Author(s)	Merilyn Simonds
Publisher	ECW Press
Publication Year	2022

ISBN: 9781770416598

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Woman, Watching

Name: Woman, Watching
SKU: 9781770416598
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Louise de Kiriline Lawrence and the Songbirds of Pimisi Bay

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Referred to as a Canadian Rachel Carson, Louise de Kiriline Lawrence lived and worked in an isolated log cabin near North Bay. After her husband was murdered by Bolsheviks, she refused her Swedish privilege and joined the Canadian Red Cross, visiting her northern Ontario patients by dogsled. When Elzire Dionne gave birth to five babies, Louise became nurse to the Dionne Quintuplets. Repulsed by the media circus, she retreated to her wilderness cabin, where she devoted herself to studying the birds that nested in her forest. Author of six books and scores of magazine stories, de Kiriline Lawrence and her “loghouse nest” became a Mecca for international ornithologists.

Lawrence was an old woman when Merilyn Simonds moved into the woods not far away. Their paths crossed, sparking Simonds’s lifelong interest. A dedicated birder, Simonds brings her own songbird experiences from Canadian nesting grounds and Mexican wintering grounds to this deeply researched, engaging portrait of a uniquely fascinating woman.

Contributors

Merilyn Simonds

Merilyn Simonds is the author of 18 books, including the non-fiction classic The Convict Lover, Gutenberg’s Fingerprint, and most recently, the novel Refuge. The founder and first artistic director of the Kingston WritersFest, Simonds is an influential champion of writers and writing. She lives with writer and translator Wayne Grady and divides her time between Kingston, Ontario, and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Chapter	Contributors	Pages	Year	Price
The Golden Bird Chapter One provides a brief introduction to Louise de Kiriline Lawrence, the self-trained amateur ornithologist and field nurse who is the subject of this book. The chapter discusses topics … View	Merilyn Simonds	6	2022	$0.60
The View from the Terrace Chapter Two explores Louise’s childhood in Svensksund, Sweden. The chapter explores her relationships with her mother, father, and sister. It also examines the influence the natural … View	Merilyn Simonds	10	2022	$1.00
Hungry for Something Chapter Three follows Louise’s time as a nurse during the First World War at a Russian POW camp on the Eastern Front. The chapter follows her first meeting and later marriage to Russian … View	Merilyn Simonds	21	2022	$2.10
Untrammelled Landscapes Chapter Four focuses on Louise’s move to Canada. The chapter explores Louise’s joining of the Canadian Red Cross Outpost Service, her settling in Bonfield, Northern Ontario, her … View	Merilyn Simonds	27	2022	$2.70
Hold Fast to This Chapter Five explores Louise’s relationship with Leonard "Len" Lawrence. The chapter discusses her move to Cabane, her mother’s visit to Canada, her marriage to Len, and … View	Merilyn Simonds	18	2022	$1.80
This Gentle Art Chapter Six explores Louise’s growing interest in birds. The chapter discusses Louise’s first recordbook of bird watching, her relationship with Percy Traverner, the evolution of her … View	Merilyn Simonds	25	2022	$2.50
Like the White Wings of Angels Chapter Seven focuses on the connections Louise had been making during the Second World War while Len was away. The chapter explores Louise’s relationship with Murray and Doris Speirs, her … View	Merilyn Simonds	23	2022	$2.30
Nothing Happens Haphazardly Chapter Eight explores Louise’s journey writing her "Little Bird Book." The chapter follows the writing and publishing of her first book and Len’s homecoming from the war. View	Merilyn Simonds	10	2022	$1.00
A Strong Wall around Me Chapter Nine looks at the remaking of Louise and Len’s life and relationship after the war. The chapter discusses the 1946 publication of The Loghouse Nest, Len finding work, and … View	Merilyn Simonds	20	2022	$2.00
Ennobling Influence Chapter Ten explores Louise’s experiences with the American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU) starting in 1947 and the connections it opened up for her. View	Merilyn Simonds	23	2022	$2.30
The Eyes of the Heart Chapter Eleven focuses on the experiences of women in the field of ornithology and the larger naturalist movement. The chapter provides a brief history of the ornithology, the gender barrier … View	Merilyn Simonds	22	2022	$2.20
A Limitless Capacity to Rebound Chapter Twelve explores the hardships faced by Louise in her later life and how these affected both her work and her own strength. The chapter discusses the decline in the bird populations … View	Merilyn Simonds	22	2022	$2.20
Visions of Woodpeckers Chapter Thirteen focuses on Louise’s work with woodpeckers. View	Merilyn Simonds	24	2022	$2.40
With High Heart Chapter Fourteen focuses on Louise’s book Lovely, a new approach to her writing. View	Merilyn Simonds	24	2022	$2.40
A Fine and Baffling Interplay Chapter Fifteen explores more of Louise’s challenges later in life. This chapter discusses the move away from amateur ornithology and its professionalization, her continuation of publishing … View	Merilyn Simonds	21	2022	$2.10
Lest Living Lose Its Zest Chapter Sixteen focuses on Louise’s attempts to write about her first husband Gleb and their time in Russian. The chapter discusses the professional writing process during Louise’s … View	Merilyn Simonds	19	2022	$1.90
As Long as It Lasts Chapter Seventeen tells the story of Louise and Len’s final years. The chapter discusses Louise’s accomplishments into her 90’s, Len’s decline, their move from the woods … View	Merilyn Simonds	25	2022	$2.50
Never a Day Alike to the Other Chapter Eighteen wraps up the story of Louise’s life by reflecting on her accomplishments. The chapter includes the author’s last encounter with Louise, reflections on her legacy, and … View	Merilyn Simonds	28	2022	$2.80

Woman, Watching

Louise de Kiriline Lawrence and the Songbirds of Pimisi Bay

Contributors

Merilyn Simonds

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