The GBC can keep a secret for two months. Who knew?
This month's meeting was a combo book club/baby shower for two of the GBC members. The scheme was hatched at the end of the October gathering; reading water can be so inspiring.
The culprits, who gave themselves such nicknames as "wise men," met at a fellow bookclubbers house to assemble a basket of gifts (baby books) as well as diaper the beverages of choice. The atmosphere was festive in preparation with one member singing a verse of "We Wish You a Merry Baby." As the appointed hour grew nearer and the last attorney arrived, the group began to assemble in a line down the sidewalk donned in jackets, gloves and hats, as it was a cold winter's night. In the journey walking two houses down, a verse of "Away in the Manger" was sung by GBC members though the last few lines trailed off without lyric books.
When the hosting couple (a.k.a. the parents-to-be) opened the door, they were greeted with a single crowd of cheering clubbers (not to be confused with a mob). "What did my wondering eyes should appear - you all arrived at the same time; that is so dear!" was rumored to have been said, though cannot be confirmed. As the bottles of diapered wine and juice were presented, our unsuspecting hosts realized that the GBC was in fact throwing a shower, and that this group could be the oddest set of bookclubbers in this town.
Books were unwrapped, photos were taken, toasts were given, and "oohs" and "aahs" were said at appropriate times. It was a happy gathering.
The food was, of course, fantastic with homemade tamales and a now infamous squash casserole to accompany. The cheese course was delicious to begin, and dinner closed with gingerbread and freshly whipped cream.
At some point the club settled in for a long winter's discussion about the readings, noting our favourite passages or poems. The GBC continued the tradition of reading aloud in the round with "Buying Presents" by E.M. Delafield.
As the evening began to wear down and guests were shepherded out the door, there was a sigh and a wave. And to all, a good night.
A very lovely recap of a very lovely evening!
ReplyDeleteAs father-to-be, I have to say I must have run through a half-dozen explanations, each unlikelier than the last, for why the entire (extended) book club were all arriving simultaneously (unheard of!), before someone thrust a be-diapered bottle of sparkling juice into my hands. Then, the light began to dawn in my head. What a great surprise!
ReplyDeleteAnd what a group! Our book club is a great group of friends. Each clearly knows us quite well by now, as we can tell from the excellent books that each chose as a gift for our new baby (coming early next year). Many of them are familiar from our own childhoods and the rest are clearly going to be new favorites. I think each has a personal note in the front from the giver, which I look forward to reading (and re-reading) more closely in the coming days and weeks.
Now I have to build that bookcase!