June 2024 Bookclub News

Hillwood Estate archives

 

Dear Bookclub,

Enjoying a healthy Mendocino Farms lunch under a gorgeous San Diego sky, we sat around a picnic table marveling at Allison Pataki's "The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post".  Beautiful! Rich! Innovative entrepreneur! And true!

Eagle and Pearl blog

 

We all found the historic novel appealing. The General Foods genesis sparked nostalgia for products developed. Trudy's search for individual cereal boxes was unsuccessful but nonetheless endearing. 

 

 

I was motivated to find Postum, a staple in my childhood kitchen. While reading the book, I craved the hot beverage Marjorie so often drank. Finding a similar product at Jimbo's(see below), I merrily sip away (yet never attract a fortune or dashing husbands.) The original does still exist through online order from a small company, Eliza's Quest Foods, that got the recipe and trademark from Kraft. ( https://postum.com/pages/our-roots )

 

This advertisment is too good to pass up. The health beliefs of the time present a wonder for how the current habits and beliefs will be viewed decades from now. For ease of reading, reproduced here:

 "Children brought up on Postum are free from the evil effects of caffeine - the habit forming drug - in coffee and tea. 

    Postum is made of clean, hard wheat, skillfully roasted, including the bran-coat which contains the Phosphate of Potash (grown in the grain) for building healthy brain and nerve tissue.

    Begin early to insure a healthy nervous system for the little ones.

"There's a Reason"

Iced Postum  - served with sugar and lemon is a delicious, cooling Summer food-drink

___________

Postum Cereal Co., Ltd., Battle Creek, Mich., U. S. A. "

Roma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://kaffreeroma.com/products/kaffree-roma/

Stunned by the Russian treasures, Marjorie's jewels, properties, staff, etc. it is hard to imagine the management needed. Considering our education at the GIA, the jewels alone could have had staff. 

Entry hall Mar-a Lago

 The Library of Congress "Library" website has over 100 historic photos for gazing:

https://www.loc.gov/item/fl0181/

Delving into the history and legacy of Marjorie Merriweather Post goes on and on, echoing with the depth of her life. Enjoyable, I recommend doing so yet be forewarned that screen time will sky-rocket.

Trudy's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"The Measure" Nicki Erlick

"How the Light Gets In" Joyce Maynard

"The Frozen River" Ariel Lawhon *chosen

Up next:

 

Thoughtful reading,

LK