November 19 Meeting at WMP

Our November meeting was held at War Memorial Park and diehards:  Carol, Sylvia, Pam and myself attended.  Yes it was a bit cool 50° but we dressed for it and brought our hot tea and food to keep us comfortable.  Grace dropped off our discussion questions and profusely apologized for not hosting which was totally unnecessary.  Everyone needs to do what they are comfortable with, Covid changed everything, nobody is at fault except perhaps the Chinese.   Anyway we had a good discussion about the book "Alex and Eliza, A Love Story " by Melissa de la Cruz.  We all liked it,  it made history more interesting, more personal.  Pam mentioned that a TV series "TURN: Washington's Spies" covers the same time frame as this book.  

We missed all of you who could not join us.  As the weather get colder we may have to revert back to ZOOM, Skype, FB Message or whatever.  We also mentioned that we could have an impromptu meeting at the park if we get a break in the weather. Ya never know....

A new book club year has begun.  I think we should continue.  Everyone pick their month and then send me their book selection.  We can keep on reading and have meetings when it works, one way or another.

Have a healthy and Happy Thanksgiving,    KAthy

I see, we're all BLONDS, that explains it!

October 15 Meeting hosted by Carol at WMP

 The October meeting was held at War Memorial Park in the afternoon. I served pizza (after Doug found where it was being held captive) and individual baggies of grapes, chips and pumpkin desserts. Food was served with gloves in keeping with the Covid theme. It was nice being outside. Everyone appeared to like the book "The Whole Town is Talking" by Fannie Flagg. It was a little weird but funny with the dead people talking in the cemetery to each other. Following the families through the decades was interesting. Not sure about the dead people turning into animals though. Everyone was treated to a goodie bag with their favorite candy as a treat.

Carol

September 17 Meeting in Kathy's backyard, hosted by Sharon

      An enthusiastic contingent of our book club - Sylvia, Dricka, Carol, Kathy and me – enjoyed the cool evening in Kathy's backyard to reflect on the latest Covid events as well as the book, The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan. The “ladies” of the club enjoyed the book and were impressed by the resilience of the British women in carrying on while the men of the town were off fighting World War II. We agreed that they all changed during that time, developing strengths, courage and independence they didn't know they had. Some of us thought Mrs. Tilling changed a lot from a meek housewife to a strong force in the community as bombs fell on the town. Both Carol and Edna (via email) were reminded of their mother's stories about her wartime experiences in England. Drawing from her own experience as a choir member and feeling how music can affect the emotions, the author focused on the ladies' choir as the “soul” of the story. We all enjoyed the opportunity to get together in a “normal” setting for a little while.

Sharon

August 20 Meeting in Kathy's backyard, hosted by Louisa

 Ten of the Good Time Girls Book Club met at Kathy’s inviting backyard to catch up and eat.  At 7:00, I got on the Zoom meeting from Charles Town.  I got to catch up and everyone was inquiring about my upcoming shoulder surgery.  Edna popped on Zoom from London, where it was midnight, she is visiting with her grandchildren.  100% attendance!

    We discussed “The Library Book” by Susan Orlean.  We were disappointed no one found out who started the Los Angeles library fire.  We liked how the library was helping homeless people.  Social workers worked in the library to help the homeless.  None of us thought that we would be able to burn a book just to see how it would burn.  It was very interesting that at first men were the ones who ran libraries and then changed to women.  

A library is a magical place to me.  I have loved them since I was a little girl and became a librarian as an adult.  

Libraries will always be part of our communities to keep our history and help us to shape the future.  

Thank you Kathy for allowing us to use your yard. It was great that we were all there either in person or by Zoom.

Louisa

(Click here for more pics)

July 23 Meeting in Alice's Backyard

"28 Summers" by author Elin Hilderbrand.  It was a beach read although we read it in land locked West Virginia; a whirlwind of a story that took years, with family and friends on the island of Nantucket (where the author lives by the way), with main character Mallory Blessing.  It is her love story of falling for her brother's best friend and roommate from college: a first love that lasted a life time.

