Oly Reads discussion

I'm starting a new thread to talk about Juneish-Julyish book group. So far, Raina expressed an interest in having another on the weekend of May 22nd or 29th. Speaking for myself, I'd like to push that up a little- I've got two library programs the weekend of the 22nd, and the 29th is Memorial Day weekend when a lot of folks tend to go out of town. June 5th is the Oly Comics Festival, which I am helping with, so that brings us into the weekend of June 11th/12th (assuming y'all want me there...). I've got nothing scheduled for the weekend of the 18th/19th either. Does anyone have any feelings about either of those weekends? Do we want a house visit, or should we do one more restaurant and then a house meeting in July or August where we're more certain to have good weather? So many questions...

PS- our own Ruby Re-Usable will be speaking at the library on Thursday, June 3rd at 7:30 with another great WA artist Clarissa Callesen- both of them are in this book:

I'm okay with mid-June, but my son's graduation from OSU takes place that 11/12th weekend so I could only participate on the Friday (I THINK they do those things on Sundays, don't they?). But then, too, I don't have to attend EVERY ONE of these! So make your plans and I'll try to be there. I have to say that it is one of my favorite social events.

I'm available any of those days (11th/12th & 18th/19th).

Am I the only one that likes the picnic idea? Be honest.

A picnic would be delightful, honestly. I just don't have a preference for dates.

I like picnics, but with our unpredictable weather? We would need an alternative venue as a backup in case of rain.

I'm not against the picnic idea. I wouldn't want to get into some kind of crazy habit. I like the excuse to try different restaurants and avoid getting wet, but trying it once during the summer sounds fun. :)

I'm going to look into this a bit.... I'll report back!

Okay, so as of this moment in time, there are shelters available at Priest Point Park for the following days/times...
Friday, June 11, 3-9pm
Saturday, June 12, 6:30-9pm
Sunday, June 13, 3-9pm
Friday, June 18, 3-9pm
Saturday, June 19, 6-9pm
Sunday, June 20, 3-9pm

Please to report on your preferred dates, times, and availability ASAP!

I'm currently available for all of those dates, although I'm only available after 545pm on Friday, June 11 and Friday, June 18.

Thanks, Raina!

I'm available June 11th, 18th-20th. Like Raina, I wouldn't make it until 5:45 on Fridays.

Great, thanks Kate. I'm going to try to jump on this early next week.

I should be good for all of those dates, although on the 11th not until about 6pm.

Great, thanks Elaine.

Ms. AgathaFrye, any news on June-July? I just heard from Robin who wondered what day it was going to be. By the way (but don't let it stop you) I found out that the weekend of June 11-13 is out for me.

Sorry, I've got to wait until I get paid again before I can reserve the covered area. I'll have to report back then based on availability.

Kelsey, I didn't realize you needed money to reserve. How much and can I/we provide/help?

Me, too, Kelsey. I can cover it, whatever it is.

It's not a lot, I just don't have pretty much any money at the moment! The rose garden shelter is $30 for 4 hours, the other two shelters in Priest Point are $20 for 4 hours. I am happy to take care of it on the 31st.

Forget that! You are not covering it on your own, Kelsey.

Well, I would gladly have taken a buck or two from y'all on the day of the potluck!

How would anyone feel about Sunday the 20th? I'm keeping an eye on the availability, planning on making a reservation on Monday... right now, the shelter at the front of the park with the rose garden is available from 3-9 on Sunday... I was thinking it would be nice to get in there during the day for once. Maybe it will be nice out, even!

Works for me!

sure!

Okay, gotta pay through the Olympia Center, which isn't open again until Tuesday. I'll keep y'all posted as soon as I secure a spot!

The date is perfect for me. And I like the location and time.

Sounds good! :)

So, I reserved Sunday the 20th, followed shortly by the realization that it's father's day! Sorry to anybody who won't be able to make it because of this...

PS- if I'm not mistaken, this will be our 17th Oly Reads meeting! Wow.

One week from today! Priest Point Park Rose Garden! Stop by at any time between 3:30 and 7ish... we'll talk about books starting at 5. I'll be bringing some food that reminds me of my dad, feel free to do the same if you want. See you there?

Looks like it might be totally crappy tomorrow... I'm hoping for a miracle! Does anyone have charcoal briquettes they can bring?

Just an FYI that I may not make it tomorrow. Right now I am feeling as the weather. But I'll be there if I feel better.

Awww, I hope you feel better, Judy. I'm still in denial that tomorrow's weather is going to be as horrid as today's was...

Well, there weren't very many of us, but we had a good time in the cold anyhow! And ate. A lot. I'll report more later...

I am glad I was able to make it! and I want your baked beans recipe!!

HERE is the quote I wanted to share from "Running With Scissors" :
"The line between normal and crazy seemed impossibly thin. A person would have to be an expert tightrope walker in order not to fall."

anyone who would like to borrow my copy of this book, let me know.

looking forward to the next book group get together.

Dangit, I totally meant to be there, and was even out during the afternoon (Farmer's Market!) but completely forgot. :( I even had extra charcoal at home. ::sigh:: Next time, hopefully.

Elaine, is it your Lynda Berry book I have? I can't remember who lent it to me.

Patty May was lending out Lynda Barry books (I have one, also)

Oh, THAT's who it was! Thanks, Ruby. Patty, I'll try to bring it to the next one.

No worries, Elaine, there's always next time! I'm going to start a new thread to talk about the next meeting.

Okay, so the hardcore folks who attended the June book club, in the cold, on father's day, were... me, Cleo, Brian, Ruby, Kate, and Raina. We grilled tofu dogs and drank some lemonade with contraband vodka and ate some pretty good food (although the root beer baked beans recipe I got out of Bon Appetit was a little questionable). We talked about books for a while (all listed on the Oly Reads bookshelf). Dogs Callie (Raina's) and Kitty (mine) were present, but they didn't talk about books. I personally really enjoyed meeting in the park shelter and would be game for trying it one more time on a better day with fewer conflicts and sunnier weather.
PS- Brian, can you give me the recipe for that quinoa salad when you get a chance?

I would also most def try it again (rain or shine! it is a covered area!!).

AND I would like the recipe for those baked beans with root beer (really, they were good!)

AND I am still thinking about Agnes (the wife of the shrink) in Running With Scissors: victim, or part of the problem?

I liked the venue, too. But Kelsey, don't we owe you some money for the 'rent'? Let me know when you're around, I would gladly stop by with it.

Maybe we could try for August or September there? And pre-plan the food and contraband?

Here's the basic recipe for that salad. I omitted the instructions since it's basically just a matter of tossing everything together, but the original is in Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook.

Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Mango
1 mango, peeled and diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 cup chopped scallions
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp grapeseed oil
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups cooked quinoa*
1 15oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

(*1 cup dried quinoa + 2 cups water, bring to a boil and simmer for 15 mins, let cool)

I have that cookbook! To think I've never tried to make that delicious salad before. Thanks, Brian.