A Botanical Library

I had the good fortune to work for one year at the delightful library inside San Francisco's Botanical Garden. It was sort of dreamy.

*Preamble: Dear friends, because I have never mastered the art of minimalism, whether in my writing or my decor style, Substack has helpfully notified me that this post (and ditto for all my posts) is “too long for email.” All that means is that it will get cut off in email format. If you’d like to read all my riveting words, you might have to click to read it in Substack. (Easier on a computer than a phone.) Or just give it a try in email! Thank you!*

The Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture is a mid-century gem tucked just inside the Botanical Garden in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. It’s open to the public and offers an enormous collection of books on everything plant-related. (You want a book on roses? They’ve got 272! How about composting, mushrooms, succulents, Japanese flower arranging, gardens of Europe?)

I’d only been inside a few times in my life, but each time, I wondered what it would be like to work in such an idyllic spot.

Then, in 2023, I was hired as a part-time librarian! It was a temporary position that ended up going for a year. Today, I still fill in from time to time and feel special every time I do!

What I love is how comforting and solid and tangible it feels. It’s got a gate that creaks. (I LOVE GATES! Remember that pretty Filoli gate?) Locks that make satisfying clunks. Wall paneling in a warm walnut (or teak? I don’t really know what I’m talking about here). Card catalogs, botanical art, periodicals with names like Fuschia Flash and Orchid Digest and The Daffodil Journal. A used book sale rack with penciled-in prices starting at 25 cents. It truly feels like a peaceful portal to a completely different world.

It’s also got an upstairs with narrow aisles where I fully expect to find a dead body when I’m opening up in the early morning dim. (I’ve read too many cozy mysteries. Guys, is this my sign to write one myself? IS IT?)

Anyway, enjoy the library eye candy. (And next time you’re in SF on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, make sure to stop in and check it out in person!)

Outside the library, here’s what’s going on:

Bulletin Board - Industry news

”This is the gap where the deer slip through,
When the sky is still more pink than blue.”

The new book by my friend Katey Howes, who died suddenly one year ago, is out this week (and already has starred reviews from Kirkus and PW). It’s her most lyrical, beautiful book yet and is illustrated by Caldecott medalist Beth Krommes. Katey’s passing was a heartbreaking loss for our small critique group, for the broader kidlit community, and especially for her husband, their three brilliant teen daughters, and their beloved dog, Samwise Gamgee (AKA Sam). A small consolation is that Katey will live on through her amazing books. If you want to know more about Katey, you can read her obituary here. She was unique and wonderful and I miss her every day.

”And this is the curtain that nighttime drew
between two days—the old and the new.
It hides the moon, her bright debut.
And hushes the doves with their soft, low coo.
A fresh new coat of sparkling dew
forms on the grass where the deer slip through.”

From the 641s - Food & Cooking
When your parents come home from Europe (see pics of their trip here) they just might bring you a box of Laduree macarons. We cut them into slivers and made them last a week.

Other recent foodie highlights: We feasted on homemade tuna poke (courtesy of my brother Andrew).

Last night’s dinner: Skillet pizza made from sourdough starter discard topped with handfuls of arugula.

And lastly, a dark and dense almond chocolate cake. (It’s a Jacques Pepin recipe!)

Audio-Visual
A friend and I went to see Jane Austen Wrecked My Life. Yes, in a Movie Theater, people! A movie theater! Albeit during the day. I think I’ve seen two movies on the outside in the last three years (and one of them was It’s a Wonderful Life in our favorite vintage theater so does that count as a regular movie-going experience?). It was very arty, which brought me back to my 20s when I was into Films and Cinema. And it was in French, which also made me nostalgic for my younger years. (And also DID YOU KNOW MODERN MOVIE THEATER SEATS ARE LIKE SPA CHAIRS? I could have stayed all day.)

Alex and I also watched Day of the Jackal on Peacock and it was excellent and now it’s over and I’m sad about that.

Checked out - What I’m reading
Redwall. Because there are only so many times you can watch a happy child check it out before thinking, “I really need to know why so many kids love this series.”

Starred review - A little good news
Congrats to all the new graduates! My nephew Ollie (and so many other neighborhood kiddos we’ve known for ages and ages) said goodbye to AP Giannini Middle School. He’s on to Ruth Asawa School of the Arts this fall. (That’s Everett’s alma mater, too!)

Problem shelf (Aside: This is where library staff puts returned books that come in damaged; then they add a warning note to the patron’s record. Yikes, right?)
Oh delicate needy hydrangeas, why do you always wilt within hours? Must we really submerge you in a whole sinkful of water as the internets instruct (hey, there’s a drought on!) to revive you? (Update: We did, and it worked.)

From the 910s - Travel
Spent the Memorial Day weekend in the mountains outside Lassen National Park. Some of us fished. All of us hiked. Many shucked fava beans. Played liars’ dice. Managed the chaos of three dogs. Gulped the sweet mountain air like it was Champagne. Oh, when can we go back, please?

Local interest - Neighborhood news and shout-outs
I should just call this segment “This week’s dog walk spotlight.” This is Grandview, a hill behind our house. It takes about 12 minutes of steep uphill walking to reach the top, and I really think it affords the best views in the whole city—from ocean to Marin Headlands to famous bridge to skyscrapers. I love it dearly. And early in the morning, it’s all mine. (Piper’s just along for the gophers.)

If you visit me in San Francisco, wear sneakers. I will probably drag you up this hill.

That’s it for now! Hope you’re all having a good week! (And no pressure, but if you feel like giving me a heart or even leaving a comment, you will make me feel warm and cozy and loved!)