Author Topic: The Library (Read 2089249 times)

serenesheila · « **Reply #5520 on:** June 29, 2011, 06:48:12 PM »

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!

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Count me in, as being anti war! I believe that WWII participation by America was necessary. Every war since then, was not. I cheer Eisenhower's comment about not allowing us to become a militaray complex. I wonder how many deaths, wounded, and money these wars have cost us!

I was determined to take part in a Vietnam peace march. However, my husband was career military, and the march was on Travis Air Force Base, in California. We were stationed at that base. He was terrified that if I took part in that march, it would negatively affect his career. Free speech does not apply to military personnel, or their families.

I began reading the sequel to Old Filth, yesterday. Finished half of the book. I did not want to stop. I am liking it much better than I liked OF.

Sheila

PatH · « **Reply #5521 on:** June 29, 2011, 08:01:55 PM »

I know I've posted this before, but can't resist posting it again. I live less than 3 miles from where the real Uncle Tom lived. His cabin is gone, but there is still a building used for cooking that was undoubtedly part of his life, now attached to a suburban house.

bellemere · « **Reply #5522 on:** June 29, 2011, 08:14:54 PM »

Amazing photo! So few buildings used by slaves have survived, whereas the plaantation owners' houses (those spared by Sherman) are big tourists attractions. Should be the other way around.
Barb St. Aubrey" I have started The Impressionists" It is not a linear novel but a collection of stories , each centering on a character who is emplioyed by an English language newspaper. Some characters reappear; there areo illuminating glashbacks, and enteratining glimpses of the lives of internationa journalists. It is what I call light reading, perfect for summer. Unless it takes a dark turn which is not evident so far. It is in a comtemporary language, by a young author,
Tom Rachman, and a nice contrast to some of the little-english-village-vicar-and aristocrat school of literture.

MaryPage · « **Reply #5523 on:** June 29, 2011, 08:50:04 PM »

I keep wondering why almost everyone all of my long life has made the assumption that "they" who are running things know what they are doing and are all grownups and if they take us into war it is okay.

It is NOT okay. War is ghastly and always wrong. The difference is who STARTS the wrong. In the case of World War II, it was Germany and Japan. We were forced to mobilize and defend ourselves, and it remains to this day something of a miracle that we were able to start from squat and win that war. When I read and remember and remember and read, I think it was as much Hitler's mistakes caused by his hubris as it was our oomph, though we did exert a lot of that.

But we should never invade a nation and try to change its culture. Does not work. Every nation needs to fight its civil wars until, exhausted from them, each nation comes to its senses and quits that route. Every nation needs to come to democracy and equality in its own time and in its own way. It has to come from its own heart; forcing from outside only further delays the needed outcome.

Ready or not, there's my uninvited opinion! Given from the viewpoint of an avid historian, and not a religious belief.

MaryPage · « **Reply #5524 on:** June 29, 2011, 08:54:49 PM »

P.S. I agree with the remarks about Ike, but it was the military/industrial complex he warned us about.

For instance, the military industrial complex now OWNS the Pentagon and the Congress, with the exception of Secretary Gates. Dwight David Eisenhower saw it coming. He was right. Gates has all alone been fighting an uphill battle against the stupid stupid expenditure of billiions on more nuclear subs and more bombers and silos full of nuclear bombs and missiles, when what our troops need is more and better body armor and more and better drones and IED detectors, etc. I mean, come on! Ask any soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan or Korea if they need another nuclear sub!

kiwilady · « **Reply #5525 on:** June 30, 2011, 01:50:36 AM »

Bravo Mary P! My sentiments exactly!

Carolyn

kiwilady · « **Reply #5526 on:** June 30, 2011, 01:52:35 AM »

Added to my previous post. There is another incidious reason for war. The armaments industry is worth a lot of money. It is their interest for us to have conflicts. I don't know in this day and age how anyone could buy stock in this industry.

Steph · « **Reply #5527 on:** June 30, 2011, 06:02:56 AM »

I now fit into the armchair activist category, but during Viet Nam, I counseled draft resister, marched in some rallies, until my husband asked me what would happen to our sons if I got arrested?. Then I counseled and testified, but gave up the marches. However I have a friend(quaker) who ended up with two years in a federal prison because she stay an activist.. She was one of the people who climbed the fence on a government reservations that deals in bombs..
They wanted to make an issue of it and they used her.. 66 at the time and an older man roughly the same age. She went to jail and immediatley started working to improve things.. She is so strong in her faith. I am not sure at 73 that I could be that strong.

