We had a delicious rain yesterday. It sprinkled all day. That slow, steady rain I remember from childhood days of playing in puddles and quacking like ducks. No thunder. No lightning. No theatrics. Just a soft, summer shower to wash off the dust of this long simmering season, refreshing our souls and replenishing our soil.
As I often do, especially in summer, I turned to my gardening books. There are books about the physical practice of gardening; the anatomy of plants, the science of roots, horticulture.Then there are books about the physical pleasure of plants; the arranging of flowers and aesthetics of gardening. It is there that I found myself burying my nose as the rain washed down on this small little life on a cut off road.
A book I always enjoy and have written about before is called A Time to Blossom by Tovah Martin. It is one of those books that always give back to me more than its purchase price, making me smile with its gentle words and pristine photography.
I settled like fairy dust on this picture of hollyhock dolls. I don’t remember ever making them, but, I wish that I had. Maybe next year I’ll grow hollyhocks, just so I can.
What a wonder that a soft summer rain can bring to our hearts and our souls!
Oh, we made Hollyhock dolls. Ours were not as elaborate as those pictued. Often our dolls wore dandelion hats. The hollyhocks grew along the fences in the alley and were free for the taking. We would put the dolls together and put them in the wagon in an attempt to sell them to neighbor ladies. My sister allowed me to participate because I was “little” and sometimes ladies would buy because of the little, cute, and pitiful factor. The dolls sold for 2 or three cents depending on the size. They had to go fast on a hot day because they would wilt. We had better luck selling to our Grandmother. Interesting considering they were her flowers and her toothpicks that we used to put them together. Usually though, a home made cookie was the price. They were so fun!!!
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Two cents – or a cookie. What more could a little girl want? I love knowing this, Janet, and can imagine you, your sister and friends, young entrepreneurs, peddling hollyhock dolls, which would be lined up in your trusty wagon. As I type, I’m wondering what I can make from the Rose of Sharon blooms on the tree outside of the window. Hmmm?
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Now you are the FOURTH person I’ve heard talk about hollyhock dolls this summer. I’m amazed. Isn’t that the way? You hear about something for the first time and then hear about it again soon. I have loved my hollyhocks beyond words. There’s nothing like them.
I was just moderating my comments and saw one from Janet. How very nice that you came over to visit me, and that we ‘met’ here!
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Ha! I’ve had this happen, many-a-time Nan, where something appears out of nowhere, then again and again. Hollyhocks are such a unique summer flower, aren’t they, and once you know them, you never forget them.
I’m so glad that you and Janet have met. She is a great admirer of Lucy Maud Montgomery and has visited Prince Edward Island several times.
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What memories you elicit. Yes, hollyhock dolls are so much fun! My grandmother’s were huge, tall plants I think that grew next to the smoke house. You must pick up your gardening books and curl up in a cozy chair the next time you have a 3 AM “spell”.
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The thought of your grandmother’s hollyhocks growing next to the smoke house evokes such warm and wonderful images to me, Marilyn, and I can only imagine the delectable things that must have come out of that smokehouse. Perfect! I will remember my gardening books next time I have a spell. Thank you.
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Yes, hollyhock dolls were the most fun! The hollyhocks grew beside the outhouse…I think the idea was for the tall plants to hide it, but during my childhood we were no longer using it though it was still standing. I highly recommend your planting some hollyhocks just for the fun of it next summer. My daughter who is 35 planted some at her house last year!
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Oh, the pictures I have seen of hollyhocks next to the outhouse are many. Between outhouses and alleyways with garbage cans, these lovely flowers have valiantly shielded several things and gave you memories of summer that your daughter is now planting. What fun. I will certainly think of planting them next year. Thank you.
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It’s lovely that you turn to your gardening books simply to enjoy, maybe lose yourself in them for a time. I tend to use them mostly as resource and I think that’s a loss to me! The Hollyhock dolls are just adorable and completely unexpected! I really think they’re delightful. I know the rain must have been a welcome change, refreshing the spirit! Debra
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There are so many gardening books that are sources of joy, Debra, and they have inspired me in so many ways. A Time to Blossom is really about mothers and daughters in the garden and full of remembrances of that bond (and the bond of grandmothers as well). Aren’t the dolls fun? A good way to spend a summer afternoon. The rain was so very welcome, even more so because it didn’t come in a torrent and high winds. We take these gifts when they come, don’t we?
I hope the earth hasn’t moved any more out there.
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The hollyhock dolls look really charming. I can imagine you making some with Kezzie. But first grow the hollyhocks, as you say. I hope the rain brings some soothing after all that fierce heat.
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Aren’t they fun, Juliet. I hope Kezzie and I can have some fun like this some summertime day. The rain was so very welcome and it came without the storms that we often get. It was such a gift along with cooler weather.
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So glad you are getting some rain, Penny. MTM’s mom says it is cooler, too. Looking at gardening books is always inspiring, especially on a cool, sprinkly day.
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It feels good here right now, Andra. The other night dipped into the 50’s, bringing good sleeping weather, even for a night crawler like me. Hope your classes are winding down.
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I have never seen hollyhock dolls, Penny, how utterly delightful! We might try these….
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They are ripe for the picking, Kate, and full of delightful fantasy.
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We did that when I was a child and I taught our daughter how to do it! Sweet memories. Lovely post
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What a fun pastime to pass on to your daughter, Sallie. Thank you.
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