The Magic of Ordinary Days is a novel written by Ann Howard Creel. Set during World War II, the story revolves around a young woman named Livy who finds herself in an arranged marriage with a man she barely knows. Livy is sent to live on her husband’s farm in rural Colorado while he is serving in the war. Life on the farm is far from what Livy is accustomed to. She is unfamiliar with the chores and responsibilities that come with living on a farm, and she struggles to fit into the tight-knit community. However, as time goes on, Livy begins to find solace in the simplicity and beauty of her surroundings.
However, as time goes on, Livy begins to find solace in the simplicity and beauty of her surroundings. One day, Livy meets a Japanese-American man named Ray who is being held at a nearby internment camp. Livy is drawn to Ray’s intelligence and gentle nature, and she begins to question the life she has chosen for herself.
Autumn Magic Black Chokeberry
The Autumn Magic Black Chokeberry is a deciduous shrub growing to around 6 feet tall and wide. Bushy, with branches rising from the ground, it is a selected superior form of a native American shrub, so it’s the perfect choice for natural gardens and wooded areas, as well as for the back of shrub beds. It thrives in wet ground, so plant it along streams, in low lying areas, and use it on slopes for erosion control. The plump berries make tasty jellies and juices, and they are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
- Outstanding red and purple fall colors
- White summer flowers followed by large black berries
- Fruits and leaves are glossy and attractive
- Berries are excellent and healthy in the kitchen
- Top choice for natural gardens and wet soil
Grow the Autumn Magic Black Chokeberry in full sun or partial shade. It will color best in fall with some direct sunlight. It grows in any kind of soil, including wet and boggy places. Avoid very dry and sandy soils, although established plants have some drought resistance. Little or no pruning is needed, it has no pests or diseases, and this great bush is very low-maintenance, fitting in anywhere in the garden.
A major trend in gardening today is towards more natural gardens, and to using native plants in the garden. Concerns about the impact on the local environment from the escape of some non-native species, and a desire to have gardens that feel more like our rapidly-vanishing natural surroundings have driven this trend. We can also walk a ‘middle-way’, and use attractive native plants in any garden, and the appreciation of their quieter beauty has also grown. If you already have a natural area on your property you have a great start, and you can enhance the beauty and diversity of that space by planting different native plants that may not be growing there already. Some of our native shrubs are already attractive enough to hold their heads high in our gardens, and when special forms are carefully selected, they can make a big contribution to every kind of garden. You may want to choose a plant that is natural to North America, or you may simply want to grow attractive shrubs in your garden. In either case, the Autumn Magic Black Chokeberry satisfies all these impulses and needs. Carefully selected by plant experts for its excellent fall colors, this shrub is valuable everywhere – and edible too.
The Autumn Magic Black Chokeberry grows into a rounded shrub with an open form, reaching 3 to 6 feet tall, and spreading just a little wider. It has many upright stems rising from the base, creating a full plant with a tidy look. The young stems are smooth and reddish brown, turning purple-brown as they mature. Older stems and trunks are dark brown, and they remain smooth, without deep fissures or cracks. The oval leaves have a short, pointed end, and fine serrations along the edges. They are glossy, 1 to 3 inches long and a bright green color. In fall this tree becomes a blazing red beacon, because the leaves turn excellent shades of bold, vibrant red and rich, deep purples. The outstanding fall colors were the main reason this variety of chokeberry was selected and preserved.
Between June and August, the ends of the branches of the Autumn Magic Black Chokeberry carry clusters of 5 to 10 white flowers, each about ½ inch across. With their five petals held out flat around a center of spikey stamens, they have a quiet beauty, and a plant in full bloom is an attractive feature in any bed. Pollinating insects visit the flowers for pollen and nectar. By late summer and into the fall those flowers have turned into dark, glossy, purplish-black berries the size of blueberries. On this variety they are exceptionally large and abundant. A single bush is self-pollinating and carries a large crop. The berries are a valuable winter food for native birds, but they are also edible and useful in the kitchen. They are semi-sweet but sour and astringent when fresh, but once cooked into jellies, jams, syrups, teas and even wine, they are tasty and enjoyable. Rich in antioxidants, numerous phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals, this bush is a valuable addition to any food-producing garden. Rich in pectin, the berries are very easy to turn into jelly, alone or mixed with other fruits.
