Home again to the USA and our peaceful little corner in Maryland. It’s wonderful to be home with family with two and four legs. The four-legged family has been stuck like glue since I arrived home. It makes it rather difficult to type this!
As much as I love being home, part of my heart remains in Scotland. I need to play the lottery or figure out a way to return as soon as possible.
The Elen book is brimming in my head. I’m thrilled to say the Scotland research has proved extremely fruitful. Pieces of the puzzle are easily falling into place. It’s like the book is singing inside of me and waiting for the song to erupt from my lips. I need to get busy and write, write, write.
Unfortunately, the Meadowood Mysteries set in Scotland need to wait. Our travels yielded plot and settings for at least three books. Next up is Will Dye Another Day. Likely, this will be followed by A Boom With A View. Then, we’ll be ready for the Scotland mysteries set at Cawdor Castle, Pitmedden Gardens, and The Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh.
But, back to Elen. Thanks to Kat (TravelKatTours.com), I’ll be adding in the Scots or Doric language to the book. This was recently recognized as an official language in Scotland, and it’s a coup for all Scotsmen and women. I’ve signed on for an online course and have a handful of guides and dictionaries at my disposal.
My Elen costume is coming along. I received Elen’s tartan — the Keith tartan — at home while I was in the UK. Kathryn at the Highland Folk Musuem (https://www.highlifehighland.com/highlandfolkmuseum) taught me the proper way to fold and wear an Erasaid. I also received my historically accurate shortgown and apron from the ColonialClothing shop at Etsy.com. I highly recommend this shop. My shortgown was tailored to fit and it’s perfect. I hope to do a few photo ops with the 1777 costume in the next few weeks. Stay tuned!
