Fest

The Festival of the Book happened this past weekend at USM.

"The festival's goal is to encourage a dialogue between authors and readers through programs that feature readings, performances, parties and panel discussions." A weekend with books and parties? I could really go for that. I had a memory jolt this afternoon. Remember Bookmobiles? There used to be one that weekly came through our neighborhood and parked for an hour or so. We raced to the door and scrambled on board. All you needed was your library card and you could take a book for a week. At the end of the hour the 'library' was gone, and all that was left was some gassy exhaust. These mobile libraries still exist in some cities. I've seen pictures. A kid. A card. A book. What a life!

Book Club

I joined my first Book Club last month. Me and about 40 women. Ok, I'm exaggerating a hair. There were eight in attendance besides myself. There are about 15 or so others on the email list, but I'm sure most couldn't get through the 500 pages or so. We read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. All readers enjoyed the book immensely, and we shared good talk and lots of laughter. I was told we were to all bring a snack to share. I had planned to blow off this part of the assignment, but at the last minute I felt guilty and decided to make my scrumptious pumpkin cookies, loaded with white chocolate chips and walnuts. I'm glad I did. Now, I've never been confused with Einstein(except a bit visually) when it comes to doing math problems, but... as I perused around the table at the number of faces and back to the middle where the food was placed, something didn't 'add up'. Lots of faces, few snacks. Hummmmm. Interesting! Now, if this was a room of men reading and snacking, I'd have to experience the 'loaves and fishes' miracle to eliminate the the munchies, but a room of women and books? Oh well, the next read is Jamie Ford's The Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. What do you think of it? Should I read?

Spring Weekend#4

I just can't pass up a used book sale! Good or bad, I'll take a chance. In Boothbay Harbor, I wandered over to the 'porch book sale' and wasn't disappointed. Hey, can you go wrong picking up Studs Terkel's Working for 25 cents? It's his oral history collection of people talking about what they do all day. Two of my other favorites of his are Hard Times, on the people of the Great Depression and The Good War, his interviews with WWII veterans. I enjoy oral histories that you can open any place and be entertained for as long as you like. Quite a deal for a quarter! However, this Golden Retriever doesn't look too impressed.

Books#5

Can you really go wrong with books? Whether it's a large library, with historical volumes under lock and key or a small quaint bookstore, with tucked away alcoves for quiet reading time, these are both all time favorite hangouts of mine. Add in all the electronics and wifi that have found their way into libraries today, and you'd have to say, they do have a somewhat different look to them in 2011. However, you can always find a spot for some quiet time though. This is the Portland Room at the Portland Public Library. It contains some the oldest and most valuable volumes in the library's collection. This room is warm, inviting and just the spot to spend 'me time' in on a blustery spring afternoon.

Drew Mysteries

Happy, Happy. Joy Joy! Happy Birthday to my sister in sunny Florida today!

Whenever I see one of these old, blue covered Nancy Drews I think of her. She had a large collection in her bedroom, and there was a time when it seemed her face was always stuck in one. She also had some of the newer, yellow covered ones with a picture to grab the reader. I read a few. A favorite was "The Secret of the Old Clock". The Hardy Boys, of course, were a favorite collection of mine, along with a series about life at the service academies: "Midshipman... something." Reading... the great escape!

Episode 3

(overheard conversation at the Portland Public Library, while sitting in a very comfortable chair)

Two men standing and one sitting at one of these tables. "...so now you'll be teaching us some Micmac words."

This was spoken just before an intoxicated woman was removed nearby by two policemen. Later as we were leaving, one of the officers returned holding a book by his thumb and forefinger at chest level, that the woman had apparently had 'borrowed' before being asked to leave. I had to smile.

Episode 2

(overheard conversation near the register at Longfellow Books, next to the indie book section)

A middle-aged guy,with thinning hair manning the register frantically says, "Real quick, tell me what I need to do here. I can help you out. Do you have the book numbers?" A young girl, looking a bit frazzled, emptying a carton of books just rolls her eyes.

"Oh, this is a great read. You're gonna love it." He utters to the next customer, a mom dragging two kids.
"I'm getting it as a gift." She tells him and turns abruptly and leaves.

Bookcase

Here's a bookcase with no rhyme or reason to it and a few memorable lines of Dickinson. No plans for today? Need suggestions? Take a walk(wear blaze orange around here), pet a cat, visit a college, rearrange lights on an outside tree, write some rhyme, split some wood, finish the painting, plan a trip, close the laptop...

