November 21 Meeting at Grace's

Baker Towers, by Jennifer Haigh

After appetizers and dinner as we were all sitting around the dining room table trying to get on the subject of the book.

We had a hard time getting started to discuss the book, since we are such an interesting group and everyone has so much to say about everything.  At one point I think we were all talking at once.

The overall feeling was that the book was boring and I don’t think anyone really enjoyed it.  There were many characters and not one of them was really that interesting.  Basically, they all had some kind of issue one way or the other.  But, one thing is for sure, everyone knows a family like this, or knows of someone who does.  This is a small mining town and you have the sons who leave, you have the one daughter who is the glue of the family or at least she tries to be and is not appreciated. You have one loony sister who shacks up with one of the locals killed in the mining accident, and she goes off the deep end completely.   The youngest sister who is very spoiled but thanks to her older sister who is the responsible one in the family does get her to graduate college and become a responsible person.

We have a Polish father and an Italian mother.  She caters to her husband and to her children. The mom has low self-esteem which carries over to her daughters.  The two sons are only concerned with themselves and feel they have no family obligations.

The story jumped around quite a bit and it was hard to follow a timeline.  No one was impressed with this author or the characters.

 

After book discussion, we discussed our limo trip to DC.  We also decided that we were going to try and recruit a new member to bring the total back up to 11.

Love Ya All

Grace

October 17 Meeting at Edna's

          Thursday, October 17th, was the occasion of our latest Book/Eating Club!!!!   haahaahaa!!  We met at Edna's house beginning our evening with our ever-present wine!  Appetizers were shrimp salad, cream cheese with hot pepper jelly, crackers, and pickled onions and olives.  After a short period of imbibing and some eating we moved into the dining room. 
           After eating our meal of roast pork, scalloped potatoes, stuffing and steamed cauliflower with broccoli; we got down to the more serious business of discussing the book. 
           Everyone was enthusiastic about it.  The  book was  "The Shoemaker's Wife" by Adriana Trigiani.  I knew how much everyone had enjoyed the first book our bookclub ever read, "Queen of the Big Time" by her;  and this was definitely just as good.  We used the storyline of leaving Italy and immigrating to the USA as a catalyst to discuss our own families'  immigrations.
          Alice talked about her Irish heritage and her husband Bruce's search for his Irish heritage.  He finally was able to trace his linage back far enough to be able to qualify for an Irish passport as an Irish citizen.  Dricka was the one with the most in common with the book.  She spoke of her mainly Italian heritage and was familiar with a lot of the language and expressions used in the book.  Kathy spoke about growing up thinking she was mainly Irish only to find out that her main heritage was Chechoslavakian.  She found out that her Chech grandparents were from the same village but never met until they arrived in America!!  
          Pam said her roots went back a long time in this Country.  One of her Howard ancestors was given land by the King of England.  They were settled in Howard County but she said by the time it came to her, everything was long gone!!  
Louisa was unsure about her heritage.  She said her nephew was actually in the process of trying to check out their ancestry.
         Ellen said that her ancestry was German on both sides.  I seemed to be the only first generation American.   My mother was born in England but my Father's ancestry was German-Irish, and had been here for generations.  In fact, we found that German was the most common denominator.  Everyone seemed to have some German somewhere in the background.
        The most interesting story was about Sharon's ancestors.  She is a native West Virginian.  Her family settled in West Virginia at least a century ago.  One of her great-great-great-??  grandmothers was captured by Indians and held for two years.  All of her children were killed at that time but her husband was out in the fields so escaped death.  Two years later she was ransomed by Simon Legree and returned to her husband.  She went on to have more children with him and when he died, she remarried and had more children with her second husband.  Sharon is descended from the first marriage.
         As usual, the evening ended with dessert of apple dumplings with ice cream and pumpkin roll.  Kathy brought some cute Halloween cookies and Dricka made some of her delicious almond cookies.  What a feast!!!  Thanks to all!!
        We missed Grace's and Roe's contributions considering we would have had more Italian support for our book!!  Also we look forward to Renee making our meeting hopefully next time!!
        Our next meeting is on Thursday, November 21st, at 6:00 pm.  The meeting is at Grace's (I think) and the book is "Baker Towers" by Jennifer Haigh.  Look forward to our next sharing!!!
Love, Edna
                  

