Knit Read Pray

Transcript of podcast below: I decided to read Wuthering Heights again (because I love everything Bronte almost as much as everything Austen) at the end of June and finished on July 4th. The date is significant because when I went looking for my next read, I thought I would give American classics another chance. I love British classics especially from the 19th century and have since I was in high school yet I consciously avoid American classics. The blame lies with sophomore English lit and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Not just The Scarlet Letter, which I really disliked, but his other works especially The Marble Faun which I had to read and present to the class and was such torture that I refused to read any 19th and early 20th American author for the past 4 decades. It was bad. I thought I’d start revisiting American classics with The Grapes of Wrath because I love other John Steinbeck books especially East of Eden but couldn’t find a copy anywhere, probably because it’s assigned as summer reading at least in this part of the country. I read an excerpt in high school and hated it (not as much as Hawthorne, but close). I thought it was worth another look almost 4 decades later. I eventually found a copy while visiting my parents in Texas, but in the meantime, I picked up Giant by Edna Ferber at my library from their small classics section. I love this movie (James Dean, Rock Hudson, and Elizabeth Taylor, oh my) so figured I was safe choosing this book to start my summer of American classics. Boy was I ever! ----more----Published in 1952, Giant is the story of Leslie Lyntton of the genteelly impoverished Lyntton’s of Virginia who marries Jordon “Bick” Benedict of Benedict, Texas. A classic fish out of water story, the Texas of Giant is big, hot, and racially charged. The romantic tension between Leslie and Jett (Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean in the movie) is quite minor in the book, but the division between the white landowners and the Mexican laborers is not just a backdrop but a significant part of the story. Texans did not like this book when it came out and may still not be happy with it. They are not portrayed in the best light especially seen through the lense of an eastern liberal. Leslie, in classic eastern liberal fashion (and I know since I’m an eastern liberal), wants to know why the Mexicans live in shacks, don’t own ranches, can’t intermarry with whites, and lots of other injustices. The social aspect of this segregation comes to a head when Leslie and Bick’s son Jordan marries the Mexican daughter of one of Bick’s ranch hands, and they have a child. This is the 50s and it doesn’t end well. Giant also addresses the post WWII oil boom and how it affected the white class system in Texas, especially how the owners of large ranches were forced to subdivide to maintain their livestock and land in the wake of the oil boom. However, her book Cimarron (which I read after Giant) deals with the Oklahoma land run, the treatment of Native Americans in this country, and the discovery of oil on a large Oklahoma reservation. You can imagine just how happy the government and the white landowners where when the land they thought was worthless (and gave to the Indians), proved to have the most oil in the region underneath. While the movie Cimarron isn’t that good, the book is incredible. It’s a western with a female lead character even though the title refers to her husband as well as the Oklahoma panhandle. In fact, all of Ferber’s books have titles that refer to men but female main characters who definitely break traditions. She even drops the F bomb in each book (that’s feminism) which is really something since she wrote these books almost 100 years ago.. After Giant and Cimarron, I read two other of Edna Ferber’s books, So Big and Showboat. I’m sure most of you are familiar with the musical Showboat and the book is even better with more emphasis on the issues of race in the south, but So Big is probably more obscure. Ferber won the Pulitzer prize for this novel in 1925, and it’s my favorite of her books. The main character, Selena Peake De Jong, takes a job as a school teacher in a rural farming community in Illinois after her father, a professional gambler, is accidentally shot to death in a gambling hall. (This character is mentioned in Showboat which is kind of cool.) Selena lives with a family of Dutch immigrant farmers at first and becomes close to both the mother and one of her children, Roelf, the oldest son. Roelf is twelve, no longer attends school, but is obviously bright (he reads the dictionary at the dinner table) so Selena starts lending him books from her small collection. Not long after her arrival, Selena falls in love with Pervus, another Dutch farmer. Roelf is jealous of Pervus in the way only a young teenage boy can be, and he rejects Selena’s friendship once she quits teaching and marries Pervus. Soon after her marriage, Selena bears a son named Dirk. The title refers to Dirk and the game mothers play with their children when they ask, “How big is baby?” followed by the child saying “So Big!”. Dirk gets the nickname So Big after playing this game so often and so well as a young child. While I’m not a fan of the title - it really doesn’t relate to the theme of the book at all - this book is a great read, and Selena one of my favorite characters ever. Selena is widowed early in the book and has to raise Dirk on her own. She keeps the farm which was barely financial viable under her husband’s management, changes crop selection and location, takes her produce to market (never done by a woman at the time), and creates a small farm to table agribusiness before Alice Waters was born. Along with the continued theme of strong women is the contrast between art and commerce, and that’s the real theme of this book. After leaving home when his mother dies, Roeff pursues art in Paris and returns to Illinois after World War I as a fairly well known painter. At the same time, Dirk becomes a weathy bond trader. Guess which man finds the most favor with Selena? Edna Ferber writes strong independent female characters and places them in the Midwest during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her heroines not only face but challenge social inequity and injustice that is sadly very similar to what many Americans face today. They’re also feminists who tackle adversity as only strong women can! Get to a library, a bookstore, or an online retailer and order an Edna Ferber novel then let me know what you think about this wonderful yet somewhat neglected American author!

