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Reading Room:  The Egg and I  |
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Fabulous Farm Femmes
True Blue Farmgirl
792 Posts
Diane
Lakebay, Tacoma
WA
792 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 20 2005 : 3:03:36 PM
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Has anyone read this wonderfull book by Betty McDonald? It is the book that inspired the movie of the same title and made Ma and Pa Kettle household names. Ma Kettle was THE first Farm Girl I think. Talk about earthy.The book is a delight for anyone who loves, has loved or wants to love the country life and farming. She is simply hilarious with the dryest sense of humor. Okay, back to my weeding  bye bye. |
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MeadowLark
True Blue Farmgirl
2206 Posts
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2005 : 3:30:23 PM
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I remember the Ma and Pa Kettle movies! They always came on late at night when I was a kid so I did't get to watch them much. The Egg and I sounds familiar though. Ma Kettle was a true farmgirl. Thanks for the memories! By the way, welcome to the forum girls! Sounds like you will all fit in! Jenny from Kansas
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Rumi, 13th century. http://www.xs4all.nl/~josvg/cits/sb/sb101.html |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2005 : 3:44:50 PM
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I have not read the book but the movie is absolutely one of my favorites. I love Ma and Pa Kettle! This movie should be a must see for all Farmgirls.
Kay - Living in Beautiful Washington State |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2005 : 5:14:28 PM
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I loved the book and have the movie..along with most of the Ma and Pa Kettle ones..we love them. Welcome to the group Diane and Holly..you are going to fit in fine!!!
Jenny in Utah
The best things in life arn't things! |
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sleepless reader
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
CA
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2005 : 9:02:03 PM
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Was Fred MacMurray in this movie too? And who was the actress who played his wife? WAsn't it the same woman from "It Happened One Night", with Clark Gable?
Back to the original comment, I loved the Kettle movies when I was young. It seems there was a series of them... What else did Betty McDonald write? Her name is familiar (as an author). Geeze, I fell so forgetful tonight, but this is really dredging up OLD memories!!!
Sharon
Sharon |
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KJD
True Blue Farmgirl
402 Posts
402 Posts |
Posted - Sep 23 2005 : 11:00:22 AM
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| The Egg and I has been a favorite movie for life! The book is so funny, too! Betty MacDonald also wrote the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books and others - |
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BlueApple
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Julia
Oregon
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Sep 23 2005 : 1:25:06 PM
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I don't think I've ever heard of these!? Where have I been?? LOL Putting them on my list now!
Julia
BlueApple Farm |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Sep 24 2005 : 08:28:44 AM
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Good book, love the movie! Yes, Fred MacMurray is in the movie. Someday I hope to find the movie to buy. It makes me laugh every time.
Betty McDonald also has a book called Onions in the Stew. It is about they life on Vashon Island in WA. I have the book but haven 't yet read it.
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
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Johnftwa48in
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
John
Fort Wayne
Indiana
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Oct 02 2005 : 9:35:23 PM
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I have been a HUGE fan of Betty Macdonlad's since I was 15 years old and am now 50. Over the past few months I have been researching Betty's life and have found reams of information on her. Her real life was more fascinating than her books. I have ton's of pictures; even pictures of the original Egg and I farm. Did you know that in 1951 Betty was sued by a family named Bishop claiming that they were the real Ma and Pa Kettle?
John |
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Fabulous Farm Femmes
True Blue Farmgirl
792 Posts
Diane
Lakebay, Tacoma
WA
792 Posts |
Posted - Oct 02 2005 : 11:47:52 PM
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| Hey John in Fort Wayne..do you have the photo posted anywhere? I have been up to find the original house but never have found it...is it still standing?..I would LOVE to see it..BIG fan of Betty's..she passed way too young.I don't think I would sue as to being the REAL Ma and Pa, I'd be too embarrassed! |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Oct 03 2005 : 12:44:51 AM
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One of the lines from the movie that I grew up with was " Awww... it don't hurt the runnin of it none!" My kooky parents must have found these people oddly endearing too!(Maybe they reminded my Dad of some ancient relatives in Tennessee... saints preserve us!) I'm not sure who was the wife, was it Myrna Loy (love her) or Carole Lombard (Mrs. Clark Gable)?
Oooo...thanks KJD! Loved her too!
with a happy heart |
Edited by - bramble on Oct 04 2005 08:06:18 AM |
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KJD
True Blue Farmgirl
402 Posts
402 Posts |
Posted - Oct 03 2005 : 03:56:14 AM
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| It was Claudette Colbert... |
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Johnftwa48in
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
John
Fort Wayne
Indiana
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Oct 03 2005 : 6:52:01 PM
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| The original "Egg and I farm" was torn down 30 years ago and a manufactured house was put up in it's place. Betty was only 49 when she passed away from uterian cancer, of her two daughters, Ann and Joan, only Ann is living. she is a very sweet person who just loves to talk about her mother. During th course of my research I have obtained 100's of documents and stories about Betty. That is one reason why I joined this forum: to help people get a better understanding of Betty and her life outside the books. |
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MotherLodeBeth
True Blue Farmgirl
110 Posts
Beth
Calaveras County
California
USA
110 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2005 : 12:06:41 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Fabulous Farm Femmes
Has anyone read this wonderfull book by Betty McDonald? It is the book that inspired the movie of the same title and made Ma and Pa Kettle household names. Ma Kettle was THE first Farm Girl I think. Talk about earthy.The book is a delight for anyone who loves, has loved or wants to love the country life and farming. She is simply hilarious with the dryest sense of humor. Okay, back to my weeding bye bye.
