The family dinner.
Miss Skeeter and Stuart's family finally meet.
This is an interesting interaction. Skeeter feels embarrassed by her family.
I know the feeling. When my family first started hanging out with my husbands, I would cringe at some of the off color comment my dad would say. I've always understood or accepted him but that didn't mean my in laws would feel the same.
My father in law loves my family and I am very lucky we all get along well. They have wine and talk for hours when we hang out.
The proper way of being around men or even just the adults in way too much. You practically learned to live a lie on a daily basis.
Although I appreciate the formalities I still prefer how things are now.
Monday, March 18, 2013
The Help by Kathryn Stockett (pg 212-260)
Miss Celia's clothes are tight. In most description she is wearing scandalous outfits.
She likes to drink, which I never thought would be out of the norm for house wife. It can get boring.
The having a miscarriage episode is sad. I still have not been pregnant but would be so disappointed to know I have this little person inside. I have some friends that have miscarried and I feel sad even thinking about it.
I think the secrets keep piling up and Miss Celia has been caught!
The politics of those days. How can a maid be incarcerated for her son's Acton's. The student loan for the state school is so much higher. Hilly is just too much!
The game Bridge... I have no idea how to play this?
She likes to drink, which I never thought would be out of the norm for house wife. It can get boring.
The having a miscarriage episode is sad. I still have not been pregnant but would be so disappointed to know I have this little person inside. I have some friends that have miscarried and I feel sad even thinking about it.
I think the secrets keep piling up and Miss Celia has been caught!
The politics of those days. How can a maid be incarcerated for her son's Acton's. The student loan for the state school is so much higher. Hilly is just too much!
The game Bridge... I have no idea how to play this?
The Help by Kathryn Stockett ( pg 183-211)
Miss Skeeter gets caught by the ring leader Hilly and now things should get more interesting.
I thought when she left her back at the ladies meeting that they would find out.
Miss Hilly is crazy and a bossy lady,
Many maid begin to talk and convince each other of speaking out.
This is going to be interesting with so many stories to tell.
The bus system. This was before Rosa Parks or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr..
Segregation and racism at its worst.
The protests for civil rights begin and unfortunately people died.
I thought when she left her back at the ladies meeting that they would find out.
Miss Hilly is crazy and a bossy lady,
Many maid begin to talk and convince each other of speaking out.
This is going to be interesting with so many stories to tell.
The bus system. This was before Rosa Parks or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr..
Segregation and racism at its worst.
The protests for civil rights begin and unfortunately people died.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett (pg 142-181)
Ailbeens first interview.
Did Miss Skeeter drive her mother's cadillac and think people wouldn't notice her in a colored neighborhood? I only say this because things were so obvious in those days.
Now you would never think of this notion. A white girls driving to an older black women's house to talk. That's not a huge deal. However, still racism exists and people think it may be unusual that these two women interact?
Cinnamon cookies... the smell. I can smell the fresh made cookies and want to enjoy one with a cup of hot tea.
The history. Ailbeen's story is so interesting. Her mom was a maid, grandma was a house slave, and now Ailbeen si a maid like her mama. Times did change but not fast enough.
The nervousness. I feel the fear that Ailbeena and Miss Skeeter both feel as they talk.
The women in the south talk about the hippy movements like a disgrace of some sort. They were so conservative! Old fashioned.
The surgeon general finally came out during this time telling people smoking could kill you.
Ailbeen writes! She doesn't say her prayers but writes them, This will be so helpful and more heartfelt than I expected. This book I already have seen in film but so many detail I forget until I read the book.
Did Miss Skeeter drive her mother's cadillac and think people wouldn't notice her in a colored neighborhood? I only say this because things were so obvious in those days.
Now you would never think of this notion. A white girls driving to an older black women's house to talk. That's not a huge deal. However, still racism exists and people think it may be unusual that these two women interact?
Cinnamon cookies... the smell. I can smell the fresh made cookies and want to enjoy one with a cup of hot tea.
The history. Ailbeen's story is so interesting. Her mom was a maid, grandma was a house slave, and now Ailbeen si a maid like her mama. Times did change but not fast enough.
The nervousness. I feel the fear that Ailbeena and Miss Skeeter both feel as they talk.
