I've Been Dreaming of Downton: Season Three

With the upcoming third movie coming in September my Downton Abbey rewatch is back in full swing! Season Three can only be described as a roller coaster ride of emotions. Relief, laughter, tears, suspense, shock, more tears, a little more laughter, excitement and then the most shocking of endings. 

Phases and Cycles

After 30 years of living and it wasn't until a few months ago that I actually understood the basics of my cycle. My mom never thought to explain it to me in full because she thought I was never going to have children. Now that my husband and I are trying to conceive, I've suddenly gotten a complete crash course in a women's natural cycle. Here's what shocked me the most:

For years I thought my 'menstrual cycle' was just my monthly period that lasted 4-5 days and then it would be another month before my menstrual cycle started again. No, not at all. Your menstrual cycle is your whole life! Your period or menstrual bleeding is just one phase that makes up your whole menstrual cycle.

All cycle lengths vary but healthy cycles last between 21-35 days although it seems the average amount of time is 28 days. Going back through my period tracker calendar my average is between 27-31 days. The best way to track your average cycle is to go back 3-4 months and start counting the days from when your period starts and then ending when your next period begins. That's one complete monthly cycle. Each month you count should have the similar number of days, but it's natural to be off by a few days. 

Using these pictures from my tracker, the days in red are my menstrual bleeding. My monthly cycle in May started on May 7th and then ended on June 2nd. My cycle in June then begins on June 3rd. The differently colored days in between the two menstrual bleeding dates are the following phases of my menstrual cycle.

Menstruation (May 7th-11th): Release of the uterine lining or the Endometrium when the egg from ovulation is not fertilized. This leads into menstrual bleeding which lasts roughly a week. Your body goes through a time of sickness that includes cramping, headaches, low energy, anemia and temperamental changes that can range from withdrawn to aggressive.  

Follicular phase (May 12th-18th): This phase acts as both a recovery from menstruation and preparation for ovulation. Most likely you are going to have a tremendous amount of energy during this time! Your bleeding is done, and your body is restored, healthy and getting excited for ovulation. The uterine lining which will nourish the potential embryo is coming into form as well.

Ovulation (May 18th-May 23rd): The egg is released and is waiting to be fertilized by the male sperm. This is when your sex drive is going to be at your highest. Ovulation lasts for roughly six days, but there are about three days when body is going to be at its peak fertilization perfection. If you look up at May, the days of the 18th, 19th, 20th were the highest fertilization levels for my body and the best days for baby making.

Luteal phase (May 23rd-June 2nd): This is the waiting phase where there can be two outcomes, the egg was fertilized which will result in pregnancy and no menstrual bleeding in the upcoming month. Or the egg wasn't fertilized, in which case the endometrium lining will tear from the body and the next cycle begins.

And that above is one complete menstrual cycle. I would have loved if someone had sat me down as a teenager and explained all this to me. Instead of having me wait clear into my 30s to figure this all out! It is fascinating and confusing and even beautiful all at once. A women's body never stops, it's constant, ever moving with a goal, a vision, a purpose. 

Inklings ~ June 2025

Welcome to June Inklings 🌹

1. At any time during the month, on your own blog post a scene from a book or film that matches the prompt.

2. Link-back to Heidi's blog with a link to you Inklings prompt.

June's Prompt

A scene with running water

The Narrative of a Newlywed

Does anyone remember (or has read) this little piece I wrote several years ago?

The Narrative of an Early Bloomer

So, up to that point I had written some posts that may not have raised eyebrows but were definitely topics that weren't being discussed in a proper context. Then Early Bloomer was posted and never had I been more scared to publish anything. Thankfully the response was positive and overwhelming and the knowledge that I was not alone in issues regarding my sexuality, the emotional damage that was done due to purity culture, the horrific double standards (within my own family; what a shocker) and the Christian community's blatant disregard for young women who are scared and confused regarding love and intimacy and their own bodies.

A year later I wrote a follow up: The Narrative of a Christian Feminist, which delved deeper into, once again, the double standards for males and single females within the Church. This also received exceptional positive feedback. 

So now we've gotten through the preamble!

C h a s i n g // S u n b e a m s : < < A Summer Blog Tag > >

 

I saw this tag on Inklings Corner and it looked like fun!

Inklings ~ May 2025

Happy (almost) Summer!

1. At any time during the month, on your own blog post a scene from a book or film that matches the prompt.

2. Link-back to Heidi's blog with a link to you Inklings prompt.

 May's Prompt

Stagecoach scene in book or film

S u n s h i n e ~ B l o g g e r ~ A w a r d

Thank you for Samantha Elisabeth for nominated me!

H o s p i t a l i t y

After almost a year of marriage I have discovered two certain arts that I never thought that an introvert like me would ever have, but they certainly go hand in hand. Cooking and hospitality. Growing up I hated cooking. I never had the time and patience for it and well...I didn't really have the best of instructors either. However, after I got married, I knew I was going to get over my despair of cooking or else my husband and I were going to starve.

Inklings ~ April 2025

It's the last day of April and I'm home from work, sick from allergies and behold April's Inklings appears! As soon as I read the prompt, I had to get onto it immediately before April ends!

