Today is

INTERNATIONAL

READ

IN PUBLIC

DAY

Take your book outdoors. Spread the word.

(That’s our lovely Genevieve sitting on the Windsor Town Green.)

Actually, I like their attitude. The residents are adults who may need help but their dignity prevents them from being associated with it. This is the generation that was raised in the depression, lived through World War II, sent to sons to Korea and/or Vietnam, and saw the world shrink through massive technological changes. They are fighters, survivors and don’t need help or assistance, thank you very much.

It has been a campaign of monumental purportions to get to this point but we are going to make it, God willing. After we have her settled, then comes the job of clearing out a house that has decades worth of stuff in it. Fortunately, our family is loaded with people with a can-do attitude and many with strong backs. We will make it happen.

I’ve scheduled a few posts over the next few weeks and I am taking my laptop with me. But I doubt I will have much of a presence in the blogging community. This trip is going to be another celebration for my Kindle as well as the ipod. I’m grateful for those inventions.

See you in a week or two.

None of the books I read this past week had new-to-me or challenging words. But never fear, I found some gems on the ever loquacious New York Times. In reading a review for the movie, Eat, Pray, Love I came across these words:

1. insouciant: She also falls for Felipe, a divorced Brazilian expatriate, played with insouciant, unshaven charm by Javier Bardem.

Insouciant refers to a person who is indifferent or has a casual lack of concern.

2. disengenuous: . . . but the kind of class consciousness that would blame Liz for feeling bad about her life and then taking a year abroad to cure what ails her strikes me as a bit disingenuous — a way of trivializing her trouble on the grounds of gender without having to come out and say so.

Disingenuous means not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does.

3. perspicacious: It wasn’t that the actress didn’t like or relate to Ms. Gilbert’s perspicacious memoir about how, after a divorce, she spent a year searching for balance and harmony in her life while traveling to Italy, India and Indonesia.

Perspicacious means having a ready insight into and an understanding of things.

I’m looking forward to seeing the movie in the next week or so. Along with a couple of million other women, I really enjoyed the book. I’m thinking about a reread after seeing the movie. Has anyone seen it yet?

Next week: I’m going to be on a blogging vacation and it will be my first time *gasp* to miss Wondrous Words Wednesday. While I’m gone I hope you’ll be searching punctiliouisly (diligently) for new words on my behalf. Don’t forget to visit Kathy (Bermuda Onion), our beloved leader.

Synopsis From the Publisher:  Pam and Mark Walker are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary with a week-long family reunion and a ceremony renewing their vows. Mark breezily dismisses Pam’s misgiving about temporarily closing Montis Inn and heads off to the county fair, to try his hand at both chainsaw sculpting and sheep shearing, with chaotic — and hilarious — results.

Meanwhile, Pam juggles her thrill-seeking mother, who has a new “friend with benefits,” and her non-conformist niece, who posts family secrets in her online blog. Then Mark’s brother-in-law starts broadcasting his radio talk show live from Montis Inn. His remarks disparaging small-town life cause immediate rifts, especially when he sides with a real estate developer who wants to turn Lumby into a Las Vegas version of Aspen. As the controversy pits family against family, and neighbor against neighbor, will the spirit that defines Lumby triumph once again?

My Thoughts:  I enjoyed the first book, The Lumby Lines, so much that I wanted to read them all. But, this fifth book came out before I had a chance to read numbers 2, 3, and 4, so I just jumped right into number 5. It’s definitely okay to do that as they are stand-alone books.

Lumby On The Air is just the book for any veteran of family reunions. This family is a riot. It made me think my own family is a bunch of snore-ables. Actually, my heart went out to several of the family members as they were reminders of loved ones of my own.

Mark’s adventures at the county fair are very humorous and make him such an endearing character along with his friend Joshua. They both believe they can do the most impossible feats and they have a great time trying.

The family reunion and the county fair made for fun reading but, underneath it all, it made me think about various relationships I’ve experienced and/or observed. It definitely reminded me of our own parent/teenage struggles. I liked watching the new love relationships of the senior couple.

Every Lumby book has a section in the back that I enjoy. There are little tidbits about the characters and questions that are good for discussion or just to ponder alone. I always like the recipes. There is one for Crab Cups I want to try. The art work (folkart) by the author’s husband adds a very nice touch to the books.

