Before the Fall by Noah Hawley: Information vs Entertainment

With the all the buzz about Noah Hawley's Before the Fall I got in a NetGalley request at the last minute and the publisher quickly responded. Two days later I had finished the novel.

Yes, it is that good a read. I gave up going to see Love and Friendship so I could finish the book.

The book begins with a private plane that crashes into the ocean. One man survives and rescues a child. The rest of the book explores, person by person, each passenger 'before the fall', alternating with the investigation and lives of the survivors. This stretches the suspense and drives the reader.

So, its a good beach read and will soon a movie coming to a theater near you.

No, wait, there is more to Before the Fall than plot-driven suspense. Hawley uses the story to explore the role of television journalism and its propensity to manipulate news--to drive profits via increased viewers, even at the expense of the innocent.

Scott Burroughs is climbing back up from a complete meltdown. His early promise as an artist was frittered away with partying and playing the field. Only after reaching rock bottom and dealing with his alcoholism was he able to recreate himself. His sister had drowned as a child. Scott's new series of paintings probes the disasters that await us.

At the farm market Scott had an informal friendship with a wealthy mother and wife, Maggie Bateman. Maggie learns Scott is going into New York City to organize a show of his paintings on the same day her family are taking a private plane there. She invites him to tag along. Eighteen minutes after take-off the plane dives into the sea. Scott thinks he is the only survivor, and as a swimmer hopes to make it to shore. Scott hears Maggie's son JJ calling, and with grit and determination he miraculously saves them both.

Scott should be considered a hero, or a victim of a terrible disaster. To Bill Cunningham, David Bateman's television network star, Scott is an opportunity. Cunningham is arch conservative, a bulldog, who promotes his opinion as 'news.' He begins a campaign that questions if Scott is the villain behind the tragedy. Scott's heroism arises again as he takes arms against notoriety. Even imperfect failures can be heroes.

I was glad to have read this novel and will recommend it to my book club as a great discussion book. Those who like a character or plot driven novel will like it, and it will spark discussion of contemporary media/news practices.

I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.


Before the Fall
Noah Hawley
Grand Central Publishing
$26 hard cover
ISBN: 9781455561780

Hillbilly Pixies Quilt Pattern

Years ago I saw a quilt on eBay with appliquéd and embroidered elves. Some time after that I found the pattern in Blue Ribbon Quilt Patterns by Ruby Hinson published in 1973.

the eBay quilt

Here is the pattern.

"For the next two issues I am going to give you one of the cutest and most unusual crib or youth quilt patterns that I have ever seen. This pattern was designed almost forty years ago but has never been published before. The pattern was sent to me by the present owner of the original quilt, Mrs. Evelyn Bernard, an aunt of the designer. The following is taken from the pattern as it was sent to me:

"This quilt was started in 1933-34 by Virginia B. Howe, who is the niece of Evelyn Bernard, who is the owner of the quilt. Miss Howe drew the little pixies free hand, so these are her own originals. There were 34 of these little 6-inch blocks made up at that time. They were kept for 32 years in a protected place by Evelyn Bernard, and in 1966 she sent the 34 made up blocks to a pen pal, Winona Clocker, with enough material to make the other blocks and finish the quilt for her. The quilt diagram shown is the original setting for this long loved quilt. The quilt arrangement of Winona's made the little 6-inch blocks seem larger and if you look closely the little pixies will run in a circle.

"All hats are appliquéd of different prints, no two alike. Embodier the scarves, ties, and collars in a color picked from the print hat. All faces are embroidered in black outline stitch. Hair may be any color desired, such as yellow, red, brown, black, white, gray or tan. 

"There are two hat types which are called "Split Hat" and "Bell Shaped Hat" and thee have both a right and left facing pattern. You can see from the diagram that two appliqué blocks are set alternately with two plain blocks and these are then surrounded with strips to form a larger square. These strips on the original quilt were made from pink and yellow solid. Sew two pink strips together, on the short triangle seam, to form one half of a square. Sew two yellow strips together, on the short triangle seam, for form the other half of the square. Sew this around the 6-inch block to form a frame. Join the last small triangle corner of the yellow strip to complete the square. Watch the diagram of the quilt for the correct way of arranging the pink half corners and the yellow half side of the square strip frame, when joining the whole blocks together.

"Since this quilt was designed and made some time ago the diagram and material needed is for a small quilt top but if you prefer a larger top just add more blocks. This just shows a finished quilt in size 75" x 90".

