Betty MacDonald Story

Lisa:

Dear Anita, Eartha Kitt II & Betty MacDonald Fan Club fans:

It's really a great pleasure and honor to present Letizia Mancino's experience with Tigerli.

Artist and writer Letizia Mancino's style is very creative and witty. Her imagination is outstanding.

Thanks a Million dear Letizia Mancino for sharing this wonderful story with us.

Mary Holmes did an excellent job in translating this story in english language.

We are really so very grateful.

Dear Mary Holmes, thanks a lot for doing this for us.

Wouldn't it be a great idea to welcome dear Mary Holmes and Tigerli as new Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Members?
Betty MacDonald would love both of them very, very much.

We'd love to hear your feedback.

It doesn't surprise us at all that beloved Betty MacDonald smirked: Tigerli is a real man.
It's true. We'd die to see a picture of ' real man Tigerli'.

All our love to Letizia Mancino, Mary Holmes, Tigerli and the Betty MacDonald Fan Club fans in 35 countries,

Our very special greetings to Betty MacDonald Fan Club founder and Betty MacDonald Memorial Award Winner Wolfgang Hampel whose Betty MacDonald Easter poem is the best
satirical poem we've ever read.

We adore Wolfgang Hampel's very witty Betty MacDonald biographies, very interesting interviews and excellent poems.

