Author Topic: The Library (Read 2326192 times)

JeanneP · « **Reply #9840 on:** November 10, 2012, 03:23:42 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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What a Stern looking husband she had. Wonder if she would have rather had it taken with the dog. Can you imagine Taking a walk it that outfit?. Shorts and Tshirts now.

Winchesterlady · « **Reply #9841 on:** November 10, 2012, 03:29:05 PM »

Quote from: BarbStAubrey on November 10, 2012, 03:21:26 PM

In 1895 is when my grandmother married at the age of 16 which at the time was not unusual. She had 12 children of which only 3 lived into adulthood.

It's hard to imagine losing 9 children. Women had such difficult lives then.

Winchesterlady · « **Reply #9842 on:** November 10, 2012, 03:35:40 PM »

Quote from: JeanneP on November 10, 2012, 03:23:42 PM

What a Stern looking husband she had. Wonder if she would have rather had it taken with the dog. Can you imagine Taking a walk it that outfit?. Shorts and Tshirts now.

I agree with you! However, at the time her outfit was considered "casual". Most of Sargent's subjects wore very formal dresses.

MaryPage · « **Reply #9843 on:** November 10, 2012, 03:37:24 PM »

Pedln, I have an army background. My paternal great grandfather was a cavalry general, and served under Custer. He was with Major Reno's detachment the day of the Sioux massacre, and so I am here. Otherwise, I would not be. There was a book written about him: "A Texan With Custer" by Ray Meketa. My paternal grandfather was an army surgeon. He was the second general to command the Medical Corps in the Panama Canal Zone while it was being built and my grandparents and my father and his 3 sisters were in the first ship ever to go through it. He wound up as Superintendent of Walter Reed Hospital before he retired. Daddy was Class of 1925 at West Point. One of my dad's first cousins was a cadet there while we were posted there for 4 years and he wound up a general, also. Three of my first cousins graduated West Point, and my brother went, but changed his mind and dropped out. So ended my family's military streak!
Omar Bradley was my favorite World War II general.
Barbara, one of my great grandmothers, the one who was mother to the army doctor, had 11 children, only 8 of whom lived to adulthood. She buried 3, 2 little girls and a little boy. She died herself when the youngest child (for whom I was named) was only 1½. Guess what? She was only 39!

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #9844 on:** November 10, 2012, 03:50:33 PM »

Yes, and such terrible deaths - from measles and whooping cough and although tied to his chair squirming out and falling out of the window and being hit by a run away horse and wagon - on and on it went...MaryPage you have one illustrious family... seems to me both men and women often had stringent looks on their face - they often looked as they were carrying the world on the shoulders and for many I guess they were - their world at least.

ginny · « **Reply #9845 on:** November 10, 2012, 04:23:18 PM »

Thanks, all.

Mr. and Mrs. I. N. Phelps Stokes, 1897
John Singer Sargent (American, 1856–1925)
Oil on canvas

Oh my WORD what a painting. A picture is worth a thousand words, isn't it? LOOK at her, with her hand on her hip and her hip jutted out and that smile (showing teeth, had to get a magnifying glass but it was worth it, what a face and expression.. The teeth showing was very unusual in early photographs at least of our pioneer and early ancestors, due to the tooth loss and decay, etc., at least that's the explanation given most for why no toothy smiles).

SHE looks like an advertisement for Pepsodent, of course the artist could portray smiles any way he liked, unlike a photograph, and so saucy and note HIM in the dark background (and I did read about the Great Dane). Mr and Mrs my foot. Mrs here steals the show. I don't know what she was like, does this picture seem to bear out what you're reading about her, Winchester Lady?

Wow. The artist certainly saw something.

JoanK · « **Reply #9846 on:** November 10, 2012, 04:27:23 PM »

Me great-great grandparents had 10 children, and 8 of them died. I have his letter to her, on a journey where he had to pass the graveyard where they were buried. And the pain.

