Older but Wilder: More Notes from the Pasture

Fairacres #3

by Effie Leland Wilder, Laurie Allen Klein (Illustrator)

Tells in journal format more stories of Hattie McNair's experiences and adventures in a South Carolina retirement community

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Adult, Adult Fiction, Chick Lit, Christian Fiction

178 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked it up on a lark from the community sharing library (a small box outside the club house in the lakeside community where we are now summering). While it's labeled "another short novel," I gave up around p. 90 of 175. Too cloying for my taste. I'm thankful to know several octogenarians (and older) who are more engaged with the contemporary world than the author and her characters seem to be.

[Kristen Hungness Hedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very cute and very entertaining.

[Victoria Grusing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful book. So many of her thoughts coincided with my way of thinking so it was supportive to me. I enjoyed the laughs and the silly jokes. It made living in a care facility sound as I hoped one would be; but realize that few of them are. However, it just takes the right residents with the right attitudes to make it the best it could be. I know she is probably gone now; but wish I could thank her.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another delightful and funny book by Effie Leland Wilder, who lived in a retirement community and wrote her first book at 85! Since this is #3 in the series, I'm sure she was pushing 90 when she wrote this one.

Written in 1988 and Effie being from the south and two generations from me, there were terms I were unfamiliar with, such as "carpetbaggers". I had to google to see what that meant.

Another thing I was unfamiliar with was a "hair-receiver". The women were talking about their mother's "bureau set", Christine explains:
"There was a little crystal bowl with a silver top. I think they called it a "hair-receiver." They save the hair that came out of the comb and put it in the bowl. When you had enough strands of hair saved you had a "rat" made out of them. That was a coil of hair that you could use on top of your head, or to make the bun bigger on the back of your neck."

Some hilarious favourites I've pulled from the book:

Another conversation between Christine and some residents:
"I wish you could have been at breakfast this morning. Poor Susan was flakier than ever. She got up to go after another cup of coffee, and we saw right away that something was wrong. There were two lumps sticking out from her dress, in the back, up high. She had put her bra on backwards!"

There's many, but here's another:

Every night the residents are given an apple with their "supper". Sitting around the table one evening, Lucius shares a story:
"When I was a young boy I thought apples were the most beautiful things in the world. Then a few years later, I discovered girls, and I thought they were the most beautiful things in the world...Now I'm 84, and I'm back to apples."

And here's another funny one: When a couple of the residents stole the recently hung "Ole Pukey Face" portrait picture over the mantel in the dining room, because the residents really missed the original painting of "water lilies in a Lowcountry pond complete with cypress trees and two egrets hovering over the quiet scene", and wanted it hung back up. The fact that they got away with it was brilliant.

I'm on a hunt to find the last two books in the series.

[Phyllis Barlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. This is the third book I've read in this series. The first two I bought from Guideposts when they were first published. I added them to my bookshelf and...forgot about them until last year. I read and enjoyed them also, but my biggest regret is that I didn't read them when I first got them so I could have told Mrs. Wilder how much I liked them. Sadly she passed away in 2007, one month before her 98th birthday.
I realize their is a "sweet spot" on age of readers who will enjoy these stories. My 18 year old granddaughter thought they were boring, my 89 year old mother thought it was depressing and refused to read after the first one. I'm 69 and thought they were great!!
I saw a review from one reader who mentioned she was glad the older people she knows are more "with it" but what you need to remember is, these books were written in the eighties and nineties by a woman who was IN her eighties and nineties.
These were written before the age of cell phones, computers and Google. Yes, I know that computers and cell phones were coming on the scene in those days, but someone in their eighties and nineties would not have been exposed to them.
I couldn't help but laugh about her mentioning calling her son when the rates went down. One because I was a telephone operator for years and was very familiar with "waiting for the rates to go down" and remembering when family members would wait for the lowest rates to place a call.
If you like books with mild humor and reminiscences of times gone by, and just like to read about older people who still have zest for life, you will like this book.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I surprisingly liked this book, even though it was in a form of a journal/diary, I found it very likable.

I liked that it took in place in The Home with elderly instead of teenagers. I didn’t skip any pages like usual expect for the ending a little bit. :/

I actually felt a connection between Miss Hattie and Paul and I love little Amanda. 🥺

I recommend this book for people looking for a simple book with not weird usages of words.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the first two books better. This one seemed too short - more jokes and less depth and character development. It did make me laugh and that is a reason I will read the rest of the books Effie Wilder has writen.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series!!

[Tony Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

If someone had told me I would enjoy reading a series of books about life in a retirement community...I wouldn't have believed them! Eye-opening and funny...an enjoyable series to read.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A continuation of the stories from “The Home.” Funny stories and memories.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hilarious and so relatable to anyone who is retired. I want to read everything this author has written.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been enjoying this series. It's about days gone by and written by an elderly lady in the late 90's. The stories of her and her friends give a smile.

[Bless Your Memory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 and a series of 5.

Southern living said laughter prevails throughout the diary of this engaging matriarch, and its infectious humor, and love of life.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun story of a lady and her friends in a retirement home. I really enjoyed the sweet memories and anecdotes. The illustrations are delightful!

[Ken Bickley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful 'fictional' account of life in a retirement home. Effie Leland Wilder wrote her first book ("Out To Pasture") at the age of 85 (after moving into a retirement home herself), and wrote several more before she died at the age of 97. I look forward to reading everything she wrote.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fast funny read, Hattie is a lively get up and go lady. She seems to be the ringleader for all the escapades that happen at "the home" as she calls it. She has a heart of gold and is willing to help anyone from a little third grader to an elderly man that needs an new suit. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, now on to the fourth one in the series.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series grows on you. Gotta like the 'senior citizens' show accept what their long life has broought nad still enjoy the living of that life, sad, bad, and in-between moments along with the rest.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series of books are truly designed for a mature audience, as in old enough to appreciate the memories shared throughout this and the two preceding books. I look forward to sharing with my mother, SS class members and choir. Renews one's faith in humanity.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another entertaining story by Effie Wilder. The previous books were more impelling. I appreciate the work of an elderly, educated female. She sets an example for us all.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, sweet, believable, funny

[Roxie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Effie Wilder has her finger on the pulse of elder life. Her wit and spicy truths may turn heads but will always delight and entertain. Thoroughly enjoyed this quick read.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuation of Fairacres retirement home. Their efforts to raise $$ for an indoor pool

[Susan Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Effie Wilder is funny and warm hearted. I love her books

[Cws]

F Wil

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick reading fun book.