Summer's comments (member since Dec 07, 2007)

Summer's comments from the Constant Reader group.

I FINALLY got my license last week! That was a ridiculously long wait.

I like this play. I might join you after a quick reread.

Gabrielle wrote: "Oh, for those who don't like Faulkner, please try his short stories first, especially "A Rose for Emily." It can be found online, I think and it's a true masterpiece."

I read that in school and I loved it. I forgot that was Faulkner.

Ulysses is the "best" book written in English. Does being unable to get through it make me a failure as a reader?

Newengland wrote: "It's weird to see James Joyce loathed in blanket form, considering that his work is so varied."

My two big "problem" authors are Joyce and Faulkner; perhaps because I have only attempted Ulysses and As I Lay Dying and both seemed to me as if I was reading books written in a language I couldn’t understand. I finished As I Lay Dying, lo though I was a mere sixteen at the time (that may have had something to do with it). I attempted Ulysses later, but didn’t even make it a quarter of the way through. I guess the thing they have in common is that they both contain dialect with which I am unfamiliar. Perhaps with some more years on me, I ought to give them both another try. Or better yet, try different works. Any suggestions?

There are other lauded authors whom I’ve read, but not thoroughly enjoyed, like Vonnegut and Heller. I figure those are due to a style issue, my simple mind, or the fact that I generally speed read. I kept getting confused and having to page back.

Steve wrote: "What then do you make of this ending statement?

She felt the pressure of his hand leave her thigh. She was knickerless. She was victorious. She was a truly modern female.

Is being knickerless somehow related to Gillian's feeling of being victorious?

She has not returned to her comfortable old tangas. She is now not wearing any underpants at all? What the hell is that all about?

What is the nature of her victory? Is her victory the fact that she has now earned some respect from Mr. Kip? Or is her victory the fact that she has now found the wherewithal to dump him?

How is she now a truly modern female?

Are these statements related to each other or not?"
Ahh, Steve, let's discuss the story and not professions of undergarment theories.

To me, being a “truly modern female” has to do with being comfortable in one’s own skin. At the finale of the story, of course, Gillian is not wearing underpants and is fully at ease with that. The story ends in this moment when she is feeling capable and content with herself, but I don’t think she’ll never wear underpants again. I think the victory was about herself and had little to do with Mr. Kip. Perhaps she will continue with him and perhaps not. With the power see-saw currently reversed, she may find Mr. Kip quite satisfactory. She may also slip back into old habits.

I think the statements are related because they are all about what she feels: physically, emotionally and her self-concept.

Also, it was me that said “women do this to themselves.” I will admit it is one of my shortcomings that I lose patience with the concept of low self-esteem. I can empathize with being aware of and insecure about one’s own flaws and weaknesses, but when it comes to allowing others to take advantage of them, it sets me on edge. I was glad that the story ended on a triumphant note.

Finally, I will certainly pardon your assumptions about why women in general select one style or fashion in under or outer garments. I can certainly not speak for all women of the world, but I know what I prefer is what increases my confidence, not diminishes it.

Yulia wrote: "(Summer, thanks for explaining the difference between a g-string and a thong, though I don't think either provides meaningful coverage.)"

You're welcome. I feel like I should post a disclaimer: I know someone who works for Victoria's Secret so I now know more about undergarments than necessary. At last, it has come in somewhat handy.

This story was humorous. It is silly that underwear trends in the US have swung back around to shapewear with the advent of “spanx” in the last few years. It is far sillier that there are trends for undergarments and personal grooming at all. I remain convinced that women do this to themselves. Jeanine calls the white briefs Gillian selected “passion killers.” The passion killer is Mr. Kip and no one else. He’s the one with all the affected nonsense. What was so fabulous about him that Gillian bought an expensive dress in a style that didn’t suit her? Umm…nothing. It is far better to be your own version of a truly modern female than someone else’s. As Gillian discovered, Mr. Kip, should she have any remaining use for him, paid her more attention after she freed and asserted herself.

Barbara wrote: "First of all, a g-string panty in England must be equivalent to the thong in the U.S."
A g-string may be synonymous with a thong elsewhere, but, in the states, a g-string is really stringy and a thong offers more coverage. If you care to do so, you can visit Victoria’s Secret website, click on panties, and see the difference between thongs and v-strings (as they call them). For the purpose of this story, the item in question must be a g-string.

You're welcome. I really enjoyed that interview. She's so lively.

Beej wrote: "Now, this is my quandary..do I go ahead and read 'Half Broke Horses' next as I has planned to do or do I hold off to see if it makes the reading list?"
I vote for reading it now. You can always make notes about things you would like to discuss.

Dottie wrote: "Steamed Moules (mussels) (This recipe says: the classic Belgian meal of moules-frites is a bowl of moules-mariniere and a plate of crispy Belgian fries with homemade mayonaise strongly flavored with mustard (NOT the normal Belgian mayo -- most Belgians I knew/met have plain mayo with theirs) and a fresh pintje of Belgian beer. I'd want a Corsendonk Pater!)

Moules Mariniere (RECIPE)"

Sounds heavenly!

Tonight we are having Irish stew and soda bread.

Here's a good interview about Half Broke Horses and how it turned out to be what she calls a "true-life novel."
http://www.wowowow.com/relationships/cal...

