It's a sad thing that it's taken me so long to write about the outstanding book, The Earth in Her Hands, written by my friend Jennifer Jewell.
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Back on January 26th—which honestly feels like another lifetime—Jennifer spoke to the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon about her book. To say her talk was inspiring is an understatement. The audience was in awe. There were times I had both goosebumps and tears in my eyes, and I wasn't the only one.
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The book wasn't officially released until March 3rd, kicking-off of Woman's History Month but the HPSO managed to have books available for purchase at the talk—signed by Jennifer in person—you should have seen the line!
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Here Jennifer is with Portland's Françoise Weeks, one of the talented woman profiled in the book. These black and white photos were taken by Laura Heldreth, who generously shared them with me for this blog post (and who is another amazing woman working in the world of plants).
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Jennifer's talk for the HPSO was just the beginning, she was then off on a coast to coast publicity tour for the book, I met up with her her again in Seattle, at the end of February, at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival. Here she is on stage, moderating a panel discussion "Women at Work: Making a Living While Following Your Plant Passion" between (left to right) Lorene Edwards Forker, Christin Geall, and Debra Prinzing.
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But then everything stopped.
Can you imagine? Riding high, out talking with people about your absolutely glorious book. A project that took a big chunk of your life to write, and edit, and then BAM! A pandemic hits. Go home. Stop talking. Put everything thing on hold.
Can you imagine? Of course you can. we're all living it to some degree. But the thing is...Jennifer is still talking! On her podcast, Cultivating Place. Which I faithfully listen to if not weekly then I binge on monthly. And her book is out there, for you to buy and read, and I really recommend that you do...
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Seventy-five woman and their stories. Some you will know, some you will not. But reading about each of them and their approach to the world of plants—their knowledge and experience and dreams— will inspire you. There are artists, florists, entrepreneurs, photographers, botanists, and on and on...
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Two other bloggers I know wrote marvelous reviews of The Earth in Her Hands. Blog posts I think you'll also want to read. First Pam Penick of Digging: Read This: The Earth in Her Hands and then Matt Mattus wrote: Book Giveaway - Jennifer Jewell's 'The Earth is in Her Hands' (Matt got the title wrong, but still wrote a great review).
One other thing I must say about this book, you don't have to read it exclusively to feel the power. I love a book that you can read in short bursts, or while you're reading something else, and not feel like you're giving anything up. One night you can read about the amazing Leslie Bennett, the next night, talented Janet Sluis of the Sunset Western Garden Collection. Then you get busy and don't pick up the book for a couple of days but turn to the chapter on Australian garden photographer Claire Takacs... no problem, you'll be pulled right back in again.
Weather Diary, May 31: Hi 66, Low 53/ Precip 0 (which was very welcome after .31" on Sat)
All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Back on January 26th—which honestly feels like another lifetime—Jennifer spoke to the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon about her book. To say her talk was inspiring is an understatement. The audience was in awe. There were times I had both goosebumps and tears in my eyes, and I wasn't the only one.
The book wasn't officially released until March 3rd, kicking-off of Woman's History Month but the HPSO managed to have books available for purchase at the talk—signed by Jennifer in person—you should have seen the line!
Here Jennifer is with Portland's Françoise Weeks, one of the talented woman profiled in the book. These black and white photos were taken by Laura Heldreth, who generously shared them with me for this blog post (and who is another amazing woman working in the world of plants).
Jennifer's talk for the HPSO was just the beginning, she was then off on a coast to coast publicity tour for the book, I met up with her her again in Seattle, at the end of February, at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival. Here she is on stage, moderating a panel discussion "Women at Work: Making a Living While Following Your Plant Passion" between (left to right) Lorene Edwards Forker, Christin Geall, and Debra Prinzing.
But then everything stopped.
Can you imagine? Riding high, out talking with people about your absolutely glorious book. A project that took a big chunk of your life to write, and edit, and then BAM! A pandemic hits. Go home. Stop talking. Put everything thing on hold.
Can you imagine? Of course you can. we're all living it to some degree. But the thing is...Jennifer is still talking! On her podcast, Cultivating Place. Which I faithfully listen to if not weekly then I binge on monthly. And her book is out there, for you to buy and read, and I really recommend that you do...
Seventy-five woman and their stories. Some you will know, some you will not. But reading about each of them and their approach to the world of plants—their knowledge and experience and dreams— will inspire you. There are artists, florists, entrepreneurs, photographers, botanists, and on and on...
Two other bloggers I know wrote marvelous reviews of The Earth in Her Hands. Blog posts I think you'll also want to read. First Pam Penick of Digging: Read This: The Earth in Her Hands and then Matt Mattus wrote: Book Giveaway - Jennifer Jewell's 'The Earth is in Her Hands' (Matt got the title wrong, but still wrote a great review).
One other thing I must say about this book, you don't have to read it exclusively to feel the power. I love a book that you can read in short bursts, or while you're reading something else, and not feel like you're giving anything up. One night you can read about the amazing Leslie Bennett, the next night, talented Janet Sluis of the Sunset Western Garden Collection. Then you get busy and don't pick up the book for a couple of days but turn to the chapter on Australian garden photographer Claire Takacs... no problem, you'll be pulled right back in again.
— — —
Weather Diary, May 31: Hi 66, Low 53/ Precip 0 (which was very welcome after .31" on Sat)
All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.