My August with Jane Austen

I signed up for the "Austen in August" challenge hosted by roofbeamreader. The object was to read books connected with Jane Austen in the month of August.  Since I have already read Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility, I opted to explore new territory this month. I read three books, and loved every minute of it!  Here is a bit about my month with Jane.

My journey began with Mansfield Park. I had attempted this novel once before, and I confess I got stuck when the characters are rehearsing a play.  This time around, however, I was determined.  The play rehearsals are a pretty important part of the novel in that during this time the reader sees the character traits of the participants.  Henry Crawford is an outrageous flirt (and a bit of a cad), Edmund doesn't have the strength of character to resist Mary Crawford's charms, and Fanny Price, the steady heroine of the novel, is working very hard to avoid participating in this folly.  I thoroughly enjoyed Mansfield Park and am now a fan of Fanny Price.  Fanny is in the position of being the poor relation reliant on the goodness of others, and accepts her position in the family with a good deal of grace.  She ingratiates herself to her aunt and uncle, and becomes an integral part of their lives, particularly as their own offspring make questionable choices.  I enjoyed my time at Mansfield Park, and will definitely read this one again!

Next, I visited Northanger Abbey.  Catherine Morland's overactive imagination gets the best of her in Northanger Abbey, despite the fact that the actual home is not nearly as dark and dangerous as she anticipates.  This book had me laughing, and is the simplest and most light-hearted Austen novel I have read.  Jane Austen must have had a wonderful time writing this novel poking fun of the Gothic literature of her day, and she crafts her own story with a steady hand and a good deal of humor. I quite enjoyed Henry Tilney and his complete understanding of the workings of the mind of seventeen year old Catherine.  I especially appreciated when Henry says "The person, be it gentlemen or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel must be intolerably stupid."  

Sprinkled into my month were a couple of detours for Jane Austen in film.  I watched versions of Persuasion, Emma, and the movie, The Lake House (with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves). The novel, Persuasion, has a role in The Lake House, so I justified throwing it in to my August experience. 

Lastly, I took A Rambling Fancy with Caroline Sanderson through England, looking for locations and events in the life of Jane Austen.  Sanderson sprinkles her well-written book with interesting insights into the life of Jane and the Austen family, and also includes quotes from Austen's novels.  This was my first encounter with little poems written by Jane for family, and with excerpts from her few remaining letters.  Sanderson has woven all of this into chapters about Bath, Lyme Regis, and other locations Austen lived and visited in her lifetime.  It is a wonderful read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  The title, by the way, is taken from Mansfield Park.  After her journey through Austen's England, Caroline Sanderson sums up her experience this way:

"Jane Austen tea towels and the like are all very well (I have a key ring myself), but her words are the only souvenirs from the journey really worth having."

As I (sadly) leave August and Jane Austen, I heartily agree that her words are wonderful souvenirs from my journey!

Here is a previous post about Pride and Prejudice you may want to read.

I enjoyed the following blog posts from Lark Writes while I was doing my own Austen in August reading. Check them out!

A Jane Austen Education

Jane Actually

Mansfield Park

Austen in August (Lady Susan)

Hiking Johnston Canyon - Banff National Park

The river along the trail.

Johnston Canyon is a popular hike in Banff National Park.  The trail leads to several waterfalls in the canyon.  The hike to the lower falls is mostly paved and has little elevation gain.  It is an easy hike, although being right along the river, it tends to be damp.  You may want a sweatshirt or light jacket.  I hiked this trail in early June, and the weather was cool, but comfortable.

 

Beginning of the Johnston Canyon trail

This scenic little hike starts from the parking lot of the Johnston Canyon Lodge.  It is a 30 minute drive from Banff on the Trans Canada Highway heading toward Lake Louise.  Water and toilets are available at the trail head.  The hike to the Lower Falls takes about 30-40 minutes, depending on your pace.  This hike is very accessible, and has stunning views along the way.

Trail sign.

Because I had been very ill the day before, I was not up to completing the hike to the Upper Falls.  However, the Lower Falls hike was truly a gem.  I am glad I was able to fit this in during my short stay in Banff.

Map near the beginning of the hike shows Upper and Lower Falls.

