I've heard it said that the average person purchases 17 books in a year. I don't keep track, but I'm easily above average in that respect. And I can tell you that one of the best ways to buy books is at thrift stores. They're a whole lot cheaper than Amazon.
My wife and I are frequent thrift store shoppers. I go directly to the books, while she checks out everything in the store. I almost never leave a thrift store without buying at least one book to read. And, more often than not, I'll head out to my car to start reading my book while Marlene continues to shop.
One of my most pleasant thrift store book finds last year was Rural Hours by Susan Fenimore Cooper. Susan's father, James is the well known author of numerous historical novels, Last of the Mohicans being but one. Until I found Rural Hours, I never knew of Susan Fenimore Cooper.
Rural Hours is a year-long journal that discusses the natural history and agrarian culture of Cooperstown, New York, circa 1850 (Susan's grandfather founded the town in the late 1700s). The book focuses a lot on botany and birds which, as a New Yorker, I found of interest, but it was her descriptions of rural life in and around the village that I most enjoyed. The following excerpt is one example...
Saturday, June 30th.— Charming weather. Came home from our walk with the village cows, this evening. Some fifteen or twenty of them were straggling along the road, going home of their own accord to be milked. Many of these good creatures have no regular pasture the summer through, but are left to forage for themselves along the roadsides, and in the unfenced woods. They go out in the morning, without any one to look after them, and soon find the best feeding ground, generally following this particular road, which has a long reach of open woods on either side. We seldom meet them in any number on the other roads. They like to pasture in the forest, where they doubtless injure the young trees, being especially fond of the tender maple shoots. Sometimes we see them feeding on the grass by the wayside, as soon as they have crossed the village bridge; other days they all walk off in a body, for a mile or more, before they begin to graze. Towards evening, they turn their heads homeward, without being sent for, occasionally walking at a steady pace without stopping; at other times, loitering and nibbling by the way. Among those we followed, this evening, were several old acquaintances, and probably they all belonged to different houses; only two of them had bells. As they came into the village, they all walked off to their owners' doors, some turning in one direction, some in another.
If I could go back to a place in time, I think that Cooperstown New York, circa 1850, would be where I'd like to go. It was a pastoral, peaceful, freshly-tamed wilderness, full of natural beauty. That is the impression I get from Rural Hours. I plan to share a few more excerpts from this book in future blog posts.
Oh, that is so good, refreshing and comforting to read. I do sometimes long for how it must have been in those peaceful days. Yes, looking forward to more excerpts! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe always think of times past as better times. In many respects it was, but it was also much harder. If you got injured or sick, good luck. People were stronger back then, mentally and physically. They had to be.
ReplyDeleteHi Annie,
DeleteTrue. But one aspect of circa 1850 that I find so fascinating, and would love to see, is the wonders of the natural world. The descriptions she gives of a countryside that was so recently carved out of virgin forest are something far removed from what we have today. I'll give some excerpts of what I mean in the future. Also, the aspect of a close, interdependent community is a compelling feature of those days.
Elizabeth L. Johnson said, We've all heard ourselves and others say, I feel closer to God out here in nature. He is so evident in the great outdoors, but not so inspiring and evident in a residential area, houses crammed together. Living rurally simply gives us more peace and quiet that turns our attention to the Lord. In the city, civilization is used to distract.
DeleteElizabeth L. Johnson said, Now that's what I'm talking about! Thoughtful. Meaningful. P.S. I was newly married, with a baby boy, and a income was small. I started shopping thrift store and haven't stopped since. My mom was embarrassed and told me not to tell anyone. But, I persisted. Pretty soon when we had 2 children to clothe, I could purchase an entire year's wardrobe for both, for only $6, at a thrift store. I only shop elsewhere when I can't find what I need, or when someone gives me a gift certificate.
ReplyDeleteVery good. I have this theory that just about anything you want can eventually be found in a thrift store or at a garage sale, for much less $, if you just wait and watch.
DeleteThank you sir. I enjoy reading about such days gone by. Sadly, such peace seems beyond us now.
ReplyDeleteHerrick, there is an english writer, you will like much, John Seymour,
ReplyDeleteIf you don't have these, don't hesitate to purchase them, you will love them,
https://www.worldofbooks.com/the-national-trust-book-of-forgotten-household-crafts-by-john-seymour-gor001185201.html
https://www.worldofbooks.com/the-forgotten-arts-by-john-seymour-gor001228026.html
Thank you. I'll check those links out.
Delete"Tim(from Ohio)" sent me a great John Seymour book last year.
Ah, that was beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes. Why does beauty make one cry?
ReplyDelete