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Bo is really growing into his roll as a dad. And I think AJ maybe seeing him in a new light. So many stories, Bo & AJ, Bo and Kim, Penelope & Dino, Daisy & Jullian, I can't wait to see how they unfold. And what's with the e-mail from Lloyd? Do you think he's going to come after her? hmmmmm And I wonder what will happen to Bo & AJ if Yolanda is released? Do you think they would share custody or would AJ just vanish from his life?
Bo is really growing into his roll as a dad. And I think AJ maybe seeing him in a new light. So many stories, Bo & AJ, Bo and Kim, Penelope & Dino, Daisy & Jullian, I can't wait to see how they unfold. And what's with the e-mail from Lloyd? Do you think he's going to come after her? hmmmmm And I wonder what will happen to Bo & AJ if Yolanda is released? Do you think they would share custody or would AJ just vanish from his life?
Good morning, book club!
Those are really great questions! I don't imagine Bo and AJ would ever totally lose each other now, because it was never Bo's intention to ignore him in the first place. I think that is a blessing from this very awful situation. It was not right of AJ's mother to deceive the child into thinking his father didn't want him.
I am only part way through this week's reading, andI find myself so touched by all the transition.
Kim, Bo, and AJ are all really in a state of shock and loss. It's almost like all their lives were placed in the proverbial apple cart and tossed right into the air. Piece of life are still dropping and rolling and who knows where they will end up?
Considering that all three are in the same rearranging state, I'm curious as to where that will go.
ONe thought...Penelope created a boarding house from HER personal upturned apple cart. Somehow, she created a place of refuge and safety where many in transition can rest a moment, regroup and be "home".
WHen AJ reflects, he describes the place as "Wierd, in a good way, to be living with this groups of people. One big not-happy-but-at-least-not-bored family."
I'm curious Can you recall a place or an event that seemed to bring lonely people together, helped lost people feel that they've been found or helped tired people feel like they've got a moment's rest?
FOr me, that place is a local convent that has retreats. You can go with a group or go by yourself. Much of the time is just spent wandering alone, but there is something really nice about it. The nuns are from all over the world, but they've sort-of found their way there.
I see a passion for baseball from Bo. I have also seen that same passion from many young men who have played for us over the years in American Legion baseball.
I will pass along one story about a shortstop we had who as long as his did could remember the player had said he wanted to be a big league ball player. Nothing unusual so far. Lots of big leaguers put in seasons as the lower levels before they make it big. This young man played 7 or 8 years of minor league ball some affiliated and some unaffiliated. When the last season ended and he came home he had been no higher than double A which is still two steps away from the bigs. He arrived home late one evening the next day he told his dad he needed to find a job. While unpacking he asked his dad if he could hang his glove and spikes in the garage on a hook in the back corner. That hook is where is dream died. Hwe never again has touched his glove or spikes.
There must be a passion to persue a dream that big and when the dream does not reach frutation the fall is a large one and hurts - that is passion. They play years for little money, long hours, late nights, bus rides till 5 in the morning, all to follow a dream - that in most cases nevr arrives.
I follow what is being said and understand I am not putting anybody down. I am not a reader and I work in a library and have taken a couple of library science classes. In reading this book you all seem to have passion for the characters whereas I notice how the characters are developed. I have a passion for the characters also i just seem to feel mine is different.
I think the author is fantastic to be able to draw both kinds of readers into the story. She develops the feelings of Kim and the break up as if it happened to her yesterday. She also develops the story line of Bo and his baseball dream as if she has lived it for many seasons.
I see a passion for baseball from Bo. I have also seen that same passion from many young men who have played for us over the years in American Legion baseball.
I will pass along one story about a shortstop we had who as long as his did could remember the player had said he wanted to be a big league ball player. Nothing unusual so far. Lots of big leaguers put in seasons as the lower levels before they make it big. This young man played 7 or 8 years of minor league ball some affiliated and some unaffiliated. When the last season ended and he came home he had been no higher than double A which is still two steps away from the bigs. He arrived home late one evening the next day he told his dad he needed to find a job. While unpacking he asked his dad if he could hang his glove and spikes in the garage on a hook in the back corner. That hook is where is dream died. Hwe never again has touched his glove or spikes.
There must be a passion to persue a dream that big and when the dream does not reach frutation the fall is a large one and hurts - that is passion. They play years for little money, long hours, late nights, bus rides till 5 in the morning, all to follow a dream - that in most cases nevr arrives.
