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"Is not general incivility
the very essence of love?"
Could it be any more obvious: Jane Austen had siblings. Who more than siblings make general incivility not only a component of love but a dominant trait?
For her part, Austen must have been an expert at what we, in our happy home, call "too much love," which roughly translates into spending so much time together that one can't help but show affection by name calling, minor shoving, and purposeful irritation. Austen had seven siblings: one sister and six brothers (although a few of the brothers did not survive to adulthood). A writer of astute observation and perception, she must have been a very dangerous sister. She no doubt knew at a glance what seemingly innocuous turn of phrase, strange look or obnoxious sound would send the other little Austens over the edge, and she could probably tell without even thinking about it what one thing she could do that would turn one of her many brothers into a whining, crying ball of distressed energy.
Interestingly, my two children also possess these enviable gifts. They practice using them on one another all the time. Practically endlessly. And as their general incivility proves, they are just so full of LOVE for each other. They are just so full of LOVE for everyone. Naturally, I'm very proud and I have high hopes for their futures, as long as they end up living on different continents.
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33 comments:
Very, very funny. As usual.
And I suppose Aphrodite would bear you out.
It would be much easier for them to stick together if they had an older sister who tried to kill them by giving them charcoal lighter fluid and telling them it is Kool-Aid, or locking them outside in the cold night. But there are only two of them, so there is not much you can do but by ear plugs or lock them outside yourself! Just wondering, is Elizabeth named after Elizabeth Bennet?
Lynne: Jane was actually very devoted to her sister Cassandra. Perhaps a girls versus boys thing. My Elizabeth is not named after Miss Bennet, although she would like to think so.
Just found your blog. Absolutely love it! So humerous and insightful. Can't wait to read more.
Had an earful Marg? (They're really going to enjoy these essays when they get older.)
I love all these wise gals from the past.
And, that Lynne - give her a platform! Or at least a Blog. Sounds like she is just full of truths!
I love this; so funny. (I also love Jane Austen, but not because she may have tormented her sibs.)
Gerri: Thanks so much. Glad you came by to visit.
AH: I'm not expecting a rush on my collected blog works. They'll never know...
Pup: Yes, Lynne is very smart and sassy. She needs a blog!
Jean: I love Jane Austen too.
While other families may love each other in much the same way, so many of them do not have a mother who so wittily describes their love-fests.
This reminds me of me and my brothers when we were younger. We would drive each other crazy!
I wonder how parents can handle that much love? :)
Oh, oops - my sister and I went through 'a phase' of showing the essence of our love through the extremes of general incivility, including throwing vacuum cleaner parts and a small chair at each other. We grew out of it {well before we ran out of household appliances}.
I really love Jane Austen!!!! Funny post! This is a nice blog!
lol I have just found your blog & I love it! I never would have thought to apply that quote to siblings though after thinking about it... I doubt you could find a better situation that it could fit!
I myself have 3 boys and OH MY do they love each other so! So much that I am at times beyond my wits lol...
Thanks for helping me to put it back into perspective that one day.. maybe my children will be able to be civil lol
Great thoughts here, enjoyed reading this! Might your children possess Austen's writing abilities too?
http://www.vægttabogmotion.dk/
Vægttab, vægt, motion, kost
Lynne.. I gave my brother rubbing alcohol to get him drunk (or kill him; I'm not sure which). A little something I picked up from a story line on one of my mother's soaps
Margaret: ok, I didn't know you had two children
I am a great fan of Austen!
Thank you for picking her as Wise Women!
Pasadena Adjacent - Margaret's and my older sister actually did give me a glass of charcoal lighter fluid when I was two and told me it was Kool-Aid. It almost killed my and our dog! Of course it is easy to see why I preferred my younger sister.
As for the blog, I think I'll leave the writing to Margaret. I like reading what she has to say the best!
Petrea: I'm laughing on the outside, crying on the inside.
Joanne: Glad things have improved for you and your brothers.
Shell: Your poor appliances. Too funny.
Other Joanne: My children like to write...
Moonstruck D: Thanks.
Christina: Thanks for dropping by. Too much love can definitely be dangerous. Good luck with your boys.
PA: Oh my. Your poor brother. Too much Dark Shadows for you. Remember that one?
Magnoliaamber: It is so hard not to like Austen. Her writing is fabulous.
Lynne: The blogosphere will always be here if you change your mind.
A few months ago I cracked open my old volumes of "Sense and Sensibility" and "Pride and Prejudice" that had been sitting on the shelf for decades since I opened them last.
What a treat!
Wow! What great posts! I will stay and read a while. Just getting uplifted for my daily affirmations by scooting around the net. Thanks for the amazing read! Inspired Lemonade.com
Very nice, super blog!..
Thanks, beautiful webpage.
I always tell my kids that anyone can be nice to outsiders but to be civil to the people you live with is far more praiseworthy. I just cannot stand how siblings can be so kind to their friends yet treat each other so contemptuously. My kids do it all the time and it freaks me out. I saw a fair bit of that in my family of origin too.
My sister and I can't stay together for very long; if we do, the incivilities start. I now live in Japan and she in South Korea: we get along well now :D
My youngest sister exactly. And I cannot stand her most of the time. Quoting Fred from Youtube, "She's such a buhrat!" :)
may you snd your ferinds help me ? I am learning english and I have this weblog and I write it, please read it.
thnx very much
love your blog - i'm so glad i discovered it on 'blogs of note'!
What is the last book from Jane?
PPIO: I have a volume of collected Austen novels that I got for $5 at a book sale. I pull it out whenever I feel a little blue.
Natasha, Yeditempe, Hali: thanks.
Gaelikea: I say that too. It's easy to be nice to your friends. How do you treat the people who aren't your friends? Thanks the question.
Kanmuri: I think that would work for my kids.
Karen: Thanks.
Admin: I wish I could tell you. I am devoted to Miss Austen, but this time I found my quote in a book of quotes. Now the dirty secret is out. But thanks for dropping by.
It is true with all siblings I suppose. Exact same way with mine I would say ... LOVE them although I hate them ...
Jane Austen is really fantastic. Excellent post.
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