http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/ Medicinal musings from a mobile shrink, a.k.a. Queen of the Road. en Copyright 2013 Sun, 02 Sep 2012 14:18:42 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss I called in to this Sadorus, IL book club back in May. The host, Cheryl, was soon off to an adventure of her own in South America and forgot to send in the above lovely photo. When she went through her vacation pictures recently, she happened to find it. No problem, Cheryl. Glad you enjoyed your vacation so much and thanks for emailing me that "You calling was by far the most interesting book discussion we have ever had!" That wasn't your club's first meeting, right? Thanks for having me on speakerphone, ladies and I wish you all happy future travels - armchair or otherwise. ]]> http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2012/09/the_philo_book_club.html http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2012/09/the_philo_book_club.html Book Groups Sun, 02 Sep 2012 14:18:42 -0500 You know how I feel about book clubs that really get into it. Well, not only did these "Dirty Girls" wear tiaras, but Michelle (in white, in front) is wearing her Queen of the Road t-shirt. But even that's not the best part. This club was so into it, they taste tested 10 (count 'em, 10) of my Queenly martinis weeks ago, so they could narrow 'em down to a Final Four and voila! Phobic Friar, Headwater High, Love Me Blender, and Nudist Nectar made the cut (and the photo). Of course, I could tell you that this fun group of women in St. Paul, MN, met after dancing together at a local studio. When Penny retired from dance about six years ago, she started the group to keep in touch with everyone. It's actually a book/movie club, as they read six books and see six chick flicks a year. (So, nu Steven Spielberg? Too busy to pick up the phone? Would it kill you to spare these women one night of agonizing decision making some month by making Queen of the Road into a movie? No, I didn't think so. So, be a good boy.) I could tell you all that, but I'm still stuck on the taste testing 10 martinis thing. These gals are obviously far better women than I. ]]> http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2012/08/the_dirty_girl_book_club.html http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2012/08/the_dirty_girl_book_club.html Book Groups Sun, 19 Aug 2012 10:40:27 -0500 Back in the Sping, I had the pleasure of "attending" Peggy's book club in Waukesha, WI. I call it Peggy's book club, because after she moved to the area and started meeting people, she started the group. Book clubs often ask me for book book recommendations, and I like to ask them, as well. Peggy's recommended two I've already enjoyed (so you may, too): The Poisonwood Bible and The Help. But also, three I'd never heard of and are now on my list to read: The Secret History, On the Shadow of the Wind andThe Art of Fielding. Ladies, I always feel like an airline pilot when I say "I know you have a choice in books to choose for book club, and I'm so happy you chose mine." I really enjoyed your group. And now, I'll hang up my pilot's wings and put on my nagavator (as Tim says) shoes, and wish you a royal, Queen On! ]]> http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2012/08/waukesha_book_club.html http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2012/08/waukesha_book_club.html Book Groups Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:57:00 -0500 In Front: Eva, Mangal, Elaina, Caroline, Gayland, Anneliese, Marjorie In Back: Meg, Cathie, Marrianne, Carol Missing: Darla When this book club in Austin, TX asked me to call in, my first thought was, "I'm just glad I won't be driving there!" Don't get me wrong. It's a lovely town (actually reminds me a lot of Boulder) but the drivers? My professional psychiatric opinion: Nuts! Although after visiting with these lovely ladies, I might have made an exception if I were in the area - say Arkansas or thereabouts - especially after hearing that the group was started 10 years ago by the member who is a retired banker and also happens to be a great baker! (Throw in a current, fully-stocked bartender and I am SO there.) The group is from incredibly diverse and interesting backgrounds (along with the banker, there's a teacher, an RN, a criminal defense attorney, a university administrator, a collectible jewlery seller and an IBMer. I'm sure I've forgotten someone, but really, couldn't I have just stopped there? As my peeps are fond of singing this time of year, "Dayenu*.") Although they do have one thing in common, as Mangal mentioned when she first contacted me, "Most of us qualify for AARP." I feel you. (And my joints. Oy.) In any event, thank you so much for inviting me to discuss Queen of the Road. If I'm ever in the area, I'll have my driver veer on over. *Dayenu. One of the most popular songs of the Passover sedar. It means, "It would have sufficed." ]]> http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2012/04/jester_book_club.html