The Kingsolver book was a chore to read in spots, but it was well worth pressing through to the end. I loved the Lolita story in the last chapter, and her trip to Italy gave me the urge to go back.
DEWEY, on the other hand, won't let me put it down. Even non-cat fanciers would have to love this one. I miss the luxury of having our books supplied for us, but I'd have to purchase this one on my own, anyway. My sister-in-law just lost her "studio" cat, Ruby, who had lived in her photography shop for seventeen years. I bought a copy of DEWEY for her as a tribute.
I hope everybody gets a lift from this month's selection and has a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Amy
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
I'm sorry some of you didn't like the book, but if you ever find yourself needing something good to read, I suggest you try it again. I admit that the appeal may be stronger for us farmers at heart, but Kingsolver's talent as a writer comes through in this book as strongly as it did in Poisonwood Bible. Who else could make turkey slaughtering inspirational???
By the way, Angela, the book also makes me think of my father and his love of the land. I once read some letters he wrote to my grandparents as he traveled across country by train to his assigned army post during World War II. You'd think a young man in that situation would be worrying about his future or trying to reassure an anxious family, but his letters were filled with detailed descriptions of the farms he observed out of the train windows. He was clearly fascinated by the farming methods that differed from the ones he had grown up seeing and by the regional changes signaled by the color and quality of the soils in the tilled fields.
But back to the book. I've been an organic gardener since I started growing vegetables in a home garden about eight years ago, but I intend to be much more adventuresome from now on. If the Kingsolvers can stick by the vow to eat only local foods for a year, I can certainly branch out from the safe selections of tomatos, peppers, and squash that I've limited myself to so far. As a matter of fact, I have some Kingsolver-inspired broccoli and collards in the garden right now!
By the way, Angela, the book also makes me think of my father and his love of the land. I once read some letters he wrote to my grandparents as he traveled across country by train to his assigned army post during World War II. You'd think a young man in that situation would be worrying about his future or trying to reassure an anxious family, but his letters were filled with detailed descriptions of the farms he observed out of the train windows. He was clearly fascinated by the farming methods that differed from the ones he had grown up seeing and by the regional changes signaled by the color and quality of the soils in the tilled fields.
But back to the book. I've been an organic gardener since I started growing vegetables in a home garden about eight years ago, but I intend to be much more adventuresome from now on. If the Kingsolvers can stick by the vow to eat only local foods for a year, I can certainly branch out from the safe selections of tomatos, peppers, and squash that I've limited myself to so far. As a matter of fact, I have some Kingsolver-inspired broccoli and collards in the garden right now!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Kingsolver
I suspect Mimi and I may the the rabid enthusiasts for ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MIRACLE, but honestly I'm ready to move to Spencer's farm in Aiken county and start planting. Kingsolver transported me back to my daddy's organic plot on our farm in Starr. I've been homesick since I picked up the book. I'm going to try the recipe for a vegetable bread pudding next, and I've been out to our little tomato plants harvesting the last of this summer's bounty. They would have rotted on the vine had the book not sent me scurrying for the hope of just one more jucy, lucious, tonguefest--and there they were just hanging in the weeds--dozens of them. I bit the top of one standing in the yard, greedily sucked out the juice, and sent a silent thanks to Barbara.
Who out there has put on a pot of water to boil, headed out the the corn field--knife in hand, shucked while walking back to the house, plopted the the corn into boiling water, and impatiently waited the 10 minutes until you could slather on the butter and salt? Now that's an experience that can't be duplicated in any agribusiness ad no matter how much talent they pay for. On the agribusiness issue--several years ago after eating a mammoth serving of corn pudding, my lips and nose began to get itchy and swell. Oh NOOOOOO! I couldn't be allergic to corn, my all-time-favorite vegetable. Nope, not at all--I'm allergic to synthetic nitrogen which is widely used on those megafarms and found in literally all products containing corn unless it's labeled organic. Who knows what evil is hidden in our food?
I'm almost finished with the book and will bookmark the web site before I head back out to Rosewood Market to buy more local veges. BTW, if you've never eaten a wild turkey, it really does taste something like lobster, but you have to be willing to try dark meat since there's almost no white meat on a "real" turkey.
Who out there has put on a pot of water to boil, headed out the the corn field--knife in hand, shucked while walking back to the house, plopted the the corn into boiling water, and impatiently waited the 10 minutes until you could slather on the butter and salt? Now that's an experience that can't be duplicated in any agribusiness ad no matter how much talent they pay for. On the agribusiness issue--several years ago after eating a mammoth serving of corn pudding, my lips and nose began to get itchy and swell. Oh NOOOOOO! I couldn't be allergic to corn, my all-time-favorite vegetable. Nope, not at all--I'm allergic to synthetic nitrogen which is widely used on those megafarms and found in literally all products containing corn unless it's labeled organic. Who knows what evil is hidden in our food?
I'm almost finished with the book and will bookmark the web site before I head back out to Rosewood Market to buy more local veges. BTW, if you've never eaten a wild turkey, it really does taste something like lobster, but you have to be willing to try dark meat since there's almost no white meat on a "real" turkey.
Irony
I do love irony, and that's certainly what we have with the Kingsolver book. At least three of our members are non-cooks or seasonal cooks, and here we are reading a book that is not about eating food but about creating food. And not just growing it--but making your own cheese? I do cook, but I have no intentions of adopting Kingsolver's lifestyle. I don't like gardening. Just ask Angela.
On the other hand, the book has given me cause to pause and think about what I'm eating and to make some small changes. I also keep reminding myself that this was an experiment for them and also carried the mercenary goal of providing fodder for another of her books. I'm also planning to do some research on issues she raises that I'd like to know more about.
Finally, my brother and sister-in-law will receive a copy of ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MIRACLE for Christmas. They will probably adopt a number of the practices. Unfortunately, they will be pressed for room as they have just downsized from five acres to one. Alas, they had to give up the goats and the chickens.
On the other hand, the book has given me cause to pause and think about what I'm eating and to make some small changes. I also keep reminding myself that this was an experiment for them and also carried the mercenary goal of providing fodder for another of her books. I'm also planning to do some research on issues she raises that I'd like to know more about.
Finally, my brother and sister-in-law will receive a copy of ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MIRACLE for Christmas. They will probably adopt a number of the practices. Unfortunately, they will be pressed for room as they have just downsized from five acres to one. Alas, they had to give up the goats and the chickens.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Post-election reflection
Having breathlessly watched coverage before, during, and after last night's historic election, I am happier than ever that we read HIP HOP NATION last month. It gave me background and insights that helped me appreciate the outcome and bolster my optimism about our future.
Now if I can just get a grip on our latest selection. You know I don't cook and certainly don't do dirt...
Best,
Amy
Now if I can just get a grip on our latest selection. You know I don't cook and certainly don't do dirt...
Best,
Amy
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