She is the editor of House & Garden magazine, and is the author of two books about her own house and garden; Around The House And In The Garden, and Paths Of Desire. Each book had affected me deeply. She writes from her heart, and warms mine with her words. In Paths Of Desire, she has a chapter called Sitting Around.
I had been dragging lawn chairs all over my yard for years, since the day I had moved in and first taken a rest in the garden, trying out pools of sun or shade, contemplating the view of the house from one and then another angle through the trees, or across the tattered ribbon of a lawn.
What I loved about that far corner was the long view over the yard and to the house. It was a deeply satisfying perspective. The chair in that far corner gave me some distance on the house; sitting there in the twilight, contemplating my dreams for the garden that I would someday plant, gazing into the living room through the old French doors, I felt simultaneous and conflicting waves of proud possessiveness and disassociation. There is a fascination in looking into your own house as if you were a stranger, especially at the gloaming of the day, when the rooms are lit up, and everyone inside is going about their business as if they were on a stage, but not knowing that they are being watched, one son practicing the piano, which he is supposed to be doing, the other tossing a ball around in the living room, which he is decidedly not supposed to be doing.
We spend so much time inside our houses, looking out, and not enough time looking at our houses from the outside. They are altogether different creatures from that perspective. There were many corners, in the garden, from which to contemplate the big picture.
I first read Paths Of Desire three years ago this month. I was so taken with the idea of looking at the house from a distance that the following June we hauled our heavy iron bench, one of two we inherited from Tom's grandmother, out a ways from the house. I have found it a wonderful place to be. It is like a little vacation spot in my own yard. Occasionally we sit out there together having cocktails with the dogs, but most often I go there alone to sit and look and sit and read. It amazes me what an oasis from daily life it is; not forty yards from the front door. It is where I go to take that "pause in the day's occupations."
Lovely photos, Nan. I hope some day I can come visit and join you out on your bench with a cocktail in hand. :)
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I've read both of these books (and am hoping she'll write another soon!). Here's what my journal says for Paths of Desire:
Rating: C (3/5 Good)
I enjoyed parts of this book, but not nearly as well as Around the House and in the Garden. I found it a bit dull and lacking any pizzaz. Gorgeous cover, however. :) Looking back at all the passages I highlighted, I think I enjoyed the book more than I remember. Certainly not something to read quickly, cover-to-cover, yet lots to relate to -- at least in the first half.
Here are two of my favorite passages:
"The stories a suburban garden will tell you are about birds and skunks, driveways and neighbors, fountains and furniture, dreams disappointed, then resurrected. And at its best, the suburban garden will become a place for enchantment, casting its gentle spell on all who pass through."
"Much of how a garden feels has to do with all the things that happen in the course of gardening, things that have little to do with plants or beddings. The arguments, the surprises, the mistakes, the delights, the laughs, the tears, the shortcuts, the long ways around -- and the memories."
I'll save my thoughts on Around the House for a future post on my blog.
That would be such fun! I've always wondered if your low grade was due to when you read it. Honestly, to me it is just a continuation of the first book.If you go here, you may read her "welcome" pieces in H&G.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.houseandgarden.com/
magazine/editor/
dbletter_20070709
Her house (and garden) are on the market, if you want to buy it. :<) It is clear she is ambivalent about selling.
Hi Nan - I've never read either of her books, but I loved that passage. Now I'll have to read the book! Your bench is very cool - we "inherited" a very similar one when we bought this house - I love it. I love having sitting places throughout the yard, and one of my favorite places is on the dock. I can look up into the yard, over my gardens, and into the house. Your photos are beautiful - I love your house.
ReplyDeleteNan, your home and garden are beautiful. I love your vacation spot.
ReplyDeleteHi Nan, when you mentioned the title of the book I just remembered that I bought and read it in 2005 when I stayed in Boston. I've got the paperback (Scribner).The headcover shows a bench !!! (D. Browning's bench??).Me too, I liked to read this book and I fully agree to the comment made in the Chicago Tribune " This is not just an account of one woman's gardening woes. It is a journey - sometimes bittersweet - that slowly reveals the importane of family and friends..."
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day! Barbara