The chain of emails, as the Covid-19 pandemic came to Hastings. The emails stop on March 29, 2020. "Social Distancing" is now our normal life; we'll start meeting again when Governor Cuomo lifts the stay at home rules.
March 10, 2020 Fran
March 10, 2020 Fran
Oh, the closings around the coronavirus have finally
entrapped me. My granddaughter's school in Brooklyn has closed; my son &
daughter-in-law have no one to take care of Isla tomorrow. I'm going to be
baby-sitting tomorrow.
I'm so sorry to miss the meeting.
My motto for this unfolding epidemic is - prudence, not
panic. I sure hope all the closings that are taking place are prudent and not
coming from hysterical over reaction.
March 12, 2020 Fran
I'm delighted to be president and can't wait until Carol gives
me the all-powerful bell. I missed yesterday's meeting for a reason that turned
out to be a surprise.
I was all set to head out to Brooklyn to baby sit for my
granddaughter when Bob walked in the door announcing he had to self-quarantine
for 2 weeks. So, I didn't go to Brooklyn - and with a self-quarantined husband,
I didn't want to show up at Lit Club either.
How this happened. On Monday, Bob saw a patient who he
suspected might have COVID-19. He suited up following hospital protocols. He
recommended testing. The patient tested positive; and the hospital reviewed
their protocols. It was decided that the ones in place on Monday should have
been at a higher level. On Wednesday Bob was sent home under orders to
self-quarantine. He came home shortly before I was set to go to Brooklyn.
Upshot: I didn't go.
So he's home following orders to report his temperature
twice daily to hospital. He thinks that it is unlikely he was infected. Bob
asked the hospital administrators if I should self-quarantine - they said no.
However, I'm practicing social distancing - from him and not
going out. Although there's a limit to the amount of social distancing one can
keep from one's spouse - neither of us wants to live in the attic or the
basement. DeCicco's and Foodtown deliver; so does Rochambeau. We're set.
His quarantine will end March 23. By then we'll both be fine
or statistics.
I thought the closings of schools & the cancellation of
events were contributing to a lot of panic around this epidemic. They are, but
I've read that social distancing slows the rate of transmission. That's
important, because it keeps hospitals from being overwhelmed by patients.
The current recommendations are that meetings over 20 (or is
it 25?) people should be cancelled. I think we should continue to meet, observe
recommendations - stay home if you don't feel well, wash your hands for 20
seconds before you eat or touch your face.
Bob is home & available for phone consultation ; )
March 12, 2020
Note: The situation rapidly evolved – the schools announced
they were closing; social distancing was strongly recommended
March 13, 2020 Jacquie
(Jacquie was running the Used Book Sale at Hillside School)
I was just told that we will not be returning to the used
book sale. I’ll let you all know when/if the books are available again.
Stay healthy!
March 13, 2020 Connie
Many of you may know this, I but just popped into the
Library, and they are open today, and tomorrow morning, but then closing until
at least 3/31.
Grab your books!
March 13, 2020 Barbara
Dear Literary Friends,
There are all sorts of dull but useful projects I now have
time for at home--checking expiration dates on cans of food in the pantry,
opening a huge stack of mail from MedicareRx Plans, shredding old bills that
contain personal information. But instead I'm going to start reading one of the
books recommended at our last meeting. Here's the book list, for those of you
who missed the meeting or didn't write everything down. If I've left something
out, as I may well have done, please let me know.
First, nonfiction. What You Have Heard Is True: A Memoir of
Witness and Resistance (Carolyn Forche) and Say Nothing: A True Story of
Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland (Patrick Radden Keefe) take us into the
dark stories of the 1970s in El Salvador and the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Sarah M. Broom's memoir, The Yellow House, depicts a house and family central
to the history of New Orleans.
Novels. These ranged from classics like Dostoevsky's
Brothers Karamazov to Girl, Woman, Other (Bernardine Evaristo), recent
winner of half a Booker Prize. Also recommended were Home Fire (Kamila
Shamsie), Dear Committee Members (Julie Schumacher), Catch-22 (Joseph
Heller), Trace Elements (new Donna Leon mystery), The Unaccustomed Earth (Jhumpa Lahiri), Olive Kitteridge and Abide with Me (Elizabeth Strout),
Weather (Jenny Offill), The Dutch House (Ann Patchett), Morality Play (Barry Unsworth).
Curling up now...
March 14, 2020 Fran
Hello, Literary Ladies,
I, too, have been thinking about household projects, but
checking expiration dates on cans of food in the pantry hadn't occurred to me -
but I will add it to the list.
Thanks so much for the book recommendations. I'm delighted
that I figured out how to use Westchester Library System's Overdrive and can
borrow Kindle and e-Books.
Trying to figure out the rules for household members of
self-quarantined people is pretty interesting. It illustrates the chaos of the
response to COVID-19. I keep checking the Department of Health statistics. Is
it morbid or comforting? Well, I find it strangely comforting.
