Holiday Happiness

We enjoyed a delightful holiday evening thanks to Nika.  Our historically themed peasant meal centered on lamb, yams, and mead along with oat bread, garden vegetable and other goodies.  Conversation and sharing among friends, as always, made a memorable evening.

Our book this month was "A Morbid Taste for Bones" by Ellis Peters, the first in a 21 book historical mystery series written around the main character Brother Cadfael, a Benedictine monk.  This was Judy B's selection as she loves the Cadfael television series.  Being the first book in this series, the beginning of the book was a slow read as the characters were being established, but once you were entrenched in the setting and familiar with the players, the book became more interesting.  Brother Cadfael proved to be a wise person well educated in the ways of the world.  He enjoyed tending the garden which contained medicinal as well as food items.  He also showed his humorous side at times, such as when he quipped "When I want to hear my echo, I'll speak first."  The details of daily life were well researched and you felt as if you were part of the village as you read the story.  A few of us commented that they will be reading the second book in the series as they feel this series has potential.  One comment was that the book could have been edited better as the writing style was a bit uneven but we wonder if this is more a British style of writing. 

We ended our evening wrapping many children's books which will be distributed to our community through Entiat Community Resource Center.  We also enjoyed a fun secret Santa gift exchange.  Our January meeting will be hosted by Maureen so mark your calendars for Thursday January 3.

Wishing all a wonderful and safe holiday!

A Creative Evening

Thank you Judy Schmidt for graciously hosting our meeting with a bit of creativity in our meal - cauliflower crust pizza!  Glad to try this curiosity and found it to be quite good.  Will sneak some into the freezer so husbands won't see what they are getting (until it's too late!).  A delicious and cozy evening filled with friendship and conversation.

Our read this month, "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert, is a self-help guide which defines creativity (the relationship between a human being and the mysteries of inspiration) and explores methods of enhancing and expanding it.  The author states that she wrote this book for herself as she mused about creativity, filling it with personal stories.  And filled with stories it was, so much so that we found it to be a tedious read, one which should have been edited down and turned into a magazine article.  We feel any book which sparks good discussion is worth our group reading, and discuss we did!  Several commented that they found the book improved if you stuck with it to the end.  All the basic information regarding creativity was included; not many new revelations.  One comment discussed was there are more useful and inspiring books on creativity.  Also, the avenue of creativity pursued seemed to make a difference.  The basics of creativity applied to each aspect of creativity, but some were more important for one discipline over another.  I feel everyone in our group is so creative, this book had little to add.  Persons just beginning to explore their own creativity will get more out of this book than we did.

Our next read will be "A Morbid Taste for Bones" by Ellis Peters.  This is the first installment of a historical mystery series.  Nika will be our host on December 6th.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone then!

Spokane Tribe

When we read Sherman Alexi's memoir. I found it quite sad that when his mother died, she was the last of the fluent indigenous speakers of the Spokane dialect....also poignant that the making of the Grand Coulee Dam and blocking salmon beoyond at to Kettle Falls, took the heart out of their culture. I read recently however that the Federal Government has come up with a payment plan for Bonneville Power Administration to pay the tribe....I hope they can invest this in themselves some way, although it won't bring back their spirit salmon.

Sharing Goodness

Our gathering at Debbie’s home was especially enjoyable as we reminisced about the various stories from the book, Running on Red Dog Road, by Drena Hall Berkheimern and how they resonated in our lives. Many thanks to Debbie for the scrumptious chicken and dumplings and to everyone for all of the yummy side dishes including delicious black eyed peas and greens from Maureen. Food played a bounteous role in the book, and was a source of comfort, sharing and cooking was an everyday ‘made from scratch” operation . For a family that yearly restuffed their mattresses, took great care to make stockings last, and for a recital created dresses out of parachute silk , there was always an abundance of honest good food and with it came robust health, strong family ties and compassionate community relationships. “Are we wealthy?” Asked by the author of her grandma, the response is inspiring.  After enumerating the many ways that life is good for this colorful, caring, and resourceful Appalachian family during slim times, when the author’s mother needs to leave her children behind to go to work, Grandma says, “ I like to think we have a gracious plenty. Enough to be thankful, but not prideful. Enough to share with those who are in need. Here’s something I hope you’ll remember all your life - the gift comes with the giving and not the getting.”

We all enjoyed the stories immensely, told in a very authentic voice with humor and capturing what life was like for this West Virginia family. Some mention was made comparing the book to others set during hard times - the 1939 published “How Green  Was My Valley” , by Richard Llewelyn and “Making Do and Hanging On “ by Bruce Foxworthy set right here in our own Entiat Valley.

An added blessing for me that evening was the generous offer Debbie made to allow me to bring my puppy to book club. He enjoyed meeting all the ladies, and was on his best behavior. I was so pleased!

Our next book is my choice, “Big Magic”, by Elizabeth Gilbert. I have begun the book and am somewhat disappointed already. Grandma would reprimand me but my response so far would be “Dang!”. I would like to suggest that if readers find this book less than enjoyable, drop it and read another and let’s share each of our independent choices. The chapters in “Big Magic” are short and hopefully there will be something worthwhile to glean from it, if only a good discussion about creative pursuits. We will be meeting at Judy S.´s home on Thursday, Nov. 1 .

