Tidbit Tuesday-Lumber

I'm more than 1/2 finished The Lady's Marquess and wanted to talk more about Canada during this time. I don't normally see a lot of references to Canada's involvement during the Napoleonic Wars, but they were instrumental in helping Britain maintain independence from France and in maintaining their naval superiority.

A simple search of Napoleonic Wars and Canada brings up more than I ever realized and really delves into Upper and Lower Canada's early history. For instance, timber. Without Canadian timber, Britain wouldn't have been able to build and maintain their naval fleet. Their usual supply from the Baltic States was cut off by Napoleon's Continental Blockade.

From the 1890s https://bit.ly/3WJ1Tlx

Naval Mast Trade

Large masts, cut for the Royal Navy from the finest trees of the mixed forest that swept through the Maritimes and the St Lawrence Valley, were the most valuable commercial product of British North American forests. The naval mast trade, always limited by its specialized and high quality requirements, shifted from the Saint John to the St Lawrence Valley early in the 19th century when contractors sought oak, as well as pine, from the deciduous forests of the southern Great Lakes area. The square timber industry developed rapidly to meet the enormous demand from Britain, which was at war with Napoleonic France and was also undergoing industrialization. In 1806, in an effort to strangle Britain’s economy, Napoleon established the Continental Blockade, closing all European ports to British ships. Because Britain’s traditional source of timber, the Baltic, was not accessible during this time, the Blockade further fuelled the British North American industry. On average, 9,000 loads (almost 1.5 m³ each) of colonial timber entered Britain annually between 1802 and 1805, and that number only continued to grow: In 1807 the total was 27,000; in 1809, 90,000; in 1840 over 500,000; and in 1846, 750,000. Thereafter imports fluctuated for 20 years around 600,000 loads and then declined until WWI.

For really cool photos: Civilization.ca - Canada Hall - The timber trade (historymuseum.ca)

Ottawa River timber trade - Wikipedia

Timber Trade History | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Napoleonic Wars | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Britain's timber imports from the Baltic, 1775–1830 (tandfonline.com)

Self-Care Monday-Sunlight

 Hope you enjoyed the holidays, however you observe them! No, they aren't finished yet!

Today's self-care reminder is to find the sunlight. There are a million articles on why sunlight is good for you, but especially during the winter months. Would I rather hibernate until March? Yes. Can I? Not really, no.

So unless you can hibernate or spent the next 2 months someplace warm and sunny, may I suggest:

• a sun lamp
• sitting by the window on a sunny day (my personal fav)
• walking outside if possible (I mean it's cold!)
• sleeping enough
• boosting Vitamin D if need be (not a doctor, so consult one first!)

Holiday Rituals

 What are your holiday rituals? Those passed down or the ones you created here and now? My mom's family are Polish, so Opłatek is one. (#3 on the list)

#5 on this list is hay beneath the tablecloth. We don't do that, exactly, but we do pass it around and keep it in our wallets for good luck and a prosperous new year.

Other traditions we do are watching our favorite movies (White Christmas, Christmas Story, Home Alone, all those classic Christmas cartoons!) and unwrapping gifts before the fireplace. Even that one year like 10 years ago when it was 65+ on Christmas day, we lit the obligatory fire and
unwrapped gifts! 

And, finally, find the pickle ornament on the tree! (More German than Polish, but Poland had a long history of being partitioned by Germany so there's probably crossover.)

Wesołych Świąt! Or whatever you celebrate, may it be happy and drama free!

Excerpt: A Lover's Promise

A Lover's Promise

Chapter One

San Grigori, Apennine Mountains, Italy

March 1785

 

“It’s so quiet here,” Kaya Conrad said to no one in particular.

No one stood beside her in the small cottage, barricaded against the harsh winter storm. The shutters occasionally rattled against the windows, sending the entire structure shivering, as if it, too, froze in the cold. The mountain wind sneaked through the gap between the floor and the door and slithered around her ankles. In the kitchen, blocked off only by a long wooden table, a wood fire burned brightly.

