Woulda Coulda Shoulda... Tried and Failed...Faked It

My book group met last week, and while we had differences of opinion on the book we met to discuss, I was enthralled, exhausted, mystified and downright jealous listening to the list of titles everyone had read since we were together last.  In fact, that happens to me each time we met.  My head spins listening and wondering - How?  I am an incredibly slow reader and so I have made rules for myself to simplify sorting and picking.  No books with dogs on the cover, no novels that begin with descriptions of weather, no series books, and generally, read around - try not to read too many books by the same author.  Still, I'm always behind.  In fact, I only made it though half a book last week, and it's a good one.

That frustration got me thinking about  all the books I haven't read and why. Here are my lists:

Woulda Coulda Shoulda

 1984...not my fault.  Some high school teacher should have forced this one on me.  As a sophomore, I was in an experimental English class for 9 weeks.  We read novels.  Of our choice.  We wrote down the number of pages we read each day.  Honor system. Then we got a A for the class and moved on.  I don't even recall if there was a teacher present, but I do know that the class was not taught again.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - thanks to William Kent Krueger for retelling this story for me in This Tender Land.

Ulysses - didn't read; I prefer Greek drama to narratives/epics poetry.  However, I caught up with the concept in The Little Paris Bookshop.  If you enjoy journey and searching stories and are up for some simple allegory, give this one a try.

Lolita - didn't  read that one but I did muscle through (and was horrified by) Dangerous Liaisons.  That balances things, right?

Speaking of trying - here's a short list of books I have...

  Tried and Failed

Anna Karenina - I know I attempted this one 18 times, because my tattered copy had 18 bookmarks inserted between pages 1 and 75.  That was enough.  I tossed it.

Clarissa - suggested reading in my History of the Novel class.  Written in 1748 and regarded as the longest English novel.  I needed a chart to keep all the characters straight. According to the list in one old college notebooks, I left off tallying at 41.

Lord of the Rings - nope to sci-fi and fantasy

Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - does seeing the movies count?  I know Basil Rathbone, Robert Downey, Jr, Jeremy Irons, Will Farrell, and Benedict Cumberbatch have all play Holmes.

Then there's the...

  Faked It list...

...most notably Julius Caesar and Richard III

Just dawned on me that I could have read thirty or so pages while I made this list of books I haven't read.  Maybe my problem isn't slow reading...hmmm...oh look, a squirrel.
What's on your list?

Thanks for stopping by.
Stay safe. Stay Healthy. Stay hpayy.

The Play of Words

Looks like people are taking this social distancing suggestion seriously, thank goodness.  From my front porch I see people walking alone, with a doggie, or in appropriately distanced groups.  Creative connections spill out of homes – people sharing music from backyard decks, curbside happy hours, and…here’s my favorite…a tiny northside alley neighborhood gathers each night at 8:00 to howl.  Primitive, perhaps, but the cacophony of pitches, styles and tempos make for a fun two minutes of alternative tunes.

If you’re more the shelter-in-place type, staying close to the TV and your stack of books, you still need to bust out and shake your world from time to time.  Mental gymnastics might be just right for you.

I have long been a fan of Richard Lederer,

 Linguistics Ph.D, and author of several erudite books on the history of the English language, along with playful volumes on the more curious side of words and how we use them. In The Play of Words, he gives us a plethora of word games to keep us unbored for the duration of our isolation.

The more daring among us will pick up a pencil or (horrors!) a pen, and write directly on the pages.  Lederer’s’ first order of business is the metaphor, direct comparisons aiding in concretizing abstract concepts.  The games get harder as you go. 

Try this medium hard one for example:

 Using following definitions, identify each common word or expression that contains the word heart:

1.  to take seriously

2.  please be merciful

3. beloved person

4. be reassured

5. to desire earnestly

6. to be frightened

7.  uninvolved emotionally

8.  discouraged

9. incomplete, as in an effort

10. substantial, as in a meal

 

There are twenty-five more, but you get the drift.  There are fifty games in all, each with a clear introduction giving context to the puzzles.  What?  You don’t have this book ready to grab off your shelf.  No problem.  Go to verbivore.com. 

