Gladys Taber was a North American writer, born in 1899 and who lived through most of the twentieth century. She wrote a variety of fiction, prose and non-fiction works. It is her reflections from her time at her country Connecticut home, Stillmeadow that has been the most enjoyable for me. So much of what she shares from that time resonates with me and my own quest for simple living. For me, living well means living simply. Read on for some simple, classic tips from Gladys Taber and her reveries at Stillmeadow.
Have faith and hope
Taber poignantly reminds us that we all have hard times in our life, and that we should always have faith and hope that good times will return. "It is very important, in winter, to remember that spring is coming along...In the spring of the heart, too, we have gardening to do, planting seeds of goodwill, helpfulness and faith." She makes a beautiful comparison between gardening - the planning, purchasing of seeds, careful planting, and tender care - and the act of faith for better times ahead.
Go for a walk
'Going for a walk', in this instance, does not refer to a high-powered walk with exercise clothes on and a weight loss goal in mind. Taber says, "it is good to have leisure, to walk in the September sun slowly, humming a small hum and picking a few wild dark-purple grapes." The key word here, I think, is slowly. We all have some leisure time in our week, it just depends how we choose to use it. Getting out into nature, exploring the world that we live in, and taking a moment to taste nature's pleasure, fresh from the vine, sounds like a wonderful way to while away an hour or so. It should not be hurried and should have no other purpose than to wander aimlessly through the garden or down the lane.
"The picnics we have had would stretch from here to the moon, I daresay. Spread out on sun-warmed flat grey boulders or eaten by some rush-fringed stream or cooked on the grill down by the pond, they add up to a rich store of memory." There is nothing simpler yet more satisfying than a picnic. As Taber reflects, they are the perfect way to make memories with family and friend and with the right preparation can be enjoyed year round.
Cultivate a garden
The garden at Stillmeadow is a favourite topic of Taber's and occurs in many different contexts. She talks about the back-breaking work of setting up the garden at Stillmeadow, reflects often on the beauty that she sees in the garden throughout the year and even shares some wonderful recipes. I love the way in which she uses the seasons to reflect on the passage of time and to appreciate small moments of joy. It is so much easier to be mindful and present in the moment when we have a garden which we can spend our time in and be aware of all the little changes that happen throughout the year. There are so many life lessons to learn from being in nature and the easiest way to achieve this is to create a garden with all the things that you love most: heavenly flowers, fragrant herbs, delicious fruit, enriching vegetables, towering trees, whatever takes your fancy. Make it your own and spend time out there, just being.
Be grateful for the little moments
There are many such moments that make up day, yet if we don't take the time or make the effort to notice them they will surely pass us by. I'm talking about small moments of happiness, joy, deep contentment, gratitude. "The trouble with most of us, it seems to me, is that we chase happiness so hard that when we find it, we have already rushed on looking for more." Does this sound like you? Do you feel that perfect moment in your day, then get upset that it passes or that someone interrupts it? Taber says that, "the truly happy person is one who realises the happiness of that moment, or that hour," and doesn't lament or complain when it passes. She adds, "Anybody has moments like this to store up, but some people are too busy adding up their frustrations to appreciate them. And yet, all we need is an awareness of the beauty in life to make us richly content."
I would love to know if you are familiar with Gladys Taber and if any of these simple tips resonate with you. Thanks so much for being here.
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