'q' is for Quentin who sank in a mire

[amand_r]

1. You know what I miss? Witch Hunter Robin. I'd like to see that again.

2. And for those of you who don't believe that Pittsburgh is unique and strange, I bring you the Pittsburgh cookie table, a must at every wedding. I am told mine was good. I wouldn't know because I ate one cookie and when I returned, drunk, it was empty.

3.

Don't get me wrong, the text is terrifyingly visceral to my ear. I think, if ever in my life I was to get a letter, a letter of love, I would want one like this. (clip starts at :35)

And the abridged text:

July 14, 1861
Camp Clark, Washington

My very dear Sarah:

The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days - perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more...

I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing - perfectly willing - to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this government, and to pay that debt...

Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield. The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And it is hard for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood around us...

I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me -perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name...

Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly I would wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness...

But, O Sarah, if the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they love, I shall always be near you, in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights... always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.

Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again...

Sullivan Ballou

Jesus. Or maybe this is the power of Ashokan Farewell.

4. You know, if you have time to read and comment on other stories in the fest, you have time to read and comment on your gift, even if you didn't like it. You just say "Oh thank you!" Mention a few things you liked (Jesus, even if most of it is suck, there's always something redeemable. I found redemption in the Biscuit story), and bob is your goddamn uncle.

5. Before I forget, THANK YOU to beeej, bluejeans07, bethcarielle, and solsticezero for the spankin' cards! God we're all so effing creative, and beth, your kind words were heartening, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Beeej! HIGHLANDER CARDS RULE. I wanted to do a post-it HL card, but my creative well had run dry. :(

Comments

[ophymirage.livejournal.com]

Damn. I googled to see if he'd survived. *sad* what a gorgeous letter though.

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

Yeah, at the end of the clip they say that he died at week later. :(

[cyprinella]

The one Pittsburgh reception I've been to did not feature the cookie table, probably because neither the bride nor the groom were Pittsburgh natives. However, it did feature a dizzying array of mini cupcakes. Delicious cupcakes....

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

Oooooh. I do love the mini cupcake.

If I ever get married again, I was thinking that if I have a reception, we shall have a shitload of cupcakes instead of cake. cupcakes decorated with funny things.

[amonitrate.livejournal.com]

the cookie table is the best idea ever. If I ever get married, remind me to do it in Pittsburgh.

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

You can do a cookie table anywhere! The bags are important! Cookies are for enjoying and taking home! Tianyu and I had our names and "love" in chinese on ours.

[easilymused1956.livejournal.com]

The letter made me cry.

Down south we have two cakes. A 'wedding' cake -- big and white and sometimes totally tasteless. And a 'groom's' cake. Usually chocolate and decorated with a theme. (If you've ever seen Steel Magnolias, something like that.)

Renee

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

THE GROOM'S CAKE HIDDEN IN THE CARPARK. IT HAD GRAY ICING AND IS IN THE SHAPE OF A GIANT ARMADILLO.

[aster-laevis.livejournal.com]

I think I was in fifth grade when I saw that for the first time, when we watched Ken Burns' Civil War documentary in class. It has never stopped haunting me. I suppose it never will.

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

I admit it. Last night I listened to it about five times, and I lost it from about the word "deathless" on.

[kel-reiley.livejournal.com]

2. i want one of those in my room

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

SCORE.

[queenfanfiction.livejournal.com]

It's the power of Ashokan Farewell. Trust a violinist on this one. :D

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

LOL. I'M JUST A CELLIST.

[alba17.livejournal.com]

I saw that NYTimes cookie article and I thought of you. (nearest thing to a cookie icon I have)

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

DUDE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH A LITTLE JB/CROISSANT ACTION.

Really, I want some wedding cookies right the fuck now.

[topgeargirl2.livejournal.com]

Wow, a cookie table that's an awesome idea.

well it would be called a Biscuit table here.

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

haahahahaha biscuts.

[arsenicjade.livejournal.com]

4. You know, if you have time to read and comment on other stories in the fest, you have time to read and comment on your gift, even if you didn't like it. You just say "Oh thank you!" Mention a few things you liked (Jesus, even if most of it is suck, there's always something redeemable. I found redemption in the Biscuit story), and bob is your goddamn uncle.

Um, even if you DON'T have time to read the other fics in the fest. You know my stand on this.

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

Well, that goes without saying, but I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. I have a few friends who can only comment on the weekend, so if I don't see them post to their fic until Saturday, I don't get miffed. But when I see someone who's commenting on later fics, but not their own, (and I sent notification emails, so it's not like they don't know), than I get miffy.

[beeej.livejournal.com]

They have buckeyes on the cookie table! I never saw a cookie table in Ohio, but buckeyes are a staple at every celebration/holiday/party. Whenever I go home to Ohio, I have to stop off at Grandpa's Cheese Barn for a box of buckeyes. Or at least, I used to. Being diabetic sucks.

Glad you liked the card. Your post-it card rocked! It made me giggle lots! (I will be doing a proper mail call post this weekend. We're getting snowed in, so I'll be chained to the computer.)

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

HAAHAHAHAH THE SNOOOOOOOW.

You know, Pittsburghers will have to fight you Ohioans for rights to the Buckeye. I know you're the "buckeye" state and all that, but THEY BELONG TO US, ANNAT.

CAGE MATCH. DING DING!

I loved that pic. HL had some good card set ups. a few years ago, Unovis's card was the 4 horsemen doing their hands in thing. I was like, "NOTHING SAYS YULE LIKE A LITTLE SLAUGHTER."

[huesiemama.livejournal.com]

Why save the cookie table for weddings? Shouldn't one have a cookie table, um, everyday?

[huesiemama.livejournal.com]

Although, that is they way my office has been of late, cookie, after cupcake after pastry. Treat days for the holidays. They'll have to change my nameplate to Jabba the Katt if this keeps up.

[huesiemama.livejournal.com]

I need to come up with better folder names: "Recipes", "Shopping", "Blogs" = boring. Delicious is better!

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

Well, no I mean, it bookmarked it on delicious.

[darthhellokitty.livejournal.com]

LOVE the card. LOVE. IT.

We're not going to either of our families for Christmas this year, and once cookies are mentioned, I'm missing these amazing anise cookies KC's father makes. Barely, barely sweet. They're like ADULT cookies.

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

ARE THE PITZELLES?

[huesiemama.livejournal.com]

Oh! Gotcha. I still think I might change the names. They need to sparkle!