13 Days of Cleansing: Day 2 The Keeper of the Bees

Good Day everyone! It is sunny and beautiful in Wisconsin today, too bad I am still sick and loafing on the couch in front of the fire. Sounds like a good time to Cleanse the Mind. Being sick is not fun, but a good book can take your mind off your troubles. Someone asked me what I have been reading lately, there are so many good books to share, but my all time favorite it this one:

I first learned about the author Gene Stratton-Porter at a Carol Joy Seid Homeschooling conference years ago. If you don't know about Carol Joy Seid you can read my review of her here. Gene Stratton-Porter was a writer in the early 1900's. She wrote a number of excellent books, sadly only one of them ever made it to the movie theater. She is probably best known for her book The Girl of the Limberlost, which was also a movie in the 1940's and the sequel book Freckles. Gene Stratton-Porter was a naturalist, and is well known for her knowledge of plants and nature that she portrays in her books.

The Keeper of the Bees is a wonderful story about a man with a mortal wound that will not heal. The doctor's told him he was going to die, so he escapes from the hospital and ventures heads toward the sea. On his way to California, Jamie, encounters a family who is attacked by thieves, and although he is wounded, he helps save them. When he finally reaches the coast, he is met by an elderly gentleman who collapses in his arms and has a heart attack. Jamie promises the man he will care for his home and garden full of bees until he returns. During this time, Jamie learns to care for others more than himself. He becomes a mentor to a young child, and finds the love of his life in a woman who's life is falling apart. Along the way, he discovers the one thing that can heal him, you will have to read the book to find out what it is. There are so many great characters in this book, with wonderful selfless values, you will wish you had read it sooner.

Porter writes beautifully about nature, and her descriptions of the plants and bees in the gardens of this book are captivating. You will feel like they are real. You may even want to take up gardening. Porter was of the mind that nature can heal us, and by reading her literature you will realize what you have been missing in not experiencing it. I have recommended this book to many people over the years. Everyone loves it, most people can't wait to read more of her work. This book also makes a great get well gift for anyone who has been sick, struggling with their health or life in general.

A definite must read for yourself, and your home schooled high school-er. But it is also appropriate for a read aloud for middle school students. It may not be readily available at your local library, but you can purchase it on Amazon for $14.95.

Let me know how you like it!

Designer Mom