Modern Lit: Isabel’s Bed, by Elinor Lipman
 The memoirs When aspiring author Harriet Mahoney signs on to write the memoirs of Isabel Krug, whose lover was shot by his wife while they were in flagrante delicto, she’s ready for a change, and that’s exactly what she gets. Isabel has fled to Cape Cod to escape notoriety, and leads an unconventional life in an unconventional hous

Thanksgiving Memories: The Manchester Road Race
For many Americans,  a traditional Thanksgiving morning is spent cheering on the home team at a football game. For my family, and many others in Connecticut and southern New England, we have a special tradition of our own, the Manchester Road Race. Since 1927 (with a hiatus of 10 years during the depression and WWII), it has grown from a tiny local event to an internationally known athletic event. In 1961, the first woman, aptly named Julia Chase, was permitted to run. In 1967, with 200 runners, it had become the second largest race in the coun

Modern Lit: The Lacemakers of Glenmara, by Heather Barbieri
Serendipity For recently widowed Bernie Cullen, the arrival of Kate Robinson into her life comes as a blessing. Kate is touring Ireland on her own, trying to soothe her depression over recent losses of her own. Kate is not planning to stay, but the next bus out isn’t due for a week. Bernie introduces her to her lace making group, a

Monday Morning Poem: Those Fair – Fictitious People
by Emily Dickenson Those fair — fictitious People – The Women — plucked away From our familiar Lifetime – The Men of Ivory – Those Boys and Girls, in Canvas – Who stay upon the Wall In Everlasting Keepsake – Can Anybody tell? We trust — in places perfecter – Inheriting Delight Beyond our faint Conjecture – Our dizzy Estimate – Remembering ourselves, we trust – Yet Blesseder — than We ̵

Thanksgiving Tradition Trivia
Why do turkeys gobble? Only male turkeys, or toms, can gobble, and they mostly do it in the spring and fall. It is a mating call and attracts the hens. Wild turkeys gobble at loud sounds and when they settle in for the night. Can turkeys fly? Turkeys raised on turkey farms cannot fly. Wild turkeys can fly short distances at up to 55 miles per hour. What’s the difference between a sweet potato and a yam? Literally and botanically speaking, the two are not related.  Yams are large, starchy, edible tuberous roots that can grow two to three feet long and weigh as much as 80 pounds.