A Walk in the Woods

by 

Bill Bryson

      Try to read Bill Bryson's book, A Walk in the Woods, without laughing out loud.  I dare you.   What could be funnier than a forty six year old man (with no hiking experience) hiking the Appalachian Trail with  an old college pal, (also with no hiking experience) who is a recovering alchoholic addicted to Little Debbie Snacks and soda pop?  Nothing, I assure you.
     Bryson begins by describing the purchase of his backpack at a specialty "outdoorsman" store, (ha ha) and then filling that pack with a tent, groundcloth, portable stove, pots and pans, (ha ha ha) bottles for water, water purifying kit, waterproof jacket, (hahahahaha) extra socks, extra sweater, maps...get the picture yet?
     He and friend Stephen Katz manage to hike approx. 875 miles of the 2100 mile long Appalachian Trail during one long, very hot, summer, taking breaks to go home and regroup, hitch rides, skip over the boring parts, and slip in a few weeks of solo day hikes.  This haphazard hiking method (which is better by far than anything this normal human being could accomplish) leads them finally to the toughest part of the A.T., The Hundred Mile Wilderness in Maine.  A maze of trees and swamps, frosty lakes and sheer rock climbs, The Hundered Mile section of the trail prompts the two men to  look each other in the eye and...quit.  But considering that only 10% of the hikers who start the A.T. in northern Georgia end up making it this far, even an unsuccessful attempt is quite an accomplishment.
      Expecting bear attacks at every step, Bryson and Katz encounter only pushy novice hikers, rude twenty-somethings who are ignorant of even basic trail etiquette, and nasty bunkhouses.  I'll admit, I kept hoping that they would encounter some type of threateneing wildlife, just to see what their reactions would be.  But, other than dirt, heat and hunger, (Katz had a habit of tossing their provisions out of his pack when the going got tough.)  intense discomfort and soul-sucking exhaustion were the only threats.
     So I highly recommend unwrapping a Little Debbie cake, lacing up your hiking boots then propping your feet up on the couch to take A Walk in the Woods with Bill Bryson!

 

Ruth's Chris Steak House, New Orleans

     It was only a matter of time before Ruth's Chris Steak House arrived in Charleston.  As our lovely city became nationally known for fine dining, and of course the good manners and hospitable welcome of Charlestonians, the establishment of a chain steakhouse in the midst of our locally owned and operated farm-to-table gems was inevitable.  What was not inevitable was that locals would give Ruth's Chris a chance.  Isn't there room for everyone at the Lowcountry table?
     After all, we here in Charleston are spoiled by our wide variety of James Beard Award nominated (and winning) chefs who prepare creative and delicious meals at some of my favorite restaurants.  But while Charleston diners are discerning, we are also creatures of habit.  Why try a chain restaurant downtown when there are innumerable other fine restaurants offering locally sourced produce, Mepkin Abbey mushrooms, meats from Keegan-Filion Farm and drinks from Cannonborough Bev. Co. and High Wire Distillery?  Because it's fun to try something new.

     Originating in New Orleans over four decades ago, Ruth's Chris Steak House offers thick-cut USDA Prime steaks on superheated plates (plates warmed to 500 degrees, meat cooked at 1800 degrees) and lumberjack-sized side dishes and desserts.  The dining room and bar are popular with those who travel for a living because they know their expectations for good quality beef, hearty portions and attentive service will be met.
     On my first visit to Ruth's Chris all of the guests at my table ordered steak with a shrimp cocktail  appetizer.  The jumbo shrimp were as good or better than any I have eaten anywhere in Charleston. The steaks arrived in a timely manner, prepared exactly as we had requested.  Our filets were tender, our rib eyes juicy and the plates were hot enough to fry an egg on.  All of the family style side dishes were generous enough to serve at least three diners.
     My favorite side dish was the asparagus, which was prepared in the way God intended, lightly seasoned and slightly crisp.  (There is nothing worse than limp asparagus - well, I'm sure there's something worse but I can't think of it right now. ) The scalloped potatoes were thick and buttery. (Every dish is buttery, from the rib-eye dripping in it to the bread budding.)   The best word to describe my first Ruth Chris meal is hearty (almost Mid-Western or Pennsylvania Dutch hearty).
     On my second visit to Ruth Chris Steakhouse, we took the waitstaff's advice and ordered the stuffed chicken breasts which were butterflied and filled with garlic herb cheese (not overpowering) and lemon butter (very light lemon flavor).  I can honestly say that I enjoyed this chicken dish more than the steak.  The skin on my chicken breast was bubbling and crispy, the breast moist and flavorful and it was, of course, served piping hot.
     Our waitress on both occasions was Janea, a polite and helpful professional who kept our bread basket and water glasses filled, was friendly but not overly so, and even hung my coat up for me.  The rest of the waitstaff (who were very busy on a mid-week evening) were equally efficient and genial, even granting our request for a table adjacent to the fireplace.
     For a comfortable evening and a substantial meal, I recommend giving Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, the new gal in town, a chance.