The women in the south talk about the hippy movements like a disgrace of some sort. They were so conservative! Old fashioned.
The surgeon general finally came out during this time telling people smoking could kill you.
Ailbeen writes! She doesn't say her prayers but writes them, This will be so helpful and more heartfelt than I expected. This book I already have seen in film but so many detail I forget until I read the book.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett (pg 123-141)
Minny- I can't imagine working for someone and having to keep it a secret. I've kept secrets at work before and it is not as comfortable as you would want work to be. I had to keep a secret that I didn't know my boss growing up or at all. He was my older brother's best friend. He recruited and hired me and always looked after my interest. So I played the game and it worked. We scratched each other's back and he was the best boss ever!
Now with Minny and Celia, this is a bit different. Celia is claiming to be the amazing house wife that cooks and cleans. This is not what I did. I actually performed and earned my keep. My boss just made things easier and helped me out.
Minny is so mean when she talks about Miss Celia. I cringe a bit sometimes because Miss Celia means well and is the new girl in town. She seems misunderstood.
Chocolate pie- the introduction to the famous pie. I like how she relates to the pie and just says, "Never again after Miss Hilly".
Women like Minny are hard to deal with but they are honest.
"it's Tuesday, change-the-damn-sheets-day"
The description of how personal and plain disgusting it is to change other people's sheets.
-full of hair and scabs
-snot
-signs of jelly rolling
-blood stains- scrubbing those out with your bare hands... yeah gross!! My blood I can do but someone Else's.. .No way!
The comedy in this book reminds me the book I just finished reading, "A Fools Journey". I just crack up while in silence and look around wishing anyone could read what I just read.
Mr Johnny comes home and catches Minny in the house! She is not scared and even tells him to "better get away". He laughs and tells her he's known Miss Celia was up to something since the day they were home and Minny didn't come over. Miss Celia tried to cook and then he knew something was up.
I love how he lets the secret continue and even asks Minny to make him food. She has nothing to worry about losing her job after all.
Now with Minny and Celia, this is a bit different. Celia is claiming to be the amazing house wife that cooks and cleans. This is not what I did. I actually performed and earned my keep. My boss just made things easier and helped me out.
Minny is so mean when she talks about Miss Celia. I cringe a bit sometimes because Miss Celia means well and is the new girl in town. She seems misunderstood.
Chocolate pie- the introduction to the famous pie. I like how she relates to the pie and just says, "Never again after Miss Hilly".
Women like Minny are hard to deal with but they are honest.
"it's Tuesday, change-the-damn-sheets-day"
The description of how personal and plain disgusting it is to change other people's sheets.
-full of hair and scabs
-snot
-signs of jelly rolling
-blood stains- scrubbing those out with your bare hands... yeah gross!! My blood I can do but someone Else's.. .No way!
The comedy in this book reminds me the book I just finished reading, "A Fools Journey". I just crack up while in silence and look around wishing anyone could read what I just read.
Mr Johnny comes home and catches Minny in the house! She is not scared and even tells him to "better get away". He laughs and tells her he's known Miss Celia was up to something since the day they were home and Minny didn't come over. Miss Celia tried to cook and then he knew something was up.
I love how he lets the secret continue and even asks Minny to make him food. She has nothing to worry about losing her job after all.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
The Help by Kathryn Stockett (pg 90-122)
Aibleen- I like how the book is written with chapters written in their unique voices
She's raised a lot of white babies as he calls them or Baby Girl for Mae Mobley.
She gives Mae Mobley so much sweet attention and is such an eye opener to how the 'colored' help raised so many children. One point I find to be so interesting is that one the children grow up to repeat the cycle.
The bathroom initiative is just so sad. I can't even imagine life as a colored man or women 50 years ago. Why did they have to suffer this way?
Losing a child is a very difficult challenge for any mother to face. I feel so sad for Aibleen when she is can't even take a day off to deal with the anniversary of her son Treelore. I'm glad she told her boss she was sick and left.
Skeeter- She is so naive in some ways. She seems to be sincere but not realizing how segregated Jacksonville is. I find it interesting to know she would write a column about cleaning tips when she never has done this for herself! I don't blame her for asking Aibleen for help.
When she decides to write about the life of the maids and ask Aibleen for help with this, I think she's crazy. In those times, I would not dare cross town into a segregated neighborhood to take such risk.
