Harlaxton conservatory, 2007
One of my favorite TV shows now is Downton Abbey. I’m sure there are many fans of the show out there, who appreciate just how wonderful this series is. I am a sucker for historical dramas, so this is right up my alley. Seriously, the only novels I read are period pieces and I’m pretty sure I’ve watched every movie under the historical drama genre in Netflix. I can’t get enough! Ever since I was a kid, I loved history and watching any actress in a corset and petticoat. Until recently, I never took the opportunity to think why this is.
The one good explanation I can come up with, other than the one that most historical dramas are awesome, is that I am able to go back and experience another time, one in which everyone seems carefree and happy and the only thing to be worried about was what to wear to the next ball (I love the novel Pride and Prejudice as well as the mini series with Colin Firth because he is Darcy). Now, realistically speaking, I know that not everything in the past was wonderful and carefree. In fact, it was probably extremely stressful. Hygiene was poor, food was probably a luxury, and the majority of citizens were probably low income. However, I’m not talking about reality. I’m talking about what I see in films and read in books. I definitely wish the chivalry was as abundant as Jane Austen makes it out to be. For instance, the other day I was walking out of my favorite pizza place with a pizza and two liter of diet Pepsi, which was precariously balancing on the box and beneath my chin. A guy, about my age, came through the door I was going to exit and he looked right at me, and didn’t show the slightest movement to hold the door. Hu…I’m a woman and I would have held the door for him. Darcy would have held the door! :) I digress…
Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and just live it for awhile, without my current understanding of microorganisms and the fear of constant contamination. I literally feel like I can see the germs covering every surface around me. It would be nice for once to not know of their existence. It would be better to just accept that people get sick and die and that this is how life is.
Although it’s fun to think about, I accept that time travel will probably never happen during my lifetime and that’s ok. For now, I will just have to stick to watching historical dramas and reading my books 
Best,
Megan
January 13, 2013 at 1:53 am
I love the movie ‘The Patriot’ with Mel Gibson! Is ‘Historical Drama’ the #10 then? I can imagine that would be hard to express in one pic, although I really love the one you selected.
January 13, 2013 at 2:01 am
I think that would be a great number 10
It definitely is one of my favorite things and “the Patriot” as well as “Braveheart” are two great films! Thank you 
Best,
Megan
January 13, 2013 at 1:57 am
Historical drama is the only kind I really enjoy too, fascinating to learn about the past. I think the women’s movement has went a little too far, because men don’t even look at women like we’re vulnerable any longer and we’re expected to keep up with them in every way….hold the door for us women dudes.
January 13, 2013 at 2:03 am
hahaha, we are too alike.
I love how we basically communicate through comments on here now…. I’m going to call you tomorrow. It’s getting a little weird.
Love u
January 13, 2013 at 2:12 am
ok dokie
January 13, 2013 at 2:03 am
Face time is better actually.
January 13, 2013 at 2:36 am
You called it Downtown Abbey, which is how I erroneously referred to it for too long. I don’t get those silly British names!
January 13, 2013 at 3:04 am
Ugh thanks! Stupid autocorrect
January 13, 2013 at 3:17 am
I love it because so many people I know think that’s the name, too. Took me forever to catch on that it wasn’t…
January 13, 2013 at 2:58 am
We are certainly kindred spirits. It is quite possible that I could have written this very post. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book. Firth as Darcy is brilliant. And I enjoy Downton Abbey considerably. I look forward to reading more! Blessings ~w
January 13, 2013 at 3:07 am
Kindred spirits indeed! I will most definitely be following you
thanks for stopping by.
Best,
Megan
January 13, 2013 at 9:48 pm
Yes for Downton Abbey. Have you seen “Cranford” ? Really good one.
Speaking of OCD
I have OCD.
I know I’ve had it for sometime now, but it seems to get worse and worse.
I have OCD.
I know I’ve had it for sometime now, but it seems to get worse and worse.
See what I mean ?
January 14, 2013 at 3:40 am
I will have to check out Cranford. I just imdb’d t and it definitely looks like my cup of tea. No pun intended lol
Best,
Megan
January 14, 2013 at 2:44 am
I am obsessed with the hair and clothing… Love it… Big skirts, big hair, (nothing Jersey about that last one), and a simpler time. The values were different.
Any who, I enjoy reading your posts.. Thank you.
January 14, 2013 at 3:42 am
Haha def not jersey. The costume and characters are stunning, not to mention the setting. Huh I can only dream
Best,
Megan
January 14, 2013 at 2:57 pm
I adore Downton Abbey – but I suspect a short visit to that time period would suffice for me. Once I spent a couple of weeks in corsets, being bossed around by the menfolk, I think I’d be pretty ready to return to 2012. Also, no iPods!
January 14, 2013 at 5:20 pm
Historical drama is the only kind I really enjoy !have nice day !
January 14, 2013 at 11:52 pm
Best,
Megan
January 14, 2013 at 7:34 pm
I am right there with you! These romanticisms give us an escape into a world lost in time. Have you ever read Hellyer’s books? They started the English phenomenon. The early writers (Fanny Burnley) are very interesting to read, although the language is very hard. On another subject is this picture Harlaxton Manor? I stayed there for a semester and this picture is so like it that I couldn’t help wondering.
January 14, 2013 at 11:59 pm
Thank you for stopping by! I have never read any of Hellyer’s books, but I am going to check it out ASAP and download some to my kindle
I love the classics.
Indeed, this is a picture of Harlaxton manor! Very impressive eye. My sister stayed there for a semester in 2007 (refer to today’s post for more info on this). It is one of the most amazingly beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I’m glad you recognized it.
Best,
Megan
January 15, 2013 at 2:28 am
Her full name is Georgette Hellyer. She is considered the “father” of the English Regency romance novels. She has over 30 books plus mystery books (some period) and others. She was very prolific and one of my favorites. I envy you your journey into her writings! Yes, someday I hope to go back. It was the best period of my life…period
January 15, 2013 at 5:17 pm
I just downloaded her novel “the Black Moth.” I’m going to cozy up on my couch with a steaming cup of peppermint tea and enjoy this read tonight
I’m really looking forward to it and appreciate the suggestion! I too want to go back to Harlaxton. The beauty of the English countryside on a sunny day is immeasurable 
Best,
Megan
January 17, 2013 at 3:59 pm
There was a time you could not tear me away from the Russian classics; Anna Karenina, War and Peace, Brothers Karamazov and The Idiot are my all time favorites. I love the prose.
January 17, 2013 at 11:39 pm
Anna Karenina is an amazing work of literature and is one of my favorite novels of all time. I have yet to tackle War and Peace though! As you know, that’s a huge undertaking for any reader.
This perhaps gives me the inspiration to do so.
Best,
Megan
January 18, 2013 at 12:26 am
The nice thing about War and Peae is it’s divided into 3 volumes which are each divided into books which are divided into chapters. The chapters are often only a few pages long so if you think about taking it one chapter at a time you’ll find it less daunting.
January 18, 2013 at 6:43 am
But well worth it! I only wish it was it longer.
January 21, 2013 at 3:07 pm
I think once you start War and Peace, you won’t want it to end. Plus, it’s split into exactly 365 chapters, so you can read one each day, and make your year the W+P year.
Love the post, BTW. I’m also a big fan of Austen, and agree about Colin Firth as Darcy. Hope you’re well.
January 18, 2013 at 12:23 am
Those are my favorite books too! My copies of Anna Karenina and War and Peace are in taters I’ve read them so many times
January 21, 2013 at 6:37 pm
I am going to download it for kindle and get started. I’m not sure why, but I read faster on Kindle
Thanks for the encouragement.
Best,
Megan
January 18, 2013 at 7:55 pm
Dear Megan, thank you for liking my most recent post on my blog. God’s blessings and peace in abundance. – David Michael
January 21, 2013 at 6:37 pm
Thank you for coming by as well
I wish you the best.
Megan
January 21, 2013 at 3:09 pm
I live in the UK and love visiting historic buildings, they help bring the past to life. Have you visited any old buildings where you are?