There are twenty five more, but you get the drift.  What????? You all don't have a copy of this book ready for the grabbing off your bookshelf?  Never fear.  You can hop on to Lederer's website verbivore.com. Clicking on the “Language Links” tab will give you an endless supply of blogs, articles, quirky language facts, and games.  Give it a try. 

 Keep checking our Face Book page where I plan to post some word quizzles in the next weeks…offering a fabulous prize once I figure out how it’s all going to work.  Well look at that! I have just provided myself with a meaningful project for the next day? Week?  We’ll see.  

Stay well. Smile.  Sing. Dance. Or as Alan Ginsberg would suggest Howl.

Thanks for stopping by.

Leprechauns

Well, good morning everyone.  What a crazy world we have stepped into. You won’t find any philosophizing here, I’m sure you’re all trying to figure out the why’s and how of this temporary change in out lives.  On Tuesday, I stood with the crowd that said, “Oh, this will run it’s course quickly and be over soon. No need for panic.”  How that changed on Wednesday!  By Saturday I had worked myself into frenzy and started panic buying.  A quiet Sunday put things into perspective, but I was surprised when I went to the clinic for a blood test this morning  and was told they weren’t doing them right now.  Our new, Twilight Zone normal has begun.

I can’t imagine who will be reading this with so much crucial info to be following about the virus, but last week I promised you leprechauns and leprechauns you shall have. Despite the warnings against roaming, I am confident that these little guys will be out and about tonight, so set you leprechaun traps.

Most of our knowledge of Irish folklore comes from Douglas Hyde, collector of stories, protector of the Irish language, and avid jig dancer.  Lady Augusta Gregory shared his enthusiasm and broadened his research and influence. Thanks to them,  we have fine, comprehensive collections of Irish folklore.

Leprechauns are classified as solitary fairies, meaning they live alone.  They look like little old men.  They dress in green and often wear leather aprons since they make tiny shoes for more social fairies.  They are tricky little fellows.  If you catch one, he will promise you money if you let him go.  Good luck with that.  The can be dishonest, and fast.

Clurichauns (color-ih-konz) are lazy relatives of leprechauns.  They love to dress up fancy, mostly in red, and enjoy a good glass of wine.  In fact, they often take up residence in rich folks’ wine cellars, or to live comfortably –and drunkenly-  in wine makers’ barrels.

Downright mean, The Fear Deargs (fare-jerrig) kidnap and lock people in dark rooms.  Luckily, they hate loud noise and release their victims when the screaming become overpowering.

Those of you not in school or home from work could take a few minutes to check out some Irish fairy tales on the many fine sites on the web.

Here at LaDeDa, we’re following suggested guidelines; we’ll will be here in case of a book emergency.  Business will surely be slow.  Mot people I know are being smart and safe.  If we are too slow, I may sneak out an hour or so early.  If you plan to stop by after 4:30, give us a call first to see if we’re here. 682.7040.

Thanks for stopping by.  

LaDeDa Chatter

.Sorry about not posting last week.  I am in a bit of a reading slump in addition to getting used to a new computer.  Don't laugh - I have been using XP for much longer than I should have, putting files and all sorts of other info at risk.  Moving up to Windows 10 has proven to be just as challenging as I thought it would be, and I have used many words I believed I had long forgotten.  Luckily the beast is temporarily set up in the office, away from the public until the two of us learn to get along better.

Nonetheless, last week percolated with publishing news.  Poor Oprah, first her American Dirt pick caused all sorts of sturm and drang, and now she has dropped her latest pick My Dark Vanessa, amid claims of plagiarism. 

