Visitors to this blog, especially those who stop by for Marie’s Postcard Friendship Friday, may have heard me mention my grandmother, “Nana,” more than a few times. She and my grandfather would always send me postcards from their world travels, and I am lucky enough that somehow I still have many of them in my possession.
When Nana died she left behind a diary that chronicles her first foreign adventure when she was 17 years old. In 1927 she went on a transatlantic crossing on the Cunard line’s, R.M.S. Tuscania.
Here is an excerpt:
“Landed at 5 am after a glorious night on the boat. Went to bed for most of the day but for tea at an adorable palace. Then for a walk in the English twilight. It has been a gala day. The sailors from five battleships crowd the street. Their raucous voices sing and cheer in turn – they stroll (illeg) are dressed in costumes and the street girls have painted their faces ludicrously. Their gay unconscious pleasures are most refreshing after the sophistication of the boat.”
And here I was thinking life must have been pretty boring back then.
One of my writing goals is to someday spin (fiction) or squeeze (non-fiction) a book from this journal. I say “someday,” because I’m sure tons of research will be involved. Historical fiction? Who me? Let’s finish up something I’ve already started. What a concept!
Or start something else! Which reminds me. I may have completely lost it, but I’m signed up to do NaNoWriMo , or National Novel Writing Month, for the month of November. I’ve got another plot in mind for this that is set in the present day. T
he goal is 50,000 words, but I’ll be pleased if I can do half that.
Happy PFF! Be sure to head over to Marie’s for more postcard excitement. Yea- it’s exciting. Trust me.
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{ 24 comments }
I find it interesting that there’s a difference in use of the language from barely over 100 years ago. Gala? Ludicrously? Sophistication? These are hardly used words nowadays.
Not to mention the meanings for “gay” and (to an extent now) “twilight” have shifted.
Neat post. Good luck on the NaNoWriMo thing. I’ve done it three times and, well, yeah. That’s about all I can say without it seeming nasty, I think.
wow, what a cool thing of your nan’s to have. all the best from NaNoWriMo
Fabulous post Margo! This sounds like great fodder for a book, especially with the “antique” postcards for reference.
Agree with MJenks about today’s usage of certain words!
I wish you all the best with NaNoWrMo.
I tried that, once. With four boys, a house and a husband, it takes me a little longer than a month to write a novel.
Maybe if I locked myself in the closet with my laptop…
(which might have the additional advantage of getting off those last 20 pounds…)
Margo,
Great post. Your Nana was really something! And, to have her journal — lucky girl! Wonderful postcard, too!
I love Nana’s excerpt. Good luck with your goal…you are a wonderful writer, you should rock at this.
Happy weekend, Suz
I loved this post–and your Nana is a wonderful woman. How fortunate that you have these excerpts from her life! WOW!
Happy PFF!
Ohhhhh! I want to read that book already. And what a writer she was! Passed it down, I see.
I still use all of those words! I bet you do too Margo! We now know where your writing talent came from. it’s in your genes:) In French you can still use the word gai to mean happy without getting any strange looks!
I missed you too! I’m sort of kind of back to normal….maybe:)
Good luck on your writing quest. With a kitten in the house I am lucky to get a comment in….. *sigh*
And she was 17 when she wrote that? She was the sophisticated one then. At her age I’m not at all sure I could have described a scene like that at all. Best of luck with NaNoWriMo!
What an absolute treasure!
Her diary sounds interesting. How about typing it up and posting it on a web page with any pictures and cards that are related.
Write the Nana inspired book! Do it!
You embody your grandmother’s gift with language. What a lovely post for PFF! And thanks for looking in.
I’m on the old side. I just hope and pray that you will write this book based on Nana’s travels soon — while my eyes are good enough to read it. Everything you write continues to be delightful.
Hi Margo,
Thank you for stopping by.
What a treasure you received from your grandma. A book- most definitely.
Just do it so you’ll have no regrets.
Hugs,
Barb
I think it is fantastic that you have your grandmother’s journal. It must be nice to be able to look into her thoughts to see what her life was like at that time. Good luck with the writing.
WOW, your Nana had quite the observational and writing chops, didn’t she? I can see where you get it! Sounds like great fodder for a book.
You’re doing NaNoWriMo too? Seems like everyone I know is. Dang it, I’m going to do it too. (I think lol)
What a treasure you had receive from your grandparents !!!
Lucky you. That is some rich blog fodder. And so intriguing. Write more!
How lucky you are to have your grandmother’s travelogue. I often wonder about my grandparents, but will never know.
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Margo, what a treasure your Nana left you!! And she left it with a good steward, no cruise pun intended, someone who knows how precious her story is!
I’m going to do NaNoWriMo too. I signed up last year and never wrote a word. Let’s see what this year brings. (eye rolling here)
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