September 18 Meeting at Louisa's

It seems I wasn't the only one confused which day book club met this month.  We missed you Rosemary. (You too Renee.)
      It was a beautiful Wednesday evening.  Everyone enjoyed catching up while having drinks and snacks.  I even had a rum drink.
      My sister, Cindy, was gracious enough to make delicious baked spaghetti for us, since I was still in my shoulder immobilizer.  Cindy and my daughter, Elizabeth, took care of dinner and the clean up.
     Everyone liked the book and Nora Ephron's humor.  The best way to age seems to be able to laugh about it. Cindy discussed her book club and how it worked and shared what they were reading.
     Thanks girls for the wine and treats to add to the evening.
     Grace presented us with wine glasses to celebrate 5 years of "The Good Times Girls" Book Club.  The glasses were inscribed with " My book club can drink your book club under the table".
     Yay us!

Louisa

August 15 Meeting at Alice's

The evening of August 15, 2013, was the monthly meeting of the Good Time Girls and their books.  It is always important to read the right book(!) that was one lesson learned and the other is that Spotted Dick pudding is a pretty good dessert (British); along with layered flashy jello bites (LA) and finally Sharon’s mountaineer brownies (WV).

The book, the correct The Midwife’s Tale by Gretchen Moran Laskas was fine West Virginia family story telling. I liked all the visual pictures described (the land, gardens, herbs and interiors of houses) and the beau coups of moral dilemmas!  We met Laskas last fall at Shepherd University when she was an author in residence.  Even though Laskas left WV when she was 3 years old her grandmother’s stories as she grew up pushed and motivated her to eventually write this book. And I do believe in miracles. (And finding a man at the carnival is one, I believe.  I’ll keep that in mind…)

Also while we were waiting for Kathy and Pam to arrive, we watched an episode of the PBS series Call the Midwife.  It is a loving and honest peek post WWII into center city London and yes, there was a baby boom but no worries: the young nurse midwives teaming up with the capable Sisters of St. Raymond Nanatus have it covered. Tonight,  nurse Trixie learns that she is vulnerable trying to find a male celebrity to host the baby contest, nurse Jenny Lee finds out how much a mother with 8 kids will do to get rid of her 9^th baby, and elderly Sister Monica Joan is the best judge of beautiful babies after all.  

Reflections: The 3^rd part was reading my sister’s Home Births for Meg from her own real experiences using midwives in Los Angeles, CA during the 1980’s…she was inspired to have her babies (one girl ‘80, one boy ‘85) born at home because her good friend Linda Holland trained as a midwife after nursing duties/ work in the Vietnam War. Linda worked in Texas so Meg used the nearby Venice Birth Center!  “I was so grateful for the women who guided and helped me,” Meg Davenport said at the end. So good, we had to have an encore and read it again. And her sweet kids are all grown up now.   

  

THANKS everyone for being at my house. – Alice xo

July 18 Meeting at Kathy's

It was a steamy evening with the faintest hint of summer rain, but alas it did not come.  Everyone one arrived on time with the exception of Grace who made a grand entrance complete with applause.  Louisa brought along our newest member-to-be Rene who I hadn't seen in, dare I say, 25 years.  She looks the same and fits in well ---- she's a talker.

In keeping with the premise of the book "What Alice forgot", I asked the members if their lives have changed over the last 10 years.  Compared with "Alice", I didn't think life changed dramatically for me.  Edna, Pam and Louisa said their lives had a major change.  Edna lost her dad who was her first major family lose since her brother, Pam's husband had a major stroke and has gone down hill ever since and Louisa who's husband's bucket needed filling or something like that.  Elizabeth's heartfelt infertility problems were discussed which segued into the topic of adoption.  Edna recommended "The Primal Wound: Understanding the Adopted Child" by Nancy Verrie for a incite into what is it like to be adopted.  Every one seems to like the book, even those who didn't finish it.  I especially liked the little twist at the end   Alice was going to marry Dominique but the author created the last chapter so Alice and Nick lived happily ever after.  We were all glad Alice patched things up with Nick. A nice surprise ending.

Although this is a book club we ended our meeting with dessert, of course and a discussion of trips to take this fall. We are full service.

We will meet next month at our Alice's home on August 15 and read "A Midwives Tale" by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich.

Great seeing everyone, thanks for all the wine and food, welcome to the club Rene even if you won't be here next month and so sorry you missed it, Ellen.  We will need to get you set up with an e-reader.  Louisa will have her book available as an e-book in September.   Thank you Dana Gerken for suggesting this book.

