On a cool, dark, rainy last day of summer I curled up to read the September words of wisdom in Vintage Notions, by Amy Barickman. Each entry is so poignant, so kind, so realistic. Written in a time when the world was in turmoil, much like now, the insights of Mary Brooks Picken resonate today.
Written in 1924, this essay titled Appreciation is the Key to Knowledge, illustrates her sensitivity to the human spirit. If I may share these words...." Appreciation is the key to knowledge, the key to art, to literature, to good work. Without it, beauty is not seen nor understood and perfection is never aquired. The woman who does not understand the texture , beauty, and service of a piece of cloth will have the most difficult time making a garment out of it. The woman who does not appreciate her home and her responsibilities there will never make hers a happy home. "
Other September entries include: When the School Bell Rings, Perfecting the Woman's own Workshop-the Kitchen, (remember that for many electricity was a luxury) Preserved Fruits Give Pleasure, Nourishing Lunches, Looking our Charming Best, Cross-Stitch, a Magic Pattern for a Comfortable, Economical Apron, Return to School, and a letter titled Just Among Ourselves where the author recounts an inspirational story of a woman who learned to sew at the Institute (by mail) while ill, in bed and how she subsequently taught her daughters so they could make their own school clothes.
The last of the garden fruits are coming in, this week I will need to strip the last of the vines. I did not do a Fall planting, time has run out. While we have nice weather for about 6 more weeks our nights are cold, not conducive to growth. I noticed three more small yellow summer squash on the vines yet. OK, that's enough now. Have a lovely week-end.
**photo's and quotes from Vintage Notions used with permission of the author.
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