Besides the Twilight Zone feeling (is this really Minnesota?), St. Paul seemed to be lagging a little behind in the festive department - I saw a few lights and decorations, but not the blast of Christmas anticipation that I expected.
I arrived in a "parking space" at 5:59 (for a 6:00 pm start) only to realize that the parking space I chose was marked "no parking" with the meter covered in red. One of the more festive warnings I've ever seen! Ok, so drive around a little and try to find the best spot with a short walk to Public Kitchen + Bar overlooking Mears Park. I wound up in the little parking area near Louise's building that I was familiar with. It was a block and a half walk - very pleasant! Everyone was already seated and waiting for me. In fact, the first bottle of wine had long been consumed! Someone arrived early ...!
Public Kitchen is located in a historic building which used to host Wood's Chocolate Factory. The renovation retained the original brick walls and wood support beams. It's a beautiful space, with an Industrial vibe and huge windows that overlook the park. The high ceilings make the space seem even bigger than it is.
It was only moments until a server came up behind, touched my shoulder and said, "What can I bring you to drink?" I love this place already!
The menus come attached to a clipboard - neat idea! My appetizer was Mussels with roasted tomatoes, fresh herbs and white wine. MMMMM...delish! I saw some lovely salads that others ordered and enjoyed. Then on to the main course - I ordered the Fettucine with crawfish, andouille, peppers, house made pasta and chipotle cream. I heard some talk that the menu took some tweaking in order to please, but I tell you that this dish was fabulous. And just the right serving size. I did take some home with me, but it was not overwhelming in portion.
I think everyone was pleased with their meal - honestly I was paying attention to my own plate so much I didn't really notice what everyone else was doing. Mike ordered the Cobb salad and his inner chef came out and said "This dish needs something .... hand me the salt and the lemon!" And so, his dish received the improvements necessary for his satisfaction.
There was some oohing and ahhing over the food, so I assume everyone was happy with their choice of entree.
The book we read - I'm Ok, You're Ok - turned out not to be the best choice for this Book Club. Either we are all off the charts smart in the Psychology department, or we just didn't feel like reading Self Help! Well, maybe it was harder to get from the library than you would think.
Anyhow, there wasn't a lot to say about the book. I read it and it was very helpful for me in my specific situation. Relationship conflict can be a real struggle for certain personalities and I can always use new techniques and insight. This book from decades ago still has some powerful information for those in tougher situations. It is also helpful for parents who want a better way to communicate with their children and teenagers. So, I definitely would recommend it.
Cynthia recommended our next book, Sister of Grendel by Susan Thurston, a local author. This is a unique opportunity for us since Cynthia is a friend of the author and has invited her to join us for our next discussion. I have a feeling that if you could only make one Book Club in 2016, this would be the one you'd want to attend.
Here is a little information about the book from Cynthia:
"Bio: Susan Thurston earns the attention of fantasy lovers everywhere with Sister of Grendel.
A reimagining of the epic Beowulf, Thurston’s debut novel can be compared to John Gardner’s Grendel, Michael Crichton's Eaters
of the Dead, and Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad. An award-winning poet, she lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.
SYNOPSIS: In the epic Beowulf,
Grendel and his mother are presented as monsters deserving of their
brutal deaths. Here we learn a different truth of that long-ago age—for
there was another witness. Now alone and isolated, Rehsotis, sister of
Grendel, reveals the origins of the anger and passion of her brother and
mother. She chronicles her search for those
remaining of her tribe and how she emerged from a time of darkness and
danger to ultimately take a stand to protect and preserve the innocence
of another.
Susan
Thurston reimagines a world where dreams are more powerful than the
sword and where love can transcend death. The life of her heroine
Rehsotis is wrought in such lyrical and compelling language, the reader
will feel as if the original legend included her.
Thurston’s debut novel can be compared to John Gardner’s Grendel, Michael Crichton's Eaters
of the Dead, and Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad. An award winning poet, she lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her family."
Sounds like a great opportunity to dive into a classic tale and get a new spin on it. Cynthia is impressed with Ms. Thurston's writing (she also teaches writing, I seem to remember Cynthia mentioning?) and so I'm looking forward to this very much.
The Black Forest Inn was mentioned as a possible location for our next Book Club, but that may change. We also talked about The Loft as a great place to meet and a perfect spot considering the book and the author. Cynthia will update us on the location and the date. We talked about mid to late January.
We missed a few people at this gathering but with all the holiday preparations going on, it was not surprising that our group was smaller than usual.
Great catching up with you - Marie, Louise, Mike and Cynthia!
Enjoy the mild weather until it isn't anymore - and then feel blessed for the change in season and the inevitable White Christmas (or white winter if it hasn't happened yet....). I hope you all get out into the snow and enjoy it this year - do something fun and exhilarating!
... Or sit in front a fire with Sister of Grendel and sip a hot drink while being transported to a new land.
Can't wait! Cynthia, when do we get a copy of the manuscript?
Happy Reading!
Katie
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