Just checking in to say that I finished The Stars Are Fire and how much I enjoyed it.   Grace and friend Rosie's early lives were similar to mine in the way we kept house (that is before all of the automatic appliances that we are blessed with today)  I had to smile when Grace got her first washing machine and how she emptied it out the window.   My first washer was a second hand wringer but at least I had a basement with laundry tubs for rinsing.      I noticed how steadily those ladies smoked in their homes with young children and thought how much things have changed in that respect as well.    Beyond those things it was a gripping story and kept me interested from the beginning.   Thanks for the tip, Marilyne.

Speaking of stories about sisters,  the one that I had just finished,   Brought To Our Senses: A Family Saga Novel by Kathleen H. Wheeler was about a family with three sisters and one brother and the relationships between each daughter and mother and between the siblings.  Some of the Lisa Wingate books are also about sisters and one in particular is about a group of friends who were like sisters.   I had just one sister who was 4 years older than myself.    We were never close as youngsters and then she left home and moved across the country so that it was impossible to be close.    She died at age 70.    I've had women friends over the years that were like sisters to me without the sibling rivalry that happens with blood relatives.

MaryC, I am currently reading Brought to Our Senses, it is a tough read.  Unfortunately, my 2 daughters are similar to
Elizabeth and the "rebel" daughter.  The book is teaching me what can and cannot be agreed upon by siblings!  I gotta leave good instructions. Also, do "The Conversation" thing.

mary and Tome - Well, now I'm going to have to get Brought to Our Senses, ASAP!  Sounds like my two daughters.

the conversation I speak of is: www.the conversation project.org

Tomereader,  I hope you will find this book interesting as well as somewhat useful.     I believe that where there are siblings in a family that mostly some of them will fit into one category or another.   Not too likely that all children are the same!       We DID have the conversation somewhat when my husband was so ill 18 months ago.    We had made some of the decisions earlier on but when you come face to face with the facts you begin to second guess what you thought was the right thing.   We have chosen to let nature take it's course but at the same time do everything within reason to see that he is protected from other risks.   We feel like we are living on a plateau and enjoying every day of it.   Our children really don't want The Conversation BUT when they came to a crisis they were supportive  with whatever we wanted to do or not to do.  There is a form that Hospice provided us with called MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment).    This is from the NYS Department of Health but I wouldn't be surprised is other states have something similar.    We keep it on the front of the refrigerator and our Dr. has a copy.   Enough of that for now.

mary -I'm glad you liked The Stars are Fire.  I thought it was a good story, based on a true catastrophic event.  As you said, the day in and day out lives of Grace and Rosie were most interesting. The days of the wringer washing machines, seem like a fuzzy dream to me now.  In the house where I grew up, we had a "wash room" just outside the house in back The wringer washer and laundry tub were out there, and of course the clothes line was in the back yard. 

I remember very clearly once when I was about four years old, and my mother got her hand caught in the wringer.  Fortunately I was playing nearby, and she called for me and told me run across the street and get her neighbor friend, Ella.  I recall being frightened, but Ella was there, and came running, and released the wringer pressure. They remained close friends all through the years.
The last time I saw Ella, was at my mother's funeral/memorial service, in 1975.

I remember those days with the wringer washer.  We had a laundry room and I loved helping my mother by putting the clothes thru the wringer.  I got my hand and arm caught once but don't remember it hurting.  I remember even more when my mother got her first automatic machine.  The first time she used it the machine started jumping around during the spin and gave us a scare.  The repairman had to bolt it to the floor.

When my grandmother retired from almost 60 years at the Post Office, she had a time with the laundry.  Until that time, we had a lady who came to care for my youngest sister who did the laundry.  So Grandma decided that she would do the laundry.  To her this involved hauling the wringer washer out on the back porch, carrying buckets of water to that tub, plus two 2 round tin tubs for rinsing, and me to tote  clothing and hang up the wash outside.  I was about 15 and had a pass (which I worked for by scrubbing out men's and women's changing rooms at Lower Falls Beach).  I hated laundry day because I couldn't leave for the 4 mile walk out to that beach until everything was on the clothes line. 

