tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post5027558907710146573..comments2024-03-28T15:00:12.581-04:00Comments on Letters from a Hill Farm: Book Report/Dear Friend & GardenerNanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-4840752531373965642008-02-03T17:52:00.000-05:002008-02-03T17:52:00.000-05:00Les, thank you! I usually take out my post it not...Les, thank you! I usually take out my post it notes before I take the picture but it struck me that this would be a fun photo showing how very many there were. I really loved the book.<BR/><BR/>Pat, I haven't read the 3000 mile garden. Maybe next Jan and Feb. ;<) <BR/><BR/>Gloria, isn't that the truth about philosophy! I read both Henry Mitchell and Charles Dudley Warner last year, and found them full of it, as well as humor. That's the other trait I just love in gardeners. What else can you do but be philosophical and laugh?!Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-73674734665389428932008-02-03T17:01:00.000-05:002008-02-03T17:01:00.000-05:00Nan,what a great review. British garden books are ...Nan,what a great review.<BR/> British garden books are different from american ones in that they do not often include the common names of plants. The first book I read that used botanical nomenclature exclusively was by John Brooks in 1985 and named simply 'The Garden Book'.I was lost.<BR/>After 20 years of determination to learn, today the same book can be read without having to look up every other plant. Having the entire botanical world at the fingertips via the internet has helped a great deal. So has volunteer work at public gardens,and reading a lot of british authors work. It sounds like a job but was really a love of reading and plants combined. <BR/>Not necessary to get plants to grow.<BR/><BR/>Gardeners world-wide, new and experienced alike, do seem to enjoy passing on a bit of philosophy. Communing with the earth and growing things just seems to bring on a contemplation of the garden and life.Gloriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02510052722805573141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-32629026659044662722008-02-01T12:29:00.000-05:002008-02-01T12:29:00.000-05:00I'm a reader so I don't really mind January and Fe...I'm a reader so I don't really mind January and February - and now I've got new books for my must read list, not only Dear Friend and Gardener, but also the 3000 Mile Garden (I love Leslie Land). I'm already a fan of Beverley Nichols and his wonderful British Wit.Commonweederhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10913336590036045901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-89841078529128631762008-01-24T16:29:00.000-05:002008-01-24T16:29:00.000-05:00Oh, my! Another to add to my Amazon wish list. I l...Oh, my! Another to add to my Amazon wish list. I love reading epistolary works and this one sounds lovely. As always, you've written an outstanding review! And I love the picture of your book, littered with sticky notes. :)Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08345657431432380804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-76857888487586993292008-01-20T17:21:00.000-05:002008-01-20T17:21:00.000-05:00Lisa, I was so pleased to read what you wrote. I ...Lisa, I was so pleased to read what you wrote. I struggle over each book report, but it's good for me to do them, I think. But, gosh that was nice of you. I own the 3000 book, and look forward to reading it, especially now. Thanks for mentioning it, and I hope Peg read your comment.<BR/><BR/>Heidi, I, too, am such a fan of Alan T. I so wish we got the 'real' BBC over here, and not just BBC America. And yes, I own and have read some Beverly Nichols. I just love his writing.Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-17832313128308416292008-01-20T06:03:00.000-05:002008-01-20T06:03:00.000-05:00I have heard of Christopher Lloyd and seen him on ...I have heard of Christopher Lloyd and seen him on BBC gardening shows. Reason? I am a big Alan Titchmarsh fan! I really miss him now that he has stopped. I wish he was still presenting Gardener's World. I love that he still does the Chelsea Flower Show each year on the BBC. It is a treat. This book sounds really wonderful. Your discription of feeling like a child listening to adult conversations was so descriptive of how we loose something precious when we 'grow up'. What a treasure to have captured a few of those moments in reading this book. <BR/><BR/>Have you read any of the Beverly Nichols books Nan? I have them in my basket to order and wondered if you have an opinion on them?<BR/><BR/>Hugs ~<BR/>HeidiHeidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05306674979528881706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-25454397708612641132008-01-20T01:21:00.000-05:002008-01-20T01:21:00.000-05:00To follow up from yesterday's post, I thought I'd ...To follow up from yesterday's post, I thought I'd let you know that I've reserved the book at the library. There are three copies in the system, so I hope I get one soon.BooksPleasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721650104596705715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-83161494018150587492008-01-19T13:09:00.000-05:002008-01-19T13:09:00.000-05:00Nan, I wish I could write how I think and feel abo...Nan, I wish I could write how I think and feel about a book like you can. It was as much of a joy to read your review as it is reading the book. You have expressed so many of the thoughts I have had while reading this. I am not quite finished reading it but will finish soon.<BR/><BR/>It is funny that you have so many papers in your book. I have turned down corners and underlined sentences etc. I only do this on books I figure I am keeping and this is one of them. <BR/><BR/>Another book about two people writing back and forth is _The 3,000 Mile Garden_. It is an older book but since you enjoyed Chrito and Chatto you might like The 3000...by Leslie Land and Roger Phillips. There is more contrast in their gardens and gardening styles but the chat is great.Lisa at Greenbowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07743973292900758183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-10617934673204619422008-01-19T09:51:00.000-05:002008-01-19T09:51:00.000-05:00Bonnie, thank you for saying that. You know, I th...Bonnie, thank you for saying that. You know, I think it is worth owning. It is a book I will go back to again and again.Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-50519696354225250972008-01-19T09:47:00.000-05:002008-01-19T09:47:00.000-05:00Margaret, I wonder if those columns have been coll...Margaret, I wonder if those columns have been collected. He really was a good writer. I would often stop during my reading and just think about the way he put words together. I just love the passion of that person who would go over to the garden. It just makes me smile.<BR/><BR/>Nancy, thanks so much. I really had a hard time writing it. You know how sometimes when you feel strongly about something, it can be hard to put it into words? I so loved the book.<BR/><BR/>Barbara, I feel the same way. I just wish I'd read it when he was still alive.<BR/><BR/>Thanks, Carol. Again, I am so pleased you introduced me to the book.<BR/><BR/>Peg, I love thinking of you reading the January letters this month. There are a couple fiction letter books I have loved. One is a kid's book called Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary. And have you ever read Griffin and Sabine? There are a couple sequels. Quite magical. I've read a few letters books, but I can't think of any nonfiction back and forth letters such as these. I just loved reading them.<BR/><BR/>Booksplease, I think it gives any reader the courage to just begin gardening. That was the wonder of it to me- that these two great gardeners were not intimidating, but rather just the opposite.<BR/><BR/>Joanna, you bring up such an interesting point. But that very thing is what made the letters so appealing, so real to me. And I also think that Beth Chatto was going through some really hard times, particularly watching her dear husband fading away. So often he couldn't walk even a short distance. Toward the end, she didn't even want to leave for overnight. And during the course of the letters, she had some sort of depression, I think. And yet, she came back from it with the vigor and enthusiasm to begin thinking about and building a new tea house.Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-83066831916660637592008-01-19T09:44:00.000-05:002008-01-19T09:44:00.000-05:00Another book I might have to BUY~~ it's not in th...Another book I might have to BUY~~ it's not in the library. Or else I need to get the interlibrary loan working for me! <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the great books to read!<BR/><BR/>BonnieBonniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03944984613918619990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-15945112336998220472008-01-19T07:13:00.000-05:002008-01-19T07:13:00.000-05:00I am so pleased to read this which is rekindling m...I am so pleased to read this which is rekindling my enthusiasm for this book. I bought it when it first came out, and read it, enjoyed it. I agree with all that you say about it, particularly on their friendship and their enthusiasm for plants of all sorts. But I found it harder and harder to read, because of the mismatch in writing ability between the two: BC's writing is fine on its own, but put alongside CL's, it suffers.<BR/><BR/>Your CL quote: <I>To what extent are we gardening for ourselves, for the public or for our plants?</I> ... well you could substitute writing for gardening. I think CL was less inclined to forget he was writing for publication, and BC more inclined to write just to her friend.<BR/><BR/>It's a small carp - and I am so glad you have reminded me of what a good book it is despite this small drawback.<BR/><BR/>Thanks<BR/>JoannaJoannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06790888857849562408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-28482823178141816472008-01-19T01:59:00.000-05:002008-01-19T01:59:00.000-05:00This does sound a wonderful book and your review m...This does sound a wonderful book and your review makes me want to read it as soon as possible. I'm not good at gardening, but this sounds as though it would indeed give me a "kick start".<BR/><BR/><I>"One becomes so physically slack in winter. CL"</I>, definitely applies to me. The rain has stopped me from gardening for weeks now. I also like this quote: <I>"Still, these aggravations occur every year and it's useless to get worked up about them. CL"</I> - it applies to life as well as gardening, doesn't it?BooksPleasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721650104596705715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-26563916777890615072008-01-18T21:11:00.000-05:002008-01-18T21:11:00.000-05:00I have owned this book for some time. I often pic...I have owned this book for some time. I often pick it up and just open it somewhere and read and enjoy. It is now on my bedside table - I am also reading the January letters.<BR/>I love books that are composed of letters between two or more people. Do you have any other good suggestions? Thanks again!Peg-woolinmysouphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03790536800383924646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-77358628628653704622008-01-18T20:27:00.000-05:002008-01-18T20:27:00.000-05:00Great review. I am so happy you decided to join us...Great review. I am so happy you decided to join us for the Garden Bloggers' Book Club this time. Now I need to drop everything and finish the book myself!<BR/><BR/>Carol, May Dreams GardensCarol Michelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07796344366326535406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-83706115747690414552008-01-18T15:25:00.000-05:002008-01-18T15:25:00.000-05:00This is one of the best gardening books I ever rea...This is one of the best gardening books I ever read. Full of real life, full of love for plants, full of wisdom. It is a GREAT book and I still take it from time to time and read again some chapters.<BR/>Have a good time reading!<BR/>BarbaraBarbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02062381754017907653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049626897935912366.post-45947275012546773232008-01-18T13:14:00.000-05:002008-01-18T13:14:00.000-05:00Christopher Lloyd was writing his most interesting...Christopher Lloyd was writing his most interesting weekly column for <I>Country Life</I> almost to the end of his life. Whatever the topic, I always read it. Though I'm far less adventurous and bold in my plant choices, I was so impressed by his wisdom and enthusiasm.<BR/><BR/>Someone in my town used to go over in late summer to tend and weed Lloyd's gardens--trekking across the Atlantic for the privilege of working under Fergus Garrett's direction, and Lloyd's. Fergus would take them to the pub in the evenings. No better remedy for sore and weary gardening muscles!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the review...another book to add to my list.Margaret Porterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com