The Enchanting Villa Montezuma

Villa Montezuma, San Diego, CA (Photo courtesy of Louise Torio)

When I was growing up in San Diego, my father worked near Lindbergh Field. We would often go pick him up from work. While we waited, we’d watch the planes land and take off from the airport. But there was one other sight that attracted my attention on the drive. A domed tower loomed over the other houses as we drove through Sherman Heights. Fascinated, I convinced my mother to go around the block to see the house. Its towers, turret-like roofline, and dragons looked more like a castle than a house to me. I didn’t know who lived there, and my imagination wove fairytales about the house and its occupants.

Villa Montezuma home to Jesse Shepard/Francis Grierson (Photo Tess DeGroot)

I never learned the history of the Villa Montezuma, the name given the house by its first owner, Jesse Shepard, until I attended the 2021 Gaslight Steampunk Expo. I walked past a table that displayed a picture of the house; I nodded to the lady and gentlemen seated there and kept walking. Then I stopped and turned around. I knew that house! It was my fairytale castle. That day I was honored to meet Louise Torio, Chair of Friends of the Villa Montezuma (FOVM), and Charles Spratley, Vice-Chair of FOVM. Their love for Villa Montezuma and their enthusiasm for preserving the house’s history was infectious.

In 2021, on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, I visited The Villa, as it is affectionately called, with my father. Spratley, dressed in period clothing, led the small tour group of five. The small number allowed everyone to enjoy the house’s luxurious rooms.

Villa Montezuma domed tower with dragon weathervane (Photo Tess DeGroot)

The first floor’s layout allows visitors to move through the rooms in a circular fashion. The entry hall, where the tour starts, begins to show the extravagance used to construct this magnificent home. The walls are polished wood wainscoting, oak and redwood. The ceiling is covered with Lincrusta Walton wallpaper, a paper product with beautifully painted designs in relief. Also, a steep staircase leading to the second floor. It was a bit overwhelming, realizing everything I was looking at was original to the house.

Spratley on the stairs in the Entry Hall (Photo courtesy of Charles Spratley)

It isn’t until you pass through the pocket doors leading to the Reception Room do you see the first of the large pieces of art glass. There you are greeted by a window depicting grapes and flowers. And after one-hundred and thirty-four years, the colors are still vivid. `

Louise Torio in the Reception Room (Photo courtesy of Louise Torio)

The next room is the Music Room, where Shepard would perform for his guests. The room boasts more art glass. There is a large depiction of the Greek poet Sappho, flanked by representations of characters from Milton. There are portraits in glass of Beethoven, Mozart, Rubens, and Raphael. The most interesting windows in the room are the two representing the Orient and the Occident—the former of which bears the face of Jesse Shepard. I’ll admit it was tempting to test the room’s acoustics by breaking into song, but I refrained, maybe on another visit.

Spratley in front of the Conservatory

Portrait windows

Tiled fireplace

The poet Sappho flank by characters from Milton

The Orient and Occidental window behind a portable grand piano

The Music Room (Photos courtesy of Louise Torio)

Then the tour moved into the private rooms for Shepard and Lawrence Tonner, Shepard’s secretary and companion. These rooms were not decorated as elaborately as the public rooms. It amazes me that the original fleur-de-lis wallpaper is still intact in Shepard’s bedroom.

Spratley in Jesse Shepard’s bedroom, note the fleur-de-lis wallpaper. (Photo courtesy of Louise Torio)

All the while, Spratley is telling us the story of Jesse Shepard in a narrative that’s more like a story than a lecture.

It was a lot to take in. I’m sure there were details I didn’t see and parts of the narrative that I didn’t hear while studying something that caught my eye. I think a second visit is needed to capture what I missed.

Jesse Shepard/Francis Grierson (Photo public domain)

The Villa was built in 1887, financed by brothers William and John High to entice musician and Spiritualist Jesse Shepard to move to San Diego. The Queen Anne-style house cost $19,000, while other homes in the area were being built for significantly less. Another $7,000 was spent for the art glass, done by John Mallon and Sons, and is considered one of the most beautiful displays of art glass in a residence in Southern California.

Shepard and Tonner lived in the house for about two years. Shepard often gave concerts playing the piano and singing. During this time, he began his second career as a writer using the pen name Francis Grierson, creating his first essays in The Villa’s tower room. His books were well received, and many are still in print, including The Valley of Shadows, a fictional account of his upbringing in Illinois and life before the Civil War.

Since Shepard left San Diego for Europe, the Villa has had many owners. We can thank two women that The Villa survived the modernization of San Diego. The first is Amelia Jaeger. She and her husband, Carl, bought the house in 1948 when the freeways were beginning to be built, people were moving out of Sherman Heights, and the old Victorians were being torn down to make way for modern buildings and freeways. Jaeger lost her husband in 1958 but continued to live in The Villa, struggling to maintain the aging house until 1968. At that time, the second woman we can thank came along, Kay Porter. She and a group of friends purchased The Villa. Porter then worked to have the house designated as a City of San Diego Historical Site, protecting the Villa from demolition.

Villa Montezuma roof details – note the gargoyle lower right (Photo Tess DeGroot)

In 2006, FOVM became a 501c3 nonprofit and eventually took over the care of the building from the San Diego Historical Society, ensuring that The Villa continues to stand for the community of Sherman Heights and 1880s San Diego.