Then next day, I had to iron the sheets AND the towels (which didn't help their texture!).  This also made me late for getting out to LFB!  I had 2 younger sisters, but neither was expected to help--not fair I used to grumble under my breath!  Did grumbling help?  No WAY!  Oh well, I lived through it and probably was better for it, but it didn't make me happy!

FlaJean, you were fortunate you weren't badly hurt with that wringer accident!

Sue

Same here, FlaJean. My arm went numb and was a bit swollen, but it cleared up soon enough. The rollers popped before anything worse happened.

SCFSue, I remember the days of ironing sheets, etc. You name it, it got ironed. Mom was also very particular about how things, especially towels, got folded. She had worked as a hotel maid in Bath during the war. That is where she met Dad.

The wringer washer that we had, had a release handle that separated (released) the two rollers. This was in the late 1930's, so it was probably an early model and didn't have any safety features?  I only remember that my mom couldn't reach it to release it, which is why she sent me running for Ella. Funny how you remember certain small events like that, from so long long ago.

Sue - It sounds like you did more than your share on wash day!  I often think about the many "chores" that my brother and I had to do every day, including weekends! My mother worked all during the War years, while my dad was gone overseas, so we had to do everything.  Grandma was there to watch over us, but I don't recall her doing the work - just giving orders! LOL.

I also remember ironing sheets, but not towels.  We had to shake the towels to take out some of the stiffness, before folding them.  Ironing was my favorite chore.  I did a lot of it over the years, and I still like to iron.  I find it to be very relaxing - almost tranquilizing.

I'm still not fond of ironing, although I occasionally get out the ironing board and "touch up" something that has been washed and hung in the closet and needs a bit of ironing.

Thank goodness for the new sheets which need no ironing and towels which come out of the dryer nice and fluffy!  I don't even have a clothesline anymore--and it might be illegal in my neighborhood to hang things outside.  A former neighbor had a pole with a round top with several rounds of clothes line and she let me hang some things that didn't do well in my dryer.  She moved away and the new neighbors don't seem to want anyone in their yard, so I hang some things inside to dry, but most things can go into a dryer these days.

Sue

Interesting reminiscing here about wash days of "old".   I don't mind ironing and still do our casual clothes even though they probably would be ok without.   I just like the look of a smooth tee shirt and jeans or shorts.       When the children were small and I was a stay at home mom I did ironing for a lady weekly.    She was the caregiver for two granddaughters and they each wore one of those pretty dresses every day for school.    There were miles of skirts and ruffles.   It was a challenge.     Do any of you recall using an ironer.    My mom had one for a time during the war years and we used it especially for household linens.   The dish towels were not textured as they are now so needed smoothing out.  I think she found that she could do a dress shirt quicker with a hand iron than trying to juggle it on the ironer.   

Speaking of sisters and divided chores,  I'm reading a book by Elizabeth Berg just now.   It is called What We Keep.    A large portion of the story is told by the main character about her growing up years with a sister who was pretty close in age and there were squabbles about many things.   I thought I had read this but brought it home just the same.    I don't believe I have read it before.    I took two of her books because I was in a hurry and couldn't zero in on another good author.

I am back to reading another SciFi, Down below Station by C. J. Cherryh, which is the first in The Company Wars series. It won the 1982 Hugo Award. Unfortunately, the copy I have is small, dark, dense print and the pages are yellowed. Because of that, it is difficult to read if not in good light, so it is going to be a slow read. Oh, super! I just found the full audiobook on YouTube,  I think I'll try that.

As for lighter fare, I am reading Gone to Green by Judy Christie. It is also the first of a series and follows a woman who inherits a small town newspaper. It is a pleasant read, humorous in an understated way, and a change from heavier reading.

Just finished: Knights of the North: A Yukon Adventure, by Bobby Hutchinson. It is as much a romance as it is an adventure. Set in the City of Dawon, Yukon, it follows two RCMP members. It to is not taxing on the brain. The characters are likeable for the most part, but not always with much character depth.

All three of these books were written by women.

mary - I read What We Keep, many years ago, but I remember how much I liked it.  I'd like to read it again, along with a couple of other Elizabeth Berg novels.  My favorite of all her books is, We Are All Welcome Here.  I liked it so much that I bought a copy from Amazon, just so I could have it to read again whenever I wanted to.  It's fiction, but Berg adapted it from a true story.  We are probably the last generation who can appreciate this story. It's about a young wife, who contracts the worst form of polio, and ends up in an iron lung.  It sounds terribly depressing, but it's not!  In spite of the circumstances, it's an upbeat story.  As I said, after our generation is gone, no one else will ever be able to relate to a story like this . . . the fear of polio, and how the lives of some who were afflicted, were changed forever.

Oh yes!!! the fear of polio especially when our children were young.    The vaccine was just in the early stages as our children were born and it was still a threat until those were more widely available.  I still meet an adult who was affected with Polio as a child.

I thought that I had read We Are All Welcome Here but since I am on this E. Berg journey,  I may take it out and read it again.   Your description kind of revs up my memories.  The second one that I brought from the library this time is Tapestry of Fortunes.    That title did not ring a bell with me at all.    The library has notified me that one of Jodi Piccoult's books that I requested is in.   That one is Small Great Things: A Novel.    I did take out the "Playaway" and started to listen but that doesn't work well for me as I fall asleep and loose my place.      

I should go out and do some gardening but it is hot out there and the comfort of the AC holds me inside.   

This week I’ve been rereading The Thorn Birds, and I'm finding it totally engrossing!  Very hard to put down!  I last read it when it was first published in 1977, and then watched the television series that followed fairly soon after. 

Not sure, but I think the TV show focused mostly on the love story between Meggie and Father Ralph?  The book covers so much more regarding the history of Australia, the people, and the members of Meggie’s family. 

For those of you who have never read The Thorn Birds, I highly recommend that you do!  For those who read it 40 years ago, it is well worth reading again!  There is so much in the book that I had forgotten, and many things in the story are much more meaningful to me, than they were back then.

Junee - I remember that we talked about TTB, a few months ago, and you said you were going to reread it? I'm wondering if you ever did?  If not, I think you will really enjoy it all over again.   

I probably posted a recommendation here for "The News of the World" by Paulette Jiles.  I understand they are making a movie of it, and UNFORTUNATELY, once again Hollywood is miscasting the lead actor; i.e. Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher.  The lead character in NOTW is Capt. Kyle Kidd, who is 70+ years old, has a deeply resonant voice by which he captures his audiences when reading the News of the World.  So...Hollywood is casting Tom Hanks as Capt. Kidd. Please tell me this isn't true. My pick for the lead, who would fit the description of Capt. Kidd is Sam Elliott, who is currently starring in "The Hero". 

Tomereader1, IMHO Tom Cruise has a very pretty face, but little to no acting talent!  I recently watched a "Reacher" movie which starred Cruise as Reacher--and believe me, he is NO REACHER--who is a very manly man!

SCFSue

Now, don't anyone get me wrong here!  I love Tom Hanks, I've enjoyed almost all of his movies, but he would be so wrong for this particular role!  He's probably bought the movie rights to this book and figured he ought to "star" in it.

Tome - I read News of the World, as did my husband, and we both loved it!  I agree with you 100%, as to the casting of Tom Hanks, as "the Captain". There are others in that age category, that would fit the role better.  It seems that Hanks has a lock on every choice role for any actor over 60 years old . . .  "Sully", "Bridge of Spies", and "Captain Phillips”, just to name three. I know that he bought the rights to "Sully", but not sure of the others? 

Like you said, he's a great actor and I like him . . . but still, it would be nice to see another older actor cast as the lead in "NOTW". Hanks just doesn't look the part.  I was thinking of Harrison Ford or Sam Shepard, but Sam Elliott would be good too.  Even Tommy Lee Jones would be a possibility . . . he's the right age, and he's a Texan. 

Too bad we can't work as casting directors!

Marilyne

YES, I did find the first two chapters depressing but am enjoying it now I am into the main story.  Not a fast reader these days and know I will be wanting to see that movie again as it is many years since I viewed it.
Now a very interesting article this week in our Women's Weekly,which I normally do not get but GDaughter brought it to me.  You probably know that Colleen McCullough died in Norfolk Island and has left TWO WILLS (seem to remember something about Mary Carson doing the same thing) and is being sorted out in the courts.  One will leaves All to her husband Rick and the other will leaves all to The University of OKLAHOMA.  Think maybe she is having the last laugh.  I always enjoyed interviews when she visited back here but some of her answers ,
and the laugh that followed made me wonder if they were ambiguous.    Will be interesting to see what the result is, and I hope it appears in the news some where.