My grandmother had 10 children and they all lived. I have her letters wondering how they're going to manage on a limited income.

My parents had two children.

Times sometimes do change for the better.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #9847 on:** November 10, 2012, 04:28:54 PM »

Thank you Margaret Sanger! I would be absolutely nuts with 10 children, or 5 for that matter.Two - and two halves, 2 foster children at different times - worked very well for me.

ginny · « **Reply #9848 on:** November 10, 2012, 04:31:00 PM »

Except of course for the Duggars, now at 20 I believe? Or is it 19?

Winchesterlady · « **Reply #9849 on:** November 10, 2012, 05:30:07 PM »

Ginny--I'm not very far into the book. However, her brother did nickname Edith "Fiercely", so I guess that does tell us something!

kiwilady · « **Reply #9850 on:** November 10, 2012, 06:31:54 PM »

My great grandparents had big families. My mum told me my maternal great grandmother came from a family with 14 children. My grandparents came from families of 7 and 6 children. My great grandmother lost three of her 7 children. One to Nephritis ( kidney failure) One fell on the cobbles and sustained a fatal brain injury and one son in WW1. My great grandmother became a Quaker after losing that son. I can only remember her as a Quaker. She wore typical Quaker dress of the early years of the twentieth century and never changed her dress style in my memory. Long hair in a bun. Grey or Black dress with lace collars. ( almost ankle length) and thick stockings with black laced shoes. My mum says she was gentle and lovely. I was scared of her. Think it was black dress etc.

Carolyn

PatH · « **Reply #9851 on:** November 10, 2012, 06:32:26 PM »

Winchesterlady, thanks for the link to the Sargent painting. I love his portraits--he manages to say such a lot, both good and bad, in them. Women's styles of the time were good for making a regal impression, weren't they.

nlhome · « **Reply #9852 on:** November 10, 2012, 06:51:54 PM »

I find the discussions on SeniorLearn always courteous but rarely boring. I think sometimes politics can't be avoided, and maybe should be out there like now just to clear the air. People here have strong opinions. They also seem to have open minds. And, quite naturally, discussions veer off as something one person says leads in a different direction, to a different book. I like that we try to keep to books but do get into other discussions now and then. After all, we seem to all want to learn, and we know education is not all "book learning."

I also think that some of the political topics could be directed toward books in the nonfiction discussion. There was one book, I don't remember if it was actually a group discussion or just discussed, about Harry Truman and his road trip back east after retirement. It led me to other reading and to applying some of Harry's ideas in political discussions I had in other venues. Fun.

No we're back discussing a different time. Large families - just read an obituary in our local paper, a man who died at age 54 or so, one of 13 children, all but one other still living. I didn't realize that the mother, a woman I know, had that many children - and she was always so cheerful.

PatH · « **Reply #9853 on:** November 10, 2012, 08:00:41 PM »

I'm not sure I'd be that cheerful. Exhausted, more likely.

MaryPage · « **Reply #9854 on:** November 10, 2012, 10:13:16 PM »

You got that right!

kiwilady · « **Reply #9855 on:** November 11, 2012, 12:46:46 AM »

I dont know if I ever told you before but my great grandmother was related to President Wilson. They had the same grandparents. From when I was a wee girl she would tell me about this.

Carolyn

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #9856 on:** November 11, 2012, 03:04:18 AM »

My mother was one of 5 living in poverty in London in the 1930s. The neighbours had 14 children. Children in those days and in that area were not allowed in the house during the day - they were all outside in the street whether they liked it or not. Years later I, as an 8 year old, was sent to stay with a friend of my mother's who lived in broadly similar circumstances - small council house in not great area. Although the family was not poor by 1930s standards (this was now the 1960s) they were relatively hard up. They had 4 children and once again, those children were not expected to be in the house during the day. This was completely alien to me, as a reclusive only child who never 'played out' - I used to hide in the bedroom with my book, but the mother would come and find me and shoo me out - 'what on earth are you doing in here in the daytime? Get outside & play with the others.'