She lived near us on Vashon Island in Washinton state. Her brother Clive Bard lived across the street from us with his wife and two sons. Mary also lived on Vashon Island and was a writer.Bettys place is still there and the people still have chickens last time I was there. And the book really did show Betty's way of thinking and living. I also recommend her book Anybody Can Do Anything ~Beth |
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Johnftwa48in
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
John
Fort Wayne
Indiana
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2005 : 1:09:21 PM
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I am going to Vashon next summer to visit Judith Lawrence who owns the Betty Macdonald Bed and Breakfast. I will have to get directions to Mary and Cleve's old houses. If anyone is interested I have some small articals that I would be more than happy to post on here if anyone would like to read them.
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MotherLodeBeth
True Blue Farmgirl
110 Posts
Beth
Calaveras County
California
USA
110 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2005 : 1:58:59 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Johnftwa48in
I am going to Vashon next summer to visit Judith Lawrence who owns the Betty Macdonald Bed and Breakfast. I will have to get directions to Mary and Cleve's old houses. If anyone is interested I have some small articals that I would be more than happy to post on here if anyone would like to read them.
Clive and his wife in the fifties and sixties lived near downtown Vashon one block west of the Bank road turn off and the third house to the south. Small white house with a gated backyard. Up the corner on bank road was the old brick and very charming library with a nice garden area with benches that the Bacchus family built in memory of two sons who died in the war. Then Clive and his wife built a new home near the beach closer to the Burton area of the island. My mom taught Sam their youngest son in second grade. ~ Beth |
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KJD
True Blue Farmgirl
402 Posts
402 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2005 : 2:14:44 PM
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John - I would love to read any information you have!
Beth - How interesting to have this connection... |
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Johnftwa48in
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
John
Fort Wayne
Indiana
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2005 : 2:28:37 PM
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I can't wait to see that area. I recently spoke to Betty's daughter Anne, and she told me that although the area has changed with the times in a way, it really hasn't changed that much. I am working on trying to get some photos of the Macdonald farm on Vashon as it was when betty lived there. So far I found a picture of theoriginal Egg and I farm.
John |
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Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2005 : 2:45:48 PM
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Oh, wow! You are from Ft Wayne? I was born there! My folks live in Fremont Indiana still.
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
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Johnftwa48in
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
John
Fort Wayne
Indiana
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2005 : 3:12:16 PM
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yes I am from Fort wayne. I know right where fremont is, I have been there many times. Glad to see someone from Indiana in here.
I hope that you will be a continuing member of the Egg forum, I have alot of very interesting stuff on Betty and her books.
John |
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Fabulous Farm Femmes
True Blue Farmgirl
792 Posts
Diane
Lakebay, Tacoma
WA
792 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2005 : 3:43:39 PM
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| I would LOVE to see a picture of the original Egg and I farm!! |
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Johnftwa48in
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
John
Fort Wayne
Indiana
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2005 : 3:56:18 PM
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I will be more than happy to send you a picture of the original Egg and I farm. you are more free to send me an email and i will send you a picture of the Egg and I farm. The picture that I have has a woman standing on the pourch, I think that it may be Betty but not sure. My email address is listed in my profile.
john |
Edited by - Johnftwa48in on Oct 07 2005 08:51:55 AM |
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Johnftwa48in
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
John
Fort Wayne
Indiana
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Oct 06 2005 : 10:07:55 PM
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Hello All:
as everyone in here knows Betty wrote the bestseller "The Egg and I," do you also know that betty wrote three other aduly books? They are "The Plauge and I," recounting her year long stay at a T.B. sanitorioum in 1938, "Anybody Can Do Anything," about her life after she left her first husband Robert Heskett and 'Onions in The Stew," about her life on Vashon Island, with her new husband Don Macdonald and, their battle raising two adolecent daughters (both daughters from her first marriage to Bob Heskett). Also, many of the people in her books are based on real life individuals, several of whom I have had the pleaseure of talking to about Betty and they association with her. In 1951 one of these groups of people, Albert Bishop and family, sued Betty for $950,000 claiming that "they" were the basis for Ma and Pa Kettle. Happily Betty was found "not Guilty."
John |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 05:24:40 AM
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John, so glad that you've joined us and are sharing all this wonderful information! 
For security reasons, we'd like you to edit out your email address from your message. Members may contact you by clicking on your profile and emailing you through the forum. This keeps your email address safe from spamming and such. Thank you!
May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being, may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life. ~~Apache Blessing
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 08:55:46 AM
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Thank you very much, John!
May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being, may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life. ~~Apache Blessing
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quiltedess
True Blue Farmgirl
296 Posts
Nancy
Priest River
ID
USA
296 Posts |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 09:03:15 AM
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There is a road I've driven past a few times called the Egg and I Road. It is not on Vashon ('cause I've never been to Vashon) but I can't remember where exactly . . . maybe I saw it on the way to Port Townsend . . . or on Whidbey Island. Doesn't anyone know what I'm talking about? I'm curious as to why that road would have been named such.
Nancy |
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Reading Room: The Egg and I |
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The Egg and I