Dottie wrote: "Couldn't spend time in Belgium and NOT learn to like mussels, of course."

How are mussels prepared in Belgium?

Writer & Reader wrote: "I'm back on A Tale of Two Cities read by Simon Vance, after listening to The Secret Life of Bees, which was just a thrilling experience. I knew nothing about the book, and the reader is just excel..."

Sara, how is Tale of Two Cities holding up?

My libary system only has this A Tale of Two Cities and after listening to the sample, I find it's not likely the one for me.

Erin wrote: "I LOVE mussels! I could eat them all day ... I could eat them all day."

Your enthusiasm deserves quoting. Also, it made me feel less self-conscious about my blog-like blah blah my childhood makes me love shellfish post.

Gabrielle wrote: "I've never had mussels, but I do love oysters. My mother always made oyster dressing at Thanksgiving and Christmas and I loved it. In the South, I'd have fried oysters as well."

I've never had fried oysters or oyster dressing. I doubt a little fried food will hurt much.

To my mind, mussels are like the red meat of shellfish, oysters are buttery and rich, and clams are the mildest of the three. The texture of mussels is fuller, more fibrous. Oysters and clams are smoother.

Ruth wrote: "That recipe looks good, Summer. It's similar to a soup I make with mussels. I'll try it next time I see mussels in the market."

It was good, but the red pepper is probably too much for some palates. Use your discretion.

My grandparents had a summer home on an island when I was small. (They eventually moved there full time after my grandfather retired and my grandmother still lives there.) I was the only grandchild until I was nearly eight years old. They went out to dinner and dancing every Saturday night. The upshot of this was that they took with them when I was visiting. From the time I was two years old, I ordered my own dinner: jumbo shrimp cocktail, one dozen clams on the half shell, and a Shirley Temple. I don't know if it’s altogether advisable to give a toddler raw shellfish, but it seemed to agree with me.

I didn't have oysters until much later, but I love them. They are different, of course, as are mussels. The digging out of shells is what groups them together. Seeing them in a more natural state than most of what we eat, not butchered, skinned and deboned. Grasping the shells and ripping the meat free. It’s quite satisfying, a sort of primeval pleasure.

Don't deny yourself, Sherry! The broth is pretty hearty. If it's the texture of mussels (and not the taste) your husband dislikes, just serve it to him over rice or something. More mussels for you!

I made this last night: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/v...

Boy was it tasty! It was my first time preparing mussels, but it wasn't too hard to get them clean.
Here are some tips on mussel cleaning, FYI: http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Cleaning-Mus...

For the toast, I had a loaf of homemade herb bread which worked out great.

My view, especially after having been to see the author speak, is that persons are largely responsible for their own choices. Persons can overcome a dark childhood, perhaps in equal rates of those who have had a nurturing childhood turn criminal activity. Certainly, there are advantages to good nutrition and other things these children were lacking. In addition, there were many times these parents thrust, or permitted, a more adult role than the child was ready for. I loaned my book out, but here are some recollections from memory: Jeanette was burned as a result of cooking her own hot dog as a preschooler. Her father stole money from them and ruined the family’s property. Her mother hid food from the children and didn’t share it. Her father took her along with him to seduce and con a man in a bar when she was still very young. Her mother had a teaching job for a short time and Jeanette tried to parcel out the money. Basically, her whole life the parent-child roles were reversed. That fits the definition of dysfunction: loose parent-child boundaries.

What I admire about Jeanette Walls is that she did not allow her unfortunate childhood to define her. Her attitude is refreshing and inspiring. I thought during my first reading of the book that either it was an embellished story or she was in denial. After seeing her appearance and rereading the book, I now think that she acknowledges, but doesn’t focus on, the negative aspects of anything. Her success has come through her own perseverance. That is something persons with a more privileged childhood occasionally fail to grasp.

Also, I would point out that the youngest daughter didn't become what society generally views as a success and mostly rejected her siblings’ efforts to provide more stability and security.

Here is a link to an earlier discussion: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1246...

I like her voice. I look forward to reading Half-Broke Horses. (I used to read her gossip column, too.) I highly recommend seeing her in person. Her personality just fills up a room.

Gabrielle wrote: "I love berries, so I'd love to use berries."

If you like berries (and chocolate) and are up for a not press in tart crust, try this recipe:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/v...

It was delicious!

Ruth wrote: "So I'm glad of this press-in recipe."

It was super easy and it tasted good, too.

Gabrielle wrote: "On, that looks delicious! If the store still has raspberries (which I doubt), I'm going to make that one, counter space or no counter space."

The brown butter filling was pretty neutral. I think it would work with just about any fruit that's on hand. I used apples. Citrus and melons might be a crazy, but berries, pears and any of the stone fruits would probably work.

I recently made a variation of this recipe to use up apples I had on hand.

http://hungrybruno.blogspot.com/2009/05/...

Tart crusts can be a pain with chilling and rolling and all, but this is a press in tart crust and you don't need to it weigh down when you bake it. I used four winesap apples instead of the raspberries. I adapted the recipe to suit the apples by substituting rum extract for the vanilla extract and adding some cinnamon to the brown butter filling. It came out fantastic. The proof: My grandmother (who usually skips dessert) had two pieces!