One day last week while researching something else (don't remember what!) I came across a picture of a page from Emily Dickinson's herbarium. Of course, I was immediately interested and started to dig deeper. Although I've read some of her poems and noticed that many of them are about flowers, I didn't fully realize until that moment that she was also a passionate gardener and lover of nature! I'm now reading a wonderful book called The Gardens of Emily Dickinson, by Judith Farr. I've often thought I was born in the wrong century, and reading this book makes me so wish that I could have known her! When I get done with this book I am going to go back and read all her poems, with a brand new appreciation! 😊 Meanwhile, inspired by her herbarium, which contained over 400 specimens of plants from both her garden and surrounding fields and woods, I have started my own little herbarium. I already had a fair amount of pressed flowers and leaves because I love to tuck them into letters and between the pages of books, so a few pages have already been filled. And there are lots more being pressed right now! I just wish I had thought of this in the Spring! I will close with the words of an enthusiastic 14-year-old Emily Dickinson in a letter to her school friend: "Have you made an herbarium yet? I hope you will if you have not, it would be such a treasure to you." It is certainly a pleasant occupation and will be such a comfort on those cold winter days that are fast approaching!
6 Comments
Nancy
9/27/2018 10:58:40 pm
Love this idea. I have been pressing flowers for years. They are just stuck in books all over. On a recent trip to Ireland I brought home some beach heather. I will need to do something special with that.
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I love it when I open a book I haven't read in a while and find some flowers from a previous summer. Usually brings back memories. :) A trip to Ireland sounds wonderful and how special that you were able to bring something you found growing there back with you!
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Diane Bailey
9/28/2018 10:23:06 am
Thank you for your beautiful writing and pics! In these troubled times, it brings me peace!
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What a lovely idea to put your summer 'memories' into a book. Your cover is beautifully done, too. I haven't pressed flowers in years. I used to have a press that my spouse made for me. I must have given it away, as I haven't seen it in a while, probably gone in one of my rare 'purges.'
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AuthorI am a passionate gardener and seed-saver, who also enjoys playing the violin and accordion, running, spending time with my 4 golden retrievers, keeping chickens, photography, and reading. Archives
March 2019
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