Abstract:
This collection consists of autobiographical essays which center around my father,
my first husband, and my backyard. All of the pieces are recollections, and most occur
either from my study inside the house, or from the deck outside, looking at the yard. The
Preface is the story of how I came to be a writer. Chapter I, "Arkansas," traces my
thought process in "On Looking in From Zinnias" in which I recount losing a baby that,
ultimately, reminds me of my father. This leads into three essays, "Down Home," "The
Heart Ring," and "The Boyd Place," that recall my parents' past in Arkansas, a ring my
father made, and a trip I took to Arkansas. Chapter II, "Cemetery," recalls a meteorology
class field trip to a cemetery where my first husband and father are buried and explores the
implications of my first husband's suicide. Chapter III, "Backyard," returns to my father
and his craft of building in "Full of His Details." "On the Birds I See" looks at robins and
leads to a look at other birds and how I experienced "flying" on a one-time sailing trip.
"Ash" recalls when Mount St. Helens erupted and ultimately reinforces the overall theme
in the collection: finding solace in remembering details of the past.
