The Magic of Ordinary Days Pg. 8-26

By: Ann Howard Creel

Summary:

Olivia or Livvy was sent off on a train to please her aunts. Her sisters were filled with every emotion as she left. The train took her to stops including La Junta Army Air Base where men learn to fly B-25 bombers. Later, we find that she is to meet Reverend Willard Case and her husband Ray Singleton. Livvy describes Ray strong, and not ugly or handsome. She realizes that unlike her sisters she is not pretty so he is suitable.

On the way there the Reverend makes conversation by facts such as the war has made shortages for everybody but farmers because they supply the food. But Olivia thinks of explorers escaping danger and how little this town has. Before their wedding, they are left alone to talk and Livvy realized that women are forced to marry soldier just like men are forced to enlist for the army. So she asks why Ray he agreed to this marriage. He answers saying maybe it was God's will and because he was lonely since his parents and brother passed away. Because of her vast knowledge, Livvy thinks of more stories of how people for ages did not marry just for a companion but to keep peace between fighting nations and tribes. Tension in the book is later released when we find that Livvy sneezes in awkward situations even at funerals. Then at the end of the chapter we find that Livvy is pregnant because Ray answers yes to  the question that he will love the baby.

The next chapter is the wedding but not much is told. We find that Martha is Ray's sister who is ten years older than Ray and has four children. Also, that Ray doesn't have a ring but that Livvy politely says she doesn't need one. Being a gentlemen Ray says later that he might get one. When they arrive at Ray's house Livvy analyses it. She notices a dying garden that used to be Ray's mother's and that Ray installed indoor plumbing and a washer to try to impress her. At the end, Livvy says she doesn't know how to cook but Ray is embarrassed that he does. Livvy insisted she will learn on her own. Because of Livvy's situation, Ray gives her her own room.

Response:

I love the fact the Ray is so nice and polite though he doesn't say much. I also love all the references to old mythical and explorer stories because they provide insight into the way that Livvy thinks. She is more educated so she sees both sides of women's impact on society. The author did a great job of sneaking in the baby part in the last two lines of the chapter. Since I have seen the movie I knew she was pregnant but I didn't know how the author was going to put it into the book. It makes my heart sing when she describes him attempting to impress her when she is just bashing him because he missed cleaning cobwebs when instead she should be looking at the big picture of installing the plumbing. Most houses out there don't have indoor plumbing so she should be happy. I think it is funny how he knows how to cook and she doesn't. Mostly because he is on his own so he has to cook himself.