If you see a whole thing - it seems that it's always beautiful. Planets, lives... But up close a world's all dirt and rocks. And day to day, life's a hard job, you get tired, you lose the pattern. - Ursula K. LeGuin

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Books, Booze, and Broads...

...(and the Occasional Baked Good).

I've started a book club here in SouthLite.  It is a book club comprised only of women (Broads) who live in the area (or commutable distance) who I respect and admire.  We read Books either by women or about women (sometimes both) and drink Booze while we discuss said books. Occasionally I serve a Baked Good.

There are many things I have wanted in my life and most of them I have managed to make happen.  One, I have recently realized, I have to constantly create and recreate and that is having a community of thinkers.  You might think, as I once did, that working in academia would take care of that desire.  However, working and living in academia does not guarantee that you have either a community or thinking (at least shared thinking over something other than workloads and advising issues).

I've finally realized that I need to create what I want instead of waiting around for it to find me. Andrea figured this out long before me.

Yesterday we had our premier meeting.  Of the 10 women I invited, 5 were able to attend.  The other half are interested but had previous obligations.  The six of us seemed a perfect number so I'm curious to see what will happen if everyone shows up in the future.

We read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.  If you have not read this book yet I urge you to do so.  Even if you have no interest at all in science you will enjoy this book immensely.

I baked a coffee cake and there was wine, beer and sake available for all.  Some people went the coffee and tea route and the rest of indulged in a little wine on a Saturday afternoon.

We discussed the book for almost 2 hours but we also talked of other womanly issues: raising chickens, menstruation, and exotic game hunting.

A fun time was had by all and I am eagerly awaiting our next meeting.  This time we will be reading memoirs from women in prison.

Waiting for the "Broads" to arrive

7 comments:

life_of_a_fool said...

this sounds great! I wish I lived in commuting distance!

Annie said...

It sounds like fun. I like the idea of making what you want to happen, happen.

ruth pennebaker said...

I'm the only person I know who's not in a book club (I'm not much of a joiner, am a disorganized reader). But your group sounds like fun.

Drax said...

What's not to like? (Booze, Broads, Books)

Julie said...

Awesome! I love how you take life by the horns and make things happen. The book sounds great, as does the booze. The food looks fantastic, too.

Maggie May said...

i have learned that lesson in the last few years, and still working on integrating myself with it. your book club sounds awesome :)

Unknown said...

Wow, I wish I could come. I'll check out the book from my library and see how it is! I always have an ear out for a good book recommendation. :)