Babi · « **Reply #5528 on:** June 30, 2011, 09:06:20 AM »

I know, JOAN, I know! I goofed!

Yes,it does, BARB. The setting is Montana, and our protagonists are
sheep ranchers. The weather is always a major factor of life there and
not every pioneer was able to stick it out.

It would be wonderful to see the end of wars. But when a man like Hitler
sets out to conquer the world, slaughtering everyone he disapproves of,
he has to be stopped. Perfect peace is only available in a perfect world.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #5529 on:** June 30, 2011, 11:32:39 AM »

I know this is not relevant, but I have to tell you all that my son, who completes his outdoor activities instructor course in September, has just been offered a 3 year contract as a full time instructor at one of the centres run by the Abernethy Trust (with whom he is currently training). He is over the moon - and so am I, as most of his friends went to university and seem unlikely to get a job when they graduate (along with their huge debts). To have a job at all is great, but to have one doing exactly what he wants to do is just wonderful - we feel richly blessed.

To get back on topic - Babi, I have the Rascal Fair book and will start it just as soon as I have finished The Man In The Wooden Hat, + a number of other things that are at the top of my TBR pile! When do we start the Rascal book? Please say it's August and not July!

Rosemary

maryz · « **Reply #5530 on:** June 30, 2011, 12:25:44 PM »

Wonderful news, Rosemary. Give him hugs and congratulations from all his virtual aunties & uncles.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #5531 on:** June 30, 2011, 12:42:15 PM »

I seem to have drawn complete blanks this morning...I'm trying to locate some book reviews on "To Kill A Mockingbird" and try as I might, I am striking out ! Tried NY Times, tried Amazon, tried BookReviews, also looked in our archives. Somebody tell me where I need to go (no, it's already that hot here in Texas, LOL).

CallieOK · « **Reply #5532 on:** June 30, 2011, 12:56:31 PM »

Rosemary, Congratulations to your son. I'm a firm believer in university/college degrees not being the only way to succeed. I think it was Will Rogers who said, "We can't all be heroes; someone has to sit on the curb and cheer." The mainstay of the workforce is often those who are well trained - but not necessarily "educated" in the broader sense. That can be obtained on one's own - if one is truly interested.

Tomereader, LOL at your description of the heat in Texas! It's no better north of the Red River!!!
Wouldn't it be nice if some of that flood water "up north" could be diverted to the drought stricken areas in the southwest?

I have the July book from my "Book Swap" club. It's a nonfiction titled "In The Garden of Beasts (Love, Terror and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin)" by Erik Larson. Anyone know anything about it?

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #5533 on:** June 30, 2011, 01:13:20 PM »

Callie, I also have "In the Garden of Beasts" and have read it. A very interesting book, and I was surprised it was Non-Fiction as most of Larson's are "fictionalized" accounts i.e. Isaacs Storm. I learned a great deal about how ambassador's are appointed, and their duties, living arrangements. Playing this character, who is totally unprepared for the job, against the frightening deluge of the Nazi onslaught, becomes too real if you think of current times and what modern day ambassadors might face! A good read, and I hope you have a good book discussion, if what you refer to is a f2f book group!

CallieOK · « **Reply #5534 on:** June 30, 2011, 02:51:25 PM »

Thank you, Tomereader. Although this Book Club has been ongoing for about 30 years, I have only been a member for the past year. Membership is limited to 12 and there are no discussion meetings. Every June, there is a meeting at which each member chooses an already read book to keep and receives her first book for the new year. A committee of two selects and puchases 12 books to be "swapped" on the 1st of each month for the next year; we split the costs of the purchases.
Someone's computer figured out a "swapping" schedule and my first year's participation has worked well. I've only read one book on the coming year's list - "Empire of The Summer Moon", which was discussed on this forum.

Frybabe · « **Reply #5535 on:** June 30, 2011, 04:17:15 PM »

Eloise appears to be among the missing on this site and on Senior and Friends. Has anyone heard from her lately?

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5536 on:** June 30, 2011, 06:02:15 PM »

No and although I sent her messages about Anna's passing using various formats I have not seen her respond even on the Legacy page set up by Anna's family - I do remember a few years ago Anna spent time with Eloise in her home - I used to have her son's email address - the son who lives in Switzerland - but no longer - does anyone have another way or reaching Eloise. She has not responded to her face book entries or on Senior and Friends or to her email.