The times of MLK must have been so intense and many people risked their lives daily. This is an example of this. So intense and still just can't believe this was the way of life.
The date with Stuart is pretty funny.
She was so out of place, he told her she smelled like fertilizer! She called him a drunk... not a good first date.
Hilly is a piece of work. I just can't stand people like her and they still exist!! Materialistic and just bitchy.
She's raised a lot of white babies as he calls them or Baby Girl for Mae Mobley.
She gives Mae Mobley so much sweet attention and is such an eye opener to how the 'colored' help raised so many children. One point I find to be so interesting is that one the children grow up to repeat the cycle.
The bathroom initiative is just so sad. I can't even imagine life as a colored man or women 50 years ago. Why did they have to suffer this way?
Losing a child is a very difficult challenge for any mother to face. I feel so sad for Aibleen when she is can't even take a day off to deal with the anniversary of her son Treelore. I'm glad she told her boss she was sick and left.
Skeeter- She is so naive in some ways. She seems to be sincere but not realizing how segregated Jacksonville is. I find it interesting to know she would write a column about cleaning tips when she never has done this for herself! I don't blame her for asking Aibleen for help.
When she decides to write about the life of the maids and ask Aibleen for help with this, I think she's crazy. In those times, I would not dare cross town into a segregated neighborhood to take such risk.
The times of MLK must have been so intense and many people risked their lives daily. This is an example of this. So intense and still just can't believe this was the way of life.
The date with Stuart is pretty funny.
She was so out of place, he told her she smelled like fertilizer! She called him a drunk... not a good first date.
Hilly is a piece of work. I just can't stand people like her and they still exist!! Materialistic and just bitchy.
The Help By Kathyrn Stockett (pg 47-89)
I can relate with Minny when she mention she doesn't mind work because she doesn't have to deal with all the responsibilities at home. I feel that way about school sometimes. I don't mind just secluding myself in our office and doing homework instead of cleaning and cooking. It give me a break. However, some days I still do both plus work a full 8 hour day. I don't know what it would be like to have 5 children, be a maid like Minny who spends all day cooking and cleaning other people's houses. I wonder how those women's hands get after using all those chemical in those days?
I just took 2 hours of my study time to go cook dinner clean the kitchen, make lunches, cut and wash veggies for our juice for breakfast and that was just for myself and husband.
Miss Celia being the new girl on town and the clicks between the women seem so high school! I feel bad for her. I like how Minny gets irritable so easy. I feel bad for people that are so high stress like that. I tend to not care enough sometimes my husband tell me. I just don't like to stress although I do get stressed with school. Not little things.
Miss Skeeter- she describes her hair like pubic...wow. The visual Kathryn gives are great. Her mom is so interesting. I can relate to mom telling me how she already had 3 children at my age. Times were changing then and now women wait longer to start having children.
Her mom's name reminds me of my European husbands mom. She has like 4 names. Graca Maria Fonseca Santos. I still have not changed my name to my husbands. It would be Gabriela Sylvia Montaner Da Fonseca...
Wow when Skeeter talks about job opportunities and the difference is just astonishing. I can't imagine being held back. I am the bread winner of my family. I've always made more money than my husband and have higher education goals. Doesn't say less about my husband but just to show how the times have changed. I don't mind it because I enjoy being a strong partner for my husband.
I just took 2 hours of my study time to go cook dinner clean the kitchen, make lunches, cut and wash veggies for our juice for breakfast and that was just for myself and husband.
Miss Celia being the new girl on town and the clicks between the women seem so high school! I feel bad for her. I like how Minny gets irritable so easy. I feel bad for people that are so high stress like that. I tend to not care enough sometimes my husband tell me. I just don't like to stress although I do get stressed with school. Not little things.
Miss Skeeter- she describes her hair like pubic...wow. The visual Kathryn gives are great. Her mom is so interesting. I can relate to mom telling me how she already had 3 children at my age. Times were changing then and now women wait longer to start having children.
Her mom's name reminds me of my European husbands mom. She has like 4 names. Graca Maria Fonseca Santos. I still have not changed my name to my husbands. It would be Gabriela Sylvia Montaner Da Fonseca...
