The boys and I had to read a favorite picture book today. Nothing but Miss Rumphius would do after our short foray into the lupine field on our way home from piano lessons this afternoon.
When Alice was a little girl, she lived by the sea with her grandfather and listened to his tales of adventure. She was determined to travel around the world and then settle down to live by the sea when she grew old. Her grandfather told her there was a third thing she must do. She must do something to make the world a more beautiful place. She wondered what that could be.
Alice grew up and moved away.
She became the librarian, Miss Rumphius.
One day she decided to find the places she read about in the books at the library.
She traveled all over the world.She experienced many adventures. 
When she grew old, she bought a cottage by the sea.
She loved the lupines growing on the hill.
She bought seeds and scattered them across the village.
The next spring, lupines grew everywhere.
Miss Rumphius had succeeded in making the world a more beautiful place.
Barbara Cooney tells the story much better than I. She is also a wonderful artist. We have many books on our shelves with her name on them.
Everytime I pass this seemingly abandoned shed, I’m filled with some sort of mysterious desire for adventure. I don’t know why. It looks even better set against a field of blooming clover.
My tastebuds are in the mood for clover honey…