Lisa


EROTICA FELINA

Copyright 2012 by Letizia Mancino
All rights reserved
translated by Mary Holmes



“But that’s how cats are, Letizia!”
“Really? But Tigerli, isn’t quite normal, Betty!”
“Tell me the whole story.”
“Well Betty, I’ll tell you, but only you! This is how it began: I lay on the sofa and Tigerli suddenly sprang onto my leg and started to push the claws of his front paws in and out. He purred contentedly. That’s nice, I thought, he’s thinking about when he was a kitten. His mother has been gone for a long time and he thinks my leg is his source of milk! I read my newspaper and didn’t disturb him. But then he started pushing with the claws of his back paws. It became very uncomfortable. He thrashed about and moved his back up and down, his tail quivered and his eyes looked blank.”
Betty smirked! “A real man! Go on Letizia!”
“Betty, promise me you won’t tell this story to anyone!
Tigerli, I am here, I said to him, look at me Baby, and I quickly moved my leg away.”
“How mean of you!”
“I had to leave! I met Renate outside in the street, the landlady of my studio, and I told her what had happened with the cat.”
“Is she a cat lover?”
“And how! Two years ago she introduced me to Tigerli! “Such a sweet little cat”, she said to me then. “So well behaved, he has never brought a mouse into the house”.”
“So why is Tigerli with you?”
“Toby, her daughter’s cat, drove Tigerli out of the house. Tigerli stood outside in the cold. “What shall I do?” asked Renate when the winter was getting really cold. What could be done? I said that perhaps Tigerli could live in my studio. Eugen, Renate’s husband, didn’t hesitate to build a cat door into my door. He even took a day off work to do it!”
“How generous of him. A real animal lover!”
“By no means an animal lover, Betty, only a husband at the end of his tether! When I met Renate in the street, she told me that Tigerli had also played amorous games with her leg.
“Amorous games! Not searching for mother’s milk?” I asked. Renate went on to tell me how the cat had always played these games when her husband was watching. But Eugen had lost his patience and kicked the cat out of their bed.”
Betty laughed! “All husbands are jealous! My Don also would not have tolerated a lover in bed! To say nothing of Bob, the chicken farm husband. He would certainly have shot the cat! Eugen by comparison is a nice man!”
Betty was very amused that I was so naïve! “And you, a woman from Rome! Have you no idea about feline eroticism? Tell me, how did Tigerli react to being thrown out of Paradise?”
“Naturally he was offended! Perhaps Tigerli is convinced that the men by the side of a woman are only eunuchs there to protect her!”
“And Renate?”
“She remained very relaxed, because she knew that the cuddly cat would continue to visit her on the sofa in her living room!”
“What an intrepid lover, Letizia! Tigerli seems to be very well acquainted with sofas!”
“Yes, perhaps he finds them more romantic than beds. It was clear that it wasn’t a premiere with me! Why does one allow cats to do almost everything!”
“Almost? I would say more than everything!”
“Don’t you find, Betty, that cats are more fascinating than men?”
“Yes but they are no good for begetting children! And how does the story continue?”
“Well, after my talk with Renate I realized that I wasn’t the first woman in Tigerli’s life. I now saw Tigerli in quite a different light!”
“Aren’t you happy to be the new love of his life?”
“Sure Betty. But the peaceful times on my sofa are a thing of the past! I tell you Betty, now it is “The Plague and I”!”
“As bad as that?”
“Would you be enthusiastic about Tigerli’s erotic games if you were absorbed with an enthralling book?”
Betty thought about it. “Were your cats so passionate about you?”
“Tigerli is insatiable. I said to him recently, “Now stop this. You are castrated and I am not a genuine cat!”
“Castrated?”
“Yes”.
“The cat isn’t normal!”
“That’s what I have already told you!”
“Did he understand what you were telling him?”
“Naturally he didn’t understand that he had been castrated. He only understood: She not interested in me, the bookworm!”
“Poor Tigerli, when was he castrated?”
“Betty, none of us were guilty of that! He was found in that state in the wood! He was half dead. We thought it must have been dogs or other cats that were to blame. Now we are almost sure it must have been a jealous husband!”
“Anything is possible”, said Betty. “Did he really stop playing the “Erotica Felina” with you?”
“Yes, but now comes the astonishing part, Betty! He didn’t look around for another woman but he immediately found a substitute on the sofa”.
“What then?”
“A tiger cushion!”
“And how many times did the cushion have to put up with his games?”
“On average twice a day! Provided that I was lying on the sofa! Without me nothing happened. If I stood up he ended his games straight away!’
“Tigerli is really not normal!”
“That’s what I told you, Betty! In no way is he normal!”
“You should be happy! There are enough boring men in the world!”
“My problem is that I must make all the preparations for the love making with the cushion!”
“I don’t believe it!”
“But yes, Betty, it is my job to arrange the cushion on the sofa so that it is comfortable for his amorous games and I must be present!”
“Can’t you go away?”
“In no way! I have to lie down and pay attention! To put it better I have to take part. I have to support Tigerli with encouraging words. To say “Bravo” otherwise it goes on for ever!”
“I can imagine that’s very boring!”
“It is!”
“I think American cats are different! Their game is over quickly”
“That would be better. Even when I play beautiful classical music Tigerli doesn’t let it interrupt him!”
“Music doesn’t make him more peaceful?”
“Quite the opposite! He considers classical music cool. Verdi’s "Dies Irae” doesn’t take his attention but only increases his erotic feelings!”
“Sadist”!
“But his favourite is Handel’s “Solomon”!”
“What a refined cat! When I think that my Bob only reacted to cocks crowing”
“I have decided to give the name “Solomon” to the Tigerli game!
“A cat well versed in the scriptures!”
“He understands the word “Solomon” well. I ask him if he wants to play Solomon – there are certain indications – and then quickly I fetch the toy lion!”
“A toy lion? And the tiger cushion?”
“His demands have risen! Tigerli is very enthusiastic about the toy lion! He plays “Solomon” with the King of the Animals!”
“When you dream, dream big!”
“This love for another man is not normal, Betty, but the cat is very pleased with himself. “Solomon, I have surpassed you!” he thinks.

“What does the lion say?”
“He can’t defend himself against this passion. But after a quarter of an hour of “Solomon” I try to protect the lion. I say: Tigerli, that’s enough!”
“And does that have any effect?”
“No! He always takes his time: He begins with cooing and purring. He climbs on the arm of the sofa and then on the toy lion. If the lion falls down from the chosen position I must always put it back in the right place. I encourage him with calls of “Bravo Solomon” and lie on the sofa until the game is over otherwise it has to start all over again. I have become as wise as Solomon! It is better to see it through than to start again! But there are all sorts of side effects”
“And what are these?”
"Dirty hair, Betty. Because I was deeply involved with my book it was only later that I discovered that the “sweet little cat” needed my hair to feel amorous.”
“So what do you do?”
“Nothing. I keep still. Tigerli makes me understand: Woman, you are my aphrodisiac. I leave your leg in peace but not your hair. Your hair smells so good after it is washed and it has a good but different smell beforehand.”
“Is there anything one wouldn’t do for one’s cat, Letizia?”
“I have taken some Eau de Cologne to the studio to suppress the smell of Tigerli’s salmon terrine. But this doesn’t work. Christoph recently asked my why my hair always smells of fish?”
“What do you do when you go away on holiday?”
“Tigerli consoles himself with Renate when I am away. When I came to visit you in Seattle last summer, I found a beautiful Russian girl to look after him.”
“And?”
“When I came back Tigerli was quite content!”
“And the Russian girl?”
“We didn’t talk about it!”