http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2012/04/jester_book_club.html Book Groups Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:39:27 -0500 Fayetteville, GA book club, she said, "We laugh a lot at book club, drink too much at book club, and treasure our time together once a month." Well, I just knew I had to "meet" those gals. From left to right: Camber, Charlotte, Rachel, Val, Meghan and Becky. Wini left right before they took the photo. They all live in same neighborhood and know each other because their kids go to same school. They've been meeting monthly for 4 years, always in each other's homes and always for cocktails. Hmmm... Headwater High, Prevost Princess and a Hurlatini? Very tastey looking, if I do say so myself. I especially loved the fact that these lovely Southern ladies heard about the book from Rachel's boss, who read it at her book club. Y'all know how I appreciate Queenly word-of-mouth! Thanks so much, ladies for reading Queen of the Road and inviting me to your group!]]> http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/12/a_lovely_fayettville_book_club.html http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/12/a_lovely_fayettville_book_club.html Book Groups Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:09:29 -0500 From left to right, Meral, Pat, Cynthia, Judy, Jayne, Valerie, Patty, Amanda, Jackie. Three members were out of town, Kathy, Terry, and Donna. The gals in this Connecticut club have known each other almost 20 years, although only started meeting for books two years ago, at Meral's instigation. They originally got to know each other through their kids and friends of friends. Now, they still do a lot of things together, but my favorite (of course) is going house to house during Xmas, drinking.... Oh yeah, there's the seeing each other's decorations things, too. Don't worry, they rent a van. Short of having your own driver constantly on call as us Royals do, I'd say that's the next best thing. But, I suppose, the very best thing they told me about their club is, "We love each other very much." Ladies, it was obvious and such a pleasure meeting you all. Thanks so much for inviting me to you book club to call in about Queen of the Road. ]]> http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/11/a_very_considerate_and_loving.html http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/11/a_very_considerate_and_loving.html Book Groups Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:58:20 -0500 Columbiana Public Library in Alabama has been meeting for 11 years or so, ever since Mary Ann King, a local woman in the community, founded it. Sadly, she died two years ago of ovarian cancer, but her book club lives on. There's even a special book collection in the library to commemorate this avid reader. The lovely gals in the club also informed me that Mary Ann "knew everyone in the state of Alabama." Sounds like the kind of woman I wish I'd known! Pictured left to right: Teresa, Elizabeth, Jane, Nancy, Duffy, Beth, & Susan Note the PJs. Nice going, ladies! I hope none of you got pulled over for anything on your drive back. (PJs: hard to explain to the officers. Trust me.) Note also that Jane, the library's director, has got quite the tiara going. I may need to go shopping, after all. (How did you know I wear my tiara to bed? I don't recall mentioning that in my book.) The book club picked Queen of the Road as part of their summer travel theme, and who am I to argue? Thanks so much for inviting me to your book club, ladies. Next time we're in Alabama, I promise we'll see more of your state than the Unclaimed Luggage Store. (You've sold me on the coast. Know anyone with a long driveway?) ]]> http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/08/the_mary_anne_king_memorial_bo.html http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/08/the_mary_anne_king_memorial_bo.html Book Groups Sun, 28 Aug 2011 12:16:03 -0500 Menominee in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Seriously, check out their fantastic, historic library . And of course, a picture of the lovely ladies, themselves: Back Row - Jan, Gail, Carol, Val, Marlene, Sandy and Ardyce Front Row - Cheryl, Carole, Sue, Gail, Gail, Connie and Pam I do adore when a book club gets into it! Although a little early in the day for martinis (and they were meeting in a library, after all) the ladies made do with punch in their martini glasses. And of course, it is never too early for a tiara. (That's why I wear mine to bed.) As you all know, I love calling in to book clubs and answering questions. Sometimes though, I end up hearing a wonderful story that even warms my cynical heart. And, that's what happened at this book club when one of the ladies told of her own RV trip, decades ago: She had always wanted to do such a journey, so she just did, leaving her husband at home and taking her two young children cross country in a 35 foot rig. She needed some assistance when she started out, and a trucker stopped to lend a hand. Afterwards, without her knowledge, he put out the word to all his fellow truckers on his CB radio that they should all help out the woman traveling alone with two kids - complete with her license and vehicle description. It wasn’t until she got to California that she found out what he’d done. Tim and I call that "road magic." (That's opposed to the "road tragic" which we, unfortunately, are much more likely to encounter.) Thank you for inviting me to your book club, lovely ladies of Menominee!]]