Summer Reading

During the hot summer I have been doing a lot of reading.  Two of my favorite reads are, "The Movement of Stars" by Amy Brill and "Somewhere between Luck and Trust" by Emilie Richards.

You may remember Amy Brill as a producer and writer for PBS and MTV.  And Emilie Richards is a well known author of many novels. 

The Movement of Stars 

At first I wasn't sure I was going to like this book, as I'm not really into astrology.  But this book grabs you and pulls you into the life of the first professional woman astronomer in America and the founding professor of astronomy at Vassar College.  Her name is Maria Mitchell, born in 1818 to a large Quaker family and who discovered a comet in 1847.  The author discovered her on a day trip to Nantucket and became inspired on how a teenage girl would enjoy spending her nights on the roof of her house with a telescope studying the stars.  

After spending 15 years researching and thinking about the amazing young woman, she decided to write a novel using Mitchell's work, accomplishments and details of her life as a character in a novel of her own.  Although most of the story is that of Miss Mitchell's, who becomes Hannah Price in the novel, the author embellishes many of the dates and events of her character.

This story tells of the constraints of women's freedom and education in the 1800's.  These women not only had to fight the constraints of what was proper for young girls and women of the time.  They also had to battle the Quaker religion which frowned on women being anything but a wife and mother.  The journey this young girl took to overcome these obstacles is worth reading.  It is a novel about, love, patience, truth, knowledge and perseverance.  Plus, after reading about Nantucket Island off the eastern coast of Massachusetts, I would love to explore the island for myself.

Somewhere Between Luck and Trust 

This is also a novel about a young girl and an older woman who have obstacles to overcome.  The story begins with a young girl being released from prison for a crime she did not commit.  She has been taken in by a group of women who have a cabin high in the southern mountains between two towns, Luck and Trust.  These women include a lawyer, high school principal, minister, B&B owner and a homemaker.  The cabin was left to them by a dear friend and her only request was that they used it to help people.

When the young girl admits to the ladies that she has a learning problem, the high school principal agrees to work with her.  As time goes on, it comes out that the principal has an issue of her own, that she has tried to overcome for years.  Both women are now at a place where a bond is beginning to form.  Two different women, with two different problems are bridging the gap between generations and education.  This is a story of explorations of social issues and educational downfalls, which should never occur in modern society.  

I highly recommend these books and think they would be great for a Book Club discussion. 

 

We're on the back side of Spring.

Awhile back I went to the Desert Botanical Garden to see a special exhibition of Dale Chihuly's stunning display of art. Chihuly was introduced to glass while studying at the University of Washington.  His vibrant works of art are truly amazing.  Some of his exhibits blended into the desert landscape and looked almost real.  

   The desert is quite beautiful in the Spring.  Most think that the Southwest is just a hot, harsh, arid region with colorless cacti and succulents.  But in late fall, early spring, the desert is a sea of yellow, red and blue wild flowers and the cacti bloom with beautiful flowers.  

When you add Chihuly's blown glass artwork to the natural beauty of the landscape everything comes alive.

 

Many desert plants attract a variety of butterflys.  Who they themselves come from a plain and dull cocoon and emerge into one of natures most beautiful wonders.  As do the cacti flowers.  

With the coming of summer the colors are fading and Chihuly's exhibit is gone.  But there is always next Spring to look forward to.