Author Topic: The Library (Read 2326077 times)

maryz · « **Reply #9880 on:** November 14, 2012, 11:32:35 AM »

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

MaryPage, Follett's Pillars is why I bought my first ereader. I knew I couldn't hold that book, and I love his books. I have the second of the 20th century books, but haven't read it yet. It's next on me list ... when I finish the latest Grisham.

MaryPage · « **Reply #9881 on:** November 14, 2012, 11:50:36 AM »

Be sure to let us know what you think of his Century Trilogy!

maryz · « **Reply #9882 on:** November 14, 2012, 11:57:25 AM »

I loved the first one, and ordered the second prepublication . I'll surely do that with the third, as well.

CubFan · « **Reply #9883 on:** November 14, 2012, 03:42:30 PM »

I just finished the second in the series Winter of the World. He continued following the same families through World War II and gave some different perspectives. It was well written but as with all war related books not a pleasant read. I did like his "getting into the heads" of the average person and presenting their ideas, actions and perspectives. I am looking forward to the third volume but I'm sure it'll be quite a while before it's out.

MaryPage is correct. This is physically a heavy book - over 900 pages. I often used a lap table because my desire to read exceeded my ability to hold the book up. The story does move right along.

Mary

ginny · « **Reply #9884 on:** November 14, 2012, 06:19:31 PM »

Wow, what exciting posts in here today, correspondence from famous authors and all KINDS of interesting sounding reads!

Pedln:
Ginny, Chrichton's Micro -- anything like Metamorphesis? Not sure I want to read about bugs.

It's kind of a Honey I shrunk the kids and threw them into Jurassic Park where the bugs are huge. It's harmless so far and fun. Total escapism.

Now you won't believe this one. After reading all about those caramel cakes I wanted one. I haven't had a REAL caramel cake in probably 30-40 years. Caroline's, when I went to the website, has 7 layers, that's what I want. I ordered one for Thanksgiving right before that awful storm. I heard nothing back tho they acknowledged the order. I had said I wanted it for Thanksgiving.

Yesterday they wrote they had shipped it. Today it came but it did not come from MD. It came from SC, in fact quite close to me in the neighboring city.

Turns out there is a branch here, isn't that amazing ?!? I am not sure that one can go IN this store and am not sure what it iS, but it is here, and so it is bound to be fresh. hhahahahaa

I am VERY excited to have a caramel cake again! Thank you, those of you who recommended it.

JeanneP · « **Reply #9885 on:** November 14, 2012, 07:02:30 PM »

Steph.

Yes, liver would have been a treat. It was on your meat ration card along with other beef and pork. Did not get to much of the B and P. Hearts, Liver,kidneys ,Tongue.more often. Makes one wonder now as to who was getting the rest of the Animal.
Only thing we could get that was not rationed but then we stood in line for hours for. Whale meat, Horse meat. were not on card but even then you only get a certain amount. My grandmother could do great things with Horse meat. She did most of the cooking and my father never knew he was eating it until one day he saw my brother and I standing in line to buy it.. He never ate at grandmother again.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #9886 on:** November 14, 2012, 07:53:29 PM »

Ginny - i asked for the 7-layer caramel cake for my birthday - and got it! I'd be in big trouble if there was a store near me.

i love them. They are on the list with cinnamon buns that my son-in-law's team sells as a fund-raiser. I always order 6 and try to stretch out the eating of them for three months .......... So far, i've lost that battle!

MaryPage · « **Reply #9887 on:** November 14, 2012, 08:25:46 PM »

Caroline is a real person, and she is from the Charleston, South Carolina area originally.

Since she is here in Annapolis, we have known about her cakes for some years now. The story I originally heard may or may not be the truth, but here goes. When she first left home, which was near or in Charleston, South Carolina, and came up here, she missed the cakes made by a local black woman that her family had always had. So every time she went home, she brought a bunch back. Well, friends and neighbors who had some at her house began to ask her if she could bring them back one or two. They would pay, of course. She said she could. In almost no time her vehicle would be stuffed to the roof with cakes. So she asked if she could have the recipes and was told she could and she started up in her own home. Now she has 2 stores here and I heard recently she had opened one up down there in South Carolina. That is my version. I do not know Caroline. I have seen pictures of her and she was written up in our local paper. Probably that is where I gleaned my story.

The cakes are heavenly, but she has gone up in price from $45 to $58 in just this one year. I have decided to switch to our Main Ingredient caterers, and they just did a cake for my daughter Anne's 61st birthday that my entire family declared the winner of the beauty contest as the most beautiful cake we've ever had AND of the taste contest as the best cake ever. So there 'ya go! Oh, with the cost of special decoration and Maryland tax and the whole shebang, it cost me just $44.54, and it was huge.

Steph · « **Reply #9888 on:** November 15, 2012, 05:48:35 AM »

I got book one of the Follett three volume series yesterday in paperback. Will see how that works out since it is large.
Caramel cake. Hmm, will have to let others get them. I just dont want anything around that tempts me that much..

