When they hear that Dr. Ruth Wizenheimer, appearing on the Sally Jesse O'Donnell show, advises women that onion rings, tossed in horseshoe fashion, can make for fun sex play, the ladies are disgruntled. From there, the women realize that they are fed up with feminine self-help books and female advice gurus—Rosie Winfrey, Dr. Joyce Sisters, Martha Showoff—the lot of them. They decide that only those with some experience should be dispensing such advice. With their combined wisdom of 1,070 years, they are sure that they know it all and begin to compose the ultimate self-help book.
The Garden Club begins each thoughtful chapter with a story/vignette from their own ecogardens that—according to them—illustrates the chapter subject. Then they present the highlights of their chapter discussions for the reader to digest and to become—so the women assume—a more enlightened female. The women wrap up each chapter with a brief summary of their conclusions which does not—to the surprise of the reader—quite align with the chapter subject.
As readers delve into the stories of dogs, cats, flowers, squirrels, birds, and humans, they will also become immersed in the interesting little dramas and personalities of the Hillery Beach Garden Club itself. The reader will be most amused as the women attempt to bring their book to fruition against all odds.
While the stories of the ecogarden prove heartwarming and most enlightening, it is the funny and insightful discussions of the women which provide an even greater wisdom.
