Begun in 2010, this blog offers analysis and reflection by Susan Bailey on the life, works and legacy of Louisa May Alcott and her family. Susan is an active member and supporter of the Louisa May Alcott Society, the Fruitlands Museum and Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House.
Author: susanwbailey
My name is Susan Bailey and I find the life of Louisa May Alcott endlessly fascinating. I come from New England (specifically Massachusetts) and my family has been here in one form or another since the 1630ā²s. I live fairly close to Concord, MA where Orchard House, the homestead of the Alcotts, is located, and visit often. Every few years or so I go on a reading ābingeā about Louisa and this time around was so good, I just had to start a blog about my passion. The binge, by the way, still goes on!
Iāve been happily married for over 30 years and my husband is a deacon in the Melkite Church (Eastern Catholic ā I am Roman Catholic). We are proud parents of a grown son and daughter.
Iāve worked happily for the last 17 years at Rutledge Properties in Wellesley, MA, supporting the agents in the office.
And in my āother life,ā Iāve performed, written and recorded music exploring my Catholic faith. I have a website (www.susanbailey.net) where you can hear samples and find out more about this. I sing at various masses at my home parish of St. Luke the Evangelist in Westboro, MA.
Other interests include history (especially photographic), nature (especially bird watching), and I have the same āinordinate love of catsā that Louisa had. :-)
Join me via Zoom on Tuesday, December 14 from 7-8 pm EST for a talk and PowerPoint presentation on the life of Louisa May Alcott, sponsored by the Peter White Public Library in Marquette, Michigan for their month-long "An Alcott Christmas" program. Here are the Zoom details: Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83171753821...Meeting ID: 831 7175 3821Passcode: …
Here is a perfect gift for the Little Women fan in your life, young or old, who enjoys the spiritual nature of Louisa May Alcott's classic coming-of-age story: In her latest work, The Little Women Devotional: A Chapter-By-Chapter Companion to Louisa May Alcottās Beloved Classic (Barbour Books), Rachel Dodge matches a cherished girlās book with a core concept often …
In honor of Louisa's 189th and Bronson's 222nd birthdays, I am pleased to present this article on how birthdays defined Louisa's life. And you can bet her father had much to do with it! "November 29th, 2021 marks the 189th birthday of Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women. In a remarkable coincidence, Louisa …
Little Women, a Civil War-based novel about the four March sisters and derived from the life of its author, Louisa May Alcott, has been a classic for well over 100 years. As a result, much has been written about Alcott, both for adults and younger readers. Biographer and young adult writer Liz Rosenberg takes on the difficult …
When touring The Wayside, have you ever wondered how the house was laid out when the Alcotts lived there? My latest article in "Discover Concord" provides a first floor floorplan and descriptions of each room as it was used by the family. Visit https://issuu.com/discoverconcordma/docs/dcfall2021/48 to read the article. Bring it with you the next time …
The wait is over. The long-awaited eight-part podcast miniseries by Alcott scholars Jamie Burgess and Jill Fuller debuted today, July 12. Judging from the first episode, it has been worth the wait! Jill and Jamie are affable and knowledgeable hosts. They aim to tell the story of Louisa's life through a series of "puzzle pieces" …
I saw this article on a quilting blog and thought you might find it interesting. I wish I knew more about quilts and the significance of their design but perhaps some of you can offer help in your comments.
Here is the article:
Hands All Around #5: Star Puzzle for Elizabeth Alcott
Block #5 Star Puzzle by Becky Brown
A block for Elizabeth (Peabody) Sewall Alcott, the quiet sister.Ā The puzzle may be: āHow could anyone be quiet in that family?ā
Ā Elizabeth (Peabody) Sewall Alcott (1835-1858)Ā Crayon (chalk) portrait by Caroline Negus Hildreth 1857 Collection of Orchard House
With Beth & Amy (Berkley), the sequel to the popular Meg & Jo, bestselling author Virginia Kantra delivers a gratifying page-turner about the other two sisters from the beloved Louisa May Alcott classic, Little Women: the one who dies and the one who is vilified. The happy occasion of Joās wedding to Eric Bhaer brings Beth back from Nashville and Amy from New York. …
I went to Fruitlands today with my sister to visit the art museum and happened across these interesting items: Rag doll presumably owned by the Alcott Daughters, ca. 1840This simple and well-loved doll made from rags was likely owned by the Alcott sisters. The wear of the fabric implies many hours of play.Fruitlands Museum Collection, …