Original SPOL Comment Series
February 2002 through July 2004
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Maria Knight
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Oct 20, 2002
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R
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(id:484)
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| (Editor's note: A portion of the transcript was lost due to a system failure in 2002. If at some future date we recover the data we will post it.) |
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Siannon Birch
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Feb 22, 2003
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Seattle
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retired
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| I have wondered all my reading life
whatever happened to everybody, so thank you very much for this
information. I feel like they were family I read of them so much and
with such delight (id:814)
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Jacquie
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Mar 21, 2003
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Canada
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teacher assistant
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| 30 years ago, I read "best friends"
by mary bard...it was the best book I've ever read. I'm sure I read it
50 times and wish I could find a copy now to share with my 8 & 10
year old daughters!! This article was wonderful and it was nice to get
to know the author and her family in such depth. (id:921)
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Linde
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Apr 06, 2003
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thank you so much for this wonderful article.
There is a Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society and they published the most interesting biographical stories and tapes.
(id:997)
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John Hughes
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Apr 11, 2003
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Norwich, UK
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Graphic Designer
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| Thanks for filling-in some blank
spaces. I'm putting together an account of my mother's life. She died
exactly a year ago, and although she had no connection with Betty
MacDonald she was of the same generation and felt an affinity. Betty
MacDonald's stories where at the top of our familily's reading list
thanks to mom, and I'm only now realising why she considered these
books to be not only very funny, but beautifully written. I'll be
passing them on to mine which is what my mother would have expected.
(id:1019)
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carol
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Apr 22, 2003
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annandale, virginia
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housewife/mother
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| I read a Readers Digest version of
Onions In The Stew when I was 12 (I'm 48) & never forgot it. I've
now read all but Nancy & Plum; I love Betty & feel like I know
her family - this article was such a treat! Now I'm itching to read
"Best Friends" by Mary...Betty MacDonald is such a gem!! (id:1057)
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carol
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Apr 22, 2003
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annandale, virginia
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housewife/mother
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| I read a Readers Digest version of
Onions In The Stew when I was 12 (I'm 48) & never forgot it. I've
now read all but Nancy & Plum; I love Betty & feel like I know
her family - this article was such a treat! Now I'm itching to read
"Best Friends" by Mary...Betty MacDonald is such a gem!! (id:1058)
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kay
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May 23, 2003
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gold country, northern ca
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garage sale-er
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| Does anyone know what happened to
Betty's daughters, Joan and Anne? How did they turn out and are they
still living? Any leads welcome. Thanks! (id:1202)
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Kathy
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Jun 30, 2003
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London, UK
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journalist
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| I'm a huge Betty MacDonald Fan.
Thank you so much for this very interesting article.
Did you read the bios THE KETTLES' MILLION DOLLAR EGG & THE EGG AND
BETTY - the first two parts of Betty's bio? Very interesting stories
published by Betty MacDonald Society.
For more info macdonaldsociety@aol.com.
I' d die to visit Seattle and Vashon Island. (id:1338)
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Martine
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Jul 02, 2003
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Paris, France
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author
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| Great article! Thanks a lot for
this!
I'm delighted to receive more info on my beloved writer.
Are there any people in Seattle or in the region who knew Betty
MacDonald and her family? I would be happy to meet them. Write a mail
to: pigglewigglefans@aol.com please.
I adore the stories and tapes of Betty's life published by Betty
MacDonald Society. Betty is a brilliant writer and I wished I could
write as well. She was unique! (id:1347)
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MIkki
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Jul 14, 2003
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Port Orchard, WA
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artist
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| My Mom introduced me to "The Egg and
I" many years ago. I fell in love with Betty's writing then. I've read
most of her books and lived on Vashon Island and have been to Chimacum.
I live a ferry ride from vashon now. So, glad to have found this site.
And, to be able to share the enjoyment of Betty's stories. There is
nothing like them. Bless her heart. (id:1381)
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gisela gala
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Aug 29, 2003
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port angeles,wa
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mother
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| i received her book,nancy and plum
as a young girl.now i live in her great nortwest-a far stretch from
germany. i have actually met some people here who are related to her
and the Kettle family. i am quite awed to be where they have been and
get goosebumps of joy to now be at least close to their past.i love
them both. thankyou (id:1545)
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Martine
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Sep 23, 2003
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Paris, France
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author
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| hi dear gisela gala,
i just read you know betty's family and the kettles.
i'd die to know more. could you send me a mail to
pigglewigglefans@aol.com please. betty was a gifted writer. i adore her
books and the very interesting biographies and tapes. she had a
wonderful laugh. (id:1622)
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Gisela
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Sep 25, 2003
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Hamburg/GERMANY
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teacher
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Hi Gisela from Port Angeles,
I'm Gisela from Hamburg.
Did you meet the real Kettles and the Bards?
Es w?re nett von Ihnen zu h?ren!
Betty's Fan Club is great and so are the items!
(id:1629)
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vera smith
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Dec 04, 2003
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houston, texas
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computer tech
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| Great site with plenty of
information. I have been a fan for a long time, thought I was the only
one. I have the four books, bought them from the library because I
liked them so much. I think Betty could have a lot of new fans if her
books could be sold in major book stores again. She wrote with such joy
and ou could just really get into her life. I found the the The Plague
and I interesting in the treatment of tuberculosis back then. The Egg
and I was so funny, the Kettle family so down the earth. I enjoyed her
stories of the Grandmother, such a character, and her childhood. I read
the books every year and they are so enjoyable each and everytime. I
see some of the books are out in paperback this is good. Maybe a new
generation of readers will discover Betty and her family. Remember the
funny old store Betty and her sister discovered one night with people's
clothes that seemed to have been just lived in. Also that creepy
coworker Marilee? I just found the four books so enjoyable and I keep
them on my bookcase in a place of honor along with a few other of my
favorite books. (id:1918)
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Lorinda
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Dec 19, 2003
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Seattle
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| To Kay from Gold Country, Northern
CA....Betty's daughters Joan and Anne are both getting up in years.
Joan has Alzheimers and lives in an assisted living center in a suburb
of Seattle. The other daughter Anne has been an artist for many years
and lives in Northern California, although I'm not sure where. Joan's
daughter Heidi attends the same church I do. The family values their
privacy and I don't think either of the daughters uses the Internet.
Thank you for this website with the photos and information. It is
fascinating to look up the places in Betty's stories. I had found some
of these photos (and others) on various searches in the King County
archives and I've visited many of the places including the Egg & I
Road and the former Firland Sanitorium (now a private college). The
only place I haven't been to is the site of Fred Hildebrandt's Shoe
Repair. I was interested to hear about Mary Bard's books and where to
find them. I just noticed that the Vashon Island General Store will be
offering a new reprint of "The Doctor Wears Three Faces" in January
(their website is
http://www.countrystoreandgardens.com/BettyMacDonald/threefaces.html).
Thank you. (id:1971)
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Peter
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Dec 26, 2003
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Bern, Switzerland
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Teacher
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Very interesting detail information.
I'm looking for radio and tv appearances of Betty MacDonald.
Thanks for your advice! (id:1987)
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Emilie Garcia
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Dec 28, 2003
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Port Orchard, WA
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Retired
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| I recently read an article in the
local newspaper about Betty MacDonald Farm on Vashon Island. As a child
I had heard about The Egg and I, but never saw the movie. I did see
movies about Ma and Pa Kettle. I wonder what the Kettles thought about
what she wrote about them. I wonder what the Native Americans think of
what she wrtoe about them. As a Native myself, I feel hurt about how
she viewed her Indian neighbors, but despair and alcoholism is a sad
fact of life for some of us. We had no alcohol for thousands of years
until...... I moved with my husband from California when we retired in
1997 to the Kitsap Peninsula, and only recently discovered that the
author of The Egg and I was writing about this area that I have come to
love. I can relate very well to her tales of fighting the native
vegetation and marauding critters, and am glad I live in an era where I
can enjoy the beauty of this wilderness, but with all the modern
conveniences. I am anxious to read all of her books. She was a great
descriptive and insightful writer. (id:1991)
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Peter
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Dec 28, 2003
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Bern, Switzerland
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Teacher
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| To Emilie Garcia from Port Orchard,
You should read the MacDonald Society stories
Regarding the Native Americans I can understand your feelings very well
but you should know the reason why she described them this way. I was
kind of horrified to learn reality. Did anyone ever see Betty MacDonald
on televison?
Any advice? (id:1994)
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Deborah Long
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Feb 29, 2004
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Encinitas Calif
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Caregiver
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| As a caregiver I was saddened to
learn that Joan has Alzheimer's. Is Kimi living? Any of Mary's children
or Cleve's? Is the public market still there? (id:2297)
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Susanne
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Mar 03, 2004
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Vienna, Austria
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retired
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To Deborah from California:
Kimi was Betty MacDonald's best friend and she is living.
I've read some Betty MacDonald Society items and Kimi wrote the most wonderful stories. Her comments are excellent.
It's true the way Betty described her in THE PlAGUE.
She is such an intelligent, warmhearted and charming lady with a very good sense for humor. (id:2309)
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Deborah
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Mar 05, 2004
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Southern California
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Caregiver
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| Susanne, Thank you for your
response. I wonder if anyone has met,in person, any of Betty's family?
What happened to the first husband, Bob Heskett? (id:2321)
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Deborah
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Mar 05, 2004
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Southern California
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Caregiver
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Susanne, I apologize for my preceeding typos - I was typing
in a rush as always! I am very curious about the death of
Betty MacDonald's first husband. Do you or anyone else have
that information? I wonder if any of Betty's family sees our
messages? Has anyone met any family members? (id:2323)
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Susanne
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Mar 08, 2004
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Vienna, Austria
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retired
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| Deborah,
There is a story published by Betty MacDonald Society
entitled The tragic end of Betty's first husband.
It's a rather sad and depressing story but very well researched with
all the details. There are audio interviews with Betty and her sister
Alison. Both are very funny.
I can highly recommend them. I listened to them a million times. My
husband gets crazy but they are wonderful. Real treasures. I love the
net. It's so wonderful to be so close with all the Betty Fans.
(id:2331)
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Jane
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Mar 16, 2004
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Canada
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| I suggest going to the "A Common
Reader" website. You will be able to read an interesting 1998 interview
with Anne Canham and Joan MacDonald Keil. Search for Betty's book THE
EGG & I, and once there you will find (and be able to click on)"An
interview with Betty MacDonald's daughters" on the top right side of
the screen.
I also recommend Monica Sone's book, NISEI DAUGHTER. I purchased it
after reading somewhere that Monica Sone was the "Kimi" Betty wrote
about in THE PLAQUE & I. She writes about her time as a patient at
"North Pines" sanitarium and of her fascinating friend "Chris."
(id:2356)
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Deborah
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Mar 17, 2004
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Southern California
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Caregiver
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Jane, thanks so much for your tip about the Common Reader
website !! Why is the death of Betty's first husband such a
secret? I wish someone would be kind enough to tell me. (id:2365)
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Jane
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Mar 17, 2004
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Canada
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| You're welcome, Deborah.
With regard to the secret of Bob's death: Perhaps to wet our appetites?
The people who know the story of Bob would have purchased Betty's bio
from the Betty MacDonald Society and probably don't feel that they are
at liberty to share the information.
I have always hoped to support the Society, myself, but the costs have
been a factor. Hence, for now I do my own research. (id:2367)
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Deborah
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Mar 18, 2004
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Southern California
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Caregiver
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Jane, I enjoyed your response. Have you looked at the website " HistoryLink Database Output, A Magic Lantern
Tour..." There is a great website ! And pictures !! (id:2375)
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Deborah
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Mar 21, 2004
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Southern California
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Caregiver
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Jane, my mistake - the website with several photos is
called History Link Galleries. It is listed just below the
Database Output. Or have you already seen it? (id:2387)
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Jane
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Mar 22, 2004
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Canada
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| Thanks Deborah. I was familiar with
the article ("Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard: A Guide to their King
County Homes.") It's a wonderful find, isn't it? A great big thank-you
to Paula Becker and Pricilla Long! After reading it once again, I see
that this must be where I first heard about Monica Sone and her book.
(id:2390)
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Deborah
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Mar 26, 2004
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Southern California
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Caregiver
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Jane,
Have you tried the website "HistoryLink Database Output" ?
Then go Biographies, then scroll down to MacDonald.
A great website, best pictures !!
(id:2416)
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Sylvia
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Apr 15, 2004
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Oregon
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none if I can help it
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| Does anyone know how to access Betty
MacDonald's radio drama scripts and/or audio archives of those
broadcasts? I think they were mentioned in Anybody Can Do Anything,
though it may have been in Mary Bard's book. Thanks for any information
you may have. (id:2501)
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Susanne
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Apr 18, 2004
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Vienna, Austria
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retired
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| Hi Sylvia,
Betty MacDonald Society offers several tapes with Betty and her family.
The tapes are really very interesting and funny. (id:2509)
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Lorinda
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Jul 08, 2004
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Seattle
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| To Deborah in California,
Yes, the "Market" that Betty describes in her books is still very much
in business here in Seattle. It's called the Pike Place Market. It's a
well-known tourist spot in the city. I work downtown and walk there
often. I love it. Fortunately, the city leaders made the effort to save
it from demolition some 20 years ago and today it is thriving. It is a
wonderful place to find every type of foodstuff - everything from fresh
flowers and seafood to gorgeous produce and gourmet items. There are
jewelry, craft, and clothing vendors and several restaurants with
panoramic views of Puget Sound and its islands. You'll also find
antique vendors, an herbal apothecary and palm reader, bakeries,
newsagents, honey, etc. You name it and it will probably be there.
In fact, I may even go for a walk there today on my lunch hour!
(id:2751)
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Sue
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Jul 09, 2004
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Pacific Northwest
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retired
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| Deborah, my understanding is that
Bob Heskett was murdered in Oakland, California, while trying to
protect a woman from an abusive husband/boyfriend. I've also read that
he suffered from terrible night terrors as a result of his war
experiences, and that this made life with him very difficult for Betty.
I don't believe he had any contact with Betty, Anne,or Joan after the
divorce. I don't think what happened to him is a secret, but the family
probably doesn't want to dwell on it. Several postings in this forum
(generally the European ones) are from individuals who have done some
research into Betty's history and have it available for sale. That's
why they haven't answered your question and have directed you to the
Betty MacDonald Fan Club website. And, although their postings in this
respect are a little misleading, they do have Betty MacDonald
information for sale and you might be interested in contacting them.
Just be aware that they sometimes post on MacDonald forums as being
strictly fans when they do have a monetary interest. In the meantime,
read all of Betty's books. She was a fine writer and her early death
was a loss not only to her family and friends, but to the book world as
well. (id:2754)
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Sarah
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Jul 10, 2004
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California
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I wonder if anyone has met,in person, any of Betty's family? (id:2755)
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Susanne
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Jul 10, 2004
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Vienna, Austria
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retired
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| I'm only an usual Betty Fan and
don't have a monetary interest although I'm from Europe. I believe
Betty was an unique writer. Therefore I was so glad to find out more
about our beloved writer and was delighted to read the very interesting
and detailed Fan Club Stuff. I was so amazed and surprised after
finding out that there is a lot of very interesting and important stuff
you won't find in Betty's books. Having the opportunity to hear Betty's
wonderful voice and laugh makes me happy indeed. To me it's another
dimension to know the way she spoke and acted. I only wished I could
see her on television. Is there anything like this? One of my favorites
is Betty's sister Alison. Boy how much I would have loved to meet Betty
and the whole Bard family in person. That's the way many of her fans
think I guess. I'm an elder lady now ( 67 ) but my sisters, children,
many grandchildren ( I have 5 daughters ) love Betty as much as I do. I
know several fans especially in the Czech Republic where Betty is a
houshold name in these days.
Betty will live on and on in her witty and wise classics and will
continue to delight further generations all over the world. She was a
big sharer said her sister Alison an (id:2756)
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Susanne
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Jul 10, 2004
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Vienna, Austria
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retired
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| I'm only an usual Betty Fan and
don't have a monetary interest although I'm from Europe. I believe
Betty was an unique writer. Therefore I was so glad to find out more
about our beloved writer and was delighted to read the very interesting
and detailed Fan Club Stuff. I was so amazed and surprised after
finding out that there is a lot of very interesting and important stuff
you won't find in Betty's books. Having the opportunity to hear Betty's
wonderful voice and laugh makes me happy indeed. To me it's another
dimension to know the way she spoke and acted. I only wished I could
see her on television. Is there anything like this? One of my favorites
is Betty's sister Alison. Boy how much I would have loved to meet Betty
and the whole Bard family in person. That's the way many of her fans
think I guess. I'm an elder lady now ( 67 ) but my sisters, children,
many grandchildren ( I have 5 daughters ) love Betty as much as I do. I
know several fans especially in the Czech Republic where Betty is a
houshold name in these days.
Betty will live on and on in her witty and wise classics and will
continue to delight further generations all over the world. She was a
big sharer said her sister Alison and Betty still is. With her work
Betty makes the world a bit better because she brings golden laughter
and wisdom to her readers. However it's no stuff for saddos! I hope
that many so called adults and children have the opportunity to read
her magical books and learn more about her background. To me reading
her books and knowing more about her background is one of the most
fascinating experiences in my life. No exaggeration!
Lorinda, for those you live so far away perhaps you could tell us more
about the country Betty lived and Betty's daughters and relatives. One
of my dreams is visiting your beautiful State of Washington but I'm
very afraid of flying. Therefore I'm not shure this ever will come
true. Thank you! (id:2757)
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Lorinda
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Jul 19, 2004
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Seattle
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| Susanne, I would be happy to give
you a little description of the area near the egg farm. My own family
(grandmother, mother, aunts and uncles) lived in the area about the
same time that Betty and Bob did. I visited there last spring and for
years listened to my relatives tell stories about ìwhen we lived at the
Blackmanís Lake placeî.
The Egg & I Road is not really near any large town. It's on the
left "arm" of Washington State, in Jefferson County, not far from the
Olympic National Forest. It's really almost the foothills of the
Olympics. The nearest villages are Port Ludlow and Chimacum, and both
are very small. It is a beautiful area with rolling hills, tall
evergreen trees, clean blue water, quiet coves and beaches rich with
clams, geoduck, shrimp, and other fish. Itís a beautiful place to visit
but there is very little employment nearby, so itís sparsely populated
by retirees, few farmers, and locals who commute to Port Townsend, Port
Angeles, or maybe Everett or Seattle.
It is not the easiest place to get to from Seattle - it takes both a
ferryboat ride and a car drive, unless you want to drive north over
Deception Pass or south via the Kitsap Peninsula. The "Egg & I"
Road (it's for real) is very quiet and upon entering it from Beaver
Valley Road, you cross a wide valley where contented cows graze. The
road climbs a hill and near the top is a large thick forest of
evergreen trees. If you stop the car and get out, the smell of pine is
intense and the woods are filled with birdsong. It's very quiet and
peaceful. Nearby are some of the Kettle descendents' farms. The houses
are a mixture of old-fashioned farmhouses and prefab mobile homes. It
would be an inspiring place to be a writer if you liked spending lots
of time alone. But it would be too lonely and quiet for a lot of
people.
