Because of Mr. Terupt

Hello Bookworms!

It was truly a pleasure to have you all at my place. You ins pire and bless me. For those who were not able to make it, your presence was missed. Our book for March, because of mr. terupt  by Rob Buyea is a story of a unique teacher told by the perspective of his seven students. I think that it clearly showed that he developed "relationship" with his students. His unique style won the love of his students and their loyalty to him.  He also challenged them to look within themselves and become better people. It was interesting to read that they all had a story of struggle. It gave us insight about their families, and challenges us to do the same with our own students. we shared some of our stories as teachers, and from our own lives. We played "the dollar game" and Irene's name came closest to a dollar, at $1.01, and she won a prize.

We shared a little on the benefits of bringing mindfulness into our classrooms, like: reducing stress, improving focus, helping students to self regulate -- and in turn, their academics improve. We practiced the art of paying attention, with some mindfulness activities: mindful listening with the Tibetan Singing Bowl, mindful eating, and mindful smelling - with some essential oils. We shared some inspirational quotes for teachers to keep reminding us that teaching is an art - and we must try and keep the passion, and recognize our unique gifts. At the end, we blew some bubbles, and had a snowball fight! The ineer child needs to come out from time to time!! I had a lot of fun and hope you realize how special you are!! Next month Jill is hosting -- Be blessed! Mary

Vincent Van Gogh by Julius Meier-Graefe

Starry, starry night
Paint your pallet blue and gray
Look out on the summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul

Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and daffodils
Catch the breeze and winter chill
In colors on the snowy linen land

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen
The did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

Starry, starry night
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds in violet haze
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue

Colors changing hue
Morning fields of amber gray
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen
They did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when your love was left inside
On that starry, starry night
You took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you, Vincent
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you

Like the strangers that you've met
The ragged men in ragged clothes
The silver thorn, a bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow

Now I think I know
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen
They're not listening still
Perhaps they never will

    ----Don McLean, Songwriter

It was so wonderful to spend a special time together during our February book club meeting discussing Vincent Van Gogh! A truly a fascinating artist who was unaware of how wonderful his work really was. His contemporaries did not seem realize it either.  
I have to confess that it was immensely gratifying to witness each of you experience the exploration of your artistic talents!  We are all born artists who put our own personal touches to convey and interpret thoughts and perceptions through our artwork!  My greatest hope is that each of you make time to find pleasure in exploring your artistic talents.  Here are some thoughts on your artwork! ---Miggy

 Robin L.

I love how you patiently and delicately accentuated your flower's intense color!

Sandra

 I love that you reinvented and reimagined that beautiful flower by adding vivant colors and movement!

Robin A.

 I love how you represented the intense color and depth of this beautiful morning glory flower!  

Mary

I love how you added a delicate flair to this delightful flower! It brings images of a softly swirling dancer's skirt! 

Myrna

I love the jewel tone blue you chose to represent this beautiful flower, how you outlined each petal and how you chose to place it on the canvas! I motivates me to experiment with similar colors! 

Sandra

Loved your shading and how you chose to represent this elegant calla lily!

Maria

I love your delicate dainty flowers!  Loved your attention to detail as you highlighted each petal and used brush strokes to add texture to the leaves!    

Yvette

I loved how you used color to show depth and movement and draw the eye of the viewer to this vibrant flower!

Interesting Van Gogh Tidbits 

For what is he famous?
Vincent Van Gogh was famous for his paintings that inspired the styles of Symbolism, Fauvism and Expressionism, but he is also well known for the mental health issues he had over the 37 years he lived. He completed2,100 pieces of art, of which 860 were oil paintings and 1,300 were watercolors.

For how much did Vincent Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" sell? Vincent Van Gogh's painting "Sunglowers" set records by being auctioned for $39.9 million at famed Christie's auction ahouse in 1987. Adjusted for inflation, that price tag nearly doubles to approximately $74.5 million in 2014. He created five versions of sunflowers. Vincent van Gogh was plagued by depression and hallucinations. Much of his work is considered heavily biographical and his modd swings can be detected in the sunflower series. Some of the flowers are vivd and brightly colored, made possible by vibrant pigments that were not manufactured until the 19th century. Others were painted with arid browns and portrayed as wilting and withered.

How many paintings did Van Gogh sell during his lifetime? Vincent Van Gogh sold exactly ONE painting during his lifetime. It was an oil landscape entitled "The Red Vineyard at Arles", and it was purchased in 1890 by Van Gogh's friend and fellow painter, Anna Boch. Sold for 400 francs in Paris, it now resides in Moscow's Pushkin Museum of Art.
 

What is van Gogh's most famous painting? There are many of Vincent van Gogh's paintings that are famous. "The Starry Night," "Irises" and "Sunflowers" are a few of his most popular works. Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" was described by art critic Robert Hughes as "the most popular still life in the history of art." Van Gogh's "Irises"sold for a record $53.9 million. And the most popular painting at New York City's Museum of Modern Art is van Gogh's "The Starry Night."