Torio spoke of how she loved and supported The Villa, even before she moved to San Diego, visiting the museum whenever she came into town. She said caring for The Villa “brings me joy.” When asked about the future, she spoke of events such as a return of the successful Poefest performed by the group Write Out Loud, musical events, and a fundraiser tea. She also mentioned projects that need to be completed. These include repairing the roof, adding a wheelchair lift to make the building ADA compliant, and repairing the wrought iron fence. To achieve these and other projects, fundraising continues. Maintaining a building this old is a constant battle. As Torio said, “Without a roof or a foundation, you don’t have a building.”

Villa Montezuma – Original wrought ironwork (Photo Tess DeGroot)

Protecting The Villa and other historic buildings is a passion shared by the all-volunteer staff. Spratley spoke of the importance of saving The Villa and other historic buildings, saying that when you demolished a building “. . . you’ve destroyed something beautiful which can never be replaced and the history that goes with it.” 

After spending time at The Villa and with the staff, I have come to love this old house.

The FOVM needs help to continue its work to preserve The Villa. How can you help? Come and take a tour. The Villa is open to the public for tours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Reservations are needed. All fees go back into needed repairs and preservation efforts.

Other ways are to become a member of FOVM or donate any amount.

And one more thing, The Villa is not haunted. Many ghost stories are going around about the house and its former occupants. None are supported by facts. The Villa is even included on haunted tours of San Diego. To take control of the narrative, Torio now meets these tours as they arrive at The Villa and tells them the real story of the house. As the museum’s website says, “It’s not haunted, it’s enchanted.”

Until next time, remember the door is always open, and the kettle is always on.

The Brass Queen

This is it, my one moment to shine. I’ll make them all love me or die trying. Nothing and nobody will stop me from—Her face slammed into a muscular chest.

(How Miss Constance Haltwhistle and Mr. J.F. Trusdale met, and so began their adventure.)

Take a red-headed arms dealer in a chainmail corset, an American Spy in a cowboy hat, invisible assassins, and a murderous prince in a world powered by steam, and you have the makings of an odd-ball steampunk romance. Elizabeth Chatsworth, a Yorkshire-born writer living in Connecticut, has created a fun romp through the English countryside with her book, The Brass Queen (CamCat Books 2021).

The author, Elizabeth Chatsworth

 I ordered the Brass Queen after meeting Elizabeth at the online C.O.G.S. Steampunk Expo earlier this year. She was engaging and enjoyed talking about steampunk and writing. During on panel, she read a chapter from her book. Intrigued, I had to order a copy. I wanted to see what further trouble Miss Constance Haltwhistle and Mr. J.F. Trusdale would find themselves in, and most importantly, how were they going to survive?

The story begins with Constance hosting her own coming-out party because she needs a husband quickly or loses her estate. Things don’t go according to the plan (that’s Plan with a capital P.) Despite things going awry, with the help of her loyal family retainers and the “American spy” Trusdale, she manages to make it through the day.

You can’t help liking Constance, even when she is being stubborn about the Plan. She doesn’t give up and makes it work. She is definitely not a shrinking violet waiting to be rescued by the handsome hero.

And what can I say about Trusdale? Like Constance, he has his own secrets, and he becomes all the more lovable with each reveal. And he cuts a fine figure covered in soap bubbles (you’ll just have to read the book.)

Another thing I like about this book is how she separates the three point-of-view (P.O.V.) characters: Constance, Trusdale, and Prince Lucien. Each chapter has a single P.O.V., making the narrative easy to follow.

When talking to Elizabeth, she said her favorite tea is P.G. Tips. This is sometimes called “builder’s tea” due to it being a stronger tea. According to the box, “England’s No1 Tea.” This was the tea Elizabeth drank in her hometown of Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. I have seen this tea in the store, but until now had never tried it. On Elizabeth’s recommendation, I brewed a pot and served it with milk. Personally, I liked it. Yes, it’s strong, perhaps a bit much for my afternoon cup but excellent for the morning. It is stronger than the “orange pekoe” most Americans are used to drinking. Some may prefer it with a bit of sweetener.   

I highly recommend The Brass Queen by Elizabeth Chatsworth. Also, keep a lookout for the sequel The Brass Queen: Grand Tour, scheduled to be released in 2023.

An independent bookstore

I purchased my copy of The Brass Queen from Mysterious Galaxy and Books, an independent bookstore in San Diego. So, when buying books this holiday season, please consider supporting your local independent bookseller.

Piercing the Veil

It’s November, a month of gratitude. Among the many things, I’m grateful for are being introduced to new authors and making new friends.

I was honored to meet the charming Charles Spratley at the Gaslight Steampunk Expo in San Diego this past October. He presented on Villa Montezuma, a historic home built in 1887 for concert pianist and spiritualist Jesse Shepard. He is the vice president of the Friends of Villa Montezuma, a historian, a tour guide, and a magician who has worked to preserve the history of Southern California. His interests include spiritualism and the paranormal.

Charles L. Spratley and me.

In Charles’s book Piecing the Vail: Exploring San Diego’s Haunted History (Schiffer Publishing, 2012), he looks at the history behind the ghost stories associated with several historical sites in San Diego County. So, this isn’t “a ghost story” book but rather a historical book looking at the real people and events behind the hauntings.

Piercing the Veil: Examining San Diego’s Haunted History

I, like many, enjoy a good ghost story—but how many of these stories are just that, only stories?

