We just met for our April book club this week at Morgyn’s
Yogurt place on Main Street. We had a good attendance welcoming back Becky from
her winter in Florida, and a potential new member, Cori Futcher! Also in
attendance were Barb D., Barb K., Cheryl, Ginnie, Lori, and myself.
The venue was very quaint for an ice cream parlor, but
seating was awkward for discussion and the loud oldies music made it difficult
to hear one another. In addition, we decided that we need more of a menu for
those of us who are arriving directly from work and need real food. Our plan is
to enjoy garden/patio parties starting in May at Ginnie’s, in June at my house,
July at Cheryl’s, and I believe Becky volunteered for August (Becky, let me
know if I’m wrong). I think we all can use the fresh air and sunshine after
being locked up for 6 months (except for you Becky; no one should show up at
book club flaunting a dark tan - emphasized by the angora pink sweater and
white pearls - after the rest of us have recently just suffered the torment of a long
winter!).
Yes, three of us remembered to wear pink with pearls. “If
you want to glow like you’re lit from within, CeeCee, wear pearls and a pale
pink sweater,” said CeeCee’s mother in our book Saving CeeCee Honeycutt. Well, Ginnie and Becky glowed, but I
surely didn’t. I was coming down with stomach flu that evening of which I’m
still laying here at home trying to kick. Certainly, brighter days are ahead as
we all blossom along with the spring flowers and find our “fires” reignite with
the promise of summer. As CeeCee recalls
of her mother, “Just when I thought she’d never smile again, spring came. When
the lilacs bloomed in great, fluffy waves of violet, Momma went outside and cut
bouquets…she painted her fingernails bright pink, fixed her hair, and slipped
into a flowery-print dress.” Good tips for all of us!
The author Beth Hoffman’s first novel, we all agreed was
weak in plot development but richly embedded with words of wisdom. A great
beach read, we decided, Saving CeeCee
Honeycutt can provide the languishing sunbather with lively characters and heartfelt
moments. It is a book about friendship, stated Barb K. In it are the unlikely
relationships that CeeCee, a child, develops as a result of her difficult
circumstances. After her mother is killed, CeeCee learns that her Life Book is
not completed, she must “turn the page so a new chapter can begin.” And begin
it does in Savannah, Georgia! There CeeCee meets more friends than she ever
dreamed she could.
“I’ll tell you something, Cecelia Rose. Northerners are
exactly like their weather – cold and boring. And I swear, none of them has one
iota of etiquette or propriety.” CeeCee didn’t understand her mother’s words
until she was able to experience southern hospitality for herself. When she is
taken in by her great Aunt Tootie in her lavish Georgian home, CeeCee finally begins
to heal after the tragic loss of her mother. It was after Tootie’s neighbor Mrs.
Goodpepper explained that camellias couldn’t survive above the Mason Dixon
Line, they needed warmth to thrive and bloom that CeeCee wondered if her mother
was the same way, Camille Sugarbaker Honeycutt. Like her flower name sake, “She
was geographically doomed,” thought CeeCee. Relocating from Savannah to Ohio
would kill anyone! Our club discussed the finer points of southern kindness as
opposed to our harsher northern temperaments.
Quoting Lori -but excuse my use of the vulgar reference, “The north
(Butler) is a SHIT hole!” however, most accurately stated.
I think we are all sappy for the south right now, because
I don’t know about you, but I can smell the magnolias. “…magnolia blossoms
smell so delicious they’ll make your heart ache.” There are a wealth of quotes
in Hoffman’s book that peak our yearning for the lazy days of a southern
lifestyle from the description of Aunt Tootie’s lovely gardens, “mounds of
creamy-white flowers billowed over the edge of the brick patio like runaway
soapsuds” to the description of her grand home “… made of stucco and painted
the color of lemonade, was three stories tall and had lots of arched windows.” Our club decided that Hoffman should have
included pictures of some of the old historical homes of Savannah to compliment
our imagery of the setting. Although, Becky was lucky enough to stop in
Savannah on her return trip from Florida! Now, that is what we call an
“extension” activity after reading a novel!
The most thought provoking quote for me from the book,
however, is stated by Aunt Tootie when she explains to CeeCee that she needs to
find her fire. “Everyone needs to find the one thing that brings out her
passion. It’s what we do and share with the world that matters.” After months
of severe winter depression, I feel my fire is lost. I did have it, but it has
been gone for, oh, close to 180 days. Although, Aunt Tootie adds, “Life will
offer us amazing opportunities, but we’ve got to be wide-awake to recognize
them.” Maybe I’ve been sleeping. I don’t know, but like Aunt Tootie says,
“…you’ve got to find your fire, sugar. You’ll never be fulfilled if you don’t.”
Lori says my fire is yoga. I do love yoga, but I desperately need an ashram
retreat in the mountains to reunite with my fire again!
Our next book club will meet at 6 PM on Wednesday, May 20,
at Ginnie’s house. The book we will be discussing is titled Rosie’s Project by Graeme Simsion.
Humorous fiction, Rosie’s Project,
according to NPR, works because it will charm you with the sweet geekiness of
the main character geneticist Don Tillman as he searches for the perfect mate
the scientific way. I don’t know what we are getting into with this one girls,
it sounds edgy, sharp, quick witted, yet heartwarming. Join the club to share your opinions and
thoughts on Graeme’s fresh take on romance. Maybe even enjoy a Long Island iced
tea while we’re at it!
Yours in reading,
Tammy
