I’ve been busy these past few weeks perusing other people’s’ letters.
One book I’ve had for several months, Two Gardeners: A Friendship in Letters, Katherine S. White & Elizabeth Lawrence. The book, edited by Emily Herring Wilson, is a compilation of some 150 letters between White and Lawrence for two decades. It begins when Elizabeth pens a letter to Katherine extolling her story about garden catalogues in The New Yorker Magazine in May, 1958, starting a long and friendly correspondence between them.
The other book, Stillmeadow and Sugarbridge, by Gladys Taber and Barbara Webster, found its way into my hands a month ago. It was sitting on a shelf in the Jackson Square Antique Mall, in the same little cubbyhole of a book dealer where I have been finding books by Gladys Taber for a few years. It is also a compilation of letters, these between Gladys and Barbara, written from their respective country homes, Stillmeadow and Sugarbridge.
Both books are of friendships that endure between women who write with a reverence for nature. They are personal letters between friends that cross seasons of life and seasons of the year.
Members of my garden club are reading Two Gardeners and will have a discussion of it on Wednesday. I haven’t finished it, but, have enjoyed what I have read so far. I know that Marilyn and Lynn will lead us in a lively discussion and I will emerge a better person because of it. I’ve read enough to know that the two writers correspond about gardening catalogues and exchange leaves and flower cutting and that they encourage each other enthusiastically in their writing endeavors.
Katherine White was the famed editor of The New Yorker magazine. She was also the wife of E. B. White, author of Charlotte’s Web. Katherine began a column in the magazine in 1958, “Onward and Upward in the Garden”, which were compiled in a book after her death. Elizabeth was a noted writer for gardening magazines in the South who also published several books. Both women were well read, as most gardeners are.
I have yellow sticky notes hanging out from among the pages, marking passages for reference. One page is marked for Katherine’s June 5, 1962 reference to a series of long articles that were about to be published in the New Yorker that she encourages Elizabeth to read.
” By the way, don’t miss those Carson pieces. They are part of a book and too long for a weekly magazine, but the facts she gathered ought to stir up a hornet’s nest among the chemists and horticulturists. (Our county agent sends us weekly bulletins about spraying the weeds in our lawn with dieldrin. Thiskills off all robins, who die in convulsions after eating the worms that eaten dieldrin and chlordane. And we have almost no bees this year – all killed in the blueberry barrens, by the poison dusts and sprays) . . .
Of course, Katherine is referring to Rachel Carson. The series of articles later became Silent Spring.
Stillmeadow and Sugarbridge contains warm, newsy letters between friends, also writers, about country life, cooking, family and friends with keen observations about nature. I have written several times about Gladys Taber and I know many of you know of her writings about Stillmeadow. She wrote some fifty books and columns in Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal magazines. These letters are full of the wholesomeness of country living, optimism and a grace that calls to me. Their letters are categorized by month. This one is from Gladys to Barbara in January.
“Dear and Far Away:
Do you ever have a moment that is absolutely exquisite? Such moments are rare, they are like holding a pink pearl in your palm. Happiness, I think, is being able to live those moments when they come. I had one going out in the moonlight at bedtime, with three cockers and the Irish taking a last look-around. There was a pale winter mist over the meadows, and the sky was a clear dark wider meadow blossoming with stars. The air was quiet and cold and smelled of woodsmoke.
The front lantern shone on the sugar maples, the boughs were very dark, and motionless.
I held the moment in my hand.
love to Sugarbridge”
The letters in both books are varied; some long, some short, some typed, some handwritten, some mailed in rapid fire succession, others with months between answers. Both books remind me of the art of letter writing and of the pleasure of receiving correspondence in the mail. That these letters have endured the test of time is a gift to the reader. Off I go to read some more.
What a beautiful reflection on the art of letter-writing, and I love the quote from Gladys’s letter. I have a friend who still sends me a wonderful letter from time to time, despite the fact that we have email, and I like to do the same for her. Letters can be so much more reflective, and a treasure to keep.
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I have a few letter writing friends as well, Juliet, and I think I treasure their letters even more now that we don’t write as often. They are treasures to keep, which I do. I mean to write more letters, or at least notes, this year.
