Tales of a Budapest Baker: Meet Judit Wolfe

by Julia Buckley

       Judit in Haiku, Hawaii

Judit Wolfe lives in Maui today. She and her husband run an Air B and B, and she has come to call her little town, Haiku, the home of her heart, filled with that Hawaiian spirit of Ohana. A long-time Lucille Ball fan, she named her vacation rental after the comedienne, so one can make an appointment to stay at "Lucy Fan Ohana" and spend vacation days cavorting in the surf.

Before this Hawaiian life, however, long ago and on another continent, she was Judit Homonoi, a young Hungarian girl who grew up in Lake Balaton. In 1956, before her birth, Judit's father was one of the many young Hungarians killed in the Russian Invasion of Budapest (now known as the Hungarian Revolution). This tragic loss was compounded by others: most of her remaining family had been killed in the Holocaust or in WWII. Judit's mother, a Holocaust survivor, died suddenly at age fifty-eight, and at twenty-four years old, Judit found herself alone. She wasn't sure how she would support herself, and the uncertainty was traumatic for her. 

Young Judit in Budapest

In 1987, she found out about a job as an au pair in the United States, so she got a temporary visa to fly to America and take the position in Boca Raton, Florida  When her visa was about to expire, she obtained a six-month renewal and moved to New York, where she worked for the rest of her allotted time. There was no option to stay, as Hungary was still a communist country. She returned to Budapest not knowing what she would do next. As fate would have it, she learned that there was an opening at a legendary baker in Budapest called Rezso Hauer. He ran the Hauer Coffee House, which had been established in 1890, and is, as far as Judit knows, still there today. She applied at Hauer and got the job. "I was honored," she  says today, "to get a job there."

But the Hungarian government had found another placement for Judit in Lake Balaton, so she was obligated to leave her Budapest job and return to her childhood home, taking a position as head pastry chef, armed now with the skills she had learned from Chef Hauer

Judit the baker, circa 1989 or early 90s.

In 1992, Judit came to Maui to meet a pen-pal with whom she had been corresponding for a year. They had a brief relationship, but it was Maui that won her heart. She got a job there, and fewer than ten years later she had bought her house. She met her husband Timothy, an actor, when she went to see one of his performances, and they  married in 2006.

In 2011, she celebrated Lucille Ball's Centennial Year by visiting her museum in Jamestown, New York Her American experiences had been pivotal and positive moments in her life, and she knew this was her permanent home. She is now an American citizen.

Judit at the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum in Jamestown, 2011.

Judit had been in Hawaii for many years when she and I crossed paths. An avid reader, she was in a bookstore in her town, in quest of a different title, when she happened to see a book with the word "Budapest" in the title. This happened to be my book, the first Hungarian Tea House mystery, Death in a Budapest Butterfly. Judit bought the book and read it in one day. Not only did it reference Budapest and Hungarian baking (both of which had been integral to her life), but two of the characters were from Lake Balaton, her first home. 

Judit wrote to me, telling me that she had been a baker in Budapest, and that my book had brought back memories. From that point to this, we have chatted back and forth, and she has convinced me that I would love Maui. Meanwhile, I think of a nebulous train of events that led to our connection: the birth of my grandparents in different parts of Hungary, for starters. When they came to America, they sponsored at least one immigrant (my Uncle Steve) who wanted to escape the Hungarian Revolution. Their parenting of three children, one of whom was my father. My childhood filled with Hungarian culture from my father, German culture from my mother. My life-long love of reading and writing, and, when I became a published author, my desire to write something about my father's heritage.

And then, thanks to my publisher, my book ending up on a shelf in a little bookstore in Maui, and a transplanted Hungarian with memories of a distant life in Budapest and Balaton,  buying that book and taking it home.

Life offers so many fascinating intersections, and Judit Wolfe and I have met at one of them. She has memories of the beauty of Lake Balaton and its environs, but is permanently immersed in the beauty of Haiku, where the sun dips low into the water each night, and rises each morning in a miraculous display of light and color, a reminder of the endless horizon which makes our borders a mere illusion.

Judit the Hawaiian, 2000s.