Charles examines the history behind the hauntings and brings to light where stories have been changed or exaggerated. Some have been altered for the sake of entertainment. As he explains, “. . . there is something far more sinister about some ghost stories than the gruesome deaths associated with the haunting. They are effectively changing history, creating people who never existed, altering family histories, and producing misconceptions. History becomes legend, which becomes urban legend, and is lost.”

Charles describes several local sites, including the Whaley House, the Julian Hotel, the San Diego Maritime Museum, and the Hotel Del Coronado (The Del). Without glorifying the violence associated with these stories, Charles’s narration moves smoothly from the well-known ghost story to the facts about it that can be proven. And when no evidence can be found to show the persons existed or the events happened, he calls it unlikely to be true. Where he can find proof that the persons and events are historical, and there are credible reports of paranormal activity, he leaves it to the reader to decide if the haunting is real.

• 

  The Whaley House

• 

  The Julian Hotel

• 

  The Hotel Del Coronado

• 

  The San Diego Maritime Musem

I enjoyed reading Piercing the Veil and found my knowledge of San Diego’s history enriched. Perhaps parts of these tales may find themselves included in my stories. I found the chapters on the Maritime Museum and The Del especially fascinating.

The Maritime Museum holds a special place in my heart. I worked aboard the Star of India as a tour guide and gift shop clerk for ten years. It was also where I met my husband. I was familiar with two of the stories included in Charles’ book and even talked about them as part of the tours I led. At that time, there were little to no discussions of ghosts on the Star of India. I can say that I personally never experienced anything supernatural.

The Del is another story. This Gilded Age hotel has been a jewel in my memories. It was where we celebrated my grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary, as well as the location for my senior prom.  But more recently, I have visited here three times in the past year.

Last November, the day after Thanksgiving, my husband and I took my father for a drive to Coronado, and we wandered around the grounds of the grand hotel. At a spot between the building and the herb garden, a sense of fear and confusion overcame me. I took a few more steps, and the feeling was gone. Later that day, we purchased a book about the history of The Del, where I first learned of Kate Morgan, a young woman who died by suicide in 1892 and is said to haunt the hotel.

Kate Morgan’s room at the Hotel Del Coronado

Then in April, for my sixtieth birthday, my husband treated me to a stay at The Del. To say I was thrilled to find our room was just a few feet from Kate’s room was an understatement. As we strolled around the hotel, we passed the same spot, and again I felt the same sensation as before.

This past month, I returned to The Del to attend an Evening with the Spirits led by Charles. We visited locations in the hotel where unusual events have been recorded, including Kate Morgan’s room. One of the last stops was where Kate’s body was found—it was the place where I had been overwhelmed with fear and confusion. I took a deep breath and gave the space a wide berth. I didn’t want to experience that a third time. Before that moment, I didn’t know this walkway was associated in any way with the death of Kate Morgan. And, no, I didn’t tell anyone at the time.

In keeping with our theme of reading, writing, and a good cup of tea, what tea would best go with this book? Charles tells me his favorite tea is Lady Grey. That’s a lovely choice and among my favorites. Like Earl Grey, it’s black tea with bergamot oil, but with the addition of citrus peel and sometimes floral touches like cornflower or lavender. These additions give the tea a lighter flavor.

Bison Betty gives Piercing the Veil two hooves up.

My recommendation is to get a copy of Piercing the Veil, make a pot of Lady Grey, and settle into your favorite chair. You’re in for an interesting trip into the ghostly history of San Diego.

Until next time, the door is always open, and the kettle is on the boil.

A Victorian/Steampunk Christmas Reading List

With hustle and bustle of the season, sometimes there just isn’t the time to sit back and relax or get done the many things you feel you need to do. This year, I felt the stress of too much to do, and many things were dropped from the list such as baking Christmas cookies and getting my blog done on time. So, I apologize that I’m a bit late getting this out to you.

Winter break is, hopefully, a time to rest and recoup, to celebrate the winter holidays with family and friends, and of course reading. There is nothing like curling up with a good book and cup of tea on a cold winter day. It was the one pleasure I made time for in spite of the pressure “to get things done” that comes with the season.

This year my Christmas reading list took a turn to Victorian and Steampunk genres. Some are short story collections, others are novels, and a few were classics. The hard part is deciding which one to read next.

Author Jessica Lucci with The Snow Globe

First on the list is The Snow Globe and Other Holiday Stories by Jessica Lucci, (Jessica Lucci and Indie Woods, 2021)—a collection of holiday short stories. These stories cover many genres including Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Fantasy, and Contemporary tales. Each of them is fun and every chapter is a self-contained story for when you want something to fill a brief break or to enjoy while waiting for an appointment. This book got me through several doctor appointments with the usual hurry up and wait. The title story is about a successful editor who must face her not-so-happy feelings about Christmas. Not as action-packed as her Tequila Sheila and Other Stories, but still an excellent read.

I had a chance to ask Jessica about her favorite tea. She said that she liked the Ohio Tea Company’s Gingerbread Chai. I haven’t had this tea, but I’ve had others from them. They have many unique blends to satisfy the pickiest tea drinker.

Other books on the list:

The Ghost of Christmas Past, Rhys Bowen, (Minotaur Books, 2017)—This is a Molly Murphy Mystery, but you don’t have to have read others in the series to follow the story. It follows Molly and her family as they celebrate Christmas at an upstate New York estate. It doesn’t take Molly long to realize something isn’t right, that everyone has secrets, and she uncovers the mystery of a missing child to solve. Well worth the reading.