Shownotes can be found at knitreadpray.com

Show notes can be found at knitreadpray.com

Shownotes can be found at knitreadpray.com

Show notes can be found at knitreadpray.com

Shownotes can be found at knitreadpray.com

Shownotes can be found at knitreadpray.com

Show notes can be found at knitreadpray.com

Shownotes for this episode can be found here.

Shownotes are now located on the blog at knitreadpray.com

Shownotes can be found at knitreadpray.com

Shownotes for this and future episodes can be found on the blog at knitreadpray.com

Please visit the NEW website for the podcast knitreadpray.com for more information about this episode, past episodes, and what’s going on between episodes! Please take a moment to visit our Ravelry group - lots of fun and threads for both giveaways can be found over there! Podcast Love Yarns at Yinhoo  Crazy Knitter Studio  Creative Me with Martine Ellis - check out her ME box subscription video here. Knitting The Veggie Garden shawl by Clothesline Designs can be found here (my version is in the pic above).  Don’t forget the discount code GRANDDAD (all caps). Jane Eyre shawl by Tanya the Sampler Girl - see this blog post for my version Oats cowl by TinCanKnits - I knit one in Valley Yarns Goshen and another in handspan from siobhancrafts.  Watch this space for finished pics! I plan to knit the Bring Your Own Bag 2.0 by Wyndlestraw Designs and the Francie Nolan Tam from the book Literary Knits which I reviewed in a previous podcast. The Children’s KAL can be found here and ends Labor Day Weekend. The first prize is 2 hanks of Tahki Cora Natural: Bible Study Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld reviewed on the blog Miss Julia mysteries/adventures - if Stephanie Plum were an AARP member The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst Thanks to We Cut the Grass for their song “Woodpecker”.  You can see the band at Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park, NJ on July 2nd at 10 p.m. - it’s summer, stay up late!!

Podcast Love Elise Gets Crafty Creative Me with Martine Ellis Woolful Podcast Knitting Elder Tree Shawl pattern Check out the ravelry group for information on this summer’s Children’s KAL/CAL Jane Eyre shawl pattern Robin’s Roost Etsy Shop : use KRP10 for 10% off any order through June. Giveaway: Below is a photo of her fingering weight yarn in Blue Skies.  Please comment in the ravelry group by June 30th for a chance to win this yarn! Cross Stitch Dove and Tree Bird Silhouette by SimpleSmart Cross Stitch Podcasts: Carolyn Mazzeo ChrisCrossStitcher Rose Maria Cross Stitch Nicole’s Needlework The Sampler Girl (mostly knitting but Tanya’s designs cross stitch patterns) I mention Vonna Pfeiffer’s podcast but couldn’t remember her podcast name.   I love Running Stitch and forgot to mention it! If you have any other cross stitch podcasts you love, please let me know in the comments! I also mention Indian Lake Knitting Needles - they are my favorite! Bible Study 5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn’t Quit by Nicki Koziarz (I refer to her as Nicki K!) Ruth: Loss, Love and Legacy by Kelly Minter - This is the Bible study I’d like to do next. Seamless by Angie Smith - current Bible study in the KnitReadPray Facebook Group

Podcast Love Amanda Makes with Amanda Dymacek  Kitchen Stitching with Karen and Kate  Knitting Never Shall Meet Shawl by quiltercaroline I’ve started knitting again on my Moderne Log Cabin blanket found in Mason Dixon Knitting by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne.  Here’s my progress so far: The Jane Eyre MKAL going on in the Sampler Girl Ravelry group can be found here, and the Nurmilintu pattern by Heidi Alander that I’d like to make with some Tvinni Tweed stash yarn can be found here. Books Still reading Jane Eyre - you should too! I talk a lot about American Girls: Social Media and the Lives of Teenagers by Nancy Jo Sales - you should also read that especially if you have teenagers in your life. I mentioned Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh which is still a good read even though some of the information may be dated. Bible Study The Bible Study discussion group can be found on the Facebook page.  You can purchase Seamless by Angie Smith on Lifeway’s website.  This study runs through the end of may so please join us! Music Notions of Bliss by Battle Victorious from Blanket over Me

