She did indeed write that book and it reminded me of The Source too. She also wrote The Year of Wonder, a story of the plague, also based on fact. I liked that one also.She won a Pultzer Prize but I am not sure for which book. She also wrote March which I haven’t read.
Darlyne, this book sounds like Michener’s “The Source”; one of my all-time favorites. Was it written by Geraldine Brooks? I’ve got a lot on my “to read” plate but guess I’ll add this one on top. Thanks for the hint.
Huggz all,
Jerry
This book is fiction but inspired by the true story of the Hebrew codex known as the Sarajevo Haggadah. A rare book expert, Hanna, is offered the job of a life time analysis and conservation of a mysterious beautifully illuminaated Hebrew manuscript, The narrator Hanna finde traces of salt water, wine, a white hair, a part of an insect etc in the book At each discovery the next chapter goes back to the time that that thing got in the book. The book was saved by a Catholic, a Muslim and others who were not Jewish. There is much more to this book. The book jacket will describe it better than I can but I found it a very worth while read. It is one I keep thinking of for days.
We are still very busy here. I mostly answer the phone and clean up the kitchen, knit and read. Last night we saw the play, The Producers in Milwaakee. I had seen both the old and newer movie and the broadway play with Nathen Lane. I thought these actors just as good and enjoyed the play all over again. If you can’t see the play I would recommend that you rent the movie.
Darlyne, you certainly can’t complain about being bored–from your trip right up to the minute. I love to hear about your adventures—as well as the books you enjoy.
Candace
I hoipe this sends this time. My daughter has a dish for on line reception andd the weather has been very bad, snow, ice, etc so we often don’t have reception.
Jo, I read thet last Cat Who book about a year ago and thought the same as you. I thought the author just took paragraphs from her other books and used them over, I did read the book by the outhor of Namesake and liked it but not as much as Namesake. I thought the Gurnsey Literary Society very entertaining and a very easy read. I didn’t know anything about the Gurnsey Islands when all this was happening. I now am reading People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. This is by far one of the best books I have read lately. It is about a young person hired to research an old book. She finds like a piece of butter fly wing and from it tries to find out where the book has been. Moths get into books but not butterflys. The next chapter goes back to the time the butterfly got into the book. It is extremely interesting and I will report on it when I finish it.
We had a very nice Christmas at a daughter’s friend’s house The weather has been horrible but it is warming up today. The dog bus brought more than 30 dogs to the kennel and there were 40 here already. It is a busy time. I just sit, look out over a snowey field and knit. Grandchildren are home from college and it is a fun time. Excuse the errors in this. I don’t dare do the spell check because the last time I tried the post went away. It is good to hear from everyone.
Darlyne, I remember your hockey puck story, too. I love hearing stories like that.
Our temperature today has been in the 50’s and I know that isn’t coldreally. However, today has been a very rainy and somewhat windy day so it seems cold to us. We have high ceilings in the dining and living area and in our bedroom and all the heat goes up. Anyway, we had a good day. It has been good to hear from all of you via e-mail. Enjoy the rest of the holiday.
Georgianna
Oh my what a mess, Darlyne. I hope your luggage catches up with you pretty soon. I look forward to the puck story.
Here’s a post of books I’ve read and which I sent to the email GGOBIT list.
I have a very short stack of books here:
1. The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers by Lilian Jackson Braun
I must say that I was quite disappointed in this Cat Who tale; I wondered if LJB has gotten senile. If you have read it, let’s discuss it. If you haven’t, I’ll not say anything more than that but I would advise you to NOT read it - in my opinion, it’s a big disappointment. So disappointing in fact, that I’m not even going to keep it. Nor will I donate it to the library.
2. Robert Ludlum’s “The Arctic Event” written by James H. Cobb
This is on of the tales of his Covert-One series which I found very good. From the back cover: “On a remote island in the Canadian Arctic, researchers discover the wreck of a mysterious aircraft, which the Russian Federation admits is a Soviet strategic bomber that disappeared more than fifty years ago while carrying two metric tons of weaponized anthrax.” Briefly, the US President dispatches a team as has the Russian Federation and how they interact is the story. I like this kind of story a lot and Ludlum is one of my favorites. I just googled him and found he passed March 13, 2001, Cobb has followed very well in his footsteps.
