Home & Country Newsletters (Stoney Creek, ON), Fall 1969, p. 6

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Humanities in Homespun Members of the Ontario Women's Institutes and others who enjoyed Dr. Ethel Chapman's delightful collection of essays “From A Road- side Window" will be happy to hear that Ryer- son Press has now published another book by Dr. Chapman with the title “Humanities in Homespun." Once again the author has brought together a collection of her own essays, each with its bit of human interest and having in it a kernel of her philosophy that in humble people there is so often an abundance of warmth and \vistm. Her characters are simple people and not al- ways the “best people.“ They are always hu- man and Miss Chapman has found in their lives a bit of drama of which they themselves were unaware probably. The book is divided into four sections. Not By Bread Alone, The Vocation of Living, The Family, and The Changing Countryside. In the Section. "Not by Bread Alone" and in the chapter “Gentle Folk Are Where You Find Them“. Dr. Chapman tells the story of the old woman living in a rundown section of the city who always manages to spare from her meagre pension a little bit of money to buy daffodils, She tells of the young mechanic who carries a grey kitten on his shoulder and of the couple in a weather-beaten house on a rocky farm whose front yard is full of flowers. “Sarah Meyer had a Quaker background." This is the opening sentence of a chapter with the heading “Passive Resistance.” Sarah was one night the mistress of ceremonies of her club‘s family night. The speaker was inclined to be a little bit “free wheeling" and turned to ask Sarah for permission to tell a certain story. Sarah said. “I'm sure any story of yours would be worth hearing but if you‘re in any doubt We don‘t mind missing it. We‘re enjoying your pictures." The speaker went on with his lecture without telling the story. Dr. Ethel Chapman grew up on a farm in Halton County. As a country school teacher. an extension worker with the Home Econom» ics Branch of the Ontario Department of Agri- culture and Food and as the former editor of Home and Country she has developed a deep love for and understanding of rural people and their environment. These feelings are reflected in her essays and will be read with great pleasâ€" ure by everyone who has ever had any connec- tion With the farm. Perhaps those without a 6 rural background may better understand lhc charm and the genuine wholesomeness 01 n.” Canadian countryside. Humanities in HoniesPun is available 0: book stands now. Women's Institute met and others may obtain copies by writi: i llC '.‘l' 10 The Secretary of the Federated Women‘s .i. tutes, 5th floor, 1200 Bay St., Toronto 5 m. tario. Paper back covers are $3.50 and Hi Covers are $5.75. * it 1* A BIRD CAME DOW’N THE \V’All A bird came down the walk He did not know I saw; He hit an angle~worm in halves And ate the fellow, raw. And then ‘he drank a dew From a convenient grass, And then hopped sideways to the wall To let a beetle pass. He glanced with rapid eyes That hurried all around â€" They looked like frightened heads, I thou; He stirred his velvet head Like one in danger; cautious, I offered him a crumb. And he unrolled his feathers And rowed him softer home Than oars divide the ocean, Too silver for a seam, Or butterflies, off banks of noon, Leap. plashless. as they swim. Emily l)ii; ~n * ‘k * "judgment is essentially the choosing ‘1“ thing in preference [0 another. This exri -" choice is the crown of human intelligent ll" more decisions 3 person is forced to make U "N he becomes aware of the vital importanCe lb" kingpin of liberty: his freedom to choose. "Peo les lives turn on small hinges. Peop «kt many etisions, some of seemingly little N': quence, but the total of these decisions (lei no the happiness or misery of their lives."â€"F' Ii“ Royal Bank of Canada Monthly Letter it!!! 1968. * * * HOME AND CO? IIRY

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