You guys! It’s officially fall! Okay, okay, I know it has been for over a week now but I’m celebrating it now. I woke up with a craving for pumpkin muffins this morning, so that’s going to hopefully happen this week.
I got to go to Bend in September to meet my newest nephew. (have I told you guys this already?) I made it a point to get to see all of my nieces and nephews that are in town this trip. Family was the priority this go-round.
I have done pretty well on my goals this past month, well…On the ones that I knew I’d do. If that makes sense. Anyway, let’s just hop to it, shall we?
Read more books on Jewish living – I’m currently reading Jewish Roots by Dan Juster
Write a letter to one person a month – nope
Try a new recipe – Mostly this month I’ve thrown meals together but I did make 2 from Against All Grains – the Banana Pancakes and Vanilla Granola. I most likely fudged both recipes, making them with things I had on hand, rather than following them exactly. But they both were yummy and I really want to make the granola again. It was the first time I’d made soaked-nut granola, also oat-free and I loved it!
Watch/Read a documentary/biography – I watched part of Gordon Buchanan’s Tribes Animals and Me.
Recap of Sept goals:
Finish Adirondack Chair before the rains come – nope and I doubt now that it’ll get any work done on it until spring/summer next year. For now, it’s sitting in my office. Sad.
Work on Disability – I did call a disability lawyer beginning of this month but haven’t heard back from them. I haven’t called them back either though soo….
Scrapbook Laura’s visit – I’m 3/4 of the way done with it!
Deep Clean bedroom – we bought a bed frame finally! Getting that really helped give me the motivation to finish cleaning the room.
Two things I didn’t think I could do, but I did!
~Drove to a friends’ house and back – that equals an hr drive! I was so excited that I was able to do this!
~Drove to Bend and back! – it’s 3 hours one way so I was nervous about it but I did fine!
I don’t have a lot to share with you this month since my to-read list is longer than my just-read list! Ha.
Spindle’s End by Robin Mckinley – On her name-day, Princess Briar-Rose is cursed by Pernicia to one day prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and fall into a never-ending sleep. But Katriona, a young fairy, kidnaps her in order to save her from her fate. She takes the princess to her small village and there, her aunt and her raise Briar-Rose where no one knows her true identity. But Pernicia won’t easily give up the chance to exact revenge for a defeat over four hundred years old.
~I first read this in 2015 and have to say that I enjoyed it even more this second time. The world-detail that bothered me last time didn’t even phase me. I’m not sure if that’s because I’ve been reading more fantasy since then or just because..well, I’ve already read it. Perhaps a little of both, eh? Either way, this book has shot to the top ten of my favorite ‘fantasy’ books – right under Mckinley’s Beauty and Sanderson’s Elantris and Mistborn.
The English Garden Series – The Visitor and The Pursuit by Lori Wick – Set in the early 1800s in England, this series has a delightful ‘Austen’ feel that I love.
The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie OMartian – Worrying about your marriage isn’t going to do anything, but praying about it can change everything! This book is set up in a prayer-a-day format with stories from real-life and verses that go with the topic. Some of the topics are: his spiritual walk, his health, his roles as father/leader/etc, his emotions.
~ I knew I needed to get back into the habit of praying for my OH (and our marriage) so I pulled this off the shelf again and am glad that I did. I have marked the prayers that I felt were especially relevant for him and us and have plans to go back over them regularly. I reviewed this here a few years ago as well.
Currently Reading:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (how have I not finished this yet? I’ll tell you. my copy was printed in the 1800’s so I won’t read it while: eating, bathing, outside with the puppy playing in the water, etc….)
Samantha Among the Brethren by Josiah Allen’s Wife (printed 1892)
Brandon Sanderson books from library
~While covering different genres, I do not read anything that has blatant sexual content. I will tell you if there is any sort of such (typically very mild and delicately put) in them and if I don’t think they’d be appropriate for young/teenage readers.~
Hello again! Today I’m going to share some more information on another one of my characters from my book – I’m using this Character development sheet although I will point out that it has changed and several of the new questions/areas aren’t what I want to focus on. So I’m a little bummed. But I pulled off aspects from the original sheet I printed last year (ish) and pulled the two together.
So here we go!
Today’s character is Angela Barrington – nickname is Angie – American – widow – mid/late 50s – oldest of two girls – sister is Diana Hughes (Amelia’s mother)
~Loves the theatre and opera houses. Loves traveling.
