I grow mint. I use it in cookin' an' fer iced tea.
But I reckon one of these days, jes' fer the novelty of freakin' out my intimates, I'se goin' ter try a Mint Julep. The whole clan will fall down in shock and mebbe think The End Is Near.
I'se a fan of Walker Percy--doan he look like a fella you'd like to sit on a bench an talk to? Another shockin' thang I'se gonna do one day is git myself cute-i-fied up a notch an go out an sit wif' some ole geezers on a bench--jes' surprise the whiskers offa 'em when I sit down an' say,
"Howdy do, sir. Ain't it a good day to visit? Lemme ask ya, what has ya been readin' recently? Here, hand me some of them bread crusts so I can hep ya feed these pigeons."
Anyhoo, this is what Walker has to say 'bout Bourbon, an it includes his own recipe.
"This is not written by a connoisseur of bourbon. Ninety-nine percent of bourbon drinkers know more about bourbon than I do. It is about the aesthetic of bourbon drinking in general and in particular of knocking it back neat...."
The rest of his essay is here: http://www.claremont.org/publications/crb/id.764/article_detail.asp
Aunty done got herself into too many book clubs. One of 'em is a bit more serious, an' thas' the one that is re-readin' Percy. plus a bio of the fella.
But here is a partial list of the frivolous group:
The Glass Castle
Peace Like a River'
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake
Oxygen
Dreamers of the Day
Spies of the Balkans (looking forward to this one)
The Gift of Rain
My Antonia
Illicit
I recall that Fishy wuz doin' a mystery readin' group--how is that goin' Fishy?
Is any of the rest of y'all in book groups? What does ya read?
What summer book wuz yore favorite?
An the BIG question fer some of us wuz, does read on a book or a E- Reader...so far, the real thang wins.
Now, about that mint julep...
23 comments:
The Glass Castle is one of my favorite books. I'm reading a book on the history of food in America called "The Food of a Younger Land" it's a book I think Shamy and Chickory would enjoy.
I just planted mint a few weeks for Mr. Boxer. Not for cooking... but for Mint Juleps. They are TASTY Aunty! Take one out and chat up the Geezers. ;-)
I attend my office's book club sporadically. The last book I read for it was The Help, which was one of the most compelling novels I've read in a long time. I think Shamy was reading it, and I'll bet you'd like it, too, Auntie, if you haven't already read it. Enjoy your reading and your mint - with or without bourbon :)
Boxer _babe!
Ok, if you like Glass Castle I'se a' gonna read it with gusto!
BTW, has ya read OXYGEN? set in Seattle--written by a woman anesthesiologist about a woman anesthesiologist. It's a pretty decent first novel, but here's the thing, author Carol Cassella lives on Bainbridge Island!! Tell me that ya knows her so ya can tell her I enjoyed her novel!!
Intuitive Eggplant, howdy!
An office book club--now thas' interestin'...how often does y'all meet?
Ain't read the Help, but ever'body else has, an I reckon I should too--thanky fer the rec, if ya likes, think I will too.
Our office book club tries to meet once a month, Auntie. Nice to get to meet some folks across class/status lines within the office who all share a love of reading.
The Help is a real knock-out of a first novel set in the South in the '60s, told in the multiple, distinct voices of one caucasian and two black women as "change" is happening. Really remarkable in terms of voice, character, plot, and capturing that slice in time without pedantism.
I actually didn't attend that book club session because I hadn't finished the novel yet, and I loved it so much I wanted to see how it would unfold on its own without other book club members revealing how the the little plot twists and turns would work themselves out.
Our book club has a rule - which I like - that anyone is welcome to attend even if you haven't read or finished the book. But The Help was such a fine read I didn't want to hear any "spoilers"!
Hope I'm not raving so much about this book as to turn you off from reading it. But it was so wonderful that it kind of brings out the former fiction editor in me :)
Aunty,
you best be saving that mint for sumthin you might enjoy .... doubtful that would me a julep. However, if you is determined here is the recipe from the Bluegrass Winners Cookbook:
Rub a pre-chilled silver tumbler with mint.
Fill 3/4 tumbler with crushed ice from a running spring.
Pour 1.5 tsp simple syrup over the ice
Fill tumber with the finest Kentucky Bourbon
Stir until a frost appears, add a mint sprig garnish.
"This beverage reaches it's height of conviviality only where friends are gathered together to lend the nectar of their charm to the ingredients which combine to soothe all of the senses of man."
The mystery book club here faded away over the summer months, we might have a review in October. My most recent reads are:
Captiva by Randy Wayne White,
suppose to be the new John D but isn't even close.
Executive Intent by Dale Brown, which was not his best work. Tell you the truth, I found this spineless, uneducated, dangerously naive president an extremely irritating character. It might have better been titled the "Executive Apologist" or... worse.
I read the latest Clive Cussler, which clearly was not written by Clive.
Litened to "Silent Thunder" by co-authors Iris Johansen with her son Roy. Blowfish commented he thought the lead in too long. As light entertainment while traveling it was fine for us both.
I currently am reading One Foot in Eden by Ron Rash which is a story situated in Jocasse before it became a lake. So far, I like this one.
On deck to be read next is
Laughed Til He Died, the 20th in the Death On Demand mystery series by Carolyn G. Hart. This series is definitely a frivouls read but I enjoy the essence of South Carolina barrier island life and have come to know the quirky cast of characters like we all did in Miss Jane Marples village.
I definitely read books not screens. There are too many screens in my life and I think I am getting headaches from eye fatigue looking at light all the time. Then too, I grew up with the "comfort" of books and am unwilling to forgo this relationship.
Oh yeah, let us know what the geesers is readin.
