Summer Reading...

I have been absently away from a computer when I am in recreation mode. It's summer. Summer's are meant for outside (which I am lacking), hands in dirt (which I am lacking) & swimmng (which really bugs me as an old person these days).

But reading has found it's way back into my world!

I've always been a reader, it was how I escaped a childhood surrounded by sawdust. One summer I read ALL - yes - ALL the Nancy Drew books...isn't that normal? I thought so...it was like 147 books...normal completely normal way to escape..

I digress...

When stress is high for me - books offer much comfort for a respite. I thought I would offer some feedback on the books I've been reading & let you wonder about this odd assortment:

No Reservations - Anthony Bourdain
The Firstborn Series - Karen Kingsbury
The Christmas Scrapbook - Phillip Gulley
The Pulpwood Queens Guide to Life - Kathy Patrick
Typhoid Mary - Anthony Bourdain
Lots of books about Monkeys for Quinten (my next reader for sure, we cannot read to him enough)
Can You Keep a Secret - Sophie Kinsella
Home to Harmony - Phillip Gulley

So far - Typhoid Mary has gripped me the most. I had heard of Mary Mallon in the past & knew something about her as typhoid Mary. Basically, this woman was discovered of being a healthy live carrier of typhoid disease. Her occupation was personal chef. This equals to many becoming sick both unknown & known to Mary. Anthony Bourdain tackles the subject of Mary through the eyes of one chef to another. Why did Mary choose to continue to cook after knowing the facts? Was she a killer or an honest woman finding work? Why did she respond the way she did when confronted?

It's a gripping tale. If you can find it at the library I recommend it. On 'used' on Amazon it starts at $125 bucks...it took me about 3 hours to read it cover to cover..if your time is worth $125 then spend the bucks!

What gripped me is what Bourdain described as the desire of chefs who truly engage in their careers. I am so butchering his statement I wish I had the direct quote. BUT he states that true chefs live in their kitchens because they are not part of 'that world'. Chefs have their own safe & ordered world in the kitchen. 'Out there' is out of control & chaos. But in the kitchen there is order as the world 'should be'.

No wonder I enjoy cooking so much. I am unashamedly guilty of enjoying that solace of a kitchen. It's warm safe & under control. I am full control of the 'should be' order of my world in the kitchen. I like it that way.

Once I realized that small poignant truth about myself, I fully embraced the position Mary found herself in. She tried other professions, but after being in control & leader of the homes she worked in - anything less just didn't fit the bill. Mary was definitely not understood or represented well in the public arena of her life. Yet, she lived well & had several friends - took solace in those relationships. The more I read, the more I liked Mary. I get that desire for some measure of control when chaos is supreme.

This book really engaged my deep desire for security & calm in ways that were clear cut & simple. There has been very little security or calm in my world since this spring. Yet, I am asked by my chosen career 'mom' to provide that for my kids. yet, I remain tossed & chaotic. This is the world I balance in & out of daily.

Typhoid Mary really brought new words & perspective as I watched this woman live out her life with a disease that haunted her relationships & professional career. She was not safe even when in her world of order & serenity 'the kitchen'. Near the end of the book I found myself loosing touch with that longing of order. Perhaps moving a bit in step with the chaos. Time will tell how close I will let myself step into the chaos, but so far so good. But I really still like my kitchen.