Saturday, May 31, 2008

Anne of Green Gables




Fifty-eight years ago I was gifted with this book on my tenth birthday. It was the first "big" book that was my very own. And I cherished that book, read and reread it so many times it was a miracle it did not fall apart. It was easy for me to identify with Anne for she loved to read, too, and was full of wonder and imagination and adored all of nature's beauty. She was an incurable romantic, something I have been accused of myself throughout my lifetime.


Anne Shirley's exact birthday date is never given in the story but it seems to occur around the time of my own and I always believed when I was a child that we probably shared that birthday. Anne was always yearning for puffed sleeves, lace, and pearls -- and she adored wearing fairy flower wreaths in her flaming red hair, which she wove herself on her way to school or church.

I recently finished reading this book once again and found it as wonderful as it had been to a ten-year old's eyes. My brother and sister and I grew up in what folks today would call a dysfunctional family -- we, of course, did not know of such terminology in those times. My way of dealing with the innumerable crises that arose was to pick up the nearest book and retreat to the farthest corner of our house, then bury my nose in that book.

Anne's fairy wreath is composed of tiny silk flowers with beaded centers and accents. An unfinished freeform peyote pearl bracelet that has languished among my beading projects lies below the stack of books. The dragonfly button with emerald inlay wings is for this month's birthstone.


When I signed up for the Bead Journal Project on May 31st -- my birthday -- last year, I had no inkling of how dear this online group would become to me nor how much I would enjoy and learn from participating in it. It was the best birthday present I could have ever given myself!

So this is my birthday Bead Journal Page -- a thank you to Lucy Maud Montgomery for writing so wonderful a book that a woman can remember it with such fondness.

14 comments:

beadbabe49 said...

What a wonderful birthday present and story...and page!

The Lone Beader® said...

I've always loved Anne of Green Gables. :D

Robin said...

Happy birthday, dear Kathy! Your May BJP page, tribute to your own childhood and to LMM, is delightful. I'm going to read that book again too, as I haven't since I was about 10 or so. Your insigtful and supportive comments all year long have certainly contributed greatly to the wonderful sense of community we share. Thank you!

Andrew Clarke said...

I love books, too. If I can suggest a fantasy title to try, what about "Outcasts Of Skagaray". It is an action suspense fantasy adventure, meant to inspire and uplift. For sample chapters and comment, go to www.threeswans.com.au If you read and enjoy it your comments would be welcome.

a2susan said...

Hi, Kathy. I read every one of LMM's
books, and later a biography of her. She actually led a difficult life and had to support her family many times. I wonder if her way of surviving mentally/emotionally was using her imagination and creativity in writing. There are a few books that lack her usual joy and those are the ones she "had" to write for income. Your page is wonderful!
Susan

Padparadscha said...

Oh, this is a truly beautiful page, wonderfully romantic and cheerful !

Happy (belated) birthday !

ACey said...

This is gorgeous. I enlarged the image and gawked for quite awhile. The story behind it is also wonderful. Plus I agree with what Robin wrote about your supportive presence and joyful spirit throughout this year.

Timaree said...

Happy Birthday! This is a great piece bringing the past into your present. You did a great job too. I was a Little House on the Prairie fan - the books, not the show!

You won an ATC at my blog anniversary. Email me with your address and I'll get it out to you. Thanks for coming by and making my anniversary special.

Artifax said...

All of your pages are drop dead gorgeous, but I think this one shines above the rest because it has your story sewn into it.

I didn't know the BJP correlated with your birthday. What a wonderful way to celebrate such a special day. Happy Birthday!!!

beadbabe49 said...

There's a meme going around and I've tagged you...details on my blog...hope you have time to play!
Robin started it, so I'll give her the credit!

Timaree said...

Oops. I see you've already been tagged. Well, I tagged you too so you can answer once for two! That's what I did also. I hope you like to play. You can find the posting for how here

Fiona said...

What a wonderful tribute - I enjoyed reading it. Happy Birthday

Winter Wanderings said...

Truly a wonderful BJP -- and your positive comments have been a boost to me through the year, err, I mean, throughout the spring (since I had a long slow spell there). This piece with its story is simply delightful. My husband and boys love Anne of Green Gables -- the video/DVD. One of my sons has read AofGG and started the next in the series - I too have read them all. Classics, just like this beaded piece you've created!

I also agree that BJP has been a great experience, such a warm sharing community -- thanks to you & Robin & so many others.

Last of all, may I wish you a very belated "Happy Birthday" too.

Melissa said...

I loved this post! I never read it! I don't know why. Anne is my favorite too and not just because you are my mother!