Reading and cooking

Just finished The Mermaid Chair this afternoon. Hard going through parts of it, mainly because it's so raw.  There's some swearing that seems to fit where it is---I tend to flinch with some talk in books...must be my upbringing that was/is easily shocked at certain things/behaviors.  But that's okay to be like that.  Proper decorum is a good thing, I'm thinking.  Trying to get past the tendency to be judgmental, but not being too awfully successful at it.  I have to remember that folks do stuff that would never enter my mind, but that's not a reason to be brutal in my criticism.  And to her credit, Kidd does have a knack for writing very soothing sentences.  She uses the phrase 'daily graces' in part of the story, talking about the mundane and routine things folks take for granted.  I like that.

I found many quotes that just seemed to fit.  And while I thought parts of the story a bit over the top---a monk about to take vows easily going into a relationship with a woman, who also is able to turn her back (albeit temporarily) on a 20 year marriage---seemed a bit unlikely, or maybe just so in the circles I find myself in.  Maybe I'm naive.  Okay, that's a given.  I am naive.

And have several books to look forward to.  I have a review copy to read of To Heaven and Back by Dr. Mary C. Neal that came today in the mail, about her near death experience, and just ordered a used copy of The Tortoise and the Hare by Elizabeth Jenkins. Looks dishy in its British cozy sort of way. Alison at Brocante Home recommended it, and she suggests the best reads. Also, oldest daughter is picking up a book for me at the library that's on hold...Nancy Mitford's The Pursuit of Love & Love in a Cold Climate : Two Novels.  Hope I enjoy them as much as the folks have who've written reviews.

Must go now.  There's chicken soup to put together and thinking of pairing it with hoecake.  Have never made that, but with the oven still acting in an unbecoming fashion, have turned into quite the resourceful 'on the stovetop' type of cook.  Take care.