Standing in Society – near the TOP
Eye Color – green
Height – 5 ft 7in
Type of body/build – slim/trim
skin tone – medium/pale
Is she healthy? – no. she has a debilitating disease that is as of yet unnamed (will it ever be?)
Favorite Literature – poets (named in story…)
Mode of Transportation – Carriages (she has several)
Daredevil or cautious – a bit of both – she had to be to end up where she is in Society
Is she the same when she’s alone? – yes. although she worries more when she’s alone
Good Characteristics – good listener, encourager, lighthearted (fun to be around)
Drives and Motivations – live life to the fullest while she can, give her niece a better life/chance to chase her dreams
Introvert or Extrovert – Extrovert
Optimist or Pessimist – optimist
Character Flaws – worries, has a hard time forgiving her sister
Biggest regret – that she didn’t have any children
Minor regrets – won’t see Amelia wed (?)
Biggest Accomplishments- giving Amelia a new life
Character’s Darkest Secret/ does anyone know? – I can’t come up with a dark secret for her.
~Also, picmonkey has recently made it impossible to export photos without signing up and as I don’t want to pay/need that money for other things, does anyone have a suggestion for another free photo editor that I can start using? ~
My OH had been suggesting, off and on, that I read this book since we first met. And finally, after some things happened, I decided that I really could benefit from it. It took me a few months to get through – as most books like this do since I tend to read them during breakfast. I feel like I gained so much from this book, as the authors take you step-by-step through why people act the way they do. As well as how to set up boundaries in the different areas of your life – such as family, friends, work and God. I learned so much in the sections about how we form boundaries in our childhood through what was said and what was not said from those around us.
Here are a few sections that stood out to me :
“Boundaries help us to distinguish our property so that we can take care of it… We need to keep things that will nurture us inside our fences and keep things that will harm us outside. In short, boundaries help us keep the good in and the bad out. They guard our treasures so that people will not steal them… Sometimes, we have bad on the inside and good on the outside. In these instances, we need to be able to open up our boundaries to let the good in and the bad out. In other words, our fences need gates in them.” Page 31
~~~
“Do not try to get to freedom without owning your reactive period and feelings. You do not need to act this out, but you do need to express the feelings. You need to practice and gain assertiveness. You need to get far enough away from abusive people to be able to fence your property against further invasion. And then you need to own the treasures you find in your soul. But do not stay there. Spiritual adulthood has higher goals than “finding yourself” “. Page 96
~~~
“... Because of unexpressed boundaries, the relationships suffered. An important thing to remember about boundaries is that they exist, and they will affect us, whether or not we communicate them... If our boundaries are not communicated and exposed directly, they will be communicated indirectly or through manipulation. The Bible speaks to this issue in many places. Listen to the words of Paul: “therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ‘In your anger do not sin’ : do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. (Eph.4:25-26) The biblical mandate is be honest and be in the light.” Page 101
~~~
“Anger tells us that our boundaries have been violated. Much like a nation’s radar defense system, angry feelings serve as an “early warning system”, telling us we are in danger of being injured or controlled.” Page 112
~~~
“The more biblical our boundaries are, the less anger we experience! Individuals with mature boundaries are the least angry people in the world. While those who are just beginning boundary work see their anger increase, this passes as boundaries grow and develop… The old saying ‘don’t get mad. Just get even’ isn’t accurate. It’s far better to say, ‘don’t get mad. Set a limit!” Page 115
~~~
“You can imagine how well not taking ownership over our lives will come across the Lord then: ‘but I had a dysfunctional family.’ ‘But I was lonely.’ ‘But I didn’t have much energy.’ The rationalizing “buts” will have as much impact as excuses of the service in the parable of the talents did. This isn’t to say that we are deeply influenced for better or worse by our backgrounds and our various stressors. We certainly are. But we are ultimately responsible for what we do with our injured, immature souls.” Page 178
~~~
I especially liked the analogy of ‘fences make good neighbors’ – just make sure to ‘have a gate’. Our fences aren’t walls to keep everyone and everything out.
Like I said, these are just a few of the sections that stood out to me as I read this book. I feel like from the day I started reading it, I was recommending it. To my doctor, friends, family etc. This will most likely be a yearly read for me.