The Olympic Mountains are quite close and they cause their own weather
systems. That is why Betty spoke of the terrible nearness of the
mountains. Wintertime storms can come up suddenly and blanket the area
in clouds and fog for days at a time. When the weather is good, the
place is absolutely stunning. Mule deer come up and eat out of your
hands at Olympic National Park.
The Egg & I Road is quite long and the spot where Bettyís farm used
to be is not marked, so we had to guess. Some houses are still standing
that were undoubtedly there when Betty lived there. About midway
through the The Egg & I Road, you cross another highway and
Chimacum Creek. The houses are set far apart and some are at the end of
long, hidden driveways. Most are on acreage and have some animals.
These are people who value their privacy. We followed one side road
that went straight up the side of a hill. One area at the top of a hill
is recovering from a forest fire that looked like it had happened
within the last 5 years. Some of those hills look like they would be
easy targets for lightening strikes. The volunteer fire chief lived
conveniently at the bottom of the hill.
I think the area is beautiful but could be extremely isolated and
chilly (damp) during the winters. There really isnít much to do up
there when the weather is bad. No city life, movie theaters, or even
supermarkets close by. Summertime is the best time to visit. (id:2782)
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Susanne
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Jul 25, 2004
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Vienna, Austria
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retired
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| Lorinda, are you a professional
writer?
How we ( my family and I ) enjoyed your description
of Egg and I Road!
Really lovely! Congratulations! Do you know the house Betty lived with
her mother and sisters in the University District? I could read it's
still there. Betty's wonderful sister Alison tells a lot about this. It
must have been a magical place for the Bards and their many friends
during the Depression. Do you know the tape where Alison tells the
stories about Sydney and their many guests?
Again - my compliments for your outstanding writing - (id:2797)
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Peter
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Jul 27, 2004
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Bern, Switzerland
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Teacher
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| Lorinda,
Thanks a lot for your very well written report of Egg and I Road. After
reading THE KETTLES' MILLION DOLLAR EGG I have a question: Are there
people like the Kettle Family in your state? Still today? (id:2801)
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Continues...
August 2004
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Lorinda
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Jul 29, 2004
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Seattle
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| Thanks for the compliments - I'm a
banker during the day but my college degree is journalism and I have
written a few things, mostly for my own enjoyment. To answer Susanne: I
have seen the house in the University District where Betty and her
family lived during the Depression - along with several other houses
they lived in. That little house is now nearly hidden behind trees. The
street is on has been widened and is quite busy; in fact, there is a
bus stop right in front of the house. The front porch is still there
but it's hard to see much because the trees have grown so large. To
answer Peter, yes, there are still "modern day" Kettles in Washington.
But there are a lot of other people, too. All sorts, in fact. (id:2807)
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Sara
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Aug 06, 2004
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Prague/Czech Republic
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| Hi, i¥m 18 years old student from
Czech Republic. I red my first Betty's book in 13. Betty's books are
really great, i red it million times. I'm very interested in Betty's
life, family, daughters etc. This is good site with good informations.
Thanks :) (id:2819)
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Peter
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Aug 07, 2004
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Bern, Switzerland
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Teacher
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| Hi Sara,
Welcome here.
So nice to meet you.
Is Betty very popular in your country and did you ever hear from
Betty's Fan Club? Another Betty fan told me that they had several czech
members. How came that you are a Betty Fan? (id:2822)
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Sara
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Aug 09, 2004
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Prague/Czech Republic
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| When i was 13 my mother gave me
Anybody can do anything and then the others books. In our country is a
lot of women readin' Betty. She is really very popular, but just a few
of them searchin' on sites like this to know more informations... If
there are some mens readin' Betty, don't know, i know just two - my
father and my geography teacher. Girls in my age don't read Betty so
much, so the Betty fans are mainly women in age 30 - 70.
I just heard about Betty's Fan Club, just a few things, so i don't know
a lot of about it... (id:2823)
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Yolonda
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Aug 09, 2004
|
Chimacum, WA
|
Medical Assistant
|
| I just finished The Egg and I. What
a wonderful book! I heard about it through my husband who's family has
run a Dairy Farm that borders The Egg and I road since 1871. After I
finished the book I had him show me where all the old farms were. We
drove by the old "Kettle" Farm and a large White Farmhouse is still
occupied there. We also drove by Bettys farm although you cannot see it
from the road.
I must admit I am fascinated with the book and her life. I just moved
to Chimacum 2 weeks ago with my husband, and although I have
electricity and running water, I feel I have a few things in common
with Betty. Life out here is definatley something to get used to. Its a
town where everyone knows pretty much everything about everyone!! I
think our house is about 3 miles from the farm of Betty & Bobs. My
husbands grandfather remembers the cougar that Bob shot, he hauled down
to their farm by truck to "show it off"
I found it amusing when asking my husbands family about the book that
they said whatever you do don't mention the book to your neighbors. The
"Kettle" ancestors are still in the area and apparently after over half
a century they are still pretty sore about how their family was
depicted.I can't wait to ask my in-laws more!!! (id:2825)
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Susanne
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Aug 10, 2004
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Vienna, Austria
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retired
|
| Lorinda,
I've read your story so many times. You did a great job!
Did you visit the coffee store Betty mentions in Anybody can do
anything?
Sara, Thank you so much for the info. If you are interested in learning
more about the background especially I suggest you to read the Betty
Fan Club stories.
Very interesting. And I adore the tapes with Betty and darling sister
Alison. Yolanda,
it's fascinating that you live so close by Betty and the Kettles. I'm
so interested in receiving more info after reading the Fan Club story
The Kettles' Million Dollar Egg.
Did you read this story? (id:2829)
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Peter
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Aug 11, 2004
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Bern, Switzerland
|
Teacher
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| To Sara:
I'd like to write a newspaper report about Betty's fans especially from
your country. What's the reason why Betty is so popular? Do you have
any idea how I might get in contact with some fans from your country.
To Yolanda:
I'm so curious to learn more about Chimacum. How many inhabitants and
how many farms are there? Has it changed a lot since Betty lived there?
Do you have the feeling that some families hate Betty because she
described them in THE EGG. Did you ever hear which family the Hicks
were and the crazy lady ( I can't remember her name right now ) with
the drunken indian husband and her five idiotic children.
TO Lorinda: Do you know Chimacum and the other places where Betty
lived? (id:2834)
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Deborah
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Aug 11, 2004
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Southern California
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Caregiver
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| Dear Lorinda and S. Thompson,
I haven't been to this site in awhile and so I haven't seen your
messages/responses until now. Thank you both so much for the
information ! S. Thompson, I'm curious - what woman, and what was the
circumstance in which Bob would have been trying to prevent domestic
violence? (id:2836)
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Sue
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Aug 13, 2004
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Pacific Northwest
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retired
|
| Deborah, I don't know the exact
circumstances, or who the woman was. I know he died on July 22, 1951.
He was stabbed to death by a man named Blake. He's buried in Golden
Gate National Cemetary, plot M 937. His niece has posted obituary
requests on line and has given that much info. She is looking for more
information, a newspaper clipping, etc. I was glad to read Lorinda's
postings, as I didn't know what had become of Anne and Joan. I'm sorry
to hear that Joan is not well. When I was teaching elementary school, I
read Nancy and Plum to every class I had over a 22 year period, and it
was always a hit. One class wrote to Joan to tell her how much they
enjoyed the book. Joan's husband was kind enough to respond to them and
thank them. I think he has since passed away. I kept the letter and
have it tucked away in my old copy of Nancy and Plum. It's a link to
Betty and I treasure it. (id:2838)
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Deborah
|
Aug 13, 2004
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Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Dear S. Thompson,
Thanks for the information. What a terrible story ! I should have said
that I read all of Betty's books and Mary Bard's as well, in the
1970's. I also owned them all, but lost them during a move. I loved
"Onions" best. Any way of contacting Kimi of the "Plague" book? Her
name is Monica Somes, I think, and she is still living according to
what I have read. (id:2840)
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Jane
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Aug 13, 2004
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Canada
|
|
| Hi Deborah! I'm also back and have
enjoyed all of the new postings. Monica Sone was born in 1919, and she
would be close to 85 years old by now. According to my copy of NISEI
DAUGHTER (Twelfth printing, 2002), Monica Sone lived in Canton, Ohio,
where she was a clinical psychologist. (id:2841)
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Kim
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Aug 15, 2004
|
Sacramento California
|
|
| Hello, all. I'm just back from a few
days on the Olympic Peninsula where I drove Egg and I Road and tried to
envision where Betty lived. Wish I had discovered this site first! So
much information and SO NICE to think that people still seek out and
read Betty's books--and, especially to think that she's world-known. I
visited her farm on Vashon Island last summer. The barn and acres have
been converted to a bed and breakfast--it's really beautiful, peaceful
and charming. My regret was that we couldn't visit her house. You can
glimpse it (adjoining property) but it's a privately owned home.
(id:2842)
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Deborah
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Aug 16, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
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| Hi Jane,
Nice to see you again. :) I wonder still why Bob would have been
involved in a physical dispute? I'm wondering if he was a boyfriend or
a concerned neighbor, or what? Probably old newpaper articles would
provide more details. I wish Bob's niece, metioned here by S. Thompson,
would also post. Also, Mr. Thompson, how great to have a letter from
Joan's husband ! What fun ! (id:2845)
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Deborah
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Aug 16, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Jane, I forgot to thank you for the
info on Kimi ! Thanks !
Just read my own post and darn it, there's a typo ! I meant to say
"mentioned" here. I'm mixed up on the time frame. Would Kimi/Monica
have been in the war camp before or after the "plague"? (id:2846)
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Martine
|
Aug 17, 2004
|
Paris - France
|
author
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| Kim, Betty's house was a magical
place. One of my relatives was Betty's agent here and had lots of
stories to tell and I saw several pictures. By the way Betty's Fan Club
offers a story entitled Bob's tragic end. You can find all the info
even letters where Betty described her feelings toward Bob. Good stuff!
(id:2847)
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Jane
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Aug 17, 2004
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Canada
|
|
| Deborah, Monica Sone was a patient
at the sanitarium before living in a relocation camp. Later, she
married Geary Sone and became a mother to four children: Philip Geary,
Susan Mari, Peter Seiji, and John Kenzo.
I recommend her book, NISEI DAUGHTER, which is both humorous and
touching. It was eye-opening to learn what it was like to be a
Japanese-American growing up on Seattle's waterfront in the 1920s &
30s, then being subjected to relocation during WWII. However, I really
keyed in on the comments she made about her friend "Chris" who was
obviously Betty MacDonald. Also on the cover of my paperback there is a
photo of Monica and her younger sister taken in 1932! (id:2848)
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Deborah
|
Aug 17, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Jane, thanks for the info. Do you
remember that you told me about the interviews with Anne and Joan found
in the Common Reader website? The Common Reader is still there but the
interviews are not, or am I not in the right one? I remember that I did
go to it before, and saw the interviews. I wanted to go back and make a
file of them. Any suggestions? (id:2853)
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Jane
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Aug 18, 2004
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Canada
|
|
| Deborah, I just checked, and it is
still there. This is what I did: I went to www.commonreader.com, then I
searched for Betty MacDonald under "search go." I clicked on THE EGG
& I. Then on the top righthand side, second from the top, clicked
on "An interview with Betty MacDonald's daughters." This will take you
to the 1998 interview with Anne Canham and Joan MacDonald Keil.
(id:2854)
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Deborah
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Aug 18, 2004
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Southern California
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Caregiver
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| Jane, thank you ! I went right to it
and have made a file.
The way I found the interview before was by going to one of the Common
Reader sites, it worked then but not now, maybe someone there has
revised their website. At any rate, thanks ! I e-mailed the staff at
Common Reader to ask who did the interview and if it is possible to get
a letter or an e-mail to Anne or Joan. (id:2855)
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Cheryll
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Aug 19, 2004
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Maryland
|
artist
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| What a joy to discover all of you! I
had never heard of Betty MacDonal until two weeks ago when I bought
'The Egg and I' at a flea market for no reason other than I liked the
author's picture on the cover! I have never bought a book for such a
superficial reason in my life but the photo which seemed to beckon
me--such a smile! I read the book with increasing wonder at it's
excellence, which I know you are all aware of. And then I could not
stop wondering about Betty MacDonald and I positively ached to know
more.
As some have pointed out, the 'Fan Club' web site is not very
user-friendly; I guessed that money was the motive behind the
elusiveness of the site, and I was suspicious of the integrity, but now
that some of you have confirmed the Fan Club's basic decency, I will
break down and stick my toes in a bit deeper. I wish to thank all of
you for sharing your love for Betty MacDonald, and your knowledge of
her life! I immediately developed a bond with Ms. MacDonald, and I now
feel a warm and delightful connection to all of you--indeed, you all
seem to be part of an incredible family, the extended MacDonald family.
I am deeply grateful to touch base with you, each and every one! Now I
must dash, I am searching out a copy of 'Anyone Can Do Anything', which
I must find before I will have peace of mind. . . I know you
understand. . . til later, best regards always! (id:2857)
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Susanne
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Aug 19, 2004
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Vienna, Austria
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retired
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|
Cheryll,
I hope you are successful in ordering Betty's book.
If this is not the case let me know please.
You should read all of Betty's books. You'll love them as much as we do!
(id:2859)
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Susanne
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Aug 20, 2004
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Vienna, Austria
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retired
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| Cheryll,
I forgot to tell you a funny story. My poor hubby is not happy I
ordered the tapes with Betty and Alison because I'm addicted and can
listen to them a million times.
I enjoy their very funny memories told with wonderful voices and laughs
so many times that he's getting mad because of this. My children are so
happy as I am because they are huge Betty admirers but poor old hubby
isn't. That's life. I can't tell you how much I would love to see
Sydney's house in the University District. It must have been a heaven
during the Depression and Alison is such a great story teller. She
should have been a writer too. What a family with so many talents. I
wonder if Alison is still with us. Does anybody know this? (id:2860)
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Kim
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Aug 20, 2004
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Sacramento California
|
|
| Hi again. Thanks for the comments on
Betty's house. I forgot to add that when we visited her farm, the owner
of the B'n'B had a wonderful collection of clippings, photos, letters
Betty had written, etc. It was wonderful to sit for a couple of hours
and just pour through stuff! I really like a letter she sent to a woman
who had written her in response to reading Egg & I. The woman lived
on an egg ranch in the midwest, I think, and was sharing her thoughts
and woes on the life. Betty's response was warm, funny and very
personal--much as you might have expected. She named Port Townsend as
the "town" she always refered to in the book and shared anecdotes about
the ranch. It was a delight to read and confirmed that she was
genuinely personable and funny--just like her books. Can you imagine
writing her and getting a personal response? And, such a long, friendly
one? (id:2861)
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Lorinda
|
Aug 20, 2004
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Seattle
|
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| It's so interesting to read the
discussions. I am so amazed that so many Europeans are very interested
in Betty's books. What is it about her stories and/or style that you
like best? Is it her way of finding humor in adversity? Betty is known
by librarians and a few people interested in history around here, but I
think she is definitely more popular in Europe. Tell me what it is that
draws you to her books. I am a suburban person who works in the city,
although I grew up in the country in Oregon. I visited Chimicum just
last summer and we had lunch at the little Chimicum Cafe. The area is
beautiful, but I would not choose to move there because small-town life
would be too confining for me. When you live in an area that gets a lot
of rain, you need the diversions a city can offer, such as an airport
to get away to someplace sunny! (id:2863)
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Sally
|
Aug 20, 2004
|
Greensboro, NC
|
law office administrator
|
| I was sorry to learn that Betty died
so young. According to what I've read, she and Don had moved to Carmel,
California but after she developed cancer she returned to Seattle so
that Mary's husband could oversee her treatment. Does anyone have other
details? Why did they decide to leave Vashon for Carmel? What type of
cancer was it, and how long did she live after the diagnosis? (id:2864)
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Deborah
|
Aug 20, 2004
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Southern California
|
Caregiver
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| Cheryll, we're all glad to have you
! Come on in ! :)
I hope you'll read Onions in the Stew, it's my favorite !
I practically have it memorized ! You seem very astute to me, I had
some doubts about the fan club/society too, and the woman who runs the
B & B told me that their information is not accurate and that she
would not recommend paying for their info. Keep collecting Betty !!
(id:2865)
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Deborah
|
Aug 20, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| I'm curious about Betty's recorded
voice being on the fan club/society's tapes. In the Common Reader
interview that Jane so kindly led me to, Betty's daughter says that the
only recording of Betty's voice is when Betty accepted an award in
1947. Is this the recording the society offers for sale? (id:2866)
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Sue
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Aug 21, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Some of you may be interested in the
article I found about Betty's support for maintaining cemeteries for
WWII American soldiers who were buried in Holland. She donated the
proceeds of the Dutch sale of The Egg and I for this purpose. You can
Google it by typing Opijnen + Betty MacDonald into the search bar. I
think this gesture may be one reason she is popular in The Netherlands.
As far as the Betty MacDonald Fan Club goes, I'm with Deborah and
Cheryll. I see the same few names on this site as I've seen on others,
and I suspect there's one person posing as several "fans" in order to
promote the sale of the Club's materials. This person usually posts
using two or three different names, but the grammar, syntax, and
content of the various messages are a tip-off that it's one individual.
As far as the recordings go, they may have the single Betty recording,
but I think Betty's sister Allison may have done a recorded interview
later in her life, because you'll note the constant references to that
one. And Deborah, I'm Mrs. Thompson, not Mr. Thompson, but I know you
couldn't tell that from the little bit of info I gave you, so it's
o.k.! And I love Onions in the Stew as well----I can never decide which
of Betty's books I like the best, although Onions and Anybody Can Do
Anything are real favorites. When I was a little girl, the librarians
made me quit taking Nancy and Plum out of the children's library for a
month so somebody else would have a chance to read it, so to calm me
down, my mom let me go with her to the adult section to check out The
Egg and I, and that started me on all of Betty's books for adults.
Jane, I have tried for ages to get a copy of Monica Sone's book. I
found a hardback copy several years ago, with a foreward by Betty
MacDonald, but it was far too expensive. I just found a used paperback
copy this week in a bookstore in Portland. I'm so looking forward to
getting into this book! Also, and I admit I'm bragging here, a year ago
I found a copy of The Egg and I with a handwritten full-page dedication
by Betty to the friend she'd been staying with, and on the next page,
another handwritten, full-page dedication to the same friend by Mary
Bard Jensen, Betty's sister. Apparently they spent several days with
this lady and thanked her in this way. If my house ever catches fire
and I have time to save something, my Betty books are going out the
door first! My husband says he recognizes this fact and will attempt to
save himself. If people who see this website will continue to share
information that they may come across, we'll all get our questions
answered, so thanks to those who have contributed. (id:2867)
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Deborah
|
Aug 21, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Dear Mrs. Thompson, I'm so sorry!