Revisiting Gordon Holmes: Yorkshireman, Amateur Archaeologist, and Loch Ness Investigator

This lovely painting by Yorkshire artist Valerie Shepherd (used with permission) captures the imaginary view of the Loch Ness "Monster." The idea of an unknown creature swimming deep in a Scottish lake has fueled the imagination of many a mystery-lover, and blurry photographs of alleged sightings have made the monster, and her legendary Loch, a part of our cultural literacy. Gordon Holmes, too, has long been fascinated by Loch Ness and its legends, but he looks at the creature from a scientific perspective, and there is evidence, Holmes attests, that Loch Ness does, in fact, hold secrets yet to be revealed.

Gordon Holmes setting up Time-lapse camera at Dores, Loch Ness.

Yorkshireman Gordon Holmes and I connected back in 2017 when his footage of a mysterious, fast-moving creature in Scotland's Loch Ness became a sensation. The footage in question was widely viewed and discussed. You can find the original post here.

Gordon has been an amateur scientist for more than four decades, and he continues to pursue not just the Loch Ness mystery and "Nessie," but many of the mysteries that appear all around him in the Yorkshire countryside, where the land, first occupied after the retreat of the Ice Age, has historically been trodden by Romans, Early Britons, and Vikings. Gordon has developed a collection of artifacts, some of which are so valuable that they must be locked in a vault.

In following his scientist's instincts, Gordon has accumulated a fair amount of evidence to support the idea of a heretofore-unseen creature in the depths of Loch Ness--a 30-foot creature that appeared on Sonar a year after he took his footage. Below are some pieces of evidence, along with his own diagrams based on previous descriptions and his own experience at the Loch. (Captions by Gordon Holmes). I've saved the best image for last.

Nessie's side head view based on my latest research.

My 2008 Sonar contact of a 30 foot unknown Creature in 65 foot depth of Loch Ness.

Nessie's total length view (in black & white) based on my latest research.

My hypothetical 1933 Spicer Image based on description of Nessie 

crossing road and then entering Loch Ness.

My Loch Ness (after the Ice Age) artwork. Just before Nessie's Ancestors moved in. 

F

Front view of my 2000AD possible Skull find at Whitby, Yorkshire (just 250 miles from Loch Ness as the Monster swims). Showing potential Nessie's Ancestor (early Jurassic). NOT FOR SALE below 4 million Dollars  ; - )"

Gordon plans to return to Loch Ness, perhaps in the spring, because he has new equipment. that he wants to try out in quest of Nessie--specifically, a cosmic ray detector and a magnetometer. Gordon Holmes, however, does not devote all of his time to Nessie research. The previously-mentioned study of the terrain in Yorkshire, something he has done seriously since age 25, has allowed him to 

decode at least seven different carvings on the cup & ring stones. one of which  might include an ancient star map (as covered in The Telegraph and Argus). In addition, his discovery of a fossilized skull in Whitby led him to theorize about a Nessie ancestor (see photo above), and a stone carving led him to finding what he dubbed "A Stone-Age Selfie."

Gordon Holmes has authored a number of books on his areas of interest. (All titles are now out of print).

Gordon's dedication to history and to the spirit of discovery have made him a prominent figure, but he's in it for the science; therefore, he is willing to consider all possibilities.

A still photo taken from Gordon's 2007 video at Loch Ness.

The image is one of two moving things Gordon saw in the water.

Here are the theories, in his own words: "It has taken me 20 years to reach the following conclusions based on my best  evidence, re; the still from my Holmes 2007 Loch Ness Sighting: [above] :

1 The Image was produced by freak waves forming the outline of two Creatures.

2 It was a quite by chance video footage of two unknown  robotic submarines.

.

3 The shape, if proved to be the outline of a Creature, is unknown to Science.

 Hence, this must be The Loch Ness Monster!!!"

The Veronica Bond Novels

After the success of the Writer's Apprentice novels, I wanted to try something else in the cozy-Gothic vein. Soon enough I had dreamed up Castle Dark, the unlikely castle set in the middle of a rural Illinois suburb. I didn't want to have to feign knowledge of some European setting, so I brought the castle and characters to a setting I know well.

Under the name Veronica Bond, I have written two Castle Dark mysteries: Death in Castle Dark, and Castle Deadly, Castle Deep. The latter will hit bookstores on July 5. I've explored some of the Gothic tropes in a fun way, not delving into actual Gothic horror, but keeping some suspense in the halls of Derek Corby's castle. The series follows the exploits of a theatrical troupe that performs murder mystery scenarios for paying guests. Sometimes life imitates art . . . .

