A Multi-Tasking Man

Could someone please explain the title? Was it Erdrich's first choice, or the preference of a confused editor? Yes, Fidelis was was the butcher - who sang- and came to America after the great war- with his knives - chasing down a slice of bread - only to find himself in North Dakota.

And explain the cover will you? The cover art is obviously meant to represent his first wife, Eva. Nice girl, nice pregnant German girl who marries the best friend of her dead soldier lover - who follows the singing butcher to North Dakota and befriends Delphine - who is really the more important of the two women in the novel.

Yes, it was a good book that is possibly better read quickly rather than in dribs and drabs so that the continuity is not lost. I cried at the end which really confused me as I did not feel that connected to the characters and I found myself wondering, "What was the point?" So many years, a vast and interesting array of characters to be sure, but the purpose? The theme? Sorry, but it was lost on me.

One More for the Books

Baby colors have changed a great deal since my youngest were born over 16 years ago. The traditional blues and pinks still reigned supreme back in the day. My last family baby shower last year was a real eye opener. The little baby to be had a layette of cream, brown, green and burgundy - colors I always assumed were left to the adult in the family.

With that in mind, I selected the colors you see on the left and I must say I am very pleased with the outcome - just not for a baby. Full of doubt, I went to the local Babies R' Us with the intention of keeping the blankie for someone else, but changed my mind the second I got to the layette section. Brown and green are indeed the new blue and pink. To re-enforce the color scheme I purchased a little brown and green outfit. Does that make a theme?

My knitting buds have been a bit puzzled by my yarn choice: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice. But we all decided that giving a mom the 'gift' of hand wash and air dry is not really the kindest thing to do. This acrylic is soft and snugly and washed up like a dream. And if they don't like it, they can always make it the car blankie!