Fun at the Fair

We enjoyed a lovely evening and delicious meal made from a "vintage" country fair recipe in honor of this month's book, "Moo" by Sharon Creech.  Thank you so much Esther for nourishing us with this yummy recipe and thanks everyone for their pot-luck contributions, especially Debbie G with her new recipe for peach-raspberry cobbler.  As always, this gathering of friends was very relaxing and the conversation insightful. 

"Moo" appeared to be a simple and quick read; a tween's book.  We were all pleasantly surprised by the heartfelt depth of this book as well as the expressive presentation of the text; font size/style changing to emphasis the prose and the poetry.  A family leaves their city life for a harbor town in Maine and the kids learn an entirely new way to relate to the world.  The main character is Reena, the daughter, who describes life changing from "an inside girl" (the city) to an "outside girl" (the country).  The author gave the characters a very real voice and one could easily feel their emotions.  Many new experiences and lessons are learned as Reena and her brother Luke meet their new community and it's unique residents; other kids, older folks and many animals, especially a banded Holstein named Zora.   

A Compassionate Evening

Thank you Judy for hosting a delicious tuna bake potluck for "A Streetcat Named Bob".  As always, everyone brought delicious dishes to share.  It was so nice to gather together with friends at the end of a windy and smokey day.  Our thoughts were with those who were evacuated or facing evacuation as a result of the Mad River and Cougar Creek fires, a different sort of homelessness and one which, hopefully, will be temporary. 

This month's book focused on a young, homeless, drug abusing musician in London and how he was able to turn his life around when he rescued a cat - or did the cat rescue him?  His concern for the welfare of his new companion provided the motivation James Bowen needed to kick his habit, take responsibility and live a better life.  "Ordinarily, no one would engage or even exchange a look with me...I didn't exist.  I was a person to be avoided, shunned even.  But...almost every person we passed looked at me (and) Bob.  Most people were reacting more warmly...  their faces would break into broad smiles."      "(Bob) seemed to make friends with almost everyone he met."  "Bob wasn't just changing people's attitude to me: he was changing my attitude to others as well."  "Thanks to him I'd rediscovered the good side of human nature.  I had begun to place my trust - and faith - in people again."

We all now have a different point of view about those who do live on the streets and what their lives might be like.  We also have increased knowledge of drug abuse and what it takes to kick the habit and turn your life around.  "...each of us is given second chances every day of our lives."

A Memoir

Thank you Maureen for a great evening enjoying your beautiful view! And thank you for honoring author Sherman Alexi’s Spokane Indian tribal heritage by serving smoked salmon pasta salad. Salmon is considered a deity, providing physical and spiritual sustenance to the “Salmon people” for thousands of years.

“You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” is a book of poems surrounded by wandering random essays (thanks Chris Peek) “constructed in fabric squares like one of (his) mom’s quilts.” This very cultural memoir runs the gamut of teen angst, family dynamics and growing up on the reservation. It is Sherman’s grief journal as he attempts to resolve conflicted feelings about his relationship with his mother. Sherman easily let’s his father off the hook for being an irresponsible adult, but holds his mother to task for being the responsible parent and doing her best to provide for her family and keep them safe. I found it interesting, sad and discouraging to view tribal life through Indian eyes. “Because an Indian’s wealth is determined by what they lose and not by what they save.”

Along the River

We spent a lovely evening at Chris' home on the Columbia river.  Western themed pot luck anchored with delicious chili was enjoyed by all.  Also much conversation, including comments on the movie "The Book Club" which some of us had viewed together.

"The Virginian" is a classic, being written by Owen Wister in 1902.  It was the first true fictional western novel written, which paved the way for this new genre.  Being a classic, we all struggled with the written English of the day, it seeming so very formal.  This slowed the reading as we had to concentrate on the author's meaning.  I suppose novels written today will need to be full of footnotes describing phrases (OMG, LOL), actions (tweet, blog) and things (TSA) common today.  This novel had all the elements you would include in a western: ranches, cattle, gambling, drinking, frontier justice.  It establishes "the man of few words" figure which is central to most westerns.  It also has romance (yes, the handsome cowboy gets the girl) as well as a portrait of what it means to be a man: living simply with nature and having a strong moral conviction.  It is a study of action & violence, hate & revenge, friendship & love.  It also illustrates that the conditions of society were similar over 100 years ago: social class, racism, quality vs. equality.  "It's not a brave man who is dangerous, it's the coward who scares me."

We are gathering our next book picks, so be sure to contact Esther with your book title.  Our July meeting will be held at Maureen's home on July 5th.  Looking forward to seeing you there!

Email Meeting, then June meeting

It was decided that the ratings for the book The Heirs and comments will be reported to Esther and Claudia for the Blog and if Chris Peek can host the June meeting, it will be at her home for the May selection, The Virginian.

Women and WWII

Thanks to Debbie G for the delicious German soup, and everyone for all the other yummy contributions.  It was so nice to gather around and share friendship along with our book discussion. 