A Christmas Twist: A Twist in Time Book II, Brent A. Harris (Inklings Press 2020)—A sequel to Brent’s A Twist in Time. Based on Charles Dickens’s colorful characters, Oliver Twist and Nell Trent return to face off against ghosts and Ebenezer Scrooge to save the future. This isn’t the A Christmas Carol you’re familiar with. Lots of fun, with time travel and Steampunk elements.

A Snowflake at Midnight: An Elemental Steampunk Tale, Anne Renwick, (Anne Renwick 2019)—Part of the Elemental Steampunk series, this story takes the characters on a Christmas themed adventure. I have just started to read this one, and I am captivated. This Steampunk novel has romance and danger against the backdrop of Christmas.

And of course, we must have a few classic tales.

A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens (1843)—We’ve all seen the movies, but have you read the original story? There is a richness of language and detail that doesn’t translate to the screen. I re-read this every year.

The Nutcracker, Alexander Dumas (1845)—Wait, what? Wasn’t the original story written by E.T. A. Hoffman? And yes, Hoffman wrote “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” in 1814. The story wasn’t well known until Dumas took Hoffman’s little story and expanded it. It was this version that Tchaikovsky’s ballet is based on. I love both versions and will read one or both every year.

I’m working my way through the list with a hot cup of tea and a Christmas cookie or two.

What’s on your Christmas reading list?

Until next time remember, the door is open, and the kettle is on.

Blackbirds & Spirit Pictures

The Great War, a pandemic, accusations of treason, and ghosts of dead soldiers, set in San Diego. What more could a story need to keep you turning the pages?

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

Last year, I was given a book, In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters. A paranormal, historical, young adult novel, this was Ms. Winters’s debut, published in 2013. Last month I was sorting through the books and papers on my desk, it jumped out at me and said, READ ME NOW! Given that we are in the midst of a pandemic, the topic was, to say the least, appropriate.

The book follows Mary Shelley Black, yes, she is named for the author of Frankenstein. When we join her, Mary Shelley is on the train from Portland, Oregon, to San Diego, California. She is going to live with her Aunt Eva after her father is arrested for treason. Shortly after having her picture taken by a spiritual photographer, she learns her best friend Stephen has died in France, another casualty of the Great War. That night she is hit by lighting – then things really take a turn for the weird.

So many questions. Will her father go to prison? Who will get the flu next? How did Stephen die?

As Mary Shelly moves through San Diego, Ms. Winters puts you there in the middle of the events. I can see the streets of San Diego and Coronado Island. When Mary Shelley takes the streetcar to Balboa Park, I’m there. I’ve been on a bus down the same street and walked across the bridge into the park. When she visits family friends on Coronado Island, I know the house she described, or at least one very like it.

• 

  Santa Fe Depot

• 

  Cabrillo Bridge

• 

  Ferry to Coronado

I could feel Mary Shelley’s fear grow as the suspense builds. Who’s going to get sick next? Will all the garlic and onions really help? What do the blackbirds mean? Who can she trust?

Mary Shelley is a firm believer in science and is skeptical of the spiritualists around her. The spirit photographs have to be a trick, right?

I could say more, but I do not want to wander into spoiler territory.

The story is meticulously researched, and the prose weaves image and emotion together. This is done so well that there were times while reading it when I had to close the book to catch my breath.

Cat Winters (Photo by Aedan Studio Photography)

Check out her website, The Dark Fiction of Cat Winters . There you can watch a well-produced video about the Spanish Flu pandemic. There is also information on her other books, including her newest releases, Odd & True and Raven’s Tale.

And what tea would go with this book? I’d suggest Ms. Winter’s favorite, a London Fog. A tea latte that is a lovely blend of Earl Gray, lavender, and vanilla. Trust me, you’ll like it.

London Fog Recipe

• 1 cup (8 oz.) strongly-brewed earl grey tea, brewed with 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender (the lavender is optional, but I recommend it!)
• 1/2 cup (4 oz.) steamed milk (any kind, I use oat milk.)
• 1- 2 tablespoons of vanilla syrup or more or less to taste.

Brew earl grey tea and lavender together, and steep for 3 minutes (or according to tea instructions).  Remove the tea bag and strain out the lavender.  Stir in remaining ingredients until combined.  Serve warm or over ice.

Note: If like me, you don’t have a steamer, gently warm the milk (don’t let it boil) and froth with a small whisk.

             Until next time, remember the door is always open, and the kettle is always on!

Juggling Teacups

“Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And you’re keeping all of them in the air. But one day you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls – family, health, friends, integrity – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. And once you truly understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have the beginnings of balance in your life.”
— James Patterson (Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas)

I juggle teacups, some are beautiful, others functional. Some days, I’m juggling three and other days it feels like a dozen. I had too many in the air, and as Mr. Patterson noted, when the cups fall, they are damaged or broken beyond repair. I didn’t just drop one, I dropped all of them.

Every . . . single . . . one.

At first, I tried to scoop everything up, carrying the whole and the damaged, and carry on. It didn’t work, ideas became confused, tasks forgotten, appointments missed. Then the “safer at home” order came down. With the doors of my place of employment locked, friends distancing themselves, meetings canceled, I found myself forced to stop and reevaluate the chipped and shattered pile of teacups.

David Segrove wrote, “Do three things well, not ten things badly.” With that in mind, I began to shift through the debris. Which needed to be repaired, replaced, or put in the rubbish. Each cup evaluated. Did it “spark joy” (to borrow a phrase from Maria Kondo), would I miss it, was it necessary, or was it a burden to be left in the dust bin?

