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"The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.
DOROTHY FRANCES GURNEY
Gratefully we've had a few sunny days in June. And we've had more than plenty of rain. Our sunken patio has turned into a wading pond - it rains faster than it drains. And our lovely peonies which were just opening this past week, even though propped up by peony rings, are now hanging their colourful heads in sodden masses on the ground. But all is not lost - the blooms of our mock orange are opening and giving our hearts a fragrant lift. Thankfully they weren't shredded from the persistent rains.
Here are a few photos I took before the rainfall began in earnest.
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After a browse of my book shelves, I found a few titles which either evoke the season of summer, or they include the word "garden", "flower", or the name of a flower.
NONFICTION
An Island Garden
by Celia Thaxter
(orig. published in 1894, part memoir, the author describes what's
going on in her garden on Appledore; a delightful read)
Foxgloves and Hedgehog Days,
Secrets in a Country Garden
by Daniel Blajen
(the author discovers that gardening is much more
than a chore or hobby)
Garden Blessings, Poems, Prose and Prayers
by Jane Cotner
(anthology of writings that offer a common
appreciation of gardens and gardening)
Garden Maker, Growing a Life of Beauty and Wonder with Flowers
by Christie Purifoy
(author enjoys a little bit of heaven
on earth in her garden)
Leaning Toward Light,
Poems for gardens and the hands that tend them
by Tess Taylor
(poems that make the reader want to lean toward the light)
Life in the Garden
by Penelope Lively
(memoir about art, literature, and gardening)
Secret Gardens of Cornwall, A Private Tour
by Tim Hubbard and Photographs by Jo and Rob Whitworth
(take an armchair tour through 20 Cornish gardens)
The God of the Garden,
Thoughts on Creation, Culture, and the Kingdom
by Andrew Peterson
(author writes to wake up readers to the glory
of God shining through his creation)
The Paper Garden
by Molly Peacock
(biography of Mrs. Delany who begins her life's work at 72)
FICTION
A Few Green Leaves
by Barbara Pym
(fiction about English village life)
Elizabeth and Her German Garden (fiction)
by Elizabeth Von Arnim
Flowers in the Rain
by Rosamunde Pilcher
(a collection of short stories that make nice summer reading)
Midsummer Mysteries,
Tales from the Queen of Mystery
by Agatha Christie
(short stories that include Poirot and Miss Marple)
Monk's-Hood
by Ellis Peters
(Brother Cadfael uses his knowledge of herbs from his
garden to solve a 'deadly recipe for murder')
Rose in Bloom
by Louisa May Alcott
(YA novel; "Everyone seems to think that Rose should
get married. Everyone but Rose.")
The Gardener
by Sarah Stewart and pictures by David Small
(children's picture book)
The Last Garden in England
by Julia Kelly
(in this novel, five women are connected
across time to a certain garden in England)
The Lost Garden
by Helen Humphreys
(novel set during WWII, a young horticulturist leaves
London for the Devon countryside to teach a group
of girls about growing crops for the home front)
The Name of the Rose
by Umberto Eco
(novel set in 1327 where Franciscans living in a wealthy
Italian abbey are suspected of heresy. Seven deaths turns
Brother William into a detective)
The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
(children's novel - a forever favourite)
A question I saw recently on social media. "When you find yourself needing to unplug, what are your favourite activities to engage in?"
A: I read, write cards and notes by hand, go for a walk, pet the neighbour dogs when they stop by, lay down for a tiny rest, sit in a sunny nook with a book in hand, watch the birds, notice the clouds, sip something warm or cool (depending), browse a beautiful photo-filled magazine.....
What works for you?
❦
On that note, I'm wishing you a beautiful day,
Brenda
Photo credits:
Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life
If I need to detach myself I usually finish up in the garden, not doing anything in prticular, just wandering amongst my plants. I chat to them, breathe in their scent and feel immensely thrilled that they are with me. It's very relaxing doing nothing!
ReplyDeleteA lovely list of books, some of which I have read, others that are new to me and can be added to my TBR list! If I need to unwind, I'll read a book, take a walk, make a cup of tea, or wander in my garden.
ReplyDeleteWe just spoke with Tim's sister in Red Deer. What deluges of rain you are experiencing! Enjoy the sunshine in between the monsoons, and stay cozy.
I always love browsing your book lists. The Secret Garden is an all-time favorite. I read Julia Kelly’s book just a few months ago and loved it. When I need to unplug I write in my journal, putter in the garden or water house plants, make a cup of tea and read.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful 'stroll' this morning, beginning with one of my favourite verses I often whisper while gardening<3 And your book list tempts me to go through my library and do the same thing! So enchanting and wow, you have a lot of books that sound amazing!! Some are familiar to me and many are not but maybe someday?? When I want to unplug i putter around the house or garden,(mostly outside in the summer) find a book nook with a coffee or tea, perch on a garden bench and bird-watch, roam with my camera in hand...your photos/flowers are beautiful!! It's always so disappointing when the rain shortens their already brief life-span! But like you pointed out, there's always a new flower opening where others have fallen!
ReplyDeleteI pulled out my copy of Leaning Toward Light after reading this, and Flowers in the Rain sounds lovely. I'm adding it to my "look for" list.
ReplyDeleteWhen I need to unplug I putter -- organize a drawer, cull through a small closet ... nothing too big or it might be left unfinished! I also read, or watch cozy English murder mysteries. My husband, The Cowboy, can't understand how I find murder mysteries peaceful, but I actually think it's BEING IN the little English village that does it for me. :)
Your flowers are truly gorgeous! Not much blooming out here yet but the promise is there. If only we had a little more sun after all this rain.