We hosted our book discussion last night on Cherries in Winter by Suzan Colón. The book was about the author's adjustment to a single salary after she lost her job writing in New York City. She wanted to look at her grandmother's recipes, but found also with the recipes her grandmother's writings, which she included in her book. She looked back at her family and saw the strength they had surviving much worse than she had, and she felt inspired by their tenacity and sense of humor. We talked about our own families and how we try to stay in touch with distant relatives. We shared ideas to entertain large groups of relatives, like game playing. And we talked about the meals we cooked for our families that we have been doing for years. The economy has me brown bagging my lunches, and making homemade meals at night. Thank goodness I have a husband who loves leftovers. They are my life savers. But I sure would love to have a husband who could run down to the  beach when the blues are running, and catch some fresh fish for dinner as Suzan's grandfather did for her many years ago along Long Island Sound. That was one of our favorite memories from her stories of family.

Police Procedural

Because I like to read Cynthia Harrod-Eagles and her police procedurals, I was alerted to read Ian Rankin. I started at his first Inspector Rebus, Knots and Crosses written in 1987. I am glad I did start with the first one because it explains his personality as a character. Rebus has nightmares, and sudden visions of someone being trapped. During his investigation he is sent notes with references to knots and crosses, a game in England similar to Tic-Tac-Toe I am guessing. He thinks the clues are a hoax, but as an informer solves the acrostic clue, he is suddenly driven into the mystery and suspense of his lifetime. And with help from his brother, a hypnotist, his deeper knowledge solves the mystery, but not the where. A suspenseful ending to a good book.