As we all feel grumpy, anxious or depressed about social
distancing and the curtailing of a lot of activities, I share this chart on the
reasoning behind closures.
It's been 5 days since Bob saw his COVID-19 patient. 5 days
is the mean time for developing symptoms after exposure. He's symptom free. It
would be great if he could be tested. But he's not eligible because he's
asymptomatic. A 2 week self-quarantine is a very low tech way of finding out if
he's infected. Makes me wonder how our health care system didn't ramp up the
production of test kits as soon as COVID-19 was identified. But the orange
monster told us that everyone who wanted a test could get one, right?
March 13, 2020 Carol
Wow. Changes everywhere. We are not going to Concord, our
grandson's basketball teammate has tested positive (along with his 5th-grade
brother and his mom), so Concord schools are closed and old folks are urged not
to visit. Sigh. I'm thinking this is going to last quite a while, luckily we
have an ample supply of as yet unread books and unwatched films. Gives a new
definition to the term stay-cation. Hope everyone stays well, let's keep in
touch as the tale unfolds--
March 14, 2020 Linda
I’m trying to look at this as an opportunity to prepare my
presentation although I may never present it, but I’m OK with that. Since it’s impossible to plan for tomorrow, I
certainly can’t plan for a month from now.
I am hoping to join my son and his family at their house in
the Catskills in eight or nine days, but there are a number of ifs. Two teachers in my grandson’s school are
infected, so I’m not going to go until it’s been a full fourteen days since he
was in school. If none of the five of us
is sick by then, I think I will go.
Last night I got an email from a neighbor who had set up an
email chain so that all of us can keep in touch and help each other out. He particularly mentioned watching out for me
since I was alone (and the unstated - old).
It was very sweet. He was a
student of Robert’s about a million years ago.
Stay well.
March 14, 2020 Carol
I too am trying to take advantage of this semi-hiatus in our
lives to prepare my presentation--even if we don't meet and I don't present, it
will be amazing to have it ready well in advance! And Fran, thank you for the
charts and other info in your attachment--I especially loved the singing
Italians, seeing them all out on their balconies making music is inspiring. It
felt very strange to see the video from Turin--we were there in October.
Linda, I hope your trip to the Catskills goes as scheduled.
As some of you know, our visit to David and his family is postponed
indefinitely, partly because they are worried about the vulnerability of old
folks like us and partly because Ben (age almost 7) is or was on a weekend
basketball team with a boy who has tested positive (so have his older brother
and his mom). So David and Julie are waiting to see if he gets sick and hoping
he does not. Their schools are closed at least for next week and probably
longer, because the Boston area is now an epicenter, largely (I gather) because
of a Bio-Gen conference (just one of many ironies in our world).
I'm not really sure what an email chain is, but let's try to
keep connected by way of these group emails or however else. Friendship and
communication seem more important than ever in the face of these uncertainties.
Keep well and smiling,
March 14, 2020 Connie
We were all overly distracted BEFORE the COVID-19. We are so beyond “too much to process.”
I just got a book (library’s last open minutes, my husband
coughed as we were checking out and nearly caused a riot) called “Winner of the
National Book Award,” by Jincy Willett— has anyone read? Supposed to be very funny, will pass it on if
so. Of course I will read it AFTER I
finish my presentation.
March 15, 2020 Christine
(Note: Christine shared a list of books about epidemics,
pandemics, illness and other grisly afflicitions written with admirable skill.
Some were mentioned in the New York Times Book Review, she adds several, so
does Carol).
I think I just listed the books, but here is the list I made
for myself:
Albert Camus’s The
Plague
Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Love in the Time of Cholera
Daniel Defoe, A Journal of the Plague Year
Samuel Pepys---Diaries
V Woolf, On Being Ill
Alphonse Daudet, In the Land of Pain
Susan Sontag – Illness as Metaphor
Canterbury Tales
Decameron
Jose Saramango, Blindness
Vladimir Sorokin’s The Blizzard.
Yuri Herrera’s The Transmigration of Bodies
March 15, 2020 Carol
Thanks so much! And let's not omit Geraldine Brooks' Year of
Wonders.
The Times had a list in Friday's arts section, mostly more
recent. It included The Andromeda Strain as well as several that involve living
dead infected folks, which for me is a line I can't cross. The Times says there
has been a rush to buy these books--reveling in shared misfortunes or
reassurance that it won't last forever? Or maybe both?
March 15, 2020 Diana
To go along with Christine's reading list of books about
illness and maladies, I saw a Covid 19 Quarantine Playlist on Spotify......here
are some of the top tunes. A bit grim
-- but the songs are good.
"You Sound Like You're Sick" - The Ramones
"Fever" - Peggy Lee
"Harder to Breathe" - Maroon 5
"The Kids Don't Stand a Chance" - Vampire Weekend
"Staying Alive" - Bee Gees
"Don't Stand So Close to Me" - The Police
"Rather Die Young" - Beyonce
"Can't Feel My Face" - The Weekend
Stay well!
March 16, 2020 Fran
Linda told me that the hardest part of being president was
deciding when to call a snow day. Sigh.