"You will need: 60 each 6-inch appliquéd blocks; 2 1/2 yards pink, 2 1/2 yards yellow. Additional for quilt lining. Quilt cotton (dacron) batting, 1-inch wide print binding for the edges of the quilt.

"Seam allowances are given on the hat appliqué patches to turn under when you appliqué the hat in place. If you prefer to appliqué the hats with your zig-zag machine then it is not necessary to allow for seams or if you appliqué by hand and use a close buttonhole or blanket stitch no seam allowance is necessary.

"To place the pixie designs on the 6-inch blocks, use a transfer pencil and trace them on tissue or tracing paper and then place this tracing face down (traced side against material) and stamp with a hot iron. To quilt your quilt after it is completed, you can just quilt about one-half inch from both sides of all seams on all pieces except the little Pixie hats. This will be enough quilting for the complete quilt, since the pieces are all small pieces. Quilt around the seams of the 6-inch blocks, frame strips and the border."

Blue Ribbon Patterns p-640 Vol. 1; Quilt Patterns by Ruby Hinson. Tower Press publications.

So Long, Mr.G

My weekly quilt group meets in the community center. This Tuesday I happened to linger near a bulletin board and was drawn to read a notice from the local funeral parlor.

I have no idea why I read it; having moved twelve times in 43 years I never look at the obituaries because either I already knew someone had passed or I didn't know the person who had passed.

But this time my heart caught in my throat, for I recognized the name of the deceased. I read the whole notice, and was confirmed: my high school biology teacher, Mr. Gasiorowski, was gone. I had no idea he lived a few blocks away from our home of two years.

I loved Mr. G. He earnestly loved his subject and teaching us kids. He told great stories about whatever we studied, intermixed with mentions of his beloved White Sox team, managed by Eddie Stankey. When Mr. G talked about meiosis and mitosis he became so excited, his eyes shining. The mystery of life amazed him.

My 1967 diary is full of small references to Mr. G. Including this story:

Yesterday we had to inoculate a medium in a petri dish with bacteria. We used yeast as the bacteria. As we worked on this, Mr. G went around in case any trouble came up. He came over to me and said “I hate kids. I really do. I hate them!” as a serious joke. I told him that wasn’t a very nice thing to say, and asked why he was a teacher then. “I don’t know. Every weekend, I ask myself that. Every night I go home thinking how much I hate kids. But I usually forget about it after my 5^th Manhattan.” I laughed. He made another round of the lab tables, and came back with some sarcastic remark about, “OK kids, lets climb on each other’s shoulders and make like the Tower of Babel.” Everyone looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders as he passed by with his famous last words, “I hate kids.” 

One of several Mr G. sketches I did during class. 

I shared the obit link on various Facebook groups related to my high school and hometown and the comments came flowing in, previous students who all ranked Mr. G among their all time favorite teachers.

Mr. G has left a wonderful legacy.

http://www.gramerfuneralhome.com/obits/obituaries.php/obitID/660008/o/Robert-Joseph-Gasiorowski

Remembering The Assassination of Bobby Kennedy

In a few weeks my review of Bobby Kennedy: The Making of an American Icon by Larry Tye will post. I finished the book June 4, the day before the anniversary of his assassination.

June 5, 1968 Wednesday

I woke up and turned on the radio. A grim, somber man was talking. No music, no happiness, no funny DJ. Because at 12:15 this morning Robert Kennedy had an attempted assassination against him. It took place in the Ambassador Hotel in LA. Senator Kennedy is in surgery now--brain surgery. He had two bullets in his head. his heart, they say, is in good health. Four other people were wounded. It happened right after his speech.

When I first heard he was shot, I cried. I stopped to listen. The tension--there was little relief when I found he wasn't dead.

What's happening? Why?

Kathy was really upset about it. She told me her parents don't understand, don't care. Dorothy on the other hand talked about boys all the way to school. I had my ear glued to the radio I brought along.

Mr. Stephen gave a speech on Kennedy and held a moment of prayer for his recovery. All the heads bowed, solemn, still, not a sound in the gym. Anne Hoffman, exchange student, gave a long speech that touched the heartstrings, dripping with sentiment. It was beautiful. She cried. I could have died. 

Mr. Stephan reported that Senator Kennedy was alright, the brain surgery was over. Applause, relief, smiles with sad eyes, everyone knew, everyone cared.

So reads my diary pages from my sophomore year in high school when I was still fifteen. It was days before the end of school. I wrote that Robert Kennedy was a bright hope in a time of division, working for racial unity. I was worried about America's future: what happens when all the great men are murdered?