Another one of my infamous typos! I am really enjoying your latest
post! I too thought that something seemed "suspicious" about some of
the posts here. That some of the posts seem to have the same "feel".
They read very much like the e-mail I used to receive form the
society/fan club. I suspected then that although "two" women were
writing, that they were possibly only one. I blocked the mail, and
they/she merely used another address to get through. This does not
sound like a fan to me, but a salesperson. In my opinion, it qualified
as spam more than anything else. You do realize you'll have us all
drooling with envy over the two books you mention! I don't think you're
bragging at all. You're sharing the joy of discovery with us! What a
wonderful find! (id:2868)
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Deborah
|
Aug 21, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
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| Sally, I always wondered if Don and
Betty left Vashon for Carmel because perhaps it was getting
increasingly difficult to maintain privacy, as so many fans were coming
to Vashon. Or maybe for a change in the weather? Either way, Betty and
the family would have been too kind to say so. Mrs. Thompson, what
wonderful finds, would you be willing to type out what Betty and Mary
wrote in the dedication pages? Or would that be too much to ask of you?
(id:2870)
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Susanne
|
Aug 21, 2004
|
Vienna, Austria
|
retired
|
| When I purchased the Betty MacDonald
Collection a copy of Seattle P.I article was included. This paper
reports about the fan club activities and interviews with Betty's
family and friends. A very interesting article with photos. Perhaps
somebody here is familiar about this. I'll have a look for it - can't
find it right now. Yes you are right - too much things stored as my
hubby is complaing all the time. Poor man!
As I already told you I'm only a Fan and I have no monetary interest.
I'm what I am - old Betty admirer Susanne from Vienna til the rest of
my life. It's so nice to meet all of you. Hope you can forgive my
mistakes in your language. It's interesting what the owner of B & B
farm said about the fan club material. I don't agree at all. I
tremendously enjoy the stories and Betty's and Alison's audio
interviews. Not to forget Kimi's very shap comments. Her contributions
are so important and funny especially in the story Betty's most
wonderful man. I wonder if I am the only one here who has read the
stories and listened the tapes? I can't imagine. It'll be interesting
to hear some opinions from fans who are really familiar with them. I
don't want to make this lady down. I don't know her but a Chech Fan
told me she heard that Betty's family and friends especially Betty's
friend Blanche whom she personally met are not crazy about this lady.
Not at all!
Lorinda, you asked the reason why so many european readers love Betty's
stories. I only can speak for myself but my daughters and friends say
the same: Betty was a word painter. Reading her stories you can smell
the sea, the nature, the garden - everything. You have the feeling she
shares everything with you even her illness. I can read her books again
and again and it's such an amazing feeling to find something new in
every rereading. I only have this feeling with Betty and I was reading
many books. Another very important aspect: Betty never gave up. It's so
important to be an optimist but also a realist. Betty was. Lorinda how
can I thank you for sharing your info. How do you Americans say: You
made my day. I would say: You made my life. My daughter Doris told me I
should offer you to order the Betty and Alison Tape for you because my
whole family likes your info. We printed it out for our family and many
friends. It's true - you are famous now. We had the feeling we visited
your beautiful State of Washington and very charming egg and i road. My
daughters says we all should do this next year but i'm so afraid of
flying. Are you interested? We'd be very happy to order them as a gift
from all of us.
Love from Vienna
Susanne (id:2871)
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Peter
|
Aug 21, 2004
|
Bern, Switzerland
|
Teacher
|
| To S. Thompson:
S. sounds so mysterious!
I have a kind advice - no offence: Instead of comparing our syntax (
perhaps it's similiar because we are Europeans ) you should look for
the books at the right place. I had no hard time to find them. It was
very easy. I'm a 30 year old swiss guy who plans a vacation in the
Northwest next summer. What about a meeting? Susanne: Don't be afraid
of using an airplane. Nothing will happen. We should meet each other
next summer. excuse me i misplaced the p.i. copy but it's true what you
wrote. Alison is even funnier than her famous sister. The Betty Fam
owner has obviously no idea what she is talking about.
Funny: I heard the same rumours that she wasn't the most loved person.
Lorinda: It's simple. Betty is the funniest writer ever. Her best book
is not The egg. It's only the best story.
Betty's masterpiece is The plague. Writing such a warmhearted, witty,
very funny book about such circumstances no other writer could do this
- only Betty.
Somebody wrote Betty was a stone age Erma. I don't think so.
Your thoughts? (id:2872)
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Deborah
|
Aug 21, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| I feel that, if anything, Mrs. S.
Thompson has told us all more about herself than the rest of us. She is
to be applauded, in my opinion. I have read all of the posts more
carefully, and I see that the Piggle Wiggle Fan e-mail address posted
by a "Martine" is the second address sending me constant offers after I
blocked the primary address! (id:2873)
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Jane
|
Aug 21, 2004
|
Canada
|
|
| Dear S. Thompson, I'm so glad that
you found a copy of NISEI DAUGHTER and hope that you will enjoy the
book. I always have a long "wish list" of books I'd like to buy, so
understand how important timing and affordable pricing can be.
(id:2874)
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Martine
|
Aug 21, 2004
|
Paris
|
writer
|
| Deborah,
If you are not interested in receiving mails you only have to say this
and you won't receive any. By the way I didn't write you and I won't
ever do this. I promise. Tell them not to write you and they won't. The
Piggle-Fanclub address is a contact address for Fans and you can send a
mail to them mentioning a fan's name and they'll forward it. Therefore
I mentioned this address in one of my postings. I feel you belong to
these people who want everything for free You can find these people
around the world. As I already told one of my relatives was Betty's
agent. I was so interested in receiving more info. That's why I
purchased a lot of things even letters and other documents from
collectors around the world and had to pay a lot of money. (id:2875)
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|
Deborah
|
Aug 21, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| I checked my list of blocked senders
before I made my post.
I have indeed received numerous unwanted mailings from the fan club AND
from the Piggle Wiggle address even after asking to be removed from the
mailing lists. This is a forum, not a war. Your insults are unfounded
as well as asinine. (id:2876)
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Sally
|
Aug 22, 2004
|
Greensboro, NC
|
law office administrator
|
| I wonder if Kimi/Monica Sone's book
is available at libraries? I would like to read it, if only for the
part where she had TB and met Betty. I understand that there is a book
called "Much Laughter, A Few Tears" by Blanche Caffiere, who I believe
went to high school with Betty, that offers us some more glimpses into
her life, and I will be looking for that one as well as Mary's three.
If I have any luck and read anything especially interesting and
wonderful I will share it with the group! I agree with all of you who
have mentioned the special connection they feel to Betty. (id:2878)
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Sue
|
Aug 22, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Hi All, Just a note to say that I am
on vacation, but when I return I'll post the inscriptions Betty and her
sister Mary wrote in the copy of The Egg and I. Also, there's a good
article on a website called Suite101.com. Just type Betty MacDonald
into the "Search Within Suite101" search bar once you get to the
website. Be sure to read all the discussion comments, starting with the
first one, because Bob Heskett's niece posted a comment, and there are
also some references to some of the issues we've discussed in this
forum, regarding suspicious postings. Deborah, thanks for your
restraint. I think we should all just ignore the nasty folks and
continue to share info on Betty. Anybody wanting to make a buck off
sharing info won't have anything interesting to say anyway. Sally,
Blanche Caffiere's book is available from a store on Vashon Island. I
think it's called the Vashon Country Store, but I'm not positive. A
friend bought me a copy there. You can Google it and contact them. I
did buy a paperback copy of Nancy and Plum from them once and they were
completely trustworthy and shipped quickly. I've also heard really nice
things about the lady who runs the Betty MacDonald B&B out of
Betty's old property on Vashon. Everybody I've spoken to who has been
there has commented on how gracious she is and how willing she is to
share pictures, photos, etc. I'd like to take a trip there one day.
(id:2880)
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Deborah
|
Aug 22, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Bravo, Mrs. Thompson! Have a safe
and happy vacation and we look forward to your sharing the inscriptions
with us! And many thanks for providing the forum with another website!
(id:2881)
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Sally
|
Aug 22, 2004
|
Greensboro, NC
|
law office administrator
|
| I just went to the website Mrs.
Thompson told us about and read some of the comments --- particularly
the thread started by Bob's niece. In my opinion, Betty was careful in
"The Egg and I" not to write anything that would be overly defamatory
to Bob. For example, she points out from the beginning that she had
been raised to embrace whatever her husband chose to do with his life.
Although Bob was an insurance salesman when they met, when he shared
his dream of the chicken ranch, she gave him her support. However, you
can certainly read between the lines as the marriage deteriorated ---
such as the time he kissed her and she was as surprised as if an old
boss had rewarded her that way for a good typing job, and the time she
mentioned that by then she knew she and Bob were miles apart as far as
some things were concerned. She was only 18 when they married and he
was much older. It took a lot of courage back then for a woman with two
small children and no money of her own to walk out on a marriage. It
sounds as though she tried to make it work as long as she could, and I
imagine he thought he had tried too. Does anyone know how she and Don
met? (id:2882)
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Jane
|
Aug 22, 2004
|
Canada
|
|
| Sally, If the public library in your
city does not have the books you are interested in, you can request an
interlibrary loan. This is how I was able to find Mary Bard's books. I
purchased MUCH LAUGHTER, A FEW TEARS by Blanche Caffiere, used, some
years ago through Amazon.com. In the book, Blanche Caffiere mentions an
article that Betty wrote for the July 1949 issue of the READER'S DIGEST
called "The Most Unforgettable Character I've Met." This was the story
of a rather eccentric boyfriend Betty dated after she returned home
from the sanitarium. I wonder whether anyone has read that article? At
any rate, Blanche Caffiere devotes a short chapter to "Mike - A Swell
Guy." (id:2883)
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Deborah
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Aug 22, 2004
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Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Jane, you beat me to it! I was going
to suggest that Sally
try an inter-library loan as well ! Two great minds thinking alike ...
Good to see you here again ! Isn't the site Mrs.Thompson shared with us
great? How's your research coming along? (id:2884)
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Sue
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Aug 22, 2004
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Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| I guess I'd better say here and now
that S. stands for Sue, because being called Mrs. Thompson all the time
makes me feel like I still have chalk dust in my hair and a red pen
stuck behind my ear. Jane, thanks for the reminder about the Reader's
Digest article. I'm going to try and track that one down. (id:2885)
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Deborah
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Aug 22, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
|
LOL, Sue ! That red pen did bring back some very unpleasant memories...
(id:2886)
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Peter
|
Aug 23, 2004
|
Bern, Switzerland
|
Teacher
|
| To Fans who have some special
information:
I'm interested in Betty MacDonald's tv appearances because I'm working
on a documentary for schools. My goal is to introduce Betty's
outstanding work to our pupils and students. For this we will visit the
Betty MacDonald Foundation in the Netherlands. If anybody can support
me in finding this I will share the collection of my own incl. Betty's
beautiful Xmas Cards which she mentioned in her books, the real story
of mysterious Dorita Hess from Anybody can do anything. I would order
all the Fan Club items for you including the interviews with Betty and
her sister Alison. Not to forget a very interesting interview with
sister Mary. (id:2889)
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Patti
|
Aug 23, 2004
|
USA
|
avid reader
|
| I've been a Betty MacDonald fan for
a really long time. I was delighted to discover this site because I
haven't had much luck finding freely available information on the 'net
about Ms. MacDonald and her books. I thought it might be nice to have a
central location for Betty's fans to share thoughts and facts about her
life and works so I've started a message board with that in mind. I
hope you all will visit and participate there. The board is brand new
and I'm still putting the finishing touches in place. You'll need to
register with EZboard to post, but that's free and simple. No
advertising will be allowed there and accounts will be limited to one
per person. I hope the board will be a fun place for the free exchange
of thoughts and information. Please come help me get the new board off
to a good start! You can find the Betty MacDonald Fan Farm board at
this address: http://p214.ezboard.com/bbettymacdonaldfanfarm . See you
there! :-) (id:2890)
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Lorinda
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Aug 24, 2004
|
Seattle
|
|
| I like the cultural exchange that
comes with being interested in Betty MacDonald and her books. So to
Susanne: it's very kind of you to offer to buy me the Betty tape, but
my thanks is the very fact that I was able to share a little more about
the area where Betty lived. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. That is thanks
enough. From time to time, I go dig something out of the library or
take photos of things for the MacDonald Society -- their thank you to
me is sharing a lot of their information. So I've actually got a copy
of Betty's tape. She has a lovely voice and just listening to her makes
me know I would've loved to meet her. Her granddaughter who I know a
little from church is a high school art teacher and possesses a gentle,
nurturing personality much like I think her grandmother would have had.
Her photo, by the way, is in the back of some editions of "Nancy and
Plum". Betty's daughter and her husband were members at the church for
years, and he passed away rather suddenly a few years ago. Many people
have very positive memories of him. Betty's daughter Joan lives in an
assisted living center in the area (she has Alzheimers). I believe a
new historical museum is being planned for Vashon Island and many of
Joan's papers, letters, and photos may end up there. Joan's daughter
told me earlier that they cleaned out her mother's attic and put that
stuff in storage when Joan went to the assisted living facility. It
would be so exciting to have these things available for people to see.
(id:2898)
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Jane
|
Aug 25, 2004
|
Canada
|
|
| Hi back, Deborah! At present, I seem
to be finding much of interest right at this site. Lorinda, it is
always lovely to read your contributions. Thank you for sharing about
Joan and her family. How sad that Joan's disease progressed so quickly
- at least it feels like it did when I refer back to her 1998 interview
with A Common Reader and notice how bright she still seemed. How
fitting it would be for her papers and photos to be displayed in a
Washington museum. Let's hope that this comes to be! (id:2900)
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Susanne
|
Aug 28, 2004
|
Vienna, Austria
|
retired
|
| Lorinda, You can understand me why I
love the tape with Betty and Alison so much. What a lovely surprise
that Betty's Society
has such a great friend in Seattle. My family can't thank you enough
for sharing all this with us. You are such a very kind and lovely
person. We are so sad to hear that Joan suffers from Alzheimers.
Lorinda, did you see Joan? My family knows very well what this dignose
means to a family. My father had Alzheimer for years and it was so
tragic and sad that he had no memory at all. Did I tell you that I
wrote to Betty's publisher in the nineties and they forwarded my letter
to Joan. Her husband wrote such a very, very kind letter. I was looking
for a copy of Betty's Nancy and Plum and he was so nice to send me a
copy as a gift with a dedication from Joan and him. He wrote that Joan
has the same talent as writer as Betty and she is in the process of
writing sequels of Nancy and Plum. Do you know did this ever happened?
Joan's husband was such a very friendly and giving personality and he
wrote that his wife and he had been married nearly 50 years and they
had a great life and were still in love. They obviously had a great
marriage and he wrote that Betty was the most wonderful lady in the
whole world - always funny and generous and loved her family so much.
He was so proud of his children and mentioned Joan's daughter who is a
art teacher. He included some photos and to all of us this very special
copy of Nancy and Plum and these photos of Joan, him and the family
mean so much to us.
It's very sad he passed away because it's very hard to lose a partner
after a marriage of over fifty years. Poor Joan but it's good to know
she has her children and grandchildren around. Lorinda if you see Joan
or her daughter the next time please send her our greetings from all of
us and that we won't ever forget their generous gift. We all are
delighted until today! We only wished we could do something for you.
Thank you again for sharing this with us. You make us so happy!
(id:2907)
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Sue
|
Aug 31, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Hi All. I promised I'd tell you
about the inscription on the copy of The Egg and I which Betty and Mary
both signed. Betty's inscription is as follows: "For Kay, Who is cute
and sweet and didn't complain when Mary and I held her down and told
her the story of our lives for hours and hours and hours. Love, Betty
MacDonald." Mary's inscription reads: "To Kay, who wanted to hear the
story of MY life, too. At least, she acted like it! Love, Mary." Aren't
those great inscriptions? On another note, we drove to Port Townsend on
our vacation and drove through the Chimacum Valley. My husband spotted
The Egg and I Road, and we drove part of the way up it. I wanted to
explore it more thoroughly, but we had an appointment and couldn't take
all the time we needed. Still, using Betty's descriptions as well as
Lorinda's and Yolonda's, we found what I think was the Bishop farm.
Yolonda, we may have driven right past your house! I thought about you
while we were driving around up there. Next time we go back, we'll
spend more time and see the whole road. From the main highway The Egg
and I Road winds gently up into the trees and I thought about all the
trips Betty and Bob made down that road when it wasn't paved and was
hemmed in by the woods and mountains, and how many times she must have
stayed by herself on the farm while Bob drove into Port Townsend for
supplies. It was a longer trip then and their old truck wasn't the most
comfortable form of transportation, I'm sure, but I'll bet she grabbed
any opportunity to get off that farm and down into the life of "Town".
As we drove through Port Townsend I wondered which of those beautiful
old buildings housed the candy shop where she bought the sticky
caramels, and the lending library with the pitiful book selection. Most
of the buildings date from the late 1800's, and have been very well
maintained, as have the old Victorian houses. The whole Chimacum Valley
looked idyllic, although I'm sure Yolonda and Lorinda can attest to the
fact that, like anyplace else, it's got its good and bad points. At any
rate, it was a great little jaunt and one we'll repeat soon. (id:2911)
|
September through October 2004
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|
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Sue
|
Sep 01, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| As promised, I posted a message
giving the inscriptions Betty and Mary wrote in my copy of The Egg and
I, but somehow it ended up stuck in the middle of the 2003 postings
instead of in chronological order at the end, so if you all want to
read those inscriptions, you'll have to scroll most of the way back up
the page and look for the Aug. 31, 2004 date. The joys of
technology................... (id:2913)
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|
|
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Deborah
|
Sep 04, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Sue, that's so sweet of you to share
the inscriptions ! It sounds like you had a great trip and thanks for
sharing that as well. :) (id:2918)
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Kim
|
Sep 14, 2004
|
Virginia
|
mom
|
| Thank you so much for sharing the
info on Betty. I feel like she's an old friend. We "met" about 14 years
ago when my family was taking a trip to the Pacific Northwest and I
picked up "The Egg and I" on a book table of local authors. I was
captivated and read all her others. I hope to get to know you all more
as time allows. In the meantime, thanks for the "warning" about the
Betty MacDonald Fan Club. I had suspected as much when I was bombarded
with emails requesting me to purchase tapes, etc. upon my inquiries.