This trail has walkways right along the river, and sometimes you find yourself walking over the water.  It is beautiful, and a unique experience.  The treacherous parts of the trail have railings.  You will want to keep an eye on young children on this hike, however.  The water is cold and moving fast.

The paved trail continues most of the way to Lower Falls.

Along the way I had wonderful views of the rushing water.

Banff National Park is at a higher elevation.  Carrying water and staying hydrated is important to your comfort level on this hike, even though it is an easy walk.

Walkways pass through shady forest and follow the river.

There are benches along the way, and we were entertained by a fearless chipmunk at one point on the trail.  Please do not feed these animals. They are already too comfortable approaching people.

Chipmunk strikes a pose.

The walkways on this trail are engineering feats.  They hover over the rushing water and hug the slick rock walls.  The moist air encourages growth of green mosses and plants.  The trail is also known for bird watching.  Although we did not see many birds, we did see dippers on this hike.

Walkways extend out over the water.

Moss growing on rocks.

The trails to Lower and Upper Falls are clearly marked by a sign.  There are seven falls along this trail, so for those who have the time and energy to continue on up the trail, more beautiful views await.

Sign for Upper and Lower Falls

When you reach Lower Falls, there is a bridge over the river from which you have a nice view of the waterfall.  If you don't mind getting a little wet, at the top of the trail you can make your way through a short tunnel in the rock and view the waterfall up close.  I chose to do this, and did get sprayed!  Other hikers coming out recommended I put up the hood of my sweatshirt to keep off some of the water.  It was good advice.

Me by Lower Falls

The tunnel to a waterfall viewing spot...very wet!

This is a wonderful little hike in Banff.  An easy trail, and a short walk with a beautiful pay-off at the end of the trail.  I understand it can be quite crowded during peak season, so it is recommended that you hike either early in the morning or later in the day during late summer.  I hit the trail in early June, and although there were other hikers along the way, it never felt too crowded and there were times when we had the trail to ourselves.  We returned to the parking lot just as it began to rain, so we settled into our van for a picnic lunch out of the cooler, and then drove back into Banff.  I am so glad I found this hike!

Lower Falls - Johnston Canyon trail, Banff National Park

Happy Pioneer Day - Celebrating a Rich Heritage

Members of a Wagon Train along the Mormon Trail

In 1847, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed "The Mormons") arrived in the Salt Lake Valley and settled.  July 24 is a state holiday in Utah (Pioneer Day) and is celebrated annually with many Days of '47 events including a parade, marathon run, fireworks, etc.  I have always loved stories of these stalwart people who sacrificed much for their beliefs.  In honor of Pioneer Day this year, I thought I would honor a few of these fine individuals who through bloodline or marriage, have a treasured spot on my family tree.

Jefferson Hunt was a captain with the Mormon Battalion.  As Mormons left Illinois in 1846 and journeyed through Iowa, the U.S. government asked men to enlist and travel south to participate in the Mexican-American war. Many men signed up to go despite the fact that the same U.S. government had not supported them while they lost property and were driven from their homes.  Jefferson's family didn't want to be separated from him, so they went along.  Several women accompanied the group and cooked and did washing for the company.  It was an arduous journey from Iowa to San Diego, California.  Jefferson Hunt was the captain of Company A, and two of his sons served under him.  His son Marshall, at age 17, was one of the youngest members of the Mormon Battalion.

Jefferson Hunt

Charity Arms was born in Sutton, Vermont. She married Joshua Everts and together they moved from the US to Canada to homestead.  She and Joshua became members for the LDS church and relocated to Illinois.  Charity suffered many trials in her life, including losing many children and her husband, Joshua, who died in an accident in Illinois.  She married John Thomas Prows.  He became disaffected with the LDS church, and left her before her journey westward.  Charity managed to assemble the supplies she would need to travel to Utah with young children, and made the journey in 1849.  Charity married again, this time to William Lewis, a Welsh immigrant.  They had two children, one of whom lived to adulthood.  Later, she and William parted ways, and Charity settled in Oak City, Utah.  From Canada to Oak City, and everywhere in between, Charity suffered many hardships, however she never wavered in her faith, and was devoted to her family.  Her life story is one of courage in the face of many challenges.