THE END


Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Society
Wolfgang Hampel, winner of first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award, author, journalist, artist, poet

http://wolfganghampelsociety.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Fan Club

Wolfgang Hampel, interviewer of Betty MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and writers. Wolfgang Hampel is also famous for his satirical poems and stories.

http://wolfganghampelfanclub.blogspot.com/

http://wolfganghampelsociety.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Fan Club

Wolfgang Hampel interviewed Betty MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and writers. Wolfgang Hampel is also famous for his satirical poems and stories.

http://wolfganghampelfanclub.blogspot.com/

Letizia Mancino's website
http://www.letizia-mancino.eu/

Letizia Mancino, beloved artist and writer, Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member
http://letiziamancino.blogspot.com/

Letizia Mancino's Homage a Betty MacDonald
http://www.letizia-mancino.eu/index.php?page=gallery

Hilde Domin Fan Club
http://hildedominfreundeskreis.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/

Gwen Grant's website

http://www.gwengrant.co.uk/

Gwen Grant, beloved writer and Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member

http://gwengrantsociety.blogspot.com/

Eva Vargas, Eva Vargas Fan Club, Eva Vargas Society, Künstlerin, Autorin, Komponistin, Sängerin, artist, author, composer, singer
http://evavargas.blogspot.com/

Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.

http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/


Ma and Pa Kettle Society
http://maandpakettlesociety.blogspot.com/2010/05/betty-macdonalds-ma-and-pa-kettle.html

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bettymacdonald/

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/

Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/

Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610

Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/

You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.

Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 35 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!

Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/

Mary Bard Jensen Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/

Alison Bard Burnett Fan Club and Society
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/

Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/


Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/

Letizia Mancino's golden Easter Egg

Mikael:

Our very beloved Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honor member, writer and artist Letizia Mancino is going to contribute a very special Easter Egg for all of us.

Thanks a Million and Happy Easter dear Letizia Mancino! We adore you so much.

Mikael

Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Society
Wolfgang Hampel, winner of first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award, author, journalist, artist, poet

http://wolfganghampelsociety.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Fan Club

Wolfgang Hampel, interviewer of Betty MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and writers. Wolfgang Hampel is also famous for his satirical poems and stories.

http://wolfganghampelfanclub.blogspot.com/

http://wolfganghampelsociety.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Fan Club

Wolfgang Hampel interviewed Betty MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and writers. Wolfgang Hampel is also famous for his satirical poems and stories.

http://wolfganghampelfanclub.blogspot.com/

Letizia Mancino's website
http://www.letizia-mancino.eu/

Letizia Mancino, beloved artist and writer, Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member
http://letiziamancino.blogspot.com/

Letizia Mancino's Homage a Betty MacDonald
http://www.letizia-mancino.eu/index.php?page=gallery

Hilde Domin Fan Club
http://hildedominfreundeskreis.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/

Gwen Grant's website

http://www.gwengrant.co.uk/

Gwen Grant, beloved writer and Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member

http://gwengrantsociety.blogspot.com/

Eva Vargas, Eva Vargas Fan Club, Eva Vargas Society, Künstlerin, Autorin, Komponistin, Sängerin, artist, author, composer, singer
http://evavargas.blogspot.com/

Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.

http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/


Ma and Pa Kettle Society
http://maandpakettlesociety.blogspot.com/2010/05/betty-macdonalds-ma-and-pa-kettle.html

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bettymacdonald/

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/

Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/

Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610

Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/

You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.

Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 35 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!

Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/

Mary Bard Jensen Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/

Alison Bard Burnett Fan Club and Society
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/

Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/


Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Gift

Marcel:

Happy birthday dear Betty MacDonald!

Betty MacDonald's wonderful friend Monica Sone wrote in 2011:

Betty MacDonald's birthday is such a special occasion to celebrate a unique person.
She understood me so well when we met at the sanatarium. I was young and uncertain about myself and others.

What a talent she had giving of herself in a framework of fun to learn how to laugh at oneself.

What a gift!!

No wonder we continue to love her.

Love,

Monica Sone


We agree with our Betty MacDonald Fan Club honour member Monica Sone. It's a very special day today.

