Jenny writes:
<< I think Marianne was wondering if enjoying the beauty of graveyards was a
trait shared among many Joni fans, maybe even to a greater extent than the
general
population. >>
Put me down for a big NO! on this question -- especially at night with an ice
cream cone!
I know the Mt. Auburn Cemetary of which Anne speaks. (I was born in the Mt.
Auburn Hospital, which is a stone's throw away.) The cemetary is a beautiful
place, sort of an upscale graveyard, as graveyards go, with the remains of
lots of well-known Boston and Cambridge people buried there among some of the
most spectacular landscaping in the Northeast. It's also sort of a tree
museum because, like an arboretum, it has little cards on or near the trees
that tell you each tree's Latin or horticultural name. But I wouldn't want to
be in there at night after they lock the gates!
And as for Frederick Law Olmstead, one of my heroes . . . you are right,
Anne, about his involvement with NYC's Central Park, although I don't think
he gets sole credit for its design. I think it was a collaboration of some
sort, but I'm not sure. (One of the NYC Jonilistas will know.) I used to love
going to Central Park when I lived in the city. I think it has a lot to do
with keeping New Yorkers sane! One of Olmstead's greatest achievements, in my
opinion, will always be Boston's 'Emerald Necklace' of parks and other green
spaces.
Take care,
--Bob
