD OF HAWTHORNE

CHAPTER FOUR

Henley awoke with a start. A dim, early morning light bled in through the white linen drapes. He looked around, expecting to see a crackling fire, dried herbs hanging from the rafters, and a beautiful gypsy woman sitting by his side. Instead, he saw the same blue and gold wallpaper. The large Henry IV dresser still stood tall and stoic against the back wall, and the writing desk and armchair, positioned directly alongside the settee, were as they should be. The painting of great uncle James III, his riding crop not only visible, but at the ready, was hung miserably at the opposite end of the room. He stared at it for a long while. Would Henry have known Rosetta's ancestors? He wondered which of his relatives, or family for that matter, knew of the gypsy family that lived so close to the Hornbrook estate. Then he wondered if there even was a gypsy family, or whether the exotic beauty he visited in his dream wasn't just that, a figment of his imagination.

Music Monday

My favorite part of winter is definitely the boots...

FRIDAY'S FLASH FICTION

Waiting for today's Flash Fiction story. Don't be afraid to play. Email your story to madlakepages@gmail.com

HISTORY OF SEX: Part 3

Well, well, well.  It turns out that personal massagers (let's use the most polite name) were not primarily created for a lady's pleasure.  Too many doctors were complaining about sore hands and wrists...let that sink in for a moment...

For a long time, doctors were using manual stimulation, or "pelvic massage," so women could have a "hysterical paroxysm," otherwise known as an orgasm.  This was the common treatment for female hysteria, especially in the Victorian era.  Doctors were finding this work to be too much, time and labor wise, and thus the personal massager came into being.

Vibrators were the fifth household appliance to be electrified and they were advertised in major catalogues and department stores until the 1920s, when it became difficult to obscure their actual purpose.  After the 1960s and the Sexual Revolution, vibrators made a huge comeback when Jon Tavel filed a patent for the "Cordless Electric Vibrator for Use on the Human Body."  I think there are quite a few of us who would like to thank him.

WEDNESDAY'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

A moment for herself...

Photographer: Etienne Bossot

location: Hoi Ahn, Vietnam

websites: http://www.etiennebossot.com/  

http://www.hoianphototour.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/etiennebossot/

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If you’d like to be a contributor to our Wednesday photo day, please email your formatted shot to madlakepages@gmail.com with all pertinent information.

A CLOUD OF HAWTHORNE

CHAPTER THREE

After a disastrous dinner at which Proberta barely touched a morsel of food, while his mother threw barbs at him from across the table, Henley sat in his father’s overstuffed armchair smoking a cigar and sipping a fine Hennessey. Women. He just didn’t understand them. What was Proberta thinking, behaving like a spoiled child in front of everyone? She was spoiled. Most girls of her station in life were, of no fault of their own he supposed. But he knew as well as she did, that she was not terribly interested in him as a husband. If she had been, he would have been the one she flirted with at social events, or swooned over during crocket matches. So why this display? There was some mischief afoot, he could smell it. 

Music Monday

It's cold and dreary where I am, so I'm going to pretend I'm in Rio de Janeiro circa 1963.

FRIDAY'S FLASH FICTION

Following Thursday’s History of Sex: Part 2, I’ve written a 50 word flash fiction story based on 5 randomly chosen words from the post: resistance, risque, free, sheet, banana.

Here’s my story, exactly 50 words.

She tore away the silk sheet, damp with perspiration from their afternoon delight.
“I have to go,” he said.
“What, too risqué for you?” She lit a cigarette, inhaled.
“No, I’m bored with your resistance.” He laughed, playfully peeling away her layers like a banana.
“Call me next Tuesday then.”

Hey, this could be fun! Shall we do this every Friday? 

Next week, you pick 5 words based on Thursday's post, and submit your story to madlakepages@gmail.com. I'll post it.

HISTORY OF SEX: Part 2

Josephine Baker was an internationally acclaimed performer known for her erotic dances and risque costumes.  She was a pioneer in the performing arts and was known as the Black Pearl and the Bronze Venus.

She was also a hero of the French Resistance during World War II.

When the war broke out, Baker was living in France with her French Jewish husband.  Thanks to her fame, she was able to tour around Europe and visit neutral countries with messages and refugees.  She smuggled messages written with invisible ink on her sheet music.  Baker also housed Belgian refugees in her home in the south of France.  When the need arose, she would organize concerts to provide a cover for Free French gatherings.

After the war, Charles de Gaulle awarded Baker with the Croix de Guerre.  Baker not only continued to perform but she also became a leader of the American Civil Rights movement, active in protests and campaigns until her death in 1975.

The banana skirt is pretty fantastic, too.

WEDNESDAY'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

For the love of reading...

Photographer: Samantha Behm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/samonthecam/


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If you’d like to be a contributor to our Wednesday photo day, please email your formatted shot to madlakepages@gmail.com with all pertinent information.