There are several international Betty MacDonald birthday events.
( see Betty MacDonald Fan Club Newsletter March 2012 )

We have a huge Betty MacDonald birthday surprise for our members from all over the world.
Wait and see..... What a gift!! We know you'll enjoy it very much!

Wishing you a great Betty MacDonald birthday event.

Marcel

Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Society
Wolfgang Hampel, winner of first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award, author, journalist, artist, poet

http://wolfganghampelsociety.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Fan Club

Wolfgang Hampel, interviewer of Betty MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and writers. Wolfgang Hampel is also famous for his satirical poems and stories.

http://wolfganghampelfanclub.blogspot.com/

http://wolfganghampelsociety.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Fan Club

Wolfgang Hampel interviewed Betty MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and writers. Wolfgang Hampel is also famous for his satirical poems and stories.

http://wolfganghampelfanclub.blogspot.com/

Letizia Mancino's website
http://www.letizia-mancino.eu/

Letizia Mancino, beloved artist and writer, Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member
http://letiziamancino.blogspot.com/

Letizia Mancino's Homage a Betty MacDonald
http://www.letizia-mancino.eu/index.php?page=gallery

Hilde Domin Fan Club
http://hildedominfreundeskreis.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/

Gwen Grant's website

http://www.gwengrant.co.uk/

Gwen Grant, beloved writer and Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member

http://gwengrantsociety.blogspot.com/

Eva Vargas, Eva Vargas Fan Club, Eva Vargas Society, Künstlerin, Autorin, Komponistin, Sängerin, artist, author, composer, singer
http://evavargas.blogspot.com/

Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.

http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/


Ma and Pa Kettle Society
http://maandpakettlesociety.blogspot.com/2010/05/betty-macdonalds-ma-and-pa-kettle.html

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bettymacdonald/

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/

Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/

Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610

Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/

You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.

Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 35 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!

Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/

Mary Bard Jensen Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/

Alison Bard Burnett Fan Club and Society
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/

Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/


Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald about Charlie Chaplin

Karin:

We already got many mails in the meantime.

Did Betty MacDonald mention Charlie Chaplin in her books?

Take part, please. It's not too difficult. You'll find the answer after rereading Betty MacDonald's books.

You can win this great new Alison Bard Burnett and Wolfgang Hampel DVD.
I'll press my fingers. Good luck for all of you.

My favourites are Alison Bard Burnett's memories of the houses in University District, Laurelhurst and on Vashon Island. It's like a magic carpet and both, Alison Bard Burnett and Wolfgang Hampel are very witty. It's so great to have them around.

I like Letizia Mancino's Betty MacDonald story so much. Thanks a lot for sharing this .
I recently visited Letiza Mancino's website and I adore her art.

Karin

Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Society
Wolfgang Hampel, winner of first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award, author, journalist, artist, poet

http://wolfganghampelsociety.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Fan Club

Wolfgang Hampel, interviewer of Betty MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and writers. Wolfgang Hampel is also famous for his satirical poems and stories.

http://wolfganghampelfanclub.blogspot.com/

http://wolfganghampelsociety.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Fan Club

Wolfgang Hampel interviewed Betty MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and writers. Wolfgang Hampel is also famous for his satirical poems and stories.

http://wolfganghampelfanclub.blogspot.com/

Letizia Mancino's website
http://www.letizia-mancino.eu/

Letizia Mancino, beloved artist and writer, Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member
http://letiziamancino.blogspot.com/

Letizia Mancino's Homage a Betty MacDonald
http://www.letizia-mancino.eu/index.php?page=gallery

Hilde Domin Fan Club
http://hildedominfreundeskreis.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/

Gwen Grant's website

http://www.gwengrant.co.uk/

Gwen Grant, beloved writer and Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member

http://gwengrantsociety.blogspot.com/

Eva Vargas, Eva Vargas Fan Club, Eva Vargas Society, Künstlerin, Autorin, Komponistin, Sängerin, artist, author, composer, singer
http://evavargas.blogspot.com/

Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.

http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/


Ma and Pa Kettle Society
http://maandpakettlesociety.blogspot.com/2010/05/betty-macdonalds-ma-and-pa-kettle.html

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bettymacdonald/

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/

Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/

Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610

Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/

You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.

Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 35 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!

Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/

Mary Bard Jensen Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/

Alison Bard Burnett Fan Club and Society
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/

Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/


Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Congratulations

Pawel:

Congratulations dear Wolfgang Hampel.

