Archives for June 2010
Emily Dickinson and the Power of a Morning Glory (metaphorically speaking)
Last week I took my daughters to the Botanical Garden of New York to see the Emily Dickinson: Poetry of Flowers exhibition. Emily D. was a huge gardener. She spoke the language of flowers and wrote hundreds of poems about the plants in her own garden. The Botanical Garden has posted huge posters of Emily’s poems near the flowers and trees she wrote about. My kids enjoyed the exhibit, wandering around looking for people dressed in garden-themed clothing. They weren’t as pleased when I made them recite the poems out loud for all the passersbys to hear. Inside the conservatory they’ve created a mini-Emily Dickinson house and garden. Again, there were poems related to the things she grew.
My personal favorite was a little poem about a little flower that we grow in our community garden plot.
I am alive — I guess —
The Branches on my Hand
Are full of Morning Glory —
And at my finger’s end – The Carmine —
There’s a lot more to the poem, but I get stuck on the morning glories. They seem like such a lovely metaphor for Emily’s work, although not her life. The plant is easy to grow. It tenaciously finds a hold for each tendril and keeps seeking, searching for more. It will grow out or up or even under (as their neighbors, my onions, have reason to know). They bloom only when no one is looking.
Here are my morning glories:
Are there any morning glories in your garden?
Prisoners in the Palace a Flamingnet Top Choice
A teen reviewer said:
”
I loved this book. It is an interesting mix of mystery, secret motives, and romance. My favorite character, besides Liza of course, was a teenager who went by the name “Inside Boy.” He lived inside Kensington and no one knew he was there. As the story progresses the action’s pace picks up and brings everything to an amazing climax that will leave readers satisfied. I think the most interesting part of this book is that it takes a look at what would most likely happen to a maid who had been dismissed from Kensington and how some of the newspapers operated at the time. The most amazing thing about this book, however, is that many of the plot lines have some truth in them. At the back of the book, the author gives her reference books and websites so that the reader can further explore the life of Queen Victoria. This book is a definite read for anyone who likes romance, historical fiction, or just a good plain book.”Reviewer Age:16Reviewer City, State and Country: Mineola, TX U.S.A.
What Karen Cushman says about “Prisoners in the Palace”
“I loved getting to know Victoria before she was Queen Victoria but she’s only one of the rich characters in and around Kensington Palace. Prisoners in the Palace is a delightful behind-the- scenes look at Victorian royalty and the making of a queen. I enjoyed it immensely and recommend it highly”.
11/3/10 I’ll be hosting a showing of “Young Victoria”
Come join me at the Westport Library on November 3rd at 6:30. I’ll be talking a little about my book and introducing “Young Victoria.” I’ll stick around to answer questions afterwards. This event is sponsored by the amazing Jaina Lewis, Teen Librarian in the McManus Room at the Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880.