Hi Auntie! I don't do book clubs, but I can't do without having a book or two "on the go" .... at least one at all times. Major Pettigrew is in my pile of "to be read" books, maybe I will pull it out and start it next. The best one I have read this summer was given to me by my sister-in-law. Actually both SIL's recommended. I ended up at home with two copies of it. Kate Atkinson - When Will THere Be Good News. British mystery kind of stuff. Also have read two by Ian Rankin, Scottish detective stuff. I swear this British stuff finds me without me having to go look for it.
If you get a chance, find Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn D Wall, a lady I know who got some very good press on her first novel.
When we have our blog summit in Turkey and/or Italy, maybe we can all sip Mint Juleps. And I thank Fishy for the recipe!
Peace Like a River is one of my all time favorite books. I'd love to hear what you think of it when you finish.
I just finished Blood and Thunder, a beautifully written history of Kit Carson's role in the opening of the American West and the Navajo Long Walk.
Am about to finish Dave Mustaine's autobiography, with Jon Krakauer's supposedly excellent, Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman up next.
My childhood home had a patch of mint that, while gorgeously fragrant, unfortunately met a full on death at the hands of my stepfather because it eventually took over almost half the backyard. I'm scared to grow it now, as a result. How do you keep yours under control?
No book clubs here, but right now I'm revisiting Bailey White. She's such a hoot! Next, I'm thinking something from Faulkner, like Old Man.
When you sit with the geezers, be sure to wear your red hat. (^;^)
Good morning Aunty Belle,
We grow mint in pots both for cooking and pest control in the garden. Plus it smells so good. I'll pass on the Mint Julep. If I was going to take a touch of bourbon it will be straight.
The park bench is a neat idea. Of course you never know what you're getting into. He could be an Einstein or not.
I'm currently reading: Swine Not by Jimmy Buffett. I picked it up thinking, well he can write songs maybe he can write books. He's a better songwriter. I get most of my books from the library. I'll just walk an aisle and if a book catches my eye, I'll read it.
I read an article the other day that predicted the E-readers will cause the demise of the bookstore faster than mp3 caused the demise of the record store. I fear this is correct with the libraries not far behind. What do you think?
Intu Eggy
I think yore book club rulke is the best plan--otherwise when Life Happens an' ya ain't read yore selection, ya skip the meeting--then thangs fall apart. I cain't tell ya how many books I did go back an read even w3hen I heard the discussion.
Fishy?
Why does ya doubt Aunty would enjoy a julep? Doan I seem like the Bourbon type? Them mystery books sound perfect--now Iffin' I could jes' git to the beach...
An I will say, I prefer books to the screens--I has a Sony E reader, but I'se thinkin' to let Granny have it so she can have any book she wants in large print!
PamOKC!
Listen, no foolin' I luv English authors. Last one I read was Elizabeth Ironside's Death in A Garden based on a REAL CASE. Good book. Ian Rankin is new to me--will try him!
Moi, Cherie,
Then iffin' ya liked Peace Like a River, I is now lookin' forward to it. I'se curious about the Kit Carson... fuuny thang is I heard an author in July who is finishing a book on Doc Holiday--Doc was the model fer --wait fer it--Rhett Butler. Seems Doc was fluent in classical Greek, Oxford edoocated and from a venerable Atlanta family--the gamblin' was so scandalous that he had to separate from his folks.
On mint--jes' keep it in pots to control its spread.
Sophie Mae!
Heh..well, I can do the Red Hat, but, jes' doan think I'se ever gonna don nothin' purple.
Bailey is hilarious--an iffin' ya like her, does ya know Olive Ann Burs' Cold Sassy Tree?
Sophie--why'nt ya start a book club? Youse perfect fer it.
Karl! howdy,
Yep, keep the mint in pots--and if ya take that Bourbon neat, youse on same page wif' Walker Percy. Did ya read his essay (linked) --you'll like it. An thanks fer the tip on the benchsitters-- : )
As fer the E Readers--I think the library is is in tgrouble unless it morphs-- the libray in our town--the main one--is basically an air-conditioned hang out fer the down an out where they can can scan the computers fer material that polite folks doan discuss. I suggested they put them all int he same room--you know, an X-rated, ventilated room of their own so the taxpayers might have a snowball's chance of visitin' the library in some degree of comfort.
Still, I doan think anything but a book is worthy of a good read in a hammock.
That was a fun read and the "Where are the women?" line is one of the reasons, I don't partake of Bourbon very often.
Hello Auntie! xoxo
I just finished Ann Brashares My Name is Memory and it was great. As was Helen of Troy by Margaret George. In he process of reading Lamb by Christopher Moore but I am not sure how I feel about that one! Loving Frank, The Forgotten Garden and the Stieg Larsson’s trio are on my book shelf to read next. I am in an end of summer reading frenzy for some reason!
I will be interested in your opinion on your book club list!
Hope all is well with you and yours! Have a wonderful weekend!
PS Love Mint Julips but only at the races! Never seems as good on its own!
Before the mojito craze took off, La Diva got addicted to Mint Juleps! sigh...
I read many books at once but lately have been bad at finishing them. I'm currently reading four non-fiction books, which is probably why I'm having a hard time finishing them!
I like Carl Hiaasen for fun and now that I'm a local and he is too, enjoy his books even more.
I go through phases of what I read and when living in West Hollywood made my way through all my fave authors at the time: Elmore Leonard, Patricia Highsmith, Barbara Kingsolver, Carl Hiaasen, Isabel Allende, along with True Crime stories and had a fascination with serial killers for a while (yes, very dark!)
Friend of mine does a book club and then they cook a big meal based on the theme, now that sounds fun! Have a great weekend, Aunty and bring on the mint juleps!
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