November 20 Meeting at Grace's

"The Kitchen's Gods Wife" by AMY TAN

Sorry girls I have taken so long to write this blog. I left the next morning for NJ and PA to celebrate Thanksgiving.  It was a very busy week.

Pat we missed you, hope you had a good vacation. Pam arrived later that evening and was able to join in on some of the discussion and for dessert.   Actually, I forgot what we discussed.  As a matter of fact I remember very little about the book.  One thing I do remember is that  all of us agreed that we would not have been able to function in a marriage in that culture.  I don't even remember the names of the characters.  I personally did not enjoy the book and felt it was too wordy.  I did not like the characters and others felt the same way.

We started off the evening with Jello Shots celebrating our SIXTH ANNIVERSARY.  Naturally, we ate most of the evening.  I believe everyone enjoyed the evening and I am so blessed and thankful to call each and every one if you my friend.

October 15 Meeting at Carol's

Well, I made it girls with only one minor melt down during preparation for our October meeting.  I managed to provide a meal with some help from my sister and nobody passed away after eating.  I tried to stick with a southern style meal, but celebrated with my Halloween party theme.  Of course I didn't have a cork screw (thanks neighbor for the help), finally found the dusty wine glasses (thanks Ellen for drying them), and had no coffee (just hot tea)--sorry ladies.  I appreciate the wine, desserts, and small gift brought by fellow book club members.  After doing what we do best (eating), we got down to discussing the book, "The Last Original Wife" by Dorothea Benton Frank.  Most agreed that Wes was not a very considerate husband.  He and the children did not seem to consider all the hard work and sacrifices Leslie made during her life for them.  It was amazing that she could fall and hurt herself while out walking with him and it took 40 minutes before he noticed she wasn't still there.  Also, how could he hide having saved so much money without her knowledge.  She had to scrimp and save every penny while he spent whatever he wanted on himself.  It was pointed out they didn't seem to have any real deep love or affection between them and this was probably the root of the problem in their marriage.  Everybody felt she did the right thing in taking care of him when he had to go in for surgery.  After so many years of marriage, it only seemed right to be there in his time of need.  It was brought up that maybe she was selfish in leaving the way she did and by not caring if they were able to cope without her.  Another point of contention was how it seemed too convenient when she immediately ran into her old boyfriend and developed a relationship with him so quickly.  Some of us thought this relationship and marriage happened to soon.  In the back of my mind, I kept waiting for the fairytale ending where Wes would realize just how wonderful she had been (I think he did in the end), but that they would mend their fences and try again.  Well, folks--it just didn't happen.

 

Carol

September 17 Meeting at Pat's

We all (minus the world travelers) met at Pat's house and fit around the dining room table.  Since my daughter-in-law was taken ill, I had to go to plan B for a meal, but ended up having homemade bread, 2 vegetarian options in honor of Molly (character in book) and Jerry's blueberry "pie" for the Maine setting in the book.  All enjoyed Orphan Train.  Discussion included Alice's interest in Irish connection, the actual history of the orphan trains, the hardships of being an orphan, and possible epilog.  Hopefully it was a good time had by all.

Do I need to say more??

 

Pat

 

Reminder:  next month's meeting on October 16 at Carol's, we will select the month we wish to host for  2014 - 15, our seventh year!

August 21 Meeting at Ellen's

"The Amateur Marriage" by Anne Tyler was the book selection of Ellen.

The weather held out so Kathy, Edna and Carol came to swim, the water was cold but they took the plung.  They said they had a nice relaxing afternoon.

Sharon, Alice, Dricka and Pat were missed. Congrats to Pat, her son had a baby, her name is Clair.

We had snacks and then our meal of salad, baked shepherds pie, bread and lots of desserts.

The book discussion was iffy, some liked the book, some did not. Michael and Pauline were the main characters; when they got married Pauline changed her mind the day of the wedding at the church. She said they fought all the time and that Michael did not want to go anywhere or do anything.  Michael and some of Pauline's friends talked her out of it and they did get married.  It was not a good marriage, they did fight all the time. 

After 30 years of marriage, 3 children and 1 grandchild that they raised, Michael ended the marriage.  Michael remarried to a friend of Pauline's.  Pauline was killed in a car accident.

At the end of the book Michael who was still married, took a walk thru the old street that he and Pauline  used to live on, he knew just what she was going to say, "Is it you, is it really you!"