ANNIE · « **Reply #5537 on:** June 30, 2011, 06:22:08 PM »

I sent Eloise several emails about Anna but they were all refused at destination.

jane · « **Reply #5538 on:** June 30, 2011, 06:26:32 PM »

Tomereader...maybe these links will help you get started:

http://www.aresearchguide.com/mock.html

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/kill-mockingbird

http://ezinearticles.com/?To-Kill-a-Mockingbird---A-Book-Review&id=78097

http://www.allreaders.com/topics/info_1072.asp

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mocking/

jane

Frybabe · « **Reply #5539 on:** June 30, 2011, 06:31:07 PM »

Thanks for the info Annie. It does not sound good, hoping for the best.

ginny · « **Reply #5540 on:** June 30, 2011, 08:20:03 PM »

Eloise had another email and when my computer crashed I've lost it. Are you all using the eloisede@sympatico.ca or are you using the one with her last name in it? It was that one that she would answer to. I don't have it, because of the crash and I've been thinking about her too!

Rosemary, congratulations to your son! What a joy to do what you love, he's very lucky!

I'll tell you somebody else who has been on my mind, a while back some of you wrote that Dapphne had set out on the road living in her van. What has anybody heard from/ about her?

We need a Homecoming here where people come back in and tell us what they've been up to!

I've not read that book, Frybabe, is it good?

maryz · « **Reply #5541 on:** June 30, 2011, 08:50:33 PM »

Dapphne wound up in Port Townsend, WA, and seems to be loving it. She posts frequently on Facebook using her real name, Sandy Davidson. But if you put "Dapphne" in to search, you'll get to her page.

Here's a link...
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/dapphne

serenesheila · « **Reply #5542 on:** June 30, 2011, 09:28:22 PM »

MARYPAGE, thank you for supplying the second word of Ike"s comment about the military/imdustrial complex. I remembered the first word, but could not think of the second. That happens a lot, for me, these days. It can be frustrating.

I have been having intermittent problems with my computer. For about a week now, things will be going along fine for awhile, then I lose my connection. It happened several times yesterday. So, I called a Tech business, and have an appointemt for tomorrow. Then earlier today, every electrical thing in my home, went out. The same thing happened to the neighbors behind me, and across from me, said theirs were out, too. I called my power company, and they said that more than 2000 customers lost their power. Fortunately, about half an hour later, everything came back on. That was 3 hours ago, and everything has been OK since then. I am relieved because the weather people are predicting 100+ degrees for a week.

Sheila

mabel1015j · « **Reply #5543 on:** June 30, 2011, 11:52:00 PM »

I haven't been able to get into SeniorsandFriends for sev'l days. Has anyone else had trouble?

Jean

kiwilady · « **Reply #5544 on:** July 01, 2011, 03:28:33 AM »

Congratulations to your son Rosemary! How wonderful to have a job and also enjoy it. My sons did not go to Uni. They both did trade training and both are very well off having assets equal to any professional person. They both amaze me with their business acumen. They are much better off than their sister who did go to Uni and has a high salaried job in business. They had quite a few years start on their sister who did a full degree plus post grad studies. Uni does not guarantee an immediate job or a huge salary these days. I know of graduates working in MacDonalds!

Carolyn

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #5545 on:** July 01, 2011, 04:14:46 AM »

Thanks Carolyn, Callie and MaryZ! I agree entirely about university not always being the best path, especially now - husband, however, took some persuading - his entire family, siblings, parents, uncles and aunts, all went to uni, most of them to Oxbridge, and he struggles with the idea that a university education might not be essential, or even, for some people (like my son, who loathes studying) desirable. In my family I was the first person ever to go to university or even to stay on at school past the minimum leaving age, so I suppose it's easier for me to see alternatives. I tell him he'll be glad of this when he sees how much Anna's extended music studies are going to end up costing us! And that's before we even start thinking about her sister.

Finished The Man In The Wooden Hat in bed this morning; the newest Alexander McCall Smith awaits me

Rosemary

Babi · « **Reply #5546 on:** July 01, 2011, 08:49:10 AM »

Quite right, ROSEMARY. 'Rascal Fair' doesn't begin discussion until Aug.1.
It will be out for prediscussion/introduction in mid-JUly. I'm so glad to
knew you'll be joining us.

