Rite of Fancy

  Dear Henry, Earlier this year, to fill a flower bed, I scattered a couple of packets of a seed mix called "Southern Favorites", because I loved the pictures of the flowers on the packet and was sure that they would work well in the bed.  These seed packets have created quite a gardening adventure. I've been very surprised by the flowers that have grown, none of them were in the picture on the package and none of the flowers on the package grown and while that may sound disappointing, it hasn't been, it's just been a daily surprise. One of the best surprises that grew was the scarlet flax and I  fell in love with the flower.  Realizing I was growing flax also re-awoke a latent dream of mine. I have always harbored a secret dream to learn the fiber arts. In the back of my mind, I have wanted a little farm with sheep for their wool, and where I could grow cotton and flax and bamboo and make yarns.  Adding to this list of fiber art dreams, I also want to learn to ...

  A short summary of the book Democracy in America: Everything you have ever wanted to know about the US government but were afraid to ask. The book also contains a lot of information you never thought of asking. My favorite Alexis de Tocqueville quote from the book: " Nothing is more wonderful than the art of being free, but nothing is harder to learn how to use than freedom. " Questions to ponder while reading Democracy in America: Do you understand your representation? Do you understand your rights and responsibilities? My review of the book: An in-depth look at the inner workings of our government. It is incredibly detailed. One of the most necessary books for every American (yes, I know it was written by a Frenchman) **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffa...

  A short summary of The Road Beyond Ruin: An Italian POW adopts a new life while trying to return home. My favorite Gemma Liviero quote from the book: " Success can only come from patience and study. You cannot expect it from others. " Questions to ponder while reading The Road Beyond Ruin: Can you take care of another person if you have nothing? Can you find sympathy for your enemy? My review of the book: I never thought about what happened after the WWII victory parades until now. A good book about surviving the aftermath of the war. I couldn't imagine how hard it was to survive. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.taketheba...

Dear Henry, When Fish and I first moved to Arkansas, we visited the Pea Ridge Civil War Battlefield . As we were both raised in the Western United States, this was our first experience with "the Confederacy," It was an incredibly foreign concept. I have since learned a little bit more about the Confederacy after touring the Oak Alley Plantation  and the Prairie Grove Battlefield , but I have to admit, I still don't "get" it. I struggled specifically with the Confederate idea that one can own another person. I struggle with this belief so much that it is unfathomable for me to think that someone would be willing to go to war and die to do so, and I can only think of the words of Oscar Wilde, who said: "A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it." I started a research project on the history of slavery in the US. As far as I can tell, it is a story without an absolute beginning, or for that matter, an end, nor was it ever, exclusively, a ...

A short summary of The Confessions of Nat Turner: The story behind the Southhampton Insurrection. My favorite William Styron quote from the book: " The most futile thing a man can do is to ponder the alternatives, to stew and fret over the life that might have been lived if circumstances had not pointed his future in a certain direction." Questions to ponder while reading: Could you have been as ethical? Who should be the one to tell a story? My review of the book: A fictionalized account of an often overlooked historical event. The brutality is difficult to read. The brutality needs to be read. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.t...

A short summary of St. Catherine of Siena: Mystic of Fire, Preacher of Freedom: A look at a saint's vision of freedom and how self-knowledge will give you that freedom. My favorite quote by St. Catherine of Siena: "Love follows knowledge." Questions to ponder while reading St. Catherine of Siena: What is limiting your freedom? How well do you know your darkness? My review of the book: An interesting look into a passionate Saint. It makes you want to delve deeper into her writings. It makes you want to delve deeper into yourself. **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #Taketh...