Our book group has really grown on me. A group of ten women, many of them retired public school teachers, have been meeting once a month for ages. I joined them maybe 7 or 8 years ago. We have mourned losses, celebrated successes, brought one another “covered dishes” in times of stress and we met via Zoom through Vermont’s very strict pandemic lockdown. We share recipes and gardening advice. I’ve read books I would not have read on my own. I gave many a thumbs up, but there were some real thumbs down too! :-) And can we put together a feast! Each month we share a potluck supper based on the book we have read that month. The warm circle of friendship we create each month feels like sanctuary to me.
In August we read Inside Out and Back Again, by Thanhhà Lai, a wonderful, quick read. In a young adult novel, Lai describes the journey of a young Vietnamese girl who flees to America at the fall of Saigon. Written in free verse, I wanted the story to go on and on.
In September, we decided to follow up Lai’s book with The Women, by Kristin Hannah. A wee bit predictable in places, it still held my attention. The story of Frankie, the heroine, pulls readers into the lives of nurses who served in Vietnam and their lives after they returned stateside. “There were no women in Vietnam” was the official propaganda. But of course, there were. No matter which generation you grew up in, this book will open your eyes to a turbulent time in US history.
Did you know this is Banned Books Week? All Boys Are Not Blue, by George M Johnson has been on my “want to read list” for ages. It’s the second most banned book in America right now. And it is a godsend to any young person wondering about who they are. I give it five stars.
I also read The Rachel Incident, by Caroline O’Donoghue. One of my younger friends declared it one of her top three favorite books of 2023. I really enjoyed it, and my mind is still tossing around some of the choices made by characters in the story. There’s a lot to ponder in this novel.
Our town sponsors several book groups, a few are hosted by the library and there’s one at the senior center. Do you read with a book group? Do you prefer the privacy of your own book list? Or, like me, a bit of both? What are you reading, dearest friends? Drop a note in the comments!
Are you familiar with The Peace Pole Project? You can read about it here. Our library installed a peace pole before we moved to Vermont. It aged, the post rotted and it was retired to a spot behind the library during Covid. Some patrons recently asked about its whereabouts and a few of us worked to re-place it on the library lawn. One person drove a bit south to buy a new cedar post, Batman and I took the old one apart, cleaned the panels carefully as best we could, gave the back of the panels a fresh spray of white paint and attached the repaired panels to the new post.
Another friend of the library dug a hole and planted the peace pole back into the lawn. Sometimes it takes a village to get something done, each person adding their own light to the next. The renewed peace pole stands as a gentle reminder in the heart of the village. May Peace Prevail On Earth.
My friend and I called this color “creamsicle”.
At today’s closing gathering.
The artist, Jeremy Jarvis.
Last week I helped paint a mural and had such fun bumping elbows with friends and strangers (who became painting pals) alike! Artist Jeremy Jarvis facilitated a community painting project. Over 80 community members worked in shifts last Tuesday, to paint this gorgeous mural encouraging a love of reading and learning. Installed at Head Start’s Brook Street School in Barre VT, project partners include the Aldrich Public Library in Barre, and the Good Samaritan Haven. It was funded by the Vermont Arts Council.
I do love a chance to see something hopeful happen in our communities. Reading, repairing and painting were my holy trinity this month.
October will be filled with stitching, with oh so many projects in the queue! Sew and sow life will be fueled by Vermont foliage and softer light and the pleasure of gathering inward. See you then!
xo