Terrific news about your son. What can be better than work you love...and
getting paid for it!

maryz · « **Reply #5547 on:** July 01, 2011, 10:19:09 AM »

Jean, re S&F - it's gotten erratic and slow lately. I went one whole day and couldn't get in, but it's been working for me lately. Keep trying.

Rosemary, one of our grandsons is a non-student - very smart and can do anything with his hands. He went into the Navy when he finished high school. That should give him a good starting point when he finishes his hitch.

JoanP · « **Reply #5548 on:** July 01, 2011, 11:23:18 AM »

Rosemary - as the mother of four sons who marched right into college after high school, with no idea where they were going, they all ended up having to go for advanced degrees to learn a marketable skill. Congratulations for letting your son follow his heart. And you know what? Down the road, he may decide on going on for more coursework in his chosen field. I can't imagine a better situation for your boy. Congratulations for sticking up for him to his father. Tradition is a difficult thing to break.

Oh - and as Babi said- we will begin Dancing at the Rascal Fair in August - and get into a pre-discussion in the middle of July. We are also considering inviting the author, Ivan Doig to join us - but need to know how many will be joining us before we do that.

Will all who plan to join us in August let us know now? Thanks! We're here - Dancing at the Rascal Fair -

JoanP · « **Reply #5549 on:** July 01, 2011, 11:28:12 AM »

Callie - I just googled "To Kill a Mockingbird review" and you'll get all the reviews you are looking for.

Here'a a good one from the Atlantic Weekly.

ps Callie, I think you'd love Dancing at the Rascal Fair too - since you enjoyed Empire of the Summer Moon...

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5550 on:** July 01, 2011, 02:54:55 PM »

Wow Rosemary - what a coup for your son - seems to me learning is a lifetime skill - nothing says if when he is in his late twenties, thirties, fifties or even later if his curiosity is churning to learn in a scholastic setting he can't go to University even if it only for one or two classes a semester. Sounds like he has a drive to succeed with his dreams and that is what it is all about. Great and wishing your family many good adventures ahead.

Been trying to get the heading for the July book discussion up - we should have it up before the day is over - talk about lists of books - some authors included in the story are new to me - but its a field day if you like to browse a bookstore or library - reading 'The Novel Bookstore' will offer just that kind of an experience along with, solving a mystery while being transported to France, from Breton to the Alps and Paris - so come on over and read July's selection with us and take a mini holiday in France.

MaryPage I wonder - do you think Ike could be elected president today - he was a man of his time but I see a very different GOP - in fact both parties have dug in their heals in a way I do not remember even as recently as the 70s. What I am having a difficult time processing is that some of the young folks I work with were not even born when I first started as an agent - and that was after my children were grown - trying to figure out what my political view point would be if I had no reference before the 1980s.

CallieOK · « **Reply #5551 on:** July 01, 2011, 03:30:40 PM »

Joan, I wasn't the one looking for "To Kill A Mockingbird" reviews but I'll bet Tomereader will appreciate the links you posted.

Yes, I think I would like "Dancing At The Rascal Fair". I've read references to the English settlers in Montana/Wyoming in other books but, as I recall, the references were mostly to the "landed gentry" who bought big ranches there. It will be interesting to read something written specifically about the "regular people" who came.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #5552 on:** July 01, 2011, 03:41:25 PM »

Tomereadr most definitely appreciates the links you sent. I had a hard time with that Atlantic review though. I'm going to Google the author of it, and see where she is now!

I quote: "frankly and completely impossible"... and 50+ years later, the book is still being celebrated as a classic. Some book critics (to this day) need to adjust the size of their heads to their actual intellectual capacities!

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #5553 on:** July 01, 2011, 03:47:17 PM »

Phoebe-Lou Adams
Staff Writer

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brief Reviews by Phoebe-Lou Adams

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phoebe-Lou Adams recounts her career, including her longstanding association with The Atlantic Monthly: "I graduated from Radcliffe with a degree in English literature, which in the 1930s was about as useful, in terms of employability, as a case of measles. I got a job as librarian and house-organ reviewer at an elegant loony bin where it was sometimes difficult to tell the staff from the patients. From there, I managed to become the stupidest cub reporter on the local newspaper, which put up with females in the city room only because all the able-bodied young men were off at the war.
"Meanwhile, an old friend and former teacher had joined the staff of The Atlantic Monthly, and the magazine needed somebody to run errands, speak civilly to would-be authors who wandered in off the streets, and translate foreign reports that arrived in antique cable-ese. So I was hired, and have been here ever since."

