By Connie S. Hall
Have you ever thought that maybe you were born in the wrong era, or in the wrong culture or country? I’ve thought about this idea on several occasions.
Looking through pictures of the clothing from the past has always captivated me. I can imagine myself dancing the Charleston in the flapper dress, or waltzing the night away in an elegant evening gown. Many times, I’ve wished it would be appropriate for me to wear a hat with an enormous colored feather that curls around the brim. The fashions of today seem so drab compared to those of earlier years.
When I see a movie about the old west I think, that’s the life for me. Then I remember how bad I hate crossing large rivers of water and I’m content to live a life where that isn’t required. I admire my pioneer ancestors, and wish I could do something brave for my posterity.
Some days I even dream about living atop a snow-covered mountain with no neighbors for miles. This idea actually appeals to me. I hate shopping so I wouldn’t care if I didn’t have a store nearby. I’d want a fireplace with lots of wood to keep me warm, and as long as there was electricity so I could use my computer, I’d be okay.
Among my favorite magical creature are the fairies and little people. Mermaids are a close second. Other people fascinate me such as witches, gypsies, and Eskimos.
Living on an island in the Pacific actually appeals to me. When I was young I learned the hula dance, and think I’d be happy dancing my life away. The huge spiders and unusual animals might scare me a bit. Actually, they’d scare me enough to make me run.
As I dream about far away lands, I can picture myself living almost anywhere. I haven’t traveled to foreign or exotic places, but when I see pictures, I can imagine myself there. It doesn’t matter if it is winter, spring, summer, or fall, I love them all.
Dreaming of living in another time or place must be why I’m a writer. When my characters live in another era, I’m there with them. When they dance or cross a river, it’s like being there. Since I can’t change my circumstances, I’ll have to be content writing about them.
4 comments:
Something about the Big Band era has always appealed to me . . . I love the Andrews Sisters.
I think the reason that we see so many books and movies about time travel is that many of us feel like you do.
I am fascinated with ancient cultures. We think we are so educated and smart and that all of our many wonderful toys nowadays somehow make us better than our predecessors, but by doing so I think we forget our history as humankind. I think that's a big mistake. Just because we have more toys, that doesn't mean that we have more intelligence, more striving to do what's right, or a better purpose for living here on earth than they did. In fact, maybe it’s a hindrance.
Maybe we DON'T have it better. Maybe we're missing out on important things that ancients understood much better then we do. Wouldn’t that be sad to realize?
I've always been a romantic. Sounds like you are, too.
Darvell
I've always felt like I was living in the wrong time period. Something about the 19th Century Western experience calls to me. Do you suppose that's why I'm writing books set in that era?
Thanks to all of you. I'm glad I'm not alone. Tristi I also love the Andrews Sisters. Darvell, I don't like most of the toys, and I'm not so sure we have it better. Marsha I also love the 19th century, but sometimes I even long to live in the 13th century and live in castles with my ancestors. As Darvell says, I guess I'm a romantic.
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