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I love the sound of Two Gardeners. I don’t read many books of letters but plan to start soon with In Tearing Haste… letters between Deborah Mitford and Patrick Leigh Fermor, the travel writer. I’m putting this volume of yours on the list.
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Oh, Cath, Tearing Haste will be on the top of my wish list. I love reading about the Mitfords, especially the Duchess (is she now the Dowager?) and this sounds very interesting. Now we’ve each shared a book for our lists. The nice thing about reading letters is that you can easily put them down to return to over time.
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I was so thrilled when I saw my town library actually has In Tearing Haste, I thought I would have to reserve it via the inter-loans county catalogue. I just have to nip over and grab it sometime. Yes, Deborah Devonshire is now the ‘Dowager’ duchess – her husband died in 2004. When I came to that part in ‘Wait For Me!’ I had to stop reading as I became so choked up. I will try to review it over the next couple of days. You may already have read it but if not it is *so* worth reading. I’ll certainly be searching for more books about the sisters and am thrilled that I already own the Mary S. Lovell one and also got ‘Home to Roost’ by Deborah Devonshire from the library.
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Now that you mention “Wait for Me”, I remember that her husband had died. That was actually a Christmas gift last year and I loved reading it. I’ll look for your review. The Lovell one was also a gift last year. I am sorry to say that it still sits on my night table. All I’ve read are the pictures. I must remedy that, but, I still want to find Tearing Haste. Enjoy!
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A lovely post, Penny, which fills me with a desire to read the books you mention – always a sign of a good review. I used to love writing and getting letters, but sadly the advent of email and the ever-rising cost of postage, in the UK at least, means that this is a habit I seem to have lost. It would be a shame if future generations could never read books of letters exchanged in our time.
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Both books are wonderful, Perpetua. Thank you. The good thing about email I think is that people are communicating more often, but, like you, I’ve enjoyed writing and receiving letters in my life. Postage continues to rise here in the States as well, but, there is nothing like receiving a letter in the mail; bringing it in, setting it aside while the tea is brewing, waiting for just the right moment to open it (or, tearing right into it, which I’ve done).
I read your post about your ordination, rather late last night, and will return for a second reading and to comment later today. What a journey you took, and what a blessing you are, Perpetua.
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I’ve had Two Gardeners recommended to me time and again and now you have me even more excited to track it down! I’d never heard of Stillmeadow and Sugarbridge but it also sounds delightful. Is there anything better than a book of letters? I’m reading The Element of Lavishness: Letters of Sylvia Townsend Warner and William Maxwell right now and absolutely adoring it. I’d never read any books by either author before but that’s made no difference to my enjoyment.
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I am looking forward to your review of The Element of Lavishness . . . Claire. I think that sometimes reading about an author, especially through letters, tends to lead us to their books. One of my favorite “letters” books is 84 Charing Cross Road. I pull it out again and again. Two Gardeners is very good and can be picked up for a while, then put down for whatever else being read.
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Both of these collections of letters sound wonderful. Years ago I read all six volumes of Virginia Woolf’s letters and I loved them. Letter writing is a lost art and there is nothing like it today. Thank goodness so many of these letters were kept and published in recent years. Reading a book of letters is a great window into the life and time of many of our greatest writers.
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Virginia Woolf’s letters must have been so interesting to read, Sunday. The are exactly that – a window in the lives of writers. Well put.
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The idea of holding a moment in ones hand is exquisite, Penny!
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Isn’t it, Kate? I never tire of Gladys Taber’s words.
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Dear Penny,
Once again one of your postings has me going to the library web site to search for both books you quoted from today. I so enjoy your writing. And I encourage you to think about the next step.
I’ve heard historians like Doris Kearns Goodwin talk about the death of letter writing. Historians have always depended on letters to help them write their histories and their biographers. E-mails are ephemeral. Goodwin bemoaned the fact that in a few decades no one will be discovering a hidden cache of letters in an old trunk or a deep closet.
Peace.
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Thank you, Dee. I think you would enjoy both of them, for different reasons, but, mostly because of their spirit of friendship and love of nature.
I really admire Doris Kearns Goodwin and will sit down and listen to her whenever she is on television. I would love to hear her lecturing. I spent far too much time in the bookstore in Concord, Mass hoping she would walk in, especially when I heard one of the salespersons ask if anyone had seen Doris lately after someone asked after one of her books. Sadly, Goodwin may be correct. We were talking about this during our discussion today and Georgia reminded us all that what we right is out “there” in that cyber “cloud”, so, who knows. Still-in-law, I love the personal way a letter feels – like it was written just for me.