January 21, 2013 at 6:39 pm
You’re very blessed to be living in such a historic place! I’ve been there once and enjoyed it immensely. Visited Grantham and Harlxaton college, both wonderful, historic places. I love to visit old homes turned museum
We seem to have a lot of those around here. My childhood home is early American and it has a rich history itself. What is your favorite place to visit in the UK?
Best,
Megan
January 21, 2013 at 6:46 pm
I actually don’t have any favourite places but what I do enjoy is stumbling across treasures that have been in front of me all my life, like old bath houses or homes which were once boarding schools! I think I love the Georgian period best, I love the architecture but I also love discovering milestones along the roads and discovering inns and freehouses that must have been standing for 100s of years.
January 21, 2013 at 7:38 pm
What’s great about the UK and many countries of Europe is the rich history and the fact that buildings can be 100s of years old! It’s rare to see that in the US, so we try our best to preserve what we have and are thankful for what little history we do have
I love to collect antiques because it’s interesting to think about what it was used for once and who may have used it 
You know what I mean?
Best,
Megan
January 23, 2013 at 3:50 am
Nice article and thank you for visiting my blog. I enjoy escapism through reading. Sure it’s nice to escape through television or film, but to be able to put oneself in the book and visualize all that is occurring is fantastic! Everyone could use a form of healthy escapism these days!
February 8, 2013 at 8:49 am
Downton Abbey is so good. Have you seen a series called Larkrise to Candleford? That was great too.
February 9, 2013 at 9:01 pm
I’ve never seen Larkrise to Candleford, but I’m going to get on that ASAP!
March 13, 2013 at 3:06 am
This has nothing to do with your post, just the picture. I’ve been to Harlaxton and loved it. I immediately recognized it. I saw it was your sister who got to go there, but can I ask which school she went to? I’m just asking because the manor is my alma mater’s English campus.
March 13, 2013 at 3:28 am
My sister, boyfriend, and grandfather are UE alumni
I think that must be where you graduated from?
March 13, 2013 at 12:23 pm
I saw Season one of the Downton Abbey last week and I now understand the appeal. However, I am so happy I was not born during that time.
March 14, 2013 at 7:34 pm
I love it, but I have to say that I enjoy the comforts of modern medicine and hygiene
Sure they look pretty, but how do they smell? 
March 14, 2013 at 7:45 pm
LOL… probably that not much worse than a bunch of sweaty, dirty boys after football practice…who will not let you open the car window.
March 14, 2013 at 10:35 pm
haha
March 13, 2013 at 6:21 pm
Yes indeed. It’s so weird randomly finding someone who graduated from the same school! Or rather someone who knows people who graduated from the same school.
March 13, 2013 at 11:52 pm
I enjoy your viewpoint and absolutely love “Downton Abbey”. I discovered it just this season and sadly, it’s gone already. Thank you for taking the time to follow my attempt at a blog. Yours is wonderful. Keep up the good work!
March 14, 2013 at 10:45 pm
March 28, 2013 at 10:15 am
I love Downton Abbey. Its storyline, the scenery, the dress and … Maggie Smith and Dan Stevens (but he died) Did you watch The Tudors? It was also a historical drama series. Too bad, it ended already.
March 28, 2013 at 4:25 pm
I loved the Tudors. I literally watched the entire series in a week via Netflix. Such a great show. I love historical dramas
March 30, 2013 at 2:51 am
Sigh, a girl some similar taste as mine, haha. Downton Abbey, yeahhhh baby
Although I do not watch it on tv, I usually watch it when the season is done. I do not like waiting every week to know what happens in series. It is so unnerving, that…ok hush now. Now back on track, if a friend did not update me janeydanes post would have shocked to Pluto (oh wait, it still exist right, duh even if it is not a planet, haha) Do you watch The Game of Thrones.
History is the best and hence anything related would be great: music, films, books.
Oh and Matthew is Darcy
Okkk, let’s not fight 
April 8, 2013 at 10:40 pm
I love Downton Abbey, too! Can’t wait for Season 4. Very nice, blog, Megan. It’s honest and insightful. Thanks for visiting my blog, too!
April 8, 2013 at 10:55 pm
I can’t either! It’s such a good show, even my father likes it and that’s saying a lot