I told Carol I wasn't president yet because I didn't have
the bell. She could call my bluff by leaving it on my doorstep ; )
We thought, at this point, the best thing to do would be to
cancel the Mar 25 and April 15 meeting. The plan is to meet outdoors for the
rest of our meetings, and everyone to brown bag lunch.
We'll add May 27 (presenter Connie) and June 3 (presenter
Linda) to our calendar.
If you can host outdoors let me know. If you can host
outdoors AND if it rains - let me know that too!
Plans can easily be upended by events, so let's consider
that this what we'll do at this moment. The next 6 weeks will be more
interesting than any of us would like.
I just loved the reading list (thanks Christine & Carol)
and the play list (thanks Diana). Really important to laugh. Too bad we don't
all have balconies we can sing from like the Italians. If you haven't seen
those videos, I'll send them.
Bob is symptom free, he's busy during self-quarantine
consulting with relatives & colleagues. I've been binge watching French
videos on YouTube - did you know Louis XIV didn't take baths? Or maybe I
misunderstood the full extent of his aversion to water.
Opinions most welcome.
Stay well, stay in touch
March 16, 2020 Christine
Fran,
I know it's a terrible job -- but I think you managed it
splendidly, and dare I say, with more executive elegance than another President
I can think of.
I am happy to host outdoors whenever it seems like a good
idea to do so or indoors whenever we are cleared for that.
I am glad that Bob is symptom free. And I don't have insight
into Louis XIV's bathing habits. But since I have that dousing oneself in
perfume is called a "french bath" I would guess that he was not the
cleanest.
Stay healthy all,
March 17, 2020 Carol
Thanks, Fran! And
lucky you, nothing like plunging into your presidency with an ever-changing
crisis to cope with. I see that HoH has just declared a state of emergency--I
don't know what that entails, presumably more info will be forthcoming.
As we talked about, I can host outdoors, on my porch (though
I'm not certain we could all maintain 6 feet of social distance there), or in
the backyard (with some borrowed seating). I think this is definitely a
play-it-by-ear plan, to be adapted as things unfold.
Thanks for the video, Christine, I just watched it--almost
too true to be funny. I will be passing it on to many friends and relations.
And thanks, Laura, for the loan of Girl, Woman, Other, I am enjoying it very
much, just had a conversation about it with my friend in Canada who loved it
too.
I did want to say to you all, since Fran has now taken the
reins (or bell) by virtual induction (sounds kind of ominous, doesn't it), that
I was delighted and honored to be the Literature Club president these past two
years. I am still kind of intimidated by the aggregation of intelligence,
learning, creativity, and also, of course, kindness and friendship, among the
women of this group. You have all been so supportive and forbearing as I
fumbled my way along--thank you so much for a wonderful term in office, and
have fun, Fran!
Stay well, all, let's keep in touch, see you (at a
distance!) on the Aqueduct...
March 17, 2020 Diana
It was indeed a
pleasure to have you as President, Carol.
And I agree with you that we are so lucky to be in a town that has such
a challenging and informative Lit Club, and even luckier to be part of it.
I wish we could get together and bond through this
situation. I am cooking up a storm, and
would love to have you all over for today's fresh mushroom soup and Beer Batter
Recipe. But alas, I can share only the
recipes:
https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/mushroom-soup-231145 (very easy!.
The Beer Batter Bread is one of those Trader Joe impulse purchases, but,
heck, it is St. Patrick's Day, so I figure anything with beer is
appropriate.
See you on the trails!
March 17, 2020 Barbara
So grateful to you, Fran, and to all members for messages of
good cheer and support. I have hosted the Literature Club outdoors, many years
ago. I remember oak blossoms falling into everyone's tea. I could do it again
if needed, but I have no outdoor shelter from rain. Be well, everyone.
March 18, 2020 Fran
I'm honored to do my
utmost to keep this wonderful Club going. I admire how we rotate leadership -
such as it is, with the heavy (hmm, just recently) responsibility of deciding
to postpone or cancel meetings. For as long as I've been a member, I've admired
the grace with each president (including our most recent ex) has led.
Bob's self-quarantine - and therefore mine - has officially
ended. By the same uncertain decision-making process it was first imposed.
Rules are evolving with this pandemic. Today was Bob's first day back at the
hospital. I asked him what the morale was among the staff - they're not
panicked. Doing their jobs. Wearing a lot more gloves & face masks
everywhere, for all patient interactions.
For me, self-quarantine spared me what was going on in our
village. I went food shopping. DeCicco's had a long line for their senior time
when I arrived at 8:20 (8 to 8:30 AM). They were admitting shoppers in small
numbers to maintain self-distancing. I went to Foodtown. I felt like I had
found myself in a Communist country where consumer goods are in short supply.
Shelves empty of toilet paper, paper towels; little soup, pasta and milk.
I began to think of what our foremothers in Literature Club
faced. World War I. The Spanish flu. The Depression. World War II. Should I
throw in, as bad times, the Korean & Vietnam Wars? And then, 9/11.
