CHANGING SEASONS AND A REMINDER

It is no secret that I prefer the colder months.  But Fall is my favorite time of year.  The magnificent colors, cooler temps,  zucchini, green tomatoes, football (6-man to professional), falling leaves, sweaters,  hearty soups and thick books are all indicators that we are preparing for the winter months.  There is just something about this time of year that excites me.  I am more creative, I have more energy and I am thrilled to know that we will start having more colder days than hot ones.  I know I am lucky to live where I do, where there are distinct differences between the seasons where the sky never ends and the mountains stand tall. 

The store is busy, our schedules are full, we are preparing for author signings and Dances with Words.  The Oktoberfest is rapidly approaching (October 6th) and requiring a lot of my attention.  Somewhere among all the fast paced living that I do, I turned 9.  Quietly celebrating another year of living without cancer, another year of being so very thankful for all that I have and all that I do.  My Mom called the day before and said are you really 9 years out?  We laughed remembering how excited we were when I hit the 5 year mark.  I had an appoitment with the oncologist that day and I was giddy like a kid on a merry-go-round.  My Doctor noticed the dates and said "you are 5 today".  Bill and I were grinning from ear to ear.  

My dear friend, Mary has remembered each one of the 9.  Always marking the day in a unique and creative way.  This year was no exception.  She presented me with 9 ladies dancing and a box of Charleston Chews.  It was perfect.  No big fanfare, just a quick hug knowing that we all face adversity. Everyday when we wake up we are all survivors and should work hard at remembering to be grateful for the little things.  Don't take anything or anyone for granted and always get your mammograms.

A bit of a Rant and a whole lot of opinion

I wasn't sure I was going to take on this age of electronics BUT after the past few days I have decided not only that I would but also that I should.  I am not here to discuss the kindle pitfalls nor what it could mean to the future of a REAL book.  I am here to talk about, share and possibly become the Amy Vanderbilt for the proper manners when one owns an e-reader.

I can't help but think of my grandmother and the changes she witnessed during her lifetime.  She rode in horse drawn buggies, helped haying crews with equipment that was pulled by horses.  She drove cars, travelled by airplane and witnessed a man land on the moon. She listened to a radio before there was television.  She owned  TV in black and white and then one in color.  I now compare those advancements to the rapidly changing electronic world we live in today.  A world where we are hooked up, online and quickly becoming instant gratification addicts.


     I find it amusing that none of my customers purchased their own version of an e-reader whether it be an Ipad, Nook or the new kindle fire.  When they are confessing that they now have entered the world of electronic books they tell me that they never thought they would own one but then they got one as a gift. ......

I love books, I love reading, I love talking about books, I love recommending books and I love talking about books with people that love books, love reading and love talking about books.  This is my job, it is my career and it is my passion.

(WARNING:  This is where the rant begins)  Because I enjoy what I do I was slow to realize that "some customers" (but certainly not all) are now using me the same way information seekers use google.  They come into The Bookstore asking for my professional opinion on what is hot in the world of books.  I gladly comply reaping upon them my vast knowledge.  Giving them my undivided attention and letting them share in all that I know.  I pull the books from the shelves, I take the time to find out what books they enjoy or if they are looking for something particular to read.  I offer to order a title if we don't have it in stock.  It is no secret that I am a talker and when I am talking about books I can (and often do) go on and on sometimes forgetting that I am talking to someone but rather I become one with the book. 

These people will jot down the titles or ask if I have a website listing my favorite books.  I spend a lot of time with these customers enjoying the literary exchange before it slowly dawns on me that they are not going to buy any of these books from me.  They are going to purchase them and they are going to read them but they will not be paying me for the books nor do I get a consultants fee.  They are going to take the information that I gave them and happily travel the world wide web and purchase those books elsewhere.

I didn't want to believe that people who have been customers in my store would use me in this way.  And to be fair I doubt they think they are doing anything wrong.  I am starting to feel like they are shoplifting my brain.  I can not have them arrested but they are stealing from me (OK I also lean a bit to the dramatic)  Some people are much more subtle than others possibly purchasing a postcard for a quarter or a birthday card telling me they will be back.  I have actually witnessed people sitting in their cars in front of my store downloading something onto a plastic contraption.  I can only assume that it is one or all of the books I had just spent 45 minutes discussing with them.  And yes they have also downloaded the book while still in my store.