3. The Chase by Clive Cussler
Another one of my adventure writer favorites. From the inside notes: In 1906, the western states of American endures a string of bank robberies by a single man who murders any and all witnesses, women and children included. Isaac Bell is brought in to locate the robber and bring him to justice. In 1950, the rusting hulk of a steam locomotive is raised from a Montana lake. Inside are the remains of three people who died forty-four years earlier - yes, 1906. Cussler must have enjoyed writing this book; it has old cars which he collects and is famous for, trains which he is also on speaking terms with, and beautiful women. No overt sex either, ladies - Cussler seldom writes that. A good story. It was hard to put down as I neared the end.
4. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Hosseini also wrote The Kite Runner which we’ve discussed between and among us for quite some time. This book is located in Afghanistan and centers around two women: Mariam and Laila. I can only say that Afghani women didn’t and probably don’t yet fare too well, which is probably true of most of the Arab world. I’m probably the last to read this but I would recommend this one also if you haven’t read it. Hosseini doesn’t go into a great lot of detail, but he does tell enough that your sympathy lies with the women, not only Mariam and Laila, but all Arab women.
5. Debbie Macomber’s A Good Yarn knit shop tales - no tales available right now except for the first in the series, The Shop on Blossom Street. I’ve read other stories of the series, so I pretty much know what happens but I’ve never read the first one. A light read, not much of a plot, but well written and it held my interest.
Enjoy if you pick on of these; let’s discuss it if you’ve read any of them.
Jo
It was good to hear that Phyllis is OK. Thanks Jo.
After two gate changes and a terminal change involving taking a bus etc.We finally got off which was surprising because of the turmoil at the airport. The flight took longer than usual because of a headwind and we landed OK but my luggage didn’t. After waiting to see if it was on another flight and standing in line to fill out a claim form I finally met my daughter who had been circling the airport for over an hour. I am here now, wearing borrowed clothes and relaxing.
Jo I will relate the hocky puck story when I get home and can copy it. Darlyne
Doing some paper work this morning I looked for some TV for background and hit the jackpot–Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and The Bells of St. Mary–both old favorites.
Candace
Here is a copy of an email I got this morning - you will ALL be as delighted as was to read it.
< < Dear Jo, and all my friends... for the poem and the Santa picture, thanks and I send best holiday. wishes to you. My daughter forwarded me your note of concern and I write quickly to say that I am alive and well-- and grateful indeed to be able to say that. In brief, I had two emergency hernia operations in mid winter last year-- and I had been plagued by other problems before that so I was admitted to Hospice and not given much chance of a future. BUT--I fooled them all, graduated from Hospice and HomeCare and am now walking completely on my own two feet around my house.I still need some care in cooking and bathing and dressing but, yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Sorry, I thought I had brought you all up to date before. Here's to a better 2009 for all of us. Phyllis
Jo. I tried sending this to the entire list but it wouldn't send because Orams address was wrong. Do you have time to do the forwarding? Thanks >>
Yes indeed Phyllis is back; you can’t keep a good gal down. SOOOO happy to hear from you, Phyllis.
Now the thing is, anyone heard from or about Charlotte Orams, who is in Santa Rosa CA. I have her son’s email address, which I hope is still good, and I’ll email him to see what’s what.
Well, those hockey players aren’t going to see me until next season, darn it. But Darlyne, I’ve forgotten that hockey puck story - would you mind too much relating it again??? Please? That is for those of us whose memory doesn’t follow them around very well…goes off on tangents. 
BTW, Jacky, has your email changed? A message I sent to the GGOBITs yesterday went but yours bounced.
I love the non-professional wrestling; pro wrestling is such a farce. High school and college and, of course, the Olympics (although there is some doubt in my mind there) are so much more real. AND not rigged.
Having lived in the Bay Area for some 30 years, I am a BIG fan of San Francisco. I did “tours” for my mom after she and step-father Russ moved there when he retired. She would always say, “I never worry when Jo’s driving ca she never gets lost.” Uh - huh. I told everyone to whom she’d make that ridiculous statement that I may not have gotten lost, but I did get misplaced on occasion. We all laughed but she really believed. Having a good sense of direction helps too. I enjoyed those tour trips a lot - Ghiradelli (say gear-a-deli) Square, Chinatown, Japantown, the Presidio - marvelous. Takes a good week to hit all the good places. And longer than that to do the restaurants!!!