Tommy Lee Jones does not look like a well man, last movie I saw him in.  I know he looks his age, but it's past that now, he looks sick.  Never cared much for Sam Shepard.  Don't really see Harrison Ford as the Captain. 
Elliott looks rugged, worn, and oh that voice.  Just my MHO

Tome - I like Sam Elliott, but there is something about his on-screen persona, that I don't think would be right for The Captain. Maybe too laid back and flirtatious??  I do agree about his voice though - it would be perfect. 
Another actor who is about the right age, and who is extremely versatile, is Richard Gere.  I think he could pull it off.   Also Ed Harris, is a wonderful actor.  Robert Duvall, is way too old, at age 85, but when he was younger, he would have been perfect.  He really knows how to become the character he is playing.

It is a shocker to realize Robert Duvall is now 85.

I finished reading Gone to Green , by by Judie Christie, which is, I think, a Chick Lit thing. Not my usual venue, but it was a pleasant read and a break from heavier reading. Of course what got my attention in the first place, was that the plot had a big city Northern gal inheriting newspaper in a small Southern town.

MarsGal - looks like both you and maryc, gave Gone to Green, a thumbs-up, so I'll add it to my library list.  So many books on my list are unavailable at my two libraries, so I guess I'll have to work harder at learning to love my Kindle!  I do like it for other things, but still prefer a real book, if I can find one.

Junee - Hang in there with The Thorn Birds!  Although it's a long and detailed story, but it's really worth it.  I'm so glad that I read it again after all these years, and would recommend it to all those who look into this discussion.    

Our ongoing heat wave has finally subsided, so tomorrow I plan to finally break out of this house, and get a much needed change of scenery!  I have to get some groceries, plus go to the library, and maybe I'll drive to San Jose to the Barnes and Noble?  It's fun to go to B&N and just look at all the new books. They always have some interesting selections on their bargain book shelves. 

Junee - I meant to mention yesterday, that I hadn't heard about Colleen McCullough, leaving two wills - with the second one willing her fortune to the University of Oklahoma?  Yes, it does sound like she was influenced by her fictitious character, Mary Carson.   I'm sure all the information is online, so I'll look and see what I can find.   

I saw my name mentnioned here in connection with the book  Gone to Green.        I hadn't read it but decided that perhaps I should look into it.    It sounded kind of interesting so I did make the $.99 buy from Kindle.     I'm reading that now off and on with the Jodi Picoult book that I have from the library.   That one is kind of heavy reading so Gone to Green is light and a relief from all that stuff that is in the other story.    There is a lot about the White Supremacy movement in   Picoult's book and it gets me down.  It is stuff that I know exists but I would rather  not think about it.....way too scary.   Am I a coward???

I have requested News of the World from the library so I'd better keep at the books I have in hand to be ready for that when it comes along. 

News of the World sounds interesting.  I'm on the reserve list.

mary - I've become disenchanted with Jodi Picoult, in recent years.  Her novels are too similar, and too depressing.  I usually enjoy a book with lots of angst and drama, which she has plenty of, but there was something about her stories that gave me an uncomfortable feeling that lasted for a long time.

FlaJean & mary - I hope both of you will enjoy News of the World. It's the best book I've read this year! 

MarsGal & SCFSue - I think you would both like it too!   

did my quick trip to the library. Left house at 4pm and back by 4:40. Just still to hot to be outside. Set now for next 2 days as will still be high 90. Got 3 DVD and pickup up "The Hamilton Affair" for one book.  Right now I am in the middle of the book "Margo" Had it out a couple of time but did not start it. It is quite good. Margo was the eldest sister to Anne Frank. in the non fiction book as we know Margo died same time a Anne in the Camp. In this book she lived to escape on the last day. Changed her name, came to the USA and now has a job in a Law office. Not admitting her religion of her life.
Fast reader. I will finish it.

Time to fix fast dinner.