God the Artist
  ---by Angela Morgan

God, when you thought of a pine tree,

How did you think of a star?

How did you dream of the Milky Way

To guide us from afar.


How did you think of a clean brown pool

Where flecks of shadows are?


God, when you thought of a cobweb,

How did you think of dew?

How did you know a spider's house

Had shingles bright and new?

 How did you know the human folk

Would love them like they do?



God, when you patterned a bird song,

Flung on a silver string,

How did you know the ecstasy

That crystal call would bring?

How did you think of a bubbling throat

And a darling speckled wing?



God, when you chiseled a raindrop,

How did you think of a stem,

Bearing a lovely satin leaf

To hold the tiny gem?

How did you know a million drops

Would deck the morning's hem?



Why did you mate the moonlit night

With the honeysuckle vines?

How did you know Madeira bloom

Distilled ecstatic wines?

How did you weave the velvet disk

Where tangled perfumes are?

God, when you thought of a pine tree,

How did you think of a star?

Home Front by Kristin Hannah

           

There are some things you learn best in calm, some in storm. 
— Willa Cather
 
Twelve lovely bookworms met at Ella's Italian Restaurant in New City to discuss Kristin Hannah's book, Home Front. The story is about two National Guard reservists helicopter pilots, who are deployed to Iraq. Both Jolene, and her best friend Tami, are married and have children. As the story unfolds, we see how hard it is both for the soldiers who are deployed, and for their loved ones who are left behind.

For me, this book was a true eye opener. Growing up during the Vietnam War years, I witnessed so many demonstrations against soldiers. Kristin Hannah made me see that the soldier is doing a tremendous service to our country, so that we can continue to live free, and in peace. Now I see that it is okay to take issue with a war, but not with our soldiers.

There were many issues in this book, including loyalty, love, friendship, honor, marriage, motherhood, desertion, bravery, and finally - hope. I grew to really care about so many of the characters in Kristin Hannah's book - Jolene- brave but damaged and infuriating at times, Lulu - adorable and making me laugh just when I finished a good cry, Tami - a loyal friend, Michael - Jolene's lawyer husband who needed a kick in his *ss when he told her "he didn't love her anymore" - but he redeemed himself, and Michael's Mom, Mila, -- my favorite Greek Grandmother -- who was a loving, supportive, voice of reason, and great cook!

I will never look at a soldier again in the same way. I will never shop again on Veteran's Day or Memorial Day. My hope is that you will join me in always honoring, and trying to help our soldiers and our veterans. Let's try and go together to a local deployment in the summer, as the author, Kristin Hannah, suggests we do.

Last night we raised $50 for K9s for Warriors charity, the charity that saves dogs from shelters, while helping vets who have returned with PTSD or other problems. The book has changed me in countless ways, making me sensitive and in awe of our armed forces. You ladies are awesome, and I am so grateful I got to share it with all of you.

XXOO
Robin L.

RECIPES FROM THE BOOK -- Bon Appetit!

FINIKIA (yields about 5 dozen cookies)

This cookie is made of almonds, coated in a honey syrup and sprinkled with crushed almonds. They're particularly delicious if combined with a mug of steaming tea, a big comfy chair, and a good book.

Cookies

1/2 C butter, softened

1/2 C superfine sugar

grated zest of one orange

1/2 c corn oil

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups semolina

4 TSP baking powder (TSP=teaspoon)

1 TSP ground cinnamon

1 TSP ground cloves

1/2 c orange juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease cookie sheets. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, superfine sugar, and orange zest. Gradually mix in the oil and beat until light and fluffy.

Combine the flour, semolina, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves; beat into the fluffy mixture alternately with the O. J. As the mixture thickens, turn out onto a floured board and knead into a firm dough.

Pinch off tablespoonfuls of dough and form them into balls or ovals. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto the prepared sheets. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden Cool on baking sheets until room temperature.

Syrup

1 C water

1 C white sugar

1/2 C honey

1 cinnamon stick

2 TSP lemon juice

1/2 C finely chopped walnuts

In a medium saucepan over medium heat combine the water, white sugar, honey, cinnamon stick and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, and boil for 10 minutes. 

Remove the cinnamon stick. While the mixture is boiling hot, dip the cookies in one at a time, making sure to cover them completely. Place them on a wire rack to dry and sprinkle with walnuts. Place paper under the rack to catch the drips. Keep finished cookies in a sealed container at room temperature.

Spanakorizio
This Greek spinach and rice pilaf is bright and full of promise, yet hearty enough for cool evenings. It's often likened to a Greek risotto, creamy and starchy but without the constant stirring required by its Italian counterpart. It's sentimental Greek comfort food, and healthy to boot!