Wow when Skeeter talks about job opportunities and the difference is just astonishing. I can't imagine being held back. I am the bread winner of my family. I've always made more money than my husband and have higher education goals. Doesn't say less about my husband but just to show how the times have changed. I don't mind it because I enjoy being a strong partner for my husband.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
A Fool's Journey ( The ending)
I love the twists you added to the Aunt Eunice scene. I can't believe she just walked into the apartment! The hair. I love how you included that into the scene. How creepy to wake up in your own car you cut off. I'm so glad that Manny and Panda were there at the scene.
The parts when they are in the hospital made me uncertain of the happy ending... I was starting to think she was going to die. I like the images you created with her mom and the little girl without a face.
This book is great and I can't think of anything else but for me to recommend it.
The parts when they are in the hospital made me uncertain of the happy ending... I was starting to think she was going to die. I like the images you created with her mom and the little girl without a face.
This book is great and I can't think of anything else but for me to recommend it.
Friday, March 15, 2013
The Help by Kathryn Stockett(Pg1-46)
This book is amazing! I saw the movie one day while my husband was out since I knew he wouldn't want to see it with me. I thought it was so meaningful to the times it was set in but as I read it, I start to relive the same feelings as if I were living in those days. The movie doesn't tell the story the same way. The chapters define each character and tell their story. I like what I am reading and can't help but envision the movie as I read. The characters from the movie have become the visual character and I don't know if I would feel the same if it were reversed. When I read the Fools Journey, I felt differently about each character. I had no idea what you envisioned but what I understood from what I was reading. This is all a new thing for me and I am loving it!
I really enjoy the language used in this book. The accent and slang like vocabulary is so realistic to the character speaking. Ailbeen is so sweet. She loves her children she raises and really makes me want to reach out and hug her. Minny on the other hand I'm not so sure I could handle for very long. I love strong personalities but she would DRIVE me a bit crazy and I don't think I could hold back if she gave me that attitude she gives. This book is addictive!!
I really enjoy the language used in this book. The accent and slang like vocabulary is so realistic to the character speaking. Ailbeen is so sweet. She loves her children she raises and really makes me want to reach out and hug her. Minny on the other hand I'm not so sure I could handle for very long. I love strong personalities but she would DRIVE me a bit crazy and I don't think I could hold back if she gave me that attitude she gives. This book is addictive!!
Sunday, March 10, 2013
A Fool's Journey (pg 240-274)
Panda's return. What are the odds of this voodoo doll with the cigar? That gave me the chills and made me still think she wished something bad upon Deidre??
The scene in the vegetable garden between Manny and Deidre? Wow this became steamy all of sudden! Mrs. Ruiz is so good to have seen this interaction and rush out the door.
I thought they would make love, but she pushed him away after his confession?
This brings a twist, I know it!
Bess killed Freemont! Wow. I knew something would happen between them.
The scene in the vegetable garden between Manny and Deidre? Wow this became steamy all of sudden! Mrs. Ruiz is so good to have seen this interaction and rush out the door.
I thought they would make love, but she pushed him away after his confession?
This brings a twist, I know it!
Bess killed Freemont! Wow. I knew something would happen between them.
A Fools Journey (pg 200-239)
The cutting of hair. This is great. I would want to do the same. The history of her hair is such a reoccurring theme. I like that she just decided to let go and go for it.
I hope her and Manny hook up:) I know she feels safe and he knows her secret. I can understand this bond to be one that will help them have no secrets between them as friends or something more.
He came to the rescue and Mrs. Rosa had a premonition that something was wrong. I just think this is great how she knows things. Mrs. Rosa house reminds me of the warmth she portrays. The fact that she takes in anyone who needs help shows the type of person she is.
I like how you go more into the immigrant community. The struggle and sense of family they have being in another country. I always found it to be so admirable how many immigrant families live under one household. You do what you can.
Discarded troll. You make me laugh a lot in your book. I like how you bring humor and mystery in one book.
I can't believe this. Deidre put her mom in the state she is in! Now things are making more sense. But why does her Aunt hate her so much? Is it really the money?
Manny is falling in love. Yes! I want to go shopping like they did. Great scene.
I hope her and Manny hook up:) I know she feels safe and he knows her secret. I can understand this bond to be one that will help them have no secrets between them as friends or something more.
