The Housekeeper and The Professor by Yoko Ogawa is my first read for Women in Translation Month 2020. It is the story of a single parent housekeeper and her relationship with a former mathematics professor that can not take care of himself after a serious accident a...
Marion’s Favorites: Spades
by MHill | Aug 7, 2020 | Marion's Favorites, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I grew up playing card games. I have played Blackjack 21, Tonk, War, Bid Whist, Uno and Spades, my favorite card game all of my life. Spades is played with a partner and the object of the game is to win as many bids as possible. I have one rule when playing with a...
Best Book Ever Podcast: Episode 8
by MHill | Jul 20, 2020 | Best Book Ever Podcast, Charles De Lint, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I was invited on the Best Book Ever Podcast hosted by Julie Strauss today. We had a discussion about one of my favorite novels, Memory & Dream by Charles de Lint. Also, Julie asked about my reading philosophy and where my love of reading came from. It was an...
Marion’s Favorites: Taste The Nation with Padma Lakshmi
by MHill | Jul 15, 2020 | Marion's Favorites, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
One of the things I enjoyed in being a foodie is getting to eat different cuisines from around the world. (Also, as a wine lover too!) Food TV Shows are very popular on television these days. I have watched a lot of them. Some have been great like the Anthony...
Marion’s Favorites: Red Snapper
by MHill | Jun 30, 2020 | Marion's Favorites, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
As a fish lover, I have eaten a wonderful share of fish over the years. Grouper, Trout, Mullet, Catfish, Bass (Saltwater and Freshwater), Swai, Mahi Mahi, Tilapia, Cod, and Whiting. I like some of them (Grouper, Trout, and Swai) more than others. However, none of...
Marion’s Black Author Reading List
by MHill | Jun 8, 2020 | Black History Month, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I have been deeply affected (and many Americans) by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25th. Seeing a human being die like that should never happen in a civilized society. As a black man, I saw my worst fears come to light once again. Also, I’m a book...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 45: Eva Luna by Isabel Allende
by MHill | May 24, 2020 | 2020 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Rereading Series, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
"Words are free, she used to say, and she appropriated them; they were all hers." That sentence from early in the novel, Eva Luna, by Isabel Allende captures the spirit of her protagonist. Eva Luna is a spinner of tales and the stories from growing up poor on the...
Marion’s Favorites: Pineapple
by MHill | May 14, 2020 | Marion's Favorites
My daughter, Norah, used to ask me on a semi-regular basis what is my favorite fruit? I would tell her pineapple every time she asked. I don't know if she wanted to me to give a different answer. Or she wanted me to reconfirm my love for this wonderful, delicious...
Marion’s Favorites: Rum Cake
by MHill | May 9, 2020 | Marion's Favorites, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
Those who know me well have heard me speak about my love of pie (cherry and sweet potato) over cake a lot. I'm definitely on Team Pie. However, there is a cake that has become a trinity of my favorite desserts. Rum Cake! This wonderful cake has been a Christmas...
Marion’s Favorites: Okra
by MHill | May 2, 2020 | Marion's Favorites, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
Daddy, this is slimy! I can not eat this. I remembered my daughter Norah saying that a few years ago when we had okra for dinner. I grew up eating okra like I did with collard greens. My mother cooked okra quite a bit and I liked it immediately. I'm a texture...