1/2 C olive oil
1/2 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c freshly chopped dill weed
1 c cooked rice
10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 lemon, juiced
2 Tbsps tomato paste

Heat 1/4 c olive oil in the bottom of a large pot.  Add onion and garlic, and saute for about 5 minutes. Add dill weed and cooked rice. Add package chopped spinach. Be sure to thaw it first. Add the lemon juice and salt to taste. Slowly add 1/4 C olive oil and stir. Add tomato paste and stir. Keep stirring until it looks and tastes delicious!

A Man Called Ove

On Monday, December 12th, we met at Italiana's Restaurant in New City to discuss the book, A Man Called Ove.  I was thrilled to see everyone truly enjoyed the book and shared in such a lively discussion about what Ove's neighbor's describe as "a cranky old man." We learned that Ove is really a man with a huge heart that is metaphorically and literally "too big for his body." He lives by staunch principles and very strict routines, that along with a somewhat short fuse sometimes put him at odds with the people around him. He growls at his new neighbors for running over his mailbox, yells at people for bringing cars into his development, doesn't know why people just can't conform to the same habits and routines that he enjoys daily, and develops an endearing relationship with a stray cat whom he professes to hate.

Ove has a sadness about him, one that comes from sorrow in his life that we can all identify with, losing his parents at a very young age, losing an unborn child in an accident, and then the love of his life, his wife of many years, Sonja, to cancer.  The author, Fredrik Backman weaves his story back and forth through Ove's life to show the reader how the things that occurred in his life shaped this "cranky" somewhat curmudgeonly old man he has become.  But through the eyes of a new "foreign" neighbor, Parvaneh, and her family, Ove learns to open up, to find joy in the smiles of children, and to feel useful once again to his neighbors and friends old and new.  I think we all found a soft spot in our hearts for Ove, for the principles he felt so strongly about, for his basic "goodness"  in his heart, and for the feelings he was finally able to share with the people around him.

Thank you all!

Have a peaceful, restful and relaxing holiday and a very Happy New Year!

Looking forward to seeing you all in 2017!

Love,

Robin A

 

House Rules - At City Line Diner

Hello All,

On our November 14 meeting, we met at the City Line Diner in New City. I was so pleased to see everyone at our meeting. I was equally happy everyone loved the book. House Rules by Jodi Piccoult is a story about a teenager, Jacob Hunt, with Asperger's Syndrome. Jacob has an obsession with forensic science, and he is accused of the murder of his tutor. This was an emotionally powerful story that reminds us what it means to be different, and how one can be treated in the legal system.   Jacob's mother and brother also suffer the social and financial difficulties of the trial. 

Our discussion led us to how people with disabilities are treated within a family and in society. We also enjoyed the style of writing Jodi Piccoult used in this story, because it gave us the opportunity to understand the perspective of the major characters. Finally, we enjoyed a variety of meals from the City Line Diner. We can't wait to meet again .

Thanks --

and Happy Thanksgiving,🍁🦃 

Yvette 

Girl on the Train -- Movie Night

Six of us enjoyed the movie version of Girl on the Train tonight at the Clarkstown Mall, Bow Tie Cinemas.  The movie was definitely scary and mostly adhered to the book. I loved the new setting chosen - it did not take place in  England, but just across the Hudson in Ardsley and Irvington! At the end there was even a beautiful shot of Perkins Tower atop Bear Mountain. We missed all of you who couldn't make it - especially Yvette, who chose the Girl on the Train book.

Mary Velez joined us for dinner at Blu Fig, across the street from Bow Tie Cinemas. We toasted my favorite bully, Maria Pages! She told us the story of how she commandeered seats that were reserved for someone else when the book club went to see The Help! It was lots of fun to get together and enjoy each others' company. Till next time-- Nov. 14, for Yvette's choice, House Rules, by Jodi Picoult.

XXOO -- Robin

Year EIGHT begins with a FULL HOUSE!!

Hello All!

We were off to a great start of year eight. From what I understand, this was a great turn out. ALL the bookworms made it!!

We met at City Line Restaurant in New City, and had a room all to ourselves.  We discussed Mudwoman, by Joyce Carol Oates.  This is an interesting and intricate story about a woman who is slowly mentally decompensating. The writing, however, made the book what it was.  Oates used vivid description, timing, paragraph breaks, and parentheses in the writing, to describe and alert the reader to psychological changes in the protagonist.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the book, and even those who didn't  particularly like the story found it interesting. Most of the discusiion centered on what aspect of the central character's experience was real or imagined. As M.R.'s hold on reality became more tenuous, this became  increasingly difficult to establish.  The author's narrative techniques were discussed in order to explain the main character's life, and her perception of her life.  There was a lively discussion and everyone enjoyed the food, and left looking forward to a "movie month" in October.

----  Maria Rodriguez