I have never made dandelion wine, but I read part of Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine years ago. (I was a fan of The Martian Chronicles and disappointed that DW wasn’t science fiction.) The dandelions are blooming here and I wondered whether you use the flowers or the stems. However, I’m not sanguine about boiling dandelions when so many weed killers are squirted in the neighborhood.

Here are the ingredients and a link to the recipe online. It looks simple.

INGREDIENTS FOR DANDELION WINE

• 1 quart yellow dandelion blossoms, well rinsed
• 1 gallon boiling water
• 8 cups white sugar
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 lemon slice
• 1 (.18 ounce) package wine yeast

I would recommend MUCH soaking as well as rinsing!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS POST-MODERN BOOK COVER?

The Janeites have been oddly quiet in their celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. I expected bonnet-sightings, buddy reads, and Jane Austen-inspired fashions.

Last year I reread four of Austen’s novels, so I am temperate, too; it’s too soon to reread her complete works. And in Captain Nemo’s view, that is a good thing. He cannot understand the extent of the fandom. And it can be over-the-top: costumes are worn at the revival of the 2005 film of Pride and Prejudice. At my age, I would dress as Mrs. Bates, which I might do by flinging a shawl around the shoulders and wearing a cap (but all I have is a Fordham baseball cap).

Anyway, my quiet celebration consists of rereading Persuasion. Anne Elliot is my favorite Jane Austen heroine.

And this is my favorite quote in Austen’s novels. Anne wittily says:

“My idea of good company, Mr. Elliot, is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.”

“You are mistaken,” said he gently, “that is not good company, that is the best.”

Mr. Elliot is not, however, the romantic hero: that would be Captain Wentworth, who, ideally, would be played by Clark Gable or Gary Cooper, depending on your interpretation. I see Joel McCrea as Mr. Elliot.

Every year I enjoy Anne’s company more, though I don’t approve of her turning down Captain Wentworth when she was 20. (She was persuaded by family and mentor.) She tries to persuade herself, and us, that she was right: it is better to be persuadable, she thinks, than rash like Louisa Musgrave, a young woman who endangers her life by impetuously jumping off the steps at Lyme despite Captain Wentworth’s warning.

But the present is all that matters. It is a pleasure to see Anne bloom again in the company of two suitors. She is in charge of her own life now.

TGITh! and have a good weekend.