Heartfelt Changes

 

My Caledon Rothesay place has been my virtual home since December 2008.  The big white Victorian has moved me with from "before" Caledon to Caledon II in early 2008 and finally to Rothesay.  Here is where I displayed photographs from my real life on the walls, tucked scrapbooks on shelves and tables, covered the mantle with special flowers (thank you Denver Hax), and my oldest dearest furniture sat in a comfortable circle in front of the fireplace. We Merry Widows drank tea and laughed together; Audrey and I sat many a night talking about our lives in Australia and Missouri, US.; and Junie dragged me out of the garden to go adventuring.  The floor was usually littered with bags and boxes from my shopping trips. Since I tend to forget to "lock" prims, Iason dropped one night right through the front porch to the ground when I thought I was cleaning up the shopping bags and blew off the front of the house.  When I changed the conservatory to a kitchen, you could practically smell the bread baking in its little virtual oven.  In so many ways - even the shopping bags on the floor, this virtual home copies my real home.  Oh, I don't have a big white Victorian in real life but wicker furniture, books, and family definitely connect the two.  Several weeks ago, I decided either my homestead in Winterfell or my Rothesay parcel would have to go - I mean really how many prims does a girl need? With talking to myself, friends, making lists of pros and cons, I purchased a full sim now tucked safely away as my Winterfell Harbor.  Where does that leave Caledon Rothesay? My quarter sim is up for purchase but I still have almost two weeks left on the meter. With my rl going to became crazy in the next couple weeks, I went ahead and packed away my big white house.  It was a good thing my typist was home alone since tears were shed and tissues piled up by the keyboard.  Amazing how attached one can become to what is virtual pixels.  After Friday evening, I know for some it is just "land" and a business this place we call Second Life.  For myself, this is my home for now and don't ask me to give it up until the last tick of meter stops.  Even without my house, I still will call Caledon home of my heart.

Merry Widows - Murder or Magic

Miss LillieJay Mills was murdered during the Merry Widows Progressive Dinner! The horror of it all! All the widows that attended the party are considered prime suspects for the deadly deed. No, no - we didn't do a "hit" on Lillie! Miss Mills showed an unexpected quirkiness to her personality as she tossed herself on the pirate ship deck on the dagger marked "murder". It is always the "quiet" ones who are the party surprise! The magic of the evening was that we ladies - and especially me - really enjoyed getting to know our members. Some of us have belonged to Caledon only a short time and others are into their second year. Magical night of sharing and laughter!

On a Friday evening, the widows gathered for food and conversation. We visited 5 different homes of our hostesses. I certainly enjoyed getting to see the variety of homes that we all live in. And the conversation was so involved, we usually had to remind ourselves to hop up and continue on to the next stop. By the time we reached Redgrrl's pirate ship, we were laid back and planning our next events and projects.Enjoying an after dinner beverage and sweets are Red, Lillie, Kaye, Audrey, myself, Star and Serafina. Glad I'm sitting in the back - that skirt was so not made for making like a pasha's girl. Here are Red, Lillie, and Audrey watching the little absinthe fairies dance!

Star kicks back in her lovely Prim 'n Proper gown (which had to be the prettiest outfit at the dinner!) and Kaye is rapidly taking dictation as we brainstorm new ideas for the widows. Looks like we may be making a calendar starring us....I had better start growing some roses....I'll need full-blown flowers to cover the important "parts" when I pose for "June".

We ended the evening at Gabrielle's castle where Miss Reghan Straff had her debut as as DJ for Radio Riel! Whoooot! Good times for the Widows!

Second Life 5th Birthday - Merry Widows Style

Busy! Busy! It seems even with summer vacation, I would have more time to spend doing fun things. Not that everything in Second Life isn't fun, but even there, one has deadlines. I was involved in the SL5B celebration by contributing my little bit of design skill for the Caledon exhibit. The Merry Young Widows were given a home (designed and built by our very own widow, Miss Audrey Fotherington) to display group information and have a little fun, too. First I went prim crazy - such a lovely parlor grouping! Then we found out we had a 50 prim limit! Fifty prims - I wear more than 50 prims in hair and flexi skirt! So back to the drawing board....luckily I had just made one and two prim altar tables and pews for the chapel in Winterfell Harbor. With the addition of the widow's portraits, our very own "book of poisons" presented by Sir Drinkwater of Caledon library fame, memorial urns, Count Robbiani's last will and testament, a tasteful dagger and little dab of poison, and "heh" that special cookie recipe, the display was finished.
Reflecting from Audrey's lighthouse on the Caledon birthday sim, little sleep and throwing my hands in the air was worth the final result. The Merry Widows are on display for the birthday weeks. However, after all this work, we will be looking for a permanent home....several of us now have empty homes needing a purpose in Caledon. Widows always need a place to gather for tea!