Good thinking by Darlyne to take all those ‘keep myself occupied’ things; I do the same thing. Plus I hate to have to rush to catch a flight. Trip to and from CO was non-stop .. and I LOVED that.
You’re going to need it, Darlyne–the weather reports are daunting–but you’re prepared. One of the nicest things about being retired is not worrying about delays after years of urgent deadlines–now we can be flexible.
Candace
I am off to the Newark airport for a flight to Chicago. I am trying to be optimistic that there won’t be long delays but with the back ups and cancellations from yesterdays storm who knows what will happen. I think there is another storm cooking in Chicago. I am prepared for a long wait. I have knitting, a book and lunch in my carry on and I can always buy another newspaper, with a new crossword puzzle, at the airport . I hope by this time tomorrow I will be snug in my daughters home in WI We do have to get there from the airport and it is an hour of driving north. Sigh!
I’m still here Jackie! Not an awful lot going on here in Jackson, MI. We’ve got our first two or three inches of snow on the ground and are expecting a heavy snowfall tonight. I hurt my back a couple of days ago and that first shovelling didn’t do it any good. Went out and bought a snow thrower today so it’ll probably not snow for the rest of the Winter.(Hope so!!)
Lately I’ve read ” Edgar Sawtelle”, “Oscar Wao”, waded my way through “Thames, the Biography” and now am started on “Suspension”; a murder mystery that takes place in NYC, near the Brooklyn bridge back in the 19th century, when the bridge was nearilng completion. This book is a kind of sequel to my having read “The Bridge” an amazing account of the building of that bridge from scratch.
To keep me busy in the coming weeks and months I have on hand: a good Western named “The Big Sky” by A.B.Guthrie and “Dreams From My Father” by Obama. Nothing current in the Kindle right now but will have to choose a couple of titles from the New York Times’ 2008 list of 100 notable books.
I hope all you swell ladies have a perfect Christmas followed by great New Year.
Huggz all,
Jerry
Jacky, I relate to your shoe problem. For the last few years I haven’t been able to wear any style of closed-toe shoes. Something causes the left big toe to push up–feels like an ingrown toenail–but isn’t. Sandals are a challenge when I go to Sun Valley–not exactly snow friendly. I wear black sandals with a black sock over a heavy sock to try to disguise them.
Candace
Jenny, you are an inspiration! I think you’re probably the dean of this group–11 years ahead of me. I love San Francisco–haven’t been there for several years. I loved the old movie with Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and Jeanette McDonald about San Francisco at the time of the fire.
Candace
Still very cold here in Oslo, but sunny, which helps the moods. Sorry about the sore ankle, I’m noticing my right knee, I had arthroscopic surgery on it in 96 and its been fine. I walked in my new winter boots, that have a higher heel and that may be the problem, back to my tennis shoes, and warmer socks.
We have a wrestling match, and a hockey game tonight, our son’s sons are involved, but Clive has a Shriner’s Christmas party in Stephen, MN, about 30 miles north east of us, and I have a church meeting, such is life in a small community. Hockey again tomorrow and Sat. They are growing up so fast, we want to be there.
We watched Vision Quest last night, a class B movie about high school wrestling, much more interesting since I know a little about the rules and such now.
Where is Jerry?
Jacky
I have never been there but hear from many that it is a beautiful city. I have also heard that they have a great arts center.
My daughter-in-law’s book club is reading “Same Kind of Different as Me.” She recommended it so I got it on Kindle. It seems like an unusual story involving two men in very different circumstances whose paths cross.
It’s cold here (30s at night, 50 by midday). Watching what’s happened in the North and East, we’d have to be crazy to complain. I’ve been nursing a cranky ankle which started the same day I planned to explore some new little neighborhood shops for Christmas presents. I ended up sending everyone a nice poinsettia. I decided something cheery and festive would be welcome this year–okay, that’s my rationale for taking the easy way out. When I get a few cards in the mail today that will be it for this year. Hope everyone has a nice Christmas.
