Daffodils and Dog-Ears by Larry Perkinson

Warning: This blog post contains spoilers.

I read Daffodils and Dog-Ears as part of the It’s True! Book Club at Viewpoint Books, and the author himself was able to join us for our discussion! This was back in June.

This memoir is a series of vignettes from throughout the life of an English scholar turned painter turned Quaker pastor. The vignettes aren’t coated or even couched in religious rhetoric. They are heartfelt tellings of important memories that Perkinson felt taught him important life lessons – a passing on of wisdom and inspiration.

Partway through the book club meeting, Larry asked us if any stories in particular touched us or stayed with us.

I admit, I finished the book earlier that same day, so I hadn’t thought it through before I raised my hand and said, “FAME! Fame was my favorite!”

An uncomfortable beat followed as it caught up to me that this could have been insensitive, considering the story featured a family member who later passed away.

After the meeting, he came up to me to thank me for my courage, and I expressed my misgivings. It wasn’t brave; it was a misunderstanding. He reassured me he was happy to know the story helped.

I said something along the lines of, “Well, yeah. That was the one that inspired me to live my life better and all that.”

I think he appreciated it, despite my social ineptitude.

As a lifelong learning and spiritual explorer, I am fascinated by the Quaker movement. The church where Perkinson preaches is a historical location, part of the underground railroad. I’ll update if I make a visit.