Memorial for Charity Arms Everts in Oak City, Utah

Lastly, Daniel Wood was a captain of 50 in an early Mormon wagon train.  He settled in Utah in an area now known as Woods Cross.  He was born in 1800 in New York, and died at the age of 92 in Utah.  He built buildings, organized musical groups, educated his children, and served in church assignments.  He had a large family, and remained faithful to his religious beliefs.  When he and his family were driven from their home in Missouri and were traveling to Illinois in horrible weather, Daniel sought a place for his family to take shelter.  He inquired about renting a vacant house. The man he spoke to asked if he were a Mormon.  Despite the danger of identifying himself with the LDS church in that moment, Daniel said yes, he was Mormon.  He did not hesitate.  The man allowed him to use the house because of his honesty.

Daniel Wood

I am grateful to have a wonderful heritage, and I celebrate my ancestors who traveled from England, Denmark, and Prussia so I could be here today.  I am especially grateful to those who recorded their histories so their stories are preserved for me and my children.

Who is on your family tree?

Navigating Life With A Broken Ankle

I recently broke my ankle (fibula fracture) on a beautiful beach on Maui.  Yes, it was the dreaded vacation injury.  I would love to tell you I had a spectacular surfing accident, or something equally glamorous, but I just slipped at a tide pool on some wet rocks, and my right ankle bent behind me and I felt that ominous POP!

My foot swelled up and had a lot of bruising.

If you are dealing with a broken ankle, here are some tips I have picked up along the way.

Contact your insurance carrier.  We did not do this first, but did contact our carrier shortly after I had treatment.  If you are injured on vacation, you may need to pay your bills up front, and then submit the receipts for reimbursement.  Your insurance company may have an agreement with a particular doctor or facility where you are traveling, so it is a good idea to contact them if you want your treatment covered. My insurance carrier was able to help me find an orthopedic surgeon and get an appointment so I could be seen right after returning home.

If you break your ankle on vacation as I did, seek medical attention immediately.  Rather than going to an emergency room, I was able to get x-rays and a diagnosis at Doctors On Call on Maui.  They sent me on my way with a boot, crutches, and instructions to keep my weight off my foot.  Crutches are a necessary evil, and I found my skills on them were extremely rusty. To salvage our vacation,  I rented a wheelchair from "Wild Wheeled Wentals" on Maui and highly recommend their services.  They delivered the wheelchair to me, and picked it up from our hotel after we left the island.

My wheels on Maui

Ask your hotel if you can have different accommodations.  Ours moved me from a second floor room accessible only by stairs to a ground-floor room with a handicapped accessible bathroom.  This was a huge help on our trip.

Contact your airlines.  The doctor wrote me a "prescription" for extra leg-room for our flight home.  United Airlines had a "disability desk" and was able to move our entire family to a row with more leg room for our flight home at no charge.  They also arranged for me to be transported through airports and security by wheelchair, and had attendants waiting at the jetway every time I de-planed.  We did have to make these arrangements more than 48 hours before departure, so the earlier you contact your carrier, the better.  Note: if going through airport security in a wheelchair, you will be subjected to the dreaded TSA screening.  They should give t-shirts after, indicating you survived!

Icing and elevating my broken ankle.

There is no substitute for elevation.  Elevate your injured ankle above your waist as much as possible, and ice it when you can.  Ice melts pretty quickly on Maui, but we did our best.  Expect your ankle to swell quite a bit while flying.  Elevating it as much as you can at home will help the swelling diminish.

My x-ray two weeks after surgery.

My particular injury created ankle instability that could best be rectified by surgery.  My fibula now has a plate and 5 screws.  After surgery I was in a splint for 2 weeks, and now have a neon-green cast.  After the cast I will have a boot and crutches.  Plan on several weeks of No Weight Bearing (NWB).  This is inconvenient to say the least, but there are accessories that can help.  My doctor gave me the proper forms to get a temporary tag from the DMV that allows me to park in handicapped parking spaces. Your DMV will probably have forms online that you can print and have your doctor sign if he does not offer you this service.  My doctor's office also called in a "prescription" for me to rent a knee-scooter from a home health service.  This makes it possible for me to get out and about a bit, and makes life easier around the house.  I can now prepare my own food, for example, because I can stand on my good leg with the knee of my injured leg on the scooter and keep my hands free.

