March Book Club: A Gate at the Stairs

A Gate at the Stairs
by Lorrie Moore

A Gate at the Stairs follows Tassie Keltjin from her family's Midwestern farm into her first year of college. She falls in love with intensely studying obscure things (like yoga and wine and suffrage). She falls in love with a man she is sure is Brazilian. She gets a job. She questions the liberal town in which she lives. She gets a roommate. She watches her brother leave to fight "the war on terror."

I started this in November, reading and re-reading the first quarter to enjoy the language and the slow pace. I lounged through the next part over a few months, still enjoying the language but wanting something to actually happen. I sped through the last quarter in a single flight simultaneously wanting action and dreading what might happen next. It certainly wasn't a smooth or quick read.

I enjoyed the words and description, although it was sometimes a bit repetitive. I really enjoyed the descriptions of what could only be Wisconsin--farm towns, supper clubs, the culture of Madison.

My book club was split on this, but I also really enjoyed Tassie. She thought complicated, eloquent thoughts but acted naive, ridiculous at times. She was selfish and moody but also responsible and in need of companionship. I thought it was a realistic portrayal of what it's like to move away from everyone and everything you know - trying new things, discovering who you are. Others in the group thought she was just selfish and inconsistent and found the character difficult to relate to.

A Gate at the Stairs is not a beach read or a real great airport book. It's more the kind of book that lingers on your coffee table - great for snuggling up with when you want to slow down and think.

I am interested to try some of Lorrie Moore's short stories. I think I might enjoy her description and narrative even more in a shorter form.

A very special ONE

There aren't a whole lot of people to whom I can say, "I've known you all your life." (Imagine me saying that in my very best Granny voice.) Mirielle is one of those people.



Happy birthday to one of the most special and brave and musical little girls I have the great fortune of knowing.



And, congratulations to Justin and Em for not just surviving but also enjoying their first year of being parents. I am honored to know two people so committed to raising a child that is kind and responsible and funny and fabulous.



One year ago.

Meal Plan

Apparently, someone is concerned I've fallen off the blogging wagon. No need to worry. There's just been lots going on. Unfortunately, I don't think it's the lots you really want to hear about.

So, I'll leave you with a meal plan that started Sunday.



Sunday breakfast:
Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Sunday lunch:
Pasta Fagioli Soup (recipe recommended by Josie)

Sunday snack:
Oatmeal Cookies with Nuts, Raisins, and Chocolate Chips

Sunday dinner:
Nicky's Lasagna (enjoyed with the B.'s)

Monday dinner:
Thai-style Basil Chicken

Tuesday dinner:
BBQ Chicken Pizza

Wednesday dinner:
Fusilli with Artichokes and Sausage

Thursday dinner:
Stroganoff Hamburger Helper

Friday - Saturday all meals:
Celebrating Mirielle's first birthday

Sunday:
Dinner and Little House on the Prairie with Stephanie

I made stuff

That's right. I actually got out paper and pictures and scissors and glue and made stuff.

I used a Stephanie Howell page and sketch as inspiration for this one.



Studio Calico February 2010 Kit, Cardstock (Bazzill), Embellishments (Chipboard frames - American Crafts, Buttons - Sassafras, Paper ribbon - Making Memories), Ink (Tim Holtz), Letters (American Crafts), Patterned paper (Basic Grey, My Minds Eye, Sassafras, Scenic Route), Pen (American Crafts), Punch (Fiskars)

And, I used a Susan Weinroth page and sketch as inspiration for this one.



Studio Calico January 2010 kit, Flowers (Sassafras), Cardstock (Bazzill), Journaling card (Studio Calico), Letters (October Afternoon, Vintage), Patterned paper (American Crafts, Basic Grey, My Minds Eye), Punch (Fiskars), Stickers (Studio Calico), Unknown (embroidery floss, stick pink)

This is the last stuff I made. . . in January. I finally got around to taking some pictures of it to share it with you.

I was thinking about this when I made this. I think. Otherwise, I was thinking about a different Ali Edwards's page.

And, I'm sure I lifted this from somewhere. I just can't remember where. January was a long time ago.



Brads (Basic Grey), Digital Elements (Cathy Zielske for Designer Digitals), Ink (Staz On), Labels (Jenni Bowlin), Patterned paper (Basic Grey, Sassfras), Stamps (Hero Arts), Pen (American Crafts)



Brad (Basic Grey), Cardstock (Bazzill), Digital Elements (Ali Edwards for Designed Digitals), Journaling card (Sassafras), Label (October Afternoon), Patterned paper (October Afternoon, Pink Paislee), Pen (American Crafts), Punch (Fiskars), Unknown (gems)

Meal Plan

Friday isn't my normal meal planning and grocery shopping day, but I decided to use my day off to get ahead on "chores" and really be able to enjoy the weekend.

Friday:
Shrimp Scampi

Saturday:
Spaghetti
(Secret recipe from a friend)

Sunday lunch:
Broccoli and Leek Soup
Chicken Caesar Sandwiches

Sunday dinner:
Jambalaya
Cheddar Garlic Biscuits

Monday:
Tacos (Brad's in charge)

Tuesday:
Tomato Risotto
Salmon

Wednesday:
Thai Basil Chicken

Thursday:
Left-overs

Friday:
I'm at a concert. Brad's on his own.