It was last week that I had a full realization that this happens (a lot) a woman came into the store and told me she wanted to thank me for being so helpful last summer when she visited Dillon for 8 weeks.  I vaguely remembered her and smiled and welcomed her back.  Then she asked me what books I had read over the winter.  I excitedly shared with her.  She then told me that she had been able to download all of the books I recommended last year and told all of her friends back home about the wonderful woman in Dillon.  I was stunned when she told me (in a round about way) that she had not purchased a single title from me.  She told me that no one had ever picked out titles for her that she enjoyed more.  In fact she told me she wasn't used to going to a bookstore where the clerk was so knowledgeable.  I didn't know whether to laugh, to cry or punch her........................I did none of those things but believe me the "Other Debbie" had serious thoughts of ways to torture this woman.

I have had people ask for my help and then stand in my store to see if they can download the book.  I have folks coming in and using the price check app.  I have had people refuse to allow their traveling companion to purchase them a book because they will get it from amazon or download it.  Often times the the companion is embarrassed.

Where does this lead?  What does it mean?  As for me I will continue to do what I do best, read books, sell books and share my passion with others.  I will hope that folks like me still walk the earth that want to hold a book, touch the pages, smell the print, browse the shelves of a bookstore and buy the book and take it home.

Graduation......................The Bookstore (observations but no advice)

It is May.  May of 2012.   I am stunned that not only is it May but it is closer to June than April.   In one short week our God son, Pete and one of our employees, Jordyn will graduate from high school.   Both are honor students and Pete is the class valedictorian.  We have many friends that are celebrating the graduations of their offspring.  For some it is their eldest child standing on the threshold of adulthood and for others it is the youngest.  Some are graduating from college or middle school and at least one is celebrating the milestone of graduating from preschool and heading off to the big world of kingergarden in the fall.   It is an exciting time.  A mixture of anticipation, trepidation, confusion and in some cases fear.   But no matter what, the diplomas they will receive are a symbol of accomplishment.  There will be parties and presents, cakes and meat platters.  There will be laughter, lots of laughter and a few tears.  Promises to keep in touch, promises not to change, promises of being best friends forever.   There will be the signing of the yearbooks and the exchanging of addresses.

     We will sell books intended for them that will encourage the prospective graduates to be all that they can be, books instructing them to spread their wings, books that warn them of the "naked roommate" and books that tell them what they should or shouldn't do.  They will receive dictionaries or a Rand McNally Road Atlas.  Cookbooks for dorm room meals or healthy college eating and recipe books on 101 ways to prepare ramen noodles.  

    

And most if not all will be given a copy of Dr. Seuss's "Oh the Places you will go"  where the words "You have brains in your head.  You have feet in your shoes.  You can steer yourself any direction you choose."  will be burned into their brains.   It is a terrific book. It fits for all ages from the preschool graduate to the medschool grad.  It works for and encourages those heading off to college or technical school and works just as well for those moving into an apartment and starting a job.  It tells of success and of bumps along the way.  It has a great message and it is plain fun.  It is fun to give and fun to receive.  It wasn't published until 1990 (I graduated from high school in 1978)  I left home and moved to Missoula where I attended the University of Montana as a journalism student.  I had fun.  I had a lot of fun.  Some might say too much fun.  My grades reflected the fun I was having and the studying I was not doing.  I did not graduate from college.  I could add chapters to the book "Been there SHOULD'VE done that" and possibly I was the naked roommate. Well I was at a minimum the roommate that encouraged late nights that often did not involve anything acedemic.   

     I look back at my graduation with fond memories.  Remembering the emotions and the determination to do something that took me out of Augusta, Montana and into the world.  I may not have graduated from college but I did spread my wings.  I did meet new people and experience new things.  I succeeded beyond my wildest dreams and somewhere along the way the dream changed and I am here in Dillon, Montana doing something that I love.  I have a degree in life and wish the best for all the graduates of 2012 no matter where they are or where they are headed for they have "Brains in their heads and feet in their shoes and they can steer themselves in any direction they choose."