This month's read was "The Women of the Castle" by Jessica Shattuck.  It was yet another WWII story, but with a decidedly different view.  The story brought together three German women, of different social statuses and political views, and their families during the war.  As with other WWII stories, we expected it to end when the war ended.  Though the war was a major driving factor, the story went beyond the 40's, moving into the 50's and how people were coping with their life's changes after the war ("It was so ugly.  The peace and plenty of this time were like a thin quilt spread over a pile of shit.  No one was innocent.") and then into current times. One woman wants to "put the past away and be done with the horrible time."  Another "holds it close and lets it shape her life."  The third "didn't lie, she just didn't share the truth with us."  For some, "history came above everything else."  For others, "history was death", a "horrible, long, sloppy tale of grief."  It was interesting to see how these women became friends during the war and how their lives and friendship changed and evolved post-war.  It was about more than self-preservation; it was about protecting their children.  "Sometimes it is easier to see clearly from a distance.  And what is up close...is harder to make out."  We all reflected that none of us could be sure what our beliefs would be or what side we would support if we were in the same situation.  "There is so much gray between the black and the white...and this is where most of us live, trying, but so often failing, to bend toward the light." 

Our May meeting will be hosted by Barbara.  She will be contacting us via email to set the meeting date and time.  Stay tuned!

Walking in the Woods

Chris M's home was the perfect setting for our discussion of "Grandma Gatewood's Walk" being tucked back into the woods.  And Chris shares similarities with Grandma Gatewood: love of hiking, noticing the plants and flowers, appreciating the serenity of nature.  It goes without saying that the food we enjoyed was great - and was a far more nourishing meal than that which sustained Grandma Gatewood.

The notion to walk the entire length of the Appalachian Trail bloomed inside Grandma Gatewood.  In 1955, at the age of 67, with minimal supplies and a change of clothes in her home-made sack, wearing tennis shoes, Grandma Gatewood began her journey.  She told her children she was going for a walk, but didn't mention where she was heading.  Her years of farm life seemed to be enough preparation for her, being a strong and resilient woman.  "There were a million heavenly things to see and a million spectacular ways to die." 

The author included different aspects of post-war life and how they influenced Grandma Gatewood and the Appalachian Trail.  Some of us found this information interesting while others found it to be a distraction from Grandma Gatewood's story.  He also explored Grandma Gatewood's life and the many challenges she faced in her marriage.  She went on to hike the Appalachian Trail a total of three times and also hiked the Oregon Trail.  It is estimated that she hiked 14,000 miles in her later years.

"Remote for detachment,
Narrow for chosen company,
Winding for leisure,
Lonely for contemplation,
the Trail leads not merely north and south
but upward to the body, mind and soul of man."
-Appalachian Trail summary by Harold Allen

When asked by reporters why she was hiking, she replied "Because, I wanted to."

Our next meeting will be April 5th at Debbie Deardorff's home.  We'll see you there!

Life's Lessons

Thank you Nika for hosting our gathering.  Yummy soup and breads along with everyone's offerings - so pleasant to share food and conversation.  A warm and cozy evening with friends.

Our book was "Still Life" by Louise Penny, a debut book and the first of a murder mystery series.  Not extravagant and flashy, but written with common conversations set in a homey community.  Well developed characters, many seemed like they could be neighbors.  Although a murder mystery, there were also comments and lessons on life and our own decisions about our own lives.  Making choices about who we are and how we want to live; what we should do to be happy or stand still lose ourselves.    "If we can accept that nothing is permanent, and change is inevitable, if we can adapt, then we're going to be happier people."  "The fault lies with us, and only us.  Ultimately it's us and our choices....We're the only ones who can change our lives, turn them around" "Life is change.  If you aren't growing and evolving you're standing still and the rest of the world is surging ahead."  "The prayer stick, its brightly colored ribbons catching the wind, sending their gifts into the air, knocking against each other.  Like true friends.  Bumping, and sometimes hurting, though never meaning to."

Our next meeting will be March 8th, 5:30, at the home of Chris Mallon.  Looking forward to seeing everyone there for another wonderful evening of sharing books and friendship.

Bad-Ass Librarians

We all would have made really bad-ass librarians!  Thank you all for coming and sharing your thoughts and observations on our book.  I'm pleased so many found it intriguing and didn't absolutely hate it.  I knew we were in for a history lesson - one which I knew I needed as I don't feel well informed about the history of North Africa - a history which is certainly affecting the world we live in.  But I was hoping that there would have been more information about the 377,000 manuscripts themselves.  One could tell that the author was a reporter, including all the details that he dug up.  Parts were interesting as you learned how they found the manuscripts in the first place and then how they hid them from terrorists and moved them to safety.  Book reviews stated: "Compelling narrative with a rare happy ending", "ordinary people can respond with extraordinary heroism when faced with evil", "willing to risk everything to preserve civilization."  These ordinary people were very extraordinary and did something great to preserve their heritage.  It's good to know courageous people still are able to make a difference in this wold.

Nika will host our February meeting.  She has a meeting every Tuesday, so our book club meeting will be Thursday, February 8th at 5:30.  Mark your calendars and I'll see you there.