Lucy and Ethel's Fine and Finer Things League

I was searching for a picture of Pumpkin Moonshine and found an obituary for Tasha Tudor. Isn't that sad?I didn't know she had died. She died on June 20, 2008. She was 92 years old and said she had no fear of death or dying. She looked upon death as an adventure and she had every intention of going straight back to the 1830's after her death. She believed herself to be the reincarnation of a sea captain's wife who lived from 1840 or 1842,
and that she had been replicating this earlier life. Interestingly enough, her son said to please take his mother's colorful remarks with a pinch of salt.
I know we all have her books, and have read about her life many times, but it's sad to think she will no longer go on creating for her audience. She was such an interesting person, and anyone who turns their back on society and conforms to his own manner of living is fascinating. It usually takes a large amount of money to do so, but those who do always fascinate me.
I thought I'd list some of my notes from the book, The Private World of Tasha Tudor which I read years ago.
1. She lived in a setting of her own creation; a uniquely, beautiful private world.
2. The best thing that ever happened to her was going to live with the bohemian family who helped raise her.
3. She said you are always alone with your own mind.
4. She also said, "Joy is there for the taking," and titled one of her books, Take Joy.
5. She was always so proud of being a housewife. "Whenever I get one of those questionnaires and they ask what is your profession, I always put down housewife, why apologize for it. You aren't stupid because you're a housewife. When you're stirring the jam you can read Shakespeare." (or drying your hair.)
6. Her philosophy was best expressed by Henry David Thoreau."If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." "That is my credo. It is absolutely true. It is my whole life summed up."
7. There is a picture of Tasha Tudor against the evening sky with an orange tree and a barn in the backyard and a full moon. She has a black shawl around her and is carrying a pumpkin and quotes Mark Twain, "We are like the moon. We all have our dark side that we never show to anybody."
8. She thrived on hard work.
9. She said in regards to her children that she always thought of plenty of excuses to stay home when school wasn't called off. It was so much better than sitting in a classroom.
10. And lastly, "Anything worthwhile takes time."

I always wonder what it would be like to turn your back on society, and do exactly as you please. (I think this explains my old fascination with Hippies and 1960's culture.) Tasha Tudor even said, "I always wanted to live in Vermont, and because I always get my own way, this is where I settled."
I once read about a man who turned his back, packed all his books, and moved to a cabin. He spent years reading, and rarely had contact with anyone, and then,tragically, was eaten by a bear. This is the exact kind of thing that would happen to me and it keeps me from packing my books and moving!

I also thought I'd include a poem by George Cooper. We found it in a country living magazine a few years ago. I believe it's called October's Party.

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came
The Chestnuts, Oaks and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the Band