Porter/Austin

I love everything about Gene Stratton Porter except her writing. For some reason, I just can’t get used to her style. “Moths of the Limberlost” does contain the perfect description of finding and photographing a Cecropia moth, and I actually liked this except more than some of her other works.

I clearly remember finding my first Cecropia. I couldn’t believe how big it was. The moth seemed otherworldly. Perhaps Porter had a hard time finding the Cecropia because it has a short life span. I got lucky finding mine. It was resting quietly on the side of a building. I know there is some skill in capturing butterflies and moths, but I believe a lot of it is luck. Enter skill. Porter’s placement of the female Cecropia was deliberate. She experienced a moth orgy like no other. I had heard Porter routinely left her windows and doors open to allow butterflies and moths to enter at all times. In this case it seemed to work perfectly.

As I read “The Land of Little Rain” it is pouring outside the Merry Lea Learning Center. A gully has formed next to the construction project. The newly constructed river will eventually find its way to the Elkhart River. I have never read any of Mary Austin’s work. She shares the power of description with Porter, but I find her much easier to follow. I can feel the heat she describes, and know the despair. Is Austin depressed? I think so.