Meet Riversleigh Staff
Albert and Freda Morrow look after the rookery and the kitchen garden. Freda keeps a good supply of ‘the sister’s’ favourite grain and knows each bird by name. Albert busies himself growing vegetables and keeps the house supplied. Right now he is harvesting peas and folk are sitting out shucking buckets of the little green pearls.
Regina Stoby was a matron of a small country hospital until she came to Riversleigh. She has been here for more years than she cares to remember. Guests often just call Reggie ‘Matron’. She has big arms and is ready to wrap a weary traveller up in a rug and bring them a nice cup of cooks chicken soup.
Colleen Andover is one of the housekeepers at Riversleigh. She keeps the vases filled with fresh flowers. At the moment the roses are blooming at Riversleigh and the perfume is drifting through opened windows.
Loretta Walsh is the in-house herbalist and acupunturist at Riversleigh. She spends hours sourcing herbs and root plants from the nearby hills with her companion dog, Walter.
Hannah Oakes tends the seed beds and regularly plants new seeds as residents arrive.
The Westover Triplets look after the old stables and the mares that take residents on night rides.
what a wonderful crew you have assembled here, Heather, really magic
The richness of color and saturation on the page is lovely. I look forward to spending time with each of these staff members when I arrive at Riversleigh.
I can assure you that knowing that they are here makes me want to spend time – in the garden, with the mares, with Walter, and to swap secrets with the acupuncturist.
These images continue to inspired me!
Thanks Carol and Julie. Your ongoing support an encouragement is making all the difference and inspiring me to develop the short portraits. It would take awhile to trace the lives of all these people who keep appearing, demanding to be drawn.
Terrific — this reduces my tasks to
keeping a pot of stew burbling in the kitchen;
and, by reposed attention,
keeping cats off of the porch swing
where I can hear Emmine’s harp
through the parlor window.
These images and people are so very special. They make the place come to life. I just loved them.
Such a comforting crew! I had to scurry back and add some extra goodies for each of them to my bags and of course a large sac of corn for the rookery residents.
Yes, it does look like there is nothing left to do here but be our creative best. Now, I’ll just pur my feet up and see what happens.
Been drawing in your sleep again Heather? There is such a profusion of riches here, so many people to meet ( or hide from ) and they look so sociable and kind-hearted. I could do with checking in on Matron but I don’t know if scullery maids have to ask permission. I’m going to stash my odds and ends in the tiny room that’s been allocated to the lowest of the low domestic staff – then I’m going to formulate a plan to endear myself to anyone who will be in my corner and slip me the odd treat.
Jan
The staff is amazing! They have been so very helpful as I’ve settled in …especially the triplets as I love to ride at midnight.
Magical mares too … dancing in the moonlight. Very nice. Feeds my Soul in nurturing ways.
I have Just read my mail. I am so sorry to hear your news. Light a candle and watch the warmth of the flame and know that you are thought about.
I will wait and listen like many others. I will be at the Manor.
Susan Preston (agjnseac)