Dearest Dorothy, Slow Down, You're Wearing Us Out!
Welcome to Partonville, Book 2
by Charlene Ann Baumbich
List Price: $10.95
Pages: 288
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 0142004189
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
So much to do. Dorothy has a house filled with almost nine decades' worth of memories to either get rid of or pack up and move into town. Saying good-bye to Crooked Creek Farm will be difficult. But that can come later; it's summer in Partonville and she doesn't move (at least officially) until the fall.
Besides, summer means crawdad hunting, crickets, and, most important of all, Dorothy's new friends Katie and Josh returning to Partonville for a few days. She must prepare for their arrival. Unfortunately, The Tank seems to have developed a cough. Or is it a wheeze? After giving it a good once-over, Arthur --- who is the only mechanic Dorothy trusts --- shouts, "Back 'er out." Dorothy obliges and unwittingly gives Katie, Josh, and Josh's best friend a welcome home they'll never forget. Taking God's cue, Dorothy realizes that it's time for her to become a pedestrian.
The decision to give up driving isn't easy --- it feels like a huge loss of independence. But Dorothy's new home is close to everything she needs and everyone she loves --- especially now that Katie and Josh plan to move from Chicago to Crooked Creek Farm. And this time she gets to decorate her own home from scratch, even painting the ceiling fire-engine red if she wants. As Dorothy begins the arduous process of liquidating her assets and moving into Partonville proper, she finds she can't do as much as she used to. Even the townsfolk and her own family begin to realize Dorothy's a bit more frail these days and encourage her to slow down. But old habits are as hard to break as The Tank's protective armor.
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1. Dorothy certainly believes in the power of prayer. She's also an accomplished cheerleader. Can you see any similarities between the two, such as the constant focus on positive change? Do you find yourself praying in times of bounty as well as in times of trial?
2. Is there a mandatory age at which seniors should give up their drivers' licenses? Should exceptions be made for residents of rural areas versus those who reside in more developed urban areas?
3. One could make the case that giving up the farm will take some of the strain off Dorothy's heart. But isn't it possible that all the hubbub involved in selling it might just be doing more harm than good?
4. Katie finds, for the first time, a true friend in Partonville. Is Jessica more infatuated with the idea of having a city-slicker friend than with truly getting to know Katie? Is motherhood a strong enough bond for these two very different women?
5. Josh brings his best friend, Alex, to Partonville. Do you think their friendship will survive Josh's moving out of Chicago? If the boys weren't attending different schools already, would their friendship have a better or worse chance?
6. There's an immediate clash between Dorothy's family and Katie. Are the bad feelings really rooted in the possibility that Katie is ripping off Dorothy? Or are there other factors at play?
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