Haystack Butte - Augusta, Montana

Photo shared by Rhett Young

Another Day.......Another Year

Friday, September 16th, 2011 is just another day.  It is 5 days after the anniversary of 9/11 and while listening to the local radio station (KDBM) this morning several people are celebrating their birthdays or anniversaries on this day.  There will be football, some of us will be going to school, some of us will go to work, some of us will spend the day at home or out with friends.  We will go to the gym, we will eat breakfast we will watch the news.   Somewhere in the world a baby or two will be born and someone else will leave us.  We will either follow our usual routine or we  won't.  No matter what we do today it will still be Friday, September 16th in the year of 2011.

I am 8 today -- I may look and act like I am 51 (well I may at times still act as if I am 8).  But no matter what, today I am 8.  Eight years ago today I had a routine mammogram that led to some not so routine events.  Recently there was an article written about me.  It focused on my tiara collection, my costumes, my love of books and my involvement in the local business builders association and the shop local group.  It touched on my creative side and The Bookstore.  Then it talked about cancer. 

cancer.......to me that is still an odd word.  We all know what it means.  That word makes us hold our breath for just a moment.  No matter if the word is directed at us or referring to someone we know or someone that we don't know but we know someone that knows them.  It is a word for pause.   We shed a silent tear or yell and scream or sit very still saying nothing.  cancer is out there I would find it hard to believe that there is anyone that has not been touched by it in someway, either as a participant or an observer.

This is my annual reminder to get a mammogram.  It is the day that I silently thank God for the people that made this trek with me.  Not just Bill and my family and my friends and my employees and my customers but the health professionals that sat beside me and still follow me on this journey of life.

There is Betty Jo Howells, Leslie Cottom, Dr. Judy Wilson, Dr. Lou Rudolph, Dr. Shafi Shafaieh, Dennis Hatfield, Dr. Judy Schmidt, Kathy Elliott, Debbie Bolin, Bev Bishop, Ryan Black, Kevin Mackey, Deanna (the bruiser), Patty, Sue and Joni.  There are many more but these people were the ones there in the beginning.  

Betty Jo was the tech that felt the lymph node while doing the mammogram.  Leslie and Bev were there the next day quietly holding my hand.  Dr. Rudolph, Kevin and Ryan are the reason that I can read an x-ray and they looked me in the eye every time I had a question.  Dr. Shafaieh, Kathy Elliott, Dennis Hatfield and the surgical staff were there when I went to sleep and when I awoke from surgeries.  The line of professional and friend blurry yet clear.  Debbie Bolin shaved my head when I could no longer tolerate the rapid loss. The nurses Joni, Patty and Deanna dealt with my shrinking veins with valor and determination all the while making sure I was OK.   Sue provided calmness, massages and toe rings. Dr. Schmidt and everyone at Guardian Oncology took care of me physically, emotionally and spiritually.  They not only cared for me, my husband, my family and my friends but they cared about us too. 

You may not know these people but you know people like them.  We just spent time remembering and honoring heroes of 9/11.  These humans that I mention are my heroes.  They walk among us doing their jobs not expecting anything in return.  But they are my superheros, my masked crusaders. 

Today, September 16, 2011 I am 8, I am at work, I am laughing, I am talking on the phone, I am checking in books, I am taking care of customers, I am  rearranging displays, I was interviewed for a a study (about trees), I am eating a kit kat bar that was part of a pak of 8 (a gift from a friend to help me celebrate #8) I am contemplating what to fix for dinner and I am enjoying my life. 

Don't take your annual physicals, Dr.'s appointments and routine exams lightly.  Get them done.  Remind each other, go together.  And please always acknowledge the heroes in your life.  



#2 Pencils and Back to School

I am a self admitted geek.  I loved the first day of school.  I couldn't wait to be back in the classroom among the books and my friends.  I have fond memories of "most" of my teachers....Mrs. Troy, now in her 90's, my 3rd grade teacher is still a cherished friend. There was also  Mrs. Carlson (Kindergarden), Mrs. Rada (1st grade), Mrs. Tuomi (5th grade), Mr. Rhonke (Business classes and the school paper), Miss Boley (English)  and of course Mr. Wilson (history).

There is definite proof that our summer (although brief) is winding down as the soil prepares itself for the next season.  We have sunflowers and sweetpeas blooming.  The border along our fence is stunning with the array of oranges, yellows and reds and this morning the dew on the windshield was almost frost.  I still have the urge every August to purchase #2 pencils, notebooks, erasers, glue, pens, and paper.  I look forward to the county fair and I want to go shopping for new shoes, socks and underwear. 

While growing up the stores in downtown Great Falls hosted sidewalk sales during fair week.  It was always an adventure and we would hit the stores and eventually we would all meet back at my Aunt Pat and Uncle Floyd's bar (That Bar) and then head over to the state fair. 

After about the age of 12 I had my own money to spend on back to school items and the fair.  I would save my money from babysitting and it would burn a hole in my pocket all summer but it was so worth the wait to feel that independence as I shopped.  I would get books and trinkets, pick out my own clothes and pay for them.  At the fair I would get conned my a smooth talking carney and end up with a much smaller version of the prize I really wanted and a lot less money in my pocket.  There were the rides................not the best for me.  But great for my younger sisters who had no fear.   I would always end up going just because I couldn't be upstaged by them and I would end up pale and nauseous.  I really miss those days.

Now it is August and I really wish I was talking on the phone (rotary dial) to my friends about what we are going to where tomorrow while I gaze lovingly at my new stack of school supplies.  The freshly sharpened pencils, the notebooks waiting to be written in, being teased by my brave little sisters about how I am more school than cool (and secretly agreeing with them)  There is just something about the first day of school that can never be duplicated.

 

Family, Friends, Summer Days and of course books

What a spring.  Rainy days, cold (some times freezing nights) and then suddenly it is the middle of July and the sun decides to smile upon us.  (well smile on most of us -- I am not a fan of summer heat,  Don't get me wrong I love the longer days, I love the lush greeness that we are experiencing right now because of the rain, I can't wait to spend time with Bill on the boat.  I love the smell of barbecue when I cruise home on my scooter, and I love seeing the geology students, the customers that spend weeks here that are old friends  but the heat and the sun I don't enjoy)  The mercury is rising a sure sign that summer has arrived, and I am thankful for ceiling fans, window unit air conditioners and a basement bedroom.

Besides the in influx of geology students the summer months also mean the return of the seasonal residents of Dillon.   Many of these folks have been visiting this area for more years than I have owned the Bookstore.  I anticipate their arrivals every summer with excitement and joy.  It is  fun to see them and to catch up on their lives and to know that they wintered well.  A lot of them came here as children and teens and now have children of their own.  They bring them in to introduce them to The Bookstore and me and show them their favorite books and they discover new favorites together.   I have met some incredible people over the past 20 years and I love that The Bookstore is part of their memories and one of the first stops they make upon their return to Dillon.  (of course some of them have aged but I seem to never change................)

July also brings family.  My sister and her family are visiting from Nashville.  They spent a night with us and the boys (ages 10 and 7) worked with me in the store.  They learned quickly and soon could run the cash register without my prompts.  The 7 year old sat in the back and hosted reading time with some young customers while their parents shopped.  We had negotiated their pay before their arrival and it was agreed that they would be compensated in books.  They are voracious readers (much to my delight) and they were well paid (much to their parents dismay as they wonder how in the world they will get all those books on the airplane)

I will travel to my parents home this weekend (I am taking a long weekend) where I will get to spend some quality time with my sisters, our parents  and assorted nieces, nephews and friends.  We have a lot of plans including some fiddle playing, open mic night at my sisters bar, dancing, peddlers in the park (art in the park), stacking some firewood and we are going to celebrate the holidays that we have spent apart.

     

Since the kids from Nashville are rarely here for the holidays  we are planning to decorate Easter eggs and have an Easter egg hunt, we are going to bake and frost Christmas cookies, barbecue a turkey and maybe even shoot off some fireworks.   I am planning to string some twinkly lights around the patio, we will sing Christmas carols and of course their will be presents.

This post sounds like I am on one long vacation.  (well when you think about it my job is pretty awesome since I am surrounded by books all day and I encounter people that want to talk about books -- so yes I have it pretty good)  Amidst all the working and time with family and friends I have managed to read a couple of books. 

