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Stillmeadow Calendar
A lovely journal of the seasons from the author's comfortable old Connecticut farmhouse.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1967
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228 people want to read
About the author
Gladys Taber
89 books130 followersA prolific author whose output includes plays, essays, memoirs and fiction, Gladys Taber (1899 – 1980) is perhaps best recalled for a series of books and columns about her life at Stillmeadow, a 17th-century farmhouse in Southbury, Connecticut.
Born Gladys Bagg on April 12, 1899 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, she was the middle child and only one to survive to adulthood. Her parents were Rufus Mather Bagg, who could trace his ancestry back to Cotton Mather, and the former Grace Sibyl Raybold. An older sister, Majel, had died at the age of six months while a younger brother Walter died at 15 months. During her childhood, she moved frequently as her father accepted various teaching posts until they finally settled in Appleton, Wisconsin. Gladys graduated from Appleton High School and enrolled at Wellesley College, receiving her bachelor’s degree in 1920. She returned to her hometown and earned a master’s in 1921 from Lawrence College, where her father was on faculty. The following year, she married Frank Albion Taber, Jr., giving birth to their daughter on July 7, 1923.
Mrs. Taber taught English at Lawrence College, Randolph Macon Women’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia, and at Columbia University, where she did postgraduate studies. She began her literary career with a play, Lady of the Moon (Penn), in 1928, and followed with a book of verse, Lyonesse (Bozart) in 1929. Taber won attention for her first humorous novel, Late Climbs the Sun (Coward, 1934). She went on to write several other novels and short story collections, including Tomorrow May Be Fair ( Coward, 1935), A Star to Steer By (Macrae, 1938) and This Is for Always (Macrae, 1938). In the late 1930s, Taber joined the staff of the Ladies’ Home Journal and began to contribute the column “Diary of Domesticity.”
By this time, she had separated from her husband and was living at Stillmeadow, a farmhouse built in 1690 in Southbury, Connecticut, sharing the house with Eleanor Sanford Mayer, a childhood friend who was often mistakenly identified as her sister. Beginning with Harvest at Stillmeadow (Little, Brown, 1940), Taber wrote a series of books about her simple life in New England that possessed homespun wisdom dolled out with earthy humor and an appreciation for the small things. She published more than 20 books related to Stillmeadow, including several cookbooks.
In 1959, she moved from Ladies’ Home Journal to Family Circle, contributing the “Butternut Wisdom” column until her retirement in 1967. In 1960, her companion, Eleanor, died and Taber decided to abandon life at Stillmeadow. Having spent some summers on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, she decided to relocate to the town of Orleans where she would live out the remainder of her days. While a resident of Orleans, Taber contributed “Still Cove Sketches” to the Cape Cod Oracle . Her final book, published posthumously, was Still Cove Journal (Lippincott, 1981).
Gladys Taber had divorced her husband in 1946 and he later passed away in October 1964. She died on March 11, 1980 in Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Massachusetts at the age of 80.
Born Gladys Bagg on April 12, 1899 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, she was the middle child and only one to survive to adulthood. Her parents were Rufus Mather Bagg, who could trace his ancestry back to Cotton Mather, and the former Grace Sibyl Raybold. An older sister, Majel, had died at the age of six months while a younger brother Walter died at 15 months. During her childhood, she moved frequently as her father accepted various teaching posts until they finally settled in Appleton, Wisconsin. Gladys graduated from Appleton High School and enrolled at Wellesley College, receiving her bachelor’s degree in 1920. She returned to her hometown and earned a master’s in 1921 from Lawrence College, where her father was on faculty. The following year, she married Frank Albion Taber, Jr., giving birth to their daughter on July 7, 1923.
Mrs. Taber taught English at Lawrence College, Randolph Macon Women’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia, and at Columbia University, where she did postgraduate studies. She began her literary career with a play, Lady of the Moon (Penn), in 1928, and followed with a book of verse, Lyonesse (Bozart) in 1929. Taber won attention for her first humorous novel, Late Climbs the Sun (Coward, 1934). She went on to write several other novels and short story collections, including Tomorrow May Be Fair ( Coward, 1935), A Star to Steer By (Macrae, 1938) and This Is for Always (Macrae, 1938). In the late 1930s, Taber joined the staff of the Ladies’ Home Journal and began to contribute the column “Diary of Domesticity.”
By this time, she had separated from her husband and was living at Stillmeadow, a farmhouse built in 1690 in Southbury, Connecticut, sharing the house with Eleanor Sanford Mayer, a childhood friend who was often mistakenly identified as her sister. Beginning with Harvest at Stillmeadow (Little, Brown, 1940), Taber wrote a series of books about her simple life in New England that possessed homespun wisdom dolled out with earthy humor and an appreciation for the small things. She published more than 20 books related to Stillmeadow, including several cookbooks.