Borrow other useful equipment as much as you can.  If you can borrow crutches, a shower chair, a toilet extension seat, an ice machine, or anything else to help you through your healing process, do it.  If not, consider buying or renting items that may make your life easier.  Ask around...you might be surprised how many people you know who have had a knee replacement or foot injury, and they may have supplies you could use. You will find your muscles get stronger, and using the crutches, scooter, and getting up and down from a seated position on one leg will get easier. It is still a lot of work!

A shower stool is a huge help!

Follow your doctor's instructions.  After my surgery, I was told to keep my ankle elevated the first three to four days.  I was told to get up only for meals and to use the bathroom.  This is a great time to catch up on movies or tv shows you may have missed, or tackle some books you have been meaning to read.  Also, after surgery, I found I slept a lot the first few days.  It is ok to rest and give your body time to heal.  Once you are able to get up and around more, continue to elevate the ankle a few times a day whenever possible.

A toilet extender with handles can also be a big help.

Although my doctor said taping a plastic bag around my leg for showering should work fine, I was given some cast covers made by Curad that have been wonderful.  Think of a giant "Christmas stocking" bag that fits over your cast and fits tightly around your leg below the knee.  These have kept my leg nice and dry while showering.

I keep a stool in my bathroom to sit on while brushing my teeth, applying make-up, etc.

Accept help.  I am practicing saying "yes" to people who have offered to help me with meals, cleaning, driving children around, and more.  I am fortunate enough to have capable family members in my home who can do most of these things for me, but have appreciated help from family, friends, and neighbors as well.

Watch for a progress report when I am "weight-bearing" and starting physical therapy!

Gymnastics and Other Life Skills

Aly Raisman

I don't agree with the philosophy that "everything I needed to know I learned in kindergarten."  However, I have learned that skills I acquired years ago and never thought I would use again come in handy in unexpected moments.  Let me give you an example.

When I was in a junior high PE class, I had to complete a unit on gymnastics.  Every girl in the class had to "test" on a combination of  bars, floor, vault, or balance beam. Now, my grades were really important to me, and I wanted to be successful in this class, but it became clear early on that I possessed neither the gymnastics experience nor the physical gifts necessary to succeed on the different apparatus.  My upper body strength wasn't good enough for bars.  Vault was a joke.  That left me beam and floor.  I had some rudimentary tumbling skills (I could do a cartwheel, a somersault, a backbend, etc.) and I had decent balance, but my hopes of an "A" grade in this class were fading fast.  The beam routine I thought I could master involved simple steps, one "leap" where my front foot and back foot traded places, simple turns, etc.  One skill on the list was a "knee scale."  I had no idea what that was.  So, summoning all my 8th grade courage, I asked my gym teacher how to do a knee scale.  When her verbal explanation failed to make sense to me, she offered to demonstrate it.  Placing one knee and lower leg on the beam, she raised her other leg straight out behind her, and attempted to lift her arms off the beam.  She immediately lost her balance, and made a comment to me like "you get the idea," and that was the end of my gymnastics instruction.  However, a light bulb went off in my head.  If I could master a knee scale, maybe I could pull a decent grade in PE after all!  On test day, I balanced on the beam in a knee scale, arms outstretched, and completed the rest of my beam skills.  A gymnast I am not, but the PE teacher gave me an "A" for being able to do something she couldn't!

Girl demonstrating a knee scale.  I had to do one lifting my arms off the beam.

Fast forward MANY years later.  I have never needed a knee scale as a life skill until now.  I broke my ankle a couple weeks ago, and am zipping around my home on a knee scooter.  The position of my leg on the scooter is similar to that of my leg on the beam in a knee scale.  When I get out of the shower and am drying off, I find the ability to balance on a knee on the scooter to be quite useful.  Who knew I would be doing a variation of a knee scale in adulthood?  (Now, I am not sure balancing on a knee scooter is a recommended usage, but there are times when it comes in handy.  I recommend locking the brake if you do this at home.)

Man using a knee scooter.

What are some skills you acquired in childhood that have been surprisingly useful to you as an adult?