Father James

Perhaps this post should wait for Father’s Day, but that holiday remains months away and Outlander S.3 is bursting with Jamie’s fatherhood. Patriarch, dad, daddy, dada, da, pa, padre, pop, pappy, papa, poppa, paterfamilias and sire; whichever title you use to address fathers, each applies to Jamie.

Jamie is father to many – his own biological offspring as well as foster son, Fergus. He is also the prototype of a father many dream of having: intelligent, patient, loyal, dependable, steady, strong, firm, confident, protective, and loving.

Lord John Grey provides a sage description of Jamie’s power as a father (Voyager book):

“Jamie—” he said, putting his hand on Fraser’s shoulder. The Scot swung round, his features hastily readjusting themselves, but not fast enough to hide the misery in his eyes. He stood still, looking down at the Englishman.

“You’re right to go,” Grey said. Alarm flared in Fraser’s eyes, quickly supplanted by wariness.

“Am I?” he said.

“Anyone with half an eye could see it,” Grey said dryly. “If anyone ever actually looked at a groom, someone would have noticed long before now.” …

Some sires stamp their get. I have the distinct impression that any offspring of yours would be unmistakable.”

 

Each of Jamie’s children are indelibly stamped by his genetic legacy. One look at his beautiful children and tears spill.

Starz episode 207, Faith

FAITH (Dragonfly in Amber book)

“She was perfect,” I said softly, as though to myself. “So small. I could cup her head in the palm of my hand. Her ears stuck out just a little—I could see the light shine through them. The light had shone through her skin as well, glowing in the roundness of cheek and buttock with the light that pearls have; still and cool, with the strange touch of the water world still on them. “Mother Hildegarde wrapped her in a length of white satin,” I said, looking down at my fists, clenched in my lap. “Her eyes were closed. She hadn’t any lashes yet, but her eyes were slanted. I said they were like yours, but they said all babies’ eyes are like that.” Ten fingers, and ten toes. No nails, but the gleam of tiny joints, kneecaps and fingerbones like opals, like the jeweled bones of the earth itself. Remember man, that thou art dust.…

 

Starz, episode 301 The Battle Joined

BREE: (Dragonfly in Amber book)

“How long … did you hate me?”

Gold eyes met blue ones, innocent and ruthless as the eyes of a falcon. “Until you were born. When I held you and nursed you and saw you look up at me with your father’s eyes.”

…“And then I began to know you, something separate from myself or from Jamie. And I loved you for yourself, and not only for the man who fathered you.”

 

Starz, episode 304 Of Lost Things

Willie: (Voyager book)

He swallowed, and saw the reflection’s throat move. It was by no means a complete resemblance, but it was definitely there. More in the set and shape of the head and shoulders, as Lady Grozier had observed—but most definitely the eyes as well. Fraser eyes; his father, Brian, had had them, and his sister, Jenny, as well. Let the boy’s bones go on pressing through his skin; let the child-snub nose grow long and straight, and the cheekbones still broader—and anyone would be able to see it

 

Father that he is, Jamie has the courage to protect his children by doing what must be done. And, suffers a father’s grief over the loss of his children! Will he ever see his beloved offspring again?

Starz, episode 304 Of Lost Things

 

Haiku to Father James

Leaving his children.

Trust in another’s keeping –

Will it ever end?

 

A deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FF Laryngeal Prominence

 

fun fact, image of jamie fraser's neck

Anatomy def: Throat bulge created by the laryngeal prominence, a hillock of cartilage belonging to laryngeal cartilages. Typically, larger in post-pubescent males than in females.

Outlander def: Most folks ken the laryngeal prominence as the Adam’s apple, a firm mound most visible with neck extended and head thrown back. Some are prominent enough to reflect light! <G>

Learn about the laryngeal prominence in Anatomy Lesson #42, The Voice – No, not that One! Nine cartilages comprise the larynx or voice box; the laryngeal prominence belongs to the thyroid cartilage, the largest of these nine!

Read about the laryngeal prominence in Diana’s third big book, Voyager. Here, Fergus’ Adam’s apple bobs precariously in his slender throat!

It was a savoury made of goat’s meat and bacon, and he saw Fergus’s prominent Adam’s apple bob in the slender throat at the smell of it. He knew they saved the best of the food for him; it didn’t take much looking at the pinched faces across the table.

See Jamie’s very prominent laryngeal prominence as his head drops back in Season 3, Episode 1 The Battle Joined. “Are ye alive?” Barely! “Let me be!” But, Rupert is having none of that. He willna leave Jamie to die alone in the freezing moor mud, even if the lad did dirk daring Dougal!

A deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

Fun Fact: cephalic vein


Anatomy Def: The cephalic vein is a superficial vein of the arm (red arrow) that drains hand, forearm and arm. It carries blood towards the head (hence the name) until it reaches the shoulder joint region where it dives to join the subclavian vein deep to the clavicle. From there, blood continues to the heart.

Outlander def: A delicious ridge of Jamie fresh-flesh! It is a stark standout as he mutters sweet-sweets to unborn Faith!

Learn about the cephalic vein in Anatomy Lesson #17, “The Wedding or Hallelujah Chorus!” Oh, yeah, Jamie’s cephalic vein is just fine and dandy on his wedding night. Look for it as Claire finally gets with the plan and circles his Nakedness. <G>

Read about the cephalic vein in Outlander book! Well, Diana actually describes the cephalic vein –  it’s the one he traces “up the inner side of my upper arm.” Shiver! But she does name the subclavian vein which receives blood from the cephalic. Hope I haven’t lost ye! ?

“Your skin is so fine I can see the blood moving beneath it,” Jamie said, tracing the path of a sunbeam across my bare stomach. “I could follow the veins from your hand to your heart.” He drew his finger gently up my wrist to the bend of the elbow, up the inner side of my upper arm, and across the slope below my collarbone. “That’s the subclavian vein,” I remarked, looking down my nose at the path of his tracking finger. “Is it? Oh, aye, because it’s below your clavicle.

See Jamie’s cephalic vein in Starz episode 206, Best laid Schemes!

A deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist