If you are a woman who loves an opportunity to "don" a boot in Florida - TODAY was your day!! The boots were out in full force. We had long boots, over the knee boots, leather boots, suede boots, boots with fur, animal print boots, reptile print boots, booties and even two-tone boots. Yep, we had so much boot diversity that I started a boot cam for our "Twitter" and "Instagram" pages!!
Okay, a usual, I digressed.
The first meeting of the new year has a tendency to signify new beginnings. These beginnings are filled with anticipation of the wonderful "Arm Chair" journeys we will be taking to parts unknown through books selected by the next five members in the hostess rotation.
Celeste, our hostess for February gathered us all together at Maggianno's, in Jacksonville's Town Center to began our journey with a trip to Eunice, LA. This is where we were introduced to "Lula Mae" in the novel of the same name, by Bianca Cuie. What makes this novel so intriguing is the "claim" that is is based on a true story.
Guest, Yvonne began our meeting with a lovely prayer and blessing. Celeste went right into the icebreaker...What did we like or dislike about the book? Guest, Carol opened the flood gates and was very vocal about the mood of the book. She felt it was the most depressing book that she has ever read, BUT balanced that statement with the fact that this was how many people lived, particularly in rural counties in the south, during that period. Roz echoed that sentiment as well as others.
When Celeste broached the question of favorite characters (major and minor); the love was all over the place. Some members and guests, chanted, Lula, Papa Top, Fran, Cleve, and Valerie even declared that the Obeah, Tauntadi (yes, that one) was her favorite. Guest, Shannon concurred and supported her statement with her observation that the Obeah was "truthful" and spoke what she felt. Like I said, the love was flowing all over the place. JayBee interjected she looked towards a few inanimate objects as her favorites; such as the floral arrangements that were placed by Beatrice bedside that was alluded to have medicinal properties and the "Doublemint Gum" that the author seemed to use as a metaphor for a coping mechanism.
Big Ma (or, Big Mama as EVERYONE kept saying) was a major topic of discussion.
EVERYONE had an opinion about Big Ma. Guest, Kathryn was very vocal about her sudden insightfulness after all the dirt was done and Celestial also had an issue with it. The fact that she could watch your child and grand children being abused for years and not get out of the situation was perplexing to everyone. Although she attempted to protect them, she did nothing to inflect pain, leave, or press criminal charges against Doc. Roz, once again, took on that argument by emphasizing that this was the norm for the times. Women felt that had no skills or trade to support themselves - let alone, children and grand children.
Bonnie expressed a sense of compassion for Doc vs. empathy with regards to his sexual assault. She felt that she "understood" why he became the monster of a man that he was - but was clear that she did not feel it justified his actions.
Twilla, Maria and guest, Shannon brought up the topic of the sale of the Heirs property that Bervick consummated the sale of. They felt that the attorney knew he was "low balling" the Franks family and that he knew that there were multiple Heirs entitled to the land, and they would be required to authorize/agree to sell.
Several members and guests spoke about the visualization of the prose and how the author was very clever with her imagery. Val mentioned a scene where Lillie was standing outside the window, and she could feel her anguish and pain. As Lula Mae's health declined, Bonnie was touched by the vivid description of Lula Mae kissing all of her children - as if saying her final goodbye.
Celeste challenged the question of the ending and "accountability." Everyone had an equal disdain for Bervick and his foolery, however guest, Kathryn had a major issue with closure. She felt the book's ending did not solidify a conclusion and Celestial chimed in that it felt rushed.
The meeting flowed well and EVERYONE had some input.
Celeste wrapped up our meeting with sweet, treats, calendars, candied apples and a delectable Rum Cake designed by Kathryn of "Kat Cakes" of Jax (Yay!!)
We had a really riveting discussion and gave Celeste a rousing ovation for the book, venue, parting gifts and being an all around gracious Hostess.
Thank you Celeste for taking us to rural Louisiana, California and back again to read about the antics of the Harrison's and the Franks' and the legacy they left behind. What a way to begin 2020...This was one for the books (no pun attended) that we will not soon forget!