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #9889 on:** November 15, 2012, 06:46:59 AM »

This week Madeleine's class performed 'Androcles and the Lion' - I have to admit I'd never seen or read it before. I think they found it very hard, especially as their drama teacher wanted it done 'in the round', but they struggled through, and I do like the way that Steiner still expects them to be able to learn large pieces of literature off by heart. Everyone who wants a role (and even those who don't - Madeleine certainly didn't, and she ended up with quite a big part) is encouraged to take part, and the emphasis is on having a go rather than polished perfection.

Has anyone seen this play performed professionally? What did you think? I'm still not entirely sure what the 'message' was, think I'll have to find some notes.

Rosemary

Babi · « **Reply #9890 on:** November 15, 2012, 09:09:22 AM »

MARYPAGE, the rise in price may have been due to the rise in costs of the ingredients, baking
supplies and shipping costs. Closer is almost always cheaper. If Caroline actually
got the recipe given her freely from someone else, I do hope that woman derived some
benefit from proceeds.

ROSEMARY, I've read the story, though not as a play. I am puzzled as to why the
drama teacher wanted in presented 'in the round'. What was the point of that? In
any case, I always thought the main point, at least, was simply that good deeds do
reap a reward. The opposite of the more cynical "no good deed goes unpunished".

ANNIE · « **Reply #9891 on:** November 15, 2012, 09:33:41 AM »

Rosemary,
I saw "Androcles and the Lion" when it was a movie in 1952 and Alan Young played Androcles. It was presented very humorously. Here's a link to the movie and other interesting links.

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=androcles+and+the+lion&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Aesop's moral was "Gratitude is the sign of a noble soul".

PatH · « **Reply #9892 on:** November 15, 2012, 11:09:54 AM »

Don't forget that this is George Bernard Shaw. The points of his plays are never simple. I read the play a lifetime ago, but don't remember it well enough to comment.

Judy Laird · « **Reply #9893 on:** November 15, 2012, 02:36:03 PM »

I like the coconut cake from Charleston. I believe the place you get themwas Hotel Pier or something. We had one on the Isle of Palms.

pedln · « **Reply #9894 on:** November 15, 2012, 03:16:04 PM »

I remember that cake Judy. It cost $60 and fed 17 of us. Wonderful.

ginny · « **Reply #9895 on:** November 15, 2012, 06:50:26 PM »

Judy, I was just thinking about you today and wondering how you were getting along, how are you?

kiwilady · « **Reply #9896 on:** November 15, 2012, 11:05:09 PM »

Babi I was thinking the same thing as you. If that lady had an advisor they might have suggested her opening Franchises! Know a lot of people who have become very well off from franchising a product.

Carolyn

ANNIE · « **Reply #9897 on:** November 15, 2012, 11:10:18 PM »

Oh Ginny, what's that old saying "great minds think alike"?I had also been thinking of Judy today.

And Judy, how are you???

Steph · « **Reply #9898 on:** November 16, 2012, 06:03:24 AM »

me too,me too.. Judy, we never hear much. How are you. Whenever I remember Charleston, I always think of you. Falling in love with the south...I hope both you and your husband are ok
Flight of the Maidens.. I am still reading it slowly, but now to my delight, there are quakers and one of the girls ( Jewish refugee ) lives with an old fashioned couple during the war and now one of the other girls ends up going to a meetinghouse way in the woods.. It brought back memories about when I started going.. The silence, the respect.. and she had the nerve to actually say something. Oh me, that was brave indeed. Lovely book.

Babi · « **Reply #9899 on:** November 16, 2012, 09:04:14 AM »

I am beginning to nibble a bit at my "Travels With Herodotus", though my main attention is
still on the Hobbit. I understand now those of you who commented on how his writing could
draw you in. It flows.... I am so glad someone brought this book to our attention.

ANNIE · « **Reply #9900 on:** November 16, 2012, 09:16:24 AM »

Steph
Well you have enticed me with your posts about the Flight of the Maidens so I have it reserved at my library. It really sounds like something I would enjoy.

I am still plowing through "Crossing the Borders of Time". Although its non-fiction it reads like a good novel. Following the two generations of a Jewish family in Germany and how they traveled to Carracus, then Cuba and finally America. The author has family keepsakes, pictures, paperwork and her mother's story about her first love whom she has never forgotten.

Ahhhh, Judy's Charleston cake!! Wasn't it delicious??

pedln · « **Reply #9901 on:** November 16, 2012, 11:12:07 AM »

Annie, that sounds like a winner. When we lived in Puerto Rico we knew a Jewish family who had also made their way to America through Cuba. And I've just sent my DIL a notice about it because the author (it's her mother's story) lives in her community, Bethesda. (When Helen Simonson lived there DIL's book club read Major Pettigrew and Simonson came to speak.)