Keep sharing the ideas (cooking, thanks Diana), the amusing
videos (thanks Christine) and whatever keeps our spirits up.
March 18, 2020 Laura
Dick and I went up to Muscoot Park at 7:30 this
morning. We got there and the gate was
still locked! But the gatekeeper drove
up and opened it for us to walk the trails at 8 or so. We saw beautiful fields limned with
frost. We saw the huge manure pile which
is really compost, over in the corner of the hay field. It was smoking as if it were on fire!!
Wow. Metabolic processes occur even if I
can not see them! Imagine. And best of all, we saw bluebirds. Ultimately around four of them, but the first
two were the best. The male was on the
perch of a bluebird house, looking in.
The female sat above, on the roof.
He was so blue he glowed! I keep
thinking of that blue. Cheers, my
friends.
March 18, 2020 Mary
(Associate Member living in Connecticut)
I am SO glad I’m still on the Lit Club email list. Though I have lived alone for fifty years,
this is a new kind of loneliness. I love
hearing what you are all doing with this upheaval. Relatives are not permitted unless the
resident is a death’s door.
There are over 270
people in this old folks home. We now
receive our dinners at the door to the apt. And walking the halls for exercise
is lonely. In 40 minutes, I ran into
maybe five souls. We all backed away
from each other. The pool and gym are
closed, the pub has no chairs and only three tables. Two days ago, two residents were visiting,
each seated on their walkers at the proper distance. There is a marvelous machine there which
dispenses coffee and espresso, both hi test and decaf, and hot water for tea
and cocoa drinkers. The tea and cocoa
packets were absent and the little half and half containers almost gone. The management appears to have taken to heart
my suggestion to keep that comforting resource well stocked for walker users
(maybe a majority of inhabitants). I
plan a visit this p.m., using my sitting stick.
Love to all
March 18, 2020 Linda
This wasn't exactly what I meant when I talked to you about
the stress of deciding whether to cancel meetings, but we're all grateful for
your wise decision making. Maybe snow
days will seem easy after this.
As I write, I am baking chocolate chip cookies. I haven't had much of an appetite, and I
thought they might be just the thing.
I decided not to go to my son Josh's house in the Catskills
- too many people and too many germs. We
all felt I'd be safer here. Plus, my
grandchildren will be in e-school, their mother will be teaching it, and my son
works all day wherever he is. Finally,
my sister-in-law Marge and I walk for over an hour every day, and that's been
really important and special. I did not
want to leave her.
Last night, however, I did have dinner with Josh and his
family - virtually. He called me on
FaceTime, the five of us sat at our respective tables with our respective
meals, and talked. We were at it for
almost an hour. I highly recommend this
to those of you who can't see your children and grandchildren. I plan to have dinner with my daughter and
her family in a couple days.
Be well.
March 19, 2020 Jacquie
Thank goodness for the internet for keeping in touch! Of
course my computer died last week, but I’m amazed by how much I can do on my
phone. Louisa, your dancing balls of yarn were just charming, and Christine,
“dumbf#%&ery” has become a new favorite and oft repeated word in my house.
And FaceTime, WhatsApp and a 4 way conference call with my sisters has been a
wonderful way to keep in touch with my far-flung family. I love getting updates
on all you all are doing, learning and reading. Won’t the next time we are
together feel even more special than it already does???!!!
I sat at the base of the sledding hill at Zinsser yesterday
evening, about 10 feet from Joanna and her husband who were sharing a bottle of
wine and cheese and crackers, while newlyweds Pascale and Daniel sat on their
blanket making up another corner of our giant square with a fourth couple from
Irvington. Despite the chilly weather and slight vocal strain from having to
shout to one another, it was lovely to be together. And of course a number of
friends called down to us from the aqueduct while others joined our ever
expanding circle. And as each new person arrived, Daniel had to repeat the same
joke, “This is the worst orgy I’ve ever been to.” It got funnier with each
re-telling.
Humor is the best medicine for times like these. Humor! What
a great possibility for next year’s theme. Have I mentioned that before????!!!
Love to you all!
March 21, 2020 Connie
I am honored and humbled to be in the line of succession
behind Carol, Fran and others in the group!
Well, were the world not being horribly transformed for us
on a daily basis, I would be madly putting together my presentation on Mollie
Panter-Downes for this upcoming Wednesday —
I have not really had the sustained concentration to do much on it in
the past few weeks.
BUT, I will share a bit that just was brought home to me by
a recent COVID 19 related news item.
Panter-Downes was the London correspondent for the New
Yorker during the Second World War. She
published 153 “Letters from London” between 1939 and 1944, but also wrote,
during that time, 21 short stories, also published in the New Yorker.
The short stories are often funny, in a stiff upper lip Brit
way, and I was leaning toward presenting those, given the times....But, anyway,
4 of the stories feature a “Mrs. Ramsay,” who has decamped from London to her
and her husband’s country cottage in Sussex, where she is joined by several
families “billeting” with her, which includes their nannies and maids.
