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. 

9 January 1785 The Haven, France My Dearest Sister Hetty, It breaks my heart to read the news of the great man's passing.  I shall miss him for the rest of my days!   As I write these words, I hear him chuckling.  "But of course you will miss me," he says.  I'm not the sort of man one forgets easily.  I promise to haunt you for as long as haunting seems called for."  This is said in that lilting and teasing tone of his, the tone that says, " You will move on, Fanny, when you are ready," and at the same time says, " You won't know who to be without me, my girl, so you'd better not move on at all!"    For myself, I think the second statement to contains the purer truth.  Dr. Johnson is, to great degree, the person who taught me who I am meant to be.  He is certainly the one who reminded me most frequently and most succinctly when I have not lived up to my own potential.  I do not believe there will ever be a day in my...

  Fanny's Virtual Diary and Letters are FICTIONAL.  They are also my sole property.  Fanny Burney's Virtual Diary and Letters are copyright (C) Stephanie Mesler 2014.  You may not republish these virtual diary entries and letters in any form.   24 December, 1782 Haven, France Dearest Father, There is not time for me to write as much as I would like.  One of Lorsagne's servants is soon to post our letters and I want to be sure you receive this as soon as is possible.  Rest easy knowing your eldest daughter has arrived safely at The Haven.  Lorsagne is, as one would expect, a gracious and generous hostess and I am so very pleased to be again in her company.  Your manuscript was well received by the monsignor and he sends his regards as well as payment in full.  He had already played through the composition before my departure and was most pleased indeed.   He will be playing it tonight for a crowded Christmas E...

23 December 1782   I find myself grievously alone in a snow-laden land.  I miss my father, my sisters, Dr. Johnson.  I even miss Mother and that is statement I never expected to write.  I am bereft at spending Christmas so far from those I love, my only solace being that I shall soon see Lorsagne, my truest friend.  It is but a short journey from this place to her Haven.  There, I shall be blanketed in joy and soaked in warmed winter wine!     You may read more of Fanny's Virtual Diary and Letters on this website.   Fanny's Virtual Diary and Letters are FICTIONAL.  They are also my sole property.  Fanny Burney's Virtual Diary and Letters are copyright (C) Stephanie Mesler 2014.  You may not republish these virtual diary entries and letters in any form.  

8 December, 178? Dearest Friend, Lorsagne, Oh my dearest companion, how I have missed you these last months.  While I have been overjoyed at being home in London with Father and Susan and Hetty-- and while it has been good to see Dr. Johnson, though I am afraid I have to report that dear man has not been well of late, especially since that woman's departure.  He must feel adrift for lack of her presence and support.  I know it might seem I am jealous of her, but I assure you the opposite is the case.  Or was in the past.  Hopefully, now that she has run off to Italy with that new husband, she finds herself more focused on herself and him than on me and the foibles that she perceives in my character.  In the meantime, I am happy to report I shall soon be in France and very near your home!  I am to deliver some work of father's to a monk set to translate his words into flawless French for publication across the channel.  Father himself is u...

This is me, Stephanie, the typist behind Freda and Lu, Hester and Fanny.  It's December and I find myself in the mood for Christmas this year, which is actually fairly unusual for me.  In the solid world, I live in Florida.  Yes, we do Christmas here, but it's just not the same as what can be done in virtual worlds.  The result is that this year, I'm doing Christmas up in style in Second Life.    Freda has a winter place, a cozy log cabin with a fire place and she's even decorated.  Believe it or not, Santa is there, riding his Harley!  Freda's Winter Place will be the site of several holiday events.  Freda is also re-establishing her haunted hide-away and has decided that will be a fine place for a Winter Dance Party.      Lu is also celebrating the season in Philomenaville.  In spite of her private worries, Lu is helping Miss Trolley, the lady detective, to plan a town potluck for the holiday.  This m...