If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.
~ E.B. White
One such day, which was already planned, was not a particularly seductive one, but, it was a challenging one filled with the usual chores, responsibilities, and the this-and-that of life to attend to. There was someone to visit and a stop at the vegetable/fruit market before returning home where I set about preparations for our supper.
While the chicken was marinating, I checked my emails, my blog comments and your posts, then suddenly realized that there was a lecture I had hoped to attend; The Pen and the Trowel with Marta McDowell. When I first read about it, the lecture sounded interesting and the name of the speaker was vaguely familiar. Funny, isn’t it, how life’s tidbits of information marinate as we wander along in life? I clicked onto the saved informational link, which still sounded interesting, and wondered aloud if I could still attend.
Explore the ways that writing and gardening intertwine with author and speaker, Marta McDowell. For years, McDowell has been occupied with writers who garden, and how their horticultural interests have changed her planting beds as well as her bookshelves. Starting with Mark Twain, and connecting to authors ranging from Henry David Thoreau to Louisa May Alcott, this lecture explores that rich, writing-gardening connection. Instructor: Marta McDowell, author and horticulturist. *
The lecture was at 7pm. It was already 4:30. Could I make it? I scurried about like the little chipmunk who gathered the stuffing out of the pillow on my porch rocker (not the one pictured above). I registered online, changed clothes, made sure all was in place for Tom’s supper and off I went to one of my favorite places, the Morton Arboretum.
I parked in the lot behind the Sterling Morton Library and enjoyed the short walk to its doors. If you have not visited this library you should. Membership to the Arb allows you to check out books but all visitors may enter, browse the stacks of books, learn something from the curated displays and more! The Sterling is, indeed, sterling in its embrace of nature.
Like the seasoned gardener and horticulturist she is, Marta McDowell sowed her words like flower seeds through the garden writings of such notables as Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) and Emily Dickinson, Louisa May Alcott and Ralph Waldo Emerson. She shared photos of her own garden’s many transformations after being influenced by the writings of many authors, as well as having visited many of their gardens while researching her several books.
In the course of Ms. McDowell’s lecture, I learned of the friendship between Samuel Clemons and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Stowe would often cross the lawn between their two homes and take plants from his large conservatory. Their neighbor was Charles Warner, who wrote “My Summer in a Garden” (note to self, check this out). She reminded us that before Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” there was “Flower Fables” and that Beatrix Potter used features of her own Lake District home and gardens in her adored illustrations. The web of writers, illustrations, photographs and more cast a spell upon me that made me want to learn more about writers who did, indeed, improve the world while also enjoying it. It also reminded me of the shelves of books I have about gardening; shelves groaning with poetry, essays, literature, and lifestyles and I am filled gratitude for how words and photographs have shepherd me along my own garden paths.
My “aha” moment came when I saw Marta McDowell’s newly released book, and I realized she had authored such books as “All the Presidents’ Gardens”, “Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life” and “Emily Dickinson’s Gardens”. It was my dear friend Janet, aka Country Mouse, who recently alerted me to a book giveaway she knew I would be interested in, which I was, and which included some of these books as well as her newest book, “The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder”.
Do you have a favorite gardening writer or author who influenced your garden or your lifestyle?
The link to that giveaway can be found here
Here is a link to Marta McDowell’s lecture schedule. She might be in your area, in case you are interested: http://www.martamcdowell.com/events
*From the Morton Arboretum website.
Your posts are always so inspiring, Penny, and so lovingly crafted. I’m glad you made it to the lecture. 😃 😄
A book I love is Rosemary Gladstar’s MEDICINAL HERBS. Some of my characters have herb gardens. Rosemary’s book is so practical and has lovely color photos and recipes. Love Thomas Pakenham’s MEETINGS WITH REMARKABLE TREES. I have some plant encyclopedias as well.
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You are so kind, L. Marie. I appreciate it and I thank you.
I do know Rosemary Gladstar’s book and should revisit it. Thanks for mentioning it. I have my treasured copy of MEETINGS WITH REMARKABLE TREES on a coffee table and spend time communing with it on a regular basis. I love that book and I love that your characters have herb gardens. Right now, the plants in pots on our deck are fading, but, the herbs – ah, the herbs are having their day. 🙂
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I love the passion that all of these writers share, including you. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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Thank you, Mike. It is a passion, for sure. You are very welcome. I always enjoy it when you stop by.
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I love the Sterling Library too, and sometimes I go there to write or work on The Artist Way or other self-paced classes. It’s generally quiet and if the weather is good, there is a lovely outdoor reading garden. But there are so many books and so little time, so many lectures and workshops and so little time! This lecture you attended sounds wonderful, especially for writers who love the outdoors (like me.) I signed up for the giveaway and added some of Marta’s books to my reading list. Thank you.
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“so many books and so little time” – how true this is, Sue. I find myself with piles of books that I haven’t read and then stop at a library and haul more home. 🙂 Marta McDowell was also doing a lecture the next night at the new writer’s museum in Chicago. I am itching to go there and hope to someday soon. So many libraries in our area host excellent lectures. I do try to go to a few – when I remember. 🙂
You are very welcome – and I hope we both win one of those books.