Wolfgang Hampel founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club in 1983 with 4 members. Betty MacDonald Fan Club has members in 35 countries in 2012. A huge success story.

Betty MacDonald Memorial Award Winner Wolfgang Hampel interviewed Betty MacDonald's family and friends and is the author of Betty MacDonald biography.

I among many others adore Wolfgang Hampel's intelligent and charming interviews, the brilliant Betty MacDonald stories and especially his very witty satirical poems.

Wolfgang Hampel is currently working on a Eva Vargas biography.

Wishing Wolfgang Hampel a very happy birthday and good luck for his work and future projects.

Yours,

Pawel


Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Society
Wolfgang Hampel, winner of first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award, author, journalist, artist, poet

http://wolfganghampelsociety.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Fan Club

Wolfgang Hampel, interviewer of Betty MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and writers. Wolfgang Hampel is also famous for his satirical poems and stories.

http://wolfganghampelfanclub.blogspot.com/

http://wolfganghampelsociety.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Fan Club

Wolfgang Hampel interviewed Betty MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and writers. Wolfgang Hampel is also famous for his satirical poems and stories.

http://wolfganghampelfanclub.blogspot.com/

Letizia Mancino's website
http://www.letizia-mancino.eu/

Letizia Mancino, beloved artist and writer, Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member
http://letiziamancino.blogspot.com/

Letizia Mancino's Homage a Betty MacDonald
http://www.letizia-mancino.eu/index.php?page=gallery

Hilde Domin Fan Club
http://hildedominfreundeskreis.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/

Gwen Grant's website

http://www.gwengrant.co.uk/

Gwen Grant, beloved writer and Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member

http://gwengrantsociety.blogspot.com/

Eva Vargas, Eva Vargas Fan Club, Eva Vargas Society, Künstlerin, Autorin, Komponistin, Sängerin, artist, author, composer, singer
http://evavargas.blogspot.com/

Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.

http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/


Ma and Pa Kettle Society
http://maandpakettlesociety.blogspot.com/2010/05/betty-macdonalds-ma-and-pa-kettle.html

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bettymacdonald/

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/

Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/

Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610

Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/

You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.

Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 35 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!

Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/

Mary Bard Jensen Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/

Alison Bard Burnett Fan Club and Society
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/

Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/


Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Fan Club Meeting

Dino:

We'll organize the most important Betty MacDonald Fan Club Event in 2012.
( Betty MacDonald Fan Club Newsletter January Page 1 )

Join us, please. It's an unique opportunity to meet the international Betty MacDonald Fan Club members. Among them are several writers, artists and journalists.

We sent a message to Betty MacDonald Fan Club founder and Betty MacDonald Memorial Award Winner Wolfgang Hampel. Wolfgang is very busy with other projects but he should be there.

Regarding Wolfgang Hampel satirical poems we should offer a special Betty MacDonald Fan Club edition because we got so many requests.

Betty MacDonald Fan Club members will be able to see parts of very rare interviews with Betty MacDonald and her family.

Betty MacDonald Fan Club fans are delighted after reading Letizia Mancino's Betty MacDonald Essay.

We hope to publish the great Betty MacDonald Essay in other languages as a special Betty MacDonald Fan Club service for our many international Betty MacDonald Fan Club fans in 35 countries.

(Betty MacDonald Fan Club Newsletter January Page 3)

Have a sunny Sunday.

Dino


Letizia Mancino's website
http://www.letizia-mancino.eu/

Letizia Mancino, beloved artist and writer, Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member
http://letiziamancino.blogspot.com/

Letizia Mancino's Homage a Betty MacDonald
http://www.letizia-mancino.eu/index.php?page=gallery

Hilde Domin Fan Club
http://hildedominfreundeskreis.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/

Gwen Grant's website

http://www.gwengrant.co.uk/

Gwen Grant, beloved writer and Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member

http://gwengrantsociety.blogspot.com/

Eva Vargas, Eva Vargas Fan Club, Eva Vargas Society, Künstlerin, Autorin, Komponistin, Sängerin, artist, author, composer, singer
http://evavargas.blogspot.com/

Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.

http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/


Ma and Pa Kettle Society
http://maandpakettlesociety.blogspot.com/2010/05/betty-macdonalds-ma-and-pa-kettle.html

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bettymacdonald/

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/

Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/

Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610

Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/

You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.

Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 30 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!

Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/

Mary Bard Jensen Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/

Alison Bard Burnett Fan Club and Society
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/

Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/


Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Society
Wolfgang Hampel, winner of first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award, author, journalist, artist, poet

http://wolfganghampelsociety.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Fan Club

Wolfgang Hampel, interviewer of Betty MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and writers. Wolfgang Hampel is also famous for his satirical poems and stories.

http://wolfganghampelfanclub.blogspot.com/

http://wolfganghampelsociety.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Fan Club

Wolfgang Hampel interviewed Betty MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and writers. Wolfgang Hampel is also famous for his satirical poems and stories.

http://wolfganghampelfanclub.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Fan Club Essay

Hi this is Lenard,

Thanks a Million, dear Letizia Mancino.
You are an outstanding writer and artist.

We are so proud and happy to have you with us.

Letizia writes: One should not underestimate Wolfgang Hampel’s talent in speedily mobilizing Betty MacDonald’s friends.

We agree. Thank you so much dear Wolfgang Hampel for doing this. You founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club with four members.

Now we have members in 33 countries around the world. A dream came true.

Mary Holmes did an excellent job in translating this great story.
Thank you so much dear Mary Holmes.
We are really very grateful.

Merry Christmas to Letizia, Wolfgang and Mary and to all Betty MacDonald Fan Club fans from all over the world!

Lenard


Following in Betty’s footsteps in Seattle:

or some small talk with Betty

Copyright 2011 by Letizia Mancino
All rights reserved
translated by Mary Holmes




We were going to Canada in the summer. “When we are in Edmonton”, I said to Christoph Cremer, “let’s make a quick trip to Seattle”. And that’s how it happened. At Edmonton Airport we climbed into a plane and two hours later we landed in the city where Betty had lived. I was so happy to be in Seattle at last and to be able to trace Betty’s tracks!

Wolfgang Hampel had told Betty’s friends about our arrival.
They were happy to plan a small marathon through the town and it’s surroundings with us. We only had a few days free. One should not underestimate Wolfgang’s talent in speedily mobilizing Betty’s friends, even though it was holiday time. E-mails flew backwards and forwards between Heidelberg and Seattle, and soon a well prepared itinerary was ready for us. Shortly before my departure Wolfgang handed me several parcels, presents for Betty MacDonald's friends. I rushed to pack the heavy gifts in my luggage but because of the extra weight had to throw out a pair of pajamas!

After we had landed we took a taxi to the Hotel in downtown Seattle. I was so curious to see everything. I turned my head in all directions like one of the hungry hens from Betty’s farm searching for food! Fortunately it was quite a short journey otherwise I would have lost my head like a loose screw!
Our hotel room was on the 22nd floor and looked directly out onto the 16-lane highway. There might have been even more than 16 but it made me too giddy to count! It was like a glimpse of hell! “And is this Seattle?” I asked myself. I was horrified! The cars racing by were enough to drive one mad. The traffic roared by day and night.
We immediately contacted Betty MacDonald's friends and let them know we had arrived and they confirmed the times when we should see them.

On the next morning I planned my first excursion tracing Betty’s tracks. I spread out the map of Seattle. “Oh dear” I realized “the Olympic Peninsula is much too far away for me to get there.”
Betty nodded to me! “Very difficult, Letizia, without a car.”

“But I so much wanted to see your chicken farm”

“My chickens are no longer there and you can admire the mountains from a distance”


But I wanted to go there. I left the hotel and walked to the waterfront where the State Ferry terminal is. Mamma mia, the streets in Seattle are so steep! I couldn’t prevent my feet from running down the hill. Why hadn’t I asked for brakes to be fixed on my shoes? I looked at the drivers. How incredibly good they must be to accelerate away from the red traffic lights. The people were walking uphill towards me as briskly as agile salmon. Good heavens, these Americans! I tried to keep my balance. The force of gravity is relentless. I grasped hold of objects where I could and staggered down.
In Canada a friend had warned me that in Seattle I would see a lot of people with crutches.

Betty laughed. “ It’s not surprising, Letizia, walking salmon don’t fall directly into the soft mouth of a bear!”
“ Betty, stop making these gruesome remarks. We are not in Firlands!”

