I'd like to share something I learned this last week with you. Perhaps you know about this, but I didn't, and now I want to visit. Some of you may know I've started volunteering at a used bookstore, a coop that's been in business for a long time in a nearby neighborhood in Denver. A customer last week bought a book of poems by Carl Sandburg and we began a conversation about poetry and favorite poems/poets, etc. This man said he has just returned from visiting family in North Carolina, and while he was there, he visited the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site, one of the homes preserved where Sandburg lived. He said he loved the visit, that everyone should try to see it.
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| the main home |
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| Sandburg's study |
If you look at a map, it's near Hendersonville or Asheville for those of you who know North Carolina, and it's quite an extensive place. This is where Sandburg spent life with his family. He with his wife, bought the estate and added to its long history because of Sandburg's fame as a writer and, unknown to me until now, his wife's raising of award-winning goats. There are other stories about this famous place, poems shared and pictures, like one with Sandburg sitting and talking with President Kennedy. I hope you explore and enjoy.
A poem about travel for you today, hoping you find some adventure near or far.
Window
by Carl Sandburg
Night from a railroad car window
the rest is here.
At the bottom of the main page, small pieces of information are given, each time you change to a different page. For instance: The Sandburgs were experts in recycling and reusing. The museum collection is full of repurposed objects, such as envelopes cut on three sides to form filing folders and this law book that was converted into a cookbook to hold recipes.
Thank you so much for your travel-invitation post! You would not believe the Internet travels I've just experienced in search of a piece of information I wanted to share, I thought, in this comment. Turns out that where my travels have taken me deserve some distillation, some percolation; so when I've taken those next steps, I will share those reflections--likely in a post! THANK YOU! I had no idea where your invitation would lead me. God bless you; thanks! (And if/when the post is complete in the days ahead, I'll be sure to give you and this post of yours a big grateful shout out! Thanks again!)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, CB. It will be interesting to see where you go.
DeleteHi, Linda - I've had the good fortune of visiting the house, and recommend the whole area to anyone seeking some literary and/or artistic inspiration! The mountains on this side of the Mississippi are much older (and more ground down) than yours, and make a gorgeous setting for those exploring history, writing, nature, art.... :0) Thank you for the link.
ReplyDeleteI thought you might have visited, Robyn, knowing where you live. It looks so inviting.
DeleteThanks for sharing about Sandburg's home -- sounds like a fabulous place to visit. I like learning about the everyday lives of poets; each fascinating tidbit amplifies my appreciation of their work.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Jama. I hope someday I can get there! It does look wonderful, doesn't it?
DeleteSuch a perfect post for readers & writers & especially poetry people, Linda.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I haven't been there recently, my trip to Hendersonville & the Sandburg Farm is one of my favorite author site visits. I haven't been in North Carolina recently but it still brings a smile to me to think of it. Appreciations for stoking a lovely memory.
It's great to know that some of you have visited there, Jan. I think I must put this as a priority for a trip! Thanks for sharing.
DeleteLinda, if you haven't seen this video, you should! http://www.pbs.org/video/2280767465/
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane. I will look at it tonight.
DeleteLinda, what a simple poem that holds such meaning. It jarred my memory that my grandmother and I took a trip on a railroad from NY to Wisconsin when I was a pre-teen. I was amazed at the different landscapes I saw. Have a great weekend. I will see you at the celebrate site.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol. I didn't add it, but I've taken several train rides through the years, and the beauty of the night from a train window is something special. I'm glad I found this poem by Sandburg.
DeleteWe are exploring Monticello in our classroom, and your post is another reminder of how we can "travel" these days, Linda. I do believe that I shall do just such traveling to Sandburg's farm this weekend, thanks to you. Love the idea of his wife raising prize winning goats there - I'd love to have a couple of goats at the farm, but Scott is simply not having it!
ReplyDeleteIt is quite a site, and you're right, so wonderful we can "visit" other places right from the laptop. Watch out. A friend of my brothers started with a couple of goats, and now has a huge herd. We visit there with the grandkids when we can. Thanks, Tara.
DeleteLinda, I had such fun exploring the site. I'd love to drop by the farm for some soup and dark bread - my favorite meal in the winter months. Only I don't make dark bread, just cornbread. I looked up "Window" in Firefly July. I think it's where I was first introduced to this poem. I love Melissa Sweet's illustrations!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to get upstairs where much of the poetry lies and find it, Ramona. How great that you remember. Glad you enjoyed the site, too.
DeleteSomehow I always thought of Sandburg as a New England poet. My family and I have spent time near Asheville kayaking, but I had no idea about this site. Maybe I can convince them it's time for another trip south! My copy of Firefly July is at school, so I'll have to wait until Monday to revisit this poem with Melissa Sweet's lovely illustration! Thank you for sharing, Linda!
ReplyDeleteGlad you may have the opportunity to go there, Catherine.
DeleteI love seeing into the lives of writers. Quite a library he has here! I always thought Carl Sandburg was from Illinois. Now I am trying to remember why. I will think of Window today- I am leaving in just a few minutes to help my younger son drive to Phoenix. He's moving down there.
ReplyDeleteSandburg is from Illinois originally and I read that he is buried there, too, but this is where he and his family lived most of his life, Carol. Best wishes to your son in his new place, and safe travels!
DeleteVolunteering in a bookstore and traveling in your imagination through conversations with book buyers. All kinds of perfect!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's been a good thing to do, Mary Lee. Discovering books when I can browse myself, and talking with customers is delightful. Thanks.
DeleteThanks for sharing one of my favorite Sandburg poems, Linda. Don't you just love Melissa Sweet's accompanying illustration in FIREFLY JULY?
ReplyDeleteYes, they're beautiful, and I'm glad that Ramona reminded me. I had forgotten about it.
DeleteThank you, Linda, this was interesting! Isn't it neat how your love of books and poetry led to this rich conversation? I have a pristine book of Sandburg poems ("Selected Poems") that I believe I bought at a second-hand store. I really enjoy him for his unpretentious language and everyday subjects. There's a section in SP called "Handfuls" with just such short poems as you linked for us.
DeleteThanks, Violet, being at the bookstore is a pleasure every week, talking books and helping customers find something I hope they will enjoy. I will look for your "handfuls".
DeleteLove Carl Sandburg! Thanks for sharing this with us, Linda. My older daughter won a poetry award from the Carl Sandburg House one year. I was sorry we couldn't go down there for it, and now I'm even sorrier! Maybe we will make it by there someday.
ReplyDeleteI'm hopeful, for me and for you, Tabatha. I am so happy I found this site.
DeleteI bought a used book of Carl Sandburg's poetry in December, and now I have a purpose in visiting North Carolina! Sounds like a wonderful place! (I laughed aloud at the line about award-winning goats!)
ReplyDeleteIt would be a marvelous trip, and I think you live fairly close, don't you Keri? Glad you read this about Sandburg's home, and about the goats.
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