I have also read another of their books, Boundaries in Marriage, and it was equally good. I have plans to get it from the library and read it again, since it’s been four years since I read it. (I did a mini-review of it here)
I definitely recommend this book for anyone and everyone! Whether you realize that you need to set better boundaries – with yourself or those around you – or not, I know you’ll learn a lot from it.
I can’t believe it’s really time to do another health update but this is the first one in a long while that I’m excited to share! I’ve seen baby steps of forward movement in this long healing journey of mine. I will probably end up steps back again in the weeks to come but for now I’m relishing the mini victories. One of them being that I have been just well enough that I’m planning on making the 3 hr drive to visit family and meet my newest nephew! This is HUGE for me, and although there’s a decent level of anxiety about actually being able to do it – I cannot wait any longer to meet little Joseph. ( This little guy makes 18 (!!) nieces and nephews).
Overall Health: I feel like I’ve had extremes this month. I’m either feeling really well or really awful. I am able to see some improvement, though vision loss is a regular thing now.
Dr. Thoughts: She is thinking that I might have SIBO (small intestine bacteria overgrowth) so I am currently taking berberine and iberogast for it. She knows of a new test that is being developed for Lyme that I might be able to have done for free as part of the… what’s it called? Research? (hello Lyme brain right in the middle of a post…) Which would be so great to try and get even more answers.
8-16 started bacteriaphage, awful nausea. 8-17 woke up with level 8 migraine. Didn’t go down much all day. Fatigue. Not as much nausea from phage 8-18 feel pretty good today. Getting stuff done around the house even. 8-21 some nausea this am. A little tired but doing good! Yesterday was last day of bacteriophage. 8-22 IV today. Tired but did good til evening, as usual. Migraine flared. 8-23 fatigue in am, then mild nausea as well in the afternoon. Ears sensitive. 8-24 upped lightning pearls to 3/day 8-26 last few days, fibropain has started flaring. 8-27 slight spasms of fibropain. Pinky and ring fingers been tingly last few days. started berberine. 8-30 past few days, teeth have been hurting. Jaw worse than normal. Today fibropain in elbows and wrists. Pinky and ring finger on left hand have been tingling all day. Most likely from sanding the other day. Fatigue and achy stronger than it’s been. 8-31 vision blurry and sparkly early afternoon. Slept 2hrs. Migraine flared to a 9 in evening. Weak. Achy. Migraine down to an 8 now. Day 14. 9-2 feels like another vision loss day coming… 9-4 started iberogast. 9 drops/day. 9-5 rough day. Fought off losing vision but migraine high and body weak. 9- 9 dropped iberogast down to 1 drop/day, reacting too strongly to it. mild tingling and cramping in same places as on the 30th.
Migraines: There has been some improvement. Mostly during the day. I’m able to -at the least- keep the level down, more easily these days. They still flare up intensely in the evenings. As well as if I’m around anything LOUD or overly BRIGHT (making it difficult to sit through service or a movie, or spend much time in any sort of store…)
~I am doing better keeping track of my migraine on the app on my phone, but not good enough to be able to use the information from it. I miss having that info, so I’m really trying to remember to take the time to do it.
Sleep: I’m still cycling Theanine and Melatonin most nights but even with them, I’m waking up several times and only asleep for just about 7 hours.
Memory/Disassociation: I am seeing sporadic improvement in getting over-stimulated, and not disassociating quite as often although it’s still frequent. I find that I am more and more reluctant to leave my house because of it. I’m not sure if there’s been any change in my memory. Oy.
Vision: I now partially lose – or almost lose- the vision in my left eye about twice a week. Often I am able to keep the following level 10 migraine to a short one, or avoid it altogether. While I’m thankful for that, it’s still very frustrating to have this vision issue so frequent. The feeling that comes with it is awful and the fear/anxiety is terrible.
Nutrient IV and a great read – Jane Eyre
Dizziness: I almost feel like I could take this one off the list for now. I don’t get dizzy very often anymore
Fibromyalgia: For a second month in a row, the drive-me-insane level of pain hasn’t come. But it’s been just under that several times — where i’m bouncing my leg or such because it hurts too bad to be completely still but it hurts too bad to get off the couch and actually move. Oof da. My joints regularly hurt – especially my elbows. And that often spreads tingles to my pinkies and ring fingers. It is just about guaranteed to happen if I’m holding something (phone, book, crochet, steering wheel etc) for a few minutes or longer. Ice, advil and light massaging help. My hands still curl up and feel as if my fingers are tensing on the inside – as well as the self-cramping that my left calf does and the ripples of pain that shoot along the bottoms of my feet.