BETWEEN YOU & ME

Confessions of a Comma Queen

by

Mary Norris

     The first word that comes to mind when describing first-time author Mary Norris's homage to punctuation is FUN.  You weren't expecting the word fun, were you?  Perhaps you were thinking more along the lines of dry or bland or mundane.  Between You & Me is none of those things.  I can honestly say that I laughed out-loud many times while reading Mary's chapters, such as "Comma Comma Comma Comma, Chameleon" or "Spelling is for Weirdos."  Whether it was her sharp humor or her dead-on "this drives me crazy so it must drive you crazy" list of punctuation faux pas, Mary's words made me chuckle, guffaw and shout "Yes!" 

     I actually may have found a kindred spirit in Mary Norris.  Who else worships the lowly pencil as an editing tool in this age of high tech? Who else appreciates the finely wrought beauty of a well  placed cuss word?  And who else would ponder a comma, a colon, a semicolon and, gasp - a hyphen with such delight?  I would.  And many of my friends would, too.   

      Mary Norris includes a wonderful appendix at the end of Between You & Me entitled "Some Books I Have Found Particularly Helpful."  And many of her suggested titles already inhabit my own bookshelves.  As if that were not enough, upon reading her chapter "Ballad of a Pencil Junkie," I immediately ordered a set of Palomino Blackwing pencils on-line, at two in the morning, by the light of my I-Phone.  I get a thrill each time I think of the Palomino's lovely soft lead and the smooth, square eraser attached firmly to one end. (Preventing pesky rolls off the table edge.)  Oh my goodness!  I've just realized something.  I am Mary Norris's doppelganger.  Yes, as Emily Bronte's Catherine Earnshaw said, "I am Heathcliff!"   Confessions of a Comma Queen will never be far from my elbow!

     

     

      ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE
                                By
                      Anthony Doerr 

                        Three adjectives: 
                   Powerful, Lyrical,Vibrant                    
             
                    Dinner conversation with Mr. Doerr:

     "How did you manage to create the perfect balance between the book's main characters, one that enabled the reader to sympathize with both the Germans and the French during WWII?"

     At our dinner, I would serve bread pudding, canned peaches and a large pitcher of clear, cold water.  

      

The Enchanted April

Elizabeth Von Arnim

At the risk of seeming repetitive, 

 Enchanting, Lovely, Picturesque

My dinner conversation would include women's rights in post WWI England and the merits of an extended vacation.

 I would serve Ms. Von Arnim a full English Tea.  (Although I am certainly tempted to serve a meal featuring that  mysterious food, spaghetti.)

                     Fire in the Blood
                                        by
                            Irene Nemirovsky

                             Minute Review

                           Three nouns today:

                      Love, Secrets and Denial

   Dinner conversation:  My question for Irene Nemirovsky,
"We lost you in the Holocaust.  How many stories were lost, how many wonderful books were already written in your head and heart when your life was cut short?"

At dinner I would offer bread, apples and individual mulit-layer cakes.  And of course, wine.
 

Lady Love to Read’ s Minute Book Reviews

Are Back!!

One minute to read. 

Just three adjectives, a brief dinner conversation with the author and a culinary gift. 

Love, love, love it or the book’s a snooze…..  

Are you in?  

Let’s go! 

Eight books to review, one per day.  Today's gem is Joan Didion's 

Slouching Towards Bethlehem.

Vivid, Real,Perfect

My request during dinner with Ms. Didion, "Tell me what you really think."

At our dinner, hot coffee, black, lots of it.