"Eleanor! You Did What?!"

In a weak moment, the prim princess spirit took over Eleanor's body. Before 24 hours have passed, I have moved my Laudanum estate to Winterfell Harbor with the kind assistance of Miss Serra. Or rather I took possession of the harbor. The old chapel, stained glass, and en garde are still packed in crates. Instead of an island the land area is now connected to Laudanum by a peninsula - land bridge. The wilder little islands still provide a danger to navigation so watch out for the rocks. The creative possibilities are exciting to contemplate. The Merry Widows envision parties and soirees. The gentlemen of my acquaintance are planning and plotting as ships and armanents pop in and out in the harbor. At the moment, all is quiet! If you wander by to visit, please be careful...Mr. Hassanov left two cannon that fire at anything that moves! (At least he picked up his pirate ship and steampunk submarines!)

Want to Dance? - En Garde in Winterfell Laudanum

My neverending projects keep getting sidetracked. Friends in Caledon dragged me over to play En Garde. Kaye very quickly showed me how to play and then proceeded to beat the pants off of me. Of course, now I have a new obession - dueling! Then I "convinced" Audrey Fotherington to learn the game - so I would have a partner in crime. To make playing easier, I have installed an En Garde playing field on a back stone balcony. Come over and play - it's free. The rules are available and a link to a You Tube tutorial. There are benches and seating for your crew as well as a fire pit burning to chase away the cool spring night air. You are welcome at any time at the Aberconway Old Chapel and Manor in Laudanum. Also, requesting your assistance in designing a team name. Eleanor's Team is pretty blah - and the other choices Audrey and I came up with were cute but only funny to two people of which one was awake long past her bedtime.

Dragnet

Sgt. June Wozniak and her partner Officer El Anderton ventured forth to solve the mysterious disappearance of a lonely widow from Caledon. The missing lady was a member of the Merry Young Widows. Their investigation leads to a haunting dark island with a deserted mansion - or is it a prison - sanitorium?Entering the building, the officers found debris, papers fluttering in the wind, dripping water, dirt - and stains - so many rusty stains. Many stains splashed on all surfaces. Investigating, Sgy. Wozniak discovered the stains were indeed blood! Officer Anderton is puzzled to find shadows on the wall behind them - horrifed to realize one of the shadows is a figure of a woman! Is this a clue to the missing widow? They continue climbing up the floors of the building not trusting the elevators to carry them safely. Blocked at times by locked doors and metal fences, they perserve - pulling each other out of tight spots.
Curious, they find a large room - destroyed - old sofas, overturned tables and chairs. What happened here? Officer El finds a pitiful stuffed toy rabbit tossed onto a couch. Ewwwww! Covered in those bloody stains and ripped to pieces, the toy lay there like a carcass.
Sounds follow the intrepid duo as they search the rooms for clues. Doors creak in the distance bowels of the building. What is that sound deep below? Gurgling water echoes. The officers check out each exit. What lays below them?Finding themserlves stranded only half way up the main tower, Sgt. Wozniak and her trusty sidekick Anderton carefully look over the scene. "This place will take forever to explore," says the sergeant. Agreeing, the two split up to look for the mysterious missing widow.

Anderton takes to the roof by way of the balcony. With the winds whipping off the sea, her hat is ripped from her head. Balancing she climbs to the roof ridge. Clinging to the shingles, she finds herself sliding down the moss covered roof. With a scream, she hits the balcony floor! Giving herself a shake of her skirts and her dignity, she goes to look for Wozniak. Where had June gone inside? "June, where are you?" She is too far away to hear!

In the meantime, Sgt. June had climbed over to another broken window on the back side of building. This wall looked like a bomb or rocket has blasted inside. Peering down, she notices a sewer tunnel projecting from the rocks below. "El! Come on! Where are you? I have found the basement!" calls Wozniak. By this time Anderton is rushing down towards the basement. Giving a shudder, she drops down the basement stairs to the floor below. Ignoring the damp, wetness of the place, she follows Wozniak's call. "June, wait for me!"

Pushing open door after door, Anderton searches for Wozniak. "El! I have found the morgue - come on!" Frantically, El runs down the tiled hallway with the broken flickering lights hanging from the ceiling. The sign hanging crookedly off the door - morgue! Silence reigns now.... Carefully easing inside the room, Eleanor sees the dark morgue with open cadaver storage drawers, instruments, and tables. What is that - not the rabbit again!Spinning around, she sees something in the darkened room.... all fades to black!

