Kate Warren

Hello anyone out there who still checks out my website once in a while. No, the virus has not gotten me, but depression nearly did a few times.

Like everyone else I'm having some issues with current pandemic conditions. Worrying about my family, my friends, neighbors, acquaintances, people I've seen at the doctor's office, etc. Okay, maybe not everyone takes it as far as I do. 

If you have written to me in the last several months, I sincerely apologize for not getting back to you. I've been doing a stunningly good imitation of a chronically frightened turtle, and not even reading emails. Facebook is a thing of the past for me at the moment; I just cannot deal with it right now. Though I still pin up a storm on Pinterest from time to time, it's less people-y.

So, what's the deal with these disappearing acts of mine? Good question, and it's one I've been working on trying to answer (and feeling bad about), but I have actually learned something about the reason behind it. If you are at all familiar with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator you may have heard of the elusive, mysterious INFJ. I am one such creature. Apparently we are very rare, compared to other types. And if we get overwhelmed enough, for long enough, we will crawl into our shells and hide from the world until we can deal with it again.

You may think the MBTI is a load of hooey (my mom does), but I've actually found researching my type to be helpful. Having grown up feeling like a freak for being so different, it's good to know that there are others like me in the world, and that some of the things I've been beating myself up about are just the way I'm wired--I can work on the ones I don't like, and let go of worrying about the others.

Been working with a therapist since my bad depression crash last fall, and learning a lot about myself, some good, some not so good. Growth and improvement can be painful, but I'm determined to break out of the holding pattern I've been in for so long, and make real progress, now that I know what to work on and have a sense of direction. Two steps forward, one step back and all that.

I'm not going to make any promises about how frequently I'll be blogging, or Tweeting, or even checking my email, because when I do that something always comes along to pull the rug out from under me. But I will make an effort to write myself notes to do those things. Well...maybe not Twitter for a while yet. I'm still healing, and Twitter can be fast and furious.

I'm working on creative projects again, slowly but surely, and I hope getting back to my books will be in the near future (currently I'm working on a song, they're so much shorter than novels).

Anyway, if you're still with me, thank you for your patience and your faith in me.

Kate

Unreal. You take a little time off for family and health issues and boom, it's two years later! Very, very surprised I've let the site languish for so long. My email has likewise been lonely for my company.

If you've contacted me in the last two years and got radio silence, I apologize sincerely. When things get tough, I forget about tech stuff like having email, checking email, that I even have a cell phone, etc. And things have been really tough. But the good news is things have been getting less tough...just in time for a lovely pandemic.

I should probably state up-front that if you have been hoarding toilet paper, this site is not for you. Similarly, anyone who bought a ton of disinfecting wipes or hand sanitizer in hopes of cashing in on something that is literally killing people will probably not enjoy my "unique" sense of humor.

The virus isn't even in my county yet but people have gone a bit overboard. I get that you don't want to run out of certain things if you're quarantined for up to a month, but--and I may have mentioned this already--THE VIRUS ISN'T HERE YET! Take a package, and leave some for everybody else. If it comes down to having to buy exorbitantly priced toiler paper from you, I'll use leaves first. Or newspaper. Or old magazines I've got on hand because I'll look through them someday but that day never seems to arrive. I will not let anyone make a profit off of me that hasn't already been doing so. 

Anyway, so the things that have been going on include my PCOS (not fun) my depression (even less fun, and in fact rather dangerous), and the adventures of raising teens with autism (also mostly not fun, and sometimes dangerous). For more than a year we were thinking we'd have to put one of our boys in an institution. It did not come to that, and I'm happy to say he's doing very well now, but it was a scary time and everything else went on hold. One of the other boys decided to move out...during a blizzard. That didn't go so well and we're glad he changed his mind.

What do you get when you cross the Bible with modern electioneering and media coverage?

An anachronistic satire of hilarious proportions! My fellow CBB author Jes Saint is posting her story The Campaign in serial form on her blog, and I recommend it for those who enjoy a good pun-filled and irreverent mixture of the old and the new.

I've recommended that Jes add links to the bottom of each post so that the series can more easily be read in order. Until that can be done however, just remember that the older posts start at the bottom of the blog page.

Post One. 

That ended up being a long week. But finally I have emerged from my attempts at hibernation--grudgingly, and caffeinated--to post the finale to my chocolate-y adventure. The image below is linked, but gets me nothing if you buy the cocoas.

Back to the good stuff...

Dec 8, Chocolate Supreme
What sweet, frothy, indulgent comfort is mine as I sip this delicious beverage! Extra chocolatey and smooth to go with it. It's going too fast. This one may be worth a full-box purchase.

