Goodbye Lie Diaries-Aunt Noreen VS Mrs. Ickles

Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida 
Late 1800s   
Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow is part of The Victorian Goodbye Lie Series
Aunt Noreen writes:

Dear Readers of Jane Marie's stories,
This is your favorite and very well-known Aunt Noreen, once again coming to you by the magic of what Jane Marie Malcolm calls electronics.  Today, I thought I might mention a little something about my dearest acquaintance, Mrs. Ickles.  You have occasionally seen her name in Jane Marie's Goodbye Lie trilogy, although not nearly as often as you have mine. We both live in Fernandina, the seaside city on Amelia Island and are very proud Fernandiners (pronounced Fern-an-deen-rs). Mrs. Ickles and I participate in many of the same activities, including the Orchid Society and St. Michael's Linger-Longer small prayer group, where we study scripture.

In the interest of getting to know the personalities of the people in the books better, I thought it would be useful to tell you something about Mrs. Ickles.  I'm writing this now, before she makes her own entry in these Diaries and distorts matters. So, there we were, in small group.  This time it was in Mrs. Ickles' home. We had each finished a serving of her somewhat soggy lemon pound cake and melted lemon ice cream. Mrs. Ickles isn't known for her baking or cooking, as am I. It was her turn to recite the required memorized scripture aloud.  She was unable!  She could only recall one line out of three!  Shame, I say.  Being her friend, I thought it best to point out why she had become so unconcerned with regard to her Bible verses.  "If you didn't spend so many hours setting such a beautiful table, you would have time to memorize your verses." I thought this was grand advice, given in a kindly manner.  Complimenting her table removed any sting she might have felt at my observation of her lack of effort on doing what she should.  I expected praise from the others gathered. To my utter surprise, no one said anything.  In fact, they all rose, thanked Mrs. Ickles for being a lovely hostess and left, rudely leaving me behind to help clean up the tea cups and plates. Mrs. Ickles was quiet, too, I'm sure contemplating how she could remedy her short comings.  She is blessed to have someone like me, who cares enough to instruct her as to what is right and proper.

What a Surprise Plus The Goodbye Lie Diaries-Aunt Noreen

Present Day

Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida

Jane Marie types:  Have a look at the pictures to see what I saw as I pulled into the driveway of our humble home.  Not only was the bird sitting on our roof massive, but it held its outstretched wing in this position for at least five minutes.  It was plenty enough time for me to exit the car, grab my phone and snap these pictures. When it didn't fold its wing, I thought, perhaps, it was injured. I was happy to figure out the separated and ruffled feathers on its wing and head indicated it was all wet and now drying those feathers in the heat of the Florida sun. Finally, it shook itself and flew away.  While I've seen different birds in our time on Amelia Island, including my first Eastern Blue Bird the day before, this creature was remarkable with regard to its size and location, on the top of my house!   As to what kind of bird it was, the mailman said it was a buzzard. Whatever it was, I'll never forget it!  

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Late 1880s
Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida
 

Aunt Noreen

Aunt Noreen writes: You may have seen a buzzard one time on top of your house, Jane Marie, but our family has a pet buzzard living next door to me.  We have named it Peeper! Having studied this particular species in depth because it eats with us as well as hovers inside and outside Dunnigan Manor, the vegetable garden, church, and the entire town, for that manner, it is difficult to escape its presence.  I warn all. Beware of the buzzards within. We all have them in our midst. 

*Aunt Noreen and Grandmother Peeper are featured and forever fighting characters in The Goodbye Lie historical romance series.  

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Little Things- Goodbye Lie Diaries- Breelan

Those Victorians didn't miss too many spots when it came to turning the plain into the ornate.  I love this hinge.  Don't ask me where I took the photo because I just recently found it in my computer, but it was from some wonderful old home we visited.


Look closely at the detail.  I can see eight round circles with slots for a screwdriver hidden among the stamped metal flowers.  Those folks back then didn't want their doors to fall off any time soon and it worked because we're enjoying their beauty today.  - Jane Marie

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The Goodbye Lie Diaries
1880s
Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

Breelan Dunnigan

Breelan writes - You know, Jane Marie, I used to live in a rented house on South 3rd Street in Fernandina and I never once thought to look at the hinges.  I was too busy worrying about me and my wants and my desires back then...  You are right about little things.  It is those little things that add beauty where no one expects it.  I'm pretty certain there are no fancy hinges as you have pictured here in my little house out back of Dunnigan Manor, but I will check.  Now that I am aware of such, I will personally examine all the hinges in the manor. Better yet, the little ones and I will make a game of it since I cannot imagine how many doors there are in our huge family home. I could ask Daddy, since he is the architect. No, it will be more fun for us to go on the hunt for them. Thank you for pointing out this very special pretty.  I will look about for other extra pretties.

Breelan Dunnigan is the heroine in The Goodbye Lie, the first novel set in 1882 on Amelia Island, Florida, in Amelia Island's Goodbye Lie series.   The Goodbye Lie series e-books and paperbacks available here