OMG where'd the lights go.........electric is off......It's 2003 all over again,
KAthy

Note: September's meeting is WEDNESDAY Sept 18

June 20 Meeting at Ellen's

Bookclub review of The Quickie, by James Patterson at Ellen's house. 

Kathy, Drika, Edna and Ellen went swimming, the water was cold but we persevered. Rosemary, Pam, Grace, Louisa came at 6:00. We had snacks and of course wine, Grace had ginger ale and still got woozie.  After dinner we reviewed the book with desert and coffee and tea.  Everybody seemed to like the book. It was not a quickie, it was quite complicated but it was an easy read and that is what we all seemed to like.

Ellen

May 23 Meeting at Sharon's

The book club's Fit and Flexible Fab Five - Kathy, Ellen, Drika, Luisa, and I - met for the rescheduled May book club meeting. We were happy to later be joined by Alice, who came after dinner with her mother, Dorothy, on their way home from a school piano recital. The menu was simple with sloppy joes and salad topped off with a host of yummy desserts, thanks to those who attended.

After the horrific story told in last month's book, everyone seemed relieved to be reading about the quiet life of an 80-year-old widow in Pittsburgh. All of us could see parts of Emily in people we know, even in ourselves at times.  We were impressed that the author, a man, wrote so well about the thoughts and day-to-day activities of an old woman.  Since we've come to expect sudden crises or plot twists in novels, this story was refreshingly different in that it depicted an ordinary character in an ordinary situation – no big surprises. We agreed that Emily was heroic in a sense. She was able to change her life, become more independent, and discover the hidden strength to accept and endure a world that has moved beyond the memories of her generation.

Ellen says next month’s book, The Quickie, by James Patterson, is another easy, entertaining read. Looks like we’re on a roll!

Grace, Edna, Pam, and Rosemary – we missed you.

--
Sharon Henderson

April 25 Meeting at Pam's

Sorry I'm late getting this blog written.  It's been a busy month. 
We had a dinner of chicken salad, fresh bakery bread, shrimp and lots of desserts.  Thank you all for your contributions.  The "Orphan Master's Son" was rather controversial.  It was enjoyed by some and disliked by others.  However, that's the best thing to happen in a book club.  We aren't going to like the same things and it was a distressing story.  Alice had brought several articles concerning the book and author, which really added to the conversation.  I think everyone had a good time.  Next year I'll remember to have my Grandson put the leaves in my table so we aren't cramped.
The book for next month is "Emily Alone" by Stewart O'Nann.  Please get your copy and enjoy a good story.  It will be at Sharon's on May 16th.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone there.
Pam

March 21 Meeting at Dricka's

The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter

The book dealt with loneliness and because of it, there are times

of feeling isolated.

I felt the characters in this book felt at times so alone.  This loneliness

was more than a person can sometimes deal with, so they sought out

someone who they felt could understand their need to confide with to

make them feel they weren't alone.  John Singer was that person.

John Singer who was deaf and had things he couldn't cope with.

So when his closest friend died, he felt he couldn't deal with his loss,

so he took his own life.  Maybe if he could talk to the same people

who sought his friendship and confidence, he too would have

someone who could give him the comfort he gave others.

I know most everyone wasn't happy with this book, but maybe we could 

understand after reading the book the need  some people have to

be comforted by someone else.

I enjoyed the girls in  my home and preparing an evening that

I hope you all enjoyed.

love, Dricka 

February 21 (Oliver's birthday) at Roe's

Bookclub at Roe’s.    The first to arrive was Kathy, Louisa and Nancy.   Kathy bought with her news of her first grandchild, a son born to William and Dana, born 2/21/13, named Oliver William Gerken, 7 lb, 4 oz., in Kentucky.   Kathy was beaming and we are all so thrilled for all of them.    Exciting and great news!    Baby, mom and dad are doing very well.    Glad to hear that Ryan and Dana’s triplets, all over 3 pounds, (2 boys, 1 girl), doing well with expectations of delivery around end of March.   Nancy soon to be a grandma, (hope knee gets better and your shoulder also, Louisa).

The rest of the group came shortly after, and offered congratulations to the new “grandlady” Kathy. 

I  announced the recent engagement of my son Adam and Kim, wedding to follow sometime next year.  Can’t wait!   After much toasting, laughter, baby talk, photo sharing we went ahead and enjoyed (I hope they enjoyed), taco soup, corn bread, salad.   