Then there was all the bedlam at Hachette (Little Brown) over the publication of Woody Allen's memoir. Twitter exploded with objections citing Allen's alleged molestation of his 7-year old step-daughter, allegations he denies. Ronan Farrow, brother of the alleged victim, and Hachette author himself,  spoke out against Hachette’s' questionable decision.  Farrow's book, Catch and Kill, is largely responsible for the #metoo movement as it exposed cover-ups among higher-ups in the entertainment industry.Over 100 Hachette employees walked out in protest.  Ultimately, the book, whose publication was announced on Monday, was cancelled on Friday. This sure had all the components of a perfect storm, and the decision to err on the side of decency and sensitivity of course questions where freedom of speech fits into the picture.    

Here at LDD, well, we have a framed poster from a successful (and a personal favorite) Woody Allen movie, Annie Hall.  Annie, played by Diane Keaton, mumbles "ladeda" a lot throughout the movie - when she gets nervous, overwhelmed, paralyzed, unsure, or excited.  I heard her voice in my ear more than once as I was pulling together this little book store project 20 some years ago - hence the name of the store.  I am considering taping a picture of Pennywise over Allen's face.

My original plan was to share some  fun Irish facts I learned from reading this neat little tween book.  But, this post has gotten way too long, so you'll have to wait until next week to hear all about the varieties of leprechauns.  Who knew more than one kind existed?   OK, I'll give you one - Pookas.  The big, invisible rabbit that befriends Elwood P. Dowd in the award winning play, Harvey, is a pooka.  Even though I directed that show twice (at least) I always thought the Pooka was an invention of playwright Mary  Coyle Chase.  

More next week.

Thanks for stopping by,

Austen, Sanditon, and Pride and Prejudice

Using the words "Jane Austen" and "controversy" in the same sentence seems absurd, but now, with the airing of "Sanditon" on PBS's Masterpiece, the critics have risen with vengeance.  Die hard Austen fans appear to suffer greatly over the sex scenes... and oh-my-stars...the fact that many women in the series wear their hair down  Yet these pickers of nits have faithfully watched the entire series. 

The fact is that Jane Austen only wrote the first eleven chapters of Sanditon (a miserably awkward word to pronounce).  It is assumed that illness prevented her from completing the novel, yet several creatives have stepped in with imagined endings.  There's no denying many of Austen's favorite themes flow through the story.  Early on in the series, I set Jane Austen aside and watched this as a totally enjoyable Regency romance - flowing hair and all.

Years ago, I wrote a bookish column for the Herald Times Reporter.  Since I'm in a bit of a book slump right now, I thought I'd let you read that column again and perhaps you will pick up one of your favorite oldies to re-read while you wait for spring.

Here's the HTR piece.....

The copyright date is missing from my tattered copy of  Pride and Prejudice, but the crisp, yellowing pages, and netlike binding material tell me it‘s from the 1920’s.  Another clue to its age is whispered in the prices advertised on the final pages.   “Men, Women, and Emotions,” for example - “A skillful analysis of social habits, customs and follies.   Full of helpful admonition, sure to assist in smoothing rough ways of life...” - sold for fifty cents.  The deluxe edition with dark brown cloth cover was $1.00. 

            Stamped inside of this small piece of history, I found “Men’s and Boys’ Fine Clothing, Schuette Bro’s Co., Manitowoc, Wis.  Can’t you just imagine a conscientious Schuette employee placing this book ever so gently upon a formal occasional table?  How many women, I wonder, were whisked away to Georgian England by Austen’s sweeping story arcs and rapier wit while waiting for her son to be measured for his first adult suit.

            This bit of civility greeting local shoppers surely has roots in a time when life was slower, quieter and, to use one of Jane Austen’s favored words – genteel.  Perhaps that is one reason readers have an on-going love affair with Austen.  First impressions may be that Jane Austen, the spinster who published anonymously to avoid the tongue wagging, frequently directed at women writers the 1800’s, authored love stories.  And, indeed she did.  But, wrapped in her romances were stories of class structure, competition, and the feisty struggle between desire and propriety.       