In 1959, she moved from Ladies’ Home Journal to Family Circle, contributing the “Butternut Wisdom” column until her retirement in 1967. In 1960, her companion, Eleanor, died and Taber decided to abandon life at Stillmeadow. Having spent some summers on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, she decided to relocate to the town of Orleans where she would live out the remainder of her days. While a resident of Orleans, Taber contributed “Still Cove Sketches” to the Cape Cod Oracle . Her final book, published posthumously, was Still Cove Journal (Lippincott, 1981).
Gladys Taber had divorced her husband in 1946 and he later passed away in October 1964. She died on March 11, 1980 in Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Massachusetts at the age of 80.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 26, 2021
Second reading, for comfort.
Gladys Taber was a very popular writer back in the 60's, mostly writing about her days at Stillmeadow, her 200 year old home in Connecticut. I remember seeing these books on my Grandmother's shelves. These books are literary comfort food, quiet and contemplative . This particular one describes each month of the year in her part of the world and reveals her to be a wonderful nature writer as well.
Not for any reader looking for a plot, but a nice book of essays when you are looking for a quiet place to rest for a while. She throws in recipes too, always a good move in my opinion.
Gladys Taber was a very popular writer back in the 60's, mostly writing about her days at Stillmeadow, her 200 year old home in Connecticut. I remember seeing these books on my Grandmother's shelves. These books are literary comfort food, quiet and contemplative . This particular one describes each month of the year in her part of the world and reveals her to be a wonderful nature writer as well.
Not for any reader looking for a plot, but a nice book of essays when you are looking for a quiet place to rest for a while. She throws in recipes too, always a good move in my opinion.
September 9, 2018
I loved this book of Stillmeadow-I would say it's my favorite so far; as I work my way through the beloved Gladys Taber books that were my mom's. Gladys' countrywoman's way of looking at life and her beautiful style of writing (that I do not find dated) fill me with longing for a Stillmeadow place of my own. Mom had heavily underlined a lot of favorite lines and made margin notes, one of which mentioned me way back in 1968! It was like her talking to me even though she's been gone several years now. A treasured book in all ways.
December 6, 2025
This was the most wonderful year long reading experience. Gladys Taber is such a beautiful writer and visiting a new chapter for each month of the year gave me so much seasonal joy.
December 7, 2022
4.5🌟 Gladys Taber has such a wonderful way about her, both in her writing, her thoughts and opinions. This is my 5th Gladys Taber book and it's high up on the list of favorites.
Her month by month account of daily life at her cozy home at Stillmeadow in Connecticut was satisfying and comforting to read about. I love how her mind turns to the positive and light when times are challenging.
Reading her books gives me not only hope, but a bigger zest for life. Having this book by my bed for the entire year was like having an engaging and supportive friend with me every moment. I highly recommend always having a Gladys Taber book at hand. To me, her books are a wonderful companion on life's journey and they help me to be more grateful for the ordinary, mundane and magical moments in life.
Her month by month account of daily life at her cozy home at Stillmeadow in Connecticut was satisfying and comforting to read about. I love how her mind turns to the positive and light when times are challenging.
Reading her books gives me not only hope, but a bigger zest for life. Having this book by my bed for the entire year was like having an engaging and supportive friend with me every moment. I highly recommend always having a Gladys Taber book at hand. To me, her books are a wonderful companion on life's journey and they help me to be more grateful for the ordinary, mundane and magical moments in life.
February 2, 2015
Just like I remember the other Stillmeadows I read thirty years ago...quiet, nostalgic, soothing, and cozy. Just the perfect book to relax with at night during this bitterly cold winter week that we've been having.
I was introduced to Gladys Taber's books years ago when I was a young pastor's wife with a couple of children. One of our church members who was about the age I am now had lost her husband years before and had three grown and married children. She was a reader, and somehow we got to talking about books and farms. She told me she really liked Taber's books, which, looking back, seem to have just been published about that time. Our public library in Mississippi - far from Connecticut where these books are set - had a number of titles by Taber. I'm not sure how many I read or which ones, but I loved reading them.
It has been years since I've thought of them, and recently came across a couple of online friends who mentioned Taber. I decided that she deserved a revisit.
Taber takes the reader through the months of the year in Stillmeadow Calendar...chores that are done and visitations, thoughts that emerge from those chores and then divide into simple treatises of life. A few recipes along the way.... Her writing is simple, easy to read, and appreciative of her station in and way of life. Taber also shares are few books which her friends, some of whom are her neighbors, have written that are on my to-read list now: The Outermost House (Beston), The House on Nauset Marsh (Richardson), and Countryman (Borland).
On my shelf are two other Tabers: The Book of Stillmeadow and My Own Cape Cod.