Ellen

July 24 Meeting at Pam's

Leigh Fleming was the author of our book this month, and also our guest.  The book, "Precious Moments" was a love story and mystery. Leigh proved to be a good writer and an entertaining speaker.  She entertained us all and answered questions on writing and publishing your own book.

Pam had chicken salad, fruit, fresh bread, wine and cakes.  I think it's safe to say everyone had a great time and we really appreciated Leigh giving us her time.  We wish her the best of luck in the future and will be looking for a new book from her soon.
We missed Sharon, but she had company; Grace was out of town and Pat didn't make it.  Missed you all.  Check the blog, as Kathy has a picture of  us.  Thanks to everyone, we had a wonderful evening.

Pam

Here's a link to Leigh Fleming's Facebook page and her web site 

June 19 Meeting at Louisa's

We started the evening with pina coladas made by Elizabeth. Dinner was chicken enchiladas. 
Everyone seemed to like the book.  We liked how Carl Hiaason tied the characters together.  There were some very colorful characters doing crazy things. 
Over dessert, of the best oatmeal cookies ever, we kept relaying funny parts from the book. It was a great evening full of laughs. We even played a round of "Heads Up".

Louisa

May 16 Meeting at Kathy's

I was planning on doing something simple tonight so our book club meetings could be considered casual.  I never really expected hot dogs to be such a big hit.  Who knew?  So glad many were pleasantly surprised to have a cookout and the weather cooperated.  I’m sorry you missed it Ellen, the weather man was wrong again.  In addition to hot dogs we indulged in Bourbon Slush and Hoppin John as a compliment to our book "Incident in the Life of a Slave Girl".

I think I picked a good one.  This autobiographical book generated a variety of topics to discuss.  Harriet Jacobs aka Linda Brent‘s condemned  slavery mostly because slaves were considered property.  Carol pointed out that in Elizabethan England woman were considered their husband’s property. This has been a theme though out history where man possessed absolute control over others, as Rosemary commented  “it's human nature”. 

After Linda was freed she faced another obstacle, prejudice, which generated another flurry of discussion.  Back when we grew up there was segregation and it was the accepted way of life.  Over the years things changed, integration started with some major obstacles.  Today some things are better and others not so much, like hate crimes which generated yet another discussion.

After completing our book discussion, I announced next moth’s book club selection – “Skinny Dip” by Carl Hiaasen hosted by Louisa on June 19.  Grace then distributed her Creamsicle-Shooters and the next phase of our book club commenced – Dessert. We had an assortment: Roe’s brownies, Dricka’s lemon coconut bars, fruit cocktail and angel food cake.

Our book tonight "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" by Harriet Ann Jacobs was made possible through Project Gutenberg.  This is a volunteer effort to digitize and archive cultural works….. As of March 2014, Project Gutenberg claimed over 45,000 items in its collection.

Thanks girls, I had a really good time tonight.
KAthy G

April 16 meeting at Sharon’s

“Flight Behavior” by Barbara Kingsolver was the book discussed at my house. First, the group enjoyed (I hope) a dinner representative of the book’s butterflies and their native home: Mexican enchilada pie and cupcakes from Dolly’s bakery festooned with butterflies. Kathy’s homemade peeps were a treat, as well as Ellen’s brownies and Dricka’s cavatelli. We also enjoyed chocolates from the Greenbrier that Louisa brought back from her luxurious stay. The big news was the recent engagement of Rosemary’s son, Frankie. We missed having Grace and Alice in attendance

Before we got too high on sugar and wine, we talked about the book, which most seemed to like. Edna felt that the title of the book symbolized Dellarobia’s desire to flee to another life, as well as the flight of the butterflies. We felt that her future was closely tied to the butterflies and that she probably would not have sought a different future if the events caused by their appearance hadn’t happened. Readers commented that they liked the depth of the characters and their relationships with each other. The focus on climate change bothered some, but they still appreciated the overall story. We talked about the poor circumstances of Dellarobia’s family and the culture that kept them impoverished: “Sports. That’s huge, a kid can shine if he’s good at football or baseball. Probably get a job later on in the bank or something like that.” We all had great hopes for Dellarobia and her son in their new life.

As expected with this group, the evening was spirited and upbeat. After you left, Al commented, “you girls sure seemed to be having a good time.” – how true!

Sharon

March 20 Meeting at Alice's

Limerick and a fine Summary

Book:  McCarthy’s Bar by Pete McCarthy   (2004)

Celebrating AC or the birth of child is a splendid reason to drink on a weeknight

There once was a bookish type named Alice

Who opened the doors to her Irish palace

The chatty lasses felt no pain

As they knocked back pink champagne

McCarthy’s Bar? Are you blind?… Don’t you see all the empty glasses?!