He ate and drank the precious words,
His spirit grew robust;
He knew no more that he was poor,
Nor that his frame was dust.
He danced along the dingy days,
And this bequest of wings
Was but a book. What liberty
A loosened spirit brings!
- Emily Dickinson

Turning Points

*(a piece of a short ramble I gave last night.)
A platypus, an eighth grader and a Guidance Counselor walk into a Principal’s office... wait a minute, after 13 weeks recovery from heart surgery, I better not tell that one. It’s too hilarious!! I might injure myself. Ok, backup plan. This evening I’d like to share a few ‘words on wisdom ‘ from a couple of women and a man that I have met on my long trip that I like to call-- my Life. If you’ve spent any amount of time in my room and I know many of you have, including quite a few mom’s and dads...you know I often talk about maxims. Really, Mr. S- but I thought I was only 29! Well, I never was that good in math anyway!
*My mom, bless her soul. Every Monday morning, it seemed, I had a piece of writing due in English... a story if you will. She’s stop by my room Sunday evenings and knock and ask what my plans were for the story. On more than one occasion I uttered, “I’m writing about Why I Hate these Writing Assignments”... I never wrote that one, of course, but I must admit I struggled with everyone of those stories! Often she’s say-- these stories are important-- what do you think you’ll do in in the future? You might need all this practice. I’d answer, “that’s easy, make myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and watch The Price is Right” That’s right at 12 my future was only 20 minutes away! Later, I found out that the future she was concerned about, and the future I was concerned about really weren’t anywheres near the same. But I listened to that lady-- and it’s made an amazing difference in my life.
*Mrs. Helen Kibler, of Lincoln Junior High School fame, bless her little red stained fingers! Yes, that same seventh grade English teacher that ruined all my Sunday nights with her endless writing assignments. And that’s not to mention the copious amounts of red ink she dedicated to correcting all my spelling and grammar faux pas. She wrote more in RED then I wrote in blue! Amazing! I never could get an A in her room, but it never bothered me. The drudgery of those long writing assignments though, where would they take me? Would she believe... how many years Mr. S-??? 37 1/2. Mind boggling... at least to me. I wonder, if in the big English Dept. in the sky she checks out my photoblog each morning to see how my writings are coming. If you are interested Google portcitydailyphoto take a look. As she always told our class--- 'Birdman', Writers Write!
*Coach Hep, bless his pigskin tainted hands! The late football coach at Indiana University. I heard him speak a couple of times and once he related what was the last thing he told his team every Saturday in autumn. It was a reminder about the day... but really a life lesson. I can’t get this out of my head... I think about it REALLY every day. Some of you out there probably know where I'm going with this by heart. Picture this the team is all psyched, itchin' to bust out of that locker room onto that green carpet BUT before they break he tells the--- Make a PLAN(we practiced a plan to beat this team), Keep to the PLAN(don’t waver, even when the going get tough) and PLAN for the unexpected(don’t be stubborn and afraid to change mid stream). What a wonderful lesson to carry around in your pocket or the back of the brain somewhere.
See--- this is what you’ve all done this year to make it here tonight. Your stories are simple(they’ll get a bit more complex later); there’s no real universal moral to preach to you tonight. You have unconditional, loving parents and love ones with you tonight. Tomorrow morning you’ll walk into classrooms with educators that care about you and where you are going... not just tomorrow but into all of your futures! And lastly, that person or words of wisdom that you’ll meet along your trip in life-- pack it away, in your pocket or the back of the brain. You’ll never know when you’ll need it for inspiration-- but you will. I promise!
Congratulations to you all tonight! You have a PLAN for success. It’s obvious to see. WHY? You are HERE! Don’t quit! Really Mr. S-? 37 1/2 years????
Enjoy Life!

Books 2

One way to beat a drizzling, foggy morning as the seasons change around here is to find a book and settle in. My plan is to take in the Maine Festival of the Book at USM. It's a day of workshops, book signings and sales. Looks like it's a full day to celebrate the art of writing and inspiration.

Books

Book Sale

Where ya gonna put 'em? That was E's retort, when she saw the books on my return from the Portland Public Library's annual Book Sale yesterday afternoon. I quite enjoy taking in this event each year, and at 50 cents per hardcover what a deal! No first editions here, but still... want to know what I lugged home to the bookshelf? How about a collection of Sherlock Holmes' tales, a copy of London's Sea Wolf, Tom Swift and his Sky Train, a Paul Theroux novel, My Secret History, and a W. Somerset Maugham biography. Just a few things to, maybe, keep me out of trouble this week.

Peace, Love, Books

When traveling or just hanging out, I love to seek out local bookstores, both large and small, the chain or a mom and pop versions. No matter. They just seem to pull me in with a magnetic-like attraction. Of course, this is not new to me. As a teenager, I remember often stopping by Deering Drug at Morrills Corner to check out the latest magazines and spending lots of free time in the Lincoln Jr. High School library and Burbank Branch Library with books. When on the move around the city, companions will roll their eyes as if to say, 'you're going in there again, are you'? Maybe my favorite bookshop is found on Exchange Street. It's Books Etc. There is just something soothing and warm about the two rooms, lined with books, magazines and bricks. Ah, the bricks... I especially enjoy perusing the poetry and biography sections there. I find my relationship with books to be a lonely, yet thoroughly satisfying quest, even if I walk out empty-handed. Got a favorite bookshop I should look into? Tell me about it?