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I think the part of your story that most charms me is how you stopped where you were headed and did a quick turn-around to get to the Morton! I know the challenge that it is to “gear-up” for a last minute push in the day’s energy! But you were richly rewarded, and that’s the encouragement to each of us. I enjoy Terry Tempest Williams who writes from a conservationist perspective and I find I enjoy books that speak to ecological issues. I haven’t found an author that speaks clearly to gardening in the west, which has very specific requirements. I think if I were a little younger and lot more ambitious I might be tempted to go into writing for the Southern California gardener. I’ve signed up for on-line courses and tried to “get answers” before only to be told, “Oh, you’re in California? I don’t know how to address your questions.” I think that is changing, but slowly. Marta McDowell will be in San Diego next year. I would seriously consider visiting! I smiled while I read this post and thought of your adventure, Penny!
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I was, indeed, richly rewarded, Debra. I haven’t read Terry Tempest Williams in a very long time. Thanks for reminding me of her works. You would be most excellent at writing about gardening in Southern California. Your own garden’s transformation into a native garden is phenomenal and would be an inspiration as well as a tutorial for so many in your area. Do any of the state universities in your area have Master Extension Services?
I was hoping you would see that Marta McDowell will be in your neck of the woods. I think it is her lecture about Beatrix Potter, but, sure only of her lectures would be interesting.
Thanks, Debra.
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I chuckled after responding your direction that I would write about the western garden if I were a little younger. I am far from very knowledgeable at this point, and I do eye some wonderful extension courses, but don’t seem to have the drive necessary for follow-through! I have thought a “good book” to write would be a diary of all the missteps I’ve taken. That in itself could be very useful! 🙂 Yes, Marta McDowell’s lecture was Beatrix Potter and I think that would be delightful. I would love an excuse to go into San Diego, so I’ll bookmark that thought. 🙂
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Lovely post, Penny! “I scurried about like the little chipmunk who gathered the stuffing out of the pillow on my porch rocker.” I loved this!
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Thank you, Jill – and you should have seen that pillow. 🙂
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What a wonderful post Penny , I love the way you describe your day and can totally relate . I often feel the same way, but I am glad you went to the lecture. I was going to listen to Robin Sloan’s promoting his latest book “Sourdough” but I didn’t get myself together. It seems that in the evening I am only good for my easy chair.
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Thank you, Gerlinde. I think I really needed to get out and away from the news and activities of that day. Most evenings, I’m only good for my own easy chair. 🙂 “Sourdough” sounds interesting. It is either “on hold” or checked out in virtually every library in my very large system. I will be on the lookout for it.
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It has been too long since I gardened to relate to the author and her books, but I take inspiration from you for the way you hustled around, changed your planned routine and got out there to the lecture even though you almost forgot about it. (That happens to me too often these days — having lots of leisure time makes me careless with it .) I will try harder and think of you when I do!
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I can certainly hustle when motivated, though you should see me at the moment in a static state of “doing-nothingness”. 🙂 I do become careless myself with leisure time, Sallie. The phrasing that one expands or contracts to fill the space applies to me. As always, thank you for stopping by and hoping the Pacific northwest is calming down.
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What serendipity, Penny. This is a lovely blog, and your own writing seems to flower and fruit like the gardens. I love your description of the speaker who ‘sowed her words like flower seeds through the garden writings of such notables as Mark Twain . . . ‘ and ‘made me want to learn more about writers who did, indeed, improve the world while also enjoying it.’
Here I am, housebound for 3 weeks while recovering from surgery for an injured knee. I’m longing to be out in nature, but the next best thing is catching up on your blog. I would have jumped up to be at that lecture too, had Marta McD come to my area. It’s such a great theme, and I can tell how dear it would be to your heart.
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It was just what I needed at the time, Juliet, and soothed my soul while inspire my own words and writing. Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate them.
Oh dear – how sorry I am to hear of your recent surgery and injury. Here’s hoping that your healing is swift and steady and that you will be up and about soon. It sounds like some physical therapy may be part of the process and then hopefully you will be out and about enjoying your spring.
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Thank you Penny. I seem to have caught the family virus now, so while my knee is doing well, I’m still lying low.
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Oh no! Stay abed and speedy recovery on all counts.
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Pure serendipity! You were meant to hear Marta McDowell speak! I absolutely love ‘Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life.’ Thank you for letting us know about ‘The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder.’ Heartfelt thanks for encouraging me to visit the Sterling Morton Library on my very next visit to the Morton Arboretum!
Your beautifully chosen words always add such peaceful feelings to my days, Penny! Your soothing writing style brings me the same joyful gifts as Gladys Taber’s ‘Stillmeadow’ books. You both inspire me with wonder!
Huge hugs, dear Penny! ♡
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Oh, do visit the Sterling, Dawn. It is a little gem among the trees. With your membership you can check out their books.
Thank you, my friend. Such sweet things to say and to mention me along with Gladys Taber – well, my head is overflowing with delight. I love her “Stillmeadow” books and have quite a few of them and I often turn to her for inspiration. You are kind.
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That sounded like the perfect lecture for you Penny! Some of the best events I’ve attended were last minute like that!
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It was!
I agree. Sometimes that impulsive “I’m just gonna do this” is what we need, whether lectures or music or people of interest.
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Very interesting about authors and their connection to gardening – May Sarton is one of the writers who has influenced me, and I remember now her love of gardening. Thanks for the reminder.
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You are welcome, Sheila, and I thank you for mentioning May Sarton. I have read very little of her writing and should remedy that.
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