TMJ – This has been popping/hurting more frequently again and I’m really thinking it’s because I haven’t been to the bodywork dr in months. My teeth ache quite frequently from the stress of me clenching/grinding them at night.
Fatigue: I’ve noticed something interesting this past month – Most mornings I am almost…compelled to get up and DO. Clean. Take the dogs to the park. Prep dinner. etc. I just have to be UP and doing something. Even when I know I need to stop and relax, its like I can’t… and I’m not sure why. I haven’t had a lot of awful fatigue, it’s been mostly a level 6 on a scale of 1 -10.
Weight loss: I have been a little bit stricter this month on what I eat, which means I’ve lost about 2 lbs this month. I’m pleased with that because it’s really hard for me to lose weight.
I fit into these slacks for the first time in months!
Mood: I don’t feel that this has changed much. I still get frustrated easily, and have more negative thoughts than normal.
Bladder: I just realized that I haven’t mentioned the fact that I tried a new 5-day treatment specifically for the Ecoli strain in my gut – it was bacteriophage. (I mentioned this in my Instagram). For that week-ish, my digestion was better, as well as any bm’s. (i’m trying not to be too tmi here, but digestion issues are common in those dealing with Lyme). Since then, it’s been a bit more touch-and-go, which is frustrating.
Next month I think I’ll do an update of everything I’m taking, as well as compare to where I was this time last year. (It’s been just over a year since I got a diagnosis). But for now, I’ll close with a question:
Are you seeing any forward movement in your dreams? (be they health, career, hobby, etc related)?
~Laura
Also, Abby Pond turned two at the beginning of the month and (thanks to google photos) I made this video!
This is not a topic that is relegated only to those that deal with chronic illness – rather this is something that I believe, touches us all in fits and bursts, throughout our lives. For me, it’s because of my health problems. Before I share with you what this struggle is, I want to point something out.
I’ve noticed that it’s very difficult to verbalize this struggle with others because the first question one is asked is, “Are you depressed?” I am honestly so frustrated over getting asked that. I feel like they are missing everything I am saying and going right to something that they feel they can then ‘fix’ or whatnot. I’m really not sure why this seems to be the main reaction.
So. Don’t react like that, and I’ll share with you.
I’m overwhelmed and tired of struggling to keep up. Everything that needs doing, or things I want to do, rushes up to me sometimes and I. Just. Can’t.
And I mean that literally. I physically can’t. I mentally can’t.
I’ve noticed that if I get overwhelmed, my brain just shuts down. It retreats so fast that I don’t even realize it’s happening until I’m cocooned.
It hurts to walk so often these days – and if I walk a lot, my fibromyalgia flares in the evenings. I can write or crochet but only for a while or, you guessed it, my fibromyalgia flares. Cleaning the house is not only exhausting but it never stinking ends. (this one I know we all can identify with.) To be fair, I like a tidy house, comfortable to live in but not messy. I can ignore things for a few days but then I see it and it gnaws on me.
This list could go on, but as I said before, I know everyone feels this way from time to time – completely overwhelmed with their To-Do List. We all want to throw up our hands and say ‘I give up’ and leave the list – and all the messes – on their own.
So, let’s give ourselves permission to do just that. To leave them alone just long enough to pull back together the tattered edges of ourselves so we can get back to it with motivation. To deny the guilt that rises from taking some time for ourselves and ignoring those five loads of laundry and the entire house that needs vacuuming. To realize that while the list will always be there, it doesn’t need to rule us.
I can’t quite believe it yet, but we’re into September folks. Which means, for our household, we are only a few weeks away from the High Holy Days and OH starting up classes again at OIT. Bless me, but I’m not ready to have him gone a few nights a week again! He’s done with this degree come the end of winter term though, so I know I will survive! (plus, I’m not the one stuck doing homework all hours of the night.)
It’s staying hot here though, and my OH just stuck his head in the door to tell me that ash is falling. ASH. From the 15 or so forest fires that are burning this state up.