It did nothing to warm her.

She closed her eyes and let the constant wind soothe her. “I never thought a snowstorm would be so…calming. Cold, yes, but calming.”

She looked over her shoulder to where she expected her husband, but the room remained empty. Paul lay sick in bed, still recovering from the last weeks’ events. Kaya rubbed her hands, but they remained numb, more so due to all that’d happened in this small village than to the current snowstorm howling outside.

Six months ago, when she watched her grandfather sign the marriage contract, she had not expected to stand, alone, in a tiny mountain village in the middle of a snowstorm. New adventures? She craved those. Kaya didn’t even mind the snow, her first true experience with it.

“Paul, this was not how I envisioned our life together.”

“Nor I,” came the rasping answer.

She whirled from her position by the table and stared in surprise. “You look awful,” she blurted out before she could stop the words.

Paul snorted but wobbled. “I feel awful.” He shuffled to the table and sat in one of the sturdy chairs.

Rounding the table, she tilted his head to look at him. He didn’t feel warm, and though pale still, didn’t look as if he were about to be sick. She could’ve done without that sickness. Nonetheless, Kaya eyed him warily. “How’s your stomach?”

He grinned and took her hand, holding it between his warm ones. That touch did more to steady her than anything had since arriving in San Grigori.

“I think the worst is over, sweetheart.” He pressed a kiss to her fingertips. “There’s nothing left in my stomach.”

“True,” she allowed, and forced her feet to stay rather than take her a safe distance. Just in case. “There’s bread left, if you wish.”

Paul looked to where a half-loaf sat from earlier but shook his head. “Not just yet.”

Kaya ran her fingers through his hair, nails scraping his scalp. Paul sighed into her touch and the lines around his mouth eased. He might not feel nauseous anymore, but he was still in pain. A pain she did not understand and had no idea how to ease.

Self-Care Monday-It's OK

It's OK not to be OK.

For many, the holidays are a difficult time of the year. You're "supposed" to be happy and joyful and cheery. But that's not always the case and I'm here to tell you that's OK. Purposely bringing people down because you are down isn't. Lots of people also want the cheeriness of the season to seep into them. But for some, that's just not that case and it's OK to retreat from the holidayness of the holiday season and just be.

Cover Reveal!

I realize not everyone likes to follow a couple along their romantic journey through multiple books, but this is the final story in Kaya and Paul's trilogy. A Lover's Promise is currently available for pre-order on January 3, 2023 (2023? Wow, that's crazy!)

Never one to turn away from a battle, Kaya Conrad is ready to fight for her still-new marriage, whether that be the demons from Paul's past or the highwaymen they face as they trek across Italy.  When they stumble upon a woman being robbed, Kaya steps in to help. 

Paul Conrad wanted to make amends. He's never been proud of his past, but after it reared its ugly head and threatened Kaya, he's ready to completely change his ways. The only problem is, he's never been any good at atonement and nothing in his life has ever gone as planned.

When the woman they helped is accused of murder, Kaya vows to clear her name. When their good deed threatens their own freedom, Paul must do everything in his power to protect Kaya. Because his vow to her and their marriage is everything. 

 

Tidbit Tuesday--Calabrese Sheperd

 Wolves are now extinct on the Italian Peninsula and the Calabrese Sheperd who once protected the sheep and goats from them aren't faring much better. When I searched Italian herding dogs, the Calabrese came up but there's a grand total of one article. The first entry? The Caucasian Shepherd. Not the same.

In Sins of a Rogue and the upcoming Lover's Promise, Kaya adopts a half wolf, half Calabrese Sheperd pup, Azizi. I studied a lot on wolf dogs, they're much larger than you'd think, more wolf-size than not. 