Kim in VA (id:2940)
|
|
|
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gitte
|
Sep 20, 2004
|
denmark
|
mother
|
|
Hi all,
recently saw a television about betty.
i learned that betty had many japanese fans.
i was very surprised to hear this.
great to meet you all.
i love the betty & alison fan club audios as much as lorinda, peter and susanne. cause i'm a mummy of 4 kids
i asked them not to send any offers for a while and they did. really appreciate their work so much.
lorinda if i can save some money in the future i'd visit betty's land. wished i could write as well as you can.
you have the pure gift for writing. (id:2948)
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|
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gitte
|
Sep 20, 2004
|
Denmark
|
mother
|
| i'm stupid. forgot to tell you i
know a relative of mary's husband. he came from denmark. love her books
too. (id:2949)
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Allie
|
Sep 20, 2004
|
Washington state
|
teacher
|
|
Sad news: According to the Vashon
Beachcomber newspaper:
Keil, MacDonald, Joan
Wednesday, 28 Jul 2004 Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber Vashon-Maury
Island, WA, Joan passed away:
JOAN MACDONALD KEIL July 14, 1929 - July 18, 2004 Joan Macdonald Keil
was born on July 14, 1929 in Port Townsend, Washington and passed away
July 18, 2004 at the age of 75, in Bellevue, WA at the Gardens at Town
Square. Joan graduated from Garfield High School and worked at Littlers
in Seattle. Joan married Girard (Jerry) Keil on Jan. 21, 1949 in
Seattle. Joan was the daughter of Betty MacDonald, who wrote The Egg
and I, Onions in the Stew and the Miss Piggle Wiggle stories. Joan and
Jerry lived in Enatai and Medina with their four children, Heidi,
Rebecca, Timothy, and Toby. Joan sang in variety shows to help raise
money for Overlake Hospital. Joan was very creative; she loved to
paint, garden, cook and create drive flower arrangements. Joanís sense
of humor always made people laugh. Joan is survived by her daughter,
Heidi Keil Richards and husband Kim Richards, and their daughters,
Heather and Devin; son, Tim Keil and his wife Mary Jo, and their
daughters Kallyn, Jerrica, Angie, and son Michael; and her son, Toby
Keil and his wife Sally, and children Rachel and Griffin. Memorial
services will be Saturday, July 31 at 11 a.m. at First Congregational
Church in Bellevue. I met Joan at a booksigning about 16 years ago. She
was a lovely woman. Allie
(id:2951)
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|
|
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Kim
|
Sep 20, 2004
|
Virginia
|
mom
|
| Allie,
Thanks for sharing the obit on Joan. I haven't gone back to reread the
earlier posts. Was Joan the one suffering from Alzheimer's? I hope her
passing was gentle.
Thanks,
Kim ><> (id:2953)
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Susanne
|
Sep 20, 2004
|
Vienna, Austria
|
retired
|
| I had to cry when I was reading of
Joan's passing. It's too sad. She was really very creative and a great
artist.
Her husband has send us some copies of her artwork. Masterpieces.
I framed them and everybody who visits us asks me who this outstanding
artist is. Joan had Betty's talent to make people laugh and she did a
lot of good things. I have a photo of Joan and Jerry in their garden.
it looks like a wonderful park with all the beautiful flowers. Jerry
told us Joan could write the same way Betty did. I hope her writings
will be published to delight us. And she was so beautiful. I guess when
her husband died it broke her heart. (id:2954)
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|
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Sally
|
Sep 21, 2004
|
Greensboro, NC
|
law office administrator
|
| I noticed that Joan's obituary
mentioned she had a fourth child, Rebecca. She must have preceded Joan
in death. I am sorry to hear of this... It would be wonderful to see
the photo of Joan and her husband in their garden. (id:2955)
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Sue
|
Sep 21, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Allie, thanks so much for posting
Joan's obit. I wasn't aware that she'd passed away. In Onions in the
Stew, Betty wrote about the photographer and writer from Life magazine
who visited her family on Vashon Island, and did a feature story on
them. I have a copy of that magazine, and Joan looks so young, healthy,
and pretty. I'll always think of her that way. My heart goes out to her
family. (id:2957)
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Susanne
|
Sep 22, 2004
|
Vienna, Austria
|
retired
|
| It's so sad and my daughters and I
feel very depressed. Rebecca was a very talented artist. It was so
tragic when she died in the nineties. It was such a loss. Jerry wrote
this in his letter.
Sally, I'd like to share the photos with all fans. So beautiful photos
with Joan and Jerry and the whole family. Joan was a great writer,
artist and a master gardener. I'll ask my family how to share it.
Perhaps they can create a website to share the photos. You all should
see them. (id:2959)
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gitte
|
Sep 22, 2004
|
denmark
|
mother
|
|
it's so sad. what a loss! thanks for sharing this.
i'll tell it mary's relatives.
i'd like to see joans's photos. thank you susanne!
(id:2960)
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john sankey
|
Sep 22, 2004
|
manchester uk.
|
retired accountant
|
| reading this article has brought
back all the memories of all these books and how I loved
them.Travelling to work on the bus in winter in rain and gloom,on the
upper deck,cloaked in cigarette smoke,like a cosy unhealthy bar, I read
"anybody can do anything "with extreme pleasure.remember the bit where
the woman got on the bus wearing a fur collar like a "wet collie.? My
surprise was enormous when I reached Seattle and the library had none
of her books.Lovely woman,God bless her.!and God bless
Seattle................ (id:2964)
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Cathy
|
Sep 24, 2004
|
Crown Point, Indiana
|
Sales manager
|
| I found your web sight while doing
some research on the book "Best Friends" By Betty Bard. I have just
listed one on Ebay for sale. I have heard this is a very rare book. It
is the first edition from 1955. Any information would be greatly
appreciated. Thank You! (id:2976)
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Sue
|
Sep 25, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Cathy, Betty MacDonald's sister Mary
Bard Jensen wrote the Best Friends series. Betty wrote books for
children as well, but the Best Friends series was Mary's work. The two
I'm familiar with are Best Friends and Best Friends in Summer, but
there may have been a third one as well. They are fairly hard to come
by unless you happen across them at garage sales or library sales.
You'll probably do pretty well on the one you've listed on eBay. Good
luck! (id:2978)
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Cathy
|
Sep 25, 2004
|
Crown Point, Indiana
|
Sales Manager
|
| Hello Sue,
I listed our book last night and already have a few people bidding on
it. I also saw Best Friends In Summer on another used bookstores web
sight and they want over $200.00, and it was not a first edition. Thank
you so much for the information! (id:2979)
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Suzanne Stapleton
|
Sep 25, 2004
|
Michigan
|
Mother
|
| I was so very saddened to read of
Joan's passing. I've been a fan of Betty's for many years. I loved
Blanche's book and wish that someone would publish Betty's biography.
I'm so glad there is a place that those of us who love her books can
talk! (id:2980)
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Deborah
|
Sep 27, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| I loved the book, Best Friends, so
much that in the 1970's I xeroxed the entire book from a library copy !
I first wrote the publisher requesting permission to copy. I'm sure
they thought I was crazy ! (id:2984)
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Jane
|
Sep 29, 2004
|
Canada
|
|
|
Deborah, could you describe the book? (id:2990)
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Deborah
|
Sep 29, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Sure, Jane, the book was about two
girls whose parents marry in the end of the story. A little French girl
moves next door to one child, the new neighbor's long vacant house is
refurbished, the girls become best friends. I remember mostly bits and
pieces of the book now, I xeroxed it in its entirety more than 30 years
ago ! I seem to recall that a swimming pool was reopened, and something
about the girls drying their freshly washed hair in the sunshine. I
don't remember the characters' names, was one of them Suzi? (id:2991)
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Sue
|
Sep 30, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Deborah, you remember well! The
American girl was Suzie and the little French girl who moved into the
house next door was CoCo. Best Friends is one of those books I loved as
a little girl, because the ending was not only happy, it was
over-the-top happy. Even then I knew it was not in the realm of
possibility that ALL those fantastic things would really happen to two
little girls, but it was generous of Mary Bard to write it that way,
anyway. I've read all of Mary's books for adults as well, but I think
that, of the two sisters, Betty had far more skill as a writer. Mary's
talents lay more in the realm of civic leadership. I found a first
edition copy of Best Friends at a garage sale and paid fifty cents for
it, then went to the car and did the joy-joy dance for a couple of
minutes. It's fun to have, and I wouldn't sell it, but I am going to
check eBay and see how Cathy did with hers. I'm also trying to find out
what happened to Betty's brother Cleve. I've run across some hints that
he had a sad end to his life. If I get any more info, I'll post it
here. (id:2996)
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Deborah
|
Oct 01, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| LOL,Sue,I can just see your dance of
joy! I agree that Betty was the better writer, although I did like
Mary's books as well. I too have been curious about Cleve. I'd
appreciate whatever information you may uncover being posted here.
(id:2999)
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|
|
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Sue
|
Oct 02, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| I found that Cleve's burial site is
in the Vashon Island Cemetery. The burial records state that his
birthdate was Nov. 29,1908, and his date of death was Nov. 21, 1980.
However, Betty was born in 1908 and Cleve (Sydney Cleveland Bard) was
the third child, so I think the 1908 birthdate for him must be an
error. I wonder why he was buried on Vashon, if he lived there before
Betty and Don moved away, and if he continued to live there for
twenty-two years after her death, or just what the situation was.
That's all I've discovered so far, but will post more if I come across
anything interesting. (id:3004)
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|
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Sally
|
Oct 02, 2004
|
Greensboro, NC
|
law office administrator
|
| I seem to remember that in "Onions
in the Stew" Betty wrote that when the family came to visit them on
Vashon, they liked it so much that Alison bought a house within easy
commuting distance if you happened to be a goat, and Cleve bought a
house within easy commuting distance if you happened to be a goat with
a car (or maybe it was the other way around). Cleve was only a year
younger than Betty --- do you suppose 1908 was right, but she was born
in January or February and he came along in November? (their poor mom)
(id:3005)
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|
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Deborah
|
Oct 02, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Sue, thanks for your info. I'm
curious too ! Sally, that's impressive that you remembered about Alison
and Cleve moving to Vashon. And in the days before reliable birth
control, who WASN'T a "stairstep" child? Sue, do you agree that Sally's
point has merit? This is all so great of you both, I wish I had
something to add too ! :) (id:3006)
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Jane
|
Oct 02, 2004
|
Canada
|
|
| Hello all! I just stopped back to
thank Deborah and Sue for their response to my question about the book
BEST FRIENDS. Sue (I'm still getting used to you not being "S.
Thompson" here anymore), thanks as well for sharing about your
interesting drive through Port Townsend and the Chimacum Valley - I'd
like to do that someday. I'm probably not alone in sharing your joy
over the treasures you have collected and somehow feel that YOU were
"meant" to find them! Your postings are always appreciated, and even as
S. Thompson, I never once envisioned "chalk dust in your hair" or the
red pen behind your ear! (id:3007)
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|
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Sue
|
Oct 02, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Deborah, Sally, and Jane---Great to
see your postings! Sally, you're so right about Alison and Cleve buying
property on Vashon, and I had totally forgotten that. I shouldn't have,
either, because that "goat with a car" line still makes me laugh. Betty
was born on March 26, 1908, so I guess it's just possible that Cleve
could have been born in late November of the same year, if he wasn't a
full-term baby, but if that's the case, those Bards sure worked fast! I
know Betty was born in Boulder, Colorado and Cleve after the family
moved to Placerville, Idaho, but I'm not clear on the time frame. If
somebody from Vashon sees this, they might be able to visit the
cemetery and check out the dates on the headstone, if there is one. And
Jane, thanks for your note---that red pen had to go. It clashed with my
earrings! (id:3009)
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Kathy
|
Oct 03, 2004
|
Orlando
|
Oldest Living Ph.D. Student
|
| As a kid in 1960 I picked up Mrs.
Piggle-Wiggle in the book section of Cox's furniture store in Ft.
Worth, Texas, and have been hooked ever since. Betty shaped my sense of
humor (for which I'm eternally grateful) and view of the world. I hand
out Eggs right and left (I find I really like people who like Betty -
they tend to be delightful persons) and have converted all three of my
daughters to Betty-fandom. One of them's reading Nancy & Plum to
her daughter. A few years ago I had the idea of setting up the first
Betty-Fest in Seattle, with Monica Sone speaking, tours to Betty's
homes and farms, lunch in the Market, etc. etc. I went so far as to
talk to potential host hotels, but it was just a bit much to manage
from across the country. Still, wouldn't it be fun? Good to read all
the terrific information here! (id:3012)
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Kathy
|
Oct 03, 2004
|
Orlando
|
Oldest Living Ph.D. Student
|
| Forgot what I originally meant to
share (!): I found a copy of "Much Laughter, A Few Tears" inscribed by
the author Blanche Caffiere: "To Dede: hope you enjoy reading about you
all." And at the back, on Alison's epilogue, is an inscription by
Allison: "From your PRETTY sister." Somehow in the course of netsurfing
I hooked up with Dede's granddaughter, and ended up sending her the
book so it could be back in the family -- she said her dad, Dede's son,
was very happy to have it. She said she'd send me some information
about and writing by Sydney, Betty's mother, but hasn't gotten around
to it. And re: Mary's "Best Friends" series: there are three: Best
Friends, Best Friends at School, and Best Friends in Summer. I've read
them all via interlibrary loan and managed to acquire the last - they
go for $200 + because they are so rare (I paid $20 for mine. They are
entertaining but Mary was not the author Betty was. Of her books I
recommend "The Doctor Wears Three Faces" and "Forty-Odd" which both
have some hilarious moments, but again, not Betty's magic. (id:3013)
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|
|
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Kathy
|
Oct 03, 2004
|
Orlando
|
Oldest Living Ph.D. Student
|
| And finally, then I'll shut up --
you can find Much Laughter and Nisei Daughter and all of Betty's and
Mary's books online at abebooks.com. I'm sure there are other places as
well.
This is a cool website about "The Pines" - Firlands Sanitorium, with
pictures of the wards and rooms as Betty would have seen them, and the
children running around in shoes, shorts and hats as fellow patient
Evalee described them.
http://www.historylink.org/_output.CFM?file_ID=3928
I believe a missionary group now owns the the land and buildings.
That's another site I'd have to visit if I made a Betty - pilgrimage .
. . (id:3014)
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Kathy
|
Oct 03, 2004
|
Orlando
|
Oldest Living Ph.D. Student
|
| And finally, then I'll shut up --
you can find Much Laughter and Nisei Daughter and all of Betty's and
Mary's books online at abebooks.com. I'm sure there are other places as
well.
This is a cool website about "The Pines" - Firlands Sanitorium, with
pictures of the wards and rooms as Betty would have seen them, and the
children running around in shoes, shorts and hats as fellow patient
Evalee described them.
http://www.historylink.org/_output.CFM?file_ID=3928
I believe a missionary group now owns the the land and buildings.
That's another site I'd have to visit if I made a Betty - pilgrimage .
. . (id:3015)
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Sally
|
Oct 03, 2004
|
Greensboro, NC
|
law office administrator
|
| I'm back on the Betty and Cleve age
discrepancy thread again... If Betty was born on March 26, 1908 (as we
know she was) and Cleve was supposedly born on November 29, 1908, then
my guess is there was a typo in his obituary and that it was actually
1909. Surely they wouldn't have been born only been eight months apart.
(id:3016)
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Sally
|
Oct 03, 2004
|
Greensboro, NC
|
law office administrator
|
| In response to Deborah saying she
was impressed that I remembered about Cleve and Alison buying houses on
Vashon... It's surprising what you DO retain when you enjoy books so
much. There are phrases of Betty's that I've subconsciously committed
to memory. Two favorites come to mind --- from "The Egg and I," where
Betty describes Bob going to the Kettles' farm to confront them about
their bull tearing down the fences and reporting that the force of his
entrance was somewhat diminished when he came face to face with Mrs.
Kettle who was comfortably seated in the doorless outhouse reading the
Sears, Roebuck catalog and instead of retreating in embarrassment she
remained where she was but took an active part in the ensuing
conversation... Also, "Onions in the Stew" when they were attempting to
ignore Tudor fighting another dog, and Betty said it was like trying to
play a hand of bridge while an old aunt choked to death on a fishbone
in the same room. Funny stuff!! (id:3017)
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|
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Deborah
|
Oct 03, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Kathy, what a great idea - a
Bettyfest ! You all have such great postings, Sue, Sally, Jane, and now
Kathy ! I wish I had something to offer too, but I at least have great
info from all of you. I too once in awhile remember a line from a
"Betty Book" and still laugh. I loved the peach picking fiasco from
Onions. And the "goat with a car" from Sally brought a laugh here at
the keyboard, because I'd forgotten that. You are all making me get
into a "Betty mood",
especially with a cozy winter coming (such as it is here) and I know
I'll be re-reading Betty this year ! (id:3018)
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|
|
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Kathy
|
Oct 04, 2004
|
Orlando
|
Oldest Living Ph.D. Student
|
| I thought I was weird because I
reread Betty's books on a regular basis, but they are so rich, and so
funny -- like a wonderful feast you can go back to over and over. I
agree with Sally and Deborah about the memorable parts and lines. I
rarely laugh out loud when reading even renowned "humor" writers but
certain passages in Betty's books still have the power to make me laugh
until my stomach hurts, such as the entire "dating" chapter in Anybody
Can Do Anything" ("I thought he was the funniest-looking thing I'd ever
seen but I didn't feel like laughing".) I love Betty's ability to see
the funny side of almost any situation, and her ability to laugh at
herself. Those are two tremendous gifts that make life so much more
interesting -- and bearable. I've found myself in times of adversity
urging myself to "take it like a Bard," which inevitably helps!
(id:3020)
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Allie
|
Oct 05, 2004
|
Washington state
|
teacher
|
|
Does anyone exactly where on Vashon Alison and/or Cleve lived? (id:3027)
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Maria
|
Oct 05, 2004
|
Austria
|
Teacher
|
| Kathy & all of you:
I'm one of Susanne's daughters. I'm reading Betty's books with my girls
and boys in school. We can't stop laughing.
I never found an author like this. Did you? There is no writer like
Betty.
I'd like to read Mary's books for children in english but can't afford
them. Why are they so rare? Did Mary dedicate her books for children?
I love Betty's and Alison's voices and laughes and so does our whole
family. Did anybody ever hear Mary and Dede? Dede was a very good
singer. There might be some recordings. Kathy, did Dede's relative
mention anything like this? (id:3029)
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Maria
|
Oct 05, 2004
|
Austria
|
Teacher
|
|
Kathy: I wanted to ask you: What does OLPS mean?
But I found it and I had to laugh. Congratulations! I bet you'll reach it!
