WEATHERSFIELD AUTHOR PUBLISHES FIRST BOOK OF POETRY, AUGUST 25'08
By JULIA LLOYD WRIGHT-Contributing Writer
Saturday, October 25, 2008 6:53 AM
Perkinsville -- If there's time to spend a lazy afternoon, sit on a sunny porch or just to relax in a gently swinging hammock then Dottie Richardson's new book of poems is an ideal companion.
Local author Dorothy "Dottie" Ann Richardson of Perkinsville recently published her first book of poetry: "My Place In The Sun: Poems of Rural Vermont" is now on sale to the public in locations in Ascutney, Springfield and Chester.
Richardson grew up in the Green Mountains of Vermont and appreciates the gentle ways of changing seasons, outdoor vegetable and flower gardening and spring blooms, watching the birds, kayaking still waters, a winter woodpile and a crackling stove, Christmas caroling and snow.
A first-time author Richardson began writing poetry in the 1970s when her children were grown and she also had more time to devote to her other artistic hobbies of painting and quilting.
I always liked to read poetry, Richardson said, but never wrote any poems when I was in school.
The poetry in "My Place In The Sun" describes the life that Richardson lives on a quiet unpaved road off the main highway. Her garden is an oasis visited by many species of birds including the busy whirring hummingbirds attracted by feeders and the hosts of brightly colored flowers.
The old apple tree she writes about is still standing. Once a playground and swing for three active children it is now held together with guy lines to support it -- it is really old but still producing fruit for winter pies. The gardens surrounding her house are her own "Place In the Sun" which she shares, not only with the birds but family and friends.
Reading the 'Simple Pleasure' of a steaming pot of tea by a fireside on a snowy wintry day it reinforces the importance of slowing down a busy life to invite a friend in to enjoy a mug and good conversation.
Although the book is a personal record of Richardon's life it is one that she is more than happy to share with long-term residents of Vermont or visitors from out-of-state or abroad. The poetry epitomizes the flavor of Vermont, of village and country life and any reader will find a poem between its covers that they can easily identify with.
The cover painting is by the author and the title page photo is her home. The book is self-published by Greenbriar Publishing of Weathersfield, VT and printed by R.C. Brayshaw & Co. Inc., in Lebanon, NH. Selected illustration are by Cyndy Veysey of Vershire, VT, daughter of former Perkinsville neighbor Dottie Rhodes.
For more information on copies of "My Place In The Sun" contact the author by phone at 802 263-5444; by mail at 58 Old Center Street, Perkinsville, Vt. 05151 or email at dottie.richardson@gmail.com
Copies are also available in Ascutney at The Proctor Library, Red Barn Café and Busy Bee's Hair Salon; Black River Used Books in Springfield and Misty Valley Books in Chester
