Teresa led Harry to the living room. “I’d know your voice anywhere.” Aunt Tally held out her hand for Harry to immediately hold. “Your ears are good.” “That’s about all that’s left. Sit down.” She looked at Teresa. “Hot chocolate. Two. Harry loves chocolate. Sit down. Tell us what you’re doing.” Harry sat in an armchair across from the white-haired lady. Given her advanced age, Aunt Tally looked good. She was in her favorite wing chair with a heavy checkered throw over her legs, propped on a hassock. “This snow will be off and on. I’ll come back tomorrow, too. Without Blair here to do outside chores like this, you and Teresa will be stuck.” Aunt Tally waved her hand, still bejeweled. “Mim can organize all this. She’ll drop by today. By the way, how about Reverend Jones selling the farm to Cynthia Cooper?” “Be good for both of them.” “I like having a law enforcement person for a neighbor.” Aunt Tally smiled. “Oh, Teresa, put the cups down there.” She pointed to the coffee table, which Teresa moved closer to them. “How’s that?” “Good.” Aunt Tally smiled then turned to Harry. “Ordered spring seed yet? Seems far away but spring will eventually come.” Harry shook her head. “Prices are so high right now, I don’t know if I can overseed. Maybe they’ll drop by March or April, but I don’t know. What are you thinking?” “Same as you. Outrageous costs, but having lived here all my life, I want to keep it up. I’ll find the money. Big Mim’s been in charge of my estate for years. I have to admit my sister’s daughter is good with numbers. So was my sister. You don’t remember her, do you?” “Not very well, I’m afraid. I remember she wore such pretty sundresses in the summer. I remember the colors. Speaking of memories.
Pewter, the fatty, pushed books off my shelf. A picture of my grandfather was on the floor, too. I picked it up. He is sitting at his station in the destroyer. He was so handsome when he was young. I only remember him as an older man. Still good looking.” Aunt Tally leaned forward. “We were the same age. He might have been a year or two older. I was born in 1920. When the war broke out he enlisted right away. As I was sent to private school, the dreaded Miss Porter’s,” she giggled, “I didn’t know him that well until the war was over.” She paused. “You resemble him greatly. Bring me the picture sometime.” “Did he ever talk about the war?” “Only to say he was scared when they were attacked but one does one’s duty. Those were his words. He also mentioned that he would have felt better had he been firing an antiaircraft gun. Sitting down below deck with the radio and telegraph, he didn’t know what was going on. He also said the noise was deafening. He had to press his headphones tightly to his ears. He was a brave man. They all were.” “Yes. I wish I had asked questions but I was too young to know much about that war, his life.”
“Funny, I often wish I had asked my grandparents things, but I was too busy going to dances. The 1930s are always written up as being terrible. Not if you were young. There were parties, discovering life, listening to the big bands. Oh, I loved that.” She sipped her hot chocolate. “You know, Harry, you are the only person who knows how much I loved your grandfather.” Harry thought a moment. “It was such a different time. Today perhaps you could be together. Then,” she put down her own cup, “it had to be so painful.” “I never married because no man lived up to Larry. Forgive me. Old stories.” “I’m glad you can talk to me. And yes, you would have lost a lot of social status.” “Poof. I could have cared less, but my mother and my aunt did. They were keen to see me engaged to that ridiculous Chicago department store heir. An idiot, but a rich idiot. All I could think of was Larry. If I couldn’t have him then I’d stay single. But you know, and I never told this, he taught me how to operate a ham radio. I had to take tests, learn Morse code, and get a license. Learning about radio waves did not thrill me. Talking to Larry did. No one knew because if anyone walked into my room, I’d quickly turn the radio down and say I think I’ve got someone in Washington. That’s about one hundred miles. Two hundred miles was pretty much the radius. For a good reason.” “I think one still has to get a license. I wonder what happened to Grandpa’s radio?”
Aunt Tally replied, “Your mother would never have thrown it out. It has to be packed away somewhere or your mother gave it away.” “I bet Susan’s mother would know. They were best friends.” “Well, if you find it, consider getting a license. You might need to go to class, but if you find Larry’s radio, you can talk to me. I still use mine. I like to listen to what’s out there. People really talking, you know. Not like cellphones or such. It’s different. Maybe once a month I’ll sit in my little room off the kitchen and use the radio, gives me comfort.” She put her cup back on the coffee table. “And it makes me think of him.” She stopped.