(id:3030)
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Kathy
|
Oct 08, 2004
|
Orlando
|
Oldest Living Ph.D. Student
|
| Maria, Dede's granddaughter only
told me that Dede died in 1994 and many of her possessions were lost in
the closing of the estate. She said she had some articles about Sydney
(whose real name was Elsie) and a letter Sydney had written to Harvard
in which she mentioned her radio serial. I wonder if some radio station
archives might not have copies of those scripts. There's so much stuff
out there that I would love to see collected and archived at the
University of Washington, where Betty attended. I spoke some time ago
to a person in the archives department, who said that she was speaking
to family members about Betty's papers, but she could not tell me more
than that. Wouldn't it be wonderful if her unpublished writing and
letters could be safeguarded there? And Maria, do you have interlibrary
loan in Austria? That's how I was able to read Mary's three children's
books. I was told the search is global. If you don't, I'll happily loan
you my copy of Best Friends in Summer. If you'd like that, I'll post my
email address and we can make arrangements. (id:3036)
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|
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Kathy
|
Oct 08, 2004
|
Orlando
|
Oldest Living Ph.D. Student
|
| Maria, Dede's granddaughter only
told me that Dede died in 1994 and many of her possessions were lost in
the closing of the estate. She said she had some articles about Sydney
(whose real name was Elsie) and a letter Sydney had written to Harvard
in which she mentioned her radio serial. I wonder if some radio station
archives might not have copies of those scripts. There's so much stuff
out there that I would love to see collected and archived at the
University of Washington, where Betty attended. I spoke some time ago
to a person in the archives department, who said that she was speaking
to family members about Betty's papers, but she could not tell me more
than that. Wouldn't it be wonderful if her unpublished writing and
letters could be safeguarded there? And Maria, do you have interlibrary
loan in Austria? That's how I was able to read Mary's three children's
books. I was told the search is global. If you don't, I'll happily loan
you my copy of Best Friends in Summer. If you'd like that, I'll post my
email address and we can make arrangements. (id:3037)
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Maria
|
Oct 09, 2004
|
Austria
|
Teacher
|
| Kathy, you are so sweet. Thank you
so much for your good advice. I'll try interlibrary loan. I'll let you
know. Did Mary dedicate the book 'Best friends in Summer' to members of
the family? You are very happy to have a copy of these rare books. I
love Betty's dedications in her books. Did Mary the same? It's so sad
that many of Dede's possesions were lost. How much I'd like to hear
Dede singing voice and Sydney's radio serial. This was such a great
family. Every member had so many talents. (id:3039)
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|
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Jane
|
Oct 09, 2004
|
Canada
|
|
| Maria, Mary Bard dedicated her book
FORTY ODD, "For Mother, who thinks of age as a number and not a
disease." She dedicated THE DOCTOR WEARS THREE FACES "To My Sister
Betty 'who egged me on.'" (In the translation between English and
German does it make any sense what "egging someone on" means and why,
in this case, it is a witty play on words?) It has been a long time
since I read JUST BE YOURSELF, but the person Mary dedicated that
particular book to ("For Marion and all Brownies everywhere with my
love") would not have been a family member. Perhaps someone can fill us
in on the BEST FRIENDS dedication(s). (id:3041)
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Deborah
|
Oct 10, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| I wonder if any of Betty's family,
such as Dede's son mentioned here, know of this forum? Wouldn't it be
great if he/they would post occasionally? If we could be certain of
their identity of course... (id:3044)
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|
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LesleyW
|
Oct 11, 2004
|
Salisbury UK
|
Civil Servant
|
| What a lovely site! So pleased I
found it. My favourite Betty book has to be Onions in the Stew, I was
lucky enough to find a first edition at a garage sale!! (id:3047)
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Sue
|
Oct 11, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Welcome, Lesley! Don't you just love
a good garage sale? Once I found copies of The Egg and I and Onions in
the Stew in a thrift shop in the cookbook section! The lady in charge
said she thought they were cookbooks because of the titles, so she
stuck them in that section and there they sat until I came along.
Neither of them were first editions, but I was still happy to get them,
especially at fifty cents apiece! I've seen copies of the UK edition of
Onions in the Stew. I like the cover of that one better than that of
the edition printed in the United States. It's cheerful and energetic.
What's the British term for a place where secondhand books, clothing,
and household items are sold? We call it a thrift shop here, but I just
realized you might have a different term for it. (id:3048)
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Maria
|
Oct 12, 2004
|
Austria
|
Teacher
|
|
Jane, that's so kind you posted the dedications.
The translater 'forgot' to translate the dedications in the german edition. Betty egged Mary on. How witty this is!
We had a family gathering on Sunday and wondered why Betty nor Mary dedicated a book to their husbands.
They dedicated their books to Sydney and their children.
It would be nice if someone knows the dedications in the Best Friends Series.
(id:3052)
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Sue
|
Oct 12, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| The dedication in Best Friends is:
For Heidi, With Love, From Mother. I don't have copies of the other two
books in the series, so maybe someone else will fill us in on those. I
have noticed that in the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle stories Betty used the
names of her nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. I bet they got a kick
out of that. (id:3054)
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|
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Kathy
|
Oct 15, 2004
|
Orlando
|
Oldest Living Ph.D. Student
|
| The dedication in Best Friends In
Summer reads: "To Karen and Kitten, two of my best friends, who became
sisters." There's a story there, obviously, and I wonder if we will
never know it . . . (id:3064)
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Sally
|
Oct 21, 2004
|
Greensboro, NC
|
law office administrator
|
| I just re-read the end of "The Egg
and I" and was wondering about something... Betty mentions in the last
chapter that Bob found a chicken ranch closer to Seattle with more
conveniences and it sounded as though they were going to move. Does
anyone know whether that happened, and the SECOND ranch was where they
were when she decided she "was lonely, hated chickens and seemed to
have married the wrong man"? Or do you suppose it was fictionalized a
bit so that the book would have a happier ending? (id:3077)
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|
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Sue
|
Oct 21, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Sally, I've wondered also what
happened to the second ranch near Seattle. Betty says at the end of The
Egg and I that Bob told her about the new place just before Christmas,
and in Anybody Can Do Anything, she writes that in March of 1931 she
left Bob and moved back to Seattle. So in those intervening months,
something happened to change her mind. In Anybody Can Do Anything, she
makes it clear that when she left Bob, they were still living on their
place in the Chimacum Valley, because she describes walking down the
road to catch the bus, and then taking the ferry from Port Townsend, or
Town, as she called it, to Seattle. So either the deal for the second
ranch fell through, or maybe it was still in the works and she decided
to leave Bob anyway. I always assumed it wasn't a fictionalized ending,
and they really were thinking of buying a place closer to Seattle. She
was still only 22 and had two toddlers to care for, and apparently she
had a difficult time living with Bob, who suffered from what I think
we'd now call post traumatic stress due to his experiences in World War
I. She doesn't refer to that in The Egg and I, and doesn't address the
reasons she left Bob in her other books. Which is frustrating for us,
when we want to know about her life, but which is understandable,
because it was a private thing. One of the things I've always wondered
is why she and Don left Vashon, where they seemed to be really happy.
She probably just got so popular, people tracked down their house and
invaded their privacy. Maybe somebody else knows? (id:3079)
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Deborah
|
Oct 25, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| I'm wondering why Betty's daughters,
in the Common Reader interview, refer to their father as Bob Heskett,
rather than
as Dad or as their father at all. There seems to be no mention of Bob's
involvement in his daughter's lives in any of Betty's writings.
(id:3086)
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Deborah
|
Oct 25, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| I meant "daughters' lives", drat
these typos! Also, when I try to navigate the Suite 101 site, typing in
"Betty MacDonald" just takes me to an article about Washington state.
I've tried many times. I'd like to see the posts there as I've heard
there are comments about Betty posted by Bob's niece. (id:3087)
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Sue
|
Oct 25, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Deborah, a quick way to find it is
to use Google. Type Suite101.com + Betty MacDonald into the search bar,
and the article pops right up. (id:3088)
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|
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Sally
|
Oct 25, 2004
|
Greensboro, NC
|
law office administrator
|
| In response to Deborah's post about
Betty's daughters and Bob Heskett... I wonder if Don adopted the girls
after he and Betty were married, as both of them went by MacDonald
before their marriages. My impression of the situation was that when
Betty took the girls and left Bob, that was that as far as their
involvement with him. I would imagine that he had to sign some sort of
release before "The Egg and I" was published since he was a central
character, but it sounds as though they all went their separate ways.
It would be interesting to hear if this is true or if the girls ever
visited him later on. (id:3091)
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|
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Deborah
|
Oct 26, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Sally, if Don adopted Betty's
daughters, wouldn't there be court records of a legal adoption? Or
would such documents be sealed? Sue, thanks but still no luck! Rats ! I
really want to see those posts! Argh !... What am I doing wrong?
(id:3092)
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|
|
|
Sally
|
Oct 27, 2004
|
Greensboro, NC
|
law office administrator
|
| Deborah --- I would THINK that there
would be court records if Don adopted Anne and Joan, although I'm not
sure. In "Onions" Betty sometimes called Anne "Anne MacDonald" when she
was yelling at her, and in the copy I've got of "Egg" there is an
introduction by Anne and Joan and they both use MacDonald as their
middle (maiden) name. Of course it's possible that this was never done
legally. As to whether court documents like that would be sealed, I
don't know whether that's true or whether they are a matter of public
record. I work in a law office but that type of thing isn't our
attorney's specialty ... However, I'll ask her if she knows! (id:3093)
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Sue
|
Oct 28, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Deborah, here's what I just did, and
I found the article. Type http://www.suite101.com into your address
bar. When the suite101 page comes up, look over on the left-hand side,
just a little bit down the page. There's a little search bar there that
says, "Search suite101.com." If you type Betty MacDonald into that bar
and hit "go", the article comes up. It says The Egg and I Betty
MacDonald by Jerri Brooker. Try that and see if you can get it. There
are several pages of postings, starting with the most recent and going
back a year or two. Good luck! (id:3097)
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Sally
|
Oct 28, 2004
|
Greensboro, NC
|
law office administrator
|
|
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/washington_state/89955
Here's the link to that article... See if that helps. (id:3099)
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Deborah
|
Oct 29, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Sue, thanks, but I still am not
getting the posts, just the article. It's frustrating!! Sally, thanks
too, but that web address just brings up a message that I'm trying to
access a non-existent address. Argh ! You know that feeling about
throwing a brick through the monitor? I'm there... (id:3102)
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Sally
|
Oct 29, 2004
|
Greensboro, NC
|
law office administrator
|
| Deborah, hang onto your brick, help
is on the way!! I have just gone to the website and am going to TRY to
"cut and paste" the post by Bob's great niece and some of the responses
onto this. If it doesn't work, I'll post again and paraphrase. Author:
GreatNieceHesk Discussion: The Egg and I - Betty MacDonald
Date: January 30, 2003 1:04 PM
Subject: Great Niece of Betty's first husband.
I am the great niece of Betty's first Husband Robert, he was the
brother of my grandmother, who was mentioned in the "Egg and I". Along
with other members of our family, we still have an original picture of
Robert "Bob" and the cougar that he actually did shoot. Just to let
people understand my great uncle was not a horrible person and if
people are being led to believe this let me explain a little. Bob
suffered from horrible case of shell shock from the war and would have
night episodes. He was devastated when Betty left him and moved to
California, where he was murdered trying to protect a neighbor lady
from being abused by her husband.
I still have the very small article from the paper after his death.
Know this Betty was a brilliant woman but not perfect by anymeanss and
could be quite cruel when she wanted.
Heidi Author: kennell Discussion: The Egg and I - Betty MacDonald
Date: September 2, 2003 10:46 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Great Niece of Betty's first husband.
In response to message posted by linde2002:
I have read her books, and a lot of interviews with friends of Betty's
and Betty's sisters. I've also read interviews with Betty's oldest
daughter Anne, and not once have I read anything saying Bob was really
bad. All of them said that Betty couldn't handle the loneliness of the
chicken ranch and did not get along at all with Bob's Indian friends.I
wonder if the real truth will ever be known??? But thanks for the
answer---I never knew that Betty, Anne & Joan were never
supported!! I appreciate the information. Author: vickibiscay
Discussion: The Egg and I - Betty MacDonald
Date: September 6, 2003 2:37 PM
Subject: Re: Great Niece of Betty's first husband.
There are always two sides to any story. Thank you for speaking up for
Bob. His life could have been another story... Vicki B.
Author: kennell Discussion: The Egg and I - Betty MacDonald
Date: September 8, 2003 9:24 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Great Niece of Betty's first husband.
In response to message posted by vickibiscay:
You're welcome---I'd love to find out more about him--I still say that
Betty & her family didn't hate him as much as people say!!
(id:3103)
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Sally
|
Oct 29, 2004
|
Greensboro, NC
|
law office administrator
|
| OK, I just checked to see how my
post appeared, and the format changed drastically --- it's hard to see
where one response ends and the others begin --- but hopefully you'll
get the gist of it. (id:3104)
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|
Deborah
|
Oct 29, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Sally, that was super nice of you!
Thank you! I'm intrigued
at the references to Bob's having been a nicer person than readers
think. I am of the same opinion, that Betty never said anything truly
negative about him. I think what we do know of Bob speaks for itself-a
troubled man, a veteran, a rescuer who was killed attempting to save a
life. Nowadays we'd be calling him a hero. If only we could find more
info on him. Or a picture, that would be great. Again, thank you for
your help, that was so nice! :) (id:3105)
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|
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Sally
|
Oct 29, 2004
|
Greensboro, NC
|
law office administrator
|
| You're very welcome, Deborah. There
were many more posts, and a number of people indicated that they did
not have the impression that Bob was a bad person; they believed the
marriage ended because Betty couldn't take the isolation of the chicken
ranch. However, I can understand Bob's family being a little bit
defensive of him. In his great-niece's post, when she refers to him as
the brother of her grandmother who was mentioned in "The Egg and I," I
imagine she is referring to the part where Betty describes a visit from
Bob's sister and her husband. She seemed fond of both of them and
really appreciated the brother-in-law's interest in her painting.
(id:3107)
|
November 2004
|
|
|
Allie
|
Nov 01, 2004
|
Washington state
|
teacher
|
| When I talked with Joan MacDonald
Keil in Issaquah at a booksigning probably 20 years ago, Joan told me
that Bob had been killed in a knife-fight in a bar in Los Angeles.
(id:3112)
|
|
|
|
Deborah
|
Nov 02, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Allie, how intriguing! There must be
old newspaper accounts of a bar fight ending in a murder. Now I'm
wondering which version of the story of Bob's death is legitimate! Is
it possible that Bob's family has embellished the facts to soften the
story? Please, I hope no one thinks I'm being unkind! (id:3117)
|
|
|
|
Sue
|
Nov 02, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| I think the story of Bob's death is
missing some details, but I don't know that there are major
discrepancies. His niece, Heidi, posted in her request for info that he
was stabbed to death by a man named Blake, while trying to save a woman
from an abusive spouse or boyfriend.So the knife part appears to be
correct, although it's hard to say if Bob was also armed with a knife,
or if he was unarmed. It may have happened in a bar. I haven't gone
back to check, but I think I remember her posting that he died in
Oakland, not Los Angeles. At any rate, according to her he's buried in
Golden Gate National Cemetery, so that would lead me to believe he died
in that area. But you're right, Deborah, there should be newspaper
accounts of this in a newspaper, if somebody had the time and know-how
to search San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles papers of the time.
His great-niece gave the date as July 22, 1951.He would have been in
his mid-to-late fifties by then, since he was in his mid-30's when he
married Betty. Allie, when Joan talked to you about it, how did she
seem? Did she speak of him with sadness, or was she more
matter-of-fact? I know it's been a long time, but I thought you might
have had some hint as to her feelings about him. (id:3118)
|
|
|
|
Deborah
|
Nov 02, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Sue, I felt mean after I posted the
above. Because I still have a feeling that Bob was, while no saint, a
decent human being, traumatized by his war experiences. I'm just
curious wondering if the murder took place during a heated argument in
a bar while alcohol was present, or if the murder took place rescuing a
neighbor. I see what you mean though, Sue, it could have been that the
rescued woman was at the bar. I always assumed it was at her residence.
By the way, as far as Bob's not having supported the girls financially,
I know of divorces so bitter that the wives refused support. Or left
the marriage leaving no mention of whereabouts. In the Heskett divorce
though, we know that Betty left Bob a note, and he would have known
that she'd go back to her family. I wish people who knew the facts as
they happened would learn of this forum and post replies for us!
(id:3120)
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|
|
|
Deborah
|
Nov 02, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
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| I've thought of something else. If
the great-niece said that Bob was killed trying to save a woman from
violence, but Joan said he was killed in a "KNIFE FIGHT" wouldn't that
infer that it was an altercation between two men? This is what I meant
when I said that it could be that Bob's family was protecting Bob's
reputation and his memory by a softening of facts. Which is
understandable and lovely, really. (id:3121)
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Sue
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Nov 02, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Deborah, I don't think your
questions are mean at all. You're just as curious as the rest of us! I
notice that you live in California, so I wondered if you were in a
metropolitan area where you might be able to visit a library that would
have newspapers archived and available for research. I live in a fairly
isolated area, so our small library would not have access to such
records. When I read Bob's great-niece's posting, I envisioned him
fighting with another man, trying to protect a woman from harm, and
assumed it happened in a neighborhood, but if Allie says Joan said it
happened in a bar, then I'm sure it did. She would have known. I think
he was probably like a lot of other men of his era, expecting "the
little woman" to keep the house spotless and get the meals on the table
on time, no matter how difficult that was without electricity, running
water, and other conveniences.That may be why he married an
eighteen-year-old, so he could mold her into the type of woman he
wanted. He must have been born around 1895 if he was 31 when they
married about 1926. Betty said he wanted her to wear blue, her hair in
a knot, and old-fashioned clothing all the time, so that fits in with
the period in which he would have grown to be an adult. He was no doubt
a decent fellow, but he was terribly handicapped by his war
experiences.Perhaps that's why Betty discouraged contact with Anne and
Joan after she left him. Maybe she didn't want them to witness such
episodes? He was apparently not very sensitive to Betty's sense of
isolation, and he probably assumed she'd get over her homesickness and
settle in with people who were obviously foreign to her, and since his
great-niece says he was devastated when Betty left him, it sounds as if
he woke up too late to the fact that she was very unhappy. I don't
agree with postings on this forum that say Betty wanted to tell the
truth about how awful he was, but that her publishers wouldn't let her.
First of all, I think she would have been more sensitive than that to
the feelings of her children. To have their mother disparage their
father in print would have tasteless at the very least, and I don't
think Betty was a tasteless person. Secondly, even though she was very
young when they married, had he been an ogre I think either she or her
family would have realized this and the marriage wouldn't have taken
place. She certainly had great family support and none of the Bards
strike me as having been slow to voice an opinion! (id:3124)
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Deborah
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Nov 02, 2004
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Southern California
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Caregiver
|
| Loved your post, Sue! I'm in San
Diego County, but whether my local library would have Los Angeles
newspapers from 1951 on microfiche, I can ask and let you know. You
make some very good points. Now I'm wondering if Betty was "aware" of
the attempted rescue version of Bob's death. A bar fight would have
been very bad publicity. I hope, after this comment, that we'll still
be on speaking terms! :) (id:3125)
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Sue
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Nov 03, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Oh, I'm not likely to stop talking
to a Betty fan! I was just looking back over some of these posts and
noticed Kathy's comment again, the one where she said the U. of W.
woman said she was discussing with Betty's family members the
possibility of a donation of some of Betty's letters and papers to the
university. If that happens, we might know more. I would love to see if
there are stories she started that weren't finished before her death.