Clear the table, throw the dishes in the dishwaster, get the coffee and tea started (watch stove burner, so you don’t burn the house down, thanks Pam) and let’s talk about the book.

Remember  it is “bookclub”.   The book,”Dear Cary”, My life with Cary,” written by Dyan Cannon, his 4^th wife.   The book was enjoyed by most of us.   Ellen mentioned she had listened to an interview with Dyan shortly after his death (1986) and it was very unfavorable to him.   The interview I saw was many years after his death, and after she wrote the book in 2011.   It was more positive and painted a better picture of the Hollywood legend.   He was domineering, controlling and persuasive in getting her to try LSD.   Comments were made that Dyan seemed to be a strong personality and in control of her life until she became involved with him.  She tried to please him to the point she experimented with this life changing drug and became more submissive.  I found it was a good biography of Cary, and even more so of Dyan Cannon.   She commented during her interview in 2011, that while she was hurting and at the bottom, one can change their life, by finding the love inside themselves and realizing that because one has been hurt they can still heal, finding their inner strength, not turning to drugs, alcohol, but to those we love and who love us.   Not an easy task but one she managed to accomplish.    Discussion about Cary Grant’s movie's followed, among the favorites, “An Affair to Remember”, “North by Northwest”, one of my favorites, “Charades”, so many.    I know he was controlling, and not always pleasant, but he had the “presence” and the “Charisma”and in my mind and in many, a true movie idol.  

Along the lines of nostalgia, Grace mentioned some old timers and favorite movies, let’s not forget, “BackStreet”- Susan Hayward and John Gavin,  a favorite movie of Grace’s, Drika, myself and others.  We went on an old movie journey, discussing Rock Hudson, Deborah Kerr, Jane Wyman, and on and on. 

We took a breather, and moved along after the book discussion to have dessert, pastries, Choc. Chip cookies, brownies, cheesecake, and dark chocolates (we had to have something healthy).

We toasted Kathy’s grandson, Oliver, Adam and Kim’s engagement and also friendship.  Another toast, but heck, an excuse for more wine.  

The next book will be “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter “ by Carson Mccullough, and that will be at Drika’s home in March.  Sharon, we missed you.

I want to thank all of you for coming, for reading my book selection, for eating my meal.  Note to self, keep the cheesecake, loved the soup, but next year, it will be “Italian”.  

In closing, the words of another great personality, Red Skelton,  MAY GOD BLESS!

Love you ladies

         Roe

January 17 Meeting at Edna's

"And Merry Christmas, everyone" 

Yes, you read it correctly.  It was not "Christmas with Tiny Tim" or "Christmas with the Kranks"; but our "Christmas in January" book club dinner/meeting had just as much going for it!!
Everyone seemed to enjoy listening to the Christmas music playing on the tree and the gum drop lights in the kitchen!  I must admit I am glad I left it all up so that I could celebrate with my friends and fellow readers!!! 

The evening had a great send off with an old favorite: bourbon slush! After slushing our way through our snacks (something had to be used to suck up the bourbon); we retired to the dining room where we feasted in true Christmas fashion!!

Our discussion of the book "The Middle Place"  turned out better than I had anticipated.  I shared with the group how the book had seemed to call to me because of the breast cancer theme and because of the family dynamics. Several others also had experiences similar to this.  Louisa spoke how  eerie it was that her daughter is experiencing some of the same feelings now that she is dealing with her Dad's cancer.

The middle place, where childhood and parenthood overlap, seemed to strike a chord in several other members as well.  Nancy said how coming to the  meeting was an oasis of peace for her right now as she is sandwiched between the worry over her son and daughter-in-law's pregnancy and taking care of her Mother.  Everyone had some comment to share that brought more discussion. Some people had a hard time getting through the book and found it repetitious but most everyone felt that it had a lot of good writing in it. 

I found the story more upbeat than a downer.  I thought the way it was written was more humorous than your typical cancer story.  And the e-mails in the book written to her friends keeping them updated on her progress reminded me of the reason why I am in such a great book club with such a great group of people!!! Here's to many more such gatherings!!!  And so we go on to next month, Feb. 21st at Roe's house where we will dissect Cary Grant!!!

Until then adieu, dear friends!!
Love, Edna

A special thanks to all for their lovely food and wine contributions.  Kathy's  rutabaga was an interesting addition!!!
Sorry about Alice's Dad.  We understand why you did not feel like coming out.
Missed you also, Ellen and Pam!!