Today's reading is Mrs Miniver, the book from which the Oscar-winning WW2 propaganda movie of the same name was made.
I feel a kind of cultural obligation to read it, despite itself. The writing is women's magaziney cranked up to 11, labored attempts at poetic descriptions, with some more graceful parts. Wealthy Londoners with a second home, servants, two months vacation in summer, late 1930s.
It opens as she comes home from vacation, carrying flowers, finds a fire already going, teatray in place, and she doesn't go to put the kettle on, she rings for tea. The scene is set, and you know her social setting.
Anyway the Miniver family ( even the name is opulent) suddenly find they're facing war, and what happens then.
I think I'm going to like it, if only for the social history. I'm looking forward to the dresses and hats. Chapter one already introduced the new car.
Meanwhile we had snow overnight and I looked out this morning to see my good neighbor, not Gary, the other side, quietly cleaning off my car.
He'd done both of theirs and kept going. I opened the door to call thanks and he gave a little ah tis nothin shrug. Why I love my neighbors.
I did get a walk, determined, despite the cold wind, and Helen's objections. It wasn't long but it was out, walking, mailbox then on round the block and back, blessing the length of this coat, and feeling quite smug. It's a far cry from making it to the pond, but that's going to happen in warmer weather.
This afternoon is a pot of tea -- it's barely two cups in size but there's something good about even a small pot -- piece of cake, knitted afghan on me, crocheted one in progress.
The house is so clean, I bless the cleaning family, they leave me with little to do between visits, just enjoy my surroundings.
I launder all the cloths they use, top up the spray bottles of cleaning fluid, put back the things I put out of their way, and my part's done for another month.
Happy day everyone, maybe we can find our bit and do it.
Meanwhile
Oh, Boud! That cartoon is the best. The very best! I've never read Mrs. Miniver but I have always loved the movie. And what a lovely neighbor you have!
ReplyDeleteThe movie's more democratic than the book. I've always loved that comic so I seized the chance when it showed up. We have a nice neighborhood.
DeleteCan a little old man join the little old ladies? I’ve got some time, but would like to get on the waiting list. Such good neighbors. When we were kids, my pre-teen sister would shovel our walk if the snow wasn’t too heavy. Without anyone even suggesting it, she would shovel our neighbors’ walk and driveway, too. Their kids were all grown and I remember they were old, like around 60. She set me a good example and I have no clue where she got that from.
ReplyDeleteWho knows where people's good instincts come from? Handsome Son is much more tactful and nonjudgmental than either of his parents. Where did he learn it?
DeleteI have seen the film, Mrs Miniver but once again I cannot remember it. I think I would like to read the book. Good neighbours are a treasure.
ReplyDeleteThe book is very episodic. It was originally a newspaper column about the daily life of a posh lady.
DeleteI ring for tea all the time. NOTHING EVER HAPPENS.
ReplyDeleteMy sister used to say, and once again, the butler never showed up!
DeleteTea, cake, a knitted afghan, a clean house and good neighbours. You are blessed, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI'd say so.
DeleteHistory/historical/biographies are my favorite reading.
ReplyDeleteI like that, too. Mrs miniver is strictly fiction set in a time period. It's pretty superficial.
DeleteThat Gary is a gem! And I love the cat cartoon.
ReplyDeleteHe is, but this is my other side neighbor.
DeleteAnother good neighbour - such a wonderful thing to have. Wish we had one that would clean my car off but sadly that doesn't happen. We do have good neighbours in the apartments next to and across from us so there's that.
ReplyDeleteGood to have them close.
DeleteI love that cartoon, I love your neighbors, I love your cleaning family, and I love that you got yourself and Helen out for a walk (despite a few grumbles from H).
ReplyDeleteChris from Boise
It was a good news post!
DeleteYou can choose your friends, but not your family or your neighbours - that's a matter of luck, largely.
ReplyDeleteMy current neighbors are good. In the past I've had some doozies.
DeleteBless the good neighbors and the funny cartoonists who make us laugh and think a little too. And old books that show us how it was not even that long ago and yet, in another time and era that seems impossible now. And for good cleaners whose efforts make lives so much better."
ReplyDeleteI loved, "...women's magaziney cranked up to 11."
Mrs miniver isn't really worth reading unless you're interested in an era where people talked about struggling when they had two homes, a live in cook, two maids and a nanny. And being described as middle class when they spent weekends at shooting parties on large estates. The movie script must have had a great free hand, there being almost nothing in the book to show the realities of war.
DeleteI don't think I even knew Mrs. Miniver WAS a book. I've only ever seen the movie. Greer Garson!
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing a lot of people didn't.
DeleteCats rule! Great cartoon!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it? Very clever catly attitude of the little old ladies
DeleteEspecially the one daintily attending to her toilette :-)
DeleteIt's great that your once a month visit from your cleaning people are about all that's needed to keep your place clean. Of course, all of your winnowing has helped with that too. It sounds lovely that you can just enjoy your home in between the cleaning visits. Love the cartoon. :)
ReplyDeleteI do very little between cleaning other than cooking and laundry and small tasks. But yes, the winnowing has helped, and living alone with no animals and not many visitors does, too.
DeleteYou have fabulous neighbours and that is worth more in life than any other attribute or possession.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true. It's a gift.
DeleteI love historical fiction when it's well researched. Somehow a story helps me remember historical tidbits, and often sends me on a research project to see what is accurately correct and what is artistic license. Then I usually end up looking for other things to read on the bits that got my interest. I was never much interested in history in school, but now some of it is finally starting to stick!
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. Alison Weir, georgette Heyer's historical fiction fit your description, and they're usually well researched.
DeleteI wouldn't recommend Mrs miniver in any context, though, no history, really, just a sheltered wealthy lady, with particularly triggering racist terms, no excuse for republishing them uncorrected.