The Library

[mabel1015j]

The Library Our library cafe is open 24/7, the welcome mat is always out. Do come in from daily chores and spend some time with us. We look forward to hearing from you, about you and the books you are enjoying (or not). Let the book talk begin here!

*Suggestion Box for Future Discussions
*SeniorLearn's Archives 
 

If you can't get our, or even if you can, here's something that says "real holiday spirit"! And gives us some new faith in corporations, especially airlines, who would have thought!?!

http://videos.komando.com/watch/4614/viral-videos-this-video-will-give-you-christmas-chills?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=tvkim&utm_content=2013-12-12-article-screen-shot-b

Jean

[Steph]

Snow is beautiful for 24 hours, then it tends to become a nuisance.. We have had one cooler day, one too warm day and today it started out warm.. rained a bit and now seems to be blowing and getting colder. Ah Florida Winters.. always interesting.

[mabel1015j]

I finished last night "Invitation to Provence" by Elizabeth Adler. It was on the fiction shelf, but it had some mystery and a lot of "romance". An older woman invites "family" (some of whom she had never met) back to the vineyard in Provence. I inadvertantly got lessons in wine making in the last few months, reading two of Ellen Cohen's wine mystery books and then this one.

I would give it 3 out of 5 stars. It was entertaining, but predictable, and i seem to have become too cynical to enjoy "romance" stories.

Jean

[pedln]

That was fun to watch, Jean.  Thanks.

Here's another where everyone is having a wonderful time -- tourists, air force personel, and everyone at the Air and Space Museum

Holiday Flash Mob

Then scroll down a little bit.

[BarbStAubrey]

Did you see the flash mob in a grocery store in South Africa with a tribute to Mandela - did not save the link but it was neat seeing the reaction of the people's faces when they figured out what was happening.

[mabel1015j]

Openculture had a list of Alice Munro's short stories months ago when she won the Nobel Prize. The first one on the list - i've just gotten around to have a little time to read them - is The Red Dress -1946. I am so identifying with just the first few paragraphs - her mother is making her a red dress on a treadle sewing machine and she's surrounded by red velvet and the tissue paper of the pattern.

Altho her mother is not a good seamstress, not a "finisher". My mother was a good seamstress, in fact, she worked for a few years at the only women's dress store in town as their seamstress. When i was a ninth grade cheerleader, she made all ten of us the cutest uniforms - red corduroy weskits and short flared skirts.

Anyway, if you would like to read it its at the Narrative Magazine. You have to sign up, but its free.

 http://www.narrativemagazine.com/issues/stories-week-2012–2013/red-dress—1946

Here is the complete list from Openculture

http://www.openculture.com/2013/10/read-14-short-stories-from-nobel-prize-winning-writer-alice-munro-free-online.html

Pedln - i did see the AF flash mob video. I enjoyed that. I have a grand-niece at the Air Firce Academy.

Barbara - haven't seen the grocery store one, but i'll look for it.

[mabel1015j]

Oh well, i just stopped identifying. In 1946, i'm not sure how many girls shared all the info they learned about sex, or read articles about frigidity, abortion, (i don't think i heard the word abortion before i was an adult!) or how to satisfy husbands, or how many boys in classrooms were acting like these.......

We read articles on how to make up our faces to accentuate our good points and how to carry on a conversation on the first date and what to do when a boy tried to go too far. Also we read articles on frigidity of the menopause, abortion and why husbands seek satisfaction away from home. When we were not doing school work, we were occupied most of the time with the garnering, passing on and discussing of sexual information. ...............

I hated English because the boys played bingo at the back of the room while the teacher, a stout, gentle girl, slightly cross-eyed, read Wordsworth at the front. She threatened them, she begged them, her face red and her voice as unreliable as mine. They offered burlesqued apologies and when she started to read again they took up rapt postures, made swooning faces, crossed their eyes, flung their hands over their hearts. Sometimes she would burst into tears, there was no help for it, she had to run out into the hall. Then the boys made loud mooing noises; our hungry laughter—oh, mine too—pursued her. There was a carnival atmosphere of brutality in the room at such times, scaring weak and suspect people like me.

