What I always wanted was a ‘walk-in’ fireplace like I first saw in England as a very young child — my Dad, at 6’4” could literally walk into the space.

My beautiful library had a much, much smaller fireplace and no grand chess set. On a tourist visit to Biltmore — the huge home built by, but never occupied (?), a Vanderbilt in North Carolina — one artifact on display was a chess set originally crafted for and owned by Naploean. I think that after seeing that every set paled in comparison!

Hmm. After coming out of my long isolation I believe that I’m happier amongst my fellows now, more than ever. I’ve an entirely different perspective on my need for socialization of late and as cruel as others can be I’ve been swept away by how very kind (I’ve been overusing that word lately!) they can, inexplicably, be.