It seems whenever I go to a city, I find my way to the park. A cemetery will also do too, I guess it about the stillness and trees. Yesterday, while Jon was doing an interview, I took a walk up Boyleston Avenue (I think that’s the name, I’m not very familiar with Boston) there were plenty of churches on the way, but none with cemeteries, so walked till I came to the Public Gardens.
What a find, even this time of year, there were lots of flowers in bloom. It has everything, trees, grass, formal gardens, fountains, statues, at least one bridge and water. I stayed a while then made my way back to the hotel through the Commonwealth Mall. A tree lined grassy walkway with statues, every city should have one of these. There were lots of big bronze sculptures of men and I began to wonder where the women were. Obviously, in recent history someone else notice the same thing and decided it was time to honor some women. They chose Phillis Wheatley,( a slave who was a poet and the first African American woman to publish a book) Lucy Stone (an abolitionist and suffragist and first Massachusetts woman to get a collage degree) and Abigail Adams (famous letter-writer and wife of John Adams). They were life sized bronzes, placed in a conversational way, not like the over sized men on pedestals that I had to crane my neck to look at. These women were inviting me into their circle, I guess it worked, I had never heard of Phillis Wheatley or Lucy Stone until yesterday.
So now I’m home again, with the dogs and the donkeys, the cats and chickens, the trees and quiet. Ben is sanding my new studio floor and Will is updating the electric in the house, my studio and the barn. I started missing Jon as soon as he left the hotel for Philadelphia this morning. But I’m happy to be home and will be even happier to to meet him in San Francisco on Thursday.
Thanks for the inspiration Maria. I’ve been to these statues before and never quite thought of it this way. 🙂
Welcome Home, soon the book tour will be over and the big move will be accomplished. Saw John’s photos this morning of the city and I must say that I appreciate the country photos more. I am the Country Mouse who feels very insecure in the city. I’m sure it’s a very interesting place to live, but it’s just not for me. The Country Mouse.
Beautiful……I love what you wrote.
Maria, the graceful flow of the women’s statues is beautiful and yes, Boyleston Ave or St., I can’t remember which, is correct. I visited Boston for a seminar several years ago and stayed in the old downtown area. It is a beautiful city and an old city in terms of NA. I find myself needing open spaces visually in a city as well where I can find a sense of calm; a sense of open space. I lived for many years in a city and am thankful for the time spent there but I would never return having now lived in the country for twenty-four years. While I have had many wonderful friends in the city, there is something about living in a smaller place that is different. I’m not sure that I can put my finger on it but I find people different in the country; less stressed perhaps, have more time for others, almost in a sense, more real, more down to earth, less pretentious and yet I known it’s not just the country that makes people different…for many in the city would have these same qualities but for me..the country is a balm to my soul. Thank you for sharing those beautiful sculptures here.
SandyP in Canada
So happy you enjoyed Boston, and particularly, that you found those lovely bronzes of MA women in history. The Public gardens are so beautiful. I went there often with my grandmother as I grew up, and have continued to take my children there, as well.
Sounds like great progress is happening on the new farm.
I like your idea of touring new places…I too seek out the parks, the cemetaries, the places of solitude…the smaller bookstores…loved your post.
Martha Crist
Oh yes, I can see them having quite the conversation. Have fun in CA!
I used to live in Boston and work on Boylston! I walked thru the Public Gardens almost every day…..so reading your post brought back the memories! Thanks Maria for sharing.
PS – There’s a great and very old (I think the oldest in Boston) cemetery called The Granary where a bunch of famous folks were laid to rest (Paul Revere, Sam Adams, etc), I think it’s on or near Tremont St. along the Freedom Trail.