A Club for Sociable, Inquisitive Ladies

4 bottles of wine, 6 lovely ladies, 1 very pregnant-about-to-burst belly, loads of homemade chicken pasta, few deviled eggs American-style, strawberry and nectarine compote, 1 book decided upon, and 1 unexpected pop star death made for a rather interesting, and I’d even say exciting, first meeting.  It was held at our house.  Mingling went on for a good hour and a half before the hammer was struck and ideas were put on the table.

I had asked each guest to bring two ideas for a book they wanted to read.  By the end, we had narrowed the twelve books down to three and came up with – duh duh duh – a LOVE STORY!  Women and love – we just can’t get enough of it.

Thank you Lynette for bringing in the idea!  Here it is, our first book:

*One Day, by David Nicholls
‘I can imagine you at forty,’ she said, a hint of malice in her voice. ‘I can picture it right now.’ He smiled without opening his eyes. ‘Go on then.’ 15th July 1988. Emma and Dexter meet for the first time on the night of their graduation. Tomorrow they must go their separate ways. So where will they be on this one day next year? And the year after that? And every year that follows? Twenty years, two people, ONE DAY.

Next Get Together -

The Loner on the 4th of July

I hadn’t really realized what it would feel like to be the only American on our day of Independence because, frankly, I had never been the only American on our day of Independence.  So, therefore, never really had to think about it.  I particularly enjoyed the irony of celebrating this joyous day with the very people we became independent from.  I don’t think they really got the irony (and they say Americans don’t understand the word!), but it probably was because they weren’t particularly bothered one way or the other.

Bez

The 4th of July is another special day here in Bristol because it marks the birthday of Jock’s dear friend – Paul Beswick – also known as Bez.

And celebrate we did!

I also must brag a bit first.  I have the best boyfriend in the world.  No, really.  I do.

I woke up on the morning of “O! say can you see” day to nine colorful balloons in red, white and blue around my bed.  I was then showered with red, white and blue confetti, and a few minutes later my first breakfast was brought up to me: two doughnuts and a cup of coffee.  Because as Jock says, this is a traditional American breakfast!  I could only finish half of one of the doughnuts before feeling mildly sick, but trusty Jocko helped me out with the other doughnut and a half.

That’s not all!  I stretched, put on my old lady robe, hobbled down the stairs to a box of pancakes and maple syrup!  My second American breakfast!  And guess what was for lunch?!  Oreo cookies!  So, yes I proved I have the best boyfriend in the world because he brings me tasty yet slightly fatty American foods.

On went the white trousers, blue top and big red earrings and shoes.  (Unfortunately, the only American flag I had also had a Welsh flag attached to it – that didn’t make my English boyfriend very happy.)  And off we went to Bez’ BBQ.  Bez went out the night before.  Bez got very drunk the night before.  Bez was not at house at time of BBQ.  Bez’s phone was turned off.  He eventually showed up, and all was fine.  Apparently Bez was a widdle bit sick.

So, although there were no fireworks, the English know how to throw a fourth of July party.  And even though I was the only American, they made me feel welcome with providing me with hamburgers, beer and hot dogs.  I even got some of them to sing our National Anthem!  Can’t beat that.