JeanneP · « **Reply #9902 on:** November 16, 2012, 02:45:29 PM »

For years I could get the UK TV show "Coronation St."
through Canada. Would catch up on my trips over to UK easy. Watched it for years. Surprise to me when I saw that Robert Vaughn the US actor will be appearing in it for a few weeks. Also he falls for Silvia who is played by Stephany Cole. (Waiting for God on BBC). Wish we could get C. Street on DVD.or it could be picked up in US. We have lost most of our "Soap Opera's"

kiwilady · « **Reply #9903 on:** November 16, 2012, 10:56:18 PM »

Jeane - Coro street has got very tacky. I never watch it now. Its gone the way of all soaps these days.

Carolyn

Steph · « **Reply #9904 on:** November 17, 2012, 06:01:06 AM »

Never saw it, but I know I have read that Coronation Street is great fun..
Today is a Nana day.. My 11 year old grandson will be here to spend the day and night. His parents will be here as well at night, but they are going to a big wedding.. Keep fingers crossed. Connor is high performing Asburgers and change is not something he is good at.. We will hope for the best.

ANNIE · « **Reply #9905 on:** November 17, 2012, 08:06:45 AM »

Jeanne,
We did get "Waiting For God" for awhile here in the states. Had you thought of asking PBS if they are planning to carry "Coronation Street" in the future?

Babi · « **Reply #9906 on:** November 17, 2012, 09:17:40 AM »

Let us know how Connor does, STEPH. Small, brief changes can open the way to accepting
more, and Grandma's are so reassuring.

ANNIE · « **Reply #9907 on:** November 17, 2012, 09:59:18 AM »

Steph,
Have you read "Born On A Blue Day"? Its quite an eye opener plus gives all who are raising children who have Aspergers or are Austistic. Written by an Autistic young man with wonderfu, dedicated, and forward thinkinglparents.
I believe this is his second book.

JeanneP · « **Reply #9908 on:** November 17, 2012, 02:18:25 PM »

AdoAnnie.

They could never bring "Coronation Street" out here in the States. Most would not understand our Lancashire Humour for one thing or understand the Accents. It has been going for so many years that they would not know where to start. Lot longer than our "All my children" or "As the World turns". here in the US. We had one going in UK that I liked called "Eastenders" Wonder if that still on. Don't watch TV when I am over there.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #9909 on:** November 17, 2012, 06:45:21 PM »

Tweets on Book Mania

https://twitter.com/thebookmania

maryz · « **Reply #9910 on:** November 17, 2012, 10:02:46 PM »

Have any of y'all participated in World Book Night? I did last year. Daughter Jean did last year and has already signed up for this year.

ANNIE · « **Reply #9911 on:** November 17, 2012, 11:12:58 PM »

MaryZ
Do you mean she has signed up for the one in April of 2013? I saved the page and will look at what they do later. MIght be fun.

maryz · « **Reply #9912 on:** November 18, 2012, 12:03:25 AM »

Yep, Annie, she's signed up for 2013. I probably will, too.

kiwilady · « **Reply #9913 on:** November 18, 2012, 12:39:41 AM »

Steph my young neighbour who is at University here in Auckland is Autistic. High functioning Aspie. He and I get on very well but he certainly does have his obsessions and he too is very regimented in his ways.

Hope the night goes well for you!

carolyn

Steph · « **Reply #9914 on:** November 18, 2012, 06:14:45 AM »

What a lovely surprising day.Connor and I had a wonderful day and evening.. He talked a blue streak.. showed me a favorite IPAD game, since it was free, I had him download it on my IP
AD and he had such a good time showing me how to work it.. He allowed as to how he now likes wings, so we went to a Gators and he had wings with barbecue, and fries, etc..
Ate his entire dinner which is rare beyond belief for him.. He not only talked to me, but also the waitress.. He told me all about his cub scout projects..and how he is not understanding the new math in school.. but otherwise school is OK.. All in all, a day I have waited for for 11 years.. Maybe he and his Nana are finally at peace..

PatH · « **Reply #9915 on:** November 18, 2012, 08:39:41 AM »

How lovely, Steph. It might be a day Connor has waited for too, and will remember for a long time.

Babi · « **Reply #9916 on:** November 18, 2012, 09:36:37 AM »

Wonderful news, STEPH. You've given me a big smile to start my day!

jane · « **Reply #9917 on:** November 18, 2012, 11:12:08 AM »

Steph...What a wonderful day for you and Connor...and wonderful memories. Like Babi said, it's given me a big smile for the day. I bet you are glowing as well!

jane

mabel1015j · « **Reply #9918 on:** November 18, 2012, 11:13:07 AM »

Steph - I know the wonder of progressive behavior by autistic children. You must be feeling very optimistic about your g-son's future. How nice to have such a pleasant memory.

pedln · « **Reply #9919 on:** November 18, 2012, 11:39:41 AM »

That's wonderful Steph. So glad the day went well for you both.

News:

Author Topic: The Library (Read 2326077 times)