Skip to main content

The Journey Home. . .

A typical winter scene in the Grand Duchy of Stollen.


The long weekend at Aunt Agatha's turned into almost a week of pre-Christmas hunting, feasting, dancing (no one can dance the Minuet quite like Irwin-Amadeus II after a few doctored eggnogs), and making the acquaintance of the Lady Leonora Christina von Grandin. It turned out that Hives' fabricated call back to the grand ducal Residenz in Krankenstadt was not needed after all. . . particularly once the Grand Duke discovered that his cousin from Sweden was of a rather smaller stature and more dainty demeanor as an adult than he expected based on his childhood memories.

Thoroughly charmed by Lady Leonora Christina's sparkling wit, informed political and cultural perspectives, and mastery of several languages, Irwin-Amadeus II spent as much time as possible in her company during his five-day stay with Aunt Agatha and even entertained his comely cousin with a sing-along of several popular tunes at the harpsichord. Today, the Grand Duke and Hives return to Krankenstadt, passing through the cold, snowy landscape of an early Stollenian winter, the latter continuing with his study of Kant during their day-long journey.

For his part, Irwin-Amadeus II passes the time by staring moon-eyed at the wintry countryside with a lopsided grin on his face, occasionally punctuating the silence with inane remarks about birches, swaying gracefully in a gentle spring breeze, and the melodious song of turtle doves, wafting through the air. Meanwhile, the organization and training of a new regiment of dragoons just outside the capital city of Krankenstadt continues apiece.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Here's an RSM Painting Update

Here's a picture illustrating my (S-L-O-W) progress with the second company of Stollen's Leib (Grand Duchess Sonja's Own) Grenadiers. You can see I'm doing things a bit differently this time, altering the painting process to keep it interesting basically. This evening, I'll do the white gaiters and, if that goes reasonably quickly, and time allows, the red breeches. Still lots to do, but I like the way these fine fellows are shaping up along side the completed 1st company that's standing in formation just off camera, to the left here. Until tonight then!
3 comments
Read more

Presenting the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere!!!

Here they are, with the rearmost nine figures still drying, three squadrons of the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere, now in the service of the Grand Duchy of Stollen. And now, it's onto that artillery!
14 comments
Read more

Having a "No Day". . .

  F or the almost 20 years that she lived in Mexico, one of my late mother's Irish friends frequently mentioned having a "No Day."  A day with no social obligations, chores, tasks, or other work that interfered with whatever personal interests took one's fancy on the day in question. Since today -- a gray and chilly Saturday -- is Mom's birthday, the Grand Duchess is out with friends, and the Young Master is ensconced on the sofa in the TV room with a cold, yours truly is taking his own such No Day.  I think Mom would approve of my decision to make the world go away, as the old Eddie Arnold song intoned, even if only for a little while. So, I will spend Saturday afternoon focused on that first squadron and small regimental staff of Eureka Saxon cuirassiers.  These have stood waiting  untouched over on the painting table for almost three weeks while we skied and otherwise gadded about with snowy, winter outdoor activities. I hope to share a painting update Sunday...
3 comments
Read more