The castle dog, Hamlet, is very much based on my own dog, Digby, who is large and black and potentially intimidating to strangers, but who acts like a gentle puppy around us. 

You can meet him and a whole cast of fun characters in the Castle Dark "Murder and a Mystery" series.

Reflecting on a Year of Blindness

 In November of 2020 I began to lose vision in my left eye. It was gradual, expanding outward from a general grayness. I went to one doctor, who sent me to a specialist, who told me that I either had something very scary and life-threatening, or something less severe. She sent me for a blood test to rule out the super scary disease, and it was determined I did not have that. Instead, I had NAAION--or Non arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. It was fairly rare, no one knew what caused it exactly, and there was no cure. Oh, and the vision loss was permanent. I was also told there was a "slight chance" that within ten years it might happen in the companion eye.

In December of 2020, I began to lose vision in my right eye. This time a third doctor sent me straight to the emergency room, after which I was admitted to the hospital and stayed for the next four days. I was given intravenous steroids to try to arrest the vision loss, and perhaps return some of it. Alas, I think the treatment came too late. The vision did not return in either eye. I was told by a fourth docotr, a top Chicago neuro-opthamologist, that my central vision was gone, but that  I had "Pretty good" peripheral vision. "But you are legally blind," he told me cheerfully. I suppose he was used to delivering news like that. It was brand new for me.

For a year I've been adapting to legal blindness. I can no longer drive, which means no quick errands or trips to the store. I'm reluctant to walk alone, although I did just receive a walking cane from the Chicago Lighthouse that will help me to anticipate bumps and holes in the sidewalk. I bought an i-phone so that I could use the voice software which will read me my e-mail and messages. I bought dark markers and a giant pad so that I can make lists to organize my thoughts. Ironically, I can still write perfectly, but I can't read what I write. I can't read at all, and so I've discovered audiobooks. When I prepare to teach, I either have to listen to texts on audio or have someone read the material to me so that I can review it before class. This works well, but I do miss being able to make specific textual references, to point to a specific line that I've annotated for a particular reason. Worst of all, I cannot see faces. Not those of my family, my friends, my students. I cannot see my own reflection in the mirror.

There is a certain existential horror in being cut off from eye contact--perhaps our most essential way of connecting to other people. I miss that the most, I suppose. I also miss the autonomy that vision brings. I've sacrificed a fair amount of independence simply because I have to ask for help with so many things. Depending on others means I can't always set my own agenda, so my agency within situations is sometimes limited.

As a teacher and a writer, I find it almost unbelievable that this painless, silent condition would remove the very things I need most: the ability to read and connect. I have spent a year finding ways to adapt to my new situation, and, for the most part, I've been successful.

I should mention that there have been positives within this tough situation. I find that I listen more, and better, and that people appreciate that skill. The audiobooks I now listen to are a constant delight; I feel like a child again, listening to stories. I have been able, so far, to keep my teaching job with the aid of a T.A., (who happens to be my son, the perfect classroom companion)/; I find that I can still teach effectively and well, and I still find my job rewarding. Thanks to my high school typing teacher, I can type without being able to see the keyboard, so my writing career can continue. I am still surrounded by humor in the form of my husband and sons, and I laugh often. I worked with an occupational therapist who taught me many life hacks to help negotiate a blurry world: rubber band around the shampoo bottle, raised stickers on microwave and stove buttons, large lined pads and dark markers for writing. Neighbors and friends dropped off food, gifts, chocolates, gift cards, in a river of compassion that still warms my heart. People offered to read my work and help with editing, so I can still write with their help.

What I cannot do, unfortunately, is see the manuscript for editing myself . I have always prided myself on turning out clean documents and finding every little error with my eagle eye. Now I must ask others to edit for me, but I don't have the luxury of that final edit, where I can sign off on my own work. I regret this, and the fact that readers have already noticed some typos in my latest book.

The fact that other people are willing to help me, though, is most gratifying. I am finding some abilities that I did not know I possessed. For example, when I used to have to speak in public, I would compose a speech beforehand and read it at the podium. Now, without that possibility, I have to commit to a much more personal speech, memorizing the components in advance and then speaking extemporaneously. I have done this several times now, though I never would have done it before.

