Some days when I want to write about something, or honor someone, I have to dig a little in the library, not just look at titles. I get to reacquaint myself again with old books, re-reading passages and chapters. There are times when a book will call out, then another, and another, which has me flitting from section to section of the library, feeding on books like a butterfly pulling nectar from blossoms. It makes for a satisfying afternoon. I would like to present a few books on the subject of violets; a result of such a feeding.
I’ll start with “Myths and Legends of Flowers, Trees, Fruits, and Plants” by Charles M Skinner, 1911. There are several pages of violet stories and legends. One painful myth was when Venus had asked her son Cupid as to “who was more beautiful, her, or the bevy of girls they were looking at. When Cupid, ‘a disobedient scamp’ said that it was the girls, Venus got so angry that she beat her rivals till they turned blue, and dwindled into violets.” There is an English dish, known as vyolette consisting of flowers, boiled, pressed and brayed (pounded or crushed) with additions of milk, rice flour, and honey. In Germany, it is custom to decorate bride-beds and cradles with violet blossoms.
“Studies in the Field and Forest” by William Flagg, 1857. Vernal flowers such as violets bloom in April and early May. Flagg speaks highly of the violet. He states “(these plants) require but a short period of heat and sunshine to perfect their blossoms. Within this period, the most delicate and interesting flowers of the whole year come to perfection.”
“A Book of Wild Flowers” by Margaret McKenny, and illustrated by Edith Johnson, 1946. There is a beautiful drawing of the Common Blue Violet.
“The Nature Library (six volumes) Wild Flowers” by Neltje Blanchard, 1926. Another nice illustration of violets.
“Keeping the Plants You Pick” by Laura Louise Foster, 1970. This is an interesting book on gathering and preserving flowers. She points out that violets have different stalks for flowers and leaves, so one should attempt to take both to get a good representation of the plant. Also a curious note is that the book is a discard from Waukegan Public Library, and was checked out only five times. I have already used the book four times.
“Paper Blossoms, Butterflies & Birds” by Ray Marshall, 2013, is a wonderful book from my Mom’s collection of pop-up books. I bought it for her when I visited the J.P. Morgan Library in New York. This is the most impressive private library that money can buy, built in 1906. I now have Mom’s books incorporated into my library. Scrolling through this book, I believe there are some violets that pop up on this open page.
Happy Birthday today to Danielle, and tomorrow to her daughter Violet-to whom this post is written for. I am blessed to have known five generations of this awesome family.
Librarytomes 