OMG it just hit me as I was putting Sweet & Low in my coffee this morning.
The book talked about how she smacked the sweetner packet to get the powder out of the corners before she tore it, and then smacked it again on the side of the cup to - "get everything out of it that she could."
That's what she was doing on the bike ride. Getting everything she could out of life. Shaking the last sweetness out of the corners. For her, life would never hold more than it did at that time. More support for my side.
I'm so glad we have this BLOG so my "never say die" arguments have a place to go. Are you listening? Hey!!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
A Brief History of Book Club
My sister had one…so I wanted one too. That’s why BOOK CLUB came to be. During my first year as a “real” teacher, I went to Cindy Mershon and told her I was very interested in being in a book club. I asked her if she was planning to start one at the school, and she said yes. I told her I would look forward to it. I did look forward to it…all year. When nothing transpired I planned to try again.
In September of the following year, I went to Connie Beadle. I asked her if she would like to start a book club together. She said, “Oooo, I’ve always wanted to have one of those.” It was 1995, and all the stars were in alignment.
Our first book was Animal Dreams by Kingsolver. We had a great turnout for that first meeting. We sat in a circle in Connie’s media center. It was very clear to me from that first day that there were two kinds of book club enthusiasts…those who wanted to have company reading…and those who enjoyed the engagement (don’t want to use the word battle here, but I’m tempted) of good conversation. As in most other cases in the world, the verbal came to dominate.
Even though I remember one early meeting where I was the only one who showed up, the “hard core” BOOK CLUB members soon became apparent – and continue to this day. Those early enthusiasts were, besides Connie and me, Elaine, Toni, Gail and Betsy. We have always been open to everybody. Many people have tried us on for size, and our horizons are expanded by their participation. To this day, people come up to me and say, “You know I’ve always thought I might like to try your Book Club but…” It’s an interesting phenomenon.
We’ve had memorable conversations. We’ve touched on Love vs. Duty, Vietnam & the Vets, Foreign Lands & History, Women’s issues, Race, Culture Shift, and the irresolvable Science vs. Faith. Memorable moments include the visitor with an agenda who cried, and the meeting where we were so involved in discussing Clinton & Monica; we never got around to the book.
In my opinion our success can be measured in two ways. First, we have expanded our “core” group. It is beyond wonderful to now be able to include Betty, Samita, Heidi, Barb, and Katrin in our list of regulars, and to look forward to seeing Nancy and Audrey.
The main reason this is so wonderful is the second reason for our success.
With every book, we share our thoughts…but our thoughts inevitably reflect our histories, our hopes, and our feelings. We get to know each other by getting to know these great stories. By getting to know each other in this way we have moved through friendship, to fondness, and are always gaining on the ever-elusive understanding…of each other and of ourselves.
So now share: Your memorable moments, Books we loved, Meaningful conversations, Personal revelations? It’s all bloggable.
Subtle Book References: A Brief History of Time by Hawking
In September of the following year, I went to Connie Beadle. I asked her if she would like to start a book club together. She said, “Oooo, I’ve always wanted to have one of those.” It was 1995, and all the stars were in alignment.
Our first book was Animal Dreams by Kingsolver. We had a great turnout for that first meeting. We sat in a circle in Connie’s media center. It was very clear to me from that first day that there were two kinds of book club enthusiasts…those who wanted to have company reading…and those who enjoyed the engagement (don’t want to use the word battle here, but I’m tempted) of good conversation. As in most other cases in the world, the verbal came to dominate.
Even though I remember one early meeting where I was the only one who showed up, the “hard core” BOOK CLUB members soon became apparent – and continue to this day. Those early enthusiasts were, besides Connie and me, Elaine, Toni, Gail and Betsy. We have always been open to everybody. Many people have tried us on for size, and our horizons are expanded by their participation. To this day, people come up to me and say, “You know I’ve always thought I might like to try your Book Club but…” It’s an interesting phenomenon.
We’ve had memorable conversations. We’ve touched on Love vs. Duty, Vietnam & the Vets, Foreign Lands & History, Women’s issues, Race, Culture Shift, and the irresolvable Science vs. Faith. Memorable moments include the visitor with an agenda who cried, and the meeting where we were so involved in discussing Clinton & Monica; we never got around to the book.
In my opinion our success can be measured in two ways. First, we have expanded our “core” group. It is beyond wonderful to now be able to include Betty, Samita, Heidi, Barb, and Katrin in our list of regulars, and to look forward to seeing Nancy and Audrey.
The main reason this is so wonderful is the second reason for our success.
With every book, we share our thoughts…but our thoughts inevitably reflect our histories, our hopes, and our feelings. We get to know each other by getting to know these great stories. By getting to know each other in this way we have moved through friendship, to fondness, and are always gaining on the ever-elusive understanding…of each other and of ourselves.
So now share: Your memorable moments, Books we loved, Meaningful conversations, Personal revelations? It’s all bloggable.
Subtle Book References: A Brief History of Time by Hawking
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Going to the Sun
I have the book but have yet to begin it. I plan on beginning it this Monday as our school begins Read Across America with a 20 minute D.E.A.R.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Going to the Sun
Hi All,
this is my first blogging experience. I finished Going to the Sun yesterday, Sunday, and I was very disappointed. Perhaps its because of my ignorance of Becket. I thought the minimalist idea was very simple writing, not nothing much happens and then you die--or you don't die! I did learn a lot about diabetes that I did not know and could relate to because one of my best friends is about to donate a kidney to her sister who has all the problems that Penny anticipated, she's blind in one eye, has foot problems, basically can't feel her feet and is losing kidney function fast, hence the transplant. All this despite being a nurse and trying to take very good care of her disease.
What did you think of the man writing from woman's point of view?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)