The Autumn Magic Black Chokeberry grows easily in full sun or partial shade, such as along the margins of a woodlot, or in clearings. It grows in most soils, including wet ones, and it thrives along the edges of streams and lakes, as well as in low-lying, boggy areas. With its strong roots and multiple branches, it is a great choice for banks and slopes, giving good erosion control and preventing banks from collapsing. It grows at a moderate pace, and although it does sucker from the base a little, it is not invasive. Regular pruning is not needed, although after a few years you can remove a few of the oldest branches at the base in spring to stimulate the development of new young stems.
The black chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa , is one of three chokeberries found in North America. The others have red or purple berries. It grows wild in woods and swampy areas from Newfoundland and Ontario all the way south to Georgia. Plants from seed are variable in size and fall color, and the variety ‘Autumn Magic’ began its life as a seedling. Some plants were grown from seed at Hadlow College a horticultural training center in the UK, and among them was one with exceptional fall colors and large berries. It was sent to the Botanic Gardens of the University of British Columbia for assessment, and they released it to nurseries in 1994 under their Garden Plant Introduction Scheme. Since then it has become the ‘go-to’ variety of black chokeberry, and an outstanding plant for gardens, both cultivated and wild. If you want a handsome food plant that is ornamental and easy to grow, order now, because our stock will not last long.
Between June and August, the ends of the branches of the Autumn Magic Black Chokeberry carry clusters of 5 to 10 white flowers, each about ½ inch across. With their five petals held out flat around a center of spikey stamens, they have a quiet beauty, and a plant in full bloom is an attractive feature in any bed. Pollinating insects visit the flowers for pollen and nectar. By late summer and into the fall those flowers have turned into dark, glossy, purplish-black berries the size of blueberries. On this variety they are exceptionally large and abundant. A single bush is self-pollinating and carries a large crop. The berries are a valuable winter food for native birds, but they are also edible and useful in the kitchen. They are semi-sweet but sour and astringent when fresh, but once cooked into jellies, jams, syrups, teas and even wine, they are tasty and enjoyable. Rich in antioxidants, numerous phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals, this bush is a valuable addition to any food-producing garden. Rich in pectin, the berries are very easy to turn into jelly, alone or mixed with other fruits.
As Livy and Ray spend more time together, they develop a deep connection that challenges Livy’s loyalty to her husband. The Magic of Ordinary Days is a beautiful and poignant story about love, loss, and the power of human connection. Creel’s writing is elegant and evocative, transporting readers to a time and place that feels both familiar and distant. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and their struggles and triumphs feel authentic. At its core, The Magic of Ordinary Days explores the idea that true happiness can be found in the simplest of moments. Livy’s transformation from a sheltered and naive young woman to a strong and independent individual is inspiring. The story also sheds light on the discrimination faced by Japanese-Americans during World War II, highlighting the injustice of the internment camps. Overall, The Magic of Ordinary Days is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that will stay with readers long after they have turned the last page. Creel’s storytelling is masterful, and she skillfully weaves together themes of love, sacrifice, and the search for meaning in extraordinary times..
Reviews for "An Honest Review of The Magic of Ordinary Days: A Film That Will Tug at Your Heartstrings"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Magic of Ordinary Days". The story felt slow and predictable, and the romance was lacking any real chemistry. The characters were also one-dimensional and hard to connect with. I had high hopes for this film, but it just didn't deliver.
2. Michael - 1 star - "Review of the magic of ordinary days" was an absolute snooze-fest. The plot was incredibly dull, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged throughout the entire film. The acting was also subpar, with lackluster performances that failed to evoke any emotion. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this one.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy "Review of the magic of ordinary days" as much as I had hoped. The story had potential, but it fell flat due to poor execution. The pacing was slow, and the narrative lacked depth and complexity. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to explore meaningful themes. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone looking for a captivating and thought-provoking film.
4. Jonathan - 1 star - I found "Review of the magic of ordinary days" to be incredibly boring. The plot dragged on, and there were no compelling twists or turns to keep my interest. The characters were forgettable, and I didn't feel invested in their journeys. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this film.