Not in my little provincial town!

Jean

[louisiana]

Mary Page: Sorry to admit that I have never heard of any of those books
JOY

[JeanneP]

Mabel.  They would not have gotten by with acting like that in our English Schools back when I was in.  Although Girl and Boys schools separate.  I would say your boys were just showing off for the girls. This is the problem when they mix the sexes. Most of our teachers were men.
and they  have more  control over some students. I  Have some teachers in the family and those who teach the older students say it tough. They are Texas City schools. But even ours here in the small cities in Illinois have to put up with a lot.  3 schools even have Security men working them.
Here it is really bad now as the teachers are so young. mostly women who say it can get awful. Can't do to much or the parents get mad. Say the teachers are picking on their child.

[mabel1015j]

When i started teaching in 1963, i was still 21 yrs old and i had at least on male student who was 18, there were probably more by the end of the school year. I never had one bit of trouble with any student not listening to me if they were misbehaving and i told them to stop. This was in a moderate inner-city high school in Harrisburg, Pa. Those students knew if their parents had to take time off of work to come to school about them they were in big trouble. But it was also just expected at that time that you listened to adults and behaved yourself as a student and yes, parents respected the teachers also.

When i told college classmates where i was teaching they made remarks like "aren't you scared to be there" - some of those classmates had lived in suburban Harrisburg and assumed since the school was about 1/3 Black students that it must be a dangerous place, but i never had one moment of fear of those students. It was a great place and time to teach.

Jean

[BarbStAubrey]

I am remembering when teachers were respected and could even be hard expecting you to do well - I really think the loss of respect is a big part of it - I know we were mixed but the boys would never act up they knew if they did they had Father Hugh to face and he could be stern if he had to be but he was a great teacher.

I am trying to remember when it became vogue to find fault and later demean teachers so that now the legislature of most states finish up the job by cutting their pay scale while demanding they teach as they expect regardless they are not trained educators. It is getting so they want to tell every professional including Doctors how to do their job - about the only ones they leave alone are professional Basketball players.

[ursamajor]

Amen, Barbara.  What's so special about the ball players?

[MaryPage]

I went to an all girl's college prep boarding school from 8th grade on, and have always been so very glad I did.  We did NOT talk about boys and such and we were serious about our learning and about where we were going to college.  I honestly believe boys and girls should be taught separately.  Less distraction and more learning.  I did not understand what happened with sex until I was nineteen and someone described it to me!  One thing pertaining to men and marriage DID crop up when we were adolescent girls at that school, though!  We would cut our favorite silver pattern pages from Good Housekeeping or The Ladies Home Journal and put it on our walls.  It seemed very important to each of us that we had chosen that pattern by the time we became engaged!  Dear God, when I THINK about it!
Oh, and I finally settled on Fairfax by Gorham, and was never disappointed.

[Steph]

Oh Mary Page, I do laugh. I was not into patterns, but I do remember my classmates bringing pictures to school of what they picked. I went to a rural school, so many married that first summer. I was off to college and the last thing on my mind was marriage. I matured slowly..
I was horrified to hear the story about the teacher. Our teachers were respected members of the community and it was unheard of to act up. Our parents generally knew the teachers personally.

[maryz]

MaryPage, Fairfax was my pattern, too.  But then John and I eloped, so I never got any of it.  I inherited my mother's silver flatware instead.   

[MaryPage]

