Dear Kelly O´Connor Mcnees,
i was just led to your website through Judith Ryan Hendricks´ web and saw what you wrote about Laurie Colwin. i used to read her column years ago in Gourmet Magazine and cherish her books, especially Home Cooking and More Home Cooking, for the warm detail, caring observation and particular sense of humor that made me feel that we had known each other for years. If you are ever in Madrid, feel free to look me up. Anyone who has been delighted by Colwin´s writing and feel for all the complex things that happen in a kitchen and at the table is certainly someone i´d enjoy meeting.
Kelly:
I am stealing your “uncommitted introvert” label. It is funny, it is sad and it fits me to a “T.” For example, three girls I with whom I was a “peripheral friend” in high school met up at our (Okay. 20)year high school reunion last year. After a long chat over Thai food months later, I remarked that I wish I had known them better in high school and was just always so hesitant to make friends. I stated it was probably because I was an Army brat and we have a certain “insulation” when meeting people because we expect to lose them every three years or so. One responded with,”WOW! We made the cut! And it only took 20 years!” HAHAHA! (Yeah. Kind of sad.)
I love to gush about Laurie colwin and will to anyone who will listen. I gift her “Home Cooking” books to at least one person every Christmas. I don’t think anyone who likes to cook-or likes the idea of liking to cook-should be without them. As a “refined slob” I love throwing heads of garlic up chicken’s backsides (dead, cleaned and ready for roasting, chicken’s backsides) and then schmearing the mooshy cloves on hot crusty bread. I love the way the whole house smells on a cold, rainy late autumn day after I have thrown canned tomatoes, garlic cloves and olive oil into my oldest cast iron skillet and stirred and cooked the heck out of them all day in a low temp oven. It is so worth it sinking your teeth into carmelized, garlicy tomatoes spread on a baguette while looking out a window you had to wipe clear of kitchen condensation with your sleeve. I would have never experienced these pleasures were it not for Laurie Colwin. I never met her and I miss her. Thanks for your blog! I have just ordered your book and can’t wait to read it.
You had me at “uncommitted introvert.”
Hi Kelly…I stumbled across the Laurie Colwin website, and saw your comments. As soon as I read your name, it clicked. My partner, Mike Slayton, owns Finnegan’s Bookstore in Utica, IL. I believe you spoke at the store last year.
Anyway…I feel so fortunate to find a Laurie Colwin devotee as dedicated as I am. I first started reading her back in 1976. She has, and always will be, my favorite writer (no offense haha). I have all her books, and still reread them. My two favorites are Happy All the Time and Family Happiness. The piece you quoted about Holly Sturgis remains one of my most memorable. I spent the greater part of my earlier life trying to emulate her. I am from NY, so really related to her, Guido and the others.
ANother thing that really struck me was what you said about friends and lonliness. I too have the same feelings… I often feel linely and hope to find a friend, but then when I’m with people..it seems like I just want to go home! Perplexing! ANyway..I just had to write to you about our mutual adoration of Laurie Colwin, our love-hate affair with the human race and Finnegan’s Books!
…The Lost Summer is the kind of romantic tale to which Alcott herself was partial, one in which love is important but not a solution to life’s difficulties. Devotees of Little Women will flock to this story with pleasure.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Dear Kelly O´Connor Mcnees,
i was just led to your website through Judith Ryan Hendricks´ web and saw what you wrote about Laurie Colwin. i used to read her column years ago in Gourmet Magazine and cherish her books, especially Home Cooking and More Home Cooking, for the warm detail, caring observation and particular sense of humor that made me feel that we had known each other for years. If you are ever in Madrid, feel free to look me up. Anyone who has been delighted by Colwin´s writing and feel for all the complex things that happen in a kitchen and at the table is certainly someone i´d enjoy meeting.
I have just completed reading your novel. Congratulations on a fine work!
Thank you for reading!
Kelly:
I am stealing your “uncommitted introvert” label. It is funny, it is sad and it fits me to a “T.” For example, three girls I with whom I was a “peripheral friend” in high school met up at our (Okay. 20)year high school reunion last year. After a long chat over Thai food months later, I remarked that I wish I had known them better in high school and was just always so hesitant to make friends. I stated it was probably because I was an Army brat and we have a certain “insulation” when meeting people because we expect to lose them every three years or so. One responded with,”WOW! We made the cut! And it only took 20 years!” HAHAHA! (Yeah. Kind of sad.)
I love to gush about Laurie colwin and will to anyone who will listen. I gift her “Home Cooking” books to at least one person every Christmas. I don’t think anyone who likes to cook-or likes the idea of liking to cook-should be without them. As a “refined slob” I love throwing heads of garlic up chicken’s backsides (dead, cleaned and ready for roasting, chicken’s backsides) and then schmearing the mooshy cloves on hot crusty bread. I love the way the whole house smells on a cold, rainy late autumn day after I have thrown canned tomatoes, garlic cloves and olive oil into my oldest cast iron skillet and stirred and cooked the heck out of them all day in a low temp oven. It is so worth it sinking your teeth into carmelized, garlicy tomatoes spread on a baguette while looking out a window you had to wipe clear of kitchen condensation with your sleeve. I would have never experienced these pleasures were it not for Laurie Colwin. I never met her and I miss her. Thanks for your blog! I have just ordered your book and can’t wait to read it.
You had me at “uncommitted introvert.”
Hi Kelly…I stumbled across the Laurie Colwin website, and saw your comments. As soon as I read your name, it clicked. My partner, Mike Slayton, owns Finnegan’s Bookstore in Utica, IL. I believe you spoke at the store last year.
Anyway…I feel so fortunate to find a Laurie Colwin devotee as dedicated as I am. I first started reading her back in 1976. She has, and always will be, my favorite writer (no offense haha). I have all her books, and still reread them. My two favorites are Happy All the Time and Family Happiness. The piece you quoted about Holly Sturgis remains one of my most memorable. I spent the greater part of my earlier life trying to emulate her. I am from NY, so really related to her, Guido and the others.
ANother thing that really struck me was what you said about friends and lonliness. I too have the same feelings… I often feel linely and hope to find a friend, but then when I’m with people..it seems like I just want to go home! Perplexing! ANyway..I just had to write to you about our mutual adoration of Laurie Colwin, our love-hate affair with the human race and Finnegan’s Books!