A Penny for My Thoughts: June 2025

Not too long ago, a friend of mine posted an invitation for a Regency Stroll through the Gardens at Thanksgiving Point. Yes! This is my cup of tea! The invitation appeared to be public and open to all. It specified neither who was invited nor who or what organization was sponsoring said stroll. So I passed the invitation along and ordered myself a gown from Amazon. Please note, Amazon has really upped its game in Regency gowns. Check it out.

Here is the invitation as I saw it. Bethany was GREAT with child, but with the promise that Abe would be a gentleman-father and push her around in a wheelchair, she was all in.

We excitedly donned our finery and were tickled and delighted to see other well-clad strollers in the lobby of the Gardens.

"She is tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me."

I was definitely channeling my inner Elizabeth Bennett. It wasn't much of a stretch for me.

"He is just what a young man ought to be,'' said she, ``sensible, good humoured, lively; and I never saw such happy manners! -- so much ease, with such perfect good breeding!''

While Abe was procuring the wheel chair for Bethany (39 weeks preggo), she and I decided to be brave and go introduce ourselves to a gaggle of exceptionally well-dressed Austen-ites.

Me: (in my friendliest manner ) Hello! I'm Betsy... this is my daughter Bethany. Tell me about this group. Who organized this stroll? You seem to all know each other. You are my people... how are we not friends yet?

The Woman In Green (pictured above): This is the Jane Austen Society of North America Utah Chapter. We do two strolls a year.

Bethany and me: (in a gushing style) Your costumes are stunning! Did you make them yourselves?

The Woman in Green: (in a rather cold, arrogant manner) Yes, we did make them...

Bethany and Me: Oh, WOW! That is so impressive...

The Woman in Green: (interrupting our gushing and with a tinge of disdain) ...But, we don't call them "COSTUMES". We refer to them as our "Historical Clothing". And we like to make them using the fabrics and techniques of the day.

Bethany and Me: Oh... uh, yes of course. So sorry. Well, they are amazing. (quickly scurry away and when we are a safe distance away--absolutely lose it and bust a gut laughing)

See, the thing is, I'm pretty much the biggest Jane Austen fan that I know. Or rather, I WAS the biggest fan I knew. It's not very often that I get out-Austened.

We were snubbed by the Jane Austen Society of North America Utah Chapter because our clothes were from Amazon! We got Caroline Bingley-ed! It was FANTASTIC!!!!

"It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence-- a most country-town indifference to decorum"

Alas, shabbily attired though we might have been, it was time to stroll.

"Miss Bennet, there seemed to be a prettyish kind of a little wilderness on one side of your lawn. I should be glad to take a turn in it, if you will favour me with your company."

It was a lovely day and by the time we were strolling, we just got sillier and sillier. We had laughed so hard over our encounter with Miss Bingley, that we just couldn't muster any degree of decorum.

"I'm very fond of walking."

We took advantage of several lovely photo-ops.

My heart!

Eventually we had to separate ourselves from the rest of the group, lest we offend their delicate sensibilities.

"So prettily done! Just as your drawings always are, my dear. I do not know any body who draws so well as you do. The only thing I do not thoroughly like is, that she seems to be sitting out of doors, with only a little shawl over her shoulders—and it makes one think she must catch cold."

In the words of Bethany, "39 weeks pregnant and still frolicking like it's 1815"

"She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her."

We also quoted Austenland non-stop. It was a dream afternoon.

"... but really Miss Fairfax has done her hair in so odd a way-- so very odd a way-- that I cannot keep my eyes from her"

"Now, that's what I call... gentleman-like behavior!"

"Think about all the people in the world that hang themselves. And the next day they feel different, but there's nothing they can do about it. Don't hang yourself, Jane."

"Miss Charming, what beauteous skin you possess!"

"Wearwe? That's because late at night, when I'm all alone, I put my face in the fire"

"Surrounded by blessings!"

I was very much in support of Abe's idea to take the younger half of the family on an adventure trip to Southeastern Utah. However, since the dates he had in mind were so close to Bethany's due date, I opted to stay home in case her little one made a slightly early appearance. Spoiler alert: He didn't.

And while Elinor, Daniel, and Faith did stay at home, they were both gone much of the time with work and such. So for three days, I enjoyed many hours ALONE. Alone in my home-- such a rare and treasured occurrence.

And since I was not on the trip, I don't have any commentary on the pictures-- although I think they are fabulous pictures. Well done, Abe. So, from here on out, any commentary will be Abe's addition.

Abe Here -- Road Trippin'!! The very 1st pic in this post is Mesa Arch in Canyonlands NP

Why Canyonlands is called "CANYONLANDS"!

We hiked to what is called the "Grand Viewpoint" of the southern tip of the "Island in the Sky" in Canyonlands NP

Let the Lizard Hunting Begin!!

And Yes, we were successful!

In a very tender moment, Peter decided this very cool Whiptail would be happier if we let him go in his home Canyonlands environment....

Peter was on a hot streak of catching Lizards!!

Cannon, hiked this mile stretch of AMAZING features in Arches totally by himself on a blistering afternoon......I was honestly so impressed and proud of him. We picked him up on the other side.

Petroglyphs! And Dinosaur Tracks (Allosaurus to be exact)

Cannon and the Colorado River!

We hit it early for the most important hike of the entire trip Saturday morning, May 31st, 2025

Delicate Arch ----- well what can be said....it's only one of the most recognizable physical features in all the World!! And for Good Reason -- just AMAZING!!!!

Greta tried calling Betsy from a shady spot at Delicate Arch....and she got through. It was so sweet, she wanted to share this beautiful moment with her mother.....whom she REALLY missed at times, surrounded by all these boys for 3 days.

It was so hot in the afternoon on Saturday that we caught the final Mission: Impossible movie in a nicely Air-conditioned Theatre!

Greta and I were hiking buddies everywhere we went. I'll never forget this opportunity with my "Groot" or "Greta-LuLu Strong-Long Legs Fox"

Landscape Arch near sunset! The Sun shooting through Partition Arch!

Landscape Arch is the largest natural sandstone Arch in the world, 306 feet base to base....which is longer than a football field!

Dead Horse Point State Park! Horses one time were corralled and unfortunately died from thirst with the Colorado River just below them..... out on that point