Monica Sone and smiling courage

 

Monica Sone (September 1, 1919 – September 5, 2011), born Kazuko Itoi, was a Japanese American writer, best known for her 1953 autobiographical memoir Nisei Daughter, which tells of the Japanese American experience in Seattle during the 1920s and 1930s, and in the World War II internment camps and which is an important text in Asian American and Women's Studies courses.
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Monica Sone - and Betty MacDonald fan club fans,

Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Monica Sone ( Kimi in Betty MacDonald's The Plague and I )  is the author of Nisei Daughter. 

Monica Sone and her family had run a hotel in Seattle before Executive Order 9066 sent all West Coast Japanese Americans into exile.

With charm, humor, and deep understanding, a Japanese American woman tells how it was to grow up on Seattle's waterfront in the 1930s and to be subjected to "relocation" dring World War II. Along with some 120,000 other persons of Japanese ancestry-77,000 of whom were U.S. citizens-she and her family were uprooted from their home and imprisoned in a camp. 

In this book, first published in 1953, she provides a unique personal account of these experiences.

"Monica Sone's account of life in the relocation camps is both fair and unsparing. It is also deeply touching, and occasionally hilarious."-New York Herald Tribune

"The deepest impression that this unaffected, honest little story made on me was of smiling courage."-San Francisco Chronicle

Wolfgang Hampel, Monica Sone's friend -  author of Betty MacDonald biography and winner of first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award - wrote:

Copyright 2011 by Wolfgang Hampel

Dearest Monica,

I was rereading your book Nisei Daughter and I have to tell you that I agree with your many international fans. I wished I could read many more books written by great author and unique personality Monica Sone.

I also agree with the New York Herald Tribune review of Nisei Daughter: Monica Sone's account of life in the relocation camps is both fair and unsparing. It is also deeply touching, and occasionally hilarious.

Yes, that's it! Deeply touching, also occassionally hilarious! When I'm reading your great book ( Nisei Daughter belong to the VERY few books I'm reading over and over again ) I'm really deeply touched. I'm with you and your great family. I adore your outstanding book and even much more I adore your unique personality. You are a genius but very human and warm with a deep understanding and a golden heart.

The first time I heard your very warm voice I was lost. To me it's the most beautiful voice in the whole world. Voice and personality fit together in just a perfect way.

Thanks a million for your friendship.

Although we are far away you and your family are always in our thoughts. 

All our love,

Wolfgang


Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Monica Sone will included in Wolfgang Hampel's new project 'Vita Magica'. 

Good luck for  Vita Magica!

It will be the first liteary ' Vita Magica ' event today.


Wolfgang Hampel's stories and satirical poems will be published in Betty MacDonald fan club newsletter August and future newsletters.

I hope Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Mr. Tigerli won't stay in Athens forever because we really need  him very much.

Don't miss a new great breakfast with Brad and Nick, please.

Yours,

Kirsten  





Vita Magica



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Monica Sone, Betty MacDonald, The Plague and I

 


Monica Sone - and Betty MacDonald fan club fans,

i'm rereading the outstanding book Nisei Daughter by late Monica Sone, described as Kimi in Betty MacDonald's The Plague and I.

To me it's quiete a shock to learn the depressing facts of internment of Japanese, Japanese Americans, European and European Americans in a democratic society.

Over 31.000 people were kept interned until July 1948 - more than three years after the war in Europe had ended.

I hope we can learn from the past and we are willing to.

Betty MacDonald Fan Club honor member Monica Sone was furious at the blatant disregard of her civil rights.

Monica Sone said to  Betty MacDonald Memorial Award winner Wolfgang Hampel:
I didn't move from Seattle - they moved me away and I never came back. ( only for family visits )

Of course everybody can understand Monica Sone's feelings.
A democratic society has to protect the civil rights of their people. Otherwise it's no longer a democratic society. A simple fact.

In the camps, internees were seen more as prisoners of war than as civilians.

