bout de papier, Vol. 29, No. 2 (2016), p. 38
THE OPINIONATI RUMINATIONS FR by Alena Schram, Co $20.00.
43 Ruminations. In herself a disservic insightful observer of seriously funny.
Second, is the numb mentions that her husb: mat and hence an inve is immersed in the l: Economist. Given th plugs, that venerable have printed her boo would appear that she is often the lot of many to the publishing indus of marketable subjects her writing appearin known newspapers.
From her island red‹ Ontario, Schram fires directions. Her asserter has a free rein now tha senior with time on hi she was ever thus. In a the reader of her perso reminds us of it at the
Major topics includ‹ your partner, health issı household affairs and writes with flair and is: She even seems to be tr of the time. She acknov the American humou inspiration. Her writing First, is the title. It may be meant as a disclaimer, as a warning, self-deprecating, an honest self-assessment or all of the above. On reading the book, in fact, she often accomplishes all of the above in her the and che does People of her generation will certainly enjoy this book. So will millennials who will be able to confirm, to their abiding horror, the infallibility of boomers. And also boomerangs, aka, the children of the anointed ones, will be able to verify that, indeed, their own parents are not the only idiotic but lovable members of their demographic.
People of her generation will certainly enjoy this book. So will
millennials who will be able to confirm, to their abiding horror,
the infallibility of boomers.
Her insights on the spousal relationship were especially funny. As in, “I ask John his opinion so that I can let him know that he is wrong”. Then there is the hopelessness of men when on a supermarket expedition. Her solution: an IKEA style play area on the premises for husbands. John’s suggestion: a pub. Moreover she keeps him out of trouble on social occasions with her photographic memory of detail when his big picture sense is of less immediate use. As seniors this translates into one functioning brain between two people. Gender differences when travelling, and in arranging casual lunches, get hilarious treatment as well. Alas, they do not agree on Chopin.
On health issues, she is both funny and poignant. Hypochondria gets pride of place along with the joys of colonoscopies and the serious matter of osteoporosis. Given that aging has impact on both one’s health and appearance, many of the issues that she addresses as part of the latter, could be included with the former. This approach, however, makes for amusing self and close friend deprecation, aided and abetted by her husband. And by her children who collectively combine parental influences of diplomatic discretion and endearing directness. She also addresses with brutal honesty and much humour night-time make-up, cosmetics generally, head hair, _1.:. 1.-:. Lunla Dataw Readers household af dates, furnis of issues, ki tions and dor many direct,
– sex educa surplus in strangely do with little sur basics of su the mutual: tional vocab having a mu Schram i viving and I sensibly thi anything, bu who could is
Jim Junke 40 years as both the wor rristers & Solicitors
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 29, No. 2 (2016), p. 38. Read the rest of this issue →