Dec 9, Mint
Very nice. Rather like drinking an Andes candy, but less intense. In fact I think it could do with a touch more mint flavor, but it has a nice soft mintiness that I like. Perhaps next time I have this I'll stir it with a candy cane and see what that does for the flavor.

Dec 10, French Vanilla
My supplies are dwindling, and I know the end is near. Well, it's been a mostly good experience, except for Mocha...Mocha sucks. On to tonight's flavor. I've had another brand's French Vanilla cocoa and it was very nice, but the smell of the powder on this one is not making me think happy thoughts. It's a bit...odd. Anyway, here goes. Okay. As with many things the taste is not as bad as the smell. But the oddness remains. It's almost a bit plastic-y, or chemical-y. Definitely not something you want to be the last thing you taste before toothpaste at night. Though at this point the toothpaste will be much more appreciated than usual. May have to wash my mouth out with an Andes candy (the fudge mint cookies are long gone by now).

Dec 11, Hazelnut
Was a bit concerned this might be akin to drinking Nutella, but was pleasantly surprised. The hazelnut flavor isn't overpowering but rather is a subtle complement to the chocolate. Not as frothy as the French Vanilla but a superior taste. This one is soft and mellow, and I could definitely see myself getting an entire box.

Alas, this experiment must now come to an end, for I have no flavors left to try. Land O' Lakes does have a few other flavors, but only eleven came in this package.

[sad, dramatic music]

Hope restored! I have found two of the "missing" flavors at a local store and will be able to add them to my taste journey. I noticed that they had several boxes of French Vanilla, and that flavor was marked down lower than these two I got. *smirk*

Dec 19, Arctic White
I know what you're thinking, white chocolate is not chocolate. And the flavor rather bears that out. There's a nice little bit of foaminess to it, but not what I'd call froth. It's sort of like drinking sweetened milk. Not bad, and certainly nice in its way, which is good because I had to buy whole boxes of these two new (to me) flavors, so there are five more packets of this one to drink.

Dec 21, S'Mores
Nice froth, and a good flavor. I'm getting a definite hint of graham cracker flavor here, but not much in the way of marshmallow. So...since my husband grabbed a bag of mini-marshmallows that were on sale, I'll add some to the cocoa. The two are compatible, and yet somehow the marshmallows detract from the experience. It's S'Mores flavored...the marshmallow flavor is supposed to be present already. And I am reminded of why I rarely put mini marshmallows in my cocoa: the sweetness of the marshmallows makes the cocoa itself seem less sweet, and that ruins the whole indulgence aspect for me. Overall verdict is that while lacking marshmallow (maybe I should get some marshmallow creme and mix a bit in next time?), this is a very nice and highly drinkable cocoa. I don't mind having bought a whole box. Ah, but here is folly, and the fickleness of the human mind: I already have an unfinished box of this in my pantry. I'd already tried it, and just forgot. But to be fair, I was not using cream, so it's almost a different cocoa with that added in instead of being just hot water with the mix.

I'll try to get that box they have of Salted Caramel and add it to the mix.

Dec 26, Snickerdoodle
This has very good froth to it. Subtle flavor, almost like a mix of S'Mores and Cinnamon, not as much chocolate to it. Highly drinkable, but not exciting. It's a safe choice, and a relaxing one, but not indulgent at all. One I wouldn't turn down, but not one I'd specifically request.

Salted Caramel and one or two other flavors continue to elude me, but if I come across them again, I may do an update. For now, farewell and thank you for joining me on this rather silly journey. May the cocoa be ever in your favor.

Kate

And now, on with the diaries...

Nov 29, Raspberry
Unusual but nice. It's slightly luxurious but not something I'd like to have every day. Maybe a once a year thing.

Nov 30, Butterscotch
The combination of butterscotch with chocolate gives it almost a coffee like tinge of flavor. Okay but again not something I'd want to have often, and I definitely would not buy an entire box of this flavor.

Dec 3, Mocha
Horrible! Totally coffee flavored. Had to add a generous scoop of Swiss Miss to make it palatable, and even then I still had to wash my mouth out with a Fudge Mint cookie.

Dec 4, Caramel
Smooth and rich. This one is definitely a keeper. And really after Mocha, I needed that.

Dec 5, Amaretto
Having never had amaretto anything before, I didn't know exactly what I'd be getting. Basically a hint of cherry flavor. For whatever reason, this particular packet of cocoa frothed up nicely, so I got a very relaxing luxurious sort of feeling. Overall it was very nice. Not sure I'd order an entire box of it, but I count it as a treat.

Dec 6, Irish Creme
As I sit at my computer typing while the cocoa is getting a little hotter, I wonder how I'll like this flavor. I saw instant coffee on the ingredients list, but to be fair it was the next to last thing in the list. It probably won't be too bad. 