“I’ll try to find his radio.” Harry heard the door open in the back. Teresa had hurried to it. Within a minute Big Mim came down the hall. “Harry.” “Mim, so good to see you.” “Come see my four foals. Born early January. Well, you would know. Your husband was there.” She sat in a chair. Big Mim, in her early seventies, wore a warm, wonderful Navy officer’s sweater. The turtleneck kept her warm. This white sweater was over a heavy skirt, plaid, and a pair of knee-high boots. Her earrings sparkled, gold domes, her engagement ring after all these years could dazzle, given its epic proportions. Mim turned out, no matter the occasion. She was born knowing how to throw herself together. Harry so envied that ability, as she lacked it. Susan would occasionally dress her. “I would love to see them. He remarked on the bright chestnut filly. Said you needed sunglasses to look at her.” Mim laughed. “She is bright. If she turns into a foxhunter instead of a running horse, no one will miss her.” Teresa brought a cup for Mim. “Thank you, dear.” Aunt Tally commented, “Harry plowed the new snow.” “Oh, Harry, I would have seen to that, but thank you so much. This snow crept up on us. Watching the news, I noticed piles of snow pushed up in parking lots, even in Richmond.
Watching the news I got an earful from Amanda Fields. You must have seen it. I heard you and Susan were there when Ned introduced his bill. Sensible, by the way.” Aunt Tally lifted an eyebrow. “What? What did Ned introduce?” Both Harry and Big Mim explained. “How extraordinary,” came the response, then Aunt Tally grinned. “I do give her credit for hitting Aidan with her high heel. Evens up the fight.”
~~~
Actually, though, I was more impressed when I read the book description that, Brown, like so many others, are writing about politics in one way or another, so I admit that I wondered how politics could be brought into this cozy book series... I wasn't disappointed, although I have to admit that I was, on the other hand, disappointed when the ending fell short, in my opinion, with what actually happened... I'm assuming it was done on purpose; but I'm already quite disgusted in how the real political world is keeping we citizens hanging with so many delaying tactics that are being allowed, that I wanted to know exactly what had happened. After the book had already ended...
Harry is our female lead character and other than being married to a vet whose last name is Haristeen, I never learned how she began to be called Harry, but her work habits could be what started it... First she was the postmaster for the town and now she is "only" a farmer, one who talks tractors more than any woman I've ever met...LOL... And, as we all are, she has been upset over the high prices that are being charged for everything! This is a good lead into the political environment, which parallels what we know mostly as those outlined for present-day republican and democrat platforms.
So the first issue that arises in the surrounding area of Virginia is that climate change, as recognized by the democratic party, is bringing harsher winters and thus Ned Tucker, husband to Susan, Harry's long-term best friend, and who has been elected into the State legislature has co-sponsored a bill to designate funds to handle snow removal by contractors, indicating that it would be cheaper than having to purchase all necessary equipment in various parts of the state to ensure roads are routinely cleared and ready for all citizens... Of course, those that analyze which party supports which issues, quickly knew that the republican party would oppose this bill. In fact, a newly elected representative, who was once a tv reporter, was first to speak against anything that would increase spending...
It was obvious that everyone affected would begin to take sides. In the meantime, Harry just did her routine activities, which, with snow coming down steadily, she worried about all of her animals, as well as those friends who may need assistance. Thus, it was Harry who had, after plowing out her driveway, went on to her oldest neighbor. Aunt Tally was housebound, with a live-in nurse, so Harry came to plow her driveway out in case of an emergency. And, of course, she took the time to stop in and visit...
Aunt Tally was known and called by that name by anybody who knew her. But it was Harry, to whom she had shared a secret from her past... Tally who was now 103 years young, was in love with Harry's grandfather. They were a couple doomed to remain separate due to their families, yet continued to love each other. In fact, after Harry had told her she had found a picture of him as a communications officer and promised to bring it over to show Tally when she asked to see it, Tally then started talking about their having continued to talk over a ham radio! And, that, even now, Aunt Tally continued to talk to people over her set! The two women got so excited talking that Harry started wondering whether she could learn how to use it...and, more, whether her grandfather's radio was still somewhere in storage.
