What a welcoming invitation to observe the world around us. Joanna has the audacity to see beauty in the ignored, to be excited by the small and unassWhat a welcoming invitation to observe the world around us. Joanna has the audacity to see beauty in the ignored, to be excited by the small and unassuming, and to be overjoyed by the simplicity of tossing samaras into the air. Like Margaret Renkl's Comfort of Crows, this book implores one to take notice through simple stories in praise of the nature that exists around us, in our cities, in our yards, in metro parks. I was brought back to my years in Nashville, marveling at the wonder that is Warner Parks, learning from the dedicated volunteers on the bird banding team. These stories are a love letter to Nashville and all the nature that exists within the ever expanding city. And Joanna's enthusiasm and appreciation for every little thing is inspiringly infectious. One can't help but appreciate the aphid's place in the food chain, the merits of the besmirched hackberry tree, and the collection of leaves, sticks, and bones that serve as teachers for the world around us. These pages make one want to taste a sourwood and look just a bit deeper at the world around us. ...more
This is an excellent reference for anyone who already has a moss garden or for anyone who is just getting into the world of moss. Techniques and ID weThis is an excellent reference for anyone who already has a moss garden or for anyone who is just getting into the world of moss. Techniques and ID were especially helpful! ...more
This book inspired me to visit Chatsworth on a recent visit to England to see the gardens. The history in the book is fascinating and presented in sucThis book inspired me to visit Chatsworth on a recent visit to England to see the gardens. The history in the book is fascinating and presented in such an interesting way. I really had no idea how many of the plants across the world were brought to England, but stories of ships and foreign lands and wealthy estates racing to see who could propagate the first water lily brought the whole time period to life. This book gave a deeper meaning to being at Kew and Chatsworth and all the history of the plants in those places and the men who risked life and limb for the sake of horticulture. ...more
I’ve been reading a lot of fluff this year to cope with burnout, to escape, to imagine. This book was the gorgeous piece of writing I needed to reawakI’ve been reading a lot of fluff this year to cope with burnout, to escape, to imagine. This book was the gorgeous piece of writing I needed to reawaken something. Of course, the subject of home has always been one close to my heart, with my home being a thousand miles away from where I live, a place that has never quite felt like home. I also find home in the mountains, home in nature, home in wonderful places we travel to. There are many places I could live, and yet we are in a city that means little to me these days, having created a lovely life in a our little house with the big garden. This book reminds me there are many places that will feel like home. I want to embrace this and not feel the pang of loss when I leave those places. I remember being so surprised when Frances sold her home in Hillsborough, but I loved reading about that house, about Bramasole, about the places she restored over the years and the friends she visited with. She lives an enviable life, but one which she seems to treasure no matter what home she’s in at the time. ...more
This book was incredibly helpful for me to read and gave me a whole new perspective on how I organize things the way I do, why it works for me, and syThis book was incredibly helpful for me to read and gave me a whole new perspective on how I organize things the way I do, why it works for me, and systems I can use that are functional and will work for the long term. I redid my filing cabinet and got rid of a massive stack of papers and redid all my categories so things are easier to find. As someone who always struggles with surface clutter and feeling like everything is a mess, this gave me some really practical ways to look at putting things away, or organizing them better out in the open so I find things. ...more
This is what I’d consider a “beginner” book for anyone who wants to get their feet wet in nature. It’s about a man who takes a day a month and spends This is what I’d consider a “beginner” book for anyone who wants to get their feet wet in nature. It’s about a man who takes a day a month and spends it in the woods. For backpackers, hikers, and nature lovers who get out regularly, we relate. The book is as it says, small journeys into nature. He also doesn’t practice leave no trace ethics, but I can only assume that is because he just doesn’t know any better from not having a lot of experience outside. ...more
I stumbled upon this book at a thrift store in East Hampton, and I’m so thrilled I did. Anyone who loves gardening stories will adore this book. The wI stumbled upon this book at a thrift store in East Hampton, and I’m so thrilled I did. Anyone who loves gardening stories will adore this book. The writing is superb, humorous, and inviting. I’m slightly inspired to try a dahlia bulb or two this year at my own peril thanks to this story. Reading the book in January plays right into seed catalog season and I most likely ordered too many seeds being inspired by Martha. If you love gardening, do give this one a try. ...more
Nick writes like he talks, and I loved the candid, wry humor in this book. There was so much I related to and loved here, it’s hard to sum it up. FromNick writes like he talks, and I loved the candid, wry humor in this book. There was so much I related to and loved here, it’s hard to sum it up. From his appreciation of nature, to stories of exploration in the National parks, to friendship on the trails, to farming in the UK (especially this), to camping with Megan…I loved all of it. Anyone who has an appreciation for nature and the earth and our fellow man would thoroughly enjoy reading this tome with a good scotch whisky in hand. I can only hope he discovers blue ridge hiking company someday and I can guide him on a hike in the Smokies. Talk about enough content for an entire sequel to this one, except it’d be more like where the black bear and bobcat roam…...more
I absolutely loved this book. As an avid hiker and pursuer of the 900 myself, the stories Nancy tells about her FKT felt familiar, as were many of theI absolutely loved this book. As an avid hiker and pursuer of the 900 myself, the stories Nancy tells about her FKT felt familiar, as were many of the names along the way. As women like Heather Anderson and Jennifer Pharr Davis have been inspirational to many of us hiking women over the years, Nancy joins their ranks by making it seem possible for other women to set out on the trail and accomplish something incredible. Her trail efforts are intertwined with personal stories from her SAR experience as well. So much of the local Smokies hiking “news” is given some backstory here, and it was once again sobering to realize the power Mother Nature has. I also love her friendship with Chris, who achieved this feat with her. As a married woman who also has a male hiking partner, I love that the friendship is normalized in the book and that their spouses supported their efforts. There is also incredibly practical hiking information included as part of the book. As someone who’s seen way too many people wearing cotton on the trail, I love that her story also reinforces the need for backcountry preparedness. Such a special book that anyone who loves hiking or the Smokies will really appreciate! ...more
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