Just imagine the loss of property, the personal insults, the barbed wire, armed guards, the dust storms, horrible food, unfinished barracks, barren land, shared huts, inadequate washing and toilet facilities, green uniforms, military work details, snapping to attention at an officer's approach.

Therefore Monica Sone's Nisei Daughter is a very important book.

Betty MacDonald Fan Club founder, author, poet and Monica Sone's very good friend Wolfgang Hampel told us that Nisei Daughter belonged to the very few books he was rereading. 

I know many of us do the very same.

Betty MacDonald encouraged her friend Monica Sone in publishing her book 'Nisei Daughter'.

Betty MacDonald said: 

'Nisei Daughter ' is a very remarkable book, humorous and delightfully readable, that takes you into the heart of a Japanese-American family and into the mind of the sensitive, perceptive eldest daughter.
The internment of the American born Japanese during World War II is handled with honesty and rare dispassion. It is certainly to Monica Sone's credit that she she still sings God bless America. 
 
Betty MacDonald was right. Having Monica Sone's experiences I'm not sure I would.

I agree with John Heitman "In a world where there are lots of smoke screens and J. Edgar Hoovers, an individual can really be hurt."


We are sending all our love to Linde Lund and her little daughter.

Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Monica Sone will included in Wolfgang Hampel's new project 'Vita Magica'. 


Wolfgang Hampel's stories and satirical poems will be published in Betty MacDonald fan club newsletter August and future newsletters.

Bettty MacDonald fan club honor member Mr. Tigerli is  in Athens because he is crazy about his new very beautiful girl friend.

Come on and let's have a new breakfast with Brad and Nick. 


Take care,

Lasse




Vita Magica 


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Monica Sone and Betty MacDonald on Vashon Island

Monica Sone - and Betty MacDonald fan club fans,

it' s very touching to read Linde Lund's very intelligent thoughts regarding the secret of happiness.

We hope wonderful Linde and her daughter will recover very soon.

We miss unique Linde so much. 


Come back, please.

Many  Betty MacDonald - and Hilde Domin fan club fans from all over the world - adore Letizia Mancino's THE SECOND PARADISE.

Thanks a million dearest Letizia Mancino and Mary Holmes. 

I enjoyed Anja's delightful story describing  the raccoons in Vienna.
 
It's true: Raccoons are really very shameless when they are looking for food.


I'm rereading Onions in the Stew right now. 

I have to laugh aloud when Betty MacDonald, her husband Donald Chauncey MacDonald and daughters Anne and Joan have their experiences with racoons and many other guests  at Dolphin Point on Vashon Island. 


Wolfgang Hampel and Betty MacDonald fan club research team are working on new Betty MacDonald fan club items.

New Betty MacDonald documentary will be very interesting with many interviews never published before.
It's simply great to read new very well researched  stories about Betty MacDonald, Robert Eugene Heskett, Donald Chauncey MacDonald, Darsie Bard, Sydney Bard, Gammy, Alison Bard Burnett,  Darsie Beck, Mary Bard Jensen, Clyde Reynolds Jensen, Sydney Cleveland Bard, Mary Alice Bard, Dorothea DeDe Goldsmith, Madge Baldwin, Don Woodfin, Mike Gordon, Ma and Pa Kettle, Nancy and Plum, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and others.
 
I agree. It's so very funny indeed when you listen to beloved Betty MacDonald and sister Alison Bard Burnett in Wolfgang Hampel's interviews. 

I listened to them once in a bus and laughed and laughed and I got very strange looks from many people.

Believe me  -  I'll never do it again. 


Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Letizia Mancino is part of Wolfgang Hampel's new project 'Vita Magica'. 


I can't wait to read Wolfgang Hampel's new stories and satirical poems.

I miss Bettty MacDonald fan club honor member Mr. Tigerli very much. 

Is he still in Athens and in madly in love with his new girl friend? 

Let's go to the bookstore and enjoy a new outstanding breakfast with Brad and Nick. 


Enjoy a very sunny Sunday,

Lars





Vita Magica 


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Monica Sone and joyous feeling of expectancy

 

I’m a huge fan of the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books.

