In between leisurely walks in the Autumn woods, raking leaves, or conjuring up soups, late afternoons will often find me these days curled in a leafy corner somewhere, pages of words in my hands. It might be a cookbook, a vintage copy of Victoria magazine, or Laline Paull’s “The Bees”, which will be our garden club’s January book discussion.
This afternoon found me in the arbor, sycamore leaves the size of dinner plates rearranging themselves here, there, and everywhere. The sun wove through the latticework. A light jacket kept me warm from the chill in the air and William Lange’s “Tales from the Edge of the Woods” kept me company.
I’ve come to appreciate Willem Lange’s writings since Favor Johnson took up residence on a bookshelf one Christmas. You can read about my copy of “Favor Johnson” here.
“Tales from the Edge of the Woods” is a lovely collection of memories and words in short tales with titles like Sliding on a Shovel, Not Love at First Sight, or The Old Canoe, not to mention Favor Johnson. These are well varnished stories of folks you may know, or wish you did, and simple reflections on life. I hope Mr. Lange won’t mind too terribly if I quote a few words from the story that found me in the arbor today, The Carpenter and the Honeybee. You will need to find “Tales from the Edge of the Woods”, which is available in all the ordinary bookish places, or from his website to read the whole story.
From The Carpenter and the Honeybee by Willem Lange
“She was a honeybee. Just as I was about to put my hand down upon her accidentally, my unconscious mind hollered, “Look out!” and the reflex jerked my arm back. I staggered, out of balance. If she noticed the close call we had both had, she gave no sign, and continued to try to wedge herself into that crack. Intrigued, I put down my plank and bent down to watch her. I wondered for a moment, as I pulled my specs down my nose, the better to see her up close, how it would feel to have a bee sting right on the end of my nose.”
Favor Johnson is a story from “Tales from the Edge of the Woods” as well as a children’s book.
Do you have some favorite books of short stories, memories, or essays?
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I usually shy away from short stories. I feel like I am just starting to know someone and the story is over. However, I do like them if they are about a certain place or people such as the Spoon River Anthology. I do love Christmas stories of almost any kind long or short and have a couple of favorite anthologies that are read and reread every year. Now with essays, I am usually humbled when I read the wise words of others and appreciate that they can say so much with so few words.
Funny, I started by thinking that I don’t like short stories much and now so many are popping into my head that I guess I do like them more than I thought. Tales from the Edge of the Woods looks like just the thing for a cozy afternoon. Thanks for sharing.
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You are very welcome, Janet. Thank you for reading and commenting. I love to share. 🙂
I think that sometimes a great big book of short stories can feel intimidating, then, when we look back at all the stories we know and read over and over again, some from childhood,they become more accessible. I think you might like Willem Lange. His stories seem more connected about the folks in small towns and countrysides. They are pretty short and I do believe a lot of them are read on Vermont’s public radio station.
I love Christmas stories as well and have to practice self control and not start reading them now. I always want to read the Halloween story from Soup and Me each fall.
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This is the perfect time for short stories and Willem Lange is an author I now want to read. His bio and website plus your recommendation left me wanting more! I am very fond of Christmas stories and bring mine out in November so would like to add Favor Johnson to the shelf.
One of the authors I am reading again now is David Grayson, Ray Stanner Baker, who wrote Adventures in Contentment, Adventures in Friendship and The Friendly Road. They are a little folksy but honest. My go-to book of last week was Madeline by Bemelmans as it is the 75th anniversary of the publication. It was one of the first books I memorized and have never gotten tired of. Naturally I have my first copy with the jacket that has held up remarkably well for 65 years or so.
I have a mental picture of you in the arbor with a mug of tea and a warm sweater reading all your favorites. Perhaps Midnight will join you. (Cannot believe anyone would ever name him Snoopy). Have a relaxing weekend.
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He is a good “read” to have around, Marilyn. I think you might enjoy some of his stories, which are really rather short. Lange seems to be to Vermont what Garrison Keillor is to Minnesota. His stories are shorter, though. I just love “Favor Johnson”. It’s a feel good story. As you might gather, I like folksy, and will put – no, just wrote – your authors on my list.
How did I miss Madeline’s 75th anniversary? That is a book for the ages, Marilyn, and how amazing it is that yours is so well kept. You not only have loved reading from an early age, but, have a respect for books that you adopted as a youngster. Do you ever find yourself just saying some of the lines from the book to yourself? I’m smiling, just thinking of Marilyn and Madeline; lifelong friends. 🙂
Funny you should mention Midnight. Jjust as I was heading to the arbor with a book (not Lange’s) I heard a squirrel chattering away in annoyance, then meowing could be heard. I couldn’t locate the jet-black source of it right away, but, shortly thereafter, around the rim of one of the cars, was Midnight, looking for his cup of milk. Not sure if he should be Midnight, but, he is definitely NOT a Snoopy.
