September 2020 Zoom Meeting

submitted by JOY The foliage outside is just beautiful, and we are all so surprised as we were led to believe we might not have our usual beautiful foliage because of the drought now affecting our state. We also have a bumper crop of acorns, as some will attest to, having been hit on the head during hikes in the woods and sitting on their decks. All that aside, we settled down to discuss The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson. Ten of us attended the Zoom meeting, thanks once more to Lori's ability to lead us into "advanced technology". We all admired the character of Cussy Mary and saw the cruelty and heartbreak of prejudice and racism due to the color of her blue skin. The result of a medical condition called methemoglobinemia, due to a congenital lack of an enzyme, causing a blue tinge to her skin. In spite of this, Cussy becomes an unforgettable character, in both her kindness and intelligence as she performs her duties as a Pack Horse Librarian under Roosevelt's WPA project, by bringing books and encouragement to the mountain hill folk of Eastern Kentucky. Cussy Mary is loved by her patrons and she tries very hard to find the books that will make their lives more interesting and easier. She also makes books for them by putting together scrap books with recipes, articles of interest, and patterns for clothing, sewing, gardening and fishing tips. In many instances, this book is difficult to read as we are shown the hardship of coal mining, and poverty so acute that children die from the lack of food and proper nutrition. Cussy experiences domestic violence and abuse as she is forced to marry one of the horrible Frazier's who is really after a parcel of her father's land. Luckily for Cussy, he dies and she is able to resume her job as a Librarian. One of Cussy's favorite patron; 16 year old Angelina dies in childbirth, and Cussy agrees to take her orphaned blue skinned baby (Honey) and raise her as she would her own child. Cussy and Jackson Lovett after a period with the" courtin candle", and mutual admiration, they wed only to be stopped by the Sheriff who arrests Jackson, charging him in violation of the miscegenation laws which prohibit a white from marrying a "colored". However, we are left with the feeling that the three of them:Cussy, Honey and Jackson will eventually live together happily ever after. Most of us had not heard of the Pack Horse Librarian Program and shared our personal childhood library experiences, as well as our favorable feelings about the importance of libraries in our communities and in our schools today. We all agreed that Libraries have expanded their services to the community and are no longer simply a place to borrow books. Lori updated us on Covid vaccine progress, Judy & Steve sent us photos of their new home, just as lovely as ever!!! Some are worried about the upcoming ski season and if snow making will be allowed due to the lack of water? And we all send our love to Carol and her family. October book (Cathy) Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genove November/December book (Kathy) The Long Flight Home Alan Hlad