A great novel is a kind of conversion experience. We come away from it changed. — Katherine Paterson, Gates of Excellence
Misty of Chincoteague book cover, photo courtesy Harford County Public Library
The warm summer sun has set me adrift to another place and another time. I’m compelled to visit a novel cherished by many girls of my generation: Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague, published in 1947.
If you’ve ever fantasized about throwing up your hands … don’t. They can be real page turners.
But really now.
If you’ve ever fantasized about throwing up your hands, leaving everything behind, and taking up painting in a seaside cottage, this read will have you glued to its pages. Welcome to Kate Chopin’s The Awakening.
I read The Awakening in high school. Wow, that seems like a long time ago! I believe the word remonstrate can be found on page 22 of the book 🙂
Jane says: Page 22 it is! “She could not but believe it to be thoughtlessness on his part, yet that was no reason she should submit to it. She did not remonstrate, except again to repulse him quietly but firmly. He offered no apology.”
TEASER: Also from The Awakening, page 118:
“Outside, away from the glow of the fire and the soft lamplight, the night was chill and murky. The Doctor doubled his old-fashioned cloak across his breast as he strode home through the darkness. He knew his fellow creatures better than most men, knew that inner life which so seldom unfolds itself to unanointed eyes. He was sorry he had accepted Pontellier’s invitation. He was growing old, and beginning to need rest and an unperturbed spirit. He did not want the secrets of other lives thrust upon him.”
Hankie on its way, my dear! (Please send your address to megan@maryjanesfarm.org)
Chances are, being a garden-minded gal, you’ve read The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett at least once in your life. But maybe you haven’t, or maybe it has been too long since you let yourself get lost in the lush tendrils and vines of this timeless story. That’s the beauty of The Secret Garden – rather than gathering dust over the years, it somehow blooms fresh every time you read it.
Even now, a century after its original publication, you’ll find yourself wandering through its pages like the paths of a garden, peeking among the leaves and delighting in the discovery of a new flower or fruit that you hadn’t noticed before.
Here, let me show you …
LOVE this book, definitely one of my favorites… the story never gets old no matter how many times I read it!
I have not read the book, and now plan to. I’ve been growing flower beds, and herb gardens, ever since I moved into my first house. I hated living in my basement apartment, and promised myself, that when I did get my first house, I’d shower it with flowers. Now I am working every year on showering our farm house. When we moved in, there were waist high weeds all around the house. Extended family gave us flat rocks and I started designing and filling flower beds. I remember my neighbor, way down the road, pulling in and telling me he could bring his tractor down and dump the dirt for me. I said “thank you” but kept hauling it in a wheelbarrow. Each year we continue to bring life to the property. Each year I enjoy sitting on my porch and seeing all that color, the birds, and peace it all brings.
“My Secret Garden” is one of my very favorite stories and movies too. I myself grow my garden in wheat Straw Bales. Very easy on the back and pray bones, little maintenance and easy on the water bill. I get the largest strawberries in the area and herbs and awesome sugar snap peas. I still use the ground for some of my gardening but this is great for strawberries especially.
No need for soil and very little amending is needed.
“My Secret Garden” is in my head,in my thoughts of my wonderful 46 year marriage to a teacher of children, our own included….My outdoor reflective garden is in process of being redesigned by me, as a place to experience the beauty of what is around me at anytime of the day…birds, insects, green old growth bamboo, 4 hugh old fashioned spireas, 2 ‘kiss me at the garden gate’ shrubs I recently purchased and planted for next Spring, hubby’s (purchased from you) Sweet Lena’s, and other old fashioned plants from my southern childhood, and favorite places. Thanks to you for reminding me of this beautiful story of another’s Secret Garden.
Pingback: Secret Garden Coloring Book | Raising Jane Journal
This week, my bookish brain is fixated on Jane Eyre (pronounced AIR). You know I can never resist another Jane, let alone a good story about raising a Jane. Well, a new film version of the book was released a few months ago, and it sure does look intriguing. But Jane Eyre isn’t all romance and intrigue, though there’s plenty of that.
tommie huffman says: I loved reading Jane Eyre so much growing up that I named my daughter Eyren (pronounced Erin) Jane! Can’t wait to see the new movie!
Haven’t seen the movie Jane Eyre, But a really good movie about women Is “The Help” extra good. Saw this on Thursday and so enjoyed it. Talk about strong and great Women. Love it. you have to see it. Hugs Juanita
Marilyn says: I loved Jane Eyre. There is nothing like an old fashioned book to curl up with and get lost in the plot. I love the English settings in books, it could be that I am of English descent among other nationalities.
Happy Reading
Marilyn
Julie Berberich says: I thought the latest Jane Eyre movie was excellent. The actress who plays Jane is perfect for the role. The movie is very well done. I enjoyed it very much.
Pingback: Pinch me! | Raising Jane Journal
Haven’t you always admired people who “jump into work head first”? Are you one of those people who strain “in the mud and muck to move things forward”? (For sure, there’s plenty of mud and muck to go around, and I’m not talking mud and muck.)
And if we’re not going to dive right in and strive for meaningful work, what Marge Piercy calls, “work that is real,” why bother?
I love this New Girly/Glitzy/Glam Farmgirl Blog that you have decided to do. I think it will be a huge success and a way for you to more intimately connect with all the On-Line MJF Girls. And the whole generational side to it makes it all the more appealing.
Now…go ahead…bless our socks off! Just like you always do!
peggy
macattack says: I never use my original stoneware, you have reminded me that probably it’s “time” to move on and sell or give it away. It’s been in my china cabinet on display for 30 years, something I need to rethink. I really love your new blog and will look forward to it everyday!
carrie skinner says: Fortunately for my mother who passed on 20 years ago,my oldest daughter got her good china which saw the light of day maybe twice in their long life.Now it has an honored place in my mom’s china cabinet(which the same daughter inherited).I say fortunately because I am not one of those girls that let pretty stuff sit on a shelf and get dusty.I like lookin’ at it and holdin’ it in my hands.
So since I didn’t inherit the good china I have for years been collecting an assortment of all the everyday dishes that my mom used over the years as I was growing up.Just a piece here and ther till now I have a whole china cabinet filled with the stuff, a very colorful collection.And it gets used at least weekly and some of it daily.And if I happen to break one then I take that as a sign that it’s time to go thrift store or garage sale shopping for something new to add to my collection.
carrie
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
Pingback: Wind, Waves, and Wild Ponies | Raising Jane Journal
Oh, my! We just listened to the audio book this weekend while on a trip to Virginia. The whole family loved it!
small world, this book is sitting on our coffee table right now! I pulled a copy I’ve had since my childhood off the shelf to read to my 7 year old daughter the other day! The kids in the story are just now starting to work and save money for the wildest pony ever 😉 What a treasure and so fun to share my memories of the story with another generation. thanks for sharing…
I loved this book when I was a little girl. I also loved the sequel, Stormy. Thanks for reminding me of these wonderful books.
How can I receive this in my e-mail….Raising Jane Journal….it is wonderful
We’re working on it. Coming soon! Happy you found us.
This was also one of my favorite books as a child! I was lucky enough to have my parents actually take me to Chincoteague once and it was beautiful. I hope to someday take my niece to the pony swim, as she is a horse lover like me.
I lovingly remember this book from childhood. Thank you, MJ, for posting that visual link to a wonderful childhood.