My mother gave me a complete service for six as a wedding gift, and we received many pieces as wedding gifts;  so we had a good start.  Somewhere along the way in that first decade, I must have lost one piece by discarding it in the trash by mistake, or some such.  I never quite got over my stupidity in doing that.
In my old age, well, in my younger old age, after my 2nd husband died and I sold our home and downsized into a lovely little condo in Virginia, I gave away about three quarters of our accumulation of stuff.  I swore I'd never give another luncheon or dinner party, and I have stuck to that except for Bridge and games parties.  I take everyone to restaurants when appropriate.  So daughter Anne got all of my best china.  Daughter Becky got my Imperial crystal:  Candlewick pattern.  I took it all to one of those mailing places, and would you know, they packed it all up and sent it off to Missouri and never so much as a single little ball fell off!  Daughter Debi had chosen my Fairfax pattern for her sterling silver, so she got all of mine and all of my Aunt Hilda's and had a bunch from HER wedding gifts, so she is really fixed.  Me, I think we were all daft to find silver so important (I gave each of my daughters a "silver service" when they married!  Scheesch!  You know:  coffee pot, tea pot, sugar & creamer, tray, bowl to dump the dregs in, and so forth.) back in the day.  It was as though it marked the class you were from, or something.  I am thrilled not to have to try to polish much with these stricken with arthritis old fingers of mine!  Yep, if I had it all to do over, I'd opt for the simple life!  No sterling, no porcelain, no crystal!

[maryz]

I hear you "loud and clear", MaryPage.  Our daughters love having the stuff from me, but never use it.  Not my problem any more.  LOL

[BarbStAubrey]

 Oh lordy were we ever naive thinking a loved silver pattern was vital to a good and happy marriage. Although the next generation hasn't done much better with divorce as common as buying a new vehicle regardless their casual attitudes about various traditions.

As to our ignorance of sex - I would not be crowing about that - it was how girls were controlled being sure they were not aware of their body and again, ignorance kept us naive and dependent on others to take care of us as the gender that needed protection. I think there is a difference between exploiting sexuality versus having a good understanding of all the implications in our sexuality. Somehow many today think titillating the senses means street language and street sex described Ad infinitum

[JeanneP]

Here is a good one today if you use the Kindle reader.


The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty [Kindle Edition]
Eudora Welty (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
Digital List Price:    $13.99 What's this?
Print List Price:    $16.00
Kindle Price:    $1.99

[Steph]

I also had a big wedding with silver ( French Provincial), china ( Wheat) and crystal ( forgot the name).. Then I inherited Crystal from my grandmother in law that is french and beautiful beyond belief. I adore it and it has its own cabinet since it is a set of 12 with 7 different size glasses. Also inherited china  and silver from my mother in law, but those went to my sons and wives. along with a great majority of my silver, tea set, bowls, platters, etc.  About once a year I bring out more stuff and my two daughter in laws snatch it up. They also love my cut glass , but encourage me to keep all of that since I love it. So I live with all sorts of wonderful crystal and a large collection of the small dinner bells that my husband collected since my granddaughter loved them when little.

[maryz]

We all love cut glass, too, Steph.  I have bought some pieces of that at "junk" stores over the years - not any more, though, for a long time.  I still drag it out and use it at Thanksgiving - even though the meal isn't all that formal.

CSpan is filming here in Chattanooga this week.  We're going to be the featured city on Book TV (CSpan 2) and American History TV (CSpan 3) the weekend of 18-19 January 2014.  I'll try to remind folks when the time gets closer.  And, of course, these city tours are all available on their web site after airing. 

[ginny]

Well I'll sure look for that, how exciting, Mary!!

I came in to find out what you all are going to do with your Mega Millions when you win tonight?

We messed up! We should have done a SeniorLearn  pool and bought lottery tickets everywhere and shared the winnings~!!!

I've got mine all allotted hahahahaha. They said on CNN that 800,000,000 dollars is unclaimed from people who throw them away when they don't win the big prize and fail to realize they may in fact have won a smaller prize, like 1,000,000. So don't throw that ticket away!!

Wouldn't that be  a HOOT?

[ursamajor]

I received a good deal of my silver (Georgian Rose) when I graduated from high school.  I had Wheat china as well and Laurel crystal.  I also, God help me, had 8 sterling silver goblets which I used once.  All given to children and grandchildren now.  I wonder if any will be used again.  Our children's lives are so different; when I was young there was a servant in the kitchen in most middle class homes.  We will never see that again.

We used to use the china and silver at Christmas and Thanksgiving; the kids called it "the Passover china".  Confused the heck out of some of their friends as we were Episcopalians.