Surprise technique the author used: since taking place over years, the opening of each chapter had current events from that year which made me reminisce about my own life. Also I enjoyed the cooking, recipe references, and farm stand references; the old movie that inspired Mal and Jake's "life imitating art" structure; her teaching career that soared because I think she had no husband and only one child! and her unwavering devotion to Jake, "no matter what".  

Morale of the story: All of us need to "fill up our cup" while we are healthy, strong, and still have our sense of humor - reach out to friends always and keep our contacts with family open. All you need is love.  Have fun.  Wear sunscreen and a hat at the beach. Be true to your school. ** I enjoyed this book & was super to have you all over to the house on a cool morning in the heat of summer.  

  (more pictures on FB)

https://www.facebook.com/mccarthyalice/posts/10220975665479832

Alice

June 18 – Kathy’s backyard Book Club Meeting

After much speculation about is it going to rain or storm we finally met , social distancing,  in my backyard for a Covid free meeting.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  Everyone brought their own food and drink for a contact-less meal and I  passed around, again pick your own,  Covid Cookie.

  

It was a beautiful evening and we all really enjoyed finally being together again.  Even Edna came out of  isolation to join us.  This was so much better than ZOOM.  We discussed the book “"Lost Years" by Mary Higgins Clark a bit.  Some  knew who the murderer was early on and then others not until near the end of the book.  I have a real problem understanding how anyone could kill someone over an object.  It just seems so senseless.  The book also  introduced an Alzheimer's patient and we had a brief discussion how that effects families.  It’s an awful disease that effects not only the patient but all their loved ones. 

I selected this book because the author Mary Higgin Clark had recently passed away in January and thought we should pay a tribute to this long standing author.  She was 93 and wrote 51 books.  I was intrigued  how her background closely resembles mine.  Both of us being from an Irish Catholic family growing up in the Bronx,  attending Catholic school and experiencing school with the nuns.  We both went to Fordham U at Lincoln Center, crazy.  I have to say I enjoyed her book “Kitchen Privileges” much better than “Lost Year’s".  

Alice  will host the July 16 meeting and picked “28 Summers” by Elin Hilderbrand.

REALLY REALLY GREAT seeing everyone.  

Pat, we missed you and sincerely hope Pam is on the road to recovery.  

Until next time, stay safe and take care,

KAThy G

May 21 ZOOM book Club Meeting with Pat

"When Silence Sings" is a novel taking place in WV coal country in the 1930s.  It is a tale of loss, hatred, bigotry, long-standing family feuds, murder, and bootlegging.  It is also a story of hope- of love, faith, courage, God-given gifts, non-judgement, and compassion leading to forgiveness and peace.  

Must say, I’ll be glad when Zoom isn’t our only way to meet!

Pat

April ZOOM Book Club Meeting with Rosemary

"Oil and Marble",  By Stephanie Storey

From the time period of 1501 -1505, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Michelangelo Buonarroti both lived and worked in Florence. The author gives us insight, some factual and some embellished facts into the relationships and events during the creation of their two most famous works of art. The two artist openly disliked each other,and there was much rivalry among them.

During the 5 year time period in Florence, the artists created two of the most popular and outstanding works of art.  DaVinci's "Mona Lisa", and Michelangelo's "David".

We discussed the book with the use of "zoom".   All seemed to enjoy the book and many of us had the good fortune to view one or both of these pieces of art.  The zoom meeting was interesting but of course, lacking the closeness and the sharing of refreshments and laughter. 

This too shall pass and we once again will hug and laugh, share experiences, and stories "face to face". Hope all we well, and prayers for those who are having difficult times.   

We are good here and thankful for so much.   

Love to all,

Rosemary

April 30 ZOOM Book Club Meeting for March with Edna

Our March meeting was postponed due to the Corona Virus!!  It was the first time we were not able to hold our meeting for the month since we started the Bookclub!!  So March's Bookclub was held in April after Kathy set us all up for Zoom!!  Yea, Kathy!!!! 