I’m looking forward to cooler weather – before the rains come – when I can step outside without getting hit with heat and humidity. Humidity just sucks any sort of feeling-slightly-human right out of me.
Anyway, August went by quickly, as I knew it would with all the things we had planned. Although, some were cancelled because both dogs have been fighting hot spots for about two months now and they just can’t go out in public when they’ve got open, raw sores. Poor things.
As for my goal list this month, I did pretty well. I’m pleased with what I was able to get done -even if it wasn’t on this list. Like travel 3 hrs to Bend, sit through a fantastic performance of Willy Wonka, then go on to hang out with friends and family the rest of the day without totally and completely crashing like I thought I was going to.
Read more books on Jewish living – Neither are Jewish, but I’m reading Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend and The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie OMartian.
Write a letter to one person a month –
Try a new recipe – I made a recipe from my Eating Clean cookbook – No-Eggplant Garden Herb Ratatouille. It was good but I over-cooked the veggies, resulting in what felt like a stir-fry. I also made 2 recipes from Against All Grain’s Meals Made Simple, Peruvian Style Chicken and Chicken Verde. Both were good but I think I liked the Peruvian Style best.
Watch/Read a documentary/biography – I watched Bear Family and Me by Gordon Buchanan. (I’m really going to be bummed when I watch all of his shows!)
In the midst of a serious discussion
Recap of August Goals:
Finish Detox – I mostly did this. I detoxed for 12 days when I was shooting for 14.
Sand Adirondack Chair – Due to my Fibromyalgia, I am not able to do this as often as I would like. I did work on it a few times this month though.
Apply for Disability – GAH. This is the biggest frustration of August. Long story that’s still not finished.
Do Lil Laura’s Scrapbook of their visit – ha. so I had to order the pictures printed twice…. I am currently waiting for them to arrive so I can scrapbook them!
A smoky view of Mt. Hood
September Goals:
Finish Adirondack Chair before the rains come
Work on Disability
Scrapbook Laura’s visit
Deep Clean bedroom
I’ve just decided that I want to write down at least one thing that I didn’t think I’d be able to do. Even if it’s ‘walk the dogs’ – ‘go grocery shopping’ – ‘make it through doctor appointment’ —etc. I want a visible reminder that, even if it wasn’t on this goals list, I accomplished something I wasn’t sure my body would let me do. (I’ll admit to thinking that finishing the adirondack chair will be this months)
I’m so proud of myself for getting this up today, I really wasn’t sure if I was going to! I feel like I should get a gold star. Kidding, just kidding. There’s quite an array of genres this month, so hopefully you find something to add to your to-read list!
Anathema by Colleen Coble – In the peaceful Amish community in Indiana, Hannah harbors a secret. She has an English beau that she sneaks out to be with. But one night, while she’s gone, her parents are brutally murdered. The entire community is shocked but encourage Hannah to forgive the killer. Instead, she runs away with her English beau, Reese. When circumstances force her to return to the community, can Hannah find forgiveness and a place to call home once again?
~I’ve read many Amish-based novels over the years so when I heard this one was really good but very different, I was kind of skeptical. I mean, how different can you get? Well. Coble did it. This is a tear-your-heart-out story that you are so glad you read. (as opposed to those that leave you dissatisfied and wishing you hadn’t ever heard of it much less read it). There is faith mentioned but it’s not as big a message as many of the Amish books I’ve read. This would get a four out of five stars from me for characters and story line, I enjoyed it that much. I would recommend this to anyone – although you might want to pre-read it before passing it to a young teen as there are some intense scenes.
Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss- The beloved tale of a Swiss family being shipwrecked on an island and using everything around them in order to survive and thrive for years. From taming wild animals to building a spinning wheel and drawbridges, the Robinson’s ingenuity and tenacity inspire readers of every generation.
~If you’ve been following SGL for a while, you’ll know that I started out listening to this story via Libravox sometime near the beginning of the year. I finally bought a copy so I could finish it. Thank goodness for Powell’s, feeding my book addiction. Anyway, while there was much described that I didn’t understand (names of animals for instance), it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this story. I love the faith displayed as well. A great adventure story for just about any age.
