Sunday, August 28, 2011

PASSPORT INTO HISTORY

It's a howling and it's a blowing.... the rain drops they are a falling ....the girls are not happy....no outdoor play today....and with the added bonus of being stuck inside the coop with Don Juan... certainly not their idea of how to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.... Yesterday was more of the same for them.... I pulled out this passport....a passport into historical New England.... beaks went out of joint....another case of a long day in the coop....If you enjoy New England history....including visiting some of the oldest homes and gardens in New England...from Maine to Rhode Island this passport is ideal. For $55.00 dollars...two adults...can enjoy what Historical New England has to offer for one year....also you can revisit any of the listed homes multiple times... Saturday found DH and myself here at the Sarah Orne Jewett home located in South Berwick Maine. Jewett was an American author and short story writer. You may be familiar with two of her most popular works "The Country of Pointed Firs" and "A Country Doctor," the latter being based on her doctor father and his many house calls which Sarah often accompanied him on. This Georgian style home was built in 1776 and over looks the town's central square. The home is filled with many of the Jewett's personal belongings and Sarah's bedroom is found exactly how she left it. Her writing pen can be found located in a cup adhered to the bedroom wall... close at hand for scribbling down those late night ideas... her bifocals hanging off a mirror....and her initials which Sarah etched in a bedroom window pane. Sarah enjoyed flowers and especially her flower gardens...



"Late in the evening, when the room had grown too hot and tiresome with it's flaring light and noise of voices, I stole out alone into the darkness of the summer's night, down the long garden-walk I slowly went; A little wind was stirring in the trees; I only saw the whitest of flowers and I was sorry that the earlier hours of that fair evening had been so ill spent, Because, I said, I am content with these Dear friends of mine who only speak to me with their delicious fragrance, and who tell to me their gracious welcome silently...

The leaves that touch my hand with dew are wet; I find the tall white lilies I love well
I linger as I pass the Mignonette, and what surprise could dearer be than this;

To find my sweet rose waiting with a kiss..."


Flowers In The Dark....~Sarah Orne Jewett~

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Those places always seemed to be filled with the essence of the people who lived in them. When you reach out and touch the same places they touched you somehow feel connected. Beautiful home, great history.

Larkrise garden girl said...

Thanks so much for the wonderful post! I learn something every day.Cheri

annie said...

This is such a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing!

Farm Girl said...

So glad you had a nice day, I went out to feed tonight and I found a rat!!! A big rat, we have never had a rat before. It ran into my leg trying to get away. I wondered where my eggs were dissappearing too now I know. I guess I need a rooster too.
My husband just said, " Oh it is just Templeton coming for a visit,
I wish you could have heard me scream when it ran over my foot.

Pondside said...

What a beautiful place! There's nothing nicer than visiting such a garden and house.

Sandy (miss Potter) said...

Hi Julie, marvelous the New England, would want to visit him/it, August, Portland and the small countries are a dream.
With my grandmother have looked at the serious whole "Murder She Wrote", ambientato to Cabot Cove, how much liked me!!!

Kisses
Sandy

Unknown said...

Lovely photos of a beautiful place.

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

I just love her book...County of the Pointed Firs. A friend gave me a copy in college...she grew up in Sanford, ME. I was hooked immediately. I haven't been to Jewett's house yet. I gotta plan that!

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

Isn't it amazing how such beautiful words can just spill out of someone. It's hard for me to imagine such talent. Thank you for this small piece of Sarah Orne Jewett. I'm off to find out more about her.

Emily said...

I love that photo of your chickens. So cute. I dream of New England. I've only been to Lancaster, PA for one day and to Buffalo, NY for a day. Not sure if those are technically New England or not. It is the dreamiest place I can imagine. I have it so built up in my head I'm almost afraid to visit for fear of it not living up to my mind's idea of it.

Terry and Linda said...

AHHH! Thank you so much! I Love the Country of Pointed Firs tp get to see her home is wonderful.

It's raining here. Dark and drear but your little trip helped me escape.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com