Going through my assorted books from a recent library book sale I’ve selected an Classic Irish Recipes by Georgina Campbell , Coming Home by R Pilcher, Joy In The Morning by B. Smith and a collection of stories by Stephen Leacock for my armchair reading today. I finished up The Help by K Stockertt last night. It’s no wonder that I won’t get much done around the house today as usual. Well, I can’t do everything .
So far, I found much to identify with in the Irish cookbook and realized that my Irish Great Grandmother’s influences must have been strong to carry on down through our family cooking style. I learned that several dishes specific to Hallowe’en were traditional Irish treats. The hiding of a coin wrapped in wax paper in a cake or hot dish was something carried on in my experience as a child but has since been dropped as tradition in the family. I will try out some of the old recipes and see if my Irish taste buds respond favourably. My cookbook collection now needs a Scottish cookbook and a Pennsylvania Dutch cookbook to round out my heritage cooking resources. Any excuse for a new or used cookbook is acceptable .
It took awhile to adjust again to the style of writing in Coming Home as it seems different from current style writing. It is a take to bed and get under the covers to read kind of book. I’m sure it will be a comfortable read once I get into it. I used to read R. Pilcher and M. Binchy about twenty-five years ago when I needed some wholesome comfort style reading. I enjoyed the coziness of the style at one time and hopefully will snuggle into it again. I was just surprised by my initial reaction to it this time.
I started Joy in The Morning today and took to the style of Betty Smith right away. This author also wrote A Tree Grows In Brooklyn which I haven’t read yet either.( So many gaps when one’s reading tastes are so varied). This author is from the 1930’s approximately but she reads very modern-day. All I know about the book so far is that it is about a very young couple with no money struggling to get the husband through law school. No doubt there will be some tough times and heartbreak to read about . The writer’s style is engaging so I will probably like it as well.
Picking up the Leacock book and adding it to my pile beside my reading chair I know it will bide well despite it’s old-fashioned material. You can’t go wrong with Stephen Leacock. I prefer this type of gentle humour for the most part rather than the edgy stuff of present day. I can only imagine how he would have loved blogging and using a computer to write his stories if he had the chance.
Finishing up The Help last night I was pleased with the outcome. Oddly enough, I had read the ending somewhere before. I can’t recall where I read it but it must have been on someone elses’ blog. This deja vu moment confused me at first but it takes awhile for the senior brain to recall these things. I was pleased with one surprise in the plot when Skeeter’s terminally ill mother rallied and went into remission and was motivated to survive by making hair appointments and wardrobe selections for her daughter. I could well appreciate that obstinate spirit. The act of writing about the reality of the relationships of all these women is admirable.
So tonight after I water some shrubs that I just planted, vacuum up some dog fluff, watch the elimination round on American Idol and find something to cook, Irish or not, I will settle into my reading armchair and snuggle with my assorted authors and read, read, read. Maybe if I continue to do that, I will soon write, write, write.
(I learned to repeat words three times from Agatha Christie, playwright.)
An Embarrassment of Freedom 