It had been a hard year of ups and downs for me. Friendships lost and gained, crushes on boys who avoided me and breaking up with the boy who desired me, choral concerts, classes with beloved teachers Mr. Gasiorowski (biology)  and Mr. Rosen (journalism), flunking geometry. 

And the suicide of a boy I admired, the son of my favorite English teacher, the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, and now Robert Kennedy. I had held a simple faith in humanity and the basic goodness of people, but that faith was coming apart. 

Two days later I was thinking about death and dying. I spiraled down into self pity and fear. Still to come was the lengthy hospitalization of my mother with me in charge of my little brother and basic household duties, Dad visiting Mom evenings. I hit rock bottom before realizing I had a (then) simple faith in God, and that knowledge changed everything for me.

But it was this event that was the tipping point, the murder of a man who represented hope. Kids need to believe the adult world will protect them, that the greater community can handle its problems and solve them. 

Later I realized it was just life. My parents lived through World War II. My grandfather was orphaned by age nine and had to fend for himself, working himself through college. My grandparents left a land where they were considered undesirable and a threat. The belief in a past Golden Age is myth.

I was actually pretty lucky, living in my suburban home with two parents, attending a great school, having home cooked food on the table every night and a K-Mart wardrobe every fall. But today I will allow myself to remember the sadness and crushed hopes on the day that Robert Kennedy was shot.

Murder and Baseball in Depression Era Detroit

Terror in the City of Champions: Murder, Baseball, and the Secret Society that Shocked Depression-Era Detroit by Tom Stanton is a thrilling and terrifying read.

Stanton begins his narrative in 1933 as Frank Navin signs Mickey Cochrane in hope that his Tigers would finally win a championship under his watch. At the same time a series of unsolved murders in the Detroit area were ruled suicides. Stanton weaves the narrative thread of winning teams and murderous mayhem through 1936 when the Black Legion was finally identified.

Detroit became the "City of Champions" when wins by the Tigers, Redwings, the Lions, and Joe Louis brought together a city crushed by the Depression.

Detroit was also the 'automotive capital of the world', attracting workers from the South to factory jobs. The largest Catholic congregation met in the Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak, MI, now a national shrine. When it burned down in 1935 controversial Father Coughlin rebuilt it with money contributed by his radio followers. He preached a mixture of worker's rights, government control of railroads and major industries, Antisemitism, and he supported some Fascist policies. President Roosevelt finally shut his radio station down in 1939.

It was also a time when the Black Legion's reign of terror pressed men into membership on threat of death, flogged or executed backsliders, and assigned hit men to kill targeted 'enemies' of America: Catholics, Jews, Socialists, Communists, African Americans, liberal lawyers and newsmen. The leaders' ultimate goal was to depose President Roosevelt and take over the American government--to save it from Communism.

Reading about the Black Legion carrying out their meetings and activities in locales known to me was sickening. The group grew out of the ashes of the KKK. Men were invited to a club or gathering, but when they discovered what was really going on it was too late to back out. Pledges were signed at gunpoint and members given a bullet to remind them that betrayal meant death. It was a reign of terror. Bigwigs ordered regular 'joes' to carry out abductions and executions. At least one African American man was murdered just for sport.

Black Legion robes and guns found by police

Membership climbed into the tens of thousands across the Midwest, reaching into the ranks of police, courts, and elected officials. It was said all of Oakland County's government were members! I live in Oakland County!

When Captain Marmon came from Lansing to investigate he soon announced the Black Legion was responsible for at least 50 Michigan deaths. Old cases were reexamined; murders had been ruled as suicides. But his investigations were stymied. Cover-ups prevented following through on leads. J. Edgar Hoover ignored demands for action. The Ford Motor Company would not allow permission for the police to drain Ford Mill Pond, said to hold bodies. Major-General Bert Effinger of the Black Legion lived in Lima, Ohio. The local police would not execute a search warrant on his house. Effinger went missing.

Had it not been for a Legion member's confessions and telling police of activities and crimes no one would have been brought to justice. The downfall of the Black Legion was a relief for thousands who spent every day in fear.

I am not a sports fan myself but my limited knowledge did not prevent me from appreciating, or following, the book's saga of the Tigers. I now know who Schoolhouse Rowe, Hank Greenberg, Micky Cochrane, and Frank Navin are! I proudly can say I now know why Navin Field is important to my acquaintance who is involved in vintage baseball played there and why the Navin Field Grounds Crew are fighting the installation of artificial turf on the field. I do love when history books make one understand and appreciate the present! Stanton is able to bring these men to life.