Anyway, 2 of those stories describe Mrs. Ramsay’s
involvement with a local sewing circle, which you can imagine....but as the
stories unfold they are making bandages and pajamas, for the war effort, (in
one story the woman are shocked by Mrs. Ramsay’s suggestion that today’s
efforts be sent to men in Greece:
“...the idea of swathing Grecian torsos in good English winceyette was
obviously difficult to digest right away.”
Anyway, as I sat last night looking at the sewing pattern
for face masks, I was reminded of Mrs. Ramsay and her sewing circle. It is unbelievable that this is where we are
now.
But, in true Mollie Panter-Downes fashion, I am sending
screenshots of another story of Mrs. Ramsay, which was published in the New
Yorker on Jan. 27, 1940, “Mrs. Ramsay’s War.”
It is only the 3 pages, 49-51— I hope it is clear enough to read. And enjoy the ads.
I hope everyone, and everyone’s everyone, is well.
(Note: screenshots of story will be added)
March 21, 2020 Carol
Connie, thanks so much! A wonderful story in many many ways,
an unexpected treat!
Now I can't wait to hear your presentation, whenever it can
happen.
Hope everyone is doing well as we all shelter in place
(sorry, Cuomo, I know it's not
your preferred term). At least I can feel I'm staying more
or less fit, walking on the
aqueduct is a great escape.
Stay well and safe, all,
March 23, 2020 Jacquie –
Dear Literary Ladies,
Alas, this is to remind you all that we will not be meeting
this Wednesday in Christine's magnificent living room to hear Connie's
presentation on The Wartime Writing of Mollie Panter-Downes.
On this first day of PAUSE, the odd wintry weather
completely matches my mood of discombobulation. My oldest son, while
commandeering the dining room, is virtually waiting outside his thesis
advisor's office door awaiting his turn for virtual office hours. My younger
son who has taken over the playroom, is digesting the news that all AP exams
have been canceled, wondering what that means about not being able to place out
of certain requirements once he gets to college - whenever that might actually
be! Meanwhile I'm trying to get up the nerve to begin cleaning out my basement.
Somehow getting my taxes together sounds more appealing...
I re-read 84, Charing Cross Road in one sitting on Saturday,
which was quite a delight. I would recommend it to all.
I hope you are all adjusting to the new normal. The image below says it all. (to be added)
March 24, 2020 Fran
Our Lit Club emails have been one of the most reassuring part of my life now. I feel connected to all of you; so many of my other connections are diminished, we've all been forced to fold into ourselves. But - here we are, reading our way through this tough time. I loved Mollie Panter-Downes’ Mrs Ramsay story; look forward to finding 84, Charing Cross Road on line (thanks, Jacquie, for recommending it).
March 24, 2020 Carol
Yes, Lit Club emails are welcome and quite cheering, and many thanks to all for reading recommendations. I have just finished Girl, Woman, Other (thanks, Laura!), I found it fascinating, funny, moving, and it gave me new perspectives on the lives of women who are both like and unlike me. I second Laura's recommendation, it is an engrossing read that took me out of the virus-anxiety mode for a bit.
Read on, ladies!
March 24, 2020 Lori
I thoroughly enjoyed it as well! I’m currently reading East of Eden by Steinbeck. I’m flying through it even though the casual racism of the times sometimes catches my breath!
March 24, 2020 Mary
Dear Lit Club ladies,
I’m still consoled by your emails, and want to add that the Stone Ridge Quilters are at work making masks for the indefatigable staff here who are doing everything possible to keep us safe and comfortable. I wish I still had my sewing machine so I could join them and feel less useless, parasitish.
March 24, 2020 Jacquie
Mary, by staying well you are helping your staff immeasurably!
March 24, 2020 Carol
Vive La France!
Just a little nibble to (I trust) make you all smile.
(Carol sends a fantastic video of cakes decorated to look lie whatever a cake is not – and each is cut into revealing its true nature. Will try to post a link)
March 24, 2020 Diana
Incroyable!!
I think the shoes made me laugh the most. And I loved the way some of fruit looked bruised for a touch of reality.
thanks!
Connie sends us a Mollie Panter-Downes story, “Battle of the Greeks,” which appeared March 8, 1941 in The New Yorker. I’ll try to post it. Search for it in The New Yorker archive.
March 25, 2020 Constance
Hello Ladies:
If these were, as Christine said, “Ordinary Times,” I would be presenting right now. Of course, I still haven’t written my presentation (which isn’t entirely abnormal), but am reading more of Mollie Panter-Downes short stories (I’ve moved on to the post war ones).
Her short stories really show her strength as a journalist— so acutely observed, and realistically told. What I like about the short stories is that they really look at the women's experience during the War: what it was like to be home, trying to keep a semblance of normality and purpose in what were anything but normal times. Hmmm, yes, they do seem very relevant now....
Panter-Downes is criticized for her depiction of social class, which is a fair criticism certainly, but on the other hand she depicts women’s interactions with one another so well....
