Women In-Spirit

“It had been startling and disappointing to me to find out that story books had been written by people, that books were not natural wonders, coming up of themselves like grass. Yet regardless of where they come from, I cannot remember a time when I was not in love with them -- with the books themselves, cover and binding and the paper they were printed on, with their smell and their weight and with their possession in my arms, captured and carried off to myself. Still illiterate, I was ready for them, committed to all the reading I could give them ...”      - Eudora Welty  I have always been in love with books. Luckily I was born into a family of book lovers that could not physically pass a book store without stopping in "for just a second." I remember my first bookstore in downtown Springfield, Mass. it was called Johnson's. Multi-floored with new books, art supplies and my favorite area the used books. Towers of bookshelv...

  In my jewelry box two pieces sit side by side in silent companionship. What stories could they share with each other? Conversations of family, adventures, and celebrations I imagine are whispered quietly within. Each piece could not be more different in style or design. One is of a classical nature and the other a bit more modern in form. Each speaks to me of the personality of two women I have never met though with both I share DNA. I am their Great Grand daughter. Elizabeth Christie Kindred my Fathers Grandmother of English descent and the other Emilia Olofsdotter Widestrand my Mothers Grandmother from Sweden. This necklace belonged to Emilia. When I take the long strand of black beads in my hand I lace them through my fingers. The stones are silky soft, smooth and each is knotted in place. The pendant, a silver round of concentric circles, the outer circle a border of inlaid diamonds. In the center a star burst with eight points and a center diamond...

Sara Teasdale.   Some years ago now, at a library book sale, I came across two small volumes joined together with a rubber band. I was living in Carlsbad, CA and that particular library used to set up a section of antique books...it was always the first stop for me. There is something special about an old book with it's usually worn cover, dog eared pages and sometimes if I'm lucky a little something extra will be tucked amongst the pages, something forgotten. You can always tell a book that has been loved as the energy of a past owner still lingers. In this case the slim volume was "Flame and Shadow" by Sara Teasdale, published in 1920  and the other, a newer volume of the collected works of Teasdale. Both had been owned by the same person as handwriting in both was the same and obviously this woman had loved the poetry of Sara. The borders full of notes and thoughts.  I had the feeling that I had fo...

Elizabeth Mann was 13 years old, attending the Emerson School in Salt Lake City, Utah and it was May 16, 1925 when she started this little autograph book. It is a rather plain little book with the pages tied in, covered in a simple brown binder which is creased and the title "Autographs" stamped in gold is now fading. I found it in an antique store in a pile of books and paper ephemera. It's another from my collection that I have been sharing here on my blog. Some entries are sweet and a little corny. As the book continues her family must have moved to Eureka, NV in the end of 1925 as the entries are all noted as being from there. Eureka is in the North Central section of the state and is high desert and located on route 50 "The Loneliest Road in the United States." It was a mining town in the 1860's mainly for silver and lead. Population today is around 1300.                  ...

Lydia. A picture from my antique photograph collection of women.  All that was written on the back of this photograph was Lydia. I purchased it from an antique store in Minden, Nevada. It looked like it was torn from an album, which just pains me no end! Her photo spoke to me; her intent gaze, the slight smile upon her lips, and a strong jaw. She looks elegant in her lace and large, beautiful, floral embellished hat but there is something rather small town about her. There is an interesting applique on the front of her gown that can be just slightly made out and a small pin at her throat. Lydia was lovely indeed!

Miss Crystal Beach, Crystal Beach, Florida. Ca. 1925.   Look at this modern woman! I came across this postcard amongst my Grandmothers things. Note the cropped hairdo, the loose shirt and knee britches with socks and flat shoes. I love her relaxed, confident stance in the picture. No posing girlie-girl in a bathing suit! In fact rather a masculine shot. Crystal Beach Florida was named for Crystal Beach, Ontario Canada and founded in 1912. It was founded by a Mr. Avery and a Mr. Rebstock. and their development company. Crystal Lake Beach in Canada was on Lake Erie and was a health spa at one time and an amusement park. It too was known for it's crystal cleat waters. Two gentleman from Texas then took over the development and laid out the streets in squares and they made a seaside parkway so that all the residents of the town could enjoy the beauty of the Gulf. These men were Dr. J.D. Hanby and Mr. A.D. Powers. "We will forever hold this strip of land a...

