I remember reading in the grass out back when I was about 13 or 14, fascinated by the adventures of a teenage girl named Betsy who traveled to Europe just before World War I. There was something about the era, and a trip to Europe, that just absolutely "rang my chime." Some books just capture your imagination!
(To this day, I love the look of the Edwardian era... the clothing was beautifully detailed and feminine, and I still think the idea of a trans-Atlantic crossing on a steamer sounds wonderfully, dreamily romantic. And, Europe... *sigh*)
I may have vague memories of trying some of the other books in the Betsy series, but I rather suspect that the adventures of the 5 year old girls weren't very interesting to a young teenager. I probably did enjoy the wedding story. :)
Later, Victoria magazine did a little feature on the Betsy-Tacy Society, and a passing mention of Betsy-Tacy in You've Got Mail kept the story at the fringes of my memory. I talked about it occasionally over the years, and since I'm blessed with a cousin who not only actually listens to what I say, she remembers, and then, when possible, does something about it... Drew came in the other day with FOUR Betsy-Tacy stories! He said, "She said you'd like these." Oh, yes! The library was discarding some "books that looked old," and they were buy-one-get-one free.
Sometimes, God pours out the nicest and most unexpected kinds of blessings!
My mother and I made a stop at the library not long after, and while browsing the sale books, she held up a book and asked if it was one of them? Oh, indeed it was ...
Betsy and the Great World, by Maud Hart Lovelace...
the book I'd fallen in love with so many years ago! For 5o cents!
... how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Matthew 7:11b
~ And, sometimes He sends the good gifts without being asked. ~
1 comment:
Oh, what a happy story! You are a well-cared-for daughter of the King, you are.
Claire enjoyed Betsy-Tacy, too, at least, the young versions. She quit reading them a couple of years ago, but maybe I should track down some of the others as she grew up. We have the first one or two, I believe. They were sweet.
That's so fun. And by the way, your header is lovely! OH, and I meant to tell you that I wrote about you today on The Booklover's Journal... you may want to go read it! :)
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