“As I massaged their old joints or communed amongst them without words, a remarkable thing happened—that silence created an internal, safe space for me to float with memories, helping me work through my own grief and understand and accept life as it is.” A memoir–where animals, farm and nature show the way through loss.
Showing posts with label Book details. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book details. Show all posts
In a nutshell
An illustrated journey of one woman as she grapples with the death of her father. At her side were the Misfits she had adopted into her small farm's barnyard–a grumpy pig, and old donkey, handicapped goats and one very special elderly goat named Old Man Guinnias.
As she cared or hospiced these creatures, she was able to have her own internal conversations with each–helping her understand their journey better, also that of her father.
A beautiful, quiet book for anyone who has lost a loved one or parent, or who appreciates the healing power of nature and animals.
With over 65 art images/photos, 120 pages printed traditionally by offset with hard cover.
ISBN978-0-9898271-1-9
All books are gift wrapped by the artist in her raggedy Apifera style and signed.
Table of Contents
In the Beginning
{There was an end}
Old Man Guinnias
{Dignity}
Day After Death
{There is life}
Cat and Mouse Interlude
{Come back}
Memory
{Acceptance}
Mother Matilda
{Love}
Memory
{Sometimes}
Hospice of a Lamb
{Be on your way}
Honey Boy Edwards
{Purpose}
Dreaming Deep with Old Barn
{Carry on}
The Misfits
{Teachers}
Acknowledgments
{Grateful}
Excerpts
From "Conversation with Old Man Guinnias"
“The complexities of another’s life are what led me here,” the old goat said to me.
He was thinking of the young boy who had raised him for 4-H some fifteen years ago.
“He adored me, but adoration is much more fickle than love,” he paused, “and fleeting.”
Conversing with a goat can be a brief encounter, a passing by of,
“Leave a few apples on the tree for me, please,”
or it can be an ongoing dialogue where information is extracted slowly, over time, days even.
“I remember her ear tips as they drove away,” the old donkey said.
She was speaking about one of her many children.
“No matter where they took them, they came to the earth through me,”
the donkey continued.
They can’t take that from her, I thought.
I put my arms around her neck and lay my head on her withers, looking back over her sagging spine. She didn’t move, except for ear motions to redirect a fly or acknowledge a fluttering hay stem.
“I never watched them get in the trailer,” she went on.
She reached over with her nose, touching an area of her back where scratching would be appreciated. I obliged.
“The complexities of another’s life are what led me here,” the old goat said to me.
He was thinking of the young boy who had raised him for 4-H some fifteen years ago.
“He adored me, but adoration is much more fickle than love,” he paused, “and fleeting.”
Conversing with a goat can be a brief encounter, a passing by of,
“Leave a few apples on the tree for me, please,”
or it can be an ongoing dialogue where information is extracted slowly, over time, days even.
~~~~~~~~~~~
From "Conversation with Mother Matilda"
She was speaking about one of her many children.
“No matter where they took them, they came to the earth through me,”
the donkey continued.
They can’t take that from her, I thought.
I put my arms around her neck and lay my head on her withers, looking back over her sagging spine. She didn’t move, except for ear motions to redirect a fly or acknowledge a fluttering hay stem.
“I never watched them get in the trailer,” she went on.
She reached over with her nose, touching an area of her back where scratching would be appreciated. I obliged.
~~~~~~~~~~~
From Conversation with Old Barn
Those old farmers—how like my father they were. All of them just wanting to carry on, with dignity, as themselves. Like the old goats and donkeys who arrived here, they wanted shelter from storms, a place in the shade, and a warm spot for naps. They did not dwell on death, but hoped for a good one, I can only assume.
As I walked away from Old Barn that first day I met her, I heard a warm voice say,
“Dream deep.”
She was a creature of few words, but it was the first of many conversations I’d have with her. I was a dreamer who helped even the wounded moth if I could. We were both caretakers of souls in bodies.
As I walked away from Old Barn that first day I met her, I heard a warm voice say,
“Dream deep.”
She was a creature of few words, but it was the first of many conversations I’d have with her. I was a dreamer who helped even the wounded moth if I could. We were both caretakers of souls in bodies.
Sample spreads
Beautifully printed the old fashioned way - by offset printing - to ensure color correctness on all art and imagery, the book is a 120 page, hard cover with over 65 art images and photos by Katherine Dunn.
It's a quiet little read, perfect for art and animal lovers, but also a wonderful gift for anyone grieving the loss of a parent or loved one.
Each book comes directly from the artist/author and is wrapped in true Apifera style, and signed.
It's a quiet little read, perfect for art and animal lovers, but also a wonderful gift for anyone grieving the loss of a parent or loved one.
Each book comes directly from the artist/author and is wrapped in true Apifera style, and signed.
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