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Monday 13 November 2017

Resting place

The temperature has dropped and the wind makes it feel even colder. My husband and I are taking fewer excursions now as winter activites replace them. Books are a great diversion as we sit buy the fire, with a blanket and a cup of tea. In homage to our late autumn and coming winter bookish adventures, all of my posts this week are related to books.


A good book draws you into a world and time of the writer’s design. The most memorable writers do it repeatedly, like Lucy Maud Montgomery, 1874-1942. She captured the minds of many readers in her time and her books continue to do so today, as her stories of the precocious Anne Shirley of Green Gables transcend time.


The town where Lucy Maud grew up, Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, is visited by thousands of Anne lovers every year. We were witness to the admiration for Lucy Maud’s work this past summer when we visited Green Gables, the home of Lucy Maud’s cousins. This is Anne’s home in the novels.


There were Canadians from all across the country, and Americans from Alabama to Michigan and everywhere in between. Two busloads of Japanese tourists were there at that time. There were several couples speaking languages we did not recognize.


Over the years a few things have come to symbolize Anne, one of which is the straw hat and the red pigtails. Today, such a hat, with pigtails attached can be purchased around the island.


We saw several pigtail hats that day and one in an unexpected place. After touring Green Gables and walking through the Haunted Wood as described in her novels, we visited the nearby cemetery where Lucy Maud is buried.





Someone had left a miniature pigtail hat at her grave.




Seventy-five years after her death, a person from somewhere in the world left an Anne keepsake at Montgomery's grave. Could the fertile imagination of Anne Shirley even have imagined such a thing?






44 comments:

Blogoratti said...

There is nothing like a good book indeed. And what a lovely resting place indeed. Greetings.

Rhodesia said...

This was a book that I read many, many years ago, perhaps it would be a good idea to read it again. Love the photos and the write up. Hope you have a good week, Diane

DJan said...

You make me realize that I have never read her books and I will rectify that immediately. I just went to the library website and put a hold on Anne of Green Gables. There are so many copies, I should have one in a day or two. Thank you! :-)

PerthDailyPhoto said...

There are authors and there are authors Marie.. some leave a timeless legacy behind them for generations to enjoy, others not so much ☺

Debra She Who Seeks said...

After all these years, her popularity still endures. What a legacy!

Debbie said...

our adventures and outings do change with the seasons. i'm not a reader - i am a knitter...my nights are filled with happy knits!!!

such a beautiful grave site she has, deserving of such a special resting place!!

Linda d said...

Ahhh, to read them for the first time. Obviously they are YA but I've loved them from the time I was 9 on. My own girls never took to them and stopped me from reading them at bedtime within the first couple of chapters. It left me slightly broken hearted. In my heart Anne, Mathew, Diana and Gilbert truly lived.

Elephant's Child said...

I have no doubt that she had no idea that she would be remembered and widely loved so long after her death. Love that miniature hat and pig-tails and her final resting place looks lovely.

Barb said...

To be remembered with fondness through her words. I wonder if she could have imagined?

Down by the sea said...

I loved her books as a child and it is lovely to know they are still enjoyed by so many and have stood the test of time. Sarah x

Bill said...

It's reading time for me too. It's been rainy and windy for the last week and I've only been on short walks lately but I do have some wonderful books to read.

Marie Smith said...

A good book and a cup of tea, some of the great pleasures in life, B.

Marie Smith said...

It would be interesting to read again, Diane.

Marie Smith said...

Jan, hope you enjoy Anne and the rest of the folk of Avonlea.

Marie Smith said...

Those characters were special, Linda. We took our granddaughters to see the musical based on the book this past summer. They loved it.

Marie Smith said...

These characters are special friends to many prople, PDP.

Marie Smith said...

It really is, Debra.

Marie Smith said...

Wish I could do the beautiful knitting you do, Debbie. I give up a bit of the reading time.

Marie Smith said...

The hat and pig-tails were such a surprise at that location, EC.

Marie Smith said...

She was ahead of her time, Barb.

Marie Smith said...

They have indeed, Sarah.

Marie Smith said...

When it’s really cold, I don’t care if I go out at all. Reading is a great pass time, Bill.

Shammickite said...

Rev. MacDonald and his wife lived just a short way from where I live, just a 20 minute drive. In fact, just last weekend I was in the church where Rev. MacDonald was a minister in Leaskdale, Ontario, where I saw a wonderful musical production of Emily, based on Emily of New Moon.
apparently the Rev. wasn't the happiest of men and Lucy didn't have a happy life here.

Anonymous said...

How sweet...that little hat...and also that you can buy them..cute! Andrea

jenny_o said...

I loved those books and read them multiple times. Maybe it's time to re-visit the gang. Did you ever see the Canadian TV production with Megan Follows as Anne? Now it's how I always imagine the characters. They did such an excellent job.

Enjoy your reading! I can think of no pleasanter way to spend an evening.

Jenn said...

I loved the Anne books. I also had a book of her short stories called Among the Shadows that I read over and over.

Silver in AZ said...

the pigtails are so cute!

Anonymous said...

What an interesting and enjoyable post. With cooler weather and the time change, I am reading more than usual. I have a special art offer on my blog if you have time to visit.

Tabor said...

I visited the Anne of Green Gables site and it was not too busy, so we enjoyed it even though we were distracted by the nearby golf course on our walk to the school.

Debbie said...

thank you marie - i have memory issues making it difficult for me to read and remember what i have read!! i was fortunate to find a wonderful knitting teacher!!!

Marie Smith said...

My neck problems keep me from knitting, Debbie. A few hours and I am incapacitated due to head and neck pain. I learned this the hard way!

Marie Smith said...

Lucy had a first love when she taught in Beddeck not far from where we live. She left that area due to family issues and the young man died shortly after. I wonder if she ever got over him and settled for the reverend. She wasn’t a happy woman from what I’ve read, Shammi..

Marie Smith said...

The little hats and pigtails are popular, Andrea.

Marie Smith said...

Jenny, I too loved the original series. The hew one is growing on me however, a modern take on the portrayal.

Marie Smith said...

I am not familiar with the short stories but I am sure there are people in our book club who would be, Jenn.

Marie Smith said...

They are so popular, Sw.

Marie Smith said...

Thanks for the information, Mildred.

Marie Smith said...

The staying power of the Anne stories is amaxing to me, Tabor.

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Winter is indeed the time to curl up with a good book, a warm blanket and a cozy fire! I enjoyed your sharing about Lucy Maud Montgomery. I am aware of the difficult life that she lived. She truly loved the man that she never married and I suppose she must have settled in marrying the Reverend MacDonald. I guess we tend to think that someone who could captivate the hearts and minds of people all these years lived a perfect life but from what we know she didn't. I enjoyed your visit to her grave and the tribute that someone left with the straw hat and pigtails. My kids have loved Anne of Green Gables as well since being small children.

Barbara said...

Wonderful. Thanks for sharing. I guess it is time to pull out the winter hobby accessories. I do read but all year so I'll have to find the knitting needles - hopefully they are in the yarn box - but not always. LOL. I'll see if anything new pops into my mind to take up this winter.

Marie Smith said...

Lucy Maud was sad through much of her life, Marilyn.

Marie Smith said...

I’m sure you’ll stay busy, Barbara.

Anvilcloud said...

A nice stop for us was to the property where Lucy once lived. There was a little tour and talk by one of her descendants. It was quite near the touristy house but a little before we got to the latter travelling from the Stanhope area.

Marie Smith said...

The center of the island is Anne county as I see it, AC. Not a bad thing. We visited much of it this year and will take the grandgirls when they are a bit older. We took them to the musical this year and they loved it.