Alice B. reviewed on 3/20/2014 + 3584 more book reviews

Emily Whaley's garden on Church Street in Charleston, South Carolina, may be the most visited private garden in the country. And no wonder. It is the life's work of a vibrant, sociable, opinionated, determined, forceful woman who has spent the last eighty-five years cultivating whatever life offered her. MRS. WHALEY AND HER CHARLESTON GARDEN captures and preserves Emily Whaley's distinctive voice and braces us with a clear understanding of how one might cultivate a practical personal philosophy alongside one's garden. "An ageless and captivating visit."
"Emily Whaley is wonderful, both in and out of her garden. Mrs Whaley talks a lot about gardening but this book is a 10 +in Southern Culture.
Mrs Whaley grew up in Pinopolis, South Carolina. Before, during and after the depression the folks "made do". Mrs Whaley has an aunt who faints in her hometown in Pinopolis. The family and friends there thinks old auntie is dead. A Great-niece a little girl fetches "the dead auntie's" flask of whiskey and old auntie takes a sip and is revived instantly. Mrs Whaley finds a dress pattern that will meet all her needs and chooses material to dress up and down and wears these dresses for decades, despite family and friends saying she needs a new dress. She finally gives them to the Goodwill. Because she has 2 cheaper female relatives who will take them and Make them over "better than I did." I love this book. our current generation is always broke because they have to have everything now.They need to take a new lessons from Mrs. Whaley who has plenty of money but does not spend it. It is refreshing after living amongst the I must have it all Culture. This is the sixth printing of this book so that says something about the popularity.

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