gloriously, irresponsibly happy

A quote for Friday...

'However, to-day she was gloriously, irresponsibly happy. The stale rolls tasted delicious out here under the trees, the sun was warm on her hair, and a little bubble of pleasure burst in her throat...' Antonia White Frost in May

happy

Wishing you all moments, and more, of glorious, irresponsible happiness this weekend.

A haze of loveliness

To counteract our thoughts of dowdiness some beauty.

haze

'But she could never escape from her beauty; it clung to her like a mist, like a skin, so that she seemed to move in a haze of loveliness. Everything she touched, every word she used took on this quality of grace; her very gloves and handkerchiefs were romantic.' Antonia White Frost in May

Wishing you all a haze of loveliness weekend.

The Happiest Summer

'...came the happiest summer Nanda had ever known. The weather was perfect. Every day dawned clear and soft and unfolded through hours of sunlight to long evenings smelling of hay and lime-trees. There was a kind of gaiety and relaxation in the air; hair hung more loosely and sleeves were rolled up unreproved over browning arms. Even the bells sounded less insistent; they chimed in a lazy, worldly voice like old stable clocks. It was good to come in, flushed from tennis, to the cool, sweet-smelling chapel; to sit in a weeping willow after supper surreptiously learning La Nuit de Mai; to find a chestnut flower against one's skin when undressed at night.' Antonia White Frost in May
summer
The weather this weekend has been true summer weather. Long may it last....

Rush of Words

The second book read for Virago Reading Week was Antonia White's Frost in May.

Much has been written on it, so I shall not.

'She read on and on, enraptured. She could not understand half, but it excited her oddly, like words in a foreign language sung to a beautiful air. She followed the poem vaguely as she followed the Latin in her missal, guessing, inventing meanings for herself, intoxicated by the mere rush of words. And yet she felt she did understand, not with her eyes or her brain, but with some faculty she did not even know she possessed.' Antonia White Frost in May

reading
When I read this it so struck a chord with me.

Do you remember that feeling?