Tuesday, 1 April 2014

March Nature Notes



Little glimpses of nature in my corner of the world, inspired by Edith Holden.









One might get the impression from these photos that spring arrived this month.  If only.  We have shovelled our front walk every single morning for a week.  We did have a reprieve earlier in the month when we saw some blue in the sky to relieve us of the incessant grey, and we did enjoy some chinooks that melted almost all the accumulated snow.

That's my great-grandmother in the white.
I've been working on a family history project which has reduced my reading time, but I have enjoyed a few good books this month.  I am very close to completing my first classic in quite some time - The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton - an anomoly amongst all the uncharacteristic 21st century books.  This is my introduction to Edith Wharton and although it took me a little bit of time to get into the swing of it, I am thoroughly enjoying her wonderful character building, and the depictions of Old New York, and the struggle between individual desires and the sacrifice of self for the stability in the status quo.  Such impressive representations of women!

I finally read Lynn Coady this month (Saints of Big Harbour) and immediately got my hands on Hellgoing (most recent Giller winner) and Strange Heaven (her first novel).  I like her writing a lot, and having grown up in small town Nova Scotia I felt a real connection to the setting.

One of the parts of parenting I enjoy is keeping current with what my daughters are reading, what they are discovering on their own, and having them recommend their favourites to me so we can discuss them.  Elizabeth is just dipping in to the YA-type books and I'm having a bit of trouble keeping up!  I made it through 2/3 of the Veronica Roth Divergent trilogy in time to see the movie with her.  While I cannot admit to enjoying the writing (each 500 page book could easily have been pruned down to 150 pages, and read like the first draft of a screenplay), the themes have served for terrific discussions.  She just finished The Fault in Our Stars, and is starting The Perks of Being a Wallflower.  Such great catalyst for discussion!

Happy April everyone!

10 comments:

  1. Brian Joseph1 April 2014 at 03:49

    Those are some terrific pictures Lee - Anne. I really like the owl.

    The old photo of your Grandmother looks amazingly crisp and clear.

    I have only read House of Mirth by Edith Wharton which I highly recommend.


    Happy April!

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    1. Lee-Anne1 April 2014 at 15:33

      Thanks, Brian! I will definitely be reading more Edith Wharton. Thanks for the recommendation of The House of Mirth.

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  2. Bellezza 2 April 2014 at 20:32

    Oh, I love the pictures of new growth and the hope they represent. Beautiful.

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    1. Lee-Anne3 April 2014 at 09:43

      Spring is coming! It's the mantra this time of year, isn't it? I am always reminded of e.e.cummings puddle wonderful world in spring.

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  3. Lucy17 April 2014 at 03:00

    Those photos are superb - you're very talented! I too love the owl one.

    Your family history project sounds like a great way to spend some time...I find it's always so interesting to make discoveries about our own past.

    Also, it's great to hear that Elizabeth is making lots of time for reading! I've not read Divergent - would you recommend it?

    Hoping you're well,
    Lucy

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    1. Lee-Anne20 April 2014 at 12:52

      Thank you, Lucy!

      I am well, and so thankful for the warmer weather. Spring is coming!

      Divergent. Hmmm. I'm not sure I would really recommend the books except in specific situations for people who parent or work with children who are reading them. The strength of the books is almost solely the introduction of some really complex ideas of society and identity which can provoke fabulous conversations with kids. I certainly have found that. Readers who like the Rick Riordan style of writing may love these books but the enjoyment of the series was lost in the presentation. I do think the issues raised in the series are important ones. I also heard after I'd read them that the author was quite young when she wrote the series. Also, I think some of the themes in the book are emotionally heavy for her so she wanted me to read them so she could work through her feelings (at 12 she's quite mature, but still a bit young for these books, I think). So, I wouldn't specifically recommend them to you, Lucy, unless they really peak your interest, or you run out of good books to read :p
      Lee-Anne

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  4. Lucy17 April 2014 at 03:01

    Those photos are superb - you're very talented! I too love the owl one.

    Your family history project sounds like a great way to spend some time...I find it's always so interesting to make discoveries about our own past.

    Also, it's great to hear that Elizabeth is making lots of time for reading! I've not read Divergent - would you recommend it?

    Hoping you're well,
    Lucy

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  5. Angeliki20 April 2014 at 11:51

    These photos are amazing!

    I really want to read the age of innocence now! I haven't read any classics for a while and I think this will be a good one to get back to old reading habits :)

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    1. Lee-Anne20 April 2014 at 12:57

      Thank you, Angeliki!

      I would highly recommend The Age of Innocence. It was funny to read it after the Divergent series which is so plot driven. I found myself very impatient for the book to "get on with it!". But I soon found I was slowing to *its* pace and appreciating the subtle characterizations and wonderful setting. It made me very grateful to be a woman today when, although we may still live in boxes, the number and variety of choices are greater. I hope you like it!
      Lee-Anne

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  6. Angeliki20 April 2014 at 11:53

    These photos are amazing!

    I want to read the age of innocence now! I haven't read any classics for a while and this can be a good book to get back into old habits:)

    ReplyDelete

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