Women In-Spirit

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         ...