[ginny]

Well, shoot. So much for the Lottery. hahahaa Not only did I not win I didn't even have ONE number.  ahahaha

My husband said buy a ticket, you've always been lucky, so I did.  I enjoyed fantasizing about what I'd do with it, even practicing waving (in a disdainful manner) the paddle at Christie's (am still reading about  the rich and famous landowners in the UK), while watching a real auction on TV, no go.  I guess it's safe to throw out the losing ticket? hahahaa Ah well it was harmless fun.

Still, somebody in Atlanta which is not that far from me and...can't remember the other city, are very happy this morning.

I'm in the third book by Rory Clark about being an estate manager and it continues to get better and better. This one, Style and Manors, the last of the three, appears to be dictated, it has odd expressions, and is very similar to some of the closed captioning errors you occasionally see. In fact the publisher certified that "Rory Clark" was entitled to use that name for "her" work, " in the credits. So I don't know what's going on.  HE is obviously a man: http://www.constablerobinson.com/?section=authors&author=rory_clark

Here is Badminton, the tiny little place he's writing about now after his first book on Althorp,  (and these are fictionalized accounts), and I suppose the former Duke of Beaufort: http://www.badmintonestate.co.uk/default.html
It needed an editor, but it's still good and for some reason these strange errors make it like talking to the person (they aren't spelling or grammar ones, they are obviously errors in whoever typed it).  Starts of sentences that aren't, that kind of thing. I found out this morning there is an indispensable guide for those who manage these estates, which I did not know, called Walmsley's Rural Estate  Management: "A compendium at the service of agricultural landowners, practising land agents, and students for the profession in England and Wales."

It's Downton Abbey in the flesh, just real this time and grander in size and scope. Lord Grantley and Sir Charles in the book however, couldn't be more different.

I would really like to read the  Walmsley, now. The whole thing has been great fun, looking into the lives of these eccentric titled heirs. I will be sorry to see it end. Perhaps a tad too much on the beauty of the countryside, etc., but it's clear he (she?) enjoys it very much.

So Jonathan, what's happening in the Amy Tan? I imagine when YOU read all these images from what you've read spring out (like the Kipling for instance) which might not have come to me. Is it holding up? Or have you given up?

What's everybody enjoying reading?

[Steph]

Have not seen the numbers on the lottery, but I gather the big prize was not in Florida.. Oh well. fun to play what if..Actually at my age, I mostly think of the things I could do for various groups.. My much loved corgi as well as other homeless animals as well as the throw away teens here in Florida.

[marjifay]

I was just reading about a man who won a lottery of about $400 million and has decided he doesn't need it, so is going to make it into a trust fund of some kind and give it to charities he favors.  I think I remember his being from Canada, and the article gave his name.  He's going to get a ton of letters from people crying for stuff they want. 

Marj

[salan]

I'm with you, Steph.  It's fun to fantasize about who/what you would give the money to.
Sally

[BarbStAubrey]

Yes, the plans - I keep thinking of buying up a square block and bulldozing down the houses and making a combo park and after school center that during school hours could be used by elders and the program for the elders would be to put on plays or learn and put on puppet shows for children and to create a seasonal bazaar of items they make and sell that would bring neighborhoods together. It would have to have its own police, program directors, play area supervisors and a fund that will grow to assure the maintenance of the programs, park and center etc etc.

But then it is really a fantasy because some years ago I spent $10 on lottery tickets and won 0 - I was so shocked but then what in the world did I expect but all I could do was say to my self bah humbug wasted money - got nothing - not even a kick buying or anticipating - I bought like a sack of potatoes and expected something if only a few dollars like those scratch off tickets you can buy at the 7/11 - ah so - my fantasy

[LarryHanna]

I don't usually buy a lottery ticket but when the prize gets big I may spend a dollar for a ticket, which I did this week.  I did have one number right (a first I think).  However, I don't think I would want to really win, although fun to think about what good it would do, as it would destroy my way of life so am certainly not upset when I don't win.  The winner in Atlanta came forward today to claim the $120 million cash prize after taxes have been taken out.  It was a lady from Stone Mountain, Georgia.  I also heard that of the two locations where the winning tickets were sold the one in California would receive a million dollars and the seller here would receive nothing.  It seems like a strange rule but it must relate to the earliest purchase of the winning ticket. 

