Post #44 – Women’s Memoirs, Writing Prompt – Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler
A few weeks ago, our son treated us to a weekend in San Francisco. On Saturday, we were trying to decide between matinee performances of “Wicked” and Puccini’s “Rondine” when we realized that the day had midsummer temperatures. So we stayed outside until dark. We had a Trader Joe’s picnic at Crissy Field looking at the Golden Gate Bridge, then walked in Golden Gate Park and went through the Conservatory of Flowers for the first time in many years.
I’m eager to take Kendra to the Conservatory the next time she visits from Maine. The original building, modified many times, is the oldest wood and glass conservatory in North America. It was originally purchased by James Lick, a San Jose, California businessman for his own use and was found, still in its crates, when he died in 1968. The entire set of crates were purchased by several prominent businessmen who offered them to the Department of Parks. Today, it occupies the same spot in Golden Gate Park where it was originally constructed. Although damaged many times, it survived the famous 1906 earthquake with only minor damage.
When I toured the Conservatory, I was fascinated by the beautiful, miniature scenes in one of the rooms. The signs said that “tray scenery” or more formally, “Art of Penjing” is more than 2000 years old. “It is said the Emperor of China didn’t travel a lot. His emissaries would go out and collect stones from the landscapes of various regions to make these creations to illustrate what his realm looked like.”
I didn’t have a camera with me so I can’t show what the trays looked like. However, your imagination can take over when I add that this tradition became called Bonsai in Japan. The primary difference is that in the Penjing I saw, entire scenes were created with equal emphasis on stones and miniature plants while most Bonsai I’ve seen focus on the plant.
Writing Prompt
Imagine two scenes that represent different regions of your narrative landscape. Perhaps one from your childhood and one from your current life. Perhaps one from a happy period of your life and one from a sad period. You choose, just look for contrasts. Then write a page about each narrative. What elements belong in each narrative? Who are the people? What are they doing? Where are they?
Create your own Penjing using elements of your story and imagine sharing them with others who haven’t traveled to the regions of your life.
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