If you read these brilliant stories as a child, you should re-read them now; so much of the humor is pitched at grown-ups –marriage, friendship, theories of child-rearing. 

After I’d re-read Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle for the fiftieth time, I decided to try Betty MacDonald’s adult work. In her memoir, Onions in the Stew, she remarked, “Going down to the beach after a storm is the only time in my adult life when I experience that wonderful, joyous, childhood feeling of expectancy.”

This observation struck me, because I’ve noticed that I too rarely experience a “sense of expectancy.” The fact is, I don’t have a very joyful spirit. I rarely look forward even to fun events or activities. Also, I dislike errands, logistical details, or any kind of hassle, and even when those hurdles are fairly minor, they can overshadow my sense of anticipation.

But to go through the days and weeks and months of life, looking forward to nothing, struck me as a sour way to live.
One of my aims for my happiness project, therefore, has been to boost my feelings of pleasant expectancy. First, I’ve made a real effort to add items to my schedule that I actually anticipate, to make time for activities that I really enjoy – to go to a bookstore (one of my favorite things to do) or on a smell adventure with a friend (which I’m doing today).

Thinking along the same lines, a friend told me, “I looked at my seven-year-old nephew’s weekly schedule, and he had all sorts of fun activities, with art, music, baseball, library. I thought, I like to do those things, too! I wish my schedule had art, music, baseball, and library. Now I make a big effort to do more fun things.” 

At the same time, I’ve also pushed myself to revel in anticipation, to devote mental energy and time to looking forward to activities I enjoy. In what’s known as “rosy prospection,” anticipation of an event is sometimes greater than the happiness actually experienced. All the more reason to revel in anticipation. 

I’ve found that I can often re-frame activities to help myself anticipate them more. Do I view decorating the apartment for Halloween as a chore or as a pleasure? Do I think it’s tiresome or fun to shop for school supplies? I’ve been surprised by how readily I can steer my attitude.

One of my rules of happiness is that to eke out the most happiness from an experience, I must anticipate it, savor it as it unfolds, express happiness, and recall a happy memory. By making an effort mindfully to look forward to pleasant experiences, I deepen my experience of happiness.

How about you? Are you a person who often feels happy anticipation? Or, like me, do you find that you have to work to have a “childhood feeling of expectancy”? How do you help yourself to do that?

Linde Lund:

 

I guess I have this feeling because we have so many children in our family.

My sisters and I are huge Betty MacDonald fans and so are our children.

Like Betty MacDonald we are writing funny stories and everybody in the family has a role in the play.

Author Karel Capek wrote: Childhood is so exciting because we are sailing away every day to find new treasures.

That's it. You can find new treasures every day.

Life is so exciting. Let's sail away like Mrs. Piggle-Wiggles pirate husband to find new treasures.

I have a Betty MacDonald fan club blog.

It began in 1983 when author Wolfgang Hampel founded Betty MacDonald fan club with 4 members. 

We have members in 40 countries now. 

As I'm in contact with so many Betty MacDonald fans from 5 continents Life is exciting every day.

I found my treasure.

Love,

Linde Lund


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Monica Sone and Betty MacDonald's adventures on Vashon Island

 

Monica Sone - and Betty MacDonald fan club fans,

many Betty MacDonald and Hilde Domin fans enjoyed Letizia Mancino's THE SECOND PARADISE even she didn't mention racoons in her delightful story.

Can you remember my experiences in Prater?

It was a wonderful day. 

We visited Prater in Vienna with our friends and it reminded us on Betty MacDonald's book Onions in the Stew.

You might think: Is Anja foolish? You can't compare Prater in Vienna with Vashon Island in Washington State. 

Believe me, you can! Even here you can see racoons. They are really very shameless when they are looking for food.

Can you remember? 

Betty MacDonald, her husband Donald Chauncey MacDonald and daughters Anne and Joan had their funny moments (sometimes) with racoons at Dolphin Point on Vashon Island.