I went further. Like a small deranged ant at the foot of a palace monster I came to a tunnel. The noise was unbearable. On the motorway, “The Alaskan Way Viaduct”, cars, busses and trucks were driving at the speed of light right over my head. They puffed out their poisonous gas into the open balconies and cultivated terraces of the luxurious sky- scrapers without a thought in the world. America! You are crazy!
“Betty, are all people in Seattle deaf? Or is it perhaps a privilege for wealthy people to be able to enjoy having cars so near to their eyes and noses to save them from boredom?”

“When the fog democratically allows everything to disappear into nothing, it makes a bit of a change, Letizia”

“ Your irony is incorrigible, Betty, but tell me, Seattle is meant to be a beautiful city, But where?”


I had at last reached the State Ferry terminal.

“No Madam, the ferry for Vashon Island doesn’t start from here,” one of the men in the ticket office tells me. ”Take a buss and go to the ferry terminal in West Seattle.”
Betty explained to me “The island lies in Puget Sound and not in Elliott Bay! It is opposite the airport. You must have seen it when you were landing!”
“Betty, when I am landing I shut my eyes and pray!”

It’s time for lunch. The weather is beautiful and warm. Who said to me that it always rains here?
“Sure to be some envious man who wanted to frighten you away from coming to Seattle. The city is really beautiful, you’ll see. Stay by the waterfront, choose the best restaurant with a view of Elliott Bay and enjoy it.”
“Thank you Betty!”


I find a table on the terrace of “Elliott’s Oyster House”. The view of the island is wonderful. It lies quietly in the sun like a green fleecy cushion on the blue water.
Betty plays with my words:
“Vashon Island is a big cushion, even bigger than Bainbridge which you see in front of your eyes, Letizia. The islands look similar. They have well kept houses and beautiful gardens”.

I relax during this introduction, “Bainbridge” you are Vashon Island, and order a mineral water.

“At one time the hotel belonging to the parents of Monica Sone stood on the waterfront.”
“Oh, of your friend Kimi!” Unfortunately I forget to ask Betty exactly where it was.

My mind wanders and I think of my mountain hike back to the hotel! “Why is there no donkey for tourists?” Betty laughs:

“I’m sure you can walk back to the hotel. “Letizia can do everything.””

“Yes, Betty, I am my own donkey!”


But I don’t remember that San Francisco is so steep. It doesn’t matter, I sit and wait. The waiter comes and brings me the menu. I almost fall off my chair!
“ What, you have geoduck on the menu! I have to try it” (I confess I hate the look of geoduck meat. Betty’s recipe with the pieces made me feel quite sick – I must try Betty’s favourite dish!)
“Proof that you love me!” said Betty enthusiastically “ Isn’t the way to the heart through the stomach?”

I order the geoduck. The waiter looks at me. He would have liked to recommend oysters.
“Geoduck no good for you!”
Had he perhaps read my deepest thoughts? Fate! Then no geoduck. “No good for me.”

“Neither geoduck nor tuberculosis in Seattle” whispered Betty in my ear!
“Oh Betty, my best friend, you take such good care of me!”

I order salmon with salad.

“Which salmon? Those that swim in water or those that run through Seattle?”

“Betty, I believe you want me to have a taste of your black humour.”

“Enjoy it then, Letizia.”


During lunch we talked about tuberculosis, and that quite spoilt our appetite.

“Have you read my book “The Plague and I”?”

“Oh Betty, I’ve started to read it twice but both times I felt so sad I had to stop again!”

“But why?” asked Betty “Nearly everybody has tuberculosis! I recovered very quickly and put on 20 pounds! There was no talk of me wasting away! What did you think of my jokes in the book?”

“Those would have been a good reason for choosing another sanitorium. I would have been afraid of becoming a victim of your humour! You would have certainly given me a nickname! You always thought up such amusing names!” Betty laughed.

“You’re right. I would have called you “Roman nose”. I would have said to Urbi and Orbi “ Early this morning “Roman nose” was brought here. She speaks broken English, doesn’t eat geoduck but she does love cats.”

“Oh Betty, I would have felt so ashamed to cough. To cough in your presence, how embarrassing! You would have talked about how I coughed, how many coughs!”

“It depends on that “how”, Letizia!”

“Please, leave Goethe quotations out of it. You have certainly learnt from the Indians how to differentiate between noises. It’s incredible how you can distinguish between so many sorts of cough! At least 10!”

“So few?”

”And also your descriptions of the patients and the nurses were pitiless. An artistic revenge! The smallest pimple on their face didn’t escape your notice! Amazing.”