WOW! WHat a touching post!
Just beautiful! I can just imagine that glove and the spikes hanging on that hook in the back corner.
I used to be a jazz tenor sax player, and when life and circumstances (and, honestly, the fact that I JUST did not have enough talent to really make a living at performing) came to light, my horn moved from a prominent place in my room to in the closet. Before long, my chops were gone and I gave it to my nephew. The truth is, I am happy to have let go of a dream that no longer really suited my life. The HOURS I used to spend practicing are now spent with other pursuits.
The real question for me, though, is...will my writing be put on a hook also? I have a real passion for writing. Since I was a little girl, I wanted to be one, but I don't seem to know what to do with that. As long as it has been my passion, I have done relatively little with it.
I'm going to expand on oour original passion question to ask:
What are your thoughts on hanging your passion on a hook like Daniel's baseball player's glove? Are you neglecting to pursue your true dreams?
In reading this book you all seem to have passion for the characters whereas I notice how the characters are developed. I have a passion for the characters also i just seem to feel mine is different.
I love how you look at the characters. It gives another level of insight into them. I think one of the reasons I love series books so much is the chance to get to know the different characters on a different level.
__________________
Betty Sue
Affiliated with CruisingCo.Com/MouseEarVacations.com
Disney Destination Specialist/ BettySueS@cruisingco.com August '09 Trip
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I follow what is being said and understand I am not putting anybody down. I am not a reader and I work in a library and have taken a couple of library science classes. In reading this book you all seem to have passion for the characters whereas I notice how the characters are developed. I have a passion for the characters also i just seem to feel mine is different.
I think the author is fantastic to be able to draw both kinds of readers into the story. She develops the feelings of Kim and the break up as if it happened to her yesterday. She also develops the story line of Bo and his baseball dream as if she has lived it for many seasons.
I agree with that! This author has a flare for depicting upheaval and crisis without making it miserable. SHe also seems to be able to write from a guy's perspective really well.
I find it interesting that she develops the characters almost from the inside out. When we are focusing on Bo, we are seeing the town through his eyes and hearing his internal dialogue. Same with the other characters.
If you were to ask me who the main character was, I could not actually give an answer. It depends on which chapter you are reading from the moment.
What are your thoughts on hanging your passion on a hook like Daniel's baseball player's glove? Are you neglecting to pursue your true dreams?
A very touching post. My first reation was "What a sad sight" But I understand that many dreams/passions have to end when they become unrealistic.
Am I neglecting my true dream? Absolutely! Why? Too many ideas and fear of failure!!! I have a dream to start my own business from my kitchen, but I have so many passions in the kitchen, I can't seem to narrow it down to one thing. One day I want to star a small, luncheon catering business. The next day my passion is for making and decorating cupcakes. I start taking a Wilton Course next week. Maybe that will be my jump start. Who knows - maybe I will combine the two ideas!
__________________
Betty Sue
Affiliated with CruisingCo.Com/MouseEarVacations.com
Disney Destination Specialist/ BettySueS@cruisingco.com August '09 Trip
A very touching post. My first reation was "What a sad sight" But I understand that many dreams/passions have to end when they become unrealistic.
Am I neglecting my true dream? Absolutely! Why? Too many ideas and fear of failure!!! I have a dream to start my own business from my kitchen, but I have so many passions in the kitchen, I can't seem to narrow it down to one thing. One day I want to star a small, luncheon catering business. The next day my passion is for making and decorating cupcakes. I start taking a Wilton Course next week. Maybe that will be my jump start. Who knows - maybe I will combine the two ideas!
That is a really great insight! Those of us who are dreamers often have trouble focusing in on one thing. I wonder if the addition of AJ will cause Bo to become unfocused with his baseball dreams, thus causing him to lose his big (and last) chance.
Something about the way Penelope rose from the ashes like a phoenix living in a brightly colored nest is so impressive to me right now. I know she has not been a central character in the book, but her example really fascinates me. I wonder if the boarding house really is her dream. I wonder if she stopped and thought that cooking for these people would bring her life a measure of goodness.
My guess it that she just went to the store and bought up discontinued paint and started painting.
I think, to some degree, when we talk about starting businesses from our kitchens, creating a life without a former partner, opening boarding houses or learning how to be a parent with a teenager, we are talking about reinventing ourselves.
If every day is an opportunity to reinvent ourselves and recreate our life situations, what holds us back from moving forward? INdecision? Lack of planning? Lack of confidence?
