Salt and Roses

by May Davidson

Salt and Roses is a collection of essays from May Davidson, co-inventor of the Maine Buoy Bell and author of Whatever it Takes , that offers an intimate look at her love affair with the State of Maine and her years working and living along the coast with her late husband Jim. Join Davidson as she reminisces about hunting for blueberries in the Maine woods behind her parents inn, spending the night on a rollicking fish carrier, facing off against a wild Jersey cow, and all the other merits of life on the Maine coast.

168 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2021

About the author

May Davidson was born in 1929 in Damariscotta, a charming fishing village located in midcoast Maine. In 1947, she graduated from Lincoln Academy, a private high school in the nearby town of Newcastle. She married her teenage sweetheart, James, a year later. Determined to stay in Maine, Davidson and her husband experimented with several entrepreneurial endeavors––from creating a lobster trap building facility to raising purebred sheep--before finding worldwide success with the design of the iconic Maine Buoy Bell. Today, she lives in Whitefield, Maine, and is known for her column in The Lincoln County News.

Reviews

[Sean Spooner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found some of the stories far more interesting that others, but overall it was a somewhat enjoyable read. They are all stories of the author’s life, so there is certainly an extra layer of appreciation of these experiences for the author since she lived them.

I enjoyed the format of a long series of short (~couple pages) stories. If I only had a few minutes I would be fine to pick it up for a chapter or two.

What I was most looking forward to with this book (at least what I expected going into it) was her descriptions of nature. I have recently come to have a deeper appreciation about the beauty of nature, and some of her quotes were very nice to read. An example that I really enjoyed was pg 120: “a comforting reassurance that the city is limited and nature’s healing presence ensures close by.”

[Marci Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up at Sherman’s Bookstore in Bar Harbor, Maine. What a lovely, quiet book to savor during and after my trip. Small stories of life in Maine, life on a farm, and life surrounded by the beauty of the earth. The writing was reminiscent of Rosamunde Pilcher. Recommended, especially if you’re traveling to Maine.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

brief essays and articles by a lovely maine author. loved it and re-read many of the short stories.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection of essays all about Maine and the ways in which the seasons indicate so much about the state's ecosystem and lifestyle. It reminded me of some of the simplest pleasures and joys in life that should be remembered rather than taken advantage of. It is these minuscule moments that combine to create a beautiful life. There were definitely parts of the book that were a bit slow for me and less engaging, but also many moments of beautiful writing that truly transport you to the Maine coast and into Davidson's memories. Overall, a lovely collection of stories.