Anyhow, I was not going to present the stories featuring Mrs. Ramsay, so here’s another. And please, don’t feel obligated to read! This is just my somewhat public procrastination from writing the thing!
XO
Connie
PS: that girdle ad....
March 25, 2020 Christine
Connie ̶ “Battle of the Greeks” was a complete treasure. It is full of such brilliant lines, but this may be my favorite: "there was....not a heave to choose between the Twistle and Peters bosoms."
I don't when I shall ever see its equal.
And might I just point out how handy chickens can be in soothing over rough conversational patches?
March 25, 2020 Diana
Connie,
I'm enjoying these stories immensely (especially since I figured out how to enlarge the type -- which you've all probably figured out ̶ hit the + sign at the bottom of the image of the page, and then hold mouse button down to move back up to the top of the page).
I think my favorite phrase was that Mrs. Ramsay might be "helling around Sussex, probably in the nude" without Mrs. Parmenter as her chaperone.
I hope someday to describe someone as "helling around," though probably NOT in the nude!
March 26, 2020 Jacquie (referring to Panter-Downes’ “Battle of the Greeks”)
Yes! Laugh out loud! Less subtle, but my other favorite line is, "It'll be a nice change for them to get their limbs into something cozy after those little skirts, poor lads."
March 25, 2020 Lori
I couldn’t figure it out - I still can’t. I enlarged like Diana explained but it still looks blurry to me! My eyes????
March 26, 2020 Carol
I too went to the archive and found it (it's not easy to figure out how to identify the item you're looking for, but perseverance did its usual), but I couldn't figure out how to print it in a format big enough to read easily. However, I squinted enough to finish it--what an excellent story! I too laughed aloud at the heaving bosoms, but I also loved "the strawberry leaves shuddering with the cold breath of revolution." Beautiful sentences all the way through, thank you so much for this and the earlier one, Connie, and I can’t wait for your presentation, whenever it may be-
March 26, 2020 Lori
I FINALLY got access by going to the archive. Laura ̶ I’ll drop off a copy I printed on my way home from work tonight. Definitely worth the effort!
Thank you Connie!
March 25, 2020 Laura
Naturally, I am the only person in the universe who did not figure how to enlarge the type, and I have spent the last two days admiring everyone for their sharp eyes!! Aha, now I know and I will catch up. What I have been doing with the not so sharp eyes is getting out each day for a look at birds and a walk. Yesterday we went to Rockefeller and walked on a path we do not usually frequent. There high in a tree was this massive, rather elongated mess of sticks. Turned out to be a red tail hawk nest, and yes, there was a creature moving around in it!! I feel bliss and happiness, not even sure it was a young or older hawk, but just to have found the sanctuary for them. Today we just returned from Pruyn Sanctuary in Chappaqua, where we heard such a satisfying chorus of cheeps and twirps, but saw only a portion of the feathered friends. Some wood peckers did oblige, oh, and chickadees. But the walk and the drive were perfect. I hope people are bearing up
March 25, 2020 Linda
…you are not the only person in the universe who did not figure out how to enlarge the print. Today I went on a tour of the orchid show at the Botanical Garden and then played low tech scrabble with my daughter and grandson in Williamstown and the other grandma in Chicago.
March 26, 2020 Barbara
Linda, how did you go on a tour of the NYBG Orchid Show? I went to the website, but only found a very introductory few (lovely) pictures accompanied by remarks by this year's designer.
March 26, 2020 Fran
I've been thinking of doing a blog for the Lit Club, to replace the disappeared web site. I procrastinated because I had to figure out how to do it. Knew I'd get frustrated and feel stupid. Plus I never can get those damned templates provided to behave the way I want.
But ̶ it's done. Well, really a work in progress.
I was inspired by our email exchange as the coronavirus started to impact our lives. I didn't want it to disappear into the ether.
Looking for a way to incorporate minutes, constitution etc.
March 26, 2020 Christine
The blog is a brilliant idea. Thanks so much for your technical wizardry and more.
Last night on a birthday Zoom call with all my siblings, I read them the "heaving bosoms" sentence from Mollie Panter-Downes, and even out of context, it was still brilliant and funny. Her stories are the perfect antidote these days. Connie, bring 'em on!
March 26, 2020 Diana
Fran, wonderful idea! (and, on the technical front, your templates seem to work well). Thanks for collecting our musings.
Linda, it sounds so scary to hear you say you'll "go" anywhere.......just as last night, my son called and I mentioned that I had just gone to Book Group. There was silence on the other end of the phone, and then he said, "MOM, how many people were there?" I told him there were nine of us. Again, silence. So I broke the suspense and told him we met via ZOOM. Thank goodness for the internet in these times!
On the cooking front: Yesterday I baked the chocolate cake recipe published in the Times https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/24/dining/baking-with-kids.html Very easy ̶ not too sweet. Delicious with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.