            Yes, her plots seem formulaic, and could be reduced to a lonely-hearts ad – young woman of meager means seeks male suitor of substance in hopes of building a secure future.  Still, Austen’s plots have captivated generations.  In the Lizzy-Darcy storyline, Austen’s rubato rhythm mimics the tide’s ebb and flow.   Lizzy approaches. Darcy retreats.  Darcy regrets his words.  He approaches Lizzie.  Lizzie retreats...until...well, you get the picture!

             Lizzy Bennett is no blushing flower as one might expect from a novel set in 1797.  In fact, she is quite the opposite -  fiery, witty, and determined to be Darcy’s equal, not his subordinate. 

             Readers have voted Fitzwilliam Darcy, the quintessential love interest, one of ten most dateable fictional characters.  His brooding nature smoldering with hints of mystery and danger has become the archetype for  apparently unattainable men including Rhett Butler and Mr. Big of “Sex and the City” fame.  

            Classic and classy, Austen’s works turn up in forms both amusing, and horrifying.  Bridget Jones’ Diary is a contemporary movie version of P&P, coincidentally starring Colin Firth who played Darcy in a true to text A&E mini-series.  The freshest entry into the Austen-like offerings comes from Seth Grahame-Smith who mashes Austen’s text with strange zombie violence.  The first in his series, Pride and Prejudice & Zombies, finds Mr. Bennet instructing his five daughters in martial arts.  It’s a good thing, too.  At the grand Pemberley ball, the girls step up to defend party goes against a zombie attack! 

            Bollywood director Guider Chatham gave us a musical extravaganza titled “Bride and Prejudice,” starring former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachcan as Elizabeth Bennet.  Bits of Hindi and Punjabi dialogue will not hamper the enjoyment of dedicated Janeites. 

            Can’t get enough?  Join the Jane Austen Society of North America, or simply check out their website at jasna.org.  You will find a lengthy list of Austen inspired books and movies and as an added bonus you can buy your Austen earrings, bumper stickers, tote bags.  

The Day the World Came to Town

Fewer memories remain more vivid for me than those of September 11, 2001.  I was still teaching at the time; our principal came on the PA with these words  - "America is under attack." Unclear of what he meant, I turned on the TV to watch what, to this day, seems unreal, impossible.  Students sat silently, trying to figure out what we seeing.  Where was this?  What, exactly, is going on? What does this mean to us who just had our reading of  Macbeth interrupted?  Together we listened as shocked TV anchors, in the thick of NYC, gave us whatever minute by minute they could with failed attempts at unemotional deliveries.

The images that have remained all these years are the images given to me that day and the following day via television - 24 hour coverage - all networks - all working to provide facts, fill in the blanks, and make sense. I believe this wasn't about ratings, but about something stronger - the recognition that we, the world's super power, were now like other countries, looking over our shoulders, holding our breath,and asking how much fear was enough.

I had not heard of Gander, Newfoundland until the musical Come From Away hit Broadway, making me wonder how palatable a musical about this disaster could ever survive.  But, just like our country survived, this little musical survived, thrived and continues to muscle its way through a story both tragic and heroic. When U.S. airspace was closed, diverting flights in a chaotic ballet of wings and wishes, 6000 passengers found themselves stranded in Gander, a tiny town of 10,000 people.  What happened to them during their six day stay speaks of community, humanity, and miracles.  

In the Day the World Came to Town, journalist Jim Defede highlights a handful of stories from those days, exploding this incident from a TV event to micro history bits I had not before considered.  Imagine a pilot receiving the news of the attacks and being told to change course.  Imagine him or her looking over at the co-pilot and realizing he knows nothing about who the person next to him might be.  And what of the passengers?  Was there danger there?  Those fears flooded the first moments. But what happened in Gander softened some of that.

Gander opened its arms,  public spaces, and homes to the "come from aways" and made it possible for them to feel a little safer as they waited for the unknown to subside. The locals offered shelter, provisions, and emotional support and even entertainment. Amid it all, friendships evolved.  Even the animals on board, including several Bonobo monkeys, were cared for like family.  

