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I’ve been part of a wonderful book club that began over Zoom in the Times of Covid. There is a monthly theme, but each member is left to interpret that theme for themselves, allowing for an eclectic mix of books to be discussed — my TBR list grows with each meeting. Now that we meet in person, snacks are also involved. 

At our last meeting, someone brought a can of Virginia peanuts that had been glazed and then seasoned with Old Bay Seafood seasoning. Oh, my! This led us all down a path of ways one could use the iconic seasoning — sprinkled on deviled eggs, incorporated into blonde brownies, and so forth. We laughingly said that our snacks for the month of August should feature Old Bay Seafood seasoning.  (I’m going to experiment with the blonde brownies.)

This month’s theme is “classic books,” and after all that talk about Old Bay, I could think of no other book than to re-read James Michener’s Chesapeake. I am a Marylander by birth and spent many hours crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay or its many rivers. I read Michener’s book years ago but after having written my story, Freedom’s Water, which takes place in colonial North Carolina, I am coming away with a deeper appreciation of Michener’s research and storytelling. His book is massive, 857 pages of 10 or 11 point type, and spans the years 1583 to 1978.

The book is a celebration of the bay and its natural wonders. We are first introduced to the peaceful Choptank Indians and watch as the colonists spread into the tribal lands, eventually driving the indigenous people from their native lands, burning off forest lands to plant corn and tobacco, which creates a need for cheap labor and an industry for slavers. Abolitionism is a strong theme, as are women’s rights, and freedom. It is an impactful story and worth my eyes tearing over the tiny print to read it to its conclusion.