Candace
I saw on the news this morning that So. California was experiencing temps in the 30°’s. I know you aren’t used to that Owl, so hope you are keeping warm. It is a good time to sit in and read, stare off into space, nap or whatever. I just made a trip to the PO and mailed my last package. I packed up a couple of my bulky sweaters along with some gifts and mailed them. It was cheaper than paying for an extra suitcase at the airport. I also picked up three book cds and a book to read when I am there. It should keep me out of trouble.
The storm was cosy, as the furnace was running, quite steadily! Clive likes it set at 79, I like 72, so we have a “small battle of the thermostat”. We did watch “In the Heat of the Night” in fact we watched it twice, which I seldom do, but Sidney Poitier and Rod Stieger do such a good job of playing a MS cop and a PA cop, Rod got an Oscar for his acting and it was the winning movie of that year, I can’t remember what year.
There is one girl on our grandson’s team, Katie is about 105, and very pretty, but seldom wins, and she did get a ‘by” too, maybe the boy didn’t want to wrestle with her? Our son says she has the best chance of getting a sports scholorship, there are college girls wrestling and not many girls. Our grandson really likes her but says she is so shy, she will hardly answer when talked to.
Today was sunny, and since we didn’t get much snow but lots of wind there are tall drifts and many bare areas. I spent many hours today defrosting our deep freezer, it was bought in the late 50’s and runs on and on. Its much too big for us now, but it works. and we will never get it out of the basement in one piece, we built the house over it.
Darlyne, I certainly remember your hockey puck story, its such a fun tale! Georgeanna, how cold is it over there in CA?
Jacky
It is good to hear from you Owl.
I just got back from a nice walk. It is 64° here which is unusually warm for this time a year. I was happy to walk with no hat or gloves.
I am trying to finish The Rock Candy Mountain but probably won’t before I leave. It will be due so I will return it and maybe finish it another time. It is a tome of frontier life with the main character making a living boot legging much to the consternation of his wife. I do want to finish it.
I know I don’t post as often as I would like to. Neither do I read as much as I would like to. Well, that is read for fun. I still do a lot of reading for other reasons. Has anyone read Bowling Alone? I am actually teasing. I know I won’t read it. It is a tome but it is about the need for ‘community’ and how technology is interfering. I think we on this blog, make technology work to keep community alive and well. Take care. I’m in So. Calif but let me tell you we are having a cold spell. Whew! Mostly we aren’t prepared for this temp. Georgianna
It seems that unlike the so-called “professional” matches, wrestling at the school level is a sport of strength and skill with clear rules that guard against serious injuries. I’ve read about girls enjoying participating. I think it takes a lot of self-confidence for a boy to wrestle a girl. It’s understandable that she would probably feel free to be more aggressive than he would–interesting conflict in dynamics.
Hope you’re not snowed in and do have electricity.
Candace
My oldest grandchild, a 90 lb. girl, wrestled on the boy’s HS wrestling team. They had to take her because there wasn’t a girls team. I think she got many By’s or whatever they are called because many of the boys refused to wrestle a girl. It would be a win for the team. I got to watch her once. She didn’t pursue her wrestling career and became a lawyer instead.
I read about your upcoming blizzard and do hope it misses you. If you don’t have to go out they aren’t bad, unless the electricity goes off. Then it is horrible. It is no fun to not have a furnace when it is cold.
We did get to the hockey game to see our grandson play, he was checked from behind, the refs didn’t see it, but he slugged at the checker, the ref saw that plus the return slug so both of them were out for the rest of the game, our grandson out for the next game too, since he started the hitting. Then we went to his younger brother’s wrestling match, and he got a “by or buy” since there was no 130 pound opponent, which means he got the points for winning without wrestling. The boys don’t like that kind of win. We were at his area tournament yesterday, and he got another “by”, but then got to wrestle at the end of the tournament and got a “pin”. Which means he got his opponant’s back to the floor for a few seconds. I’m learning slowly about the rules and regulations of the sport. They are watched closely, so there maybe are fewer injuries than football, hockey, ect, I’m not sure.
There is a super snow storm predicted for our area, which our middle son in law, a meteorologist, says may go south of us, over Fargo. They are talking about a foot of snow and strong winds. over the whole state of ND, plus part of MN. We are warm and dry and have plenty of food. Just hope the electricity remains. Those poor folks out east!!!!
Jacky