Some people might find this book episodic and jumpy.  For me, the style reflected what must have been days filled with guessing, trying, untrying, and trying again until the guests were at least marginally settled.  I think that most of us would agree that we are not living our most comfortable lives right now.  This book shows that hope is possible in times of turmoil, and reminds us of the goodness that exists in the world.  For that reason alone, you might want to pick it up.  It will let you breathe easier and make you smile.

Sometimes being altruistic feels good.

Thanks for stopping by.

Oh...I'm close to discontinuing my attempt to "read" books on CD.  Not working for me.  I'm tearing my time between listening to one book while reading another, breaking one of my reading rules - only one book at a time.  And, as much as I enjoy catching the nuances that accompany the spoken word, it just takes too darn long to listen to a book.  I guess I'm too restless for it right now. 

Little Faith Part 1

This book will take me two, maybe three weeks to chatter about...skipping next week, most likely...

For starters, Nick Butler is my big book crush. I spent an afternoon with him a while back, and although I remember most of that day. I doubt that he would say the same. That's OK.

Nick was scheduled to speak at the library (we were vending books for him) and he planned to make the round trip to and from North Western Wisconsin in one day.  When he got up in the morning and found there was no electricity in his location, he headed out earlier than planned. He had nothing to do once he got to Manitowoc.  He dropped in to meeme, and ended up staying until it was time to go to the library.  

He wore holey jeans and - I think - a battered Packer sweatshirt, but he brought "proper" clothes to change into before his presentation.  When he went to his car to get his good duds, he realized that in his haste to leave, he had forgotten his dress shoes and socks, and decided to stay just as he was.  No one seemed to notice.

Little Faith is the first book in my new listening project, and so far I'm enjoying it.  I think I could read the book faster, though.  In my opinion, a better reader could not have been found.  A bit of gravel in his voice pairs nicely with the rural setting and laid back cast.  I can't comment too much on the plot at this point, except to say that it has promise.  Because I'm listening rather than reading, I cannot rush past anything and  I am allowed to experience the full lushness of Butler's words.  The guy can write.  And he understands, appreciates and honors the spirit of small town America.  This book is about belief, community, and friendship.  So simple.  So right.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Before We Were Yours

From the mid 19th century through the 1940's, Georgia Tann operated a malicious business called The Tennessee Children's Home Society Orphanage.  Tann stole babies from indigent mothers, tricked illiterate parents into signing rights to adopt papers, and in some cases, enticed children from their front porches or from playgrounds.

Before We Were Yours tells side by side stories - one contemporary, the other a memory. The women in question couldn't be more different, yet they are united by something that becomes the thread crafting this compelling story.

Rill, the river urchin and her siblings fight the daily battles of life in the orphanage while Avery, the advantaged, young lawyer struggles to learn truths about her family's past.  Of course, the stories intertwine, and early on the direction of the plot reveals itself. There are no twists and turns here, just a gradual unraveling of an upsetting, unbelievable representation of an ugly piece of American social and economic history.  If Radium Girls and Killers of the Flower Moon provoked you, you might like this book.  Not as well written - some quirky phrasing, along with alternating storyline chapters.  If you read it, I am sure you'll find yourself searching the Internet on Georgia Tann,  Believe me, there is plenty of information to be found.

LaDeDa chatter....

• Our book discussion group had a great visit with Bob Fey whose story of walking the Wisconsin Ice Age Trail is featured in Chapter 11 of  TheThousand Miler.   He's preparing a presentation for the Two Rivers Public Library.  Watch for it.
• Halloween books are in. Lots of good, spooky stuff.  More new books and games coming. We'll share info about that soon.
• Next up.. a couple play scripts for a small project I've been thinking about.

Thanks for stopping by.

Do You Write in Your Books?