Many readers asked us a question: Who translated Letizia Mancino's THE SECOND PARADISE in english language? It's excellent. 

Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honor Member Letiza Mancino told us it had been translated by Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Mary Holmes.

Betty MacDonald -  and Hilde Domin Fan Club are very grateful.
 
Dear Mary Holmes, thank you so much for doing this.

Both, Letizia Mancino and Mary Holmes have crystal-clear thoughts like a mountain spring.

Letiza and Mary, we love you.
 
Thanks a Million.

Dear Anita, Eartha Kitt II and Wolfgang Hampel  good luck with your new Betty MacDonald Fan Club Newsletter story.

It's so fascinating and and funny to read your stories about Betty MacDonald, Robert Eugene Heskett, Donald Chauncey MacDonald, Darsie Bard, Sydney Bard, Gammy, Alison Bard Burnett,  Darsie Beck, Mary Bard Jensen, Clyde Reynolds Jensen, Sydney Cleveland Bard, Mary Alice Bard, Dorothea DeDe Goldsmith, Madge Baldwin, Don Woodfin, Mike Gordon, Ma and Pa Kettle, Nancy and Plum, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and others.
 
I agree with your serious warnings. It's very dangerous indeed when you listen to beloved Betty MacDonald and sister Alison Bard Burnett in Wolfgang Hampel's interviews.

I listen to Betty MacDonald, Alison Bard Burnett and Wolfgang Hampel very often because they always make me laugh. A good friend of mine roared with laughter and nearly fell off the chair. Laughter is healthy but sometimes it can be also dangerous.

By the way, don't read Wolfgang Hampel's very witty poems and stories in public places, please. 

You can't stop laughing and people might think you are crazy.


Letizia Mancino is part of Wolfgang Hampel's new project 'Vita Magica'. 

We got so many requests from fans from all over the world and have great info for you. 

Wolfgang Hampel's stories and satirical poems will be published in several languages for his many fans from all over the world. 

Love,

Anja



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Monica Sone and the second paradise

Monica Sone - and Betty MacDonald fan club fans, 

let's talk about great writers and poets Letizia Mancino, Hilde Domin and Betty MacDonald.

Betty MacDonald fan Club honor member, artist and writer Letizia Mancino shares her delightful story THE SECOND PARADISE. 

I'm one of Letizia Maninco's many devoted fans.

Letizia Mancino sent this connecting piece to " The Second Paradise".

DEFIANT AS A COCK

Copyright 2011/2015 by Letizia Mancino
translated by Mary Holmes 

All rights reserved

That was how my friend Hilde Domin was, dear Betty! You would have liked her so much. She had also been in America. At that time you were a famous author but she was still unknown.

-Did she love cats like you do?

-Yes Betty, she sure did!! Otherwise how do you think she could have been a friend of mine?

-Oh Letizia, don’t boast! Hilde was famous!

-It’s all the same to me, Betty, whether a person is famous or not but that person must love animals

-Why was she as defiant as a cock?

-Well Betty, she was simply so!

-Like a pregnant woman in my “Egg and I”?

-No not so! Betty, Hilde was a whole farm!

- A farm, how was that?

- No Betty, Hilde was more! Almost a zoo! Even more. She was all the animals in the world!

-You loved her very much.

-As I love all animals. 

You Betty, if I had known you, I would have loved you exactly so because you loved animals.

-But as defiant as a cock from my Bob-farm!

-Yes and no! (Hilde really loved this double form of answer). Listen Betty , I’ll tell you a story about how Hilde was. You would certainly have loved her.
I’ll call my story “The Second Paradise”.

THE SECOND PARADISE

Copyright 2011/2015 by Letizia Mancino
translated by Mary Holmes
 
All rights reserved


The Lord God, one day, met Adam in Paradise and saw him lying under a palm.

And God spoke to him: Adam, my son, are you happy, are you content with Paradise ?

Adam answered: Oh Lord, it is wonderful!

And God said: But I will create a second Paradise and give you a wife.

