Tonight at book club the old farts, well, older farts, got to recollecting about way back when. Our book for the month was “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett (although a member of the club did call her Kathryn Stunkett). And that member should take note that I did not burst out laughing even though I wanted to really badly. Just smiled great big. Everybody probably thought I was immensely enjoying the discussion… which I was. Ms. Stunkett wrote about the plight of the black maids in Mississippi during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Actually, it was more about the interactions between the women, black and white, during that time as well as the fight for and against segregation.
But, as in all books, there are a lot of other little tidbits that one can glean knowledge about or that brings back a memory. In our case tonight, we were remembering when the zip codes first began to be used on letters, how we could just write the name and the town and the addressee would receive the mail, and the fact that people didn’t want to have to use the zip codes. Now, of course, it’s second nature to slap it on there.
Then there were the telephone party lines. That brought back some memories and stories! Here’s a link to walk you down that memory road as well: telephone party line
Some of us remembered when Medgar Evers was shot and killed for trying to make things better for African Americans in Mississippi, and we remembered Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as he did the same, and was killed for it as well. And today we have a President, whether you agree with his politics or not, that brings justice to those senseless deaths.
How the world changes!!! I’m just trying to hang on by a string!
apronsandappetites 
A book club….in Shawneetown?! I AM impressed!!
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No, Gail….she has to come to the city for the club meetings. Although, we do meet down there once a year 🙂
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it’s actually Darla’s book club. I just invited myself.
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Last week I was going through stuff and found a bunch of letters that Dad’s siblings wrote to each other and their mother. That was the first thing I noticed… no zip codes. The second thing I noticed was that stamps were 4 cents. This is in the 40’s and early 50’s. Oh and one other thing… I loved The Help!
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Well, the offending member whom I thought called the author Kathryn Stunkett said she actually called her Kathryn Stuckett instead of Stockett or however you spell her name. So I guess I stand corrected although it sure sounded like Stunkett to me. I think she goes to the Apostopellic Church.
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Sounds like it was a very interesting night at the Book Club. I so remember when …. a lot of good things happened..Even today we have good thngs, but seems like the bad has overtaken our world. Keep writing BB…I look forward to seeing APRONSAND APPETITES…………..
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Oh gosh! It does seem like so many horrible things are happening… although in all reality they always did.
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So do you recommend that book..?? Jeri is reading it also..may have to myself. I can’t seem to settle enough anymore to read one and I used to read all the time..time to relearn it seems…
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Yes, I do. It was very good. If I had the hard book, I would let you have it, but now that I have my Kindle, I get them on there. I’ve always been an avid reader, since I was a kid at home. Better than Calgon to take me away. (I never did like Calgon.)
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I have been trying to ready that one for 2 months now…between, soccer games, school functions and my wifely duties. I’m now “reinspired”!!!
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