All posts by MJS
Monday Book Club: Snow Road Station by Elizabeth Hay
This was our last ZOOM mtg for the winter and we are all looking forward to “pressing the flesh” in April. But we enjoyed discussing Snow Road Station by Elizabeth Hay. In the winter of 2008, Lulu, a 62 year old actor, lands a dream role in a Samuel Beckett play.
She has a limited time to learn it but she manages the first few performances and then starts to flub her lines. From there her career and life begin to unravel. Acting has been central to
Lulu’s life. In her sixties now, a sexy, unfooled woman well-versed in taking risks, out of work, humiliated, she escapes to a family wedding and an old friend at Stone Road Station. She decides she is through with drama. She thinks she wants peace. She finds anything but…At the centre of it all is the friendship between Lulu and Nan. As the two women contemplate growing old, they surrender certain long-held dreams and confront the limits of the choices they’ve made and the messy feelings that kept them apart for decades. Snow Road Station is not so much a story with a plot. Rather it is a series of life relationships and changes – some harsh and imposed, others slowly emerging and evolving.
Several other characters, mostly men, share in these tangled relationships and we watch them as they emerge and evolve and settle. The difficult work of making maple syrup is a central theme. The work itself is often where the intersection of characters and their conversations occur. Stone Road Station opens with a marriage and the promise of social cohesion. However, things quickly begin to fall apart: the nuptials are threatened, Lulu loses her place in the world. But the story closes with the establishment of new romantic relationships and the birth of a much-loved child — a child who, in many ways, restores Lulu to herself. Everyone gave this book a thumbs up – it is tender and insightful. Losses often open the way
for new and wonderful opportunities at any age.
Linda Tripp
April speaker: Living an authentic life, Joan Grundy
Living an Authentic Life
Joan Grundy is a charismatic speaker and inspiring writer.She has addressed many groups in the areas of spiritual growth, educational leadership and wellness. She has a Masters degree in Theological Studies and background in psychology and counselling.
Before her retirement, Joan was employed as a department head of religion and family studies at a local Catholic high school. There she chose to counsel the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) students and to educate people about this issue. In her thirties, she realized that she was gay but because of her Catholic upbringing and profession was not able to be authentic because she couldn’t live out her real sexual life in the confines of the Church.
This is a timely topic now with extreme groups objecting to schools offering support and resources to kids who are in the “sexual minority”. I think Joan’s presentation should lead to some interesting discussion and thought.
Book Review: How to Make Herself Agreeable to Everyone
A compelling look at the seamy underside of the fashion industry, told from the perspective of a vulnerable young person who had more of a backbone than most right from the beginning but was still manipulated and abused. Instead of letting herself remain a victim, she used her visibility became an advocate for others in order to help change the system. This book will also go a long way in doing that. Thank you, Cameron Russell, for sharing your experiences in what must have been a very painful memoir to write.
March 2024 newsletter
In March, we listen to three women refugees: Syria, Zimbabwe, Ukraine
The March program will showcase the accounts of three women, former refugees, who came to Brantford from different parts of the world (Syria, Zimbabwe, and Ukraine). The women will tell their stories through questions, such as what caused them to become refugees, what were some of their experiences in their home country, and what are the struggles they have encountered in adjusting to life in Canada. Mieke Schroeder, who has been involved in sponsorship of refugees for many years, will facilitate the program. We thank Mieke for organizing this program which will give us a greater insight into the journey that refugees take as they create new lives in Canada.
February Speaker: Lisa Clarkson – Manager, Day and Stay Program
Lisa’s talk was about dementia, a topic that has touched almost all our members in one way or another. She began her presentation with details about the various forms of dementia of which Alzheimer’s is but one. She provided a very informative list of the various programs available in Brantford/Brant for dementia patients and their caregivers. She then outlined the Day and Stay program that she is responsible for, located at the John Noble Home. This includes a day program, a “sunset” program as well as overnight options.
It was clear how much care and compassion Lisa has for the many individuals and their families who participate in the Day and Stay Program. She laughs and cries with them as they navigate the challenges of dementia and find hope and respite at Day and Stay.
Lisa emphasized that she is more than happy to provide more information to anyone wishing to learn more about dementia and programs for support, especially the Day and Stay program.
It was apparent that the CFUW members deeply appreciated not just the information Lisa shared, but the level of commitment she has to her clients and family members.
Memories of original book club
The Monday afternoon book group has wide and varied interests. We still have two of the original members, and their perspective and insight is very much appreciated by newer members. Marion brought this flyer about the birthday celebration of one of the book club members from decades ago. So neat!
Jeanie reviewed two books:
Title: At Home: A Short History of Private Life
Author: Bill Bryson
Bryson uses a walk through the rooms in his 1851 Church of England rectory in Norfolk, to share his extensive research into the fascinating history of the furnishings and structure of homes. Bryson chooses a topic, such as his refrigerator, and then explains in detail the who, what, where, when and why of its evolution. After reading this book, I have a much greater appreciation for the innovation needed to produce common household items.
Title: Five Little Indians
Author: Michelle Good
This book alternates its narrative between the childhood of the characters Kenny, Lucy, Clara, Howie and Maisie who were forcibly moved from their families to a Church-run Residential School and then their young adulthood when paths again cross in downtown Eastside Vancouver. I found the way that each character dealt with their traumas to be highly engaging and thought provoking.
Here’s a sampling of the other books we read:
Walking group!
One of our walkers thought we should call ourselves the Tuesday Trotters! I see very little trotting going on but I do see a lot of great conversation, birdwatching, recipes exchanged, and general support. The Tuesday whats? I don’t know!
