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

[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?

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

There is definitely a mugwort theme! (scheme.... dream....)

The book is simply remarkable. When I discovered that the author was a Maine native and that it is set in Maine, I thought of cinda_cite. (Do you read her journal? I think yes? She's a marvelous LJer.)

ETA: LOL main/Maine typo

Re: holman day

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I am looking forward to doing the review--I've dipped in here and there, and it's quite over the top in terms of action.

But first I'm finishing Within Without! It is accompanying me to Alabama. Leaving tomorrow evening!

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

I hadn't seen her journal before, but I since you gave the link I've been meaning to look at it when I get sufficient computer time.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

She posts reflections on literature, history, some of her own writing--it's all very interesting. It's a read-only journal, which in some ways is fun, because you can read without any obligation to comment. (I ended up hounding her into a friendship, however, because I found her just such an interesting person that I wanted to interact!)