It was torture to me, but the norm for them. I think that's how big families with little money coped, & maybe still do.

Eve Garnett wrote a wonderful trilogy of children's books about a dustman's family living in an industrial town in the 1930s - 'The Family From One End Street', 'Further Adventures of the Family from One End Street', and 'Holiday at the Dew Drop Inn' - in the latter, Kate, the 'bookish' second child (the first is the chaotic and disaster-prone Lily Rose, and there are 5 more after Kate) has (I think) scarlet fever, and is sent to recuperate at the Dew Drop Inn in the countryside. The contrast of the two lifestyles is beautifully portrayed. As a child I re and re-read those books so many times, and I have copies still.

Here is a little bit about her:

http://www.puffin.co.uk/nf/Author/AuthorPage/0,,1000011842,00.html#BIO

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #9857 on:** November 11, 2012, 06:17:43 AM »

I love portraits.. The Boston Museum has some wonderful ones.. Copley, Sargent, etc. I used to love to visit them when I lived up there. They looked so full of life.. The Washington DC,Smithsonian portrait gallery is another favorite.. I once visited a show in New Orleans on mourning portraits. It was the style years ago to have a portrait painted with the widow or widower and all of the children and the deceased floating upwards.. Pretty wild..
I loved our two week discussions and have no idea why they stopped.We talked of all sorts of wonderful subjects, not necessarily politics, which only heats up every few years, but I note on facebook at least two of my facebook friends ( actually old friends of mine in real life) are still fighting the fight on conservative and liberal..Sigh.

MaryPage · « **Reply #9858 on:** November 11, 2012, 08:32:43 AM »

I was so thrilled when I was able to visit the National Portrait Gallery in London and see right in front of my nose the portraits of Henry VII and Richard III and see for myself that Richard looked the good guy and Henry VII looked as evil as they come.

Babi · « **Reply #9859 on:** November 11, 2012, 09:39:40 AM »

, TOMEREADER

There's simply no reasoning with an unreasonable mindset, CUBFAN. Me, I always feel those
who are bilingual, ..better yet multilingual...are highly educated and very fortunate! I
learned some Spanish, but never had the opportunity to use it to an extent that would make it a second language for me.
Most of us, I'm sure, were raised to understand that politeness..civility...was expected of
us. Abrasiveness, intolerance, closed minds...all, to me, an indication of a defensive sense
of inferiority. Or at least, the notion that politeness was 'acting snooty'.

Great portrait of Mrs. Stokes, WINCHESTERLADY, but I was puzzled as to why Mr. Stokes
almost disappeared into the background. Happily, the commentary explained it. Really nice-
looking couple. I'm sure I would have like them. (If I moved in those circles.

)

JoanK · « **Reply #9860 on:** November 11, 2012, 03:33:15 PM »

" the dog was no longer available and I. N. Phelps Stokes suggested that he take its place. Sargent agreed, and the single portrait became a double portrait."

That's so funny! It looks like I. N. might have spent his life being a substitute for a dog.

Steph · « **Reply #9861 on:** November 12, 2012, 05:56:49 AM »

Ah those titans of industry.. Too busy to pay attention to their wives..
I do love the portraits..
Mary Page. The first time I saw the original of Henry VIII in his prime...there was a class there, probably roughly 6th grade and their teachers. The children all settled on the floor in front of the portrait and the teacher did a short lecture on Henry, the portrait and his life and times. Everyone in the room gathered around and loved the lecture as much as the children.. I love those unexpected joys when traveling.

ginny · « **Reply #9862 on:** November 13, 2012, 07:03:50 AM »

I finished Corduroy Mansions and enjoyed it, and I've gotten the sequel so I look forward to that too, but at the moment am engrossed in the late Michael Crichton's Micro which apparently was unfinished at his death and another author took it over.

