On Her Nightstand: Andie Parker

FEATURE | On Her Nightstand On Her Nightstand

By Wendy Stein

What are you currently reading?

“Genius of Place: The Life of Frederick Law Olmsted” by Justin Martin. Olmsted was the father of landscape design during the 1800’s. He was an early voice for the environment and a staunch abolitionist. Olmstead designed New York’s Central Park, as well as the grounds around the Capitol building, and many urban parkways. He was a conservationist for Niagara Falls and the Adirondacks.

I think our city mirrors Olmstead’s passion, working hard to improve and grow our parks and recreation. We have some amazing parks staffed by talented and dedicated employees who work hard to make beautiful public landscapes everyone can enjoy.

Olmstead was the kind of guy I can identify with because he didn’t start off his adulthood knowing he wanted to be the father of landscaping. Much to the dismay of his parents, he screwed around as a young adult, goofing off with friends and never finishing anything. He ran off and joined a merchant ship and that adventure tamed him down a little. When he came back, he became more serious about finding his passion in life. It took him a while, but when he found it, he really found it. His life’s work gave so much to future generations.

Who is your favorite author?

John Steinbeck. The first book I ever read by him was “The Red Pony.” I used to sneak into the teachers’ section of the library when I was in sixth grade. I’d wait until there was a student helper staffing the library desk when I could get away with it. I thought it was going to be about a red pony. I think my brain melted when I read it. It was so gray and sad and lost. I had a rough childhood, so the way Steinbeck wrote with such grim desperation really spoke to me. After that I read every Steinbeck I could get my hands on. He helped shape how I look at some of my own circumstance and reminds me to forgive others when they don’t rise to my expectations.

Andie Parker is a professional gardener and landscaper, currently working for the City of Fort Wayne Parks Department. Her passion is perennial and annual design. A lover of the arts, music, and beer, Andie thinks her jokes are funnier than anyone else’s. She has a humorless chihuahua named Chupacabra and two cats who emotionally abuse her.

What’s a book everyone loves that you secretly hate?

I tried to read “Fifty Shades of Grey”, but I couldn’t even finish it, it was just so shallow and silly. I think Judy Blume writes about sex in a much better way we can all relate to. a

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