Well liked?
I think a lot of us take it for granted that you guys know it! You are like family. You’re the older brother that has a little more perspective and gets us out of jams. You’re wickedly funny and seem to be one of the few countries that notices that the people and the government here aren’t at all the same thing.
When you aren’t playing the USA at soccer games, I always cheer for you you at World Cup and sing Rule, Britannia right along with you. It seems the most natural thing in the world.
In most English classes in America, we study world literature in the 10th grade, American literature in the 11th, and British literature in the 12th grade. British lit is usually the most revered.
In a Victoria’s Secret box under my bed are newspaper clippings that I’ve kept since I was four years old. They are of a lovely princess on her wedding day to a handsome blond. I believe he was Greek. Just a few years later I watched a film that was rushed to the United States and broadcast on American television on the evening of her Coronation as the Queen of England. I remember it so well. Her little boy and girl were just a little younger than I.
Behind me on the shelves are countless books about English country houses, the royal family, Lord Mountbatten, British literature, London in the early part of the Twentieth Century, and my first: The Little Princesses, the story of the children Elizabeth and Margaret Rose as told by their nanny.
There’s even the last of a bit of clotted cream in the refrigerator. I pretend it might still be good and just don’t throw it out.
I’ve never been to any of the British Isles. I came close in 2004 when I flew over the coast of Normandy!
Less than a hundred miles from where I live is a strange and wonderful small town that was founded by a Victorian English aristocrat specifically for younger sons of British society. The name of it is Rugby, Tennessee. You have to love settlers that built a tennis court before they built shelter for the night!
Someone asked if there is anything that you have there that we would like here. Most of the things you have would be out of place here. But there is one thing that I would truly love. If you could send the shop W. Bill Ltd. on New Bond Street in London I would be most grateful. They have had the most beautiful selection of tweeds. I hope they are still open. Just send the entire store – facade, sales staff and all.
Love,
Zoe