Let’s examine a few of the cups I kept.

Writing – I write because if I didn’t, the choir in my head would drive me insane, telling me their stories. Writing quiets them and creating a world for them to exist in, whether a real historical time and place or a steampunk world that never will exist, is fun. Some stories have been abandoned, crying out to be finished. This cup is a sturdy mug, it just needs to be dusted off, the little chip is barely visible.

Gardening – Hands in the soil, birdsong over-head, flowers and vegetables growing. The harvest is small but a peaceful time. This cup is metal, so it has a few dents, but it is still serviceable.

T’ai Chi – Ancient, moving meditation, improver of health and well-being. I am at my best when doing this slow quiet martial art. The cup was broken, the cracks large, but it can be repaired. I will use the technique of kintsukuroi, the Asian art mending the pottery by filling the cracks or breaks with gold or silver lacquer so as not to hide the damage but rather illuminate its beauty.

American Legion – I am a veteran, Desert Storm era. I came through my time with little baggage to carry. My comrades, some were not so lucky. The cup is tough, the handle is cracked but can be mended. Even though this is a heavy cup, it is one of honor and duty.

There are others, but this time I have built a shelf for them. There will be times when I will place a cup lovingly down, rest is a good thing.

What of those that have been swept away, the remains now in the waste basket? Will I miss them? Will I feel the need to replace them? Only time will tell.

I am learning to juggle everything well, most days, on other days there’s always tea.  Those are the days I understand the line from Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (screenplay), “A cup a tea would restore my normality.”

Until next time . . . The door is always open and the kettle always on.

The Tale of Two Boarding Houses

This is the tale of two boarding houses in Raton, New Mexico. I had gone to this town in northeastern New Mexico to traverse the territory that Sally Porter lived in 1898. Who is Sally Porter, you may ask? She is the protagonist of my current work-in-progress (WIP).

While in Raton, I learned about two boarding houses that were in operation in the 1890s. The first is now a bed & breakfast called Heart’s Desire, where I stayed for several days. Situated near the heart of the town, it’s location was perfect. The historic district, quaint shops, a museum, and the library were all within walking distance.

The house, painted sweetheart pink, was built in 1895 by the first U.S. Marshall of Raton and served as a boarding house run by his wife. She not only fed the residents but also cooked the meals for the occupants of the jail. The footpath between the house and where the jail once stood is still visible. One story is that when the jailhouse was full, the sheriff would lock prisoners in the house’s carriage house.

Heart’s Desire B&B – patio and garden

Heart’s Desire B&B – front porch

Heart’s Desire B&B – carriage house (now garage)

 

The hostess, Barbara Riley, has restored the house and decorated each room with a delightful theme, showing off the place in Victorian splendor. Upon my arrival, she greeted me with a warm slice of apple pie and cup of tea. After the refreshments and conversation, I was shown my room, the Blue Willow Room. It had a lovely view over the town’s historic buildings and the fall foliage.

Each morning, I was treated to some of the best cooking I have ever had while traveling. Barbara put a lot of love into each breakfast she served. It fortified me as I headed out on my adventures for the day. On my return in the evening, I was greeted by the official welcome committee, Guinness, a sweet-tempered Yorkshire terrier. I would settle into one of the couches in the sitting room with a cup of tea and write up my notes for the day listening to Barbara play the piano.

I felt very spoiled.

Heart’s Desire B&B – Blue Willow Room

Heart’s Desire B&B – Betty eyeing the last chocolate

Heart’s Desire B&B – Barbara playing the the piano in the sitting room.

Heart’s Desire B&B – Breakfast

Heart’s Desire B&B – Guiness, the official welcoming committee

I would recommend stopping for a night or two at the Heart’s Desire Bed & Breakfast. Barbara’s enthusiasm and knowledge of the area, the comfortable environment she created, and the location made this pleasant stay. It is also pet-friendly and has wi-fi.

Let me introduce you to proprietress of the second boarding house, Cathay Williams –slave, domestic worker, soldier, and businesswoman.

The only reported photo of Cathay Williams

Artist rendering of Private William Cathey

Cathay was born a slave in 1844. At the start the Civil War, she was on a plantation on the outskirts of Jefferson City, Missouri. When Union soldiers marched in she was considered “contraband,” and like many slaves, she was pressed into service as a cook and laundress. At one point, she was transferred to Washington D.C., where she served as a cook for General Philip Sheridan.

After the war, Cathay found herself unemployed, and with no money and few opportunities, the tall, lanky woman made a drastic decision. She posed as a man and joined the army, using the name William Cathay. She was assigned to the 38^th Infantry Regiment, one of six all African-American regiments that would become known as the Buffalo Soldiers. She was hospitalized several times during the nearly two years she served and was never examined closely enough to discover her secret until she let it slip. She was given a medical discharge in 1868.

After her discharge, Cathay joined family members in Colorado, where her mother was a matron at the Lincoln Home for orphaned and abandoned black children. The one known photograph of her was taken during this time in Pueblo. Then she moved to Trinidad where she worked as a seamstress. While there a reporter from Saint Louis came to visit her, after hearing rumors of a black woman soldier. Her story was published in The St. Louis Daily Times in 1876. Shortly after her story was published, she became ill, suffering from neuralgia and complications from diabetes. In 1893, she applied for an army pension, as had Deborah Sampson, who served as a man during the American Revolutionary War. Her claim was denied, despite her having to walk with a crutch (her toes had been amputated.)