I was introduced to Gladys Taber's books years ago when I was a young pastor's wife with a couple of children. One of our church members who was about the age I am now had lost her husband years before and had three grown and married children. She was a reader, and somehow we got to talking about books and farms. She told me she really liked Taber's books, which, looking back, seem to have just been published about that time. Our public library in Mississippi - far from Connecticut where these books are set - had a number of titles by Taber. I'm not sure how many I read or which ones, but I loved reading them.
It has been years since I've thought of them, and recently came across a couple of online friends who mentioned Taber. I decided that she deserved a revisit.
Taber takes the reader through the months of the year in Stillmeadow Calendar...chores that are done and visitations, thoughts that emerge from those chores and then divide into simple treatises of life. A few recipes along the way.... Her writing is simple, easy to read, and appreciative of her station in and way of life. Taber also shares are few books which her friends, some of whom are her neighbors, have written that are on my to-read list now: The Outermost House (Beston), The House on Nauset Marsh (Richardson), and Countryman (Borland).
On my shelf are two other Tabers: The Book of Stillmeadow and My Own Cape Cod.
December 10, 2024
I loved the tone and the content of this book. True, it is hardly an exciting book, but somehow equally stirring and comforting, wise and light hearted. My old soul drank it up. I will be seeking out more Gladys Taber, and am so thankful my reading of Susan Branch's memoirs led me to her.
April 9, 2025
I completely forgot to add this lovely book. If you love country living and homespun wisdom, this will be for you.
August 21, 2021
Lots of warmth and wisdom here, from a woman who lived in an old farmhouse in Connecticut. There are some recipes (very mid 20th Century, but probably quite tasty) and gardening tips. Gladys Taber takes the reader through the year, month by month, sharing her thoughts about life. Now I see why Susan Branch enjoys her books so much.
Here is a quote: "It may be that no country in the world has such varied natural beauty and such a wealth of rivers, lakes, mountains, plains, and forests. But we have been busy destroying it since we first took it from the Indians. It is time, now, today--not in fifty years when it will be too late--to realize we must conserve every resource. The quick dollars we acquire ruining the land will not feed our children and their children." I wish we had heeded these words in 1967 when Gladys Taber wrote them.
Here is a quote: "It may be that no country in the world has such varied natural beauty and such a wealth of rivers, lakes, mountains, plains, and forests. But we have been busy destroying it since we first took it from the Indians. It is time, now, today--not in fifty years when it will be too late--to realize we must conserve every resource. The quick dollars we acquire ruining the land will not feed our children and their children." I wish we had heeded these words in 1967 when Gladys Taber wrote them.
January 23, 2012
This is a old book, old author...reading Taber is like reading a long letter from an old friend. Here she takes each month of living in old colonial house in Connecticut where she had reared a family, raised Cockers and Irish Setters, and lived a writing life. The pages are gentle views of slower times...
February 5, 2021
A light-hearted, inspiring read. I ended up enjoying it so much, I read it aloud to my children around the fire at night. Every day life throughout the year in an old Connecticut cottage in the late 1960's had me happily sighing and conspiring as to how I might live more simply and enjoy the little things my tiny corner of the world has to offer each season.
March 17, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My Mother read Gladys Taber when she was young in the late 1950's and enjoyed her writing. I finally decided to read this selection and I can now understand why my Mother enjoyed her writing. It is comforting and soothing to read through the seasons that Taber writes about. As the world is going through the pandemic this was such a nice book to pick up and read in the evenings by the fire.
October 10, 2022
Sweet gentle book, read for book club. Now I want to read the series. Published in 1967 but still relevant in today's busy, crazy world. A real reel good book!
May 7, 2023
4.25. My first Gladys Taber. I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading her other writings.
May 15, 2025
I can’t say why I loved this, but I loved this.
June 25, 2014
A nonfiction year-long "journal" of life in an old house in Connecticut, this book is beautifully written, and there are astute observations and thoughts about nature, family, dogs, children, friendships, and life in general interwoven with a book of days type commentary. Recipes are tucked in, as are book recommendations. I really enjoyed the back to nature philosophies and old-fashioned values heralded by the author and through her writings I felt I had known her all my life.
September 28, 2014
I enjoyed the description of country life at Stillmeadow. It made me want to learn how to live by the seasons a bit more. We often think of the "old day" as more difficult and labor intensive, and I believe they were in many ways. However, Gladys Taber points out that we have adopted stressful busy lives and lost the rhythm of labor and rest that came while living by the seasons.
September 23, 2015
Great book to relax with.
February 25, 2013
This is a wonderful book for sitting and relaxing on a cold rainy day. Not a gardening book, which I thought it was, but a simple read about life and friends (including animals).
April 3, 2013
Charming.
September 18, 2014
Another good read about days at Stillmeadow Farm.
June 5, 2016
I love the old Stillmeadow books
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews