Sometimes I marvel (or get frustrated) at how my memory works. I go to get something and cannot recall what I went to get. I cannot recall a name I know I knew. And then suddenly, my memory works for odd things...like the name of my childhood neighbor's nephew who used to come to town for a few days during the county fair to show his steer. Why that name? I think I know the reasoning, but I still wonder why I remember his name. You see I am reading one of the 2012-13 Maud Hart Lovelace Award nominees called The Beef Princess of Practical County by Michelle Houts, and the main character, Libby, is raising steer for the fair. She becomes quite attached to them and when it comes time for the fair...well, I will leave that part out for now. In any case, I remember that boy's tears when his steer would walk the ramp to the truck at the fair's end. His emotions and my memories have linked me closely with Libby as I read this book.
Honey Bears...num! Of course you remember that boy's name! The attachments we have for animals have a strong effect on us, with much love and much sadness involved. PS. The library is sending the cookbook you mentioned yesterday!!
ReplyDeleteYou're entirely right about animals and how they affect our lives, Kate. Have you tried anything from ONE GIRL COOKIES yet? I'm going to try another one this weekend. Isn't it just a beautiful book?
DeleteA friend from college told me that in high school she was judged on judging meat at the county fair - not raising meat. She would be given various cuts of meat and have to grade them on their quality, and then was judged on how well she evaluated them. That's what I was reminded of when you mentioned the title of this new book.
ReplyDeleteTo be judged on judging...that would be stressful. I don't think I could ever enter the Fair, even with my cookies.
DeleteAnd I was reminded of Temple Grandin, a new book by Sy Montgomery I just read, and of Temple's love for cattle and her work to make their living conditions better.
ReplyDeleteI'm almost done with that book, Joyce. I'm going to post something about it tomorrow.
DeleteSuch a strong image - of the steer walking up the ramp to the truck . . .and the boy watching. Aghhh!
ReplyDelete