Interview with Jeeves--our newest member

Before House, Hugh Laurie was Bertie Wooster in BBC's very funny comedy series, Jeeves and Wooster, based on P.G. Wodehouse's stories and novels. Jeeves is Bertie's valet, not his butler, but Bertie has lent him out as a butler and says "If the call comes, he can buttle with the best of them." Because of the popularity of this character, Jeeves is now a generic term meaning "valet, butler or chauffeur." Jeeves has a wide range of knowledge and wisdom and so the name is also associated with any useful, reliable person, thus "Ask jeeves.com," now shortened to "ask.com."

Our Jeeves also possess a wide range of knowledge and resourcefulness.

Here are her replies to my questions:

"I really enjoy being a member of the Interrupters. I'm enjoying getting to know everyone. I'm surprised that the picture you took of me at the last meeing came out decent. I'm not photogenic. But it does show that I'm feeling quite comfortable with this wonderful group of amazing women!!!"

 Q. Tell us a little bit of your life history. (These details sometimes come up during discussions, but not always.)

A. My life history: I was born in North Carolina and raised in Northern California. I'm the oldest of 3+ kids. The + is for the many foster children that lived with us as I grew up. When I was about age 9 and on, there were nearly always two young foster children living with us, of many races and nationalities. I graduated from BYU with a BA in Humanities. I served a mission to Germany. I've traveled a lot in the US, much as a teen on the bus. Two little known facts: I hitchhiked over the border to Canada when I was a teen and I hopped a railroad when I was a few years older. (With the man I eventually married.) We were heading to Las Vegas. Unfortunately the car we were riding on got switched to a siding at the south end of Salt Lake Valley and we never made it to Vegas…

I married Steve Butler and have 5 children. He had a number of medical problems, had a liver transplant and then passed away 7 years later, in 1996.

Q.  What do you do for a living? 

A. I have a variety of jobs. Every morning I provide "morning support" for a handicapped boy and his family. I make breakfast, help him get ready for school, and drive him and his two younger siblings to a charter school in Lehi near Micron. I write occasional articles for the Daily Herald. My focus is education (schools.) I used to write for the Pleasant Grove Review and had a weekly column, "Looking Around" which was about family life and my observations a la Erma Bombeck, and a column, "Getting Out" which focused on local family outings or "field trips." I've had a couple of true stories published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. I also work afternoons at Valley View Elementary as an aide in the Preschool. On many Mondays and Saturdays I work as an assistant arborist with Artistic Tree Service. I help prune and shape trees. I like the variety of working indoors and outdoors, with people and in solitude. I also work as a volunteer at Orem Library, because I've always wanted to be a librarian ('cuz I really like books!)

Q. What are your interests (besides reading, of course)? 

A. I enjoy walking, hiking, and bicycling. I love being outdoors, going camping. I enjoy gardening. I love to explore little-known roads, alleys, and places. I enjoy music and the performing arts (as audience.) I think my favorite church calling was Cubmaster, although I've enjoyed teaching callings (primary and Relief Society) as well.

Q. What brings you joy? 

A. What brings me joy? The gospel. The temple. My family. Learning new things. Seeing a sunset. Watching shooting stars. Going on a walk. Spending quality time with my children or friends.

Q. What genres do you enjoy reading the most? 

A. Two genres I especially enjoy are adolescent fiction, and intriguing non-fiction. I also enjoy children's picture books.

Q. What are your favorite books of all time?

A. All-time favorite books. Hmmm…. Nothing comes to mind at the moment. I've enjoyed a lot of books over the years. I've reread some that I enjoyed as a child/youth and I think it may be best to keep the pleasant memories of a good story than face the stark reality of not the most literary craftsmanship.

Q.  What do you still want to accomplish in this life?

A. I don't think a lot about accomplishing anything amazing like writing the Great American Novel or inventing something that could bring sight to the blind or save humanity. I've been in survival mode for so long that I'm grateful to wake up and be breathing every day. I am grateful for small miracles that keep me and my family going.

It's great to get to know you better, Jeeves!

Mea Culpa

Apple did a great job leading the discussion and sharing information about the book, Alcatraz and the author, Gennifer Choldenko.She was so classy that she didn't argue with me when I spread misinformation about Choldenko.

This is Gennifer Choldenko. She has not published a single non-fiction book. She grew up in California and not in Illinois (Lincoln territory).

This is Candace Fleming who has written non-fiction. She did grow up in Illinois (Lincoln country.) Don't these two women look remarkably alike? Both are lovely. Both are brunettes. Both are wearing sleaveless shirts. Unfortunately, this is karma at work. I cannot tease my husband and son - who have very limited facial recognition skills - ever again about mixing people up!

It always interests me how differently people react when you pull out a camera. This is what I'd call enthusiasm.

At least there were two good sports here.

Maybe a little embarrassment . . .

A natural poser.

A demonstration of Tower's familiar gesture which we missed this time around.

No reservations here.

Apple thought it was strange that I took a picture of this room, but I think it is so beautiful I couldn't resist.

Blueberry cheesecake tarts for dessert. Delish!

We learn a lot at book group, don't we, and not always about the book. We learned that Apple would do "anything" for money and that she did her "time" teaching criminals. We learned a little about "Asbergers" and "autism" - a preview for next month's read, Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin.

Pretty clever