Cathay Williams – Enlistment Paperwork

Cathay Williams – Discharge Paperwork

Cathay Williams – Pension Application

Many biographies of Cathay Williams report that she must have died shortly after her 1893 pension claim was denied as her absent from the Trinidad census rolls of 1900. But according to two sources I spoke with in Raton, this is not the case. Both the historian at the Raton Chamber of Commerce and the curator of The Raton  Museum reported that she moved from Trinidad to Raton, where she lived the last three decades of her life. According to them, she ran a boarding house. However, it’s location is not identified on any period maps. She offered room and board to the local railroad workers, and when General Sheridan’s son passed through the area, he stopped and stayed with her a few days.

Williams died in Raton in 1926 at the age of 82. Her body is thought to have been returned to Colorado to be buried with her family, in either Pueblo or Trinidad, but the location of the grave has been lost.

Cathay Williams’ story is a tale of resilience. She rose from being a slave to a businesswoman. It is also a story of racism. As evidenced in the medical care African-American soldiers received. It must have been minimal as she was “examined” multiple times and the doctors didn’t realize she was a woman. Also when she applied for her pension, she wasn’t a white woman represented by John Adams like Deborah, but a poor black woman with a lawyer who did little to push her claim through. In spite of these, she left her mark. In 2016, Richard Allen Cultural Center and Museum in Leavenworth, Kansas dedicated a bust of Cathay Williams (AKA Private William Cathay), recognizing her place in history as the first African-American female soldier.

 

Cathay Williams (AKA Private William Cathay)  Willam Allan Cultural Center & Museum, Leavenworth, Kansas

This veteran salutes you, Private Williams.

 

In the late 1800’s, Raton was a bustling railroad town with many boarding houses and hotels. These were just two them.

Until next time, remember . . .

The door is always open, and the Kettle is always on.

A Simple Question: “What do You write?”

It’s a simple question, “What do you write?” I’m asked it often, which got me thinking.

Every writer focuses on a specific genre; it is their brand, their identity. I have many writer friends. Three stand out to me, as truly knowing who they are as a writer, Molly Jo Realy, Sierra Donavan, and Brent A. Harris.

Molly Jo Realy, author of NOLA

Molly Jo writes “location mysteries,” a genre she created for her up-coming novel NOLA, set in New Orleans, Louisiana. The location is essential and integral to the plot. The mystery can only happen in this setting. If the tale, if it took place in another city, would be altered significantly. In NOLA, a young woman’s trip to the Crescent City takes some unexpected turns as only the old city can dish up – there’s fried alligator and voodoo, too.

Sierra Donavan

Do Not Open “Til Christmas

Sierra writes “sweet romances.” These romances do not have the “heat” of other romances with little or no steamy scenes or foul language. Her most recent book, Do Not Open ‘Til Christmas, tells the story of what happens “when a Scrooge-like boss and a determined young woman have to work together during the holidays.”

Brent A. Harris

A Time of Need

Brent writes “alternate history.” This type of historical fiction is referred to as conjectural or speculative because though based on historical events it asks “what if?” at a crucial point in the action. In his recent book, A Time of Need, the question is “What if George Washington fought for the British?”

I ask myself, “What do you write?” The fast and simple response is historical fiction, primarily romance. This historical romance isn’t accurate. A better answer would be Victorian romance. Even that is too broad.

So with a cup of vanilla chai tea, I settled into my chair to define for myself the historical period I write.

First, what is Historical Fiction? According to Dictionary.com, it is “the genre of literature, film, etc., comprising narratives that take place in the past and are characterized chiefly by an imaginative reconstruction of historical events and personages.” How far back in time does a work need to be to be considered “historical”? Depending on whom you ask that changes. According to the Historical Novel Society, how it is defined is debatable, but they considered a story historical if set fifty years or more in the past and the author is working from research and not personal experience.  So using this definition, and given I was born in 1961, anything I write set before 1960 is historical fiction.

I could use the term Victorian as I write primarily during the years between the Civil War and World War I (1865 – 1914), which overlaps with the Victorian period (1837 – 1901) of the British Empire and La Belle Époque (1871 – 1914) of continental Europe.  True, the United States did follow some of the English mannerisms and morals of the time, but I write stories take place, not in England or Europe, but America.

In the United States, 1865 – 1890 is called the Gilded Age and is followed by the Progressive Age (1890 – 1914). Mark Twain coined the term Gilded Age when he titled his 1873 novel The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today. Though not well known, the story is remarkable because it is the only book Twain wrote with a collaborator, Charles Dudley Warner.   It satirized the post-Civil War era’s greed and political corruption. Twain and Warner took the title from Shakespeare’s King John  “To gild refined gold, to paint the lily . . . is wasteful and ridiculous excess.” (Act IV, scene 2). They did not mean it as a compliment.

Boys working in a foundry.

The Breakers

Women’s Sufferage March

This period is a tapestry of vast contrasts. The rich lived lavishly, building seaside mansions. The poor worked twelve-hour days, six to seven days a week for barely enough pay to support their families. However, it is also the time of social reform, including the rise of the unions that brought in the eight-hour workday and end to child labor. In spite of the political corruption, it was also a time of political reform; civil services workers had to start taking a test to get their jobs, reducing cronyism. It was also the time of the women’s suffrage movement.