It was a relaxing, if wet, weekend, Marilyn, and I thank you. Hope yours was as well.
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It sounds a wonderful read, Penny. Off to investigate. Enjoy the Fall out there on the Cutoff, both of you – hope the deer are all ok.
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It is absolutely resplendent here on the Cutoff, Kate. The deer have been rather reclusive lately, but, the “reindeer” games (aka rutting season) is soon upon us, so, we should be seeing some x-rated activity.
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I don’t like short stories too much — always feel cheated somehow. But I do enjoy memoirs and this book sounds a bit like that’s what it is. I will definitely follow up.
Your Autumn afternoons sound ideal.
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It has been a sterling season, Nan. The colors are magnificent this year and hanging on for quite a spell. The best after several dull Autumn’s of late. I did show Tom your golden late-in-the-day colors and songs. He loved the post as much as I did. Just wanted you to know. 🙂 I think you will enjoy Willem Lange. He is folksy, witty, and a good companion to have on had for a very short read.
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I like the image of you curled in a leafy corner, reading woodland tales. Very mellow and relaxed.
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Thank you, Juliet. 🙂
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When thinking about this, and others among your frequent reviews, Penny, the thought that comes to mind is that you read such “gentle” things. I will definitely look for this one.
I wonder whether you’ve read anything by Linda Hasselstrom? Many years ago I read her “Windbreak: A Woman Rancher on the Northern Plains” — not what I would term “gentle” but definitely “real” and not short stories, although each chapter nearly stood alone. At least that’s how I remember it.
Though I’ve moved numerous times since I read it, and divested myself of many books some of those times, that’s one book I’ve never considered leaving behind. I was delighted a few months ago to find Linda’s Facebook page. See: https://www.facebook.com/WindbreakHouse One of these days I will re-read this book, and I hope to find more of her books in our library. Of course, that could be unlikely since our locale is more about corn, beans and milk cows than range cattle. 🙂
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I do have a tendency toward the gentler read, Karen. I am immersed in a sometimes grizzly mystery writer, Krueger’s books set near the Boundary Waters and UP. Dee Ready suggested him and I’ve been reading them via audio books, guzzling gas to get to the next chapter. 🙂
I’ll look for Linda Hasselstom. Those stories of life on the plains always interest me, and they can be brutal, can’t they? All those pioneering folks endured boggles the mind. I’ll check out her FB page (you knew once I got started there would be not stopping me, didn’t you? 🙂 ) I’ll let you know if she’s in our library system here. Thanks for the suggestion, Karen.
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This sounds like a wonderful author, Penny, and this particular book of readings would be very enjoyable. It sounds like the perfect book to read sitting under the arbor on a crisp fall day! I really enjoy Sarah Vowell and I have always been a sucker for anything that Joan Didion writes. Both are often referred to as essayists, but I am never quite sure essayists and memoirists collide! Categories always “throw me” a bit because I’ll always see the exception! Anne Lamott is hard for me to categorize and I love everything about her and her irreverent, honest writing. I’ve spent the weekend cleaning out the bookshelves again…I’ve sent a few of my favorite “pals” to the Goodwill…I’ve had to be brutal. I don’t think any Vowell, Didion or Lamott were yet sent away this time, however. 🙂 I would love to sit and read in your wonderful outdoor leafy nook, Penny! Hope this week gives me more opportunities for the same!
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Now, that is a collision, indeed, Debra. You have me puzzling the difference. I know of Anne Lamott and Joan Didion, enjoying them both, but not Sarah Vowell. I need to remedy that soon. Thank you for suggesting her. Maybe I should look for her at our Goodwill. 🙂 A few years ago I found a splendid Thoreau, The Men of Concord, beautifully illustrated. I’m sure there will be more sunny, leafy days amid the arbor – life is good.
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Another great recommendation and a some very cozy imagery Penny. You do know how to enjoy the simple, good things.
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Thank you, Janet. I try to – and am usually rewarded. This is a nice little treasure trove.
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[…] Lange, who wrote a favorite story of mine, Favor Johnson, can also be found in Lange’s Tales From the Edge of the Woods. A compilation of stories from radio broadcasts, “Where Does the Wild Goose Go”, sits […]
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