In Greenery Street

This isn't going to become a pregnancy/baby blog, however there are a few pregnancy quotes that I've collected and as this is in many ways an indirect document of my life occasionally they'll be posted.

'In Greenery Street, you see, we approach this matter of parenthood with a kind of fascinated reluctance. In a way the idea certainly attracts us, and though we resent its being put in that way, we have every intention of ultimately doing our duty by the State. But not just yet, if you see what we mean. For after something like quarter of a century when we have incessantly wanted it to be next week, we have suddenly reached a stage where all this impatience has left us. We want Time to stand still now; we have found what we have been looking for, and intuition tells us to avoid any experiment which will so inevitably start him off again. We have an impression, too, that everyone is watching us; that they are expecting us to have a baby, and that they won't leave us alone until we do. This puts our backs up. What  has it got to do, we ask, with anyone except ourselves? We know perfectly well what we're up to, and we're not going to be hustled by any amount of hints or questions.' Denis Mackail Greenery Street

love

This matter of parenthood

Sorry, this is long but I hope you think it's worth it.
'...we approach this matter of parenthood with a kind of fascinated reluctance. In a way the idea certainly attracts us, and though we resent it being put in that way, we have every intention of ultimately doing our duty... But not just yet, if you see what we mean. For after something like a quarter of a century when we have incessantly wanted it to be next week, we have suddenly reached a stage where all this impatience has left us. We want Time to stand still now; we have found what we have been looking for, and intuition tells us to avoid any experiment which will so inevitably start him off again. We have an impression, too, that everyone is watching us; that they are expecting us to have a baby, and that they won't leave us alone until we do. This puts our backs up. What has it got to do, we ask, with anyone except ourselves? We know perfectly well what we're up to, and we're not going to be hustled by any amounts of hints or questions. It is, we repeat, entirely our own affair.' Denis Mackail Greenery Street

Oh how true this is - and will it ever change? Will we ever stop trying to hurry life on for others? We meet someone and it's 'Is this the one?' We stay together and we're asked 'When will you get married?' I couldn't believe how soon after the wedding the question of 'children' is asked. And then I guess when you have one child you're asked about others. What will be will be.

And there ends Persephone quotes. I'm looking forward to next year already.

First, magical year

'Meanwhile it is the first, magical year. Everyday, every hour almost has its separate thrill. Everything is new, everything is exciting, and every excitement is doubled by the fact it is shared.' Denis Mackail Greenery Street

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xxx

Fonder and Fonder

'Whatever happens,' she says, 'please make us fonder and fonder of each other - forever and ever.' Does that sound mistrustful? It isn't really; but one should never make the mistake of asking for less than one hopes, and means to get.' Denis Mackail Greenery Street

Endpaper Greenery Street

Perceptions

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One of my lovely hen gifts was Greenery Street by Denis Mackail. About a couples first year of marriage. So to get us in the mood some images of 1920's inspired wedding style...

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I read it on honeymoon and it really was a reading a book at the right time in your life. Being on honeymoon thinking 'Can people see we're newly married? On our honeymoon?' and then I read this....

'I wonder if I shall ever feel as married as she looks.' Denis Mackail Greenery Street

and it summed up how I felt...