The book was "Last Day"  by Luanne Rice. It is not the first time we have read this Author so I was expecting a good story like her previous novels.  It started out interesting with many twists & turns that most of the members liked until we got to the ending!!  That was completely far-fetched.  We are supposed to be convinced; that without any warning whatsoever;  her lifelong childhood friend decided to kill her because she didn't like the way she was living her life!!!  Not only that:  she set it up to make it look like a crime of passion so that the husband or boyfriend would be incriminated!!  As far as myself and others were concerned, it ruined the story!!  Carol even thought it was weird how the police detective seemed to be stalking the one sister!!  All in all, it made for some interesting conversation!

Sorry, no food to comment on since we were not able to get together but I saw many wine glasses in evidence!!  Party on, ladies!! 

We missed Drika, Pam & Alice but the other nine of us had a great time talking over each other!!  Looking forward to continuing together in the future!!!  

Love to all!!!  

Edna

April 16 & 23 Book Club during COVID-19

We met on ZOOM on April 16.  It was Rosary's book club meeting but did we discuss the book.  Hell no.  We were just too glad to see each other.  Don't really remember what was discussed but we stayed at it for over 2 hours.  Thankfully ZOOM gave us unlimited minutes so we could get our catching up done. Eight members participated.

Since we were so happy to be able to do this we planned on another meeting the next Thursday, April 23 and once again ZOOM gave us unlimited minutes. This time we had 10 participate.  Unfortunately Pam and Alice couldn't be with us.  Again we just discussed what we've been doing. We're all doing fine just missing family, friends and especially grand kids.  Pat is taking accordion lessons and serenaded us.  That was fun.  I took cooking classes on line and learned how to handle a knife and when to add herbs and spices.  I also gave out a recipe for cheesy grits and shrimp and a super easy artisan bread.  Please feel free to add to this post since I couldn't really remember what was discussed.

Since we had so much fun we're going to do it again next Thursday April 30 and this time perhaps we'll discuss a book.  Who knows.

Take care and see ya next time if not sooner.
K

February 20 - Dricka's 80th Birthday Bash

"The Silent Patient"

The book starts out giving the background of main characters Alicia, an artist and Theo who becomes her psychotherapist, both whom grew up in an abusive family and lead to their instability.

After learning of an affair of their spouses, Alicia's husband Gabriel is killed. This leads you to question who really did this.

After much speculation on who did it, you learn from Alicia's diary that Theo came home and found out that Gabriel and his wife, Kathy were having an affair. When Theo, her therapist, finds out that Alicia who was silent since the murder remembers this, he tries to kill her. After her death they find the diary which explains Theo's involvement.  

The book ends with the detective coming to arrest him. Alicia in her instability had killed Gabriel who she felt betrayed her and she became the "Silent Patient".

It was a good mystery book that kept your interest.

We had our book club meeting at King's Pizza and were joined by our birthday group to celebrate my 80TH birthday. We had a wonderful cake with my baby picture on it and cookies I made for everyone to bring home. 

We missed you Louisa. 

Dricka

            

January 16, 2020 at Sylvia's

Since it is January, we met in the afternoon for lunch.  Both a red and a white chili were served with salad and breads.

Our book, “Beneath a Scarlet Sky”, by Mark Sullivan, is a work of historical fiction.  The story takes place in Milan, Italy, during World War II.  It is about a young man, Pino Lella, who at age 17 helps Jewish refugees escape over the Alps into Switzerland, falls in love, and at age 18 becomes a spy for the Partisan Resistance Movement as a personal driver to a German major general in Hitler’s high command.  The story lent itself well to a lively discussion regarding courage and bravery, family, love and loss, revenge and compassion...and often a lack of compassion.  Everyone found the book to be a good read, and each of us marveled at the bravery and resilience of those who lived...and died...during those times.

Of course, after discussion multiple desserts were enjoyed.  We missed Edna, Pat, Pam and Rosemary.  We were glad to have Alice with us.

Sylvia