> http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/08/spies_public_library.html http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/08/spies_public_library.html Book Groups Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:22:13 -0500 Seattle, WA earlier this week. In keeping with the roughing it aspect of my book (and you know I don't mean no Holiday Inn), this lovely group met in a very outdoorsy spot - the courtyard of a condo complex. Just my style, ladies. Bravo! They've been meeting for almost a year and already sound like a very cohesive group: From Left: Beth, Jean, Kimberly, Tina & Ashley (not pictured Tanya, the photo taker). That's some nice condo complex, Jean! Thanks so much for inviting me to your WINE book club, ladies. I very much enjoyed our discussion and really appreciated your enthusiasm for Queen of the Road. (Especially now that I see from the picture, it wasn't alcohol-fueled.) Queen On!]]> http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/08/wine.html http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/08/wine.html Book Groups Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:51:26 -0500 other book club in Williston Park, NY. Turns out, although I'd never heard of it, it's only 10 min from Great Neck, where I spent nearly my entire youth. The Young Indian Cultural Group Mothers Book Club meets not too far away, in Albertson, New York, which I hadn't heard of, either. (What was I doing in my youth? Don't ask.) Although I am your Queen of the Road, I also consider myself a Queen of Multitasking, so I especially loved hearing that this book club, which is in its 4th year, started at a cultural society center where the kids took lessons. Rather than just sit around and wait, the moms decided to have a book club while their kids were in class. Kristin, you may invite me to call in to any book club of yours, any time, as you clearly have fabulous taste (no, not just in the books you pick - that goes without saying - but in the ladies of your book clubs!) If asked again, I shall look forward to not only another wonderful discussion, but also learning about yet another town I should have heard of. ]]> http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/05/young_indian_cultural_group_mo.html http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/05/young_indian_cultural_group_mo.html Book Groups Mon, 30 May 2011 14:58:09 -0500 Dawn, Christy, Lisa, Michele, Jamie (hiding in back), Christa, Jennifer (kneeling), Beth (standing), Evden, Lauri, and Alexis The book club was actually in Welcome, NC and let me assure you the name fit them very well. Besides, how could I not love a book club that introduces me to a new martini recipe? I'll let Jamie explain: I called the drink a "Hillbilly Martini" because the glasses were plastic from the Dollar Tree! Below is the recipe I used for what I'm going to call "Martini Punch" which we were sipping during our phone conversation - VERY tasty! This recipe is just right for 10 or 11 martinis. The recipe was actually called "Paradise #3 Punch" which I found by googling "drinks with pink lemonade vodka". Since I added the stuff about flavoring the rim, I figured it'd be ok to change the name! - Chill glasses. - Slice a lime and rub around rim of each glass. Combine colored sugar crystals (I used hot pink) with granulated sugar. Dip each glass rim in the combined sugar. - Combine 3-1/2 cups chilled Sprite, 2-1/2 cups chilled Sunny-D Orange Juice, and 1-1/2 cups chilled Cranberry Raspberry Juice in a pitcher. - Pour chilled "pink lemonade infused vodka" in each glass then add punch. Garnish with lime wedge. Well, I know what I'll be doing around 5 o'clock today. Ladies, thank you for "welcoming" me into your book club. I can see why Jamie said there used to be a sign in your town, "Welcome to Welcome." (I love that sort of thing.)]]> http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/03/adhd_housewives_of_dc.html http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/03/adhd_housewives_of_dc.html Book Groups Sun, 27 Mar 2011 18:11:41 -0500 Lancaster, OH used to meet at the local library until budget cuts forced them to move. But, as she pointed out, meeting at Panera means food! Just goes to show, there's always a silver lining. The group is made up of teachers, librarians, retirees and Teresa's mother-in-law. In other words, a tough crowd! Teresa, Misty, Becky, Michelle, Cathy, and Bev. I have to add that Teresa said Julie and Kelley couldn't make it that night and "they were extremely jealous of our celebrity experience!" (Well, of course they were.) Thank you Lady Nerds for hosting your Queen. (You know I Love Nerds.) It was lovely chatting with you. And, hopefully, you were able to try some of the martini recipes when you got home! And now, I'll leave you with a picture I took in your neck of the woods (sort of, but Lake Erie is the closest we got on our Queenly trip): ]]> http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/03/nerd_club.html http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/03/nerd_club.html Book Groups Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:21:49 -0500 I love when book clubs are so into it. As Shannon emailed me when she sent these pictures: Just before you called we played QOTR Trivia and all the green tiaras etc. you see were prizes for correct answers! But, what I want to know is, how come I wasn't invited to play? You're not afraid of a little competition, are you? (Really, I could use a new tiara. Mine is getting a bit worn.) The Rat Race Book Club started because Shannon felt she knew all these amazing women. As she put it, "Friends I run into at the grocery store or on the sidelines of our kids' soccer games...We promise we'll find time to get together (soon!) but it just never happens." She realized how "short & unpredictable life really is" and asked these wonderful women to make time to connect. As she says, "To my surprise, most agreed and committed to it right away-despite the rat race our lives can be...Hence: The Rat Race Book Club (RRBC) was born!" I love that. I think I'll let the pictures tell the story of this fun evening (which I enjoyed by phone in bed - as the group made sure to confirm) in beautiful Gilford, NH. (It really is beautiful. Check out that link.) Ladies, thanks again for choosing to have such a Queenly evening! I had a blast, although I'm still trying to figure out how to answer that sex question. ]]> http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/03/rat_race_book_club.html http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/03/rat_race_book_club.html Book Groups Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:28:30 -0500 Scissor Sisters was playing at The Palm, so off we went. If you've never heard of them, I'm not surprised. They're an American band, but huge in Europe. I really have no idea why they haven't seemed to have caught on here. (If you want a notch up with the youngin's, tell 'em you like Scissor Sisters. The "kids" who work at our stores were very impressed.) We first heard one of their albums when we were on Captain Dave's boat in Lake Minnetonka on our Queenly trip. He was blarring it over the stereo while we cruised. The Vegas concert was utterly fabulous. The Palm, however, was another story. We had taken a very early flight from Denver, so I wanted to nap in the afternoon, as I knew we'd be up late for the concert. (Oy. I guess it's come to that.) I specifically asked for a quiet room. They put us on the 14th floor. I figured that would be fine and it was, until we entered the room and the walls and furniture started pounding - along with my head. I guess it's considered "fun" to hang out by the pool with a DJ, soaking in those melanoma rays and becoming deaf. Really. If we could hear it on the 14th floor, I don't even want to know what it was like poolside. (Oy. It really has come to that. What do I want from me?) And so, we left for the Vdara the next day. We found out later it has a death ray. Fortunately, we never went to the pool so didn't... you know, disintegrate. Other than that, we loved the Vdara (it's a nonsmoking, non casino hotel. What could be bad?) and will definitely be back. I'm sure we can get an even cheaper deal now that this death ray thing is all over the news. When we got back to our car at the Denver airport, I noticed a thin film of schmutz all over the inside, on the windshield and all the windows. I asked Tim, "What in the world is that? We left all the windows closed." I should really know by now that Project Nerd is not going to take these types of questions as the retorical ones they are intended. His response? "Off gases from the upholstry." Is this really common knowledge? What have I been missing? Not much, apparently.]]> http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/01/las_vegas.html http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2011/01/las_vegas.html Bus Life/Travels Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:27:21 -0500 I was talking to a lovely doc in Texas the other day, who mentioned he was going on vacation next week. "What are you going to be doing?" I asked. "Well, my idea of a vacation is lying around, not shaving and reading a good book." He replied. Me too. Happy Holidays! http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2010/12/happy_holidays.html http://www.doreenorion.com/blog/2010/12/happy_holidays.html Shrinking Fri, 24 Dec 2010 11:04:24 -0500