It was in the supermarket, you know how that goes, and it's total escapism, part Jurassic Park, part Gulliver's Travels, lots of scientific stuff, or I guess it's scientific, I really would have no idea.

I'm really enjoying it and am shocked to see I'm half way thru. A perfect beach book, you can almost hear the waves as you read. hahaha Since I hate bugs and know nothing of the world of mites, ants, and microscopic creatures it's very entertaining.

What all are you all reading?

Steph · « **Reply #9863 on:** November 13, 2012, 08:44:50 AM »

I am still struggling with Jane Gardans "Flight of the Maidens" What a different world and only 1946, but a small town in England and a different life entirely..
Parts of it send me scurrying to figure out what she is talking about,,Others are easier and some are just flat out baffling.
My car book just now is Persian Pickle.. something.. Very light.. very midwestern as far as I can see.. Not something to dig into, but pleasant when I am waiting for things.
I have The Uncommon Reader coming and can hardly wait.

Babi · « **Reply #9864 on:** November 13, 2012, 09:20:10 AM »

I usually enjoy Crichton's books. I'll look for 'Micro', tho' I'm not thrilled by the thought of bugs.

pedln · « **Reply #9865 on:** November 13, 2012, 10:01:09 AM »

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

Steph, I've added the Jane Gardam to my TBR list. I've never read anything by her, but this sounds to my liking. Are you really "struggling?" You'll be in for a treat with Uncommon Reader.

I've just changed my default browser to Chrome. Are there any particular things or little idiosyncrasies that one should know about it?

jane · « **Reply #9866 on:** November 13, 2012, 12:14:35 PM »

The biggest challenge for me with Chrome was remembering where the Bookmark thing (the STAR at the end of the address line) and the three horizontal bars at the extreme right of that Star and address line to find the other items in the toolbar.

jane

Frybabe · « **Reply #9867 on:** November 13, 2012, 01:03:12 PM »

I tend to forget that is there too, Jane. I use the Google toolbar and put my most used sites right on the toolbar rather than in the bookmarks folder. I also put a folder right in the toolbar for book sites. The "other bookmarks" folder is at the extreme right.

jane · « **Reply #9868 on:** November 13, 2012, 01:45:38 PM »

Me, too, Frybabe. Just seems easier for quick access.

jane

MaryPage · « **Reply #9869 on:** November 13, 2012, 03:56:17 PM »

Oh wow, do I ever not know what you gals are Talking about! Color me technologically challenged, and then some.

But books I know, and I am almost but not quite finished with World Without End. It sure lives up to its title. I have ordered the DVD set, which Barnes & Noble will send out on December 4th, the release date. I decided oh, what the heck; I may be outraged over the screen play changes, but it should be a treat nonetheless. When I get to the end of the book, which I will pass on to my history teacher granddaughter Paige, I will write in: "I can't believe I read the whole thing!"

I am also reading Margaret Maron's Christmas Mourning and half a dozen other books; but WWE is my main flame of the moment.

By the way, did I tell you I had a delightful email from Ken Follett sent in the wee hours of one morning? He thanked me for my praise for his book and for the small fact I corrected; said he tries hard to get it all right. And I whole heartedly agree that he does just that. But how kind of him to send me a reply! I gather he is VERY late getting to bed or VERY early getting up mornings.

JeanneP · « **Reply #9870 on:** November 13, 2012, 08:16:08 PM »

Jane.
I just started a book today that you would maybe like."The girls from Ames".Goes from Girlhood in the 60s. to 2000. Written by Jeffrey Zaslow

Steph · « **Reply #9871 on:** November 14, 2012, 05:47:05 AM »

Still marveling at the changes in life since the late 40's in England.. Maidens is very true to its era,, One of the girls just went to the worlds most confusing party.. Did people really act like that.. This party was given by impoverished aristocracy.. The girls gift to them was from her landlady and turned out to be fresh liver?? Was this a joke, I did not get or real, since rationing was in full swing then..

