| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| thehouseminder |
Posted - Jul 29 2005 : 08:46:26 AM
Does anyone remember these? I first found a used one at a thrift store when I was a teenager. It was called "The I Hate to Housekeep Book" and was illustrated by Hilary Knight who also illustrated "Eloise." The title definitely appealed to a kid who hated her chores
I have since collected, "The I Hate To Cook Book," "I Try to Behave Myself," "A Window Over The Sink," "I Wouldn't Have Missed It For the World," "I Didn't Come Here to Argue," and "On Getting Old for the First Time."
She has such a wonderful sense of humor and such savvy! I have used the hints I learned from the housekeeping book my whole adult life. She could be described as an Anti-Martha because she does not believe in being overly perfect and thinks we should enjoy life.
I've often wondered if she is still living. I would love to write her and tell her what an influence she has been for me even though those first books were written when I was in diapers. The last I heard, I think she was living in the Spokane area.
Lucinda
Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps, Perennial pleasures plants, and wholesome harvest reaps. ---Bronson Alcott
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| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| KJD |
Posted - Sep 12 2005 : 3:39:07 PM
Oh, I cannot wait to find Peg Bracken!!!
I'm 42 and I read Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle! Author is Betty MacDonald, who wrote The Egg and I, which I'm reading at this very moment!
Thanks for all these new books - I know I'll love them. |
| solshne |
Posted - Sep 07 2005 : 8:18:32 PM
Hi all - joining in this topic - Pegs books were outstanding! LOL I loved her Skid Row Stroganoff - in the middle of the recipe while the noodles are cooking she advises you to "have a cigarette & stare sullenly at the sink", not quite "PC" these days but it always put a smile on my face!
solly...
extinction is forever,
endangered means there is still time... |
| bramble |
Posted - Aug 24 2005 : 12:56:52 PM
Peg Bracken sounds like my kind of woman! Though I have never read her (that I am aware of...) I must search out these bits of wisdom and whimsy. Sounds like I would enjoy her sense of humor. I think it is imperative that I begin with "I Try To Behave Myself" as I am often caught NOT behaving myself! Just ask my husband after a day of "junking"! Oh dear, the library better have these books or we're all in trouble!
with a happy heart |
| ByHzGrace |
Posted - Aug 24 2005 : 12:34:22 PM
Lucinda,
You are a treat to read. I like your come back. Pets can teach us lots! Maybe a little bird can help me,I am still trying to learn my way around here.Aren't you the one that found the fiddle too right? I need a buddy to shop with! Where do I send $$ for the bracken books?
Ellen |
| thehouseminder |
Posted - Aug 15 2005 : 7:48:25 PM
Thanks Ellen,
We still miss little Sassy very much. I belive that God sent her to teach me some very important things, about adoption, about caring for the elderly, about the imporance of naps, and so much more. If it weren't for her, I would not have dreamed of adopting an adult cat and then I wouldn't have Willow which would be a terrible shame. She's a little scamp but that's part of what makes her loveable.
I haven't caught myself saying, "of course I always" but i have quoted Ms. Bracken chapter and verse on several occassions. One that comes to mind was when I was in my mid-twenties and my husband and I went to his office Christmas Party. A "lady" from his office actually came right up to me and asked with a conspiratorial wink, "So Sweetie, may I ask, just how MUCH does your husband make...........?" Well, I already knew the answer to that one from reading "THE I TRY TO BEHAVE MYSELF BOOK." With wisdom beyond my years I was able to reply, "Why certainly, ask all you like!" and then walk away.
I have two diffent titles to give away. E-mail me if you are interested.
"THE I HATE TO COOK BOOK" & "THE I HATE TO HOUSEKEEP BOOK"
Lucinda
Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps, Perennial pleasures plants, and wholesome harvest reaps. ---Bronson Alcott
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| ByHzGrace |
Posted - Aug 14 2005 : 09:30:21 AM
I'm sorry for the passing of your Sassy Lucinda. May you find peace with your Whisper and Willow. Good to know another kitty krazzy kid! 42! Lordy you may have been to young for Mrs Piggle Wiggle! I got 10 years on ya kiddo. Piggle Wiggle was written in the 40's. Please put me your treasure taker list. I would love to pass them on to my boys, since they have our family recipes HA!
do you use her, "of course I always.." line when talking about your cooking? Whats your specialty? |
| thehouseminder |
Posted - Aug 12 2005 : 09:53:19 AM
Besides treading very near to an EEOC Complaint, your boss and your coworker apparently think the fun in life should and does stop at some point. Hrrumph!!!! It only stops if you allow it to. 