1. At any time during the month, on your own blog post a scene from a book or film that matches the prompt.

2. Link-back to Heidi's blog with a link to you Inklings prompt.

April's Prompt

A scene with roses in a book or film

Inklings ~ March 2025

Just barely skating by with March's Inklings : )

1. At any time during the month, on your own blog post a scene from a book or film that matches the prompt.

2. Link-back to Heidi's blog with a link to you Inklings prompt.

March's Prompt

A scene with strangers meeting/becoming acquainted

Inklings ~ February 2025

Due to Heidi's busy schedule Inklings is a month behind, but it's here all the same : )

1. At any time during the month, on your own blog post a scene from a book or film that matches the prompt.

2. Link-back to Heidi's blog with a link to you Inklings prompt.

February's Prompt

A scene at the piano

I’ve Been Dreaming of Downton: Season Two

 

My Downton Abbey rewatch continues as the Crawley's and the lives of all those around them adjust to the changing times brought on by WWI. Of all the seasons this one is probably my favorite. It was good to see the Crawley's come down from their ivory tower and join the rest of the world. Seeing how the war broke down so many social barriers was fascinating. 

The Phantom of the Opera: Why I'm Not a Phantom Fan

You got to hand it to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. The man knows how to take a great story and turn it into a spectacle. This is especially true with his famous production The Phantom of the Opera which premiered in 1986 at the West End and starred his then wife, Sarah Brightman in the role of Christine Daae. Phantom has now gone on to be the longest running Broadway show in history. 

The Phantom of the Opera has every element for a successful production. Amazing songs, beautiful costumes, elaborate sets and a solid storyline. So, what's my complaint on the show? It's tricky because while the show itself is incredible, but I cannot stand the Phantom or the whole love triangle in general. Yes, it's the whole storyline; yes, the love triangle is the cornerstone of the story and the base plotline. However, from a moral perspective, Erik the Phantom is maniacal, toxic and narcissistic. A murderer who uses his intelligence and genius to control and manipulate everyone around him.

Unfortunately, that's another base of the story. The poor misunderstood phantom who the world hates and despises because of his disfigurement. Sad to say, if Erik is misunderstood than he has no one to blame but himself. For years he dwelt underneath the opera stage writing his plays and probably taking pleasure in being the notorious 'opera ghost.' That was his choice to do so; nobody forced him into hiding. At any point in time, he could have come out of the shadows and join the rest of society and I'm sure people would eventually overlook his disfigurement. But no. Erik contented himself with being the victim and the villain. 

So now we get to Christine Daae and the love triangle. Christine is the ultimate heroine of the story. Beautiful, talented, kind and innocent. All of these elements Erik sees and twists them all together to manipulate a lonely young girl. He teaches her to sing while creating a fantasy that she will be by his side in near future. And as Christine is an orphan and tends to be emotionally cut off from other people, she's the perfect choice. Erik will stop at nothing to make sure his 'angel' is seen and heard; even it means almost killing Carlotta.

When Christine is reunited with her childhood friend, Raoul, then Erik sees a real threat to his plan. Raoul's presence in Christine's life sets the Phantom off and innocent people are made to pay the price. While Raoul may not be the brightest button from time to time, he seems to possess a good heart and a desire to take care of Christine. Raoul is nobility and to take a serious interest in a young woman from the theater may not seemed an appropriate decision. He's willing to overlook that. 

For some reason there's a debate of which man Christine should end up with when the only reasonable solution is Raoul. Erik and his mental instability could not possibly share a life with Christine. She would not be able to measure up to the fantasy that he created. The Phantom is not a character to be pitied. While he faced horrible abuse and rejection as a child, he overcame all that was put on him and rose to become a genius. But as Raoul said in the 2004 film, "Genius has clearly become madness."

If genius is madness and if madness leads to murder, why do we pity the madman? 

Why do we want the heroine to choose him? 

Why do his sad beginnings justify the person he becomes?

The Phantom's seclusion from the world is his own undoing. He sees a vulnerable young woman, that he can manipulate and possess her and not give her any say in the matter. What is so romantic about that? I wrote a post about this very issue almost ten years ago and my conclusion to the love triangle is that Christine was probably better off without either man. There's is nothing about Erik could possibly suggest security and love. And while Raoul tended to treat Christine like a child, he did have a heart that was still in the right place. 

Erik the phantom is not romantic. There's nothing good and genuine about a man who kills and manipulates to get what he wants. There is nothing decent or loving about making a woman a pawn in your game of revenge. There's nothing noble or honorable about choosing to hide in the shadows and blaming the world for your loneliness and seclusion. The only good thing Erik ever did was let Christine go and live her own life.

We Love Musicals Kick-Off Tag + Giveaway

Hamlette's We Love Musicals Week is here!

The Chosen: Season 3

 

As The Chosen has progressed you begin to notice that each season has a certain theme. Season 1 was finding the Messiah, Season 2 was teaching the Good News. Season 3 can be condensed in one word. Healing. Healing of heart, body, mind, soul and spirit. Healing from our past, healing from our fears and anxieties. Amidst the pain and sorrow that this world holds for us, there is healing to be found in hope. Small as hope might be it can be the difference between life and death.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

- Matthew 11:28-30

Inklings 2025 ~ January

First Inklings of 2025!

1. At any time during the month, on your own blog post a scene from a book or film that matches the prompt.

2. Link-back to Heidi's blog with a link to you Inklings prompt.

January's Prompt

A scene at sunrise

I've Been Dreaming of Downton

 

Does anybody still remember Downton Abbey? The show that had the whole world in a chokehold between 2010 and 2016. The mania behind that show was real! I was there for it all. So, starting on New Year's Day, I've begun a much overdue rewatch of Downton Abbey. I finished season 1 last week and I'm going through season 2 now. And after a decade the show still holds up.