One of our garden club’s many activities occurs mid-January. Members gather to discuss a book related to horticulture, conservation, the environment, gardening, or other such earthy subjects. While the temperatures usually hover just north of zero, and snow is most often underfoot, it is the perfect time of year to read about earthly matters.
Our book this year is was a fairly new release. Laline Paull’s “The Bees” is an anthropomorphic tale about life in the hive with a lowly sanitation worker, Flora 717, as the protagonist. She is an unlikely heroine; too big, deformed, a lowly Sage, and a secret that could be her demise. While some of us loved the book, others emphatically did not. This, of course, was the perfect mix of perspectives for a chatty discussion, the hum of which must have buzzed about the halls and walls of the Elmhurst Library this week, channeling the very hive were “into” .
Have you noticed that it is the books one does not necessarily like that illicit the best conversations?
In between character development, authenticity, and the lewd behavior of drones, we nibbled on honeyed treats. Pictured above is a plate of apples with honey for dipping, nestled upon a bee’s tablecloth. We tasted from a honeycomb, drizzling honey onto blue cheese and crackers. There were honey cookies and honey glazed walnuts and pretzels, all anchored with a bee skep – amongst some of the sweetest worker bees I know.
I keep a saying close at hand; a reminder to watch what I say.
Lord, make my words as sweet as honey, for tomorrow I may have to eat them.
As an added bonus to me, whilst flipping channels once again back in my own comfy hive, Ulee’s Gold was playing. It is a movie I enjoy now and again, along with a Van Morrison song featured in it that I have posted before. This one is from the trailer to the movie.
What serendipity to find that great movie after your honey of a day! Don’t think I’d love the book, but I do love your wordplay! And your BookClub has way too much fun.
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We do have fun, Sallie and it was a honey of day. It’s a great group of women. I might now have read the book otherwise, so, this spurred me on. 🙂
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One of my favorite Van Morrison songs! Now I have to find it on youtube and post it on facebook so I can listen to it a few times! 🙂 Your honey-themed garden club meeting sounds both cozy and lively – cozy, honey based treats and lively book talk!
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Just saw it on Facebook, Janet – loved it! Thanks for the tag – and more Tupelo Honey. 🙂
Did you get that wonderful honey you enjoy from Ireland? I think you missed it last year.
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As usual, I left just before it hit the shelves! However, the Moron Arboretum had a lot of their own honey for sale in the shop (as did the Elmhurst Farmer’s Market), so I am pretty well stocked in delicious, local honey!
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Sorry you missed out in Ireland, but, glad you have some local. I like the Morton’s and have a jar waiting for me when I finish up the current jar. 🙂
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The garden club that meets in the library in the cold weather to discuss books and eat melon with honey sounds too good to be true! I haven’t heard of the bee book but reminders of Ulee’s Gold and Van Morrison are always appreciated. I may not be observant but your photograph seems to be a fairly recent addition. Seeing your smiling face with each comment is a good thing!
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A hardy group of women if ever there was, Marilyn, and it is really was a most lively few hours of eating and discussion. How nice of you to comment on my new “look”. I just changed it the other day, between posts, so, you are very observant. Thank you. I do enjoy Ulee’s Gold and the sweet strains of Tuplelo Honey.
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I love that you had all of those sweet treats for your book discussion. It’s interesting that you had such diverse opinions about the book but all of you feel strongly about the plight of bees. I have been dreaming of warmer times as well as a few seed catalogs have arrived.
Thank you for the reminder of Ulee’s Gold. I had forgotten all about that movie and would like to see it again.
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It’s always exciting when the seed catalogues start to show up in the mail; puts our minds to warmer weather, growing things, renewal. It was fun engaging in a discussion with divergent views as we did. The book is a bit like Watership Down.
You are welcome, Janet. It is such a good movie and I enjoyed watching it again. Sun is shining here and temps rising – at least for today. 🙂
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I think the best books elicit reactions. It doesn’t really matter whether they’re good or bad reactions. They make readers feel. It’s the books that don’t spark conversation, debate or discussion that are mediocre.
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Exactly, Andra; even if we feel anger or despair, a good book elicits emotions. I think you might have enjoyed this particular discussion; a book about anthropomorphized bees with conversation about lewd drones, religion, scents, and conservation.
I’m enjoying reading about all your book talks and memories, Andra. An old phrase, but, hey girl, “you rock”. 🙂
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I can just imagine your delightful book club buzzing around the honeyed treats and having lively discussions. The quote is wonderful. It’s going into my little book! Thank you Penny.
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Lively, it was. Thank you, Juliet.
That quote is a constant reminder to me, especially when I find myself eating my own words. It’s a good one to keep in one’s little book. 🙂
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I recently had a very lively conversation with a friend about the book “The Book Thief.” I loved it and she couldn’t stand it! She never finished it and nothing I could say would encourage her to try again. I think it’s great fun to discuss books when there isn’t general agreement and satisfaction. Honey treats to accompany the discussion was a very nice touch. It sounds like you had a warm discussion with good friends–perfect for a chilly afternoon. 🙂 And thank you for reminding me about Ulee’s Gold. It’s been ages since I’ve seen it, and I think I’d like to see it again myself. Lovely, Penny!
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I would have loved to have been a part of that conversation, Debra. We read “The Book Thief” for our regular book group (as opposed to the the garden club one) and did have lots of interesting conversation. Isn’t it interesting how some books bring out such strong emotions? “The Bees” was an interesting read and brought on all sorts of thoughts. Ulee’s Gold is such a slowly uplifting story that I was so pleased to come upon quite by chance.
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