March 26, 2020 Connie
As I just typed in another email, I was never so thankful for my Lit Club Wednesday island as I was this week. I will look at her stories again tonight, but start a day of “telehealth” shortly. I will recommend this— look at Website for Persephone books out of UK, and their blogs. That is how I decided to do Mollie P-D. I was going to plug them in my presentation, which is/was, also a tale of publishing, then and now. When Persephone launched, with the goal of re-publishing neglected (primarily British) women writers of the mid 20th century, MPD was one the first authors they wanted to bring back.
March 26, 2020 Jacquie
Fran! This is brilliant! I have always thought Barbara's minutes could form the basis of a great book, and IMHO, this email chain could too. But of course now I'm self-conscious of dashing off a quick email! Thanks so much for this. Stay well!
March 29, 2020 Christine
I just started Girl, Woman, Other ̶ and all I can say so far is WOW. Brilliant.
March 29, 2020 Connie
Did anyone read Emma Smith’s op-ed in NYT today, “What Shakespeare teaches us about living in Pandemics?”
(link sent to a funny parody of "Staying Alive" called "Staying Inside" - will try to link it up)
Worth reading— after the dance party.
March 29, 2020 Christine
BTW - I think my favorite part of that music medley is the guitarist in his pajamas on the bed with his dog!
March 24, 2020 Fran
Our Lit Club emails have been one of the most reassuring part of my life now. I feel connected to all of you; so many of my other connections are diminished, we've all been forced to fold into ourselves. But - here we are, reading our way through this tough time. I loved Mollie Panter-Downes’ Mrs Ramsay story; look forward to finding 84, Charing Cross Road on line (thanks, Jacquie, for recommending it).
March 24, 2020 Carol
Yes, Lit Club emails are welcome and quite cheering, and many thanks to all for reading recommendations. I have just finished Girl, Woman, Other (thanks, Laura!), I found it fascinating, funny, moving, and it gave me new perspectives on the lives of women who are both like and unlike me. I second Laura's recommendation, it is an engrossing read that took me out of the virus-anxiety mode for a bit.
Read on, ladies!
March 24, 2020 Lori
I thoroughly enjoyed it as well! I’m currently reading East of Eden by Steinbeck. I’m flying through it even though the casual racism of the times sometimes catches my breath!
March 24, 2020 Mary
Dear Lit Club ladies,
I’m still consoled by your emails, and want to add that the Stone Ridge Quilters are at work making masks for the indefatigable staff here who are doing everything possible to keep us safe and comfortable. I wish I still had my sewing machine so I could join them and feel less useless, parasitish.
March 24, 2020 Jacquie
Mary, by staying well you are helping your staff immeasurably!
March 24, 2020 Carol
Vive La France!
Just a little nibble to (I trust) make you all smile.
(Carol sends a fantastic video of cakes decorated to look lie whatever a cake is not – and each is cut into revealing its true nature. Will try to post a link)
March 24, 2020 Diana
Incroyable!!
I think the shoes made me laugh the most. And I loved the way some of fruit looked bruised for a touch of reality.
thanks!
Connie sends us a Mollie Panter-Downes story, “Battle of the Greeks,” which appeared March 8, 1941 in The New Yorker. I’ll try to post it. Search for it in The New Yorker archive.
March 25, 2020 Constance
Hello Ladies:
If these were, as Christine said, “Ordinary Times,” I would be presenting right now. Of course, I still haven’t written my presentation (which isn’t entirely abnormal), but am reading more of Mollie Panter-Downes short stories (I’ve moved on to the post war ones).
Her short stories really show her strength as a journalist— so acutely observed, and realistically told. What I like about the short stories is that they really look at the women's experience during the War: what it was like to be home, trying to keep a semblance of normality and purpose in what were anything but normal times. Hmmm, yes, they do seem very relevant now....
Panter-Downes is criticized for her depiction of social class, which is a fair criticism certainly, but on the other hand she depicts women’s interactions with one another so well....
Anyhow, I was not going to present the stories featuring Mrs. Ramsay, so here’s another. And please, don’t feel obligated to read! This is just my somewhat public procrastination from writing the thing!
XO
Connie
PS: that girdle ad....
March 25, 2020 Christine
Connie ̶ “Battle of the Greeks” was a complete treasure. It is full of such brilliant lines, but this may be my favorite: "there was....not a heave to choose between the Twistle and Peters bosoms."
I don't when I shall ever see its equal.
And might I just point out how handy chickens can be in soothing over rough conversational patches?
March 25, 2020 Diana
Connie,
I'm enjoying these stories immensely (especially since I figured out how to enlarge the type -- which you've all probably figured out ̶ hit the + sign at the bottom of the image of the page, and then hold mouse button down to move back up to the top of the page).
I think my favorite phrase was that Mrs. Ramsay might be "helling around Sussex, probably in the nude" without Mrs. Parmenter as her chaperone.
I hope someday to describe someone as "helling around," though probably NOT in the nude!
March 26, 2020 Jacquie (referring to Panter-Downes’ “Battle of the Greeks”)
Yes! Laugh out loud! Less subtle, but my other favorite line is, "It'll be a nice change for them to get their limbs into something cozy after those little skirts, poor lads."