“ I was also pitiless to myself. Don’t forget my irony against myself!”

Betty was silent. She was thinking about Kimi, the “Princess” from Japan! No, she had only written good things about her best friend, Monica Sone, in her book “The Plague and I”. A deep friendship had started in the hospital. The pearl that developed from the illness.
“Isn’t it wonderful, Betty, that an unknown seed can make its way into a mollusk in the sea and develop into a beautiful jewel?” Betty is paying attention.

“Betty, the friendship between you and Monica reminds me of Goethe’s poem “Gingo-Biloba”. You must know it?” Betty nods and I begin to recite it:


The leaf of this Eastern tree
Which has been entrusted to my garden
Offers a feast of secret significance,
For the edification of the initiate.

Is it one living thing.
That has become divided within itself?
Are these two who have chosen each other,
So that we know them as one?



The friendship with Monica is like the wonderful gingo-biloba leaf, the tree from the east. Betty was touched. There was a deep feeling of trust between us.
“Our friendship never broke up, partly because she was in distress, endangered by the deadly illness. We understood and supplemented each other. We were like one lung with two lobes, one from the east and one from the west!”
“A beautiful picture, Betty. You were like two red gingo-biloba leaves!”

Betty was sad and said ” Monica, although Japanese, before she really knew me felt she was also an American. But she was interned in America, Letizia, during the second world war. Isn’t that terrible?”

“Betty, I never knew her personally. I have only seen her on a video, but what dignity in her face, and she speaks and moves so gracefully!”

“Fate could not change her”

“Yes, Betty, like the gingo-biloba tree in Hiroshima. It was the only tree that blossomed again after the atom bomb!”

The bill came and I paid at once. In America one is urged away from the table when one has finished eating. If one wants to go on chatting one has to order something else.
“That’s why all those people gossiping at the tables are so fat!” Betty remarks. “Haven’t you seen how many massively obese people walk around in the streets of America. Like dustbins that have never been emptied!” With this typically unsentimental remark Betty ended our conversation.

Ciao! I so enjoyed the talk; the humour, the irony and the empathy. I waved to her and now I too felt like moving! I take a lovely walk along the waterfront.

Now I am back in Heidelberg and when I think about how Betty’s “Princessin” left this world on September 5th and that in August I was speaking about her with Betty in Seattle I feel very sad. The readers who knew her well (we feel that every author and hero of a book is nearer to us than our fleeting neighbours next door) yes we, who thought of her as immortal, cannot believe that even she would die after 92 years. How unforeseen and unexpected that her death should come four days after her birthday on September 1th. On September 5th I was on my way to Turkey, once again in seventh heaven, looking back on the unforgettable days in Seattle. I was flying from west to east towards the rising sun.

Letizia Mancino's website
http://www.letizia-mancino.eu/

Letizia Mancino, beloved artist and writer, Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member
http://letiziamancino.blogspot.com/

Letizia Mancino's Homage a Betty MacDonald
http://www.letizia-mancino.eu/index.php?page=gallery

Hilde Domin Fan Club
http://hildedominfreundeskreis.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/

Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/

Gwen Grant's website

http://www.gwengrant.co.uk/

Gwen Grant, beloved writer and Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member

http://gwengrantsociety.blogspot.com/

Eva Vargas, Eva Vargas Fan Club, Eva Vargas Society, Künstlerin, Autorin, Komponistin, Sängerin, artist, author, composer, singer
http://evavargas.blogspot.com/

Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.

http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/


Ma and Pa Kettle Society
http://maandpakettlesociety.blogspot.com/2010/05/betty-macdonalds-ma-and-pa-kettle.html

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bettymacdonald/

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/

Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/

Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610

Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD

http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html

Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/

You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.

Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 30 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!

Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/

Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/

Mary Bard Jensen Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/

Alison Bard Burnett Fan Club and Society
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/

Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/


Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Society
Wolfgang Hampel, winner of first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award, author, journalist, artist, poet

http://wolfganghampelsociety.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Fan Club

Wolfgang Hampel, interviewer of Betty MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and writers. Wolfgang Hampel is also famous for his satirical poems and stories.

http://wolfganghampelfanclub.blogspot.com/

http://wolfganghampelsociety.blogspot.com/

Wolfgang Hampel Fan Club

Wolfgang Hampel interviewed Betty MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and writers. Wolfgang Hampel is also famous for his satirical poems and stories.

http://wolfganghampelfanclub.blogspot.com/