Gourd Girls is Priscilla Wilson’s funny, open-hearted, and moving account of her 29-year journey into "the gourd life" with her partner, Janice Lymburner. It is the story of their struggle to learn about farming, to become artists, to make a living against all odds, to come out as a lesbian couple in a rural area and find their community of friends. Although the evolution of their unusual business provides the central story line, the themes of the book are numerous: long-term commitments and faithfulness, love of family and friends, the charm of the rural South, the healing power of nature, the meaning and function of art, and the wisdom of foolishness.
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About the Author
Priscilla Wilson was born in 1950. She grew up in Valdosta, Georgia and graduated from Auburn University in 1972 with a B.A. in English. She worked for the Atlanta Council of Camp Fire Girls for a year before making the decision to move to the home of her heart, the northeast Georgia mountains, in 1974. In that year she became committed to her life partner, Janice Lymburner.
Wilson taught high school English in Dahlonega, Georgia for two years but soon realized that teaching was not her calling. In 1976 she started Gourdcraft Originals, Inc., and in 1978 Lymburner became her partner in business as well as life. The evolution of their unusual business - now known as The Gourd Place - and their coming out are the subjects of Wilson’s first book, Gourd Girls, published in October of 2005. Her career as a "gourd girl" has taught her to be a gourd artist, farmer, graphic designer, clay artist, and now author.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining and moving,
By Catherine J. Morgan "abstract expressionist p... (Clarkesville, GA USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Gourd Girls (Paperback)
Whether this book catches your eye because it's about the struggles and romance of making a living as a craft artist in a rural area, or because it's about two women who love each other, you'll find it well worth reading. My strongest impression is of the integrity and spiritual strength of the author and her partner. Sometimes it's a bit sad, reading the book, to see them deliberately turn away from a choice that would probably prove lucrative. (This happens at several points in the story.) Instead, they always choose what keeps their spirit most alive. This--and their deep love for nature and each other--is a great gift from the book. So do I recommend it? Yes, of course!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Very Gourd Read!,
This review is from: Gourd Girls (Paperback)
You'll laugh; you'll cry; but mostly you'll LOVE the gourd girls! You'll delight to discover the playful spirit author Priscilla Wilson and her partner, Janice Lymburner, bring to everything they do, even as they struggle with financial, social and political issues. Engrossing, well-written, and straight from the heart, this is a fine memoir.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Way to go, Gourd Girls,
By
This review is from: Gourd Girls (Paperback)
Gourd Girls came in the mail from a friend who told me that because it was self-published it is hard to find in mainstream bookstores. It is a lovely book in every way, and I'm delighted to see it is now available on Amazon. The writing style is straightforward and engaging. There's a nice mix of narrative about becoming entrepreneurs, creative and spiritual growth, and dealing with the uncomfortable-ness of an alternative lifestyle in a rural mountain area. There's also a good bit of hilarity and an infectious appreciation of what "foolishness" can do to lighten our burdens. I think you will like this book as much as I did.
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Inside This Book
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Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs):
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Mae Mae, Blue Creek, White County, Gourdcraft Originals, John Kollock, Leon Carter, Life Spark, Nacoochee Presbyterian Church, United States, Creative Force, John Hobbs, Mount Yonah, Rape Response, John Head, Foothills Guild, Gourd Impressions, Gourda Claus, Mildred Neville, Nellie Belle, Patty Workman, Ruth Stovall Head, The Gourd Place, Carey Kollock, North Carolina, Oklahoma City New!
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Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Mae Mae, Blue Creek, White County, Gourdcraft Originals, John Kollock, Leon Carter, Life Spark, Nacoochee Presbyterian Church, United States, Creative Force, John Hobbs, Mount Yonah, Rape Response, John Head, Foothills Guild, Gourd Impressions, Gourda Claus, Mildred Neville, Nellie Belle, Patty Workman, Ruth Stovall Head, The Gourd Place, Carey Kollock, North Carolina, Oklahoma City New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 3
books:
- In Memoriam by Alfred Lord Tennyson on page 192
- Gardening Without Work by Ruth Stout on page 30
- Mossy Creek by Deborah Smith on page 1
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