“I entered a solitary, reflective phase and resolved to write about nature, survival, regeneration, giving back, and love; about what I gleaned from being silent, listening, touching, seeing, and absorbing; and about discovering the magnificent diversity revealed when Brown County’s multicolored panoply of leaves is peeled back. How could I have known in 1990, when my husband and I purchased a simple little cabin with a few acres of land, how much this bit of earth and its accoutrements would penetrate my soul, and how it would clarify what I care about and stand for?” —from the Prologue
For Ruth Ann Ingraham, spending part of her time in a cabin in the woods in southern Indiana becomes a journey of discovery—of herself and her place in the natural world. Suddenly freed from the urban daily grind, she is able to focus more intently on her surroundings. And she can look more deeply into herself and examine her beliefs.
As they settle into the place, the passing of each day offers up simple truths as Ruth Ann and her husband repair the cabin, learn the contour and texture of the land, and become ever more mindful of the animals and plants that share their living space. As the couple learn to walk in step with nature, they discover a depth and richness to life that has previously evaded them. In the hills of Brown County, Indiana, the author finds a fullness of life that survives even loss.
In addition to a text that is full of close observations of nature as well as thoughtful musings about life, Swimming with Frogs is beautifully illustrated with color photos and black and white drawings. It will appeal to naturalists of all stripes, fans of contemplative writing, and Brown County residents and visitors. |