Western Territory Map

This is the background of my historical period, but my stories take place mainly in the western regions of the United States: the territories of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah; and the states of California and Nevada. Historians call these years the Wild West period (1865 – 1895).  It is a time of westward expansion, wagon trains, homesteaders, gold and silver, bandits and cowboys.

Now that I have defined the historical period, what about my writing?

The Princess of Sweetwater

I just completed a short novel, The Princess of Sweetwater, which I am presenting to prospective agents. The story of a privileged  La Belle Époque aristocrat, Princess Victoria, in 1886, who runs away from the Gilded Age city of San Francisco to a small town in Southern California and falls in love with a rancher. It has a romance, life on a Californian ranch, and some international intrigue.

Sally Ann Porter

My current work-in-progress (WIP) is a novel, Sally of Rancho Terra Linda (working title).   Though still very much a rough outline and a loose series of scenes, it is the story of a young woman in 1898 territorial New Mexico that must deal with her father’s remarriage to a Chicago widow and new siblings while still getting her chores on the ranch done. Planned subplots include a murder and a romance with the local doctor.

Mary Cogswoth

A third story, on the back burner, is The Cogsworth Files (working title). It’s a serial tale about Mary Cogsworth, a Secret Service Agent, and her companion, Seamus, an Irish wolfhound. Together they work to protect America in 1885. It has elements of romance, western, and steampunk.

Victoria’s story is clearly a romance set against the backdrop of “fish out of water” story during the Gilded Age in a small town with some elements of a western.

Sally’s story is more of a western set against the backdrop of a clash between Progressive Age expectations with western reality.

Mary’s story is more an adventure story set against the backdrop of the Gilded Age featuring trains and steam-powered gadgets.

 

Manuscript

So again, I ask, “What do you write?” After some thought, I would narrow down my genre to “Gilded-Age/Progressive-Age/western historical fiction” But that’s a bit of a mouthful, so maybe “Late 19^th century historical fiction.”

Will I stray out of this historical period? Yes, every once in a while I will. I’ve written some contemporary romances, as well as stories set in the 1960’s, 1920’s, 1500’s, and the first century.

Two more questions: Why do I prefer historical fiction? And why late 19^th-century? I grew up reading historical fiction, history books, and biographies. I found it fascinating. I chose this period because I live an area where there are ample sources for me to explore the history and geography.

I’ve shared some of my explorations with you in the past and will continue to share those stories with you over a nice cup of tea.

Vanilla Chai

Remember the door is always open, and the kettle is always on.

What is a Writer?

I had just about given up on writing. I’ve not written anything much of anything, except reports for work, for nearly six months. A part of me wanted to stay in “not writing” mode, but my brain kept thinking and churning. Characters kept talking to me, wanting their story told.

So, it begs the question, “What is a writer?” One silly meme defines a writer as “peculiar organism capable of transforming caffeine into books.” I know it is more than that. I’ve been telling stories for as long as I can remember, and it didn’t take much to get me started. Sometimes the stories were made up, and some were just telling the day’s events. But they were stories. Telling stories or writing them down, I think is something I’m driven to do. I can’t help myself. If I’m not writing them down, I’m telling them to myself as I go about my daily duties.

Some writers describe their need to write on a deeply instinctive level. For example, John Steinbeck said, “I nearly always write just as I nearly always breathe.” And Ray Bradbury wrote, “Every story I’ve written was written because I had to write it. Writing stories is like breathing for me; it is my life.”  Breathing is involuntary. Of course, we can hold our breath for a while, but eventually, we’ll pass out, and our lungs will do their work unhindered. Writing is involuntary.

Others speak of writing as being a compulsion or obsession. Anne Rice admitted, “Obsession led me to write.” For J.K. Rowling it will never stop, “I’ll be writing until I can’t write anymore. It’s a compulsion with me. I love writing.” As long as I live I will feel compelled to tell tales, even if only for my own entertainment.

And for some to not write is to court insanity. Umberto Eco wrote, “To survive, you must tell stories.” Franz Kafka put it more bluntly, “A non-writing writer is a monster courting insanity.” Many writers of fiction will tell you that their characters live in their heads and talk to them. If they didn’t write it down the chatter would keep them from sleeping. The voices in my head taunt and entice me to tell their tales.

Isabel Allende said that “Writing is a calling, not a choice.” A calling is sacred, it cannot be refused for long. Every time I turn around I hear the siren’s song beckons me, it won’t be denied.

And Ernest Hemingway observed, “Once writing has become your major vice and greatest pleasure only death can stop it.” When I’m not at work, I’m either reading or writing. (I’m working under the assumption that research, outlines, and edits are writing.)

 

Eugene Ionesco reminds us that “A writer never has a vacation. For a writer, life consists of either writing or thinking about writing.” As I learned these past few months. Victoria demanded to be completed. Sally and Mary want their stories told. All three keep chattering away, denying me peace and sleep. And every once in a while, little Bitty will wake from her nap and ask, “What about me?”

 

Does this mean I can quit? Not if my friends, both real and imaginary have anything to say about it. Ray Bradbury often repeated, “You fail only if you stop writing.” And James Scott Bell asked, “Are you a real writer? Then keep writing, And don’t stop. Ever.” Or as Alton Gansky shared on the Firsts in Fiction podcasts: Al’s Axiom #88 – You can quit anytime, but you can’t stay quit.

What is a writer? I am a writer, and I shall write. Now to make some tea.

Until next time, remember the door is always open and the kettle is always on.

Rabbits and Writing

“Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them,

and pretty soon you have a dozen.”