Also, I sent an email to the Seattle Press folks thanking them for
providing this forum and asking if there were any other articles
planned on Betty, and got a response saying that the SP stopped
publishing in '03, but that the company maintaining this website has
noticed the frequent postings here and would like to provide a new
forum for the exchange of information. They will post a request for
people to leave email addresses, which they say they'll keep private,
so they can notify people when this happens. (id:3145)
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Deborah
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Nov 03, 2004
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Southern California
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Caregiver
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| Thanks, Sue! No luck with the local
library. How great about a forum! About Bob's murder and the mystery of
it,
I just can't help wondering who told/invented which version and who
went along with which version, and why. Hang on, I just confused
myself! LOL. The best bet is to somehow be able to delve into 1951
newspapers. Anyone near a large library and a helpful librarian? :)
(id:3146)
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Jane
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Nov 04, 2004
|
Canada
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|
| I just referred back to Blanche
Caffiere's book to see if there were any comments about Bob. In MUCH
LAUGHTER, A FEW TEARS, she mentions that when Cleve brought Bob home,
both Mary and Betty thought that Bob was a "beautiful man" (probably
suggesting Bard approval as Sue suspected). She goes on to describe
Bob's attractive appearance and remembers him to have been in his late
twenties and "he appeared very smooth indeed to a girl of eighteen."
Blanche Caffiere also offered Mary's version of what happened when
Betty left Bob (different, I think, than Betty's version in ANYBODY CAN
DO ANYTHING, but sometimes publishers have been known to change details
a little from the exact biographical information the author intended.)
Apparently, Mary made a special trip to Chimacum when she knew Bob
would not be there and helped Betty and the girls pack up. They left in
a hurry "leaving no word behind." Later, when Blanche and Betty ran
into each other, Betty explained her reasons for the divorce she was in
the process of. Betty mentioned that Bob "had no sense of humor, hung
around with crummy friends, and dramatized himself too much." She also
said that he had wrecked a new car the first day they owned it. Since
the accident was his fault, they were unable to collect the insurance,
so the money for it came from her grandmother.
Deborah, it was interesting to learn which part of California you live
in. My family and I just returned home from a trip to San Diego and
Anaheim last week, and I thought of you! (id:3148)
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Deborah
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Nov 04, 2004
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Southern California
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Caregiver
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| Jane, how neat that you were here!
Had I known that we could have arranged lunch! Did you visit any of our
attractions such as Sea World, Wild Animal Park, etc? Where in San
Diego were you? I'm near the coast, in Northern San Diego County. I
thought your post about the info provided by Blanche fascinating! There
is definitely more to the stories of the divorce and Bob's death than
we think. (id:3149)
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Jane
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Nov 05, 2004
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Canada
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|
| Deborah, We did pack in as many
attractions as possible but had to pass on others. We stayed in the
Pacific Beach or Mission Beach area and found it to be quite central
for visiting Sea World (kids' favourite), attending an NBA game, &
visiting Legoland. Also for enjoying the luxury of barefeet in the sand
and ocean waves. A subject perhaps not of general interest to our
fellow fans!! After being awed by the huge flowers on every tree and
the horticultural wonders everywhere(do you eventually take your
gardens for granted? - we cherish ours!), I thought of your plan to
re-read Betty's books during the coming "cozy winter." I wondered how
you would know when winter had arrived (when even California rain at
midnight felt warm to us), and what exactly would tip you off that it
was time to dust off the books? (id:3152)
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Deborah
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Nov 05, 2004
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Southern California
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Caregiver
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| Jane, I'm still cracking up! As far
as cozy winter reading, we pretty much rely on the calendar and fake
it... Actually winters can be cold and windy here. I'm glad you had a
good time. I am an avid gardener and believe me I take none of the
flora for granted! Legoland is only a mile from me! Argh!! You drove
right past me on your way there!
I'm in Encinitas, one freeway exit south of Legoland which is in
Carlsbad, the neighboring community. A meeting would have been so nice.
Maybe next time? (id:3153)
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Sally
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Nov 06, 2004
|
Greensboro, NC
|
law office administrator
|
| I really enjoyed Jane's post where
she shared the information from Blanche Caffiere's book. Thanks, Jane!
I'm definitely putting that book on my Christmas list, as it left me
hungry for more! Am I right in assuming that the book is pretty much
entirely about Blanche's friendship with the Bard family? There have
been posts about Monica Sone's ("Kimi") book, which I would also like
to read; however, it sounded as though that one doesn't contain as much
about Betty... just some references to a woman called Chris who Ms.
Sone met in the sanitorium. (id:3158)
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Jane
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Nov 06, 2004
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Canada
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|
| I am typing this post without a
chair - we're getting ready for company. Anyway, Sally, MUCH LAUGHTER,
A FEW TEARS was a very interesting find and does provide much more
information about Betty and the Bard family than Monica Sone's book
(much as I did enjoy NISEI DAUGHTER for its own merit). When I bought
the book, sometime within the last four years, it was out of print, so
I found it used through somewhere like amazon.com or abebooks.com.
(Your friends may have to start Christmas shopping right away - esp. if
everyone at this site starts seeking it out as well!) Blanche Caffiere
devotes some portions of the book to her own life; however, is was
intended to be the memoirs of her friendship with Betty and the Bards.
The following is a part of the description of the book from the back
cover: "Blanche Caffiere takes us on a joyful ride through decades of
friendship, from Roosevelt High School girlhood frolics to young
motherhood and careers, from divorce and illness to the hardships of
World War II. Whatever happiness and tribulation they experienced,
Betty MacDonald and her family lived life to the fullest, and Blanche
Caffiere has captured it all in Much Laughter, A Few Tears." Enjoy!
(id:3159)
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Glenda
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Nov 08, 2004
|
Brandon, SD
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teacher
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| I just read Jerri Brooker's article
on "The Egg and I" posted in Suite 101. She claims that Betty wrote it
while living on the chicken ranch. Don't we read in "Anybody Can Do
Anything" that Mary corraled her into writing it much later? Was it
before or after she and Don moved to Vashon? Forgive my ignorance. I'm
an old Betty fan who had, up to yesterday, read only "The Egg" and "The
Plague", so had a great weekend finding and rading "Anybody" and
"Onion". I love this discussion site! (id:3162)
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Glenda
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Nov 08, 2004
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Brandon, SD
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teacher
|
| I think that MacDonald could be
rated with some of the best women-of-letters in the 20th century. Just
because she wrote humor about family, kids books and limited her
observations to out-of-the-way settings, her work has not been studied
as seriously as it merits. She could be classed with some other great
women writers such as Marjorie Kinnen Rawlings who also wrote
humorously, but with great human insight and had, just like Betty, the
ability to absolutely NAIL local color. MacDonald reminds me of other
women who created memoirs of their lives that became invaluable little
gems of history and priceless records of how particualr places felt,
looked, smelled, sounded: Isak Dinesen, Beryl Markham, Rose Wilder
Lane, Zora Neale Hurston. Each of these women wrote significant and/or
popular lit, but are today ignored either by average readers, by
academia or by both. I'm glad MacDonald has come alive again for modern
readers. (id:3163)
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Kathy
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Nov 08, 2004
|
Orlando
|
Oldest Living Ph.D. Student
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| Glenda, I agree that Betty's writing
merits more critical attention than it received or receives; but the
literary canon does change over time, and someone, I think, will come
along and give her the recognition she deserves. Betty's writing does
stand alone, but also think of the timing of the Egg (!), which was the
perfect tonic for a war-weary America, selling over a million copies.
Even as I write this I paused to do a little search and found an
article about The Egg in the 2001 Journal of Women's History. Maybe
it's starting to happen. I'm going to start working on my Ph.D. in the
spring and would love to be able to work some study of Betty and her
writing into my program; if not, maybe afterwards. I believe in her
voice and agree with you that she gave us a number of gifts. Maybe it's
the old Sherlock Holmes syndrome: anything that much fun to read can't
be possibly be taken seriously as literature. (id:3164)
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Kathy
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Nov 08, 2004
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Orlando
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Oldest Living Ph.D. Student
|
| Glenda, I agree that Betty's writing
merits more critical attention than it received or receives; but the
literary canon does change over time, and someone, I think, will come
along and give her the recognition she deserves. Betty's writing does
stand alone, but also think of the timing of the Egg (!), which was the
perfect tonic for a war-weary America, selling over a million copies.
Even as I write this I paused to do a little search and found an
article about The Egg in the 2001 Journal of Women's History. Maybe
it's starting to happen. I'm going to start working on my Ph.D. in the
spring and would love to be able to work some study of Betty and her
writing into my program; if not, maybe afterwards. I believe in her
voice and agree with you that she gave us a number of gifts. Maybe it's
the old Sherlock Holmes syndrome: anything that much fun to read can't
be possibly be taken seriously as literature. (id:3165)
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glenda
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Nov 08, 2004
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Brandon, SD
|
teacher
|
| Yeah, the timing of her first book
was serendipedous (spelling?) Betty is not the only woman writer of
that time who had one big hit turned into a movie, and then whose work
stayed only middling popular after that. Rawlins hit with the "The
Yearling", Pearl Buck with the "Good Earth", Jessymn West with "The
Gentle Persuasion", and Rumor Godden with "Black Narcissus". I think
some of the luck was that the big movie studio industry was insatiable
for stories and found these big novels perfect to adapt. What is
interesting is that these women writers shared many of the same things
in their lives. Their lives each had a combination of these
characteritics in common -- marital difficulty, life in another country
and/or some kind of pioneering venture, a strenuous outdoor or country
life, time spent living with eccentric characters, an earlier life in a
cultured/educated background, a second, happy marriage, a close
relationship to their local communities, and the ability to create
vivid verisimilitude in their writing. The two best things they all
have in common is 1) the way they portray women's lives with lots of
wry commentary and 2)their wonderful recipes for glorious food!! Each
of them recorded how their lives as wives and or mothers shaped their
daily rhythms and themes. They make housekeeping and cooking
interesting! (id:3166)
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Kathy
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Nov 08, 2004
|
Orlando
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Oldest Living Ph.D. Student
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| You're right -- that's the stuff our
very lives are made of and yet for the longest time, it was not
considered serious enough to write about. The theme of the family as a
haven against the outside world is very big in Betty's writing -- I see
it as the reason she left the egg ranch, not finding in the home she
tried to make with Bob what she knew could be possible -- and reminds
me of the fairly recent book The Shelter of Each Other by wonderful
Mary Pipher (of Reviving Ophelia fame). Another theme is the importance
of humor in helping us survive what the world can throw at us. I look
at the college courses on resiliency that seem to be the new thing, and
think, This could be called Bard 101. Sharing the good and the bad,
laughing, family meals that are occasions no matter what's on the menu.
Chili and football games on the radio Saturday afternoons. A sense of
identity that doesn't depend on having a particular address, and
happiness that is not dependent on what you have or don't have. Good
stuff.
Sorry about the double postings. I'm only hitting "Post" once but for
some reason it hiccups. (id:3169)
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Kathy
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Nov 08, 2004
|
Orlando
|
Oldest Living Ph.D. Student
|
| You're right -- that's the stuff our
very lives are made of and yet for the longest time, it was not
considered serious enough to write about. The theme of the family as a
haven against the outside world is very big in Betty's writing -- I see
it as the reason she left the egg ranch, not finding in the home she
tried to make with Bob what she knew could be possible -- and reminds
me of the fairly recent book The Shelter of Each Other by wonderful
Mary Pipher (of Reviving Ophelia fame). Another theme is the importance
of humor in helping us survive what the world can throw at us. I look
at the college courses on resiliency that seem to be the new thing, and
think, This could be called Bard 101. Sharing the good and the bad,
laughing, family meals that are occasions no matter what's on the menu.
Chili and football games on the radio Saturday afternoons. A sense of
identity that doesn't depend on having a particular address, and
happiness that is not dependent on what you have or don't have. Good
stuff.
Sorry about the double postings. I'm only hitting "Post" once but for
some reason it hiccups. (id:3170)
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Deborah
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Nov 08, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
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|
Agreed! I'm adding Jean Kerr to the list! (id:3171)
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Deborah
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Nov 08, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
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|
And Peg Bracken! (id:3172)
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Deborah
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Nov 08, 2004
|
Southern California
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Caregiver
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|
How could I have forgotten Janet Gillespie?! (id:3174)
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Sue
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Nov 08, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| And Rosemary Taylor, whose book
Chicken Every Sunday is a "must read" if you liked The Egg and I. Also
Shirley Jackson, who wrote Life Among the Savages, and Raising Demons,
in addition to her short stories and novellas. All of these women write
of family life with wry humor and a fine eye for the poignant as well
as the absurd. Glenda, I've read Jerri Brooker's article on
Suite101.com several times and never noticed that she does say Betty
wrote The Egg and I while living in the Chimacum Valley. I just went
back to check and it does, indeed, say that. But I think it's
incorrect. I think Betty wrote all her books when she was living on
Vashon. I don't know if she wrote anything while she was living in
Carmel. There doesn't seem to have been much time between her moving
there with Don and then being diagnosed with cancer, and having to move
back to Seattle. I would like to find a copy of her obituary, as I've
read that in it she was quoted as having said before her death that
she'd been a good sport all her life, but didn't feel like being a good
sport about cancer. (id:3175)
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Jane
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Nov 08, 2004
|
Canada
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| Sally, I just remembered where Sue
said her copy of Blanche Caffiere's book came from. It is availabe at
www.vashoncountrystore.com/BettyMacdonald under books "by" Betty
MacDonald. Site also says that Betty wrote ONIONS... while living on
Vashon Island. Sue, you might want to pull out your copy and read Pages
136-138 of Chapter 22; Page 148 of Chapter 23; and the first page of
the Epilogue. Debbie, maybe next time we will meet somewhere in
Washington instead. Everyone else, if you are interested, try checking
out the Vashon Country Store (Sue, you found them to be reputable,
right?) for your own copy of the book. The store is also planning to
offer a reprint of one of Mary's books, but it is taking forever to
come out. (id:3176)
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Jane
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Nov 09, 2004
|
Canada
|
|
| Oops! I am really going to have to
be more careful about my postings. Deborah, I am so sorry - I don't
know why I typed Debbie (I just noticed), instead of Deborah???????!!!
(id:3178)
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Deborah
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Nov 09, 2004
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Southern California
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Caregiver
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| Don't worry about it, Jane, I'm used
to it! Hopefully BEST FRIENDS will reprint someday, I'd love to read
that again.
Nothing wrong with a little nostalgia! (id:3182)
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Emily
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Nov 11, 2004
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Seattle
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| I have the interesting history of
attending first grade through high school at Chimacum school district,
growing up nearby. I graduated from U of W and now reside in Seattle
where I live and work with my husband and two small children. As a
child, I was always aware of Egg and I road and the associated book
which wasn't discussed too much locally. I went to school with several
Bishops (Kettles). It was only while sick in bed for a few days that I
picked-up Egg & I at the urging of my mother (who wrote a book
about the history of the area). I laughed out loud through much of it
and read passages to my ever patient spouse. It, along with Anybody Can
do Anything are among my favorite books. I guess I never really
realized how different life there is until I moved away. A friend
visiting from Sweden excitedly photographed the junked cars in a
neighbor's yard, saying "we don't have this back home!" Local stories
have it that Bob Heskett was a bootlegger and physically abused Betty.
I also heard that her original version of Egg & I reflected this
and was MUCH funnier (?). The Holy Grail for me would be to get copy of
the original manuscript she presented to Lippincott, before the
re-writes... (id:3189)
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Maria
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Nov 12, 2004
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Austria
|
Teacher
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| Emily, thank your for your great
contribution.
Is your mother a writer? I'd like to order the book she has written.
After reading Betty's books and the very interesting Fan Club Stuff I'd
like to know more about the history of the area. I agree with you: If
we only could read the original version of The Egg. Do you like Mary's
books? I'd like to hear her voice. Had Mary ever been interviewed on
radio or television? We - my sisters and my mother - are listening to
Betty and Alison very often and we can't get enough! (id:3190)
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Maria
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Nov 12, 2004
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Austria
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Teacher
|
| I wanted to add this:
We are so proud that our great Elfriede Jelinek won the 2004 Nobel
Price in Literature. A friend of mine told me that Ms. Jelinek is a
great fan of Betty although they are very different in their writings.
Did Betty won any prices for her work? She should. ELFRIEDE JELINEK
2004 Nobel Laureate in Literature for her musical flow of voices and
counter-voices in novels and plays that with extraordinary linguistic
zeal reveal the absurdity of society's clich s and their subjugating
power Background Born: October 20, 1946 Place of birth: M¸rzzuschlag,
Styria, Austria Biographical highlights: 1960 - Begins organ lessons at
Viennese Conservatory 1964 - Enters study fo Theater Sciences and Art
History at the University of Vienna, discontinues after a few months
1967 - Literary debut with Lisas Schatten 1971 - Passed organist
diploma examination at Vienna Conservatory 1974 - First radio play,
wenn die sonne sinkt ist f¸r manche schon b¸roschluss (When the sun
sinks it's time to close shop), declared most successful radio play of
the year by "Die Presse" 1974 - Joins Austrian KPO (Communist Party)
1978 - City of Stadt Bad Gandersheim's Roswitha Memorial Medal 1979 -
West German Interior Ministry Prize for Film Writing 1983 - West German
Ministry of Education and Art Appreciation Prize 1986 - City of Cologne
Heinrich B?ll Prize 1987 - Province of Styria Literature Prize 1989 -
City of Vienna Literature Appreciation Prize 1991 - Leaves the KPO 1994
- City of Aachen Walter Hasenclever Prize 1994 - City of Bochum Peter
Weiss Prize 1996 - Bremer Literature Prize 1998 - George B¸chner Prize
2002 - Berlin Theatre Prize 2003 - Else Lasker Sch¸ler Prize, Mainz
2004 - Lessing Critics' Prize 2004 - Stig Dagerman Prize 2004 - Awarded
Nobel Prize in Literature Book Store The Piano Teacher Women as Lovers
Lust Wonderful, Wonderful Times Other Books by Elfriede Jelinek
Featured Internet Links Female Nobel Prize Laureates (id:3191)
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Emily
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Nov 12, 2004
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Seattle
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|
| Thanks Maria. My mother wrote
"Marrowstone, the Story of an Island." It details the first white
settlers of Marrowstone and Indian Islands and was published by the
Port Townsend Leader and is no longer in print. Its carried in some
libraries. Betty MacDonald mentioned Marrowstone briefly in "Onions in
the Stew." My mother did a lot of research with back issues of the
Leader (local paper) county court house records and Historical Society
information but says its somewhat limited. But I am going to ask her to
see if she can find any information about location of the MacDonalds'
family farm, as that appears to still be an unknown. A very few of the
original citizens alive at the time of Betty's stay in Chimacum are
still around, including George Huntingford, nephew of Annie McGuire,
mentioned in Egg & I. (id:3193)
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Maria
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Nov 13, 2004
|
Austria
|
Teacher
|
| Emily, isn't Annie a strong
character? I was rereading The Kettles' Million Dollar Egg and enjoyed
her appearance.
