A Garden of Virtues

It's so peaceful here. Every day, the birds sing, and the sun shines. That's right; it never grows dark.

Don't want to let it lay me down this time. Drown my will to fly. Here in the darkness I know myself. Can't break free until I let it go. Let me go. From Evanescence, "Lithium"

We are coming upon the last night of the 2007 ABJD convention. My head is swimming from the bottle of wine I'm sharing with Nathan, and I'm sated on chocolates from Flora and Fauna: rosewater, jalapeno and Mexican spice. Tonight is the black and white ball. I will wear my vintage black lace and ivory Lady Hildegarde dress (I have named it that because I once described my character as wearing a Victorian version of this dress, then found a 1950's version online). Nathan's planning to wear his black blazer and black velvet pants. He will carry Shelley, who's already dressed in head to toe black, and I will have Ophelia in her Victorian wedding dress. I made my last killing at the dealer's room today. I got a Dollheart Chinese pyjama set which I adore for Ophelia, which will go wonderfully with her strawberry pink wig. My other purchases include an Ajumapama punk shirt and socks set for Tarquin, and four wigs: a long brown and purple for Tarquin and Dresden, a s...

Thursday August 23, 2007 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Registration 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Dinner with Nathan 7:00- 9:00 p.m. Reception, door prizes. Room shopping. Friday August 24, 2007 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Late registration 10:00 - 3:00 p.m. Sales floor (convention attendees only) * Box lunch 11:45 - 1:00 p.m. 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. Workshop - Photo stories 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. Demo - Esthetics 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Dinner with Nathan 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Competition viewing and voting Ribbons will be awarded at 8:00 8:00 p.m. In the Oaks - Refreshments Get –together and play time Saturday August 25, 2007 9:00 - 10:00 p.m. Panel - History of BJDs 10:00 - 3:00 p.m. Sales floor open to Public 7:00- 9:00 p.m. * Black and White Ball * Bring one BJD for display. I will bring Ophelia, and Nathan will bring Shelley. Vendors BJDollarama. Patent ankle shoes , $7.99 in white. Cheery Doll (US Representative: KRB Fashions ): Yellow maid dress , $58. Flower garden pink , $90. Oriental Boutique: For Dresden. Kimono , $25, Qip...

It was a dark and stormy night that Ophelia ventured to the library to continue reading her favorite story, "Beauty and the Beast." She became so absorbed in the story that she scarcely noticed how the fire had died down, and how late it had become. When she had finished the story, she gave a deep sigh. "How I wish I could be loved that way. I would not mind a man who had a monstrous form." Ophelia posed for a proper portrait. Someone kindly offered this dress to Ophelia at my first doll meet-up, noting that Ophelia looked like she loved Victorian things. This dress remains Ophelia's favorite still.

She could be my Mary Shelley.

Happy 215th birthday to Percy Bysshe Shelley, from Shelley (and the rest of us).