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They both sound wonderful. I really need to get to the bookstore, or library, soon. I love the description of stepping outside at night to savor the moment.
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I think you would enjoy them, Teresa, especially Gladys Taber. She writes so eloquently of her love of the land, her farm, her dogs. If you ever find anything with her name on it, pick it up and read for a spell.
Isn’t it wonderful to think of just stepping outside? There is so much to savor that we take for granted.
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This post is so lovely (and makes me think wistfully about the life we gave up when we sold our Oregon house) — and your writing has a very real-letter-like quality – any reader would be thrilled to have this post on paper, to re-read often. Do you read Nan’s blog ‘Letters from Hill Farm” ? She has been reading Gladys Taber for a while and I always enjoy her observations and sharing.
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Sallie, that is so kind of you to say. Thank you. Yes, indeed, I read Nan’s blog and especially enjoy her posts on Gladys Taber. “Letters from a Hill Farm” is a favorite blog of mine where I always know I’ll learn of another book, get a quote, “sample” a new recipe, and just slow down for a spell.
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Oh, Penny. This is such a lovely post. It reminds me of us. You and I have not seen each other in years, but are still best friends through correspondence. I doubt that anyone else would be interesting what I write, but love the way we can start right where we left off when we communicate even though there has sometimes been a span of years. Now it is almost daily, thanks to the ease of communications these days.
Your lovely reviews have inspired me to look for these books.
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I was so hoping it would remind you of us, Janet, and I also love how distance and time never phases us. I still have most of the letters you’ve sent, especially those from when we were so young – Actually, I feel young again when we “talk”. Thank you.
I think you would like them both, but, I think you would especially like Stillmeadow and Sugarbridge. Gladys Taber really had a feel and love of the country life that you would appreciate. In fact, if you ever come across any Taber book in your thrift shop wanderings, grab it.
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I’ve put Two Gardners on my TBR list. I own Stillmeadow and Sugarbridge and read it, along with the other Taber books, every few years.
My friends and I might contest a statement that letter writing is dying out! I have ‘penpals’ from all across the US and abroad. The letter I am answering now is 7 letter size pages (8 1/2 x 11) written very closely on both sides so really 14 pages long! I know most of these friends better than I know my own sister who does not like to write letters or read (is she really my sister?) She makes lovely quilts and wall hangings though, something I don’t do.
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I’ve kept on the lookout for “Harvest at Stillmeadow”, Joyce, hoping to spot it for you one day. It is fun to share a joy in reading Gladys Taber and I’m so glad it was through her that I’ve come to know you. I think you would enjoy “Two Gardeners”.
How wonderful that you have such a legion of friends to write to, and I’m impressed that you actually hand write them. What a gift you give to each other every time a letter arrives in the mail. Your story is on paper – your sister’s in her quilts. My sister doesn’t read or write letters either, but, is a wonderful seamstress and crafter.
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These sound like really lovely reads, Penny. The way the friends respond to each other has a graciousness that rarely exists today, even between the best of friends. I think we just move too fast! What would these women do today? Opt for the short exchange of email? Your book club just sounds lovely and I can only think reading these books and becoming familiar with the authors would feel satisfying and contribute to feeling connected to the wonders of nature. So glad you shared them…I’ll add them to that growing list you keep inspiring. Debra
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They are lovely reads, Debra, and, yes, there was a graciousness that no longer seems to exist. Their salutations start Mrs. White and Miss Lawrence, which continues for some time until they start using first names. You know, I think they would all use the internet if they were alive today, but, I suspect they would still be long letters in form. Actually, my emails tend to be lengthy, which my friends and family would most likely agree with. I’m glad to hear you’ve added them to your list (ah, those lists we have . . . ).
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Although I’m not a gardener, your enthusiasm in this wonderful book review makes me wish I had one of these books in hand to enjoy the talk of gardens between these ladies on this snowy evening!
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I think you might enjoy these books, Janet. Their writing and what they read, takes us back to another time, starting in the 1950’s. I hope you are cozy and warm with this snow. It’s mostly fine flakes blowing here right now.
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