It's not bad at all. In fact, I quite like it! It's smooth and rich and creamy, and has barely any coffee taste at all. Very soothing. I could actually see myself drinking this regularly. And since it does have that hint of coffee perhaps there's a caffeine benefit that might help me kick soda once and for all (please, allow me my illusions).

The end of the box is in sight now. This saddens me. But I must soldier on and see this journey to its completion. 

Dec 7, Cinnamon
This one was a little underwhelming. It's a good, solid cocoa but nothing more. Didn't froth up at all, and there was no sense of wishing to prolong the taste experience by taking small sips. Could drink it every day, but more likely would make it a second choice to mix things up a little now and then.

Join us again for part two of this adventure in approximately one week. Until then, may the cocoa be ever in your favor.

Kate

Welcome back to the series. I had intended to get rolling on the blog again a bit sooner this year but a rash of migraines have kept me rather unproductive. With a doctor-approved treatment plan, I hope to eliminate the headaches. For now they are greatly reduced, and I am happy with that.

On to the interview. Catherine Howard was Henry VIII's fourth or fifth wife, depending on how you count them. The young cousin to Anne Boleyn caught Henry's eye, became queen, and was executed for treason/adultery all in less than two years' time. 

First off, what is the proper spelling of your name?

Oh, I don’t really care how it’s spelled. I used a K but I never asked my parents how it should be. I wasn’t much for spelling.

You were rather young when you caught Henry’s eye. And he was hardly the dashing figure he had been. Tell us about your feelings when you learned of his attraction to you. Were you surprised?

Goodness, no! Many men were attracted to me. The idea of marriage was somewhat of a shock though.

Did you want to marry him?

I did. I’d never been married, you see and he was so devoted to me. There are a few benefits to being a queen. 

So you never considered saying no?

No one said no to Henry. Besides, all my family was pressuring me about it. You wouldn’t believe how many relatives who wouldn’t give me the time of day suddenly showed up to embrace “dear Katheryn.” I knew it was only their ambition, but I enjoyed the attention. Uncle Norfolk made it perfectly clear to me that refusing was not an option. So I decided I might as well make the best of it.

What do you think was your greatest achievement during your time as queen, brief though it was?

I kept Henry happy. That was no mean feat. King or no he was the moodiest man in Christendom and possessed of a foul temper.

It’s widely believed that you were a silly young girl, incapable of understanding your responsibilities or the dangers of your position. How do you respond to those claims?

*shrugs* I can’t really disagree. Though I would like to say that I have improved since my death.

Do you have a favorite color?

Rose pink.

One of our readers wanted to know who you consider your true love.

I don’t know that any of them were true to me. I can only speak for my own heart, which when I gave it was given in full. Thomas Culpeper was my great love.

What about Dereham?

Oh please. I was a child then. 

Mannox?

He took complete advantage of me. I didn’t know any better where he was concerned.

Is it true that you said upon your execution that you “would rather die the wife of Culpeper?”

Certainly not! I may have been passionate and naïve but I was not that stupid.

If you were going to point fingers, who would you blame for your downfall?

My parents and others who had charge of me. I was taught almost nothing. The people who should have protected me failed in their duty. I was told things but nothing was ever explained to me as a young girl. 

Could you give us an example?

Female virtue. I was told to keep myself pure for marriage but not what constituted impurity. How easy it was for Mannox to tell me that what he was doing left my virtue intact! What did I know of relations between men and women? Only what I observed in those around me, and no one explained wrong behavior to me. I could only my heart to follow. 

What about after your marriage? Surely then you knew that certain behaviors or activities would be inappropriate for a queen to engage in with a man other than the king.

Show me proof of my supposed crimes.

How about that letter you wrote to Thomas Culpeper?

I loved him, that is true. And I longed for his company, but never was there anything in our behavior which would insult the king. Nothing that could be called sinful. The letter proves my feelings for him, but not that I ever acted on them in an improper way. There was no adultery.

He confessed.

After being tortured.

As did Dereham.

Dereham was guilty; he seduced a young girl of no consequence. Had he any idea that I would be queen someday he would not have done so.

Why did you allow him to be your private secretary?

Foolish girl that I was, I thought I had loved him and that he still cared for me. It seemed harmless enough to ensure him a comfortable position as he said “after all we’d meant to each other.”

If you could have lived in modern times, what would you have done?

If I had the same family, I suppose I’d be on Girls Gone Wild. With a different upbringing I might distinguish myself somehow. I’d be an attorney perhaps, or an actress. It’s a shame we didn’t have films back then.

So you’re a big fan of movies then. Do you have a favorite?

Mmm. Legally Blonde.

That’s all we have for this time. Join us again at our usual time for Katherine Parr. Thanks for reading.

Kate