He came to the rescue and Mrs. Rosa had a premonition that something was wrong. I just think this is great how she knows things. Mrs. Rosa house reminds me of the warmth she portrays. The fact that she takes in anyone who needs help shows the type of person she is.
I like how you go more into the immigrant community. The struggle and sense of family they have being in another country. I always found it to be so admirable how many immigrant families live under one household. You do what you can.
Discarded troll. You make me laugh a lot in your book. I like how you bring humor and mystery in one book.
I can't believe this. Deidre put her mom in the state she is in! Now things are making more sense. But why does her Aunt hate her so much? Is it really the money?
Manny is falling in love. Yes! I want to go shopping like they did. Great scene.
A Fools Journey (pg 164-199)
WOW! Mary, this part is awesome. When she begins to open up and tell the story of her father. When she is telling the story I am in awe. How can a man think his daughter will stay "pure" and not have her period? What a crazy cruel father! He called his daughter a whore and cut her hair?
Katie or Deidre did the right thing to defend herself and protect mother!
The awkward interaction between Freemont and her in the class observation was great!
The feeling is well described and I felt the rage... now things may get tricky. They both know something about each other and the confrontation needs to happen.
Do you ever feel like a counselor? I think with this subject of writing you may learn a lot of personal information over your students and they may ask for your opinion?
I think you seem very open minded so I can see student wanting to tell you more than you might want to know !
What!! Freemont in her apartment! Great twist :)
I never expected him INSIDE her apartment. I love the way you describe the slap. "you will suffer for that" makes me so scared for her.
I knew that student Todd was a part of this! Then the Aunt Eunice came to add more to the drama.
This is a such an intense scene and the dialogue is so good.
Freemont is a dirty old man! This was an unforgettable scene.
She has the upper hand now.
Katie or Deidre did the right thing to defend herself and protect mother!
The awkward interaction between Freemont and her in the class observation was great!
The feeling is well described and I felt the rage... now things may get tricky. They both know something about each other and the confrontation needs to happen.
Do you ever feel like a counselor? I think with this subject of writing you may learn a lot of personal information over your students and they may ask for your opinion?
I think you seem very open minded so I can see student wanting to tell you more than you might want to know !
What!! Freemont in her apartment! Great twist :)
I never expected him INSIDE her apartment. I love the way you describe the slap. "you will suffer for that" makes me so scared for her.
I knew that student Todd was a part of this! Then the Aunt Eunice came to add more to the drama.
This is a such an intense scene and the dialogue is so good.
Freemont is a dirty old man! This was an unforgettable scene.
She has the upper hand now.
A Fools Journey (pg 130-163)
Adam- the student. Would he be a possible threat? How weird that he was there ready to save her from the car?
That is almost like a stalker in a movie. There at the right place and right time to cover up.
I like the way you place all characters to be a mystery.
I feel the paranoia that Deidre is sensing with her English department, Freemont, and Aunt Eunice.
At this point I see Manny as a good character. He is only trying to help.
I hope he helps keep her safe.
Secrets are hard to keep buried and Deidre will have to confide her past with Manny. He seems to have similar gift to his Aunt. Mrs. Ruiz has a good 6th sense and Manny does too.
I like the relationship that is starting to develop here with Manny and Deidre.
Freemont still is my #1 villain. The aunt may just want money. Panda may be jealous of her friends success or just an odd lady. The students may have built up anger or crushes on Deidre?
Things are starting to get more interesting.
That is almost like a stalker in a movie. There at the right place and right time to cover up.
I like the way you place all characters to be a mystery.
I feel the paranoia that Deidre is sensing with her English department, Freemont, and Aunt Eunice.
At this point I see Manny as a good character. He is only trying to help.
I hope he helps keep her safe.
Secrets are hard to keep buried and Deidre will have to confide her past with Manny. He seems to have similar gift to his Aunt. Mrs. Ruiz has a good 6th sense and Manny does too.
I like the relationship that is starting to develop here with Manny and Deidre.
Freemont still is my #1 villain. The aunt may just want money. Panda may be jealous of her friends success or just an odd lady. The students may have built up anger or crushes on Deidre?
Things are starting to get more interesting.