All of the main characters in this book were forced by circumstance to come up with a new plan? Is it possible to do that when things are OK?
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Something about the way Penelope rose from the ashes like a phoenix living in a brightly colored nest is so impressive to me right now. I know she has not been a central character in the book, but her example really fascinates me.
If every day is an opportunity to reinvent ourselves and recreate our life situations, what holds us back from moving forward? INdecision? Lack of planning? Lack of confidence?
All of the main characters in this book were forced by circumstance to come up with a new plan? Is it possible to do that when things are OK?
I found myself SO drawn to Penelope!!! Losing her husband, relaizing things were not as they had always appeared, picking herself up by her boot straps, and 'making lenomade'!! Talk about stepping out of your comfort zone!
Speaking of comfort zone - I think that is a major stumbling block to trying something new. I know, for me, it's all a bit overwhelming. I start to think about doing what I love, then reality hits. I need to draw up a business plan, How will I get customers, Is there a market out there, What regulations would I have to follow........? So many unknowns. So I just sit back down in my familiar comfort zone.
I think for some people,stepping out of that zone into the unknown is easy and exciting. Others need a swift kick in the tush. Wanna guess whcih one I am?
__________________
Betty Sue
Affiliated with CruisingCo.Com/MouseEarVacations.com
Disney Destination Specialist/ BettySueS@cruisingco.com August '09 Trip
Bo is really growing into his roll as a dad. And I think AJ maybe seeing him in a new light. So many stories, Bo & AJ, Bo and Kim, Penelope & Dino, Daisy & Jullian, I can't wait to see how they unfold. And what's with the e-mail from Lloyd? Do you think he's going to come after her? hmmmmm And I wonder what will happen to Bo & AJ if Yolanda is released? Do you think they would share custody or would AJ just vanish from his life?
OOh! I think she leaves us with so many unanswered questions at the end of the book, that it's almost a given that there's going to be another book-at least there better be! Are you listening, Ms. Wiggs?
Ok so I want to ask how they can be sooooooooooo open with each other when talking about everything except when it comes to them together? LOL I swear it is very frustrating.
I found myself SO drawn to Penelope!!! Losing her husband, relaizing things were not as they had always appeared, picking herself up by her boot straps, and 'making lenomade'!! Talk about stepping out of your comfort zone!
Speaking of comfort zone - I think that is a major stumbling block to trying something new. I know, for me, it's all a bit overwhelming. I start to think about doing what I love, then reality hits. I need to draw up a business plan, How will I get customers, Is there a market out there, What regulations would I have to follow........? So many unknowns. So I just sit back down in my familiar comfort zone.
I think for some people,stepping out of that zone into the unknown is easy and exciting. Others need a swift kick in the tush. Wanna guess whcih one I am?
I REALLY liked this post.
I also feel drawn to Penelope. I wish I could be more like her. She just accepted what happened and made the best of it with a good attitude. Actually, all of the main characters are in a stage of reinventing because what they were before was "Destroyed" in one way or another. Even Bo's image of himself as a single man with no children changed in an instant.
I liked the way predatory lending was brought into the discussion, and the way Bo gave some info to help with the loan. It is sad when shady bankers are a theme in our day the way men in black with masks and guns were a theme in the Old West!
I'm curious Can you recall a place or an event that seemed to bring lonely people together, helped lost people feel that they've been found or helped tired people feel like they've got a moment's rest?
I'm a Kiwanis member and because we move frequently, I have been in a lot of Kiwanis Clubs - and them all! I've seen lonely people - senior citizens be brought together by Kiwanis events. One club did a free pancake breakfast and you'd think we served them filet mignon! They were all smiles. Another club did a Derby Day picnic. Absolute fun from beginning to end! And still another club did watermelon day at the nursing home. All we did was take watermelon, serve it and talk to the residents. They so looked forward to it! I could go on and on, but won't!
I think Penelope's boarding house was the right answer for her and for those who found a place to call home! It's good to read a story where everyone is getting along (or putting up with each other depending on your point of view) and not killing, arguing, back-stabbing each other.
Penelope made the right decision and her personality helps to make that decision work!
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them all! I've seen lonely people - senior citizens be brought together by Kiwanis events. One club did a free pancake breakfast and you'd think we served them filet mignon! They were all smiles. Another club did a Derby Day picnic. Absolute fun from beginning to end! And still another club did watermelon day at the nursing home. All we did was take watermelon, serve it and talk to the residents. They so looked forward to it! I could go on and on, but won't! 
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