What I Read: War Dances

Plane rides and sitting in airports and drinking coffee while eating beignets gave me plenty of time to read over the past few days.

This book has been sitting on my shelf since December. My first Sherman Alexie was Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. My most recent was The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian. I loved them both - especially The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian. Alexie writes things that are truthful and funny and brutal, things that make me think about a life different than my own.



War Dances
by Sherman Alexie

That's what I went into this collection of short stories and poetry expecting - something funny and truthful and hard to read at times. It met my expectations, especially "Breaking and Entering," "War Dances," and "The Ballad of Paul Nonetheless." Other stories, though, were just too abstract and thought-provoking for me (like "Salt" and "Fearful Symmetry").

I'm glad I read it, but I prefer Alexie's novel-length writing. My next read will be Flight.

New Orleans

I stayed at the beautiful and historic Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street. It's where the conference was, so the choice (a great one!) was made for me.


My first "taste" of New Orleans was cafe au lait and beignets at Cafe du Monde. It's possible that I may have indulged in cafe au lair and beignets every day of my stay.




There was evidence of the Saints big victory everywhere. Turns out even Joan of Arc is a fan.


There was plenty of what I considered to be stereo-typical Mardi Gras New Orleans. There were even still beads hanging from many of the trees, balconies, and street signs.



The buildings were beautiful. There were lots of little details that I learned about on a historical tour on Friday morning. It's just so different from any other neighborhood I've seen.







I wandered around the French Market for awhile on Thursday afternoon. It was different than I expected. I had Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia and the French Market in Chicago on my mind.


After I ate beignets for lunch on Thursday I decided to have a muffalatta for dessert. It wasn't really part of my plan; I just wandered into this amazing Italian grocery store on Decatur, saw the sign, and couldn't resist.







I didn't manage to listen to nearly as much music as I wanted to, but it was fun to wander around and see bands and singers and musicians on every corner.



Lunch on Friday - a shrimp po' boy. Not nearly as good as I wanted it to be.


I spent a lot of time on Friday just wandering. I took the street car down St. Charles to the Garden District. The homes were amazing! I hadn't planned on stopping at a cemetery but came across LaFayette Cemetery in my wanderings and decided to stop.


Friday night and Saturday were all about learning, but Saturday night there was a parade for St. Joseph's Day, which is, apparently, the Italian answer to St. Patrick's Day. It was - by far - the best people watching I did!

I loved seeing these ladies - a start contrast to so many of the young, beaded, barely-dressed ladies elsewhere on the street.


Then there were these ladies. . . the one on the left appeared to be the mom. The girl is her daughter. The boy is her son. The two older men stopped the women (who were part of what was, apparently, a multi-generational dance club) to hit on the daughter. The mom encouraged it, and the son was supposed to be providing security. The whole scene made me a little sad.



Anyway, here are some general shots from the parade. Look closely at the one with the saint and the baby (maybe it's Jesus?). You can see squad lights in the reflection.










Some of my favorite meals were with people I work with. I didn't want to seem like the weirdo I really am I did not take my pictures of what I ate for dinner. Here's a few links, though, and some idea of what I chose from the menu. You'll just have to imagine.


K-Paul's
Fried Green Tomatoes with Shrimp Caper Dill Remoulade
Blackened Twin Beef Tenders with Debris
Chocolate Hill
Magnolia Lemonade
Sidecar

Palace Cafe
Crabmeat Cheesecake
Barbecued Shrimp (heads included)
Andouille Crusted Fish
White Chocolate Bread Pudding
Bananas Foster
Lime Daiquiri

And, as if this isn't a monster-enough post. . . here's a little about what I learned.
Presentation by Students at the Center
Keynote by Elizabeth Birr Moje
A framework for secondary reading intervention that makes sense

Whew. I'm exhausted just from talking about all that. One more hour to sit at the airport before my final flight of the day. My quiet, conservative, WI bed is calling my name.

The Girl Loves Shoes

I only have three pairs of pants that fit, and this morning I ripped a hole in one of them and was forced to wear the same pants to work today that I wore to work yesterday because my other pair of pants was on the bottom of one of the many piles of clothes on my bedroom floor. I thought about calling in sick because of said dilemma but decided that wasn't the responsible thing to do.

So, after work I embarked on my third attempt at shopping in the past month. Why is every store filled with ridiculous things like neon t-shirts and leggings and suspenders and loud prints? And, the problem isn't that I'm shopping in the junior section. The 80s have invaded every department in every store. Not a single one of my favorite shopping haunts have escaped the horror that is current fashion. Seriously. Is a nice pair of pants and a simple cardigan and maybe a cute necklace too much to ask for?!!?

Tonight I sucked up my last once of pride and tried some new places. At one point I was actually forced to say, "I'm looking for something that fits and doesn't make me look like I'm 90 years old and weigh 300 pounds."

I ended up with two outfits (Talbots and Cold Water Creek) both involving a scarf and two pairs of new shoes! I'm especially excited about the shoes. It's been awhile.



Now I just need a pedicure. . . .

Gone Wrong

The meal plan for the week has already been thrown out the window.

Stressful day = pizza and beer for dinner