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