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| Our Pollinator Garden with the neighbor's garden in the background |
Hello Gentle Readers, Honestly Wednesday morning was so lovely, I left the computer for a walk and then carried my coffee to the deck. As the old line of poetry goes, "What is so rare as a day in June?" We must enjoy every one and especially the sunny days with lower humidity. So here I am on Friday.
This week, I am thinking about summer reading and how readers' reactions to books can be so different. I recently decided that I am not going to read a book that has had lots of press. I read the beginning and didn't care for it. I read the first few chapters again, wondering what I had missed. Then I read Margaret Renkyl's reflections on Pilgrim at Tinker Creek (in the NYT's) and noticed how different they were from those of Camille T. Gungy's (Soil: A Black Mother's Garden) thoughts on the same book. I respect both writers and their opinions. Both make valid points. Understanding and thinking about paradox is an interesting exercise.
I am grateful for the rain and warm sunshine. This is the second year for my pollinator garden and it has begun to mature. I replaced a lavender and a blanket flower plant but the others are healthy. The blue salvia and the Husker Red Penstemon thrive. One variety of cosmos self- seeded in the corner of the vegetable plot. All of this growth and color makes me very happy and grateful for where I live.
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| Cucumber hills, tomatoes, cosmos, zinnias and the compost barrel |
I am inspired the kind words and messages I read in this online community. Kindness still exists in the world and it costs us so little to extend and receive it.
Fun! We have plans later in June to visit our daughter and family. All four of our grandchildren are playing baseball or T-ball. I have my travel sock yarn selected, plane tickets, sunscreen, visor, and sunglasses. I can't wait. They will just be getting out of school so all kinds of shenanigans are afoot.
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| Norah, with pink accessories, a pink bat in her pink ballgame backpack |
I hope you are finding joy in these early June days. If joy isn't possible, I wish you time to enjoy the June flowers and sunshine.
I'm with you on thinking about Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. I loved it when I read it as an 18-year-old, but have also appreciated both Camille Dungy's and Margaret Renkl's comments. I'm not sure what I'd think about it now. Your pollinator and vegetable gardens are thriving; here's wishing you the right amount of rain and warm sunshine. I love Norah's well-coordinated baseball outfit and hope you have a wonderful visit!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post, Jane, and such a compassionate closing.
ReplyDeleteYour granddaughter is ADORABLE. My daughter's team color is bright pink this year. I love seeing girls embrace all their strengths and 'letting' femininity be a part of that. In my coming up, it was one or the other, but I can think of very few examples of both. Bet you're looking forward to that trip...
Your pollinator garden looks like a real paradise! I'm so glad you're making space and time in your days to enjoy it!
Hi Jane. I agree with you about reading books with lots of press. I find that my reading tastes are very eclectic and I often disagree with reviewers about books. I love your pollinator and vegetable garden! Enjoy a fun summer with your grands. That is a darling picture of Norah ready for her game! Have a great weekend. See you again soon.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I enjoy a "buzzy" book, but often I find they are not quite right for my tastes. I like . . . what I like. And I'm so glad I finally got to the place in life where I am comfortable putting a book down if it is not a good fit for me! (Why did I ever think otherwise, I wonder?) Your garden looks like it is thriving, Jane! What lovely, magical blooms you have. I'm sure the pollinators are loving it. Here's to a summer with plenty of sunshine AND just the right amount of rainfall. And Norah! I love a girl who knows how to accessorize! XO
ReplyDeleteYour gardens are amazing! How lovely :) And I am taking my own reading journal this summer through fantasy and romance books - two new genres to me! So I think I'm going to miss all the buzzy books of the summer?! But I think your decision to put down a book that wasn't working for you, no matter how popular it is right now, is a very good one. So many books, so little time!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your trip!
I read that same article about Pilgrim at Tinker Creek and it sent me down a rabbit hole of summer reading considerations - a good diversion. Hoping to get some additions into my garden in the next week. How fun to have that trip planned.
ReplyDeleteJane your gardens are so lovely and organized. Every time I read your blog, I can't wait to retire so I can have more time to do all of the things. I'm struggling with reading right now myself. I think I've recently read such good books, that the ones I pick up are dull compared to those. You must be sooo excited to see your daughter and family. I hope you have the BEST time !
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, Jane! Your gardens, your thoughts, and your upcoming trip to see your family! I have never read Pilgrim at Tinker Creek... but I so enjoyed Margaret's thoughts (and I am now on the waitlist for it!) I hope your weekend is as wonderful as this post is!
ReplyDeleteYour garden is beautiful Jane! How fun to plan a trip to see your family… your granddaughter is cute.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to read you are visiting your family, you will have a very good time. June is a lovely month if I were to love summer in any way. This coming weekend we will be flirting with 90 degrees unless the predictions change, sigh.
ReplyDeleteoh ... that Norah just makes me SMILE! (so glad y'all are going to see her and her family this month). And that paradox you described in Thinking About is sparking my curiosity! I can see how Renkl and Gungy might have different perspectives, but I would think there was also a good bit of common ground.
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