What a lovely essay. White's book is one of the first I read when I started my garden! Thank you the reminder to circle back to it these many years later.
Hi, Connie! Speaking of bedtime stories, here’s another. A dear friend has a granddaughter, age 4, who wants to be brave but has not found it to be easy. I told the friend about Lola and the Troll, and she bought a copy and read it to her. Grandma was concerned that one part might be uncomfortable, but granddaughter was “processing” and OK. And grandma heard that granddaughter asked for Lola again at bedtime.
I have added Katharine White's book to my to-read list---for more wonderful gardening reading I would suggest My Vegetable Love: A Journal of a Growing Season by Carl Klaus. He writes of vegetable gardening, but also of community and his lovely wife and his cat and his students (he was also a college instructor).
That is a wonderful essay! I always wondered why your dear children were so far apart in age, and now I know. That reminds me of my Dad’s cousin whose children married multiple times, bringing various & sundry kids into her family. She never differentiated between them, as they all became HER grandchildren. We had an exchange student from Australia, who came back here to live permanently. He’s been married several times & has children & step-children; to me, they are all bonus grandchildren! A wonderful surprise & additional joy for me!
Hi Connie--i loved your gardening story/amibitions. Would you post a picture when it is all planted and then when it is in bloom later this summer. I am inspired but so lacking knowledge!
I love your gardening musings. I, too, love planting although I’m not very good at planning my planting. This is a bit frustrating for my landscape architect husband!
Your Denison students are so lucky!
By the way, I do think Walter and Sherrod look an awful lot alike! Both are pretty cute!
So nice to start a gray chillier-than-it-ought-to-be May morning with tender discussions of cottage gardening, the grands, and that writers' match made in Heaven, Elwyn Brooks "Andy" White and Katharine Angell. Based on what I've read of New Yorker essayist Roger Angell's reminiscences of life with his mother and Andy, neither of them would ever have dismissed him as either "blood: or "step."
Hi Connie -- such a good way to handle the ebb & flow of work -- to be surrounded in the house by treasures with great memories attached to them (or treasures whose memories have faded but are treasures nonetheless). And also to have a place to sit outdoors when the Ohio weather allows. I had to smile when I read about your cardinals. I have a birdfeeder on my patio & throw seeds & nuts on the ground for the squirrels, chippies & pigeons. We go through a lot of birdseed every week & occasionally briefly I'll wonder if it's a silly expense. But then I'll hear the multitude of sparrows chatting with each other, & feel the rhythm of the cardinals there early for breakfast & then later for dinner, & the starlings & the woodpecker, & the newcomer KSU black squirrels who moved a bit north to Shaker Heights. I get such joy & peace from your stories.
Ah, a new garden is so exciting! It's a wonderful opportunity to create something that not only welcomes the human family but the wildlife family. I'm hoping there are Ohio native plants in the design. Native plants support the insects and berries that birds need to be healthy and raise their families. (And I know how you love your birds.) Non-native plants have little appeal to the moths and butterflies that call Ohio home, and provide those juicy and nutrient-rich caterpillars. Entomologist Doug Tallamy writes and speaks about how we can help restore nature, right in our own backyards. Check out his books, "Bringing Nature Home" and Nature's Best Hope". Also, you have a fabulous native plant nursery in Delaware: Scioto Gardens. (I will now step off of my soapbox. :) )
Hi Connie. Nice to come home to your column after a lovely day with old friends visiting from New Mexico. Weather here in Dublin was showing its good side for a change. Hope you were able to finish your grading and got some sleep. I don’t envy you having to grade writing. Gardening sounds like a lot more fun. We have Annabelle hydrangeas and a host of peonies starting to bloom big time. So beautiful.
Just ordered the Katherine S. White book. Loved this essay.
Thank you so much! I feel refreshed now! I must look for that book. I’ve read most of E. B. White but not Katherine
I always enjoy reading your posts. You are such a sensitive writer. Thank you.