Last week  my friend Gabrielle dropped off several boxes of books.  She and her husband have to move to England and they can't take everything along. (To be honest, I can't feel sorry for them). In one box I discovered one of my favorite books, and apparently a favorite of at least one other reader - Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation.  Gabrielle, or perhaps a reader of two before her, wrote in this book. Nearly every page has underlined passages and margin notes.  "Don't use commas like a stupid person" - how can you beat a rule like that?  This reader got especially excited with the chapters on commas and apostrophes, dotting pages with exclanation marks, highlights, and emotional reactions including "Yikes", "Huh?" and "No way, no way."  Got me thinking, do you write in your books?

There's a name for it, you know, marginalia.  As school children we feared that "defacing" our textbooks would bring the wrath of God upon us. In the case of textbooks and library books that might happen.   Now, if you own the book that's a different story.  Thomas Jefferson, Charles Darwin, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge were notorious marginaliers.  And Studs Terkel, the documentation of the working class, admonished readers for not writing in margins, insisting that reading is active, not passive, and requires reader-writer interaction.  While imprisoned, Nelson Mandela circulated a copy of Julius Caesar among the inmates, many of whom marked favorite passages.

Yup. I write in books.  The habit began when I read William Manchester's Death of a President.  I found the book complex and the vocabulary challenging.  Margins burst with definitions and questions I hoped the author would answer as the pages turned.  For me, this habit has become a kind of art form.  I use arrows, dots, flowers, boxes, circles, and the occasional smiley face.  Books are marked up with whatever color pen or marker I grab.  Maybe someday, another reader will open my colorful  used books and think about my comments.  Perhaps the reader will add to them, or mentally debate with me.  I hope that happens.

Oh, one extra note, used books with margin notes have become quite desirable in the resale market, and the prices for them have risen in accordance.  I like to think this means we are interested in one another - open to opinions, and ideas - Hmmmm, really?  Who knew?  Now that's something to think about.

Thanks for stopping by.

The Hazel Wood

This weekend I decided to take a break from Stephen King's time travelling tome and dive into this young adult novel that has been getting huge buzz....movie rights and two, already titled sequels on the way.  I'm having fun with the King book, 11.23.63, but the 800+ mind bending pages get my average brain deep diving on every page. I have already filled my book discussion journal with pages of summaries, questions, drawings, and graphic maps. I needed a rest.   My unconventional note taking baffled some of my college professors. Some were amused while others were just plain annoyed and tried darn hard to convince me to outline, use bullets, highlight - anything other than my way. Still, I made it through and they gave me a diploma and some letters for behind my name.   

So this book...back to the King book first...a man passes through a portal to the past in order to change history by stopping the Kennedy assassination.  Well, wouldn't you know, The Hazel Wood also takes me through a portal, this time into a world where fairy tales are real, mortals exist side by side with fantasy characters, and in an "Into the Woods" way all is not princesses and golden coaches.  

Alice and her mom have spent their lives on the run, but for the longest time, we are not sure why.  Lurking in the background is a collection of dark tales written by Alice's grandmother.  Few copies of the book exist, but an obsessive and dangerous collection of fanatic fans does exist.  With the aid and protection of one of these fans, Alice travels into her grandmother's book where she learns secrets about her family and of a mysterious dwelling called The Hazel Wood.

Alice?  You got that right.  Definite Alice in Wonderland themes pop up everywhere, most notable in dialogue.   Characters speak in riddles that lead no where. Their words roll off the tongue in philosopher like cadence, but in the end the meanings remain superficial - or playful depending on how much you like or dislike Alice.  

This is a twisty-turny book that will appeal to fans of the Narnia series.  It's quite dark and walks close to the line dividing "young adult" from "new adult" labels.  Yes, "new adult"...refers to people just getting into reading, or rediscovering reading after years away...or people just searching for new words and ideas.  It's a gateway category, really and a pretty good one at that.  Now I wish authors and publishers would give us some books for kids who read and comprehend levels above their age.  Books that satisfy them often have sophisticated plot lines and mature and edgy concepts.  Frustrating for readers, parents, teachers and booksellers.