Do you like Mary's books? Had Mary ever been interviewed on radio or
television? (id:3194)
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John W. Long
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Nov 13, 2004
|
Port Townsend, Wash.
|
Retired
|
| My daughter just recently acquired
reprints of at least two of Betty MacDonald's writings, Anybody Can Do
Anything and Onions In the Stew were read by me and enjoyed-I think not
for the first. Enjoyed especially since one can associate with the
area, having lived closer to Chimacum than Port Townsend for many
years. My purpose for reading these postings was to find out what
happened to Bob Heskett. My curiosity is somewhat satisfied from
reading the banter. But realizing that the postings on this site are
rather dominated by the opposite gender it is interesting to see how
Heskett is portrayed. Retired Sue is sure the knifing of Heskett
"happened in a bar". This is evidently retribution for trying to "mold
her into the type of woman he wanted"-Betty that is. And, retired Sue
beleives that the Bard's would be good at detecting an "ogre" taking
advantage of a so sensative, very young Betty. Poor Bob. Finally
Marrowstone Emily writes that the orginal version of the Egg & I
perhaps was "much funnier"-it supposedly depicts Haskett as a physical
abuser of Betty. Come on Girls, the stories by MacDonald are
fictionalized good reading. That's all. When reading Anybody Can Do
Anything,the sequence of her packing up and leaving Heskett seemed
modernistic and femanistic-way ahead of her time. Betty MacDonald would
be right in tune with todays "liberated" woman. (id:3195)
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Deborah
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Nov 13, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| John, are you for real??? Not one of
us would ever consider Bob's fatal injury as retribution! You have
misread Sue and taken Emily's comment out of context. I was simply
appalled by your hostile post! Have you (conveniently) overlooked the
posts that are very supportive of Bob Heskett???!!! (id:3196)
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Sue
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Nov 14, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| John, John, John. You need to read
more carefully. Allie said she talked with Joan, Bob and Betty's
daughter, and Joan said her father was killed in a knife fight in a
bar. I simply said that if Joan said that's how it happened, then I was
sure it did. She ought to have known. I also said I had always
envisioned it happening in a neighborhood, with Bob trying to protect a
woman from harm. Guess "Retired Sue" had better go back to work, and
start teaching critical reading skills again. (id:3197)
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Jane
|
Nov 15, 2004
|
Washington State
|
|
| Bravo, John:
Elizabeth and Robert had a better marriage than most of us have.
My grandpa knew them very well. It was a true love. They adored each
other. Robert was a very successful chicken farmer. He wasn't a
bootlegger. Bob hated alcohol. Robert as a pysical abuser of Elizabeth?
NEVER! She had to leave the farm because of her serious illness. Betty
was always a very sickly person. She returned to her family but
Elizabeth and Robert remained very close.
Robert's and Elizabeth's family should sue retired Sue and Marrowstone
Emily. I hate their tissue of lies. (id:3202)
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Emily
|
Nov 15, 2004
|
Seattle
|
|
| Interesting, looks like we hit a
nerve here. I think in most cases of abuse the spouses claim "true
love." That's why the abuse can continue for years. I frankly couldn't
possibly care less what Jane or John think of me or Sue. I come from a
family of lawyers; bring on your threatened suit and kiss my ass.
(id:3204)
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Emily
|
Nov 15, 2004
|
Seattle
|
|
| Interesting, looks like we hit a
nerve here. I think in most cases of abuse the spouses claim "true
love." That's why the abuse can continue for years. I frankly couldn't
possibly care less what Jane or John think of me or Sue. I come from a
family of lawyers; bring on your threatened suit and kiss my ass.
(id:3205)
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Sue
|
Nov 15, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| To Jane from Canada,Deborah, and
Sally: Yes, I did get Blanche Caffiere's book from the Vashon Country
Store, and I found them to be reputable. You can order it from them by
calling 1-888-245-6136 or email at order@countrystoreandgardens.com. I
think I paid about twelve dollars for it, plus postage. Along with her
own personal memoirs, Blanche Caffiere writes of her school-age
adventures with Betty and the Bard family, as well as several stories
about when their paths crossed again as adults. There's a fun section
in it about the woman named Lesley who appeared as a character in
Onions in the Stew, and how Betty took Sydney's advice in dealing with
her. The portions dealing with Betty's death from cancer are touching,
and also illustrate Betty's reliance on humor even in the face of
terminal cancer. Jane, thanks for reminding me about those pages.
Deborah, you mention a writer named Janet Gillespie. I haven't heard of
her before--do you have any titles? (id:3206)
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Jane
|
Nov 15, 2004
|
Canada
|
|
| Oh my! I just got a bit of a start
to see a posting by a "Jane" who wasn't me. Thanks, Sue, for noticing
that there is now a "Jane from Canada" and a Jane from Washington
State. (id:3207)
|
|
|
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Deborah
|
Nov 15, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Sue, the titles by Janet Gillespie
are "With a Merry Heart", "A Joyful Noise" and two other books I didn't
really care for, "Bedlam in the Backseat" and "Peacock Manure and
Marigolds". Jeeves has website of a town where Gillespie still lives,
and a bookstore offering her books. I think you'd enjoy them. (id:3208)
|
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Kathy
|
Nov 15, 2004
|
Orlando
|
Oldest Living Ph.D. Student
|
| Has this interesting site
http://www.historylink.org/Slide_show/index.cfm?file_id=7035&frame=1
been posted here yet? Also, apropos of other writers in the same vein,
Helene Hanff of 84 Charing Cross Road cult fame is wonderful. Her
memoir "Underfoot in Show Business" is absolutely delightful. I called
her on the phone the year before she died and had a wonderful
conversation. I also called Hilary Knight (Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
illustrator)and he was not at all enthusiastic about discussing Betty
or the P-W books, so I changed the topic to "Eloise," evidently much
more important to him. (id:3209)
|
|
|
|
Emily
|
Nov 15, 2004
|
Seattle
|
|
| Hi Canada Jane, I realized the same
and certainly didn't point my comments at you ;-). I wrote the remarks
in the heat of the moment immediately after reading the offensive
remarks of the strangely angry "Washington Jane" and PT John. From the
myriad of comments I've heard from a number of sources, I stand by my
earlier statements that local lore is that Bob was a bootlegger (the
indians came to the house frequently to purchase it) and he crashed the
car he and Betty were given as a wedding present (as stated in Betty
MacDonald Society interviews of her family). Not clear why Washington
Jane insists he didn't drink, as Betty herself stated they enjoyed a
drink, in Egg. Also stated in Section V of Betty's divorce filing of
July 17, 1931 is her complaint that Bob "struck and kicked plaintiff on
a number of occasions and threatened to shoot plaintiff and children."
If that's not a claim of abuse, I'm not sure what is. Nothing personal
or derisive intended here, simply information I've come across. I agree
with PT John that Betty probably enhanced the truth in some of her
writing. If he more carefully read the previous comments (as Sue
suggested, along with checking his spelling), he would see that I had a
question mark indicating how could Betty's original version which
included Bob's abuse be interpreted as funny. (id:3210)
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|
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Deborah
|
Nov 15, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| Kicked, struck, threatened to shoot
children? I may have to withdraw my support for Heskett... Yes, I
realize I'm walking right into the next onslaught of verbal bullets...
But at least I have company in Sue, Emily and Canada Jane !
:) (id:3211)
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Deborah
|
Nov 15, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
|
I hope... (id:3212)
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Sue
|
Nov 15, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Wow, Emily, that's quite a
revelation! Thanks for going to the effort of posting that portion of
Betty's divorce petition. It's no doubt part of the public record, but
coming from a family of lawyers and knowing how to research it has its
advantages! Anyway, I admit I'm surprised. In Blanche Caffiere's book,
Blanche says that Betty told her that once when she refused to go to a
party with Bob, he poured kerosene on the porch, held a lit match above
it, and threatened to drop it if she didn't agree to go along. I
remember being startled when I read that, as I had never thought about
Bob as being abusive. I had assumed he was simply too old for Betty,
and not too understanding about her difficult adjustment to such a new
environment. I may have been naive. And Emily, you're right when you
mention the necessity for careful reading of these posts. When people
continue to misunderstand in the face of clear explanations, either
deliberately or through ignorance, it's best to just let it go and not
give them too much attention. The more I learn here, the more I realize
that the picture is far more complex than I thought. I've taken Betty's
written version of events in The Egg and I at face value, but it seems
that some elements were changed to put a more acceptable face on
things. And Kathy, it's wonderful that you were able to speak with
Helene Hanff before her death. I haven't read 84 Charing Cross Road,
but have seen the movie, and enjoyed it. Now I'll read the book as
well. I wonder why Hilary Knight was not so enthusiastic about
discussing Betty or the P-W books? Maybe it was because the Eloise
books are enjoying a revival since the movie came out. When one of my
classes received the letter from Jerry Keil, Joan's husband, he said
that the actress Linda Lavin had an option on the Mrs. P-W books for a
television series or movie, but that's been some time ago. I believe
Jean Stapleton made a video and starred as Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle at one
point. It will be interesting to see what other info gets posted here,
and thanks to those who continue to share in a positive way. I think
sometimes about what a member of Betty's family might think if they
happened on this website, as we're very curious about what's basically
private family business, but it's curiosity rooted in respect for Betty
MacDonald's wonderful gift for writing about her family and her life
experiences. (id:3213)
|
|
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Kathy
|
Nov 16, 2004
|
Orlando
|
Oldest Living Ph.D. Student
|
| I'm sure I wouldn't be thrilled to
come upon a discussion board where my family's history was being
speculated about, especially the "dirty laundry"; but as Sue says,
Betty wrote about her life and we would not be human if we didn't
wonder whether all was as stated. I do think it's important to retain
some objectivity and try to avoid passing judgment on past events
because whatever we read or hear, we weren't there and will never know
the entire picture.
When I spoke to Hilary Knight several years ago, he said that Kay
Thompson didn't have long to live and her heirs were waiting in the
wings with big merchandising plans for Eloise, which KT had always
resisted. Sure enough, a year or so later, Eloise exploded into the
marketplace. . . I wish I had asked him why he seemed so dismissive of
the P-W books. I thought his illustrations captured perfectly the tone
and humor of Betty's writing. Maybe there had been some dissatisfaction
with business arrangements? More speculation! (id:3228)
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Maria
|
Nov 16, 2004
|
Austria
|
Teacher
|
|
Kathy, our family loves Helene Hanff's book. We never had the chance to see the movie here.
What did Helene Hanff say? It was sad that she never met her pen pal in person. What a fascinating book!
(id:3229)
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Kathy
|
Nov 17, 2004
|
Orlando
|
Oldest Living Ph.D. Student
|
| Maria, the movie is wonderful and I
think Anne Bancroft did a great job capturing Helene's personality.
When I called Helene I introduced myself and said this was a fan call,
and if it was unwelcome I apologized. She was very friendly and said
she'd love to chat, just hold on while she got her eggs off the stove.
(!) We talked for about half an hour; she still lived at the address of
her "new" apartment in 84 Charing Cross; she was feeling well and
enjoyed hearing from fans. She asked about me and my family and I told
her I was jobhunting. "Academia! They don't pay anything; they expect
you to live on coffee and books," she said in her wonderful New York
accent. She seemed absolutely genuine and as funny and perceptive as
she comes across in the letters of 84. I wish I could have met her. My
mother brought me an Omnibus edition from England which has 84, The
Duchess of Bloomsbury St., Underfoot in Show Business, Q's Legacy, and
Apple of my Eye. "Underfoot" is one of my very favorite books. I laugh
out loud everytime I think of the passage in which Maxine, Helene's
glamorous actress friend, borrows one of Helene's outfits, and Helene
finds out why. (id:3232)
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|
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Sue
|
Nov 17, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Kathy, thanks for that story on
Helene Hanff. I enjoyed it. Deborah, I forgot to thank you for the info
on Janet Gillespie. I have a long library list this week, thanks to the
two of you! (id:3240)
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Maria
|
Nov 19, 2004
|
Austria
|
Teacher
|
| Kathy, thank you so much for telling
us your wonderful experience with Helene Hanff.
I only know 84 Charing Cross Road. As you say the other books are
wonderful as well. I have to read Underfoot in Show Business. Could you
please tell something more about Underfoot? I can't wait to read it.
Any other favorite books? (id:3244)
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|
|
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Kathy
|
Nov 19, 2004
|
Orlando
|
Oldest Living Ph.D. Student
|
| "Underfoot in Show Business" tells
how Helene as a young woman won a competition for aspiring playwrights
and found herself in New York City with no money and no certain future.
It is a hilarious and sometimes bittersweet account of her struggles to
earn a living, educate herself (no money for college), and break into
show business. You end up really loving Helene and feeling that she
would have been a most delightful person to know. (id:3245)
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Gail
|
Nov 20, 2004
|
Pennsylvania
|
librarian
|
|
Has anyone read Hildegarde Dolson -not her mysteries -but humorous accounts of her life ? (id:3248)
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Deborah
|
Nov 20, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
|
Gail, I read "We Shook the Family Tree" in the late 1960's and absolutely loved it !! (id:3250)
|
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Sue
|
Nov 21, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| "We Shook The Family Tree" was one
of my favorite books when I was a kid. I found a used hardback copy of
it in an old bookstore in Detroit and it sits up on the shelf next to
Betty's books, Rosemary Taylor's books, and a couple of books by Jane
Trahey. Jane Trahey was the first woman to have her own advertising
agency in New York City. She started the Blackgama mink ads---remember
What Becomes A Legend Most? She wrote a book called "Life with Mother
Superior." Disney turned that into a movie called "The Trouble With
Angels." Also a childhood favorite! Another favorite is Jean Kerr, who
wrote "Please Don't Eat The Daisies." (id:3251)
|
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|
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Kim
|
Nov 21, 2004
|
Virginia
|
mom
|
| Hi all,
I've only posted once before but just wanted to say hi and thank you
all for all the info on Betty as of late. I was just re-reading "Onions
in the Stew" lately so checked back here and got updates. I wanted to
respond to the last post on Jean Kerr's "Please Don't Eat the Daisies."
Have any of you read Marie Killilea's books, "Karen" and "With Love
From Karen". They are wonderful books but the connection is that they
lived next door to the Kerrs (in the "With Love from Karen" book). Jean
plays an interesting part in the story as do her twins. Just thought
you'd like to know!
Thanks again,
Kim in VA (id:3253)
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|
|
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Sue
|
Nov 22, 2004
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Hi, Kim. Yes, I've read both the
books about Karen Killilea. The two families lived (live?) in
Larchmont, New York. For those who don't know, Karen was born with
cerebral palsy, and her mother, Marie, wrote two exceptional books
about the family's experiences dealing with this condition. Another
book readers who visit this forum might like to read is "The Family
Nobody Wanted", by Helen Doss. She and her husband adopted twelve
mixed-race children and faced the inevitable social problems with love
and humor. Also, in The Egg and I, Betty MacDonald wrote about reading
a book by a woman who wrote that she lived in the woods with no modern
conveniences and just loved, loved, loved it. Betty was pretty
incensed. That book, I believe, is one called "We Took To the Woods",
by Louise Dickinson Rich. It's probably out of print now, but I found
my copy in a bookstore specializing in used books. It's not bad
reading, but I liked it mostly because of the Betty connection. The
copy I have was published in 1942, by Grosset and Dunlap, so if that
was the book Betty speaks of, she couldn't have read it when she was
living in the Chimacum Valley. Although, my copy does say that it's
published by special arrangement with Lippincott, who were Betty's
publishers, so maybe I have a later edition by Grosset and Dunlap.
Years ago I read someplace that it's the book which made Betty so mad,
and in reading it, it seems likely. Mrs. Rich was pretty darn cheerful,
slogging with her water buckets through the snow to the spring and
delivering her baby at home! Another author whose humor reminds me a
lot of Betty's is Margaret Halsey, who wrote "With Malice Toward Some".
I laughed out right out loud several times. She's got that same wry,
dry, sardonic eye for people's foibles. (id:3254)
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Elizabeth
|
Nov 23, 2004
|
Cincinnati
|
|
I found Betty's books in an English
seaside library just prior to my emigration to the USA fourteen years
ago. I was immediately hooked on them. Needless to say, in our cabin
trunks Betty's books had pride of place. So...one of the first things I
did upon arrival in the USA was go to the local library to delve into
the archives. I found a very small article from a California newspaper
announcing t
December 2004 through January 2005
|
|
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Kim
|
Dec 01, 2004
|
Virginia
|
mom
|
|
I hope we can figure out where to go for the new forum. Thanks to the editors for setting this up!
Kim (id:3387)
|
|
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|
Deborah
|
Dec 01, 2004
|
Southern California
|
Caregiver
|
| And I hope it's as easy to navigate
as this forum! Some are so messy and complicated I had to withdraw. In
fact, to the owner of a health forum, I said "You could learn alot from
Seattle Press Online". Please, editors, keep it simple ! Thanks !
(id:3388)
|
|
|
|
SPOL Editor
|
Dec 03, 2004
|
Seattle, Austria
|
Moderator
|
| We think you'll like it. Lots of
cool stuff like picture links, easy linking to resources, a system that
remembers you (at you option) so you can just type without retyping
your name, location, etc. And it maintains discussion threads, so you
can read and write about a particular topic without scrolling through
everything. The most recent posts will be grouped newest first, with
archives by topic and date. We're looking for a brave volunteer to be
the moderator; more on that next post. (id:3391)
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|
|
|
SPOL Editor
|
Dec 03, 2004
|
Seattle, Austria
|
Moderator
|
| PS: We're targeting a rollout around
December 15. This comment list will remain active into next year.
(id:3392)
|
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Kim
|
Dec 23, 2004
|
Virginia
|
mom
|
|
Any updates on the new website?
Kim (id:3421)
|
|
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|
SPOL Editor
|
Dec 24, 2004
|
Seattle, Austria
|
Moderator
|
|
Real life keeps intervening. We're now targeting Jan 10-15. Thanks for your interest. RC (id:3422)
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Kim
|
Jan 01, 2005
|
Columbia City OR
|
writer
|
| Haven't been back to this site in
months--busy retiring and moving to Oregon (was Kim from Sacramento),
but I'm so glad I visited again--there's so much more information. I'm
pleased to hear there's to be a new website, as well and look forward
to visiting for more news of Betty. I think, honestly, as private as
the family seems, Betty herself would have gotten a kick out of all the
interest--at least thought it funny! (id:3429)
|
|
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Chris
|
Jan 03, 2005
|
Hamburg / Germany
|
Student
|
| Hallo everybody out there, greetings
from Germany! I did't know that the life of Betty and her whole family
ist still so interesting for so many people, so you all can imagine how
eager I was to read all your statements. I spent the last two weeks at
home with my mom and used the time to re-read all the books of Betty
again. Unfortunately on german, but I promise I will try to get them
all in english, although it is a bit difficult here in Germany. I'm
also very interested in the books of Mary Bard, maybe someone can help
me to get them? Could someone please give me the adresses of the
websites often mentioned here? I would like to forage for all available
information about the family, the friends and so on. For today,
greetings and warm hugs for every admirer of Betty!