What a lovely essay. White's book is one of the first I read when I started my garden! Thank you the reminder to circle back to it these many years later.
Hi, Connie! Speaking of bedtime stories, here’s another. A dear friend has a granddaughter, age 4, who wants to be brave but has not found it to be easy. I told the friend about Lola and the Troll, and she bought a copy and read it to her. Grandma was concerned that one part might be uncomfortable, but granddaughter was “processing” and OK. And grandma heard that granddaughter asked for Lola again at bedtime.
Carl, I’m so glad that little girl seems to like Lola’s story!
I have added Katharine White's book to my to-read list---for more wonderful gardening reading I would suggest My Vegetable Love: A Journal of a Growing Season by Carl Klaus. He writes of vegetable gardening, but also of community and his lovely wife and his cat and his students (he was also a college instructor).
You r lovely
That is a wonderful essay! I always wondered why your dear children were so far apart in age, and now I know. That reminds me of my Dad’s cousin whose children married multiple times, bringing various & sundry kids into her family. She never differentiated between them, as they all became HER grandchildren. We had an exchange student from Australia, who came back here to live permanently. He’s been married several times & has children & step-children; to me, they are all bonus grandchildren! A wonderful surprise & additional joy for me!
I love your musings and how you dig in and find the humanity and love always-just like a gardener:) So grateful to have you in Ohio☮️
Hi Connie--i loved your gardening story/amibitions. Would you post a picture when it is all planted and then when it is in bloom later this summer. I am inspired but so lacking knowledge!
I love your gardening musings. I, too, love planting although I’m not very good at planning my planting. This is a bit frustrating for my landscape architect husband!
Your Denison students are so lucky!
By the way, I do think Walter and Sherrod look an awful lot alike! Both are pretty cute!
Thanks, Connie!❤️
So nice to start a gray chillier-than-it-ought-to-be May morning with tender discussions of cottage gardening, the grands, and that writers' match made in Heaven, Elwyn Brooks "Andy" White and Katharine Angell. Based on what I've read of New Yorker essayist Roger Angell's reminiscences of life with his mother and Andy, neither of them would ever have dismissed him as either "blood: or "step."
Your writing always make me smile, and fills my heart with hope and joy. I always need that. Thank you !
Hi Connie -- such a good way to handle the ebb & flow of work -- to be surrounded in the house by treasures with great memories attached to them (or treasures whose memories have faded but are treasures nonetheless). And also to have a place to sit outdoors when the Ohio weather allows. I had to smile when I read about your cardinals. I have a birdfeeder on my patio & throw seeds & nuts on the ground for the squirrels, chippies & pigeons. We go through a lot of birdseed every week & occasionally briefly I'll wonder if it's a silly expense. But then I'll hear the multitude of sparrows chatting with each other, & feel the rhythm of the cardinals there early for breakfast & then later for dinner, & the starlings & the woodpecker, & the newcomer KSU black squirrels who moved a bit north to Shaker Heights. I get such joy & peace from your stories.
Ah, a new garden is so exciting! It's a wonderful opportunity to create something that not only welcomes the human family but the wildlife family. I'm hoping there are Ohio native plants in the design. Native plants support the insects and berries that birds need to be healthy and raise their families. (And I know how you love your birds.) Non-native plants have little appeal to the moths and butterflies that call Ohio home, and provide those juicy and nutrient-rich caterpillars. Entomologist Doug Tallamy writes and speaks about how we can help restore nature, right in our own backyards. Check out his books, "Bringing Nature Home" and Nature's Best Hope". Also, you have a fabulous native plant nursery in Delaware: Scioto Gardens. (I will now step off of my soapbox. :) )
Hi Connie. Nice to come home to your column after a lovely day with old friends visiting from New Mexico. Weather here in Dublin was showing its good side for a change. Hope you were able to finish your grading and got some sleep. I don’t envy you having to grade writing. Gardening sounds like a lot more fun. We have Annabelle hydrangeas and a host of peonies starting to bloom big time. So beautiful.