Here's hoping the book your reading is opening doors for you.

Thanks for stopping by.

From my silly joke book.....

What is heavy and wears glass slippers?

Cinderelephant.

Follow the Money

Author Ralph Kaminski grew up on what was and still is affectionately and respectfully known as "Polish Hill".  His father ran Kaminski's Meat Market, where Ralph learned to work hard.  He got married, went to business school, went into service, and ended up as a Special Agent for the United States Government.

As you can well imagine, he learned many lessons, uncovered dark secrets, and swept the globe uncovering crimes related to IRS fraud.  He also became a darn good storyteller.  Ralph's book won't reveal any huge conspiracies or validate suspicions any of us may have about how the government works when we're not looking.  Instead, Ralph takes us on a nostalgic journey beginning in a world filled with Schwinn bikes and ending with a near miss meeting with Howard Hughes.  

People growing up in Manitowoc and the surrounding area will find themselves taken back to the days of neighborhoods where, within a few blocks, you could find a grocery store, a drugstore, a playground, a church, and all the essentials needed for a happy day to day existence.  Readers will recognize establishments around town, and chuckle at the simple games kids played.  War stories add solemnity to the book.

Ralph's first Special Agent assignment found him visiting every brothel in Reno where he  interviewed each of the working girls to make sure that taxes were being being paid.  He describes, in detail, how brothels work, and leaves with a "if you've seen one you've seen them all" attitude.  His assignments had him working with White House personnel along with many other people of influence and intrigue.  He was often in danger, as was his wife who, at one point, worked as an informant for him.  

Ralph had a significant assignment involving holdings of Howard Hughes.  The American Ambassador in Nicaragua set up a meeting between Hughes and Ralph Kaminski but at the 11th hour, the Ambassador received a call from an unidentified person saying "Tell Ralph not to make the trip to Nicaragua".  No further details are to be had since Hughes died shortly thereafter.

These are Ralph's memories.  If you grew up around the same time and recognize names, places and events, you may find that you recall some of them differently.  That's OK. You will still enjoy the stories and the opportunities to go back in time for a little while.  And you'll marvel at the bravery of those who do intelligence work.

Ralph is planning trip home in early July.  He plans to stop by LaDeDa and maybe he'll sign some books for me.  

On different note, I might not blog for a week or two.  I'm tackling Stephen King's 11.22.63... at time travel book about a plan to stop the assassination of John F. Kennedy.  I'm having tons of fun with this mind bending tome, but it is over 800 pages.  I have so far concluded the Stephen King is either a genius or a jerk.

Happy 4th

Thanks for stopping by

Forty Autumns

At age 20, Hannah escaped to West Germany.  Her mother watched her walk away.  Hannah left behind her parents and eight siblings with the full knowledge that they might never see each other again. Eventually, Hannah married and moved to America where her daughter, Nina, was born.  It is Nina who tells this story of generations separated by the Iron Curtain.

I had heard horror stories about the research paper writing process which was taught in the general history class in my high school.  To avoid that ordeal, I signed up for college prep history classes which focused on the history, art, literature, and philosophies of great civilizations.  While others were learning - and writing - about communism, and other significant developments,  I was discovering the apologies of Plato, and following Hannibal and the elephants crossing the Alps.  And yes, we wrote a ton of papers so my plan was an epic fail.

Thank you to Nina Willner for opening my eyes to a terrifying period in mankind's history.  She paints a complete picture of life behind the Iron Curtain where individual's every move was controlled, and every action was suspect.  Woe to those who in any slight was offended their leaders.  Hannah's bravery put her family in jeopardy, although she had no way of knowing that.  Letters were sent in both directions, but few made it to their intended destination. Willner effectively compares life on both sides of the wall.  While Hannah grows and prospers in the East, her family struggles, facing daily humiliation, and insults to their very humanity.

