Book Review: The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean

Russian emigré Marina Buriakov, 82, suffers from Alzheimer’s can’t remember or recognize her own children, but she has vivid memories of earlier life has a docent at the State Hermitage Museum before the siege of Leningrad.  Charged with saving the millions of priceless treasures from being stolen by the invading Germans, she lives in the cellar with her family at night and works feverishly during the day. The workers leave the frames on the walls to symbolize the artworks eventual return.

An elderly docent tells her that hundreds of art works went missing overnight to be sold on the international market during the Stalin regime  Marina begins creating a “Memory Place” in her mind of all of the pieces of art in the museum so that at least one person remembers what pieces where in the museum. While watching for incoming Nazi planes on the roof, she mentally walks through the miles and miles of hallways and rooms to remember every single piece. Towards the end of the war she begins providing tours of the State Hermitage describing in detail the artwork that used to hang in the empty frames.

The book includes many flash forwards to the wedding of her granddaughter and her families realization that Marina may need more than her husband to take care of her. Marina goes missing while staying on an unfamiliar island the day after the wedding. While you would like a missing person story would be the more interesting story line, it is not. In my opinion, the book would have been better served with the one story line of Marina’s struggles within the State Hermitage. 

Rating:  3 out of 5 stars.

On a personal note, I have always been facsinated by Russian music, culture and the museum mentioned in this book. I highly recommened viewing the film Russian Ark by Alexander Sokurov. Filmed in one take, it tells the story of a ghost from France drifting from room to room who encounters fictional and real people from Russian history. It includes 2000 actors, 33 rooms of the Hermitage, 3 live orchestras and 300 years of Russian history. A truly remarkable film.

Too many beans.

It inevitably happens every day after work. I park in the driveway , unlock the door, plop down my keys, feed the cats and decide what to make for dinner.

My planning skills during my day job unfortunately don’t always get applied in the proper way at home. In the past I would write up an elaborate meal plan, drive to our nearest grocery store and pile my cart full of food.  That’s when it would begin.  “I’m too busy to cook tonight”. “I’ve been hungry for Sushi House“. “Let’s go to Irish Democrat tonight”.  My poor neglected vegetables would die a slow death in my veggie drawer.

Lately I have been working on a new plan, which seems to be working out better. And it costs much less. Since I used to stockpile frozen foods like WWIII was around the horizon, I know have an abundance of meat and veggies. We’ve also purchased a rice cooker, which is a highly recommended kitchen item. Usually I go to the grocery store once a week to buy a small amount of lunch meat, cheese and some basics like milk. We’ve been trying to eat more organic foods, so my favorite section of the grocery store is now the Health Market. Bare Naked granola with yogurt and fruit is very delicious.

Last night I thought I would try and wing it. Browned some meat, added tomato sauce, spices and threw in a whole can of Kidney Beans. I didn’t think of about the portion of meat to beans. It was basically a bean and rice meal, with a side of hamburger. Simply, too many beans. Maybe next time I should pull out a receipe book.

The quest continues. Less eating out and more eating at home. More healthy organic foods and less McDonalds. Can I make it without drinking a delicious Iced Coffee? Only time will tell.

Concert Review: Coldplay at Wells Fargo Arena

Photos courtesy of dennislambing.com

Memorable. Amazing. Energetic. Magical. Musical. Artful. Inspirational. 

Fans of Coldplay were not disappointed with their performance at the Wells Fargo Arena on Friday, June 12th. For many who attended, it was a fulfillment of a wish to see one of their favorite bands.  For me it was truly memorable experience to listen and watch a live performance of the charismatic Chris Martin and his fellow band mates.

The concert began with the instrumental “Life in Technicolor”. And the hits continued. “Violet Hill”, “Fix You”, “Clocks”, “Lost”, “Cemeteries in London”, “Lovers in Japan”, “Strawberry Swing”, “Politik”, “Viva La Vida”, “Green Eyes”, “In My Place”, “The Hardest Part”, “Yellow” and one of my personal favorites “Death And All His Friends”. 

Coldplay certainly knew how to please the crowd. For a portion of the concert they moved into the back of the Arena to play a small set, one section away from where we sitting.  When Chris Martin arrived, he handed his water bottle to a very appreciative young woman. As a friend said to me, “I think I would take a small sip of water to say that I did, and then keep it for posterity”. 

The set design included artwork from the newest album, lazers and several globes that were light with color and projected videos.  Ryan really enjoyed watching the video montages of the band on the 2 large screens above our heads.

One surprise of the concert for me was the opening act Howling Bells from Sydney, Australia.  My past experience with opening acts is usually a good time to wait in line for food or your choice of tasty beverage. During the opening of their first song, Nightingale, Ryan and I turned to each other and said, Wow! The lead singer, Juanita Stein, has a voice clear as a bell that seems to float above the pounding drums and melodic, haunting guitar solos. Their latest album, Radio Wars, was just released in March. Ryan enjoyed their short set so much that he purchased it at the concert.

It looks like Coldplay will be in WI in July. Anyone up for a road trip?