The Sobbing & the Wailing

Last Saturday, the Merry Young Widows gathered together with friends and family to grieve for their dearly departed spouses. Oh, the sorrow of it all! In my own despair, I forgot to use my photogenic device. Take my word for it, it was a very interesting event. Her Grace Lavandar Beaumont went first with her eulogy. Her friends stood by her side. It was very moving - all those veils blowing in the breeze. Miss Robbiani followed with her anthem to her dearly departed Count who by some miracle left her as a virgin bride on their wedding night. In the meantime, there was all kinds of talk about wills, money, and estates left to the sorrowing widows. Somehow the conversations veered into the attributes and skills of stableboys. Mr. Sapwood stood firm in trying to maintain control of the services but at times I think he threw up his hands - and not just in prayer! I shared how I had met my lovely Sir Arthur Anderton in India. While working as a lowly governess - a very young governess by the way - who had been sent to India by her clergyman father with the hopes of obtaining a marriage by which to better my place in life. The white haired by manly Sir Arthur took me away from my governess drudgery to Aberconway Manor in Caledon. Morning rides with the groomsmen (Sir Arthur did not ride due to a war injury) and tea in the garden with neighbors is a long way from the heat of India. However, all was not peaches 'n cream in Aberconway Manor. Sir Arthur liked to wander - he liked to explore. He sailed off to Africa one last time. Upon his return to London, he celebrated in his club. Sad to say, it was his last celebration due to the quantity of port he imbibed. I was told by Lord Andress that the end was swift with Sir Arthur gasping, turning bright red, and sliding to the floor with his glass of port.



During my discourse, there was some discussion regarding the corpse lying in state in the coffin. Was he breathing or not? Mr. Hassanov was ready with a club in case a zombie appeared while Mr. Tairov also prepared himself to leap into battle if needed. The widows appreciated the gentlemen's leap to our defense with much hugging and smiling over one's shoulders at the aforementioned as well as other gentlemen who came to entertain - I mean console the widows.



Miss Wozniak and Miss Lyle began their brief remarks which almost ended in a rolling around on the floor fight under the casket. The ladies realized that their dearly departeds were the one and the same traveling man. Peace was restored as they began to compliment each other about their lovely widow's clothes. Mr. Sapwood ended the service with appropriate music. Miss Lyle was heard to say - or was it Miss Wozniak - "This veil is hot and has to go!"



The memorial service ended with dancing and conversation. Many Caledon friends joined us in the garden for dancing and munching from the funeral buffet. I was pleasantly surprised to meet a gentlemen who had journeyed to Caledon that evening to visit a friend. Lord Andras Basevi is all that is considered proper in his conversation and manner. He did not join our party as he had just arrived from a desert location and did not want to interrupt the services. For some reason, I think I should know this gentleman but my memory escapes why or where that acquaintance would have taken place. Something to consider when I return home to Aberconway Manor.

Merry Widows of Caledon

The Merry Widows of Caledon are recruiting members for a wonderful bit of role play. Our group charter: This group is open to all the ladies of Caledon, whether residents or visitors. We will welcome and honor each new member by hosting a wake and funeral for her dearly departed, followed by a dance or party. We believe the best antidote to grief is to get out and LIVE! (If any partnered ladies would like to join us...just give us the name and whereabouts of your partner, and for a nominal fee... we will see what can be arranged... accidents do happen!)


The first Merry Widows - Miss Kaye Robbiani, Miss Scotti Lyle, Miss June Wozniak, and Miss Eleanor Anderton - enjoy getting together for the first Merry Widows outing at the Steelhead Public Library Grand opening and dance. Mr. Marcus Tairov just happened to teleport into the middle of the Merry Widows. Please note that Misses June, Kaye, and Scotti are "on the block" for RFL ladies auction on Saturday, March 22. I, Eleanor, will cheerfully wave at the girls as they parade their stuff for charity! Girls, practice your Merry Widow's Curtsey!!!!

Announcing our first special Merry Widows Event:
Please be informed that services will be held on Thurday, March 27th, at 6:30 p.m. SLT for several of our late husbands. Please come in your best black dress. Each widow will have an opportunity to offer a brief eulogy. This is a most solemn occasion.....
After the services, all are invited to stay for a dance! Our motto: the best antidote to grief is to LIVE! Bring friends and loved ones to share in our celebration!

(In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Relay for Life. A kiosk will be available for ease of donating)

More information for the party - I mean solemn services for the dearly departed:

RFL: The Merry Widows Mourn

When: Thursday, Mar 27, 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Where: Robbiani Estate, Caledon Morgain, Caledon Morgaine (202, 91, 21)

Description: The Merry Young Widows of Caledon will be hosting a group funeral for our dearly departed husbands on Thursday, March 27th, at 6:30 p.m. SLT, at the Gardens at Morgaine. All are welcome to come and pay your respects, and stay for a dance after the services. In lieu of flowers, the widows request donations be made to RFL, for which a kiosk will be provided.