The Fool's Journey (pg 82-130)
I have to say, any new character makes me question if they are the mystery stalker.
Manny does seem to have a interesting look to him and I don't know if he's really a good person or also kinda a creeper. He really asks a lot of questions. Maybe because he's a cop.
I think him and Deidre will become close due to the time spent already in her apartment and possible coffee date.
Her mom being in a coma for 12 years is kinda weird twist. How terrible. My father in law who recently passed was in a coma for a week and I'm so happy he passed. Being brain dead and just on life support is a terrible way to live or have family suffer.
The fool. I like how you bring this significance of this card and have Deidre investigate. The interaction between the older lady and man bring a sense of mystic mystery. Some people don't believe in ghost or tarot reading. I certainly do.
The aunt is another possible villain. She seems to be resentful and full of evil.
Great intro for another possible character against Deidre. I love how you describe the prickle in her skin like we all get when we get the chills. I sometimes get this feeling in my own house. I feel my brothers spirit or sometimes a pat on my back and no one is there...
Black mail. Eunice and Freemont are maybe connected. What a crazy combo. What does this mean?
Bess's story is unreal! I can not believe that this Freemont man could do such a thing? It really makes me want to speak out for her. I can't believe this twist. This is a great part to add.
No changes so far. I am enjoying this read.
Manny does seem to have a interesting look to him and I don't know if he's really a good person or also kinda a creeper. He really asks a lot of questions. Maybe because he's a cop.
I think him and Deidre will become close due to the time spent already in her apartment and possible coffee date.
Her mom being in a coma for 12 years is kinda weird twist. How terrible. My father in law who recently passed was in a coma for a week and I'm so happy he passed. Being brain dead and just on life support is a terrible way to live or have family suffer.
The fool. I like how you bring this significance of this card and have Deidre investigate. The interaction between the older lady and man bring a sense of mystic mystery. Some people don't believe in ghost or tarot reading. I certainly do.
The aunt is another possible villain. She seems to be resentful and full of evil.
Great intro for another possible character against Deidre. I love how you describe the prickle in her skin like we all get when we get the chills. I sometimes get this feeling in my own house. I feel my brothers spirit or sometimes a pat on my back and no one is there...
Black mail. Eunice and Freemont are maybe connected. What a crazy combo. What does this mean?
Bess's story is unreal! I can not believe that this Freemont man could do such a thing? It really makes me want to speak out for her. I can't believe this twist. This is a great part to add.
No changes so far. I am enjoying this read.
Fools Journey (Pg 59-81)
I love how you leave cliff hangers for us to not want to put this book down!
Bess Seymor- what mystery or secrets does she have up her sleeve?
The next chapter I liked because it gave insight to what a Poetry Teacher's classroom is like. It reminded me of our first few classes for WR 115. You encouraged us to think more creatively and to think of our childhood. This was a challenge for me because my memory is not good. For some reason I've blocked a lot of details. When you had us do the exercise of remembering something we learned from k-12. That was tough.
The character Todd seems to be a weird one. I think he could be a potential candidate to wanting to hurt Deidre?
Now I see 3 potentials: Panda, Freemont, and Todd.
You do an awesome job describing characters!
The emails. This was a great build up to another great cliff hanger. Manny knocking on the door after her discovering someone had emailed her this poem. This is getting more intense...
Fools Journey (pg 39-58)
Chapter V starts off with the cliff hanger of the previous chapter with the wreath embedded with Deidre's hair.
My thoughts now question who Panda really is. She is a very funny but odd character. She seems to have interest in black magic and things of this sort. She insists on having Deidre go stay with her and it makes me think she may have something up her sleeve. Maybe she is the person trying to put a spell on her?
Mrs. Ruiz is pretty interesting and I like how you use broken English for her. I'm also reading "The Help" and I would say you could maybe do a bit more of this type of language for her.
She's a Hispanic lady so maybe use more accent in her language?
The hair. I loved how you threw in so much detail to the history of what clipping of hair mean in the Victorian age and what it can generally signifies, "control".
I get uncomfortable and a creepy sensation by the way you describe Freemont Willard. The oil slick image when he talks and you did a great job making him a creepy man. The detail in how he pet her hair and what memories that brought her made my stomach churn thinking she was possible molested?
Love this story so far!
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