In New Glasgow for Easter, there was the opportunity to catch up on Saltscapes.
Two short articles caught my attention because I am familiar with the landscape. The first was tied to Grand Pré and the poem of Evangeline. The second concerned the geology of Western Newfoundland, particularly the Tableland in Gros Morne National Park.
The Saltscape magazine reminded me of the importance of the landscape perspective. This supports my criticism of Joan Dawson’s latest book on the history of Nova Scotia’s inland communities. It includes Paradise, Bridgetown and Middleton; not, however, within the larger context of the physical landscape of the Annapolis Valley.
A recent discovery, to me, was Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book, Gathering Moss. This natural and cultural history of mosses sits well with a number of other recent acquisitions, adding to Heather’s library.
Annie Martin, The Magical World of Moss Gardening.
Karl B. McKnight, et al., Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians.
In the Preface, “Seeing the world through Moss-coloured glasses”, Kimmerer notes:
”In indigenous ways of knowing, we say that a thing cannot be understood until it is known by all four aspects of our being: mind, body, emotion and spirit.” p.vi.
One last book, jumped down from my bookcase, Mary Catherine Bateson’s, Composing a Life.
”A masterwork of rare breadth and particularity, encompassing all the rhythms of five lives and friendships, and interweaving their stories in ways that reveal grand social truths and peculiar personal graces.” The Boston Globe.
Time to read it again, methinks.
Acknowledgements
Heather provided access to her botanical library. Edward returned from Florida and added the graphics.
References
Saltscapes, April/May 2022, Darcy Rhyno, Walking around in a poem. p.32-35.
Jen Thornhill Verna, ”Really old rocks” in Gros Morne. p.23-25.
Joan Dawson, 2022, Nova Scotia’s Historic Inland Communities: The Gathering Places and Settlements that shaped the Province, Nimbus Publishing.
Robin Wall Kimmerer, 2003, Gathering Moss, Oregon State University Press.
Annie Martin, 2015, The Magical World of Moss Gardening, Timber Press.
Karl B. McKnight, et al. 2013, Common Mosses of the Northeast and Appalachians, Princeton University Press.
Mary Catherine Bateson,1989, Composing a Life, Grove Press.
Ernest Blair Experiment 
Bob
Just wrapping up here in Toronto and returning to NS this pm. On Sunday we travelled on country roads from Oliphant (near Sauble Beach) at the base of the Bruce Peninsula to Clarksburg (just west of Collingwood) for Leslie’s father’s birthday with 16 family members in attendance. I had forgotten how lovely the landscape of Grey County was! Did you ever visit there when you were at Western?
Brian
Brian Arnott Principal Novita Interpares | Leaf + Branch
novitainterpares.ca
>
LikeLike
Brian:
Glad you had a good time in Western Ontario.
Today, I realized this blog is my 400th blog !!
A milestone, of sorts.
Safe travels, home.
Bob
LikeLike