Babi · « **Reply #9872 on:** November 14, 2012, 09:05:21 AM »

I don't think it was a joke, STEPH. Remember in 'Charing Cross Road' where she wrote
that the gifts she sent overseas, like a canned ham, were received with considerable
celebration. There were so many things in short supply, I imagine any gift of fresh meat
was most acceptable.

salan · « **Reply #9873 on:** November 14, 2012, 09:09:14 AM »

Just finished a short book by a Texas author, Ben Rehder called The Driving Lesson. It deals with the topic of assisted suicide. It's not the kind of book I usually read, but came highly recommended by someone whose opinion I value; so I read it. It was very good and not depressing as I thought it would be. I also read The Chicken Hanger by the same author. It was also a very short book that dealt with the migrant issue and presented both sides. It was also good, but it might turn you off eating chickens (except organic or free range).
Sally

Babi · « **Reply #9874 on:** November 14, 2012, 09:27:29 AM »

SALLY, I suspect there are a good many things we should be glad not to know about our
food-processing plants. They are inspected regularly, I understand, and we have obviously
survived, but I have heard more than one story that I wish I hadn't.

jane · « **Reply #9875 on:** November 14, 2012, 09:53:19 AM »

Jeanne...I recall there was a lot of talk about the book a bit ago. Let me know how you like it.

jane

pedln · « **Reply #9876 on:** November 14, 2012, 10:15:20 AM »

Speaking of the food system --- have any of you been following the subject of MOOC (massive open online course) taught by college professors, on a wide variety of subject, and FREE. In 2013 Coursera, one company offering MOOCs, will have one entitled Introduction to the US Food System , from a public health perspective.

Jane and Frybabe, thanks for your input on Chrome. I was really getting tired of IE so often saying "could not access the site." Once I get logged into my subscriptions I'll be fine.

What I don't know how to do is to link from a Chrome page to my Outlook Express, so am now accessing it from the start menu.

MaryPage, is World Without End part of a trilogy? Set during WWII?

Very interesting reading this morning in the NYT, especially Maureen Dowd and Frank Bruni columns. How's this for a double meaning. -- embedded mistress.

MaryPage · « **Reply #9877 on:** November 14, 2012, 10:32:24 AM »

No, Pedln, Follett's World War II is included in a FIVE book series which, I believe, but I have not read it and am not sure of, starts at the beginning of the 20th century and takes 5 families through that whole century. I think I have that right, but just flat out am not sure. I think he only has 3 of the books out so far.

Anyway, no. World Without End is the second of TWO books. The first was Pillars of The Earth. Pillars was about a cathedral being built in England in the 12th century. World takes place in the same town 200 years later in the 14th century and is about the same cathedral and follows descendants of the folk in Pillars. Both have been made into mini-series. Pillars appeared on HBO or SHOWTIME, I forget which. and can be purchased anywhere that sells DVDs. World was just run on the REELZ channel, and will be available on December 4th for purchase on DVDs.

MaryPage · « **Reply #9878 on:** November 14, 2012, 11:00:31 AM »

OK Pedln, I looked it up and you are correct, the series you are thinking about is a trilogy. But I have the rest right: it covers 5 families going through the 20th century. It begins with FALL OF GIANTS and continues with WINTER OF THE WORLD. Book three has not been published yet, and the series is called THE CENTURY TRILOGY.
If they make movies, I will probably read them. Otherwise, they are just too long and heavy for me to handle. I mean literally heavy in how much they weigh in my hands and my lap, not heavy as a description of the writing or the story line itself.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #9879 on:** November 14, 2012, 11:22:19 AM »

MaryPage, how nice of Follett to respond to you.......i heard him recently on an interview say he gets up early to write, so you must have caught him on an unusual late night.

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2326192 times)