Adam answered: Oh Lord, that is wonderful!

And God said: I will create the wife according to your wishes.

And Adam stood under the palm and thought hard.

And God said: Adam, are you ready?

Adam answered: My wife should be as lively as a bird but she should not fly. She should swim like a goldfish but not be a fish….. She should be as playful as a cat but not catch mice….. She should be as busy as an ant but not so small.

And God said: So shall she be: Like a bird, a goldfish, a cat, an ant…

Adam answered: Oh Lord, that is wonderful, but she should be as faithful as a dog.

And God asked: Adam, have you finished?

Oh Lord, cried Adam. She should also be as delightful and gentle as a lamb and as defiant as a cock!

….She should be as curious as a monkey and as pampered as a lapdog.

And God said: So shall she be.

And Adam said: My wife should be as courageous as a lion and as headstrong as a goat…

And God said: So, like a bird, a goldfish, a cat, an ant, a dog, a lamb, a cock, a monkey, a lapdog, a lion, a goat… and slowly and surely he wished to begin creating…

But Adam stretched himself under the palm and called:

Lord, Lord, she should be as adaptable as a chameleon but not creep on four feet.

She should have sparkling eyes like, like… real diamonds. She should be as fiery as a volcano

But … she should have crystal-clear thoughts like a mountain spring.

God, the Almighty, was speechless…

And Adam spoke: Also she should be as quick as lightening…

And God said: Man, have you finished????

No, said Adam! She should be as strong as a horse, as long living as an elephant but as light as a butterfly!

God found Adam’s thoughts were good and said: So, bird, goldfish, cat, ant, dog, lamb, cock, monkey, lapdog, lion, goat, chameleon, genuine diamonds, volcano, mountain spring, lightening, horse, elephant…. butterfly…

God wished at last to begin creating her…

Lord, called Adam… she should be as stable as steel, but as sweet as three graceful women in one…

And God asked: Should she also be a poet?

Yes, called Adam from under the palm…

And God said: Adam have you finished?

Lord, I wish that, in the second Paradise I shall be one and doubled:

So God according to Adams last words created:

HILDE PALM DOMIN
Very best wishes


Letizia Mancino


Letizia Mancino is an outstanding writer and artist.
I know you will enjoy this very charming and witty story the same way I did!
 
Thanks a Million, dear Letiza Mancino! You made my day!

As you know I'm very interested in pets and excellent literature.

Betty MacDonald Fan Club founder Wolfgang Hampel is working on a Eva Vargas biography. I'd love to know: Did Eva Vargas like pets and cats?

You can read my new story in Betty MacDonald Newsletter August. Don't be too critical, please. 



Letizia Mancino is part of Wolfgang Hampel's new project 'Vita Magica'. 

We got so many requests from fans from all over the world and have great info for you. 

Wolfgang Hampel's stories and satirical poems will be published in several languages for his many fans from all over the world.

Have a nice Thursday,

Yours,

Greta 

Vita Magica 


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William Cumming in Vita Magica

William 'Bill' Cumming, celebrity in the local art scene and longest-standing member of 'The Northwest School' died Nov. 22, 2010 at age 93.

— image credit: Courtesy of Annette Bauman

 
Monica Sone - and Betty MacDonald fan club fans,

I adore William Cumming's outstanding artwork but it's too expensive for my budget. 

His description of Betty MacDonald's character is a masterpiece.

William Cumming was a very good friend of Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel.
 
Both - Betty MacDonald and Wolfgang Hampel have the most wonderful friends.

I'm a bit jealous because I  would like to have friends like Betty MacDonald fan club honor members Mr. Tigerli and our beloved 'italian' Betty MacDonald, artist and author Letizia Mancino.

William Cumming is part of Wolfgang Hampel's new project 'Vita Magica'. 

Wolfgang Hampel's stories and satirical poems will be published in several languages for his many fans from all  over the world.

I hate dictators in politics and in my private life because they are stupid and childish. 

We should laugh about them but sometimes it's very difficult to do this.


Tom   



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