— John Steinbeck

As a writer and a storyteller, friends ask me questions about my writing process. With my London Fog Latte in hand, I’m going to answer some of those questions.

Where do you come up with your ideas?

Like Mr. Steinbeck’s rabbits, I find ideas can come from anywhere: a photo, an overheard conversation, or a museum display. My favorite source of ideas is woolgathering. As Joyce Carol Oates said, at the 2017 LA Times Festival of Books, “Only for the writer is wool-gathering work.” Just letting my mind wander in the forest of my imagination, I find wonderful people and events. And when I find one, I add it to my list.

In the case of The Princess of Sweetwater, I was muddling about looking for an idea for my 2011 National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) project. Earlier that year, I had gone the Antelope Valley Alfalfa Festival and Fair and visited the Antelope Valley Rural Museum on the grounds. I learned about ranching and farms during the area in the late 1800s from the displays. A few weeks later, I was watching my favorite movie for the hundredth time, Roman Holiday. Now the wool-gathering begins. What if a princess ran away in 1886 and came to the Antelope Valley? What if she fell in love? What if she was forced back home against her will?

The Western Hotel Museum, Lancaster CA – The inspiration for one of the story’s locations.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m not a plotter/planner in the strict sense of the word. I research the historical period, I study maps, and I visit the locations.  I do write an outline, but it is a simple one with just the main plot points noted. Some plotters, when done with their outline, have a ten-page plot synopsis with every detail listed. I do plan, but I also discover my story as I write. The outline is just a roadmap, and if I find an interesting detour, I’ll follow it and see where it leads. In this, I share traits with the discovery/intuitive or pantser writer. I am a hybrid. When I reach the end of my first draft, the story may be very different than I first envisioned it during the outlining stage.

When do you edit/revise?

Until I finish the first draft, I do very few revisions, if any. I just put the story down with its awful and awkward scenes, misspelled words, and grammatical errors. But that’s okay; it’s the first draft. I just want to get the idea down on paper and resist the urge to go back to revise and edit.  James Scott Bell wrote in his book Revision & Self-Editing, “Give yourself permission to be bad. Write first, polish later.”

If I find I’ve drifted off the main road and it will require a change in a previous scene, I make a note in a different color to remind me to fix the continuity. If I find a scene no longer will fit, I don’t delete it. I line through it, so I can still see it, because during revisions I may find it works better elsewhere.  I do set a daily goal. If during NaNoWriMo, it’s 1750 words a day to make the 50,000 words by the end of November. Over the rest of the year, my daily goal is three pages or about 900 words. If I stopped to revise, I’d never make the deadline. When I finished the first draft of The Princess of Sweetwater, I had 50,613 words of which a third would find themselves chopped when I began to edit. The first draft was just a skeleton, with only Princess Victoria’s story told, no backstory, a flat male protagonist, and no subplots.

I’ll admit edits and revisions are hard work and painful. I start by reading the manuscript and find I have plot holes big enough to drive a stagecoach through. Despite the pain, I chop and rewrite.  As Stephen King wrote, “Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings.” Sometimes it’s the best thing you can do. I cut out several lovely scenes in The Princess of Sweetwater, beautifully written, but they did nothing to move the plot forward and as a result had to go.

 Do you let others read your stories in progress?

I do have readers for my work-in-progress (WIP). I have Alpha Readers. These are fellow writers who help me shape the work as I am writing the first draft and before any serious revisions start. Often, they give me a hand with finding kinks in the plot, to avoid dead ends, and discovering something that was missing.

My Beta Readers review the manuscript when it is finished. These are readers who love the type of stories I write and will be honest with me if something doesn’t work, or if I’m just wrong about a historical fact. I choose some Betas because of their expertise in the era or industry used in the story. Their comments help me tighten the story before I sent it to a professional editor.

 Of course, at some point in the process, my husband reads it and gives me his thoughts and corrections.

How long does it take to write a novel?

The process of writing is different for every writer. In the case of The Princess of Sweetwater, it has been a long journey from its beginning in 2011 to now.  (I don’t say the end because the end is publishing and marketing.) Part of that is due to me setting the book aside to give me a break from it. Sometimes I need to step away from a project to see it with fresh eyes. After each revision, I tucked Princess Victoria and her friends away until I could return to them later.

Are you going to self-publish?

At this point, no. I am in the process of submitting The Princess of Sweetwater to agents.

How do you handle writer’s block?

I don’t. Writer’s block happens when you sit around and wait for inspiration to arrive. But as Jack London said, “Don’t loaf and invite inspiration; light out after it with a club, and if you don’t get it you will nonetheless get something that looks remarkably like it.” So even if I don’t feel like it, I make myself write every day. It may end up being poor writing but as Jodi Picoult said, “You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.”

For inspiration, I have a sign on my desk that reads, “You fail only if you stop writing. – Ray Bradbury.”

What is a London Fog Latte?

A London Fog Latte is a latte made with Earl Grey Tea and steamed milk.

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup (8 oz) strongly-brewed Earl Grey Tea (I add a pinch of dried lavender, optional)
2.  1/2 cup (4 oz) steamed or scaled milk (any kind)
3. 1 Tbsp. simple syrup,  granulated sugar, or sweetener of your choice (adjust to taste, I often leave it out entirely.)
4. 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

After steeping the tea and lavender, pour into a cup and add the other ingredients. Stir gently. Enjoy.

Until next time . . .

The door is always open, and the kettle is always on.