The Lumby books are more than just books to read and put down. These are go-with-me-books. I’ve had them in my kitchen, the car, my outdoor lounge chair, my bed and my indoor reading chair.  Every book is like meeting a new community of friends and neighbors. Pick up any one of them and see what I mean.

If you’d like a list of all the books by Gail Fraser, you can find them here at her website. Be sure to watch for the little moose who walks all around the web-page. While you are there check out her photo album. I like the pictures of the farm.  It is so serene and beautiful.

Be sure to check your local library for a copy of this book. This one is available at Amazon. (I am an Amazon Associate.)

Thanks to Caite at FSB Associates for my review copy.

Lumby On The Air by Gail Fraser  -  New American Library, 2010  -  My Rating: A

This year, while we are here, my goal is to see how these vines go

from bare vine to leaves and grapes and then turn into wine.

I’ve actually been following this one particular plant. Here’s what it looked like a month ago.

As we were driving along the road two days ago we could immediately see the changes. What a difference a month makes. All along the lower edges of the leaves we could see a section of dark colored grapes.

The grapes are still very small but they have changed into a very dark blue – almost black hue.

Aren’t they beautiful?

It hardly ever rains during the summer months. To keep the vines moist, the vineyard keepers install “drip lines” along the bottom of the vines. Set to timers, the water flows through these pipes and slowly drips a drop of water ever few seconds. It’s just enough to keep the vines looking lush and the grapes filling with juice.

I don’t know what we’ll find next month when we look again at “my” vine. But it must surely be getting closer to harvest time. I hope you’ll join me  next month as we take a look.

As is the nature of all new homemakers, I wanted to blaze my own way. So, Farm Journal’s Freezing and Canning Cookbook appealed to me. I determined to embrace the modern ways and began freezing the majority of my fresh food.

Farm Journal was a very popular magazine during the first half of the twentieth century. When it came to the magazine’s food section, it contained recipes and food tips from farm kitchens around the U.S. Farm Journal gathered them into a series of cookbooks. For me, this particular cookbook was literally my guidebook for everything I wanted to freeze. Today we take it for granted that we can freeze our food, but it was a new concept among the members of my family and friends.

During those early years I continued to preserve some of my food in jars. I preferred the taste of peaches and tomatoes in jars. I usually made a batch of strawberry jam each year too. As I became more confident with the first half of this book (freezing), I then began exploring the last half (canning).

I discovered a whole section of gourmet jams, jellies and pickles. The jars on my shelves could rival those of expensive jars found in upscale shops in big cities. I especially loved the jams that called for mixing fruits together. My favorites are Blushing Peach (peaches and raspberries), Ruby Preserves (strawberries, raspberries, and cherries), Oriental Pear Jam (pears, pineapple and ginger), and Triple Fruiet Jam (apples, raspberries and pineapple).

From this book I also learned how to make the best sauerkraut, pickles and relishes. Again, I have my favorite: Sauerkraut in a Jar, Crispy Dill Pickles, Bread and Butter Pickles, Mixed Garden Relish, and Rosy Watermelon Pickles.

From time to time I’ve purchased those slim volumes put out by the Ball Jar Company. I’ve found some gems in there along with their bright pictures. But I remain loyal to my faithful canning companion. The pages are old and worn and there are very few pictures, but it’s still my tried and true friend.

Believe it or not, Farm Journal’s Freezing and Canning Cookbook is still available. It can be found at Amazon.

Talking about food is a regular feature on my blog and others as well. Visit Beth Fish Reads for other bloggers who are participating in Weekend Cooking.

by Curtiss Ann Matlock

Mira Books, 2004

My Rating: B

So many people have suggested I try a book, any book, by Curtiss Ann Matlock that I finally did. I picked Sweet Dreams At the Goodnight Motel because I liked the cover. I thought it would be a fun, light-hearted read. It was, but I got a lot more.

As the novel opened I met Claire, who’s at her lowest ebb. Her ex-husband is re-marrying in a few weeks and she’d like to have him back. But that’s not the only thing that has Claire in such a slump. She doesn’t like her job and, except for her ex-sister-in-law, she doesn’t have any friends. She’s also missing a family. Her father left them when she was about five and her mother died last year. Claire is at what the author calls a pivotal moment. Here’s the first paragraph:

Sometimes a person sees or hears something at a particularly pivotal moment. Behind the moment, though, is a lot of time, years maybe, where all manner of unfed desires and dashed dreams have been jammed down and compressed, very much like packing in an explosive. Then comes that particular moment that ignites the fuse. The lid is blown off, and all those desires and dreams come spewing forth which accounts for all manner of both passionate crimes and daring new lives.

