Freda's Place

8 February 1783 Haven, France Having taken up residence here at The Haven more than a month ago and having settled in quite nicely, I had hoped to be several chapters further along with the next grand scribble.  As it turns out, French wine and French art, French music and -dare I admit it even to myself? -- Frenchmen are quite the distractions a writer does not need.  It is high time this state of non-productivity changed.  I must write here or go home and write there.  Father's home being the home of my dear new mother causes me to believe it would be better if I learned to write here. Here on this page, I vow to write.  In the morning.  After the wine has worn off and before the other residents of Haven are out of bed. 

January 23 Well, it seems that Mr. Heximer Thane's newfound interest in the lady publisher who just moved here from New York City has been good for me in more ways than one.  Of course, there's been the expectable relief that he is not so likely to recognize me from back home now that he is not following me around town, watching my every move.  It's also made it so I can focus on writing my novel.  I've been back to work on that every single day since the day I first saw Mr. Thane with that red head, Miss Frostbite.  I heard Miss Trolley call that lady a tart, but she doesn't look like any fancy lady I ever did know, not that we had any back home, but I can imagine what a fancy lady would like like and I'm sure Miss Freda Frostbite doesn't look like one at all.  I also heard-- I think it was from Miss Patti, the librarian -- that the new lady plans to publish a collection of writings by local authors.  I wonder of she'd be interested in looking at my b...

January 9 As if having that Heximer Thane mooning after me all over town wasn't bad enough!  I thought I was in the clear when I told him once and for all there could be no romance between us.  But now the man has gone and gotten himself made constable of Philamenaville!  Lord help me, what on Earth have a done to deserve having that man not just settled into my new home town, but settled in as an officer of the law!  I tell you there isn't enough alcohol or pipe tobacco on Earth to ease my mind about that! Lu watches from her window as the new constable makes his rounds.