There is no denying that I would like to have my vision restored, but I am handling life just fine without it. Ultimately, in losing something, I find myself grateful for what I still have. Four others sense, some vision that can be enhanced with magnifying goggles so that I can type a post like this. It's like wearing the Hubble Telescope on my face, and it tires my eyes quickly, but hey--thank goodness for technology!

After a year of blindness, I am hopeful for new innovations, grateful for many blessings, and eager for a new year of writing and teaching. Life is good, my family and friends are healthy, I have three cat companions and a very loving Labrador, and sound software on my beloved laptop.  :)

So it's a happy holiday season, and I hope that you are happy as well, full of plans for a new year and full of ideas for books to read. 

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to one and all! May your days be merry and bright.

Join the Cozy Chat

Join host Angela Maria Hart and me for a cozy chat Tuesday, June 16, on her YouTube Channel, Books Are My Hart. We'll chat about books, writing, and my various series for Berkley/Penguin.

The link is here.

A Beautiful Fragment of Memory

The amazing little intersections of life.

Way back when I was about four or five years old, my parents took us kids to the house of my godfather, a man I've only met a handful of times in my life. Back then he was still married to his first wife, whose face I cannot picture and whose name I cannot remember. However, at one point in the evening she pulled me into her lap and started singing a song to me that I had never heard: "Julie, Julie, Julie, do you love me?"

Fast forward about forty-five years. I was driving to work, listening to Oldies radio, and I heard that song, which it turns out was sung by Bobby Sherman. The years fell away, and I remembered that moment, sitting in the lap of a stranger who sang softly in my ear.

I don't know her name and can't see her face, but I remember her, thanks to a melody and a kind gesture.

Who knows how many people we influence in tiny ways? Who knows how many things we do will go into someone's permanent memory?

A Decade's Worth of Books, and the Stories that Stayed

Best of the Decade

Ten Mysteries From the Last Decade That Stayed With Me

Julia Buckley

The Stieg Larsson Series (Book 1, American printing, 2010). 

      The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo had tough subject matter, but Larsson was a storyteller and he lured me in to this series with interesting characters and a plot which gave a strong woman a chance for both revenge and rebirth. I read the entire trilogy, but have not yet discovered the additional books written by David Lagercrantz (I might have to re-read the original series first).

The Crossing Places (2010). 

This moody and wonderful mystery by Ellie Griffiths is one of the most entertaining books I’ve read in the last decade. Ruth Galloway is an archeologist who lives alone in the gloomy Saltmarsh, and of course that’s where a body is discovered, and the police need her help to determine whether it’s an archeological find—or a recent murder.

Two Girls Down (2018) by Luisa Luna. 

This taut thriller about the disappearance of two little girls is memorable for many reasons, but what knocked me out was the wonderful narration by a kick-ass heroine named Alice Vega.

     The Trouble With Goats and Sheep (2016) by Joanna Cannon. 

      Truly some of the best writing I have ever read, and a powerful story that is part mystery, part morality tale, part coming of age novel. In a small English town in 1976, two little girls decide they must find out what happened to a woman on their block who has simply disappeared.

      Ordinary Grace (2016) by William Kent Krueger. 

      Krueger has many fans because of his lyrical, insightful mysteries. While he’s known for his wonderful Cork O’Connor mysteries set in Minnesota, this one is a stand-alone murder mystery with powerful themes that lift it into the realm of the literary.

     The Mystery of Mercy Close (2014) Marion Keyes. 

    

     This book had me in stitches on one page and close to tears on the next. Helen Walsh is a

     private investigator in need of business and an ex-husband with a missing persons case, and 

     those are only two problems in her very complicated life.

        Far Cry (2009) John Harvey. 

     

      This one’s not officially in the last decade, but I still think about the story of a missing girl, and the terrible pain her parents went through as the police worked to find her. Harvey’s writing is both lyrical and heart-wrenching.

      Rainbirds (2018) Clarissa Goenawan. 

      This book was a pleasant surprise--spare and lyrical prose in what seemed part Japanese novel, part mystery, part poetry.

     The Widows of Malabar Hill (2019) Sujata Massey. 

    

      Set in 1920s Bombay, this mysery was culturally rich and compelling.

     The Longmire Series, by Craig Johnson. (Book One: The Cold Dish, 2006. Most recent title, Land of Wolves). 

      I have read just about all of the Longmire books, and Johnson’s writing, both down-to-earth and literary at the same time, and ever-compelling, is always worth the read.