room for self-reflection, in addition
(HaNGING oN, continued from page 21)
to plenty of knowing laughs.
jitterbugged across the floor that
This book is a hoot! Regardless
night four years ago, twirling and
of what challenges life serves up,
dipping to the fast beat, our feet
the modern wife will surely find
barely touched the floor. Then
a recipe she can relate to. From
I looked at him standing in the
dealing with a cheating husband to
doorway and said, “Come in!”
realizing that “Sometimes I Feel
We started dating. We went to
Like a Tart” who just might be
dances, parties and games. Dick
carrying “Way Too Much On [Her]
moved across the street and drove
BOOK NOOK
Plate,” this collection of savvy and
me to my job, which was three buses
satirical recipes dispenses humorous
away. We fell in love. A day came
and wise advise to the frazzled and
when Dick said, “Linda will you
stressed wife who is just barely
marry me?” Of course, I said yes.
managing to keep it all together.
After the wedding, I snuggled
If lack of communication is
in Dick’s arms, I heard his voice
making you feel like “one lonely
murmur in my ear, “Your dating
cupcake” and you desperately need
code is over!”
a few laughs to help you cope with
We were together for 50 years
sky-high mortgages and the usual
and married for 49 of them. We had
woes of the wifedom, you’ll reach
seCret reCIPes for
two children and four grandchildren.
for this delightful book again and
tHe ModerN WIfe
Dick’s work took us to new jobs and
again. Secret Recipes for the Modern
By Nava Atlas
new locations. We shared a passion
Wife is guaranteed to amuse and
for people and pets, we both loved
Simon & Schuster
entertain even the weariest modern
to sail and dance, we decorated and
wives amongst us.
refurbished the seven homes we
Review by Rachelle Nones
owned from New York to Chicago.
Rachelle Nones sells her original graphic
Many summer times were spent
New Paltz’s own Nava Atlas
prints at http://www.cafepress.com/
at that beach on Lake Erie and as
has cooked up a retro and savvy
fashionkarma
much winter time as possible at
collection of advice “recipes”
wide beaches on the Caribbean Sea
taking aim at the good old the
and the Gulf of Mexico. But above
American white picket fence fantasy
all else, we always just enjoyed each
of perfect domestic life and living
other’s company until Dick died of
happily ever after with that perfect
pancreatic cancer in 2006.
mate!
Recently my granddaughter,
Secret Recipes for the Modern Wife
Sarah, asked me, “Grandma, was
is filled with page after page of
your dating code and all that stuff
mouthwatering food illustrations
about staying a virgin until you were
commonly found in 50s-style
married really important to grandpa?”
cookbooks. Each featured “recipe”
My thoughts went way, way back
addresses a common dilemma or
before I told her “Yes, it really was.”
dysfunction of the “modern wife”

in a darkly humorous tone. From
Linda G. Weiser (wearing the blue hat in
the “People-Pleasing Tossed Salad”
photo) lives in Orange County where she
to the “Mother-in-Law Fruitcake”
loves writing essays and short stories.
recipe for dealing with your snide
and disapproving husband’s mom,
Tell us YOUR view! Send us your
there’s plenty of good advice and
500 words or less first-person
story about an issue of importance
to editor@tricountywoman.com.
22 I Tri-County Woman July/August 2009
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