Thank you all for attempting to read or God Bless you now, for reading all about Ireland, everything you wanted to know and didn’t, and laughing where applicable. We missed you Ellen, this was an all out hooley at my house (next year, okay?)

This a sentimental choice picked off the bookshelf from the Irish Anam Cara Gaelic soul that lives at my house, it is a whole collection of stories from the countryside of west County Cork, Ireland.  I really felt it would take a certain kind of patience and sense of humor to stick with the long winding details of Pete’s true gift of gab.  Ah, he is a delight…a chip off the block of his beloved mother from Drimoleage.

It was a guy’s story but had wide appeal since it was a number one bestseller in England and Ireland. Blast from the past/ a great memory:  It is amazing to have been in West Cork in 1997 for our 25^th wedding anniversary and driving around on the wrong side of the road in the same places.  Like foreshadowing.  Next time I’ll take the fork in the road and see the Beara Peninsula, as I want to meet the MacCarthy’s in Castlebeartown……….and have a shot of Jameson’s in the same place as Pete! I give him credit: It takes a certain courage and curiosity to actually to do this and then write it down.

Pete McCarthy never met a stranger.  I connect with that kind of real time -ability to strike up a conversation with anyone-disposition (especially thinking here of my dear departed late husband.)  In England, Pete was an actor, TV personality, and writer of comedy; it all came together during a motivated time of old home week in his mother’s homeland, where he spend every summer of his youth.

There once was an author named Pete

Who wrote dozens of stories complete

He could drink like the best

The locals put him to the test

Pete thought: this all goes in a book that can’t be beat!  They can pull it out and read about themselves again, which is really neat! 

Alice

February 19 Meeting at Dricka's

The book club was held at my house with nine people attending. We missed Sharon, Ellen and Pat. The meeting started with a brief discussion on procedures and policies for future members joining our group. Any new member  needs to be unanimously voted by current members. All members unanimously decided that Pat Fogle was welcomed to rejoin the book club. We also decided that twelve members is the maximum.

We started the evening with snacks, followed by chicken parmesan, manicotti, and sausage and meatballs. Everyone loved Rosemary’s famous cheesecake and my rice pudding, jello mold and cakes. Everyone seemed to say they enjoyed the book – “Husband’s Secret”.  The husband’s secret impacted many lives  when his wife, Cecelia, read his letter and kept his secret. The evening ended with Alice giving gifts to everyone at the meeting. 

Thank you all for coming for a fun night.

Dricka

January 16 Meeting at Rosemary's

     Thursday, January 14, 2014 bookclub/dinner club at my home.   100% attendance and how nice to have everyone make it.   We would like to welcome our newest member, Carol Mason, a long time friend, fellow reader, sister of Edna and recent "RETIREE," yeah Carol, yeah Me too!

    After some snacking, chattering, and wine, we toasted Angel and Wyndham who recently got engaged.   Congrats to them and to Edna, Glen and the rest of the family.   We then adjourned to the dining room for vegetable barley soup, lasagna roll ups, Italian sausage and meatballs.

    Meal over, so now we discuss the Book.  The selection was, let me think, hmmm, yes, "Remember Me" by Mary Higgins Clark. A short bio was discussed about the author, and the many successful publications she has written over the years.  Most everyone enjoyed the mystery written by this seasoned mystery author. The book touched  upon spirits that were believed to have resided in the 18th century Cape Cod home rented by Menley and Adam Nichols.   This opened the conversation to anyone who may have had spirit- like experience at any time.   Edna shared an experience relating to her dad and a passage in a book, that  offered her comfort and peace of mind regarding her dad's passing.  A beautiful story that we were glad she shared with us.    "Remember Me" was an enjoyable mystery with a surprise twist at the end that most of us didn't expect.

    Well, the book discussion done and over and now desserts, too numerous to mention, but I will.

    A variety of brownies, various cookies, pizzelles, trifle.    But no cheesecake, oh well, omps, sorry folks, next month.   Not everyone likes cheesecake you know, frankly, I am sick of it.  Not really, It is good and I will bring it to the next book-club, "crackfree " for those who like it.

    A reminder the book next month is "The Husbands Secret" by Liane Moriarty at the home of Drika.

    Thanks all for coming and sharing your comments and making it a memorable meeting.

    You are a special bunch of ladies!

    Rosemary