The Language of Books
Monday, February 18, 2013 at 03:20PM 
A holiday in New England...what to do, what to do...Actually I have plenty of things that need doing, like cleaning out my cellar or clearing out a few cabinets but sure seems a shame to do tasks like that on a holiday don't you think...so I thought perhaps a better idea would be to share with you my love of books...I'm thinking I'll make it a regular feature here on my blog. It would accomplish two things...One..I love to read and I know many of you do also, so this is something we could share with each other...and secondly, if I'm going to make this a regular feature then I'm really going to have to stick to my reading, which I would love.
Since I've been laid up a bit here and have limited "in chair" time, to fill that space I have really persued my reading much more vigerously and it has been such a joy to get back in. The surprising side note there is that I have found some wonderful books on my overflowing shelves. I might not be a fast reader but I'm a master at buying books. I was thinking of not buying anymore books until after Lent but I already broke that last night. I went to Amazon bought three more...
So here we go...get in your comfy chair, hopefully you have a nice glass of wine or a great hot cup of tea on the sidetable and grab yourself an afghan. It's cold and windy here today but the sun is shinning...the perfect afternoon for book reading. My aunt once told me, many years ago, that you are never alone as long as you have a good book to read. I have always remembered that and I find it to be true. I can get so lost in my books that I feel like I'm sharing the experience with the character's. I'm also at the age now that if by some chance I pick up a book and after 50-100 pages it's not grabbing me, I have no problem letting it go...there are many more books on the bookshelf and I don't have a lot of time to waste on a book that doesn't hold my interest.
I was pleasantly surprised recently when I picked up the book, The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. I mean, I like flowers enough but a book about the language of flowers...hmmm. Since I had bought it and since the cover was lovely and since I also had a lot of time on my hands, I gave it a go. I am so glad I did. I couldn't put the book down. Did you know that in Victorian times ( I would have loved to live in Victorian times), the language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions...now that right there drew me in. The story though was about a childhood spent in the foster-care system and how the child was not able to become close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings...It was a compelling story and yes, I did learn some very interesting things about flowers...and about people...how we are all effected by our circumstances, and how we sometimes think we know how another feels and react accordingly without reaching out.
In the photo above of the the cover of this book...I chose a few stems of daffodils...the meaning of which is "new beginnings". Daffodils are also know as the "cancer" flower...both apply to me in very different ways...my Mom and my younger brother both died of cancer...and at my nieces wedding large bouquets of daffodils were on a table in the back of the church in memory of them...And now for me..in this year of 2013 I feel like I'm at a new beginning..Knowing more clearly where I want to go in my life, what I expect from myself and how I'm going to FOCUS my time...the book was a re-introduction to putting reading, my first love, back on the top of my priorty list, right where it belongs...all the rest will come later. With the reading will then come the writing...so check back when you can and see what's new on the book shelf...
"Moss is selected to be the emblem of maternal love, because, like love, it glads the heart when the winter of adversity overtakes us, and when summer friends have deserted us." Henrietta Dumont.
Reader Comments (5)
Loved that book....and I so agree with you on if after 50-100 pages the book doesn't grab me, there are far too many that will. Lovely thoughts that you have shared with us too!!
Yes it sure was a lovely book Deanna...thanks for visiting today.
I have this book on my e-reader, need to read. Lovely soft image.
I loved that book too! It was surprisingly different. :)
Naomi this was so different wasn't it...I don't think I'll ever look at a flower in the same way again..I find myself going to look up the meaning...so glad you liked it also.