Having read many reviews of this book, I know that I am in the  minority with this statement - I did not enjoy this book.  I found it dry and cold.  It lacked the passion I expected from a story of a family finding its way back together after forty years.  My book group discusses this title on Friday.  Maybe their insights will help me appreciate it more.

Sorry I didn't blog last Monday.  I went to a small, trade show in Green Bay.  This was a "Fancy food" show and I was hoping to find new cookies or other goodies for the store.  No luck there.  Over 100 suppliers offered samples of their goods.  We're talking cheese curd, pizza ,and sausage heaven.  I was about half way through making the rounds, tasting and pretending to be interested, when a fist fight broke out near me. Other than some violent scenes on TV, I have never seen punches exchanged and while it was oddly exciting, the kid in me worried that a gun would appear at any moment.  So I left never knowing which vendor had the best kielbasa.

Thanks for stopping by.

Retro Recipe Books

The great spring purge has begun, thanks to Marie Kondo.  Not going into details on how silly I find her Netflix show, or how I don't determine if  every object I own does or does not bring me joy.  What she has done is inspire me to declutter and to organize. Time consuming, yes, but already my life seems more focused. Exercise (or exorcism) number one was kitchen cupboards and the dining room hutch.  There, I unearthed some amusing, well worn cookbooks.

Since this is my year of retro reading, I figured talking about them fits the bill.  So far in 2019  my vintage  reading has included The Road to Wellville, Mary Poppins, and The Egg and I.  On Saturday I sold a copy of  Valley of the Dolls. that counts, right?  

Let's get cookin'.  Isn't she lovely?  I wonder what marketing genius thought that the target audience of 1960's American housewife would relate to this image.

Apparently people in the 60's were eating lots and lots of casseroles. These pages are filled with yummy concoctions, many including "medium white sauce" -  the recipe for which is nowhere to be found in this cookbook. The final pages suggest recipes for a nice luncheon to serve to guests: lettuce salad, hash, and vegetable casserole. For breakfast we might like cream of tomato soup along with berry pancakes.

Of course, most of these simple, small books proudly feature goodies made with a specific ingredient, and so we find Aunt Jenny recommending Spry Shorting throughout 10 Cakes Husbands Like Best. Except for the 1/2 cup of Homogenized Spry, the Chocolate Rapture Cake sounds pretty good. Turn the page and you'll find a cake sure to loosen up even the most uptight man in your life - spicy prune whip cake.

I found a tiny LaChoy book with drawings of an ethnic character sprinkled about  Few people other than the current White House occupant, would find this acceptable.  

This cute banana book from the fine Chiquita folks actually has some good ideas although I doubt that I

would ever serve baked bananas along with brussel sprouts, fried green tomatoes and cream corn at the same meal.  On page 9, you will find a lively little song, complete with musical notation, celebrating  the nutrients found in bananas, and the final page explains why we need bananas in every stage our our lives. "Old folks find a fully ripe banana a pleasing, satisfying treat because they are a bland food, easy to chew, easy to digest and low in fat content."  

My favorite find turned out to be a 1926 offering from the Corn Products Refining Company titled The Modern Method of Preparing Delightful Foods.  Mrs. Ida Baily Allen shows us how to set a proper tea table for four, but the poor dear is pictured at a table with only enough room for one chair. I now know how to prepare a fancy ladies luncheon, but I couldn't tell if is the ladies or the luncheon that should fancy.

As in the Kitchen Craft  book, Mrs. Ida sets great store in a proper breakfast. She tell us "a substantial meal, hastily swallowed, is often worse than nothing.  Each breakfast makes a new beginning.  It should be a happy - gay -satisfying meal."  While I agree with that, I question her suggestion to jump start the day with codfish balls, and dried beef.  Serving breakfast on washable, stenciled
doilies only takes a minute and enhances the experience...doilies or not, there are still those codfish balls!

Anyway, happy spring cleaning.  I hope you find lots and lots of treasures to save and peruse when spring cleaning 2020 comes around.

Thanks for stopping by.