The Travels of Anadrasata Nearabhigan: Day 40
Here we are for Day 40 of Anadrasata's journey. This entry is relatively short, because it is both a formal day of rest where she is, and it is her day of religious observance - so relatively quiet.
This piece runs to 1,274 words, and I hope that you enjoy it.
Index page.
Naiphday, 21 Naisen, 1893 C.E.
Asnan, 8 Sajibu, 2157 T.M.L.
1 Tlanoluaoy, 24 Kiautl, 6.11.2.1.8.2.16
Dear Journal,
I woke when Nais brought me my warm water. She helped me do up my buttons and I checked with her that her accommodations are what we both expected. After she went back downstairs, I made use of the retiring room and then went back to my room to check what today's readings are - a pamphlet I picked up during my tour on the Street of Three Churches has them listed until equinox, and this is the last day before equinox. The main texts for today are Serethias, Chapter 3, Verse 19 and Letters from Bhaicharoldh, Letter 17.
When I went down to breakfast I think all of the family was there, and because for them it is not a religious day, the room was pleasantly noisy with the sounds of chit chat and gentle family mayhem. There was indeed a single large pot of porridge being kept warm over a low burner, but it was porridge laced with dried fruit, nuts, and spices. Honey was available if you wanted it and there was tea for Great-aunt and me. Cousin Miztli asked his grandmother what her interview with the priest of the family patron had been like, and then someone asked what mine had been like - and everyone was interested because it is something that a family only does once, so no-one else in the room had ever been present when this was done. Cousin Ghrus asked his mother if she could dictate her account to one of my cousins so that they had a record of it - because it should be the sort of thing that they had in the family archives, along with the records of births, deaths, and marriages.
After breakfast I went back to my room and read the next chapter of "Meditations on the Healing Virtues." This one was on faith, and the dangers of mistaking the outward displays of faith, or purported faith, with faith itself. Letter 9 of the Letters from Bhaichaoldh was cited and there was some discussion of the lives of St Laiphail the Dispossed and Taimes dh'Ghaidh. I found it thought provoking, particularly as the Reverend Doctor Ghaighul was at pains to point out that many people find religious ritual to be a legitimate source of comfort and strength, particularly in times of stress.
I spent some time in thought and private prayer when I had finished my reading.
Lunch was in the breakfast room and there was no formal seating. Everyone served themselves from the soup tureen, although it was more like a cauldron to my mind, then took a vacant setting at the table. Also, like breakfast, people came and went in their own time. The soup today had a fish stock base and was thick with beans and fish, besides being flavoured with tomatoes. There was fresh fruit laid out for the taking.
Someone came to the house for Miztli as he finished eating - Yeixi was passing the door when whoever it was knocked, so he answered it and then came to fetch our cousin. Miztli left the house with this unknown person, and from the way everyone acted, this is something Miztli does often enough for it to be unremarkable.
I returned to my room after lunch and read another chapter of explaining the difference between kindness and compassion. One line that sticks with me now is, "Sometimes, the object of our consideration gets to the point where they have had their fill of others' fellow feeling and just need help."
After I finished reading, I took my sketching materials and went downstairs to the library and looked for anything on the local religion that included illustrations. Cousin Ghrus did come in and ask me what I was doing, and when I explained that I was hoping he had illustrations I could use as a basis for an embroidery design, he confessed that the small religious section of the library had been filled by his father or even earlier occupants of the house, and that he himself had never actually looked inside any of them. He did think that there might have been something useful in the school room and volunteered to look there while I continued looking through the books in the library. He did find several books in the old school room that had illustrations, and I identified several in the library that also had useful artwork. Nothing specifically on Lord Iznuallatl but it seems he is part of what they call the Night pantheon and they have a specific guardian creature. I was able to complete some preliminary designs and list some preferred colours. Ideally, I would fill the bodies of my creatures with stitching, but given my (hopeful) time limitations, I think I will have to settle for outlining them and their body parts.
Getting my creatures drafted in the right size, positions, and proportions for the tablecloth took the rest of my afternoon. It also occurs to me that before I start stitching, I should check with Youalitlahtolwelilstil to make sure that I haven't inadvertently drafted something that is blasphemous or sacrilegious. It is, after all, supposed to be a gift given in goodwill and gratefulness, not an insult.
I have been considering the matter of my personal patron and I think that I will choose Itztlacotiuh, the Lord of Frost and Justice. I will consult with Cousin Ghrus first, in case of implications I am unaware of, but the Cleanser of the Fields and the Balancer of that which is Right does have a certain appeal, although he does seem rather cold in other respects.
Dinner was in the breakfast parlor, and the serving and seating arrangements were the same as for lunch, except we all arrived at the same time. Miztli had rejoined us sometime during the afternoon, and he sat beside me when we had served ourselves with bowls of the thick stew that was simmering in its cauldron on the sideboard. Tonight's stew was thick with potatoes, meat (from the meat version of the p-akeri perhaps), beans, onions, and several root vegetables that I didn't recognise. It was delicious and filling, and although I would have liked buttered bread to wipe up the gravy with, today is a day of rest.
Because it is Naiphday. I declined the offer to play cards after we had our kasoohlt. Instead, I got Cousin Ghrus' opinion on Itztlacotiuh as my personal patron, and he thinks it and uncontroversial choice. As he put it, "Anyone with links to a rural estate from which they derive an income can reasonably call upon a deity with and agricultural portfolio." I did ask Cousin Poktlilui about visiting a store for embroidery thread, and the two temples tomorrow, and she agreed that would be a good idea - and that I might need to return to the dressmaker tomorrow as well.
I came upstairs early tonight, even before Great-aunt Giltreeada. I had this journal to write up and I didn't want to keep Nais up too late on what is supposed to be a day of rest.
Given that I seem to own three residences, I wonder what their facilities and conveniences are like. For instance, do they have any sort of indoor plumbing to any part of the home/s other than the kitchens? Can indoor plumbing be installed in any of them? I wonder why I have never met with my trustees? Have Tallaig and/or Mother ever met with my trustees?
[So much me tonight!]
Anadrasata Nearabhigan