March 25, 2020 Lori
I couldn’t figure it out - I still can’t. I enlarged like Diana explained but it still looks blurry to me! My eyes????
March 26, 2020 Carol
I too went to the archive and found it (it's not easy to figure out how to identify the item you're looking for, but perseverance did its usual), but I couldn't figure out how to print it in a format big enough to read easily. However, I squinted enough to finish it--what an excellent story! I too laughed aloud at the heaving bosoms, but I also loved "the strawberry leaves shuddering with the cold breath of revolution." Beautiful sentences all the way through, thank you so much for this and the earlier one, Connie, and I can’t wait for your presentation, whenever it may be-
March 26, 2020 Lori
I FINALLY got access by going to the archive. Laura ̶ I’ll drop off a copy I printed on my way home from work tonight. Definitely worth the effort!
Thank you Connie!
March 25, 2020 Laura
Naturally, I am the only person in the universe who did not figure how to enlarge the type, and I have spent the last two days admiring everyone for their sharp eyes!! Aha, now I know and I will catch up. What I have been doing with the not so sharp eyes is getting out each day for a look at birds and a walk. Yesterday we went to Rockefeller and walked on a path we do not usually frequent. There high in a tree was this massive, rather elongated mess of sticks. Turned out to be a red tail hawk nest, and yes, there was a creature moving around in it!! I feel bliss and happiness, not even sure it was a young or older hawk, but just to have found the sanctuary for them. Today we just returned from Pruyn Sanctuary in Chappaqua, where we heard such a satisfying chorus of cheeps and twirps, but saw only a portion of the feathered friends. Some wood peckers did oblige, oh, and chickadees. But the walk and the drive were perfect. I hope people are bearing up
March 25, 2020 Linda
…you are not the only person in the universe who did not figure out how to enlarge the print. Today I went on a tour of the orchid show at the Botanical Garden and then played low tech scrabble with my daughter and grandson in Williamstown and the other grandma in Chicago.
March 26, 2020 Barbara
Linda, how did you go on a tour of the NYBG Orchid Show? I went to the website, but only found a very introductory few (lovely) pictures accompanied by remarks by this year's designer.
March 26, 2020 Fran
I've been thinking of doing a blog for the Lit Club, to replace the disappeared web site. I procrastinated because I had to figure out how to do it. Knew I'd get frustrated and feel stupid. Plus I never can get those damned templates provided to behave the way I want.
But ̶ it's done. Well, really a work in progress.
I was inspired by our email exchange as the coronavirus started to impact our lives. I didn't want it to disappear into the ether.
Looking for a way to incorporate minutes, constitution etc.
March 26, 2020 Christine
The blog is a brilliant idea. Thanks so much for your technical wizardry and more.
Last night on a birthday Zoom call with all my siblings, I read them the "heaving bosoms" sentence from Mollie Panter-Downes, and even out of context, it was still brilliant and funny. Her stories are the perfect antidote these days. Connie, bring 'em on!
March 26, 2020 Diana
Fran, wonderful idea! (and, on the technical front, your templates seem to work well). Thanks for collecting our musings.
Linda, it sounds so scary to hear you say you'll "go" anywhere.......just as last night, my son called and I mentioned that I had just gone to Book Group. There was silence on the other end of the phone, and then he said, "MOM, how many people were there?" I told him there were nine of us. Again, silence. So I broke the suspense and told him we met via ZOOM. Thank goodness for the internet in these times!
On the cooking front: Yesterday I baked the chocolate cake recipe published in the Times https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/24/dining/baking-with-kids.html Very easy ̶ not too sweet. Delicious with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.
March 26, 2020 Connie
As I just typed in another email, I was never so thankful for my Lit Club Wednesday island as I was this week. I will look at her stories again tonight, but start a day of “telehealth” shortly. I will recommend this— look at Website for Persephone books out of UK, and their blogs. That is how I decided to do Mollie P-D. I was going to plug them in my presentation, which is/was, also a tale of publishing, then and now. When Persephone launched, with the goal of re-publishing neglected (primarily British) women writers of the mid 20th century, MPD was one the first authors they wanted to bring back.
March 26, 2020 Jacquie
Fran! This is brilliant! I have always thought Barbara's minutes could form the basis of a great book, and IMHO, this email chain could too. But of course now I'm self-conscious of dashing off a quick email! Thanks so much for this. Stay well!
March 29, 2020 Christine
I just started Girl, Woman, Other ̶ and all I can say so far is WOW. Brilliant.
March 29, 2020 Connie
Did anyone read Emma Smith’s op-ed in NYT today, “What Shakespeare teaches us about living in Pandemics?”
(link sent to a funny parody of "Staying Alive" called "Staying Inside" - will try to link it up)
Worth reading— after the dance party.
March 29, 2020 Christine
BTW - I think my favorite part of that music medley is the guitarist in his pajamas on the bed with his dog!
