Yesterday at the op shop. I rescue Little Golden Books. They were my first books growing up in a small town in New England in the 50s. I wouldn't part with them when we sailed for Australia . I still have them and now many many more. ☺️.
so-soWhat stands out here are tidal pools. Carson starts on the rocky coasts of Canada and New England, checking out every niche in every layer if the tidal rhythms, animal by animal. And then she works south. I found it demanding a lot more of my attention, listening, then it was drawing. Another animal, another minute aspect in detail. Which animal now? 🙂☺️ Well, I appreciated her passion. I hope to finally listen to Silent Spring next.
Working my way through Carson‘s four books on audio. I started this one, from 1955, yesterday. The warming of the oceans was already known and an important topic.
pickFirst published in 1955, this nature writing holds up, full of wonder and beautiful passages describing three different types of coastline along the eastern edge of the USA, and the many species that exist in this liminal space. Rachel Carson emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life. Audiobook narrated by Kaiulani Lee, who has also written and performed a play about Carson that has since been made into a film: A Sense of Wonder.
These exquisitely delicate and filmy tentacles serve not only as snares to entangle food, but as gills for breathing. Among them is a structure like a long-stemmed goblet. When the worm draws back into its tube, the goblet, or operculum, closes the opening like a neatly-fitted trap door.
(Internet photo of a calcareous tube worm)
In the stillness of night, the strong waveless surge of the rising tide creates a confused tumult of water sounds, swashings and swirlings and continuous slappings against the rocky rim of the land. Sometimes there are undertones of murmurings, of whisperings, then suddenly all lesser sounds are obliterated by a torrential inpouring of water. On such a shore, the tide shapes the nature and behaviour of life.
But a grain of sand is almost indestructible. It is the ultimate product of the work of the waves.
… sensing that intricate fabric of life by which one creature is linked with another and each with its surroundings.