This multi-layered book offers a full picture of Depression Era Detroit. It has always been a complicated city.

I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

"Once in a blue moon, a city bears witness to the best and the wort of times. Such was Detroit's fate more than a generation ago as the Tigers, Lions and Red Wings reached new sports heights while the Black Legion too often ruled the night. It's a great tale and Tom Stanton has done a marvelous job telling it." Tim Wendel, author of Summer of '68

Terror in the City of Champions: Murder, Baseball and the Secret Society that Shocked Depression Era Detroit
Tom Stanton
Rowman & Littlefield
Publication June 1,  2016
ISBN 978-1-4930-1570-2 hard cover $26
          978-1-4930-1818-5 eBook $24.99

Keeping Busy

David Maraniss came to the Troy, MI library to talk about his latest book Once in a Great City: A Detroit Story. The auditorium was filled!

I read his book over a year ago through NetGalley. You can read my review at
http://theliteratequilter.blogspot.com/2015/09/once-in-great-city-detroit-story-by.html

Maraniss addressed the inspiration behind his book, his Detroit childhood, and the main themes in the book. He showed several short films including the Superbowl commercial that inspired him to explore his response of nostalgia.
 http://www.candgnews.com/news/michigan-notable-book-author-explores-detroit-60s-92631

Maraniss noted the changes in  Detroit since researching his book starting in 2011, mentioning the influx of young people and the new businesses in Mid-town. His book addresses the dismantling of historic African American communities under the guise of "urban renewal.  It prompted me to ask a question. I follow Angel Flournay, author of The Turner House set in Detroit, on twitter. A few weeks ago she was in the city and tweeted her shock at finding herself the only person of color in Midtown. So I asked Maraniss if he thought that Detroit's come-back was reflecting the historic racial split of Detroit's past. He replied that officials are aware of the need for all communities to be involved with restoration.

*****

We have removed a 40+ year old pine tree and trimmed out 40+ year old silver maple. It's all our neighbor's fault, as he was removing two trees and thought we would want to ( he wanted us to) remove the pine.

The Pine Tree Before

The Silver Maple Before

The trees in our yard were all planted in the 1970s by my father. The pine had a curved trunk, ran through all the electric and cable lines to the house, and the trunk split into two half way up. The maple has shallow roots and it hung over the electric lines and our garage roof. So we trimmed it up.

 We watched as he climbed up the tree and cut one branch of the trunk then the other.

And the maple looks so different now!

The neighbor's tree greatly shaded our yard. We actually have some sunshine now...which is giveing hubby ideas for plantings...

Lab Girl by Hope Jahren: Survive and Thrive

Reading the beginning of Lab Girl by Hope Jahren through The First Look Book Club I was charmed by Jahren's voice and put the book on my 'to read' list. When I saw it on the new book shelf at the library I brought it home with me.

"Each beginning is the end of a waiting. We are each given exactly one chance to be. Each of us is both impossible and inevitable. Every replete tree was first a seed that waited."

Jahren has faced many challenges: a lonely childhood, working herself through school, struggling as a female scientist against the prejudices of a male dominated field, finding funding for her projects. Her success can be verified by her choice as one of Time's 100 Most Influential People, her Fulbright Scholarships, and her long relationship with her lab partner Bill. She found love and faced a difficult pregnancy sans medication for her bipolar disorder to have the child that changed her life.

"I have learned that raising a child is essentially one long, slow agony of letting go."

Jahren's writing is so lovely to read. Her love of her work as a geobioloist and her awe of nature shines through the pages. She alternates chapters on her life with chapters about the world of green growing things around us.

The self-portrait Jahren paints reveals her personal challenges and insecurities without being confessional and raw. Her lab partner/best friend/soul mate Bill is interesting and complicated, eccentric and brilliant. He once lived in a hole in his parent's back yard. We come to love him as much as Jahren does. We are happy when her loneliness is ended by marrying a man who 'gets her.'

To read a section of the book go to http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/248239/lab-girl-by-hope-jahren/9781101874936/

To read an interview with Jahren go to http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/the-secret-life-of-plants-and-lab-girl-author-hope-jahren/

A gorgeous book of life. Jahren contains multitudes. Her book is love as life. Trees as truth.” —Beth Kephart, Chicago Tribune

Lab Girl
Hope Jahren
Penguin Random House
$26.95 hard cover
ISBN:9781101874936