An Early Spring Adventure

Dear Diary;

What an exciting week I had! I was rather sad that Mama had to return home. However, she will return to visit soon and it is very important that I continue my education here at St. Claire's. I brightened just a bit when the time came for our field trip to the forests and caves a few hours from our school.

It is not quite late enough in Spring for the trees to have all their leaves, but I managed to find several little flowers and budding branches during my free time.
Not to mention wading through little creeks to find mossy vantage points to see the scenerey...

Climbing trees....

Rock climbing....

and exploring small caves in the forest.

At the end of our stay in the forest, we took an amazing cave tour. There was a fountain in the cave that was just lovely,

and tiny bats on the roof of the cave.

As what my teachers call a "budding naturalist" I found the bats to be the most fascinating part of the tour!

But, tomorrow is Monday and back to school and lessons. Ah well, at least I have some memories to last me until the next adventure.

A Rainy Day Surprise

Dear Diary;

I awoke this morning with the tolling of the morning bells here at St. Claire's. They usually ring at 5:30, but on the weekends we students are allowed to sleep until 6:30. I still think that is rather early.

I was rather excited about today. It is Palm Sunday and we always carry palm branches in our procession to the chapel. Usually, we gather in the convent gardens to begin the procession, but today it was muddy, dreary, and rainy, so we had to have our procession inside.
I was hoping to play outside after Mass, but it is still rainy and dreary. I wouldn't dare go outside in my Sunday dress. We are to remain in our Sunday dresses until after tea and I dare say I would be rather scolded if I muddied my shoes and got rain stains on my dress. So, I resigned myself to sitting at the window with Minuet to write in my journal.

A few minutes later, Marietta, my dear maid who has been with me since the day I was born, called me. She told me there was a birthday surprise waiting for me in the drawing room. I have already had so many lovely surprises I couldn't imagine another one.

I went into the drawing room to find the best birthday surprise of all....Mama had come from London to see me! She had meant to arrive yesterday but the carriage wheel became damaged on the muddy paths and her arrival was delayed.

I was so excited to see her that I fear I almost knocked Mama down with my hug!

Mama is going to stay all week! I am thrilled beyond words! She even brought me an extra special birthday treat from London...Chocolate!!! Just the thing to share with my dear Mama during our tea! Suddenly, this dreary day doesn't seem dreary at all!

Introducing Mira

Dear Diary;

I am so excited to have such a lovely journal! I have never kept a diary, so let me begin by telling you something about myself.

My name is Elmira, but most of my aquaintences call my Mira. I am a parlor boarder at St. Claire's Finishing School for Girls. I do love attending school here at St. Claire's, but I also miss my family. Especially today.


Today, the first day of spring in 1880 is my 14th birthday! My wonderful headmistress, Sister Bernadette, and all my friends and teachers had planned a lovely surprise party! The fun started this morning. For the first time, my dear maid put my hair up...just like a young lady! Although I am not yet quite grown, I feel so grown up with my hair pulled up in a lovely style like Mama's! Mama had secretly sent some beautiful silver hair combs to dress my hair with and I do love them!
My dear Papa sent my a wonderful new doll! I suppose I am really growing quite too old for dolls, so this will likely be my last doll. It makes me a bit sad, but I will enjoy her all the same. Besides, Mama still has all her dolls, so I think I will always keep mine too. My new doll's name is Minuet and she came all the way from France! The other girls all love her and we took turns holding her and planning wonderful things to sew for her. I certainly don't mind sharing her with my dear friends here.
Well, that is not much for a first entry I suppose, but the candles are burning down and I find myself growing quite tired. Tomorrow is Sunday and we girls must rise quite early to attend Mass. So, goodnight my dear diary and goodnight my dear Minuet. I will see you again when the morning bells toll.