Chris (id:3434)
|
|
|
|
Tamzin
|
Jan 06, 2005
|
London
|
?
|
| I just found this forum, and have
been a fan of the Betty Macdonald books ever since my mother introduced
me to them. This has been a great source of information, answering a
lot of my questions, and also providing some new ones. Something I can
add on Cleve, is the following obit that I found for his wife: Bard,
Mary Alice Sunday, 18 Jan 2004 Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Vashon-Maury Island, WA Mary Alice Bard, 82, of Vashon Island, Wa.,
passed away Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004 at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, Wa.,
after a courageous 2-year battle with lung cancer. Mary was born on
Feb. 12, 1921 to Garfield and Mary Ann Miller in Boscobel, Wisconsin.
After her high school graduation in 1939, the family moved west and
settled on Vashon Island. In 1940 she married George Schoeppel and they
had four children. They divorced in 1952 and she later married S.C.
(Cleve) Bard and they had two sons. Mary was a devoted wife, mother and
grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She
was an excellent cook and baker. In earlier years she had a large
vegetable garden and raised beautiful roses. She also loved to bowl and
had many hobbies, among them making beautiful ceramics and was an avid
painter, becoming a juried artist. In later years, Mary was a volunteer
at the Vashon Island Senior Center, and was a regular at the Saturday
night bingo game. She also enjoyed her trips to Reno with her friends
and family. Mary was preceded in death by both of her husbands and all
of her brothers and sisters. Mary is survived by her children: John and
Juanita Schoeppel of Vashon; Pam and Jim Bartoy of Puyallup, Wa.; Bruce
and Sharon Schoeppel of Vashon; Susie and Doug Henry of Vaughn, Wa.;
James and Suzette Bard of North Bend, Wa.; Sam and Kate Bard of Vashon;
and 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Her legacy will live
on through her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.
She will be greatly missed by all of us who knew and loved her.
(id:3440)
|
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|
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Margaret
|
Jan 07, 2005
|
Sydney, Australia
|
Registered Nurse
|
| Greetings from Australia! I have
been a fan of Betty Macdonald for many years and have spent many hours
looking for information about her, so it is very exciting to find this
forum. I have all her books and have compiled a collection of photos,
newspaper clippings and articles. Looking forward to chatting with you
all! (id:3443)
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|
|
|
Doris
|
Jan 08, 2005
|
Munich - Germany
|
Secretary
|
| Hi everybody and Chris:
It's so good to find you all. I love Betty's books since I'm a child. I
was reading her books for children with my mother and later her books
for adults. Chris I give you the web addresses you mentioned.
(id:3444)
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Chris
|
Jan 09, 2005
|
Hamburg / Germany
|
Student
|
|
@Doris: Thank you very much, I will try the link immediately.
@all the others: It is great to meet such a nice community. I'm looking forward to the promised forum.
CU! (id:3446)
|
|
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|
Stacey Harrell
|
Jan 09, 2005
|
Gates, NC
|
Teacher
|
| I read the Piggle-Wiggle books as a
child. When I was in college I found Mrs. MacDonald had written books
for adults, so I read those as well. I have sought for more information
on the internet about Betty, but was unable to find it until now. Thank
you so much for the HistoryLink website! I loved the pictures and
article. It was wonderful to actually see what Betty and Mary looked
like. (id:3447)
|
|
|
|
Chris
|
Jan 10, 2005
|
Hamburg / Germany
|
Student
|
| I would like to see a picture of
Betty and Mary when they were at school and/or university. Did someone
find such a photography? Greetings from Hamburg, where the sun is
shining right now! (id:3449)
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Doris
|
Jan 10, 2005
|
Munich - Germany
|
Secretary
|
|
Chris:
I found a University Yearbook with Betty and Mary. There are pics of Betty and Mary in it. I'd like to share it with you.
(id:3450)
|
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|
Margaret
|
Jan 10, 2005
|
Sydney, Australia
|
Registered Nurse
|
| Does anyone have any information on
the whereabouts of Anne Macdonald and /or Mary's children Mari, Heidi,
and Sally? (id:3451)
|
|
|
|
Chris
|
Jan 11, 2005
|
Hamburg / Germany
|
Student
|
| @Doris: If I could get a copy of the
pictures - that would really be a hit! And for my mother, too. My
email-address is: chris.m.s.@gmx.de. If you write me a mail to get your
email-adress, too, than I can give you my post adress. I'm sooo looking
forward to it!!! Greetings from cloudy but mild temperatured Hamburg!
(id:3453)
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|
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Chris
|
Jan 11, 2005
|
Hamburg / Germany
|
Student
|
| Does someone have any information
about Madge, which was mentioned in "The Plague and I"? She actually
was not a regular sister of Mary and Betty, but seemed just to come for
a visit and then stayed forever. Was this just fiction or true? (I
would not be surprised if the warm-hearded Bard-Bunch would accept such
a person, which was fitting to their kind of living so good, without
hesitation!) (id:3454)
|
|
|
|
Sally
|
Jan 16, 2005
|
Charlotte, NC
|
Technical Analyst
|
| Always thought that MAGE was
Blanche. But I wil check to see if this was correct. Use to have coffee
in the morning with Cleve and Blanche in Vashon. Many good memories of
the life on Vashon. Left the Island in 1987, but returned every year
until 2000. Last saw Blanche in 2000 the last time I visited Vashon.
(id:3463)
|
|
|
|
Sally
|
Jan 17, 2005
|
Charlotte, NC
|
Technical Analyst
|
| Blanche was not at home,so could not
get the answer to the question. But will post the answer later as to
"Who was Madge" (id:3464)
|
|
|
|
Sue
|
Jan 17, 2005
|
Pacific Northwest
|
retired
|
| Sally, thanks for checking on the
Madge question. That will be interesting. I just finished Monica Sone's
book, Neisei Daughter. It's an interesting memoir on its own, even
without the Betty link, as it deals with growing up in Seattle during
the early decades of the 20th century, and with the forced internment
of American citizens of Japanese descent without trial or hearing
during WWII. I read with interest Ms. Sone's comments about how
supportive Betty was when the Itoi family (Monica Sone was Kazuko
Monica Itoi Sone)was forced to leave their home and business when they
were sent to an internment camp, because Betty has been the subject of
some criticism of her portrayal of the Pacific Northwest natives with
whom she came in contact, and some people I know who have read Egg have
called her racist. (I think it was in the Common Reader edition of The
Egg and I that her daughters wrote a preface that said she probably
would not have made those comments had she been writing in later
years.) The first copy of Neisei Daughter that I found in a bookstore,
which was too expensive for me to buy at the time, had either a jacket
cover commentary by Betty or a preface by her, where she said that she
would have borne far more resentment toward the U.S. than did Monica
Sone for the callous way in which her family and many others were
treated. I wish I could remember exactly what she said, but that was
the gist of it. That preface is not included in the paperback copy I
just finished, so I can't quote it. The reason I mention it is, it's
part of Betty's complex character that she was so sad for Monica's
family, and obviously angry about the racial motivations for what
happened to them, but she didn't seem to see that her own portrayal of
people like Clamface and Geoduck might seem racist to others. As Emilie
posted back in December of 2003, alocholism and despair were and are a
sad fact of life for some people. It could be that a few of the people
Betty portrayed so poorly may have frightened or confused her, and she
transferred those feelings to Pacifc Northwest Natives as a group,
which was unfair.Of course, all this is just my speculation, but in
reading Neisei Daughter I think it's clear that Betty was not generally
racist. I'd be interested to know what others think. (id:3466)
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Gail
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Jan 19, 2005
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Pennsylvania
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Librarian
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Amazon lists it as Nisei (different spelling) Daughter by Monica Itoi Sone (id:3469)
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Sue
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Jan 19, 2005
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Pacific Northwest
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retired
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| Hi Gail---Thanks, you are right. It
is spelled Nisei. That's what I get for not having the book next to me
and for not paying attention! (id:3472)
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Deborah
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Jan 19, 2005
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Southern California
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Caregiver
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| Sue, I don't think that Betty was a
racist. Remember in PLAGUE, Betty's friendship with Evalee? Also in
PLAGUE, Betty was very sad over the decline of the the woman,
Margaretta. And of course, there's Betty's friendship with Kimi/Monica.
I agree that nowadays Betty would not have lumped all Pacific native
people together. I always rather liked Mrs. Kettle, and I can see that
her descendants would be offended by Betty's comments in EGG. We live
in better times now, in some ways. I believe that Betty had the
capacity to have changed with the times. (id:3473)
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Sally
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Jan 22, 2005
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Greensboro, NC
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law office administrator
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| I, too, do NOT think Betty was a
racist. You have to bear in mind what the world was like when she was
born. My mother was only a few years younger than Betty and was a very
compassionate person; however, she was prone to making comments like
referring to someone's race or ethnic background when describing them.
It wasn't done in a negative way but it always irritated my children
because they considered it semi-racist. I believe Betty disliked many
of the locals she encountered while on the chicken ranch and they
happened to be Indians. I don't believe the fact that they were Indians
was the REASON she disliked them. Had her books been published later,
even if they had included some of the lines from "Egg" that offended
people, a politically correct conscious editor would have probably
edited them out. Betty's friendships with Kimi and Margaretta in
"Plague" were pretty liberal for the time in which she lived. (id:3478)
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Kim
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Jan 26, 2005
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Virginia
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mom
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| SPOL Editor Dec 24, 2004 Real life
keeps intervening. We're now targeting Jan 10-15. Thanks for your
interest. RC (id:3422) Just checking to see if there's been any
progress since the last notice (I copied it into this message) said
Jan. 10-15 was estimated date.
Kim (id:3490)
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John
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Jan 27, 2005
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Fort Wayne, Indiana
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| hello Betty Mac Dondaldites !I love
this group:you are the most authoritative people on the subject of
Betty that I have ever seen. I would really love to be apart of your
wonderful group. I first discovered Betty over 30 years ago and have
loved her ever since. I would love to write a book on her life, the
research would be so enriching and fulfilling. All I have so far are a
few snipets of information, 4 1st edition Mac donald books, and a deep
passionatelove for The Bards. Hope you let me stay. John (id:3491)
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John
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Jan 27, 2005
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Fort Wayne, Indiana
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thought you might find this of some interest. it is bob's burial records. hopeyou enjoy
1. HESKETT, ROBERT EUGENE
PVT US MARINE CORPS
VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 07/18/1918 - 06/12/1919
DATE OF BIRTH: 10/28/1895
DATE OF DEATH: 07/22/1951
DATE OF INTERMENT: 08/02/1951
BURIED AT: SECTION M SITE 937
GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL CEMETERY
1300 SNEATH LANE SAN BRUNO , CA 94066
(650) 589-7737 (650) 589-1646
(id:3492)
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Sue
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Jan 27, 2005
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Pacific Northwest
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retired
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| Hello to John from Fort Wayne, and
thanks for the burial info on Bob Heskett. Some time ago, somebody
posted a question about the My Most Unforgettable Character article
which Betty wrote for The Reader's Digest. I just found a copy of it
(it's the July 1949 issue) and read the article, which is about Mike
Gordon, a suitor of Betty's before she married Don MacDonald. It was a
treat to read something by Betty that I hadn't read before. She writes
of Mr. Gordon with both exasperation and fondness. I started laughing
by the second paragraph, when she said, "Even though I had been married
and divorced and had two children, I was only 26 at the time; and since
Mike was somewhere between 70 and 100, it never occurred to me that he
would consider himself my suitor and that he would endeavor during the
next eight years to out-suit anyone else." She writes of Anne's and
Joan's fondness for the man (what children wouldn't be fond of a fellow
who says he knows Santa Claus personally and then delivers every
Christmas gift on their lists via Railway Express?) and also of at
least one road trip the family made with him to Eastern Washington.
Betty's friendship with Mike Gordon is also mentioned in Blanche
Caffiere's book, and there's also a photo in that book showing the two
of them together. Betty towers over him! This Reader's Digest article
is worth getting through inter-library loan if you can get your local
library to find it for you, or you can try getting a copy of this issue
on eBay. (id:3494)
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John
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Jan 27, 2005
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Fort Wayne, Indiana
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| Sue, thank you for your responce.
The betty articale sounds very interesting and i will see if i can get
a copy ot it via Readers Digest, hopefully. If any one can supply with
me with the city and state that betty passed in i can see if i can get
her burial records. I am also working on a copy of Bob's death
certificate, i am in contact with the cemetary in this regard, and
hopefuly they can provide me with this information. As I said "I would
love to research betty and her family deeper and maybe write a book on
betty" of course it will be to share only among other macdonaldites.
(id:3496)
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Jane
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Jan 27, 2005
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Canada
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| Great work, Sue! I had been curious
about that article. Yes, I know the photo - Betty and Mike made an
unlikely looking couple, but then so do a lot of happy people.
(id:3497)
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John
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Jan 27, 2005
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Fort Wayne, Indiana
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| in an exhaustive attempt to locate
Bett'y buroial information and possible grave site, I have discovered
that Betty was cremated. I am in the process of tryingto locate a copy
od the original defimation suit filed by the Bishops claiming that
Betty slandered them with her representation of them through the
kettles. I don't expect to get anywhere with this but, I do hope to get
some good information. I will be sharing this information with all
Macdonaldites as soon as i get it. (id:3498)
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Margaret
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Jan 28, 2005
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Sydney, Australia
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Registered Nurse
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| Regarding Betty's death - Betty died
at the Maynard Hospital in Seattle. Her official cause of death was
listed as "Carcinomotosis" (which means there were multiple sites of
cancer in her body) Her funeral arrangements were conducted by a
funeral firm called Bonney-Watson Co. Betty had requested no funeral
service as she considered such practices barbaric, but her family
requested in lieu of flowers to send donations to the American Cancer
Society. She was cremated and the remains returned to Donald in
California. I am unsure if there is a burial site there. (id:3499)
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john
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Jan 28, 2005
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Fort Wayne, Indiana
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| Thank you Margaret for your
enlightenig information. I don't know if any of you have have YAHOO,
but I am thinking of starting a Betyy Macdonald group there and would
like to invite all of you. I will created this group once I find that
people wiuld seriously be interested. Also Margaret, I don't think that
there is a burial site for Betty, i have searched all the local
cemetaries in the area and there was no listing for Betty or Don ( i
would love to see what I can find out about him). I wonder if he is
even alive. (id:3500)
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Jane
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Jan 28, 2005
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Canada
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John, Betty's husband Donald MacDonald died in Carmel Valley, California in 1975. (id:3501)
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john
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Jan 28, 2005
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Fort Wayne, Indiana
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Thank you Jane. (id:3502)
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Deborah
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Jan 28, 2005
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Southern California
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Caregiver
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Wow ! Things are really getting fascinating now ! Glad to have you onboard, John ! (id:3505)
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JOHN
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Jan 28, 2005
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Fort Wayne, Indiana
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| Your welcome deb; glad to be here !
I have some information coming that you may enjoy having as
Macdonaldites. I just ordered a copy of Betty's death certificate and
funeral home records. I am now currently involved on finding anything I
can on Don. Hopefuly i will be able to get some information on him.
Now, let's get to work on the original kettles and see what we can dig
up on them. Would anyone happen to know their original names? also, i
have spoken to a real estate agent in Port Townsand, aka "TOWN" and i
am trying to get her to go to the original "EGG" farm and take some
pictures of it or what may remain, she is also interested in Betty, and
i told her of the sute so i hope she will be joinging us. I love to do
research on the obscure and the hard to get stuff that people seem to
like. Thanks for letting me be a member of this wonder forum. :)
(id:3507)
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Sue
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Jan 28, 2005
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Pacific Northwest
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retired
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John, the family's name was Bishop. Try this site for good info and some pictures: I found it on askjeeves.com. I think most Betty fans will find this site very interesting. (id:3509)
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Sue
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Jan 28, 2005
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Pacific Northwest
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retired
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For some reason, the address I gave didn't post. It's www.leonidus.home.mindspring.com/bishops.htm (id:3510)
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john
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Jan 29, 2005
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fort Wayne, IN
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Thanks Sue !I'll keep you informed of any new findings :) (id:3512)
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john
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Jan 29, 2005
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fort Wayne, IN
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| Thnks Sue ! I just checked out the
site and have found a coule good lead ideas there. Albert and Susanna
look nothing like the discription that we have of them from The Egg and
I or from the depiction we get from the movies. I was expecting a big
busted slatternly looking woman with a top knot and, a tiny, funny
looking little man with a badge covered derby when i looked at the
photos on the site. Now that i have the real names of the bishops i am
going to sent a letter to the Uniteted States District Court and see if
i can get a copy of the original suite filed against Betty for her
depitions. I doubt that i will have any luck but, I will do my best.
Again thanks Sue for the great lead. (id:3513)
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Deborah
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Jan 29, 2005
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California
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| Help ! I have tried to bring up the
Bishop site several times but I keep getting error messages. I tried
Google and Jeeves. I'd love to see pictures of the real Kettles !
I'm confused though-you mean the Kettles were actually named Bishop? I
had thought that the Bishops were the Kettles' descendants. John, I'm
all but drooling to see what you come up with ! (id:3514)
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john
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Jan 29, 2005
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Fort Wayne, Indiana
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| Hi Deb: It's a great site hope you
find it. Deb, I am trying to get a copy of the law suite that was filed
against Betty by the Bishops. Now that I know the names of the real
"MA" and "PA"..... (id:3515)
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Sue
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Jan 29, 2005
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Pacific Northwest
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| Deborah, go to the Jeeves website
and type Bishop Family + Heskett into the search bar. The article is
about third down on that list. Betty didn't use the Bishop family's
real name in Egg. I think that's why, when they sued her for
defamation, she was able to claim the Kettles were composite
characters, and they probably were, but there were obviously enough
similarities that people in the area thought they knew who she was
talking about. I had always read that the family sued Betty for a
million dollars, and that she was able to successfully defend herself
based partly on her claim of composite characters, but the article
linked to the Jeeves site says that some of the family collected
damages. I wasn't aware of that, so I'd be interested to know the real
story, if John is successful in his research. (id:3516)
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Deborah
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Jan 29, 2005
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California
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| Thanks, Sue ! I went right to it and
have saved it. What a great site ! I didn't see any adult pictures of
"Mrs. Kettle" though, and was disappointed about that. (id:3517)
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Deborah
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Jan 29, 2005
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California
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| I meant pictures of "Mrs. Kettle"
that would be from the time that Betty knew the Bishops.
The family photograph I thought was charming, and I agree, John, they
look just like anyone else. Quite nice, actually. (id:3518)
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john
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Jan 29, 2005
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Fort Wayne, Indiana
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| Dear macdonaldites. would it be
ethical of me to share Monica "KIMI" sones address and phone number
with you? It is a matter of public records :) (id:3519)
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Deborah
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Jan 29, 2005
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California
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John, I would ask Mrs. Sones first.
Maybe you could ask her to post here? (id:3520)
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john
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Jan 29, 2005
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Fort Wayne, Indiana
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| Yes that is a good idea Deb, I was
just so happy to have come across it. I will call her and ask if i can
post her adrress for purposes of fan mail (id:3521)
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