This week I’m in Manhattan, on a research grant from the day job, spending my days at the Pierpont Morgan Library. I am in my element here, I have to say. I spent Monday with photocopies of manuscripts and yesterday morning with microfilm, but I worked with a manuscript from around 1440 yesterday afternoon. Later this week, I will look at an early printed book from about 1530–not an incunabulum, like I said in the title, but “early printed book” doesn’t fit in the linky title line very well!
I get these chances to do research very seldom, but they are always revelatory when I get them. Not only do I enjoy doing this research, like a pig in clover, my aunt would have said, but I’m very good at it. It boosts my self-confidence immensely to dust off my paleographic and language skills, immersing myself in the alien cultures of 15th- and 16th-century England and France and finding myself so very much at home.
I find that I am storing up all the experience like photographs of loved ones, to take with me. I can pull them out in low times to remember who I am and where I come from.
I’m not meeting my other goals due to spotty internet, but I will have time to catch up when I return home. I am ecstatic that I could start this Round with such a wonderful sprint, or to follow on my fledgling images from last Round, a breathtaking soar far above the treetops.
Kait’s post about best practices and checking in with others is a very good one. Please add the best practice of encouraging everyone; they are listed here.
Elizabeth Anne Mitchell 
Sounds like a good reason not to be meeting your goals at least. The experience is good for your writing, too, since it gives you more to build on.
Thank you for stopping by, Patrick. I’m finding the research feeds into the novel in a wonderful sort of synergy, exactly as you say. I hope you have a great rest of the week.
you sound like your’e having fun – archives and research can be amazing – I can’t manage the old handwritings and language so you are way ahead of me – plenty time to catch up – all the best:)
Oh, I had a lot of fun, Alberta. It’s always good to dust off the things I learned and actually use them–it is gratifying to be able to make my way through things still!
I’m glad you’re getting back to yourself, and I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week!
Spending days surrounded by centuries’ old books sounds like just about the best job in the world. That, or the start of a Lovecraft story.
Glad you’re beginning the new round with such high spirits!
Lol, a Lovecraft story–too true! I’m an administrator for the majority of my job, so it makes it all worthwhile when I can immerse myself in the old stuff that I love.
It is lovely to begin on such a high note–it makes it all seem possible. Have a lovely week, Jeff, and thanks for stopping by.