When it was found, Harry soon learned that her former post office partner also had a set and she even used it to practice choir selections with members who did not drive, but could still make it to church on Sundays! Harry was soon at Miranda's house to learn more and to hear them singing together! Wow! this was something that could never be done on cell phones! And, so, Harry soon had a book of signals and was learning the codes...
Most of us know that young people have been used in political institutions to provide, not only a entrance into a place that each wishes to enter, but, also to help busy legislators as they need messages taken, or to do other small tasks...what we call fondly as "go-fers." I was surprised, though, at the young age of the students that were selected--age 14! Reid Rider was such a student and he loved every minute of being there. Readers, though, learn early that there might just be some concerns about their activities, when Reid, who had been given money to buy some things, also had the keys to a car tossed to him...
Reid Ryder died in a car accident, the car sliding out of control and the young boy was not able to stop. There were signs of alcohol and drugs. His parents were quite vocal in defending their son--he had NOT been into anything like what they had found... His death was the beginning--what else was going on?
A special thank-you to the author for spotlighting one of my growing concerns about politics! The never-ending request for money!
No one can be poor and be in politics.” “True. That’s why it will never be truly representative. But we do the best we can. The cost of elections I find destructive. If the Canadians can have a six-week election period…don’t know what it is for the Brits…we can, too. The amount of money wasted on elections is a sin. Ned and I have drawn a line. He’s leaving if it spirals upward. His life is already jammed with fundraisers. Who has time to govern? He’s in his second term. Our district generally turns out. Some people are swayed by what I call anger politics, but most really want good roads, good schools, job opportunities, affordable housing. Sensible. But again, we have drawn the line. You can have all the rights in the world, but if you can’t eat, what good are they? That money now spent on elections should go to county food kitchens.” Harry let that settle in. “You’re right, but what I think drives a lot of today’s anger is status anxiety. How do you like that word?” Susan laughed. “Coming from you, very impressive.” “People don’t want to lose their place. They want to move up the totem pole. Granted, I’m not much for politics, but people don’t change. We’re the same as we were millennia ago; we now have central heating, running water, we don’t have to walk to the well, but nothing is truly different, just easier.” “Nuclear weapons are different.” “They are, and we can all go up in smoke, but if you think about it, in every age there was some new military development that scared people.” “We are over the edge now,” Susan firmly stated. “In a way, a strange way, that’s why this absurd feud distresses me. The huge problems in the world, well, perhaps the Virginia statehouse isn’t going to fix them, but we have things we need to do for our state. Having two representatives waste time needling each other doesn’t solve a thing.” “No, but it brings them both to the public’s attention. And I bet it gets people giving to their election campaigns. To change the subject, I am not buying a new pair of work boots unless I can try them on. I’ll keep you posted.” “No you won’t. You’ll drag me with you. Now, my opinion would mean something if you were buying those red-bottom heels. Timberland work boots? Maybe not. You’ll look like you always look, whether in an ancient pair or a new pair.” “That’s not very flattering. I’d like to think I’ll look better.” “You will.” Susan laughed. “Maybe you should look at a pair of inexpensive heels, so next time we go to Richmond you can click down the hall. People will think there is competition for Amanda.” A long pause followed this. “I don’t think she’s ever going to have competition. Okay, back to it. I’m going over tomorrow to check on Aunt Tally. I know she’s all right, but given the weather, she can’t get out. Teresa could drive her somewhere, but walking her to a restaurant or, say, Talbots is not a good idea. Slick. And given the nights, frozen until more salt is put on the sidewalks.” “You’re right. I’ll make scones. Aunt Tally has always liked my scones.” “Me too.”
Maybe this series is getting too old? The mystery was fairly easy to spotlight. There was, it seemed, way more animal chatter than necessary. The plot flowed too easily, and like I said, there was a quick climax of villain identification, with very little final closing of the what and the why. Too many things left hanging. Sorry, folks, I didn't find it a book I wanted to recommend... Even though it is the first that I didn't recommend... So, you might want to move to the right-hand column, type in the author name and check out others in the series to give you a better knowledge of the series... After all, this is just my opinion, for one book...
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