Claire’s pivotal moment came when she read a message on a bathroom wall. The part that got to her was “looking for real life.”  Claire took a couple days to ponder that and then made up her mind. She quit her job, packed up her mercedes, and drove out of Shreveport. Her destination was Valentine, Oklahoma.

Valentine was her  father’s hometown. Even though her father or any relative may not be there, Claire felt the need to connect with the place. Upon arriving in the town, she noticed a 1950′s style motel called the Goodnight Motel. It brought back fond memories of her childhood, including the vibrator beds. Claire checks in.

The next morning Claire discovers her car had been stolen by the young man in the room next door. The young man not only stole her car, he robbed and then abandoned his pregnant girlfriend. Soon the two motel owners, the sheriff and his deputies are involved and then a number of the good people in Valentine.

One by one Claire (and I) met some of the most interesting people. I especially liked Vella who owns the local drugstore and Corrine, a teenager living with her aunt. But I really fell in love with Winston Valentine, a 92-year-old gentleman who immediately fell in love with Claire.

As Claire extended her vacation in Valentine and made new friends, she had the opportunity to examine her childhood, her marriage, her career, and what she really wanted to do with the rest of her life. Claire became intrigued with the idea of changing the Goodnight Motel and the idea of staying permanently in Valentine. And then, her ex-husband showed up wanting her back.

I enjoyed this story for a number of reasons. It was fun getting to know the characters primarily because each one had problems. They weren’t one-dimensional. I also liked the way the story was told from the viewpoint of a variety of characters. It was not in the least bit confusing. I really got to know Vella through the late night emails she sent a man in Pennsylvania. It didn’t make any difference that I hadn’t read any of the other novels set in Valentine. This one stood alone quite nicely. I am, however, going back for more.

So now it’s my turn to recommend this book to others. People were right when they said try a book by Curtiss Ann Matlock. You won’t be sorry,

I read this one on my Kindle ($5.04) but you should also check your local library. Sweet Dreams At The Goodnight Motel is also available at Amazon. (I am an Amazon Associate.)

Persepolis 2: The Story Of A Return

by Marjane Satrapi

Pantheon Books, 2004

My Rating; B+

In the first Persepolis (I reviewed it last week) the author told us about her childhood in Iran during that country’s Islamic Revolution. Persepolis 2 is the  continuation of her story. This second book covers a ten year period, from age 14 to 24.

When we left her in the first Persepolis she was leaving Iran for Austria. Her parents feared the Islamic government would hurt Marjane’s chances for a good education so they sent her to Austria to attend a private school.

During the next four years Marjane encountered many of the same problems most adolescents experience, no matter what their nationality. But Marjane had no support and found she could only make friends with fellow outsiders. There were incidents in which strangers yelled at her to go home to her own country. The four years were very difficult for this intelligent and sensitive young woman.

But once back home in Iran she had a hard time readjusting to the changes in the country, changes among her friends, as well as the changes within herself. It took her quite a long time before she could “take herself  in hand” and make herself a “sophisticated woman.”

Marjane found life in Tehran both laughable and intolerable. The repressive regime had guards everywhere. A woman could be arrested for having wisps of hair showing out from under her veil or for wearing lipstick. If the guards saw a party going on through a window of a residence, the hosts and guests were arrested.

Ludicrous was an art class Marjane attended. This was a class to learn to draw the human body but the models were completely covered. Not even an arm was showing. The girls worked around the system and managed to draw each other at someone’s home.

Both of these novels helped me see a different picture of Iran. By looking at life for a girl/young woman in Iran, I became aware of a country filled with ordinary people, not terrorists. These are simple graphic novels with a powerful message.

I want you to see the simple black and white drawings that make up the books. The two novels have been turned into a animated film with the drawings of Marjane Satrapi. It’s a very short video trailer but you’ll get a good look at her graphic style.

Wondrous Words Wednesday

1. inexplicable

“A very inexplicable business,” said Mr. Quin, slowly and deliberately, and he paused with the air of an actor who has just spoken an important cue.