Love Finds You in Sisters Oregon by Melody Carlson – It’s been over 10 years since Hope has been back to her hometown of Sisters, Or. And just as long since she saw her two sisters. But when her grandmother passes away, she can’t avoid them any longer. Her plan is to be there just long enough to attend the funeral and then she’s out of there. But then she finds out that she inherited Nona’s house and little dog. Not to mention a friendship with Nona’s handsome young attorney. In order to keep her inheritance, Hope is going to have to learn how to live among her sisters – who are none too happy about her inheriting everything.
~ The Love Finds You series is a large series and Carlson wrote a few of them – In Pendleton, Or, being one of them. This was a cute story overall – and it was fun knowing the places she was talking about. I have to admit to being a bit disappointed with it though. The development of the characters seemed rushed at the end. I liked the parallels/comparison of the sisters to the Three Sisters (mountains) but the discord among them honestly got on my nerves. By the end of it, I liked it better than I did halfway through, if that helps! It was cute and it’s a good light, fun read overall though.
The English Garden Series – The Proposal and The Rescue by Lori Wick – Set in the early 1800s in England, this series has a delightful ‘Austen’ feel that I just love.
~I have read the first two and am waiting to read the rest! And then I will share a full series review with you. For now, suffice it to say that I enjoy this series every time I read it.
I also shared three series reviews with you this month. Check them out if you missed them!
The Guardians of Childhood books by William Joyce are absolutely delightful. I got three of them from the library recently – The Man in the Moon, Sandman and Jack Frost. I was disappointed not to be able to get the others but these were so delightful. I got to read them to my ‘mini me’ while she was visiting and we thoroughly enjoyed them.
I couldn’t wait to share them with you! I adore the art style used – the details and whimsy encourage you to take your time on each page.
Man in the Moon – If you ever wondered where the man in the moon came from, this is his origin story. He used to be a child, just like you! But a battle strands him on the moon, without his parents or his faithful guardian, Nightlight. Eventually, a quest sends him on to being the first guardian of childhood.
The Sandman- When the Man in the Moon realizes that he needs someone to help watch over the children when the moon is hidden, he chooses Sanderson Mansnoozie to keep the nightmares away from the children. But Sanderson has never had a nightmare, how can Man in Moon convince him how important this is to every child’s happy-being?
“I will watch over the children of the earth,Guide them safely from ways of harm, Keep happy their hearts, brave their souls, and rosy their cheeks. I will guard with my life their hopes and dreams, For they are all that I have, all that I am, and all that I will ever be.”
~Guardians oath~
Jack Frost – After protecting Man in Moon, Nightlight was thrown to earth, stuck in time as a boy. He wanders the world, spreading his freeze everywhere where he earns the name Jack Overland Frost. Then, one day, Man in Moon shows him that bringing cheer to kids brings warmth to him as well. And when he realizes that there will always be children that need a snow day, he knows he should be one of the Guardians of Childhood.
If you’re looking for an enchanting children’s series, I highly recommend you check these out. Also, a movie was based off of this series and it is one of my favorite animated films – Rise of the Guardians. Check out the trailer!
Once again I’m using this character development sheet , she has many other free printables to help you get your story idea off the ground.
Today I’m filling in more characteristics of Ian Greenwahl, a minor character in my first novel. I have fallen in love with Ian as I’ve written him so I’m excited to add some depth to him.
Ian Greenwahl – American – mid 20’s – oldest of two children, one sister – inherited the estate from his late father
Optimist or Pessimist – Why? – A quiet/hesitant optimist.
Introvert or extrovert. Why? – Introvert. Prefers to be at home reading or volunteering at the orphanage.
Drives and motivations : wants to take proper care of the estate his father passed to him; wants to improve the lives of orphans.
Talents:
Extremely skilled at : putting people at ease – including children,
Extremely unskilled at : flirting , shameless flattery
Good characteristics : steady, good listener, honourable, always ready to help, honest
Character flaws : a bit of a perfectionist, finds it hard to forgive certain flaws in others (list!), takes him a while to trust, can be too honest at times
Mannerisms : upright stance, uses facial expressions to get his point across
Peculiarities: doesn’t enjoy large gatherings (bad for a man of his social standing),
Biggest regret: something to do with his father? both his parents? an orphan?
Minor regrets:
Biggest accomplishments: the building of a new orphanage?
Minor accomplishments: didn’t he row in college? or how about mastered fencing?
Character’s darkest secret: does he feel responsible for parents’ deaths?
the start of a good life 