Adelma Grenier Simmons, the First Lady of Herbs. I'll never forget the first time I saw Adelma Grenier Simmons as she appeared seemingly to be floating down a garden path. In her long flowing cape and cap she looked like a ghost from the past and against the back drop of her colonial home ca. 1740 and the ancient trees and herb gardens I was instantly under her spell. Caprilands Herb Farm, her creation, was a magical place full of wonderful smells, beautiful vista's of farmland, lovingly tended herb gardens, and handcrafted food and decorations. My memories are perhaps rose colored but I found the place and Adelma an inspiration. It was in the late 70's when my Mom and I discovered Caprilands in Coventry, CT. It was a lovely summers day and there was an inviting green lawn under large old trees the dark, colonial house  enveloped in green. People were laying on the lush grass relaxing after bike riding. It was a welcoming place. We were char...

Here is another look into my autograph book collection. This one belonged to Alice Irene Renwick from Merlin, Ontario Canada. She went to the Merlin Continuation School. The book dates from Oct. 21, 1929 which I discovered was Alice's birthday. She was 16 years old at this time. Her parents were David and Jeanette Fraser Renwick. You'll be able to tell right away that times had changed from the earlier more formal and proper Victorian entries. These are more playful, casual and definitely more risqué. Alice wrote in the beginning; School mates, friends, companions dear, All your names are welcome here, And all who love me I invite In this book to write-  My favorite has to be the following;         In the parlor there were three,         He, the parlor lamp and she.         Two's company without a doubt,         So the pa...

Marianne North 1830-1890.   I came across the story of Marianne North when I was researching Victorian plant hunters. To say that the Victorians were passionate about plants is an under statement. In true Victorian fashion everything was bigger than life and done and often over done with a flourish! It's the adventurous spirit, the enthusiasm, that I admire about this time period and it's what I found to be inspiring about Marianne. This was a woman who dared to have an unconventional, exciting life in a time when women did not have a lot of choices. Frederick North, Marianne's father, was a member of parliament. He traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Middle East and Marianne was his traveling companion. Early on in her life Marianne came to believe that "marriage was a terrible experiment" of which women became nothing more than an "upper servant." She was gifted in music and painting and very interested in botany. While they were in ...

"Gusta" Otto's autograph book to the right with leaves on cover.1883. Here is another look into my collection of autograph books, diaries, and scrapbooks. Augusta Otto, or "Gusta" as she was affectionately referred to throughout the book lived in Tripoli, Bremer county, Iowa. Her parents were from Prussia as so the census of 1870 says. They were farmers. Her mothers name was Catherine but I was unable to make out the fathers name, perhaps Gerrard but I can't be sure. Augusta was born in 1869 in Iowa. This album must have been a Christmas gift because the date inscribed in the cover is Dec.25th 1883 and she would have been around 14 years old. The autographs  and sentiments within span many years.              Miss Otto-                             Every  action of o...

Masha Ericksen Arms had a unique way of looking at life. She looked at life with the eye of an artist and the heart of an explorer and seeker. She was ahead of her time in many ways; pioneering photography as a career for women  in the 1930's; being an advocate for land conservation in the 1950's and even learning transcendental meditation in the 1970's and it was not a surprise to see her as an active and vital woman and artist well into her 90's. She was kind, generous of spirit, and always curious. A natural born teacher.    She was born Clara Harriet Ericksen Oct.4, 1908 in Fitchburg, MA. A direct descendant of Leif Ericksen. Her parents Andrew and Clara were Norwegian immigrants. Masha planned to become an art teacher and went to New York to study. She studied dance and became a model. Sometime in the 30's she picked up a Leica Model G 35mm camera and her first photo's were of vaudeville acts and circus performers. She started doing fashio...

Antique autograph books and journals. Upper left autograph book is Mary Williams, gold and brown. From time to time I'll share the wonderful contents from my collection of autograph books, journals and scrapbooks. They are wonderful time capsules of history that capture the memories, emotions and hopes and dreams of the young women who kept them. Besides the beautiful handwritten sentiments the pages are sometimes filled with hand drawn pictures, small photo's, floral cut-outs and little surprises tucked inside. Presented to Mary Williams by her friend Florence, October the 23rd, 1879.                          The first entry is from Florence;                      I have looked your album oer and oer          ...

To infuse an object of your inspiration with your Spirit, your true, essential Self, you focus your love upon it and that action moves you to create. No matter what my Mom focused her attention on it was infused with love. Lill-Sie Knower on river boat tour -Sacramento,CA Lill-Sie Knower She was an amazing woman and her legacy was the love of her family and friends, of people she touched in all walks of life. Her light brightened many lives.           Born on Long Island, NY she grew up in a neighborhood with many ethnic backgrounds and           she was known to go door to door seeing what every one was cooking, hoping to get a taste.           Helping a German neighbor prepare food for the many teachers that boarded in her home she         ...