Here's what I learned about the Calabrese Sheperd:

Origin, classification and brief historical summary

Origin: Italy.
Classification F.C.I.: BREED WITHOUT STANDARD FCI

Its origins are very old and according to some experts, this breed would be descended from imported dogs from Greek settlers in the region. It is described in various books and tales of the past two centuries. This dog was mainly used to keep wolves away from the flock at grass, either sheep or goat. But since the wolf does not exist in those regions any longer, these ancient dogs have had no reason to be applied; therefore their local presence has disappeared rapidly.
In 1972  this breed made its first appearance in  the exposition at Cosenza, not competing though; seven quite homogeneous examples were presented on the occasion.

General appearance

Medium withers height, 63-65 cm tall, hie coat is long but not very wavy, black shading to red in the hot season. The breed, however, is well-built with a solid powerful body and muscles. The bone structure is in good balance with the trunk.

Behaviour and temperament

Extraordinary brave fearless and daring, he is able to face his antagonist, the wolf, without any difficulty. Loyal to his master, he can look after and protect the livestock, being very reliable on work, careful and precise.

Self-Care Monday-You Part 2

 Tis the season where we find it harder and harder to say no. 

Parties, potlucks, get together after get together after parties and soirees, and so on. It's exhausting! I have a dear friend who always wants to do something on New Year's Day. Listen, by then I'm done. I need peace and quiet and maybe some Mummers in the background, but after the entire month of December, I want a day I don't have to talk with anyone other than my dog. 

Even if we don't participate in a lot of those activities, it's still exhausting--presents and buying and wrapping and the cost of everything rising.

Boundaries. That's the key to protecting your energy. Along the comparison lines and just say no lines I've talked about before. What's better? Saying no thank you or leaving early if you need to? Or being so run down and grouchy that you snap and snarl at people when you don't mean to. (Or do, it's possible, but perhaps not in that particular manner.)

Take time for yourself. No one else will!

Christmas in France

 When I wrote Christmas with You, I did a lot of research into how Louise would celebrate Christmas and how it differed from how Malcolm or Lady Helene would. Here's the link to the blog I wrote in July on Regency Christmas.  (Want to read Louse & Malcolm's story?)

The key difference is that France is Catholic, and England is Anglican. 

Avent Calendars are big in France as are Advent wreaths. 

Le Réveillon is the name of the sometimes 6-hour long Christmas Eve meal. Six hours? I don't think so, not for a meal. Speaking of meals, these are some common Christmas foods:

• smoked salmon and oysters with bran bread and (real) butter
• foiegras (goose or duck liverpate)
• goose
• capon or turkey stuffed with chestnuts
• Servings of vegetables such as green beans cooked with garlic and butter and provincial herbs sautéed potatoes.

Some French Christmas Traditions - Alpine French School

Christmas in France: French Christmas traditions | Expatica

15 French Traditions of Christmas You Should Know! - French Moments

Tidbit Tuesday-Happy Birthday, Grandmom!

 Not mine, my birthday was last month. No, today is my grandmother's 96th 🎂🎈 birthday. She's slowing down, but still lives alone (stubborn no idea where we all get it from...) though she doesn't get out much anymore. Her daily routine still includes:

• baking
• cleaning one room in her house
• crocheting
• knitting

She's got an extended family with multiple grandchildren and great grandchildren and wants them all to have something from her. I have many hats and scarves that are super warm in the winter!

So Happy Birthday, Grandmom! I love you!

Self-Care Monday-You (or me)

 I just finished a 5-day energy challenge and the biggest takeaway from it is that I need to focus on me. It's not selfish to take care of you first, it's necessary. If you aren't in top condition, how can you help others? Focusing on yourself is selfless.

3 ways I plan on focusing on myself:

1. Take time to exercise daily no matter what
2. Focus on blocking work energy from harming my own energy
3. Speak my truth into reality

Exercising helps me focus and remember my energy is my own, and no one can interfere with that, not even when work sucks my soul dry. Speaking my goals and dreams into reality won't magically make it so, but it will focus me on those goals and dreams until they do become reality.