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...