roadside find

[asakiyume]

Mugwort was what I set out for, as I have become addicted to mugwort tea.

Exhibit One: Mugwort



It's taller than me, which is something I love in a wildflower or weed.


But on my return, I found something wonderful by the side of the road: a book



It turns out to be King Spruce, by Holman Day. It was published in 1908.



Holman Day (1865-1935) was a Maine native, a journalist and newspaper publisher, and the author of twenty-three novels and three books of ballads. A scholarly article that wakanomori kindly procured for me dismisses the novels ("None of his publications, unfortunately, can be placed much above the level of the pot-boiler") but takes interest in the ballads. I think I'd like to find the ballads.

I think I'll try the book too, though. I opened at random and found this passage:

"And now, speaking of arresting in the name of the law," snarled the lumber baron, "and your duty that you seem so fond of, Rodlliff, get out your handcuffs for something that's worth while. It's three years in state-prison for maliciously setting fires on timber lands. It's a long vacation in the county jail for assaulting a man without provocation. There's the girl who set that fire; there's the man that struck me. So you see, Lane, your prisoner is going to have company."

Do you sense a villain?

Comments

Curious Serendipity!

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I was watching some videos today about herbs, weeds, and edible plants, and in one of them, the speaker mentioned mugwort and specifically their use in dream pillows. Someday, I shall have to have one.

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

I sense a growing mugwort theme. What does the tea taste like?

Also, I have the distinct impression that lost things follow you. How else would you find a hundred year old book at the roadside?

[bogwitch64.livejournal.com]

Well...I can see why someone might want to toss the book out a car window, but what a find for you! It may not be the treasure itself, but it LEADS to treasure--the ballads. I bet you'll enjoy that muchly.

And--THAT is mugwort?? Holy moly, woman! I have that stuff growing all over the place!

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Ooh! You must reviewthe book for us ;o)

[xjenavivex.livejournal.com]

wow

[redcoast.livejournal.com]

What does mugwort tea taste like?

I used to drink sassafras tea. You know, it has that root beer flavor? It was soooo good.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Wow, what a delicious day of finds!

[cheapriboflavin.livejournal.com]

Neat find!

The last cool thing I found lying around outside was a Blues Traveler CD and the DVD for Once Upon a Time in Mexico... man that was awesome. :) (I still have them!!!)

[tooticky.livejournal.com]

You always find such interesting things on your walks. 'The Spruce King' definitely sounds like a ripping yarn - although the title makes me think of the troll king in Hans Christen Anderson rather than derring do. I do love the idea of random books released into the wild like that, and I'm glad you rescued it from the road.
Wonder how it got there? Flung from a car by someone maddened by the purple prose or early 20th century attitudes to forestry???

[snakypoet]

You definitely live a magickal life! And/or in a magickal place.

[skogkatt.livejournal.com]

What an awesome book find! I have found mugwort growing on the bikepath and have plans to make tea of my own! But how much to use? And how long to steep? Suggestions?

[avalonestel.livejournal.com]

Love that excerpt from the book! It's so neat to find such old things; I used to peruse the college library trying to find old books. I think the oldest one I've found was published in 1901. It's just sad how it was torn up like that.

Wow!

[mizannie.livejournal.com]

That is an incredible find!

Now, I'm curious about mugwort tea?!

[starconverse.livejournal.com]

The excerpt was really thrilling ~

Mugwort tea, that also sounds interesting. :)