How I ended my year: 2019

Last Friday Mark and I went downtown for lunch and to take in the Wisconsin Triennial at MMoCA. We also made a quick stop at Half Price Books to look for a used copy of Susan Orleans' "The Library," the next book our group is reading. The library hold list was so long we decided buying a copy made more sense. While at Half Price I found a treasure from my youth: "A Little Maid of Boston" by Alice Turner Curtis.

I splurged and spent $5.00 for a 1954 hardcover copy. I wanted to see if these little books were as good — and as history filled — as I remembered. I devoured every title in this series as a kid and was impressed as an adult with all the factual info it contained, with few explanations of words a child would be unlikely to know. I am convinced that my love (and knowledge) of American history came from these books. I've always claimed that was the case but finding one of the books and reading it now, convinced me I am right.

I've been waiting three months for my name to get to the top of the hold list for a copy of this book (above). Definitely worth the wait. I picked it up Saturday morning after meeting friends for coffee and finished it late Sunday evening. Here's my take:

Goldsmith's book reminded me of "Say Nothing," another book about a kidnapping and disappearance that is at the center of each story. Yet, in both instances, it is all the other stories, facts, fictions, hidden history and politics that make these books worth reading. The author's stepfather, Chuckie OBrien, was Jimmy Hoffa's driver, go-fer, delivery guy and a young man who Hoffa treated more fondly than he did his own son. This was a page-turner since one obviously wants to find out what happened to Hoffa. By the time I reached the end of the book, those answers had paled compared to what I discovered about the mob, illegal government surveillance, family love and loyalty. Alas, it's the kind of story that made me very unhappy and even more disillusioned in my government. Still, a great read. 

I spent Monday baking cookies (Meini, Italian corneal "coins," above) for our annual New Year's Day brunch and today I'll work on the main dishes. It snowed a couple of inches overnight so it looks and feels like December. 

Have a safe and happy holiday. See you in 2020!

Comments

[Kristin]

I'm not sure I want to feel even more disappointed in my government, but...if you really recommend it...Happy New Year!

[Barbara H.]

What Kristin said about government, though I probably won't read it - sticking to light reading right now. Best wishes for a wonderful new year to you and Mark.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

These books sound like good reads. The cookies look yummy. It is finally cold here. The wind is blowing and blowing and blowing. Winter is finally here. No snow to take away the sting of all the wind and cold temps. Enjoy your tradition of inviting in the new year. Cheers.

[Kris P]

Like Barbara and Kristin, I'm hovering too close to total depression over national - and international - politics to dive into the subject during the evenings when I sit down to relax with a book. After finishing "Notes from an Exhibition" by Patrick Gale on the impact of mental illness on a family, I've buried myself in one of Elinor Lipman's books, "The Family Man," which offers much lighter fare.

Best wishes for a wonderful New Year's gathering! Those cookies look scrumptious.

[Tracy]

"Say Nothing" was a good read. these cookies look great. Would you post the recipe?

[Beth@PlantPostings]

It's always good to read interesting books no matter what. Sounds like your NY Eve has been pleasant. The cookies look tasty. Happy New Year!

[Loree / danger garden]

Sounds like a good wrap on the year! Here's to a wonderful 2020...

[Josie P]

I see that the end of 2019 was really nice for you! I love cooking so if I have free time I spend it in my kitchen. The most rewarding it is to use what I have grown in my garden to cook. On New Years eve I did a party in my house so I decided to prepare some dishes on my own. For the first time I did a cake with cantaloupe which seeds I got from https://gardenseedsmarket.com/cantaloupe-melba-orange-thick-and-aromatic-flesh-90-seeds.html . I have grown it quite long and I had to provide it very tough conditions but my friends were really excited by the fact that I have grown this fruit on my own.