Faith, Folklore, and Friends

Johnny Appleseed (real name John Chapman) died on this day in 1845. During his lifetime, he planted apple trees.   I recall a story about him in elementary school, where he was depicted as a wild man wearing a pot on his head and randomly throwing apple seeds.  In fact, he planted nurseries with fences to protect the little trees, and left them in care of an able nurseryman before he moved on.  He introduced apple trees to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. The book also failed to mention that he was a missionary for The New Church during his travels, sowing the gospel along with the apple seeds. I'm thankful for the work he did.  For one reason, apples are my favorite fruit and have innumerable health benefits. Another reason is that I admire people who are willing do a job just because it is needed. My favorite apples are the Golden Delicious that can be found in Western North Carolina in the fall.  There is something about that m...

I have just finished Lee Smith's new book Guests on Earth . It was beautiful, thought-provoking, and haunting.  But then, that's just what I expected, having read all her books.   This book is a fictional account of a mental hospital near Asheville, North Carolina, and the fire that killed several of their patients, including Zelda Fitzgerald. I can't remember the first book I read by this writer, but I have loved them all.  I think my favorite is Saving Grace , or maybe it is Oral History . Her first book, The Last Day the Dogbushes Bloomed , was published in 1968, and I found a copy of it a while back at Loaves and Fishes, the local thrift shop that I frequent way too much.  The people around me seemed quite surprised at my enthusiasm upon finding this book, but they just didn't know that now I have all of Lee Smith's books. Oh, Happy Day!