Before Anything Else - Downton Abbey!

You are probably doing the same thing I am doing. Looking at the time, turning the TV on, and setting the volume (not to mention the DVR). Actually, I have neither a television nor a DVR, but I am staying the night in a hotel that does have these amenities. Therefore I am fixating on the national obsession that is Downton Abbey.

(A running joke takes place in an office, the morning after Matthew dies in Downton Abbey. The boss - a man - looks at an office worker who is weeping at her desk. He asks her friend, 'Why is she so sad? And who are Matthew and Lady Sybil?' The friend stares at him and replies, 'If you have to ask, you'll never understand.')

Tonight is the season premier, and everywhere people are having DA parties to celebrate.  Some are dressing in period clothing, some have baked up plates of scones, jam, and cream. But me? I will sit here on the bed somewhere in northern California, blogging away while I watch. With not a scone in sight! The SconeLady without a scone. Unconscionable!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65111499@N03/5947425295/

But I confess - I have seen this, and 3 of the subsequent episodes of this year's Downton offerings already! Privileged to be in England at the time of their season premier, I saw it in four different parts of the country beginning in September. There, as well as here, eager viewers crammed themselves into television rooms and got out the tissues. Each of them are still terribly distraught to remember the deaths of two of their favorite characters. Tears have been wept. Black arm bands have been fashioned and worn. If you don't understand all of this, perhaps you are a man. *ahem*

http://www.flickr.com/photos/blindhona/10783618813/

And as such, you might be dropping off to sleep next to your wife, who is sitting up and absolutely glued to the screen (this is my precise situation). If you don't want to find yourself forgotten for the one to two hours Downton will happen each Sunday night, I suggest you might discover how to enjoy (tolerate) it. 

Soon you, too, can follow the drama of O'Brien's sudden disappearance in the night; the electrifying questions surrounding Lady Mary's lingering depression and disinterest in the baby; the strange arguments between the new Nanny and Thomas Barrow. And above all, the dilemma of the butler with nothing left to do.

If not, well then by all means, sleep it all away. But wouldn't you rather be included? Wouldn't you rather indulge yourself in the scones? It is hard to fathom anyone actively denying themselves this sweet joy.

For there is no doubt about this one firm fact:  
Life's a whole lot sweeter with a scone.


See you along the way!
the SconeLady


photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/blindhona/10783618813/">Blind Hen ⁑ Blind Höna</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>


photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65111499@N03/5947425295/">GriffinStar7</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>