I am 42. I happen to have three separate handbags with kitties on them. One is a vintage Enid Collins box bag with a blue kitty who has a Siamese Style Body. She looks exactly like my two cats who are Blue Oriental Shorthairs (this is the breed Siamese mutated from).  The second is a "cigar box" bag with a beaded Balinese (long haired Siamese) on both sides - a gift from a dear friend. The last one is a plain bag with numerous windows you can slip photos into and it contains pictures of my two current cats, Willow and Whisper, and my beloved Siamese, Sassy, who passed away one year ago.
So, yes, I have cats. Sassy was 19 years old when she passed away last July. In September, I walked into a Petco to buy food for some cats I babysit when their people are out of town. There in the front of the store was a beautiful Blue Oriental momcat and her five daughters. I adopted the momcat, Willow, and one of her babies, Whisper. Just having them around is such a joy!
I have never read Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. I think the series was written when I was just a little too old for them (or thought I was) and I don't have kids so I guess I missed out. I will have to check them out of the library.
Live life well and deeply and remember the old saying: "Age and treachery will always triumph over youth and inexperience"
Lucinda
P.S. I now have all of Peg's books in hardcover but I still pick them up at garage sales and thrift stores occassionally. I will be happy to post these finds and share them for the cost of the postage if anyone is interested.
Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps, Perennial pleasures plants, and wholesome harvest reaps. ---Bronson Alcott
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| ByHzGrace |
Posted - Aug 12 2005 : 08:31:07 AM
Thanks for the link, Lucinda! My boss, too, is younger than me, so neither has an idea when the fun truly starts! You know when you just get an eye opener. Here I am the happy go lucky and maybe they think I need to act my age! Where is my shawl and cane!!!
Did you ever read the mrs piggle wiggle character, do you think peg and her have a lot in common? Did you get an answer to the note you sent? do you have cats? This may have been, the what is up with Ellen, it must be a midlife crisis thing, since I found this purse that has a photo screened on both sides and they are exactly like my little kittens! I've had more conversations and compliments for my bag but my coworkers think it is out of character! Who is this character? :)~
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| hapyhrt |
Posted - Aug 11 2005 : 12:13:19 PM
Love the titles of these books and they sure sound interesting! Yet another author to add to my library search, looks like I better set aside an entire afternoon at our local library next time I'm in town! Ü
"Think HAPPY Thoughts...any others aren't worth your time!" Ü |
| thehouseminder |
Posted - Aug 11 2005 : 11:24:50 AM
The book you are looking for is "On Getting Old for the First Time." Here is a URL for a listing of used copies on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/offer-listing/1885221533/ref=dp_olp_2//002-8818522-7648000?condition=all
She still has a wonderful sense of humor AND she illustrated this one with pictures of her and her cat. Very cute!
Happy Reading,
Lucinda
I must say, I don't think that was very nice of that 20 something!  What makes her an expert on the supject and since when is that an appropriate way to talk about one's co-worker? I hope your employer had the good sense to consider the source and ignore the comment altogether.
Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps, Perennial pleasures plants, and wholesome harvest reaps. ---Bronson Alcott
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| ByHzGrace |
Posted - Aug 11 2005 : 11:07:00 AM
Your topic of Peg Bracken is how I found the farmgirls webpage! :) A buddy told me she had written one on getting old so I was trying to find it. I needed her humor since a girl in her 20's on Monday told my boss I was having a mid life crisis! I have never forgotten her line about "some activities become no less painful through repetition:childbearing,paying taxes, and cooking" I was looking for her book on getting old. Is it a hoot of hints like the housekeeper and cook?
Ellen |
| thehouseminder |
Posted - Jul 29 2005 : 11:27:30 AM
It's funny. I've tried to find out where Ms. Bracken is for the last four years and guess what? I just found her. She lives in Portland (OR) under her married name and is in her eighties but from what I read, socially and philanthropically active.
I'm going to send her a little note today
Lucinda
Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps, Perennial pleasures plants, and wholesome harvest reaps. ---Bronson Alcott
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| MeadowLark |
Posted - Jul 29 2005 : 10:10:12 AM
Lucinda thanks for bringing up memories! My mother read all of her paperbacks...she loved Peg Bracken!! I remember Mom laughing so hard as she was reading those books!! I was drawn to the funny illustrations as a small girl. I'll have to check in with my Mom and joggle her memory of those books.
The flowers flee from Autumn, but not you-
You are the fearless rose that grows amidst the freezing wind. Rumi |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jul 29 2005 : 09:29:46 AM
Now that looks like some books for me to check out too.. I had heard of the I hate to Cook Book, but not the others!!
Jenny in Utah
The best things in life arn't things! |
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