Phoebe-Lou Adams is well known for the precision and wit of Brief Reviews, her monthly column about current books, which has appeared regularly, under various titles, in The Atlantic Monthly since 1952. Readers have received, for example, the following literary guidance:

"Mr. Dutcher's photographs . . . are beautiful and, predictably, will arouse in any cat-fancier the suicidal itch to pet a puma."

"Dr. [Ruth] Westheimer, a psychosexual therapist born in 1928, observed a year or so ago that paintings and sculpture can have 'strong erotic content.' With the help of an unnamed 'art historian' and extensive illustrations, she shares her discovery (which most of us make by age twelve) with the public, hoping that the combination of images and her advice will inspire readers to enjoy sex and avoid venereal disease. The illustrations are well produced."

PatH · « **Reply #5554 on:** July 01, 2011, 06:35:37 PM »

Adams' review misses at least three quarters of the point of the book. You'd do better just reading the book and writing your own review.

Babi · « **Reply #5555 on:** July 02, 2011, 08:46:57 AM »

TOMEREADER, you remind me of a movie critic I once used as a guide post.
If he said something was bad, I was almost sure to enjoy it, ..and vice-versa.
And thanks for the quotes from Phoebe Adams. I'd never heard of her, but
these gave me my grin to start the day.

Steph · « **Reply #5556 on:** July 02, 2011, 09:29:32 AM »

Ah hah.. Way up around 4500 feet in Highlands,NC We are up on Holt Knob which is above the town. Beautiful and so empty,, but oh so wonderful. I laughed last night, my dogs did not like the total darkness. They are urban dogs and used to street lights and sidewalks.. They have decided to be clingy .
Got wifi.. phone works.. Coming up and down the Knob ( mountain) is sort of scary. Dont think I will do nightlife type stuff.. We can explore during the day.

pedln · « **Reply #5557 on:** July 02, 2011, 12:40:24 PM »

Why is July 4 the day on which we celebrate our independence?

(Richard Henry) Lee’s resolution, introduced in June, 1776 was passed on July 2 –

Resolved, that these United Colonies are, and of right, ought to be free . . .

As John Adams wrote to Abigail ---

“The second day of July, 1776 will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. It ought to be solemized with Pomp and Parade . . . . from this Time forward forever more.”

While the resolution was being debated, John Hancock appointed the Committee of Five to draft a formal declaration, should agreement be reached on independence. Congressional printer John Dunlap began setting type for this hand-written document on July 4, and on July 5 printed some 200 broadsides. Known as Declaration 1 (the Dunlap broadsides,) only 25 are still in existence.

(There’s more to the Independence dateline, as you know doubt already know. More dates and more Declarations – 2, 3, and 4. I’m not much of a history student, but my brother likes to delve into these matters and then print up booklets about them to share with family members.)

Enjoy your holiday and independence. Whenever I hear about others, especially women, in some other country I can only be grateful that I live in a land of the free.

serenesheila · « **Reply #5558 on:** July 02, 2011, 05:51:17 PM »

THANK YOU, to whomever is responsible for the 4th of July graphics! What a great surprise that was when I logged on. It touches my heart.

PEDLIN, I also appeciate your information about the 2nd of July being the authentic day to celebrate. I wonder why July 4th was chosen, instead. That kind of thing seems to happen with s ome regularity?

BABI, I laughed when I read your comments about critics. I do the same thing with a movie critic. I found a TV program which is called Roger Ebert's movies. I recorded it a few times. Instead of Roger's reviews, the hosts are two, 20 somethings. The movies they feature, are rarely anything I would want to see. In fact, I have about given up on movies.

ROSEMARY, a belated CONGRATULATIONS, on your son's success. You have obviously done a lot of right parenting with him. I wish him much happiness, and further success in his chosen work.

STEPH, I got a good LOL, about your urban dogs not appreciating country life. Thanks for sharing that! What kind of temperment do Corgis usually have? What about their upkeep. My Sheltie died several years ago, and I am giving some thought to getting another dog.

TOMEREADER, Iam laughing out lou,d over your comments. Especially bout critic's btains. I will be chuckling all say I am sure.

Sheila

roshanarose · « **Reply #5559 on:** July 02, 2011, 11:28:41 PM »

Yes. Those graphics are quite beautiful. Is the 2nd of July really the acceptable day to celebrate American Independence Day?

If it is - to one and all - HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY!!!!!!!!

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2089249 times)