“You may well say inexplicable,” burst in Conway. “The thing’s a black mystery — always will be.”

Inexplicable means something that is unable to be explained or accounted for.

Here’s a sentence with two words I had to look up:

In a few minutes, the headwaiter, a slight smile of approbation on his lips, retired, and a young satellite began his ministrations.

2. Approbation means approval or praise.

3. Satellite – I thought satellite was something that orbited the earth. It is, but in this sentence it’s refering to the original mid-16th century meaning — obedient underling or attendant.

Wondrous Words Wednesday is the brain-child of Kathy at Bermuda Onion’s Weblog.

by Agatha Christie

Dodd, Mead and Company, 1930

My Rating: B+

Mr. Satterthwaite and Mr. Quin are two men featured in the twelve stories compiled into The Mysterious Mr. Quin. The stories were originally published in magazines in England the 1920′s.

Each one of the stories is subtle detective work for Mr. Satterthwaite. Not a lot of sleuthing. It’s more mental detective work and lots of observation. Mr. Quin’s role is more complex. Here is a clue, as noted by Mr. Satterthwaite, to his role in the first story, The Coming of Mr. Quin.

And, again suddenly, a new illumination came to [Mr. Satterthwaite]. This was Mr. Quin’s doing. It was he who was staging the play — was giving the actors their cues. He was at the heart of the mystery pulling the strings, making the puppets work. He knew everything, even to the presence of the woman crouched against the woodwork upstairs. Yes, he knew.

Mr. Quin seems to appear at just the right time in just the right place. He doesn’t say much; primarily he asks questions. It’s Mr. Satterthwaite who does all the work. He is a seasoned observer of human nature – a champion people-watcher. His senses have been fine-tuned to the drama of human interaction.

Mr. Quin’s role is to show up at the oddest places, knowing that Mr. Satterthwaite will be there and knowing that somewhere within Mr. Satterthwaite will be the solution to the mystery, even though Mr. Satterthwaite doesn’t know he has the solution.

I won’t tell you about all twelve stories but let me share the basic set up for a couple of the stories so you’ll get the flavor of them.

• The Coming of Mr. Quin: Friends, including Mr. Satterthwaite, are gathered at an old countryhome on New Year’s Eve. Ten years earlier the owner of the home had mysteriously committed suicide. Most of the guests had been there that night but no one could understand the reason for the suicide. Mr. Quin’s car breaks down on the road outside this countryhome and he quietly visits while his car is repaired. He orchestrates an informal inquest of the facts that helps Mr. Satterthwaite deduce the mystery.
• The Voice In the Dark involves a drawn out story of a mother-daughter and a deceased aunt and voices in the night, even a seance. The interesting aspect of this tale is that Mr. Quin knows ahead of time that there will be a mysterious death. He waits at a nearby inn, ready for Mr. Satterthwaite to visit.
• The Dead Harlequin is the name of the story and also the name of a picture by an up and coming artist. Mr. Satterthwaite discovered the painting in the gallery but it made him gasp when he saw it. The painting depicts a dead man on the floor and the same man looking in at the window. The man in the picture looks just like his friend Mr. Quin. Mr. Satterthwaite knew that “every appearance of Mr. Quin had some distinct significance attaching to it.”  Mr. Satterthwaite also recognizes the room in the picture. Intrigued, he buys the picture and sets about solving an even bigger mystery than the painting. Of course, Mr. Quin is involved.

This was a fun experience for me. I could see these stories set in the 1920′s. They were fun and felt more like a detective game. All the clues were there for the reader to figure out. Most of them were rather easy. I did find myself becoming cynical about the contrived appearance of Mr. Quin but not enough to spoil it for me.

I especially loved the character of Mr. Satterthwaite. (I also love saying his name.) In her autobiography Agatha Christie revealed that these two characters were two of her favorites. I wished she had featured them more often.

Over the past few weeks I’ve been forcing myself to read the stories one at a time and waiting at least a day or two before reading the next one. That way the anticipation could build the way it did waiting for the magazine to publish the next story. I recommend doing the same.

I’m reading all of Agatha Christie’s books as part of Kerry’s Agatha Christie Reading Challenge.

18 Down / 69 To Go

I enjoyed this book via the Sonoma Public Library but it is available on Amazon. (I am an Amazon Associate.)