Beautiful Old Broads celebrate birthdays

Dear Ones,

No post this week.   This is my birthday week and I'm eating birthday cake.  Chocolate of course!

Hope you're all eating cake too.

I've had so many wonderful responses to my blog...thank you all.

Patti

Beautiful Old Broads are children of the universe

Hello Dear Ones,

Do you believe in signs?  Me.  Of course I do.  I’m Irish aren’t I?  So when this worn copy of an old essay fell off my bulletin board while I was looking for something else, I knew it was meant for re-reading and sharing with you.  Perhaps you’ve heard it but it bears repeating.  I love the last part that reads be gentle with yourself.  You are a child of the universe.  Enjoy!

The following  found in Old Saint Paul’s Church in Baltimore and dated 1692 is as applicable to achieving happiness today as when it was written.

            Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence.  As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.  Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

            Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.  If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.  Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

            Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.  Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.  But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere life is full of heroism.

            Be yourself.  Especially do not feign affection.  Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is perennial as the grass.

            Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.  Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune, but do not distress yourself with imaginings.  Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

            Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.  You are a child of the universe; no less than the trees and the stars, you have a right to be here.  And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

            Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be and whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul for it is a beautiful world.    Strive to be happy   

Beautiful Old Broads find some summer reads

Hello Dear Ones,

As almost every paper and magazine has a column on beach books, I decided to add my suggestions to the many grains of sand out there and after writing a book review column for years for the Kerrville Times, I know readers like short reviews.  So here goes. 

First up, “Transatlantic”, by Colum McCann

Not a frothy chic flic by any means.  Anchored at both ends by the historic first non-stop flight across the Atlantic in 1919, this book is a sail through a century of Irish and American history.  Three different stories are braided together following four generations of women.  Complex, but once you get your sea legs, it’s a mesmerizing journey.

Next book is “The Crane Wife” by Patrick Ness.  I confess I haven’t read this novel (I’m on the wait list at the library) but it’s been recommended by a BOB (also a favorite niece) who is a discerning reader.  Based on a Japanese folk tale, the author has updated it to present day London where a crane lands in the main character’s garden to start the story.

One of my favorites, “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry”, by Rachel Joyce, is a perfect read summer or winter.  When sadsack, meek, henpecked Harold pops out the door to mail a letter strange things unfold.  No one, especially his wife Maureen, anticipates a 627 mile journey across England to make a connection with his old dying friend, Queenie.  Surprises await at every mile.  Discovery, fulfillment, humor, love—what a journey.  You’ll be uplifted…and transported.  And how nice is it to have oldies for main characters?

Whew!  When I heard Elizabeth Gilbert had a new book out, I wasn’t interested.  Her last memoir, “Eat, Pray, Love” gave me indigestion.  Lucky I overcame my distaste and checked out “The Signature of All Things” or I would have missed one of the best books of the year.  Born in 1800, Alma Whittaker is the daughter of one of the richest men in the world.  She has a lonely childhood on a huge estate outside of Philadelphia and grows into a curious and bright young woman who is fascinated with growing things; mosses in particular.  Like the mosses Alma treasures, this story moves slowly and concentrates on the small events until Alma falls in love and discovers her emotions.  This is a glorious sweeping book that transposes you to another time and place.

Two more suggestions: “The Aviator’s Wife”, by Melanie Benjamin is a rich historical novel about the Lindbergh’s 40 year marriage.  An intimate picture of Anne and her struggle to fit in with her high flying husband. 

Last suggestion is “The Art of Fielding”, by Chad Harbach.  This is a baseball novel…sort of.  It does start and end with baseball but in between pages are packed with a love story, a campus story, and so much more.  I liked the setting on the shores of a Great Lake.

            “Writers keep staring at nothing until they write something.”