A CLOUD OF HAWTHORNE

CHAPTER TWO

Henley towel dried his hair, slapped on some cologne, and walked into the bedroom where Beckworth had laid out his evening wear. He had called his manservant off his duties so he might have some privacy to consider the events ahead of him. With Proberta and her parents due to arrive at seven, he had little, if any time to get out of his present situation. The proposal was expected. Although his father seemed less than interested in the whole affair, his mother was hell-bent on his marrying society’s most eligible debutant. Proberta’s parents, Sir Miles Gerber, and his charming wife, Alexandra, couldn't be happier. As for the young woman in question, Henley felt that, like him, she was just doing her duty. After observing her at cocktail parties and balls, Proberta seemed more inclined to be a reckless flirt than to want to settle for one man, particularly someone like Henley. She was witty, clever, and gorgeous, and knew it. Henley had a  reputation for being only moderately good looking, uninterested in hunting, fishing, or athletics, all of which were practically mandatory for those of the male persuasion, and to top things off, he was a bore at social events. Once married, Henley knew all this and more, would only increase her outside interests. However, arrangements were being made and nothing was to be done, or was there?

Music Monday

Here is your Monday song...better late than never!

CASUAL FRIDAY CONVERSATIONS

Welcome to Friday's blog exchange, where a new topic for discussion is posted every week. Please begin a discussion by responding to this post, then to other comments, via the comment box. This forum is for thoughtful, respectful and tasteful dialogue only.

http://plus-model-mag.com/2012/01/plus-size-bodies-what-is-wrong-with-them-anyway/


Thanks to fan and follower, Jonina, for posting this on Facebook for us to see.

HISTORY OF SEX: Part 1

In Nepal’s Katmandu Valley, ancient celebrations of the erotic decorate most temples.  These aren’t demure carvings of Shiva and Parvati holding hands.  Instead, these temple carvings depict just about every position, in most orifices, and sometimes multiple partners. 

Why are these here?  Historians haven’t pinned down a reason but there are a few theories.  The most popular is that the population was getting low due to the influence of Buddhism, which encouraged abstinence.  The carvings were meant to be a sort of how-to guide for baby making.

What is certain is that ancient Hinduism was pro-sex.  It was not taboo and was revered as part of kama, one of the paths to escape reincarnation.  This was the path of a material life, the life of the majority of the population.  The most popular gods were known for the prowess in the bedroom and of course most famously is the Kama Sutra. 

Know of any saucy historical tidbits or heard a sexual myth you want to know more about?  Leave suggestions in the comments.

Photo used with permission from Brian McMorrow 

THE NEW WEDNESDAY

Hey, a girl can dream...

photographer: Reader, Heather ‘Blue’ Van Doorninck

location: Nicaragua

http://outofthebluephotography.wordpress.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32272586@No3

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If you’d like to be a contributor to our Wednesday photo day, please email your formatted shot to madlakepages@gmail.com with all pertinent information.

A CLOUD OF HAWTHORNE

CHAPTER ONE

“So, do you have it?” She asked.

Henley Hornbrook III dug into the deep pockets of his brown wool trousers and pulled out a small, square velvet box. A glimmer of light caught the thin gold band that bordered the lid, as the sun streamed in through the open window. The small gift sparkled. Lace curtains stirred from a soft, spring breeze. He cleared his throat, then gently lifted the lid of the box, and thrust it toward his mother proudly. She smiled.

“Ahh, that will do. Yes, that will do perfectly, just perfectly.” She faced the open window, allowing the air to cool her. It was a warm day, and the linen collar of her dress, tightly buttoned around her neck, was not only itchy but it was making her terribly warm. Unless, she thought, it was another one of those blasted hot flushes. 

Edith Hornbrook turned toward her son briskly and brushed his hand out of the way, nearly toppling the five carat diamond engagement ring from it’s nest of purple satin. 

“Enough,” she said sharply. “We mustn’t fuss over matters such as these. Put the thing away.”

“But Mother...”

“It’s fine, Henley,” his mother cut him off. “She’ll be delighted by it, you’ll marry, and all will be well. Now, go and dress for supper. You don’t want to keep your father waiting now, do you?”

MUSICAL MONDAY

Happy Monday, everyone.  Enjoy the lovely Feist as you get your week started.

A CLOUD OF HAWTHORNE - TEASER

                                     ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Edith relaxed, looked around to see that no one nearby could see her, and casually wandered toward the shrouded figure. When she got close enough, she ducked behind the tree and came face to face with an exotic, albeit rustic looking woman. 

“Hello, Rosetta,” Edith said with keen interest. “Do you have my tinctures?” 

                                      ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

She hardly glanced into the drawing room as she passed, so did not see her husband fast asleep in the mahogany armchair, whiskey precariously tilted toward the floor in his drooping hand. It was just as well. She had no tolerance for her husband, Henley II’s, idleness.

                                     ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Teach him. Show him all there is to know about sex and women. Equip him with the tricks of the trade, as it were.” She paused to consider her next move. “I will pay you handsomely I assure you.”

Chapter One of A Cloud of Hawthorne will be posted next Tuesday, January 10th, followed by each new chapter every Tuesday until The End.

Stay tuned...