December Diversions

ON THE SCREEN Holiday Cooking Class  The other evening, we enjoyed a cooking demonstration.  Clarkson University, the Chief Penguin’s alma mater, invited alumni to see and join their campus chef in the preparation of several dishes.  They included a colorful cranberry and whiskey cocktail, baked brie, baby potatoes wrapped in bacon, and julienned root vegetables with pistachio …

Book Notes: Strout & Winspear

BOOK GROUPS I have been a participant in a book group of some sort almost forever.  In my 20’s, I was part of a group that was made up of English professors and two librarians, me being one of the latter.  All members were female.  I can’t recall the titles we discussed, but I do …

Booknote: Mysteries of Character

GEMMA, MAISIE, AND CLARE My mother devoured mysteries.  I think when she was raising her four children they were pure escape.  She would read a Crime Club mystery in an evening and then read several more over the rest of a week—all of that required frequent trips to the public library.  I am more selective …