Friends and Books

It was so nice to get a call from my wonderful friend, Crystal P., inviting me out to lunch at the Blue Rooster. She also invited Virginia L. We had a great time talking and eating. Crystal wants to adopt my mother and vice versa. She was also Eve's preschool teacher.

:::::::Book Reviews::::::



What a thoroughly endearing and funny man is Major Ernest Pettigrew of Edgecombe. His love of honor and civility is needled by a son who lives only for "The Deal" and keeping up with the proverbial Joneses. Major Pettigrew's strikes up a friendship with Mrs. Ali. Both he and Mrs. Ali are widowers with a love for literature. Other side characters give wonderful texture to this story that unfolds very nicely. The thread that ties the story from beginning to end is the pair of Churchill guns. The plausible storyline of the animosity between brothers over a separated pair of guns is brought to an odd conclusion at the end of the story. The contrived ending that included a psychotic, knitting needle wielding lady threw the tone of the book quite off for me. Don't get me wrong, this book is very well crafted with only a miss step in a side story line. The relationship that develops between Mrs. Ali and the Major is engaging. The devolving relationship between the Major's son, Roger and his fiancee is also interesting. The commentary on how different races treat each other and the rampant classicism is treated on just the right note. I also was very fond of Gertrude who is a wonderful friend to the major.
What a gem of a book!



This book is a well prepared recipe of characters. The separate chapters that explain each character in the cooking class is intriguing. Each character acts as the just the right ingredient that combines into a superb final dish. In a brief book there is so much depth. A delightful read!


::::::::::::Drama Club:::::::

Rachel was excited to tell us that she was selected to be a member of the middle school Drama Club. She said there are about 20 members. I think she also said that some of her friends are members too. Julia, Sabrina and Brenna are the names I can think of now.

Later!