"A Discovery Witches" by Deborah Harkness is the first of a trilogy and it was fabulous.  Witches and Vampires at their best.  It had action, history,  romance (forbidden romance) literary references that made me drool with envy at the library of a 1500 year old vampire.  This is not your typical vampire/witch novel this is one of the best I have read in this genre and I can't wait for the sequel.

"Last Call:  The rise and fall of prohibition" by Daniel Okrent was a brilliant, authoritative, and fascinating history of America's most puzzling era, the years 1920 to 1933, when the U.S. Constitution was amended to restrict one of America's favorite pastimes: drinking alcoholic beverages.  Okrent covers the gangland explosion that Prohibition triggered—and rightly deromanticizes it—but he has a wider agenda that addresses the entire effect enforced temperance had on our social, political, and legal conventions. Above all, Okrent explores the politics of Prohibition; how the 18th Amendment, banning the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating beverages, was pushed through after one of the most sustained pressure-group campaigns in our history; how the fight over booze served as a surrogate for many of the deeper social and ethnic antagonisms dividing the country, and how it all collapsed, almost overnight, essentially nullified by the people. 

"Summer Rental" by Mary Kay Andrews is a perfect "beach book"  her books are well written, full of fun and a great way to escape during the dog days of summer.  I also recommend her other titles, "Hissy Fit", "Itty Bitty Lies",  "Savannah Blues", "Savannah Breeze", "Deep Dish" and "Blue Christmas."

Her writing is funny and entertaining and you won't be disappointed.

As always I have more books on my reading list than I will ever have time to read.  I am looking forward to some well deserved days off and I can't wait to be with my crazy family.  I hope you are all enjoying the summer, reading great books and spending time doing things that bring you joy.

Until next time

Debbie "From the Bookstore"

                                                                                                                                              

Seed Catalogs, Gardening and memories of my Grandparents

    It is that time of year.  Seed orders have arrived.  Many seeds have been planted and tiny green shoots are reaching out from small dirt filled pots waiting to be large and strong enough for their migration to the dark earth outdoors.  I listen to my family and friends as they plot and plan this years gardens.  From flowers to vegetables some traditional varieties and always the exotic one that just might grow this year.

     When I was growing up my parents occasionally had a garden.  They always planted corn and every time they plotted a better fence to keep the deer and milk cows from pilaging that years bounty.  It didn't matter what they did the milk cows always got to the corn before we did.  My Dad would announce that the corn was just about ready and he was right but the cows (Minnie and Evelyn) always knew the minute it was ready.  I thought that was why they planted corn so that the cows could have a treat and it didn't matter the fence they would find their way to the tall stalks and crisp sweet corn and we would buy corn from the store or the hutterites.

    My grandparents lived next door in the cabin.  They had a garden (they each had a garden).  I remember when the seed catalogs would arrive the gleam in their eyes as they secretly planned what they would order.  They would sit back to back with a metal TV tray in front of each them and fill out their orders making certain the other didn't see what was being ordered.   When the seeds arrived the contest began: who would raise the biggest of this or the oddest shape of that, who would have the most peas or the best corn.  Their gardens were amazing but if you stole a pea from one of them you had better steal a pea from the other one. 

     Our neighbors are a young family with a lot of energy and strong backs.  They turn their small back yard into a beautiful organic garden each summer.  (We reap what they sow)  It is wonderful to sit on our deck and watch the transformation happen.  They plant and water and weed and prepare the food to last them through the winter.  They seek sustainablity and from our vantage point across the yard they are achieving just that.

     My friends, the Hermity Farmer Women are also itching to put trowel to dirt and begin their summer romance with mother earth.  They just brought home 3 baby goats have ordered their chickens they are planning the conversion of a childhood play house into the chicken coop.  They will have beautiful flowers and luscious vegetables and sweet strawberries and I will be invited over for tea in the garden.

     Bill plants beautiful flowers in our yard each spring.  We have cabbage roses that flank our front steps and when they are in bloom the smell is intoxicating.  (those roses have been blooming there for over 60 years) The sunflowers and sweet peas  wave to people as they pass by on the sidewalk.  His grandmothers peonies guard the back fence and the day lilies wiggle in the wind beside the garage.

     I love the winter but there is something about spring that breathes renewal.