I also enjoy the CSPAN events at the book fairs. 

[MaryPage]

I buy a subscription ticket.  That is to say, I bought in to their computer system years and years ago.  Back circa 1980, I think.  Each year I send a check to the Maryland Lottery for 104 drawings a year.  I go in their system, and I need never look at the winning numbers.  If I win, they send me a check.  The most I ever won was $1,000.00, but every year I win a minimum of about $6.00, and I often win enough in a year to pay for or more than pay for my ticket.  You see, you win for a lot of different things!  They send me a notice to resubscribe each year.  I send in my ticket and my check and forget all about it.  Except for the satisfaction of knowing I am in there and that I am contributing to the schools.

[PatH]

Some years ago I read a magazine article which followed up a number of lottery winners.  Mostly, after a few years they are either no better off than before, or are worse off.  They make stupid decisions about what to do with the money, they mess up their ordinary life by overestimating their financial situation, everyone who even knows their first name comes out of the woodwork and wants either a loan or a handout.  So down the road they don't have much of the money left, and they are disillusioned and maybe broke.

I'll never find out if I would have done better, since I don't buy tickets.  I bought one once and it didn't work, so that's it.  I lack the gambling spirit.

[Steph]

I buy scratch offs maybe four times a year.. Always for Christmas eve for the whole family.We all get a kick of the 1.00 ones..Only buy tickets for big big payouts.. But I rarely win more than 50.00... and that not often. I wish in Florida, that our legislature had not decided to let the lottery do the schools and now they dont.. Not fair or right.

[Frybabe]

I don't think PA has a subscription system, MaryPage. It does sound interesting. I maybe spend a dollar or two a year on lottery. The two I bought for the last round came up zip. Not one number correct. Not a surprise. That two bucks could have bought a loaf of bread (on sale).

[ursamajor]

I have never bought a lottery ticket.  I have a very nice life and winning a lot of money would totally destroy it.  Can you imagine the hoards of people who would be on your doorstep with their hands out?  I would have to do a lot of research to choose a charitable institution to hand it over to.  I am basically a lazy woman.

[MaryPage]

The State of Maryland allows you to choose to be anonymous as a winner if that is your wish.  Some states require the winner be known, but others do not.
I do not believe I will ever be a big winner, although I have been a winner of smaller amounts, as previously explained.  But if my name is not in there, I cannot be a winner.  And I think having the money would be lovely and I would enjoy giving to my 8 children and 13 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.  Plus some of my favorite charities.  And I could retain my privacy by our law here.

[Steph]

I would not want to be identified, although I note that legally, your name may end up on tax roles,etc.. But the idea of being able to fund a charity to me would be wonderful.We have so many many homeless teens here in central Florida. Throw aways.. and some of them work so hard to stay in school, etc.

[ginny]

Just wanted to say thanks to Jane for her beautiful seasonal headings here on the website: so festive. I enjoy looking at them every time I come in.

[jane]

Thank you!  We're in the "getting ready to travel by car for the next two weeks and avoid winter storms" mode.  Ahhhh, the joys of winter travel in the north!

jane

[Frybabe]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25403595

What a shame. Poetic justice: the perps should have bits cut out of them or a limb or two torn from them like they did to the books.

I think this in one of the libraries featured on my desktop wallpaper.

[CallieOK]

I echo Ginny's comments about the seasonal headings.  Thank you, Jane.

BTW,  if you're coming to Texas, be "weather aware" down this way, too.  Yet another rain/ice/snow system is moving into Oklahoma tonight - Sunday.  The temperatures were in the high 60's/low70's earlier this week.  This morning, it was 30* on my central Oklahoma patio.
Some of these systems have been worse in southern OK/northern TX than they were here.

I have a stack of "easy read" books to keep me occupied over the weekend.  Nothing worth talking about.