(Yes, I think I refer to this as Episode 4 in the podcast; it’s actually Episode 3.  As a computer programming teacher, I should know how to count from 0! Next episode will be the real Episode 4!) Information about the prayer shawl knit-along that starts April 1, 2016, can be found on the Ravelry group. Information about Bible study can be found on the Facebook page.  We will be using the study Seamless by Angie Smith which can be purchased at Lifeway.  There will be a launch event on April 1, 2016, and the Bible study starts on April 4, 2016 and runs until the end of May. Contact me at knitreadpray@gmail.com Find me on instagram as lgesin Patterns I mention: The Elder Tree shawl pattern by Sylvia Bo Bilvia (the pattern for the KAL) Never Shall Meet shawl by quiltercaroline Podcasts: Sew Now What with Carie in Oregon Sticks + Twine with Eric in Toronto Books: In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner Music Psalm 32 by Battle Victorious from Blanket over Me

Places to find me: Instagram: lgesin Ravelry group Facebook page Knit G’Day Shawl by Susan Ashcroft Chunky Checks Baby Blanket by Tracy Muir Never Shall Meet shawl by quilter caroline Moderne Log Cabin from Mason Dixon Knitting New Jersey Wool Walk- the page isn’t updated other than the list of yarn stores, but if anyone decides to participate, let me know!! Read Literary Knits by Nikol Lohr The Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger (see comments below for a correction - thanks Sabrina!) Ready Player One by Ernest Cline Pray March Scripture Writing Plan from Shannon at Sweet Blessings blog Bible study starting April 1st using Seamless by Angie Smith. Like the Facebook page and stay tuned for an event for the start date and the creation of the closed Facebook group! Podcast intro as well as Butterfly, the song at the end of the podcast, are by Battle Victorious.  You can find them on iTunes, watch the video here, or visit their Facebook page.

It’s my first official episode! Thanks for listening and forgiving my lack of music and all the puppy sounds.  Please check out my next episode where Laura finally has original music (hopefully). Places to find me: Instagram: lgesin Facebook: KnitReadPray Page Ravelry: KnitReadPray Group Mentions: Leanne Coppola’s blog Siobhanscrafts on Etsy Here are the fabulous yarns I received from Siobhan: Epitome hat by Tonya Wagner - see mine below Burly Mitts by Mona Schmidt Star Crossed Slouchy Beret by Natalie Larson Chunky Checks Baby Blanket by Tracy Muir Highland Peaks Shawl by Mina Phillip Film Strip Shawl by Suvi Simola Podcast: Knitting Expat with Mina Phillip Books mentioned: There’s a link to Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden in the sidebar on the right. I mistakenly refer to this as Until the Dawn by the same author, but the one I discuss in the podcast is Beyond All Dreams. More forgiveness. I also talked about Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë; your library has the book (trust me), the Librivox version read by Elizabeth Klett is a great listen while you knit, and the Masterpiece Theater version from 2007 is a great film version. Bible Study Check out the Facebook page for information regarding the Seamless bible study by Angie Smith (link at left).  I’d like to do an online bible study with any listeners who are interested; see the pinned post at the top of the Facebook page for more information and to let me know what you might have in mind for the study! Thanks for listening, and here’s one of my classroom selfies from Instagram in my original cowl in Misti Alpaca chunky:

New Facebook Page! Thanks to everyone who listened to Episode 0! Look for Episode 1 the week of February 11, 2016.  In the meantime, check out my new Facebook page for the podcast.  I’ll post info on what I’m doing in between podcasts and hope to host some book chat in the future.   Look for a ravelry group after the first episode is published.  In the meantime, if you’d like to make suggestions regarding the ravelry group, feel free to do so in the comments for this pre-episode or on Facebook. ———————————————— Welcome to Episode 0 of my new podcast! No music, pretty basic pre-episode to introduce the podcast and get started with lots of knitting, reading, and bible study chat.  Apologies for some odd sounds.  I’m a Jersey Girl, and I talk with my hands even when no one is there to see!  My dog Paddy walks by at one point, so here’s a pic of him sleeping on The New York Times Book Review section.  He’s a bookish dog! Where to find me: Instagram Coming soon Facebook and Ravelry! Podcasts I mention: CaithnessCraft iMake (Martine is no longer podcasting but her back catalog is well worth listening to!) Subway Knits Knitting Expat Sticks + Twine Knitting: Sandripple Shawl by Susan Ashcroft Indian Lake Needles (I think I said Indian Head, but I really meant Indian Lake) Gaptastic Cowl by Jen Geigley Indie Dyer of the Month: The Flying Kettle I made the following with Joyce’s yarn (aka The Flying Kettle): Mizzle Shawl by Patricia Martin Age of Brass and Steam by Orange Flower Yarn Reading: My reading lists can be found here. I’m going to link to Amazon although I get nothing for the link.  I do have a Goodreads account and think that might be the better way to go, but since this is episode 0, I’m using Amazon. City on Fire by Garth Risk Hallberg The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen Until the Dawn by Elizabeth Camden Paperback Exchange in Belmar, NJ Bible Study: Whispers of Hope by Beth Moore Joseph by Melissa Spoestra Please check out the Women’s Bible Cafe on Facebook - a great place for online bible study.  The public page is here.  The private small group pages where study groups meet can be found here. Enjoy the podcast, and I hope to see you back here next month!