Things I Know About Bookselling

I don’t want to sleep at night.I lay down and play on my phone- one more round of a senseless game.One more peek at Facebook.I’ll nod off and wake with a startle, then push down with my thumb to wake the phone and start all over again.I don’t want to go to sleep. I don’t want to wake in the morning.Quickly press snooze and drift off on some mornings, grabbing seven more suddenly asleep minutes…

Fell asleep to the news of the President’s staff member testing positive for COVID-19. Woke up to news that the President had tweeted he and FLOTUS have tested positive for COVID-19. Scrolled through varied social media responses colored (as usual) by the personal and political views of the people in my circle and the news that I follow:

‘Thoughts and prayers’

‘He’s trying to avoid the next…

It’s a Grand Opening day here in Pittsburgh for two new Loves Furniture and Mattresses stores.

I am in a hotel room, checking email and waiting for the flat iron to heat and allow me to smooth away the impact of five hours of not-enough-sleep. Terrified to use the germy coffeemaker I am sipping lukewarm Diet Coke and wondering how many doughnuts are enough donuts to bring to the store along…

I watch the ‘Got Talent’ shows for the Golden Buzzer. Sure, sure, sure: some of the talent is amazing. But it’s the Golden Buzzer that makes me cry.

One after another people move forward on stage and do their thing. Some dance, others sing, some try comedy, others are acrobats. They dig up the nerve to confront their nerves and go for it. That daring is something that they can look back on for…

What’s My Focus?

Sitting at my desk creating policy knowing that the day moves on without me. Pressure building- timelines looming- fingers fumble hitting the ‘delete’ key.

My neck hurts, there’s something in my eye. Words won’t come no matter what I try. I won’t risk a look won’t check Facebook, I wanted to rest today- feel like I’m gonna cry.

The sun is out, there’s laundry still to fold. I’ve made coffee then…

Waves; image from cargocollective.com

The very air around me takes a breath and hushing holds it. Soft seeds of salt slide down my cheeks. It’s dark. So very dark.

I know there is sound in the world. Somewhere people hear words, music, laughter. Thoughts find a voice.

Not here. Syllables stick in my throat and cut my tongue. Telling truth is torture. Asking, sharing,  explanation: all is exhausting.

The world shifts under my feet. Th…

I read a Facebook post late last night (that could very well be the start of so many stories…) and I was taken aback by it.

The gist is that Christians that celebrate Christmas are dishonoring God. That God is not pleased or honored by rote rites and we should not create special days for religious reasons. This was the position of the poster as well as some others that chimed in. Many more others…

This time of year it’s dark on my way to work and darker still on the way home. For a few weeks, though, I get to enjoy Christmas lights during the drive.

They start out in mid-November. A clear blue light here (my favorites), a frost white light there. The suddenly they multiply. Lights outline a porch, eaves and windows, wind up a mailbox, curl around fence posts.

Projectors turn house fronts…

On the Dotted Line

Within the past two months three members of my extended family have died. First my cousin; just a year younger than me she died much too quickly after being diagnosed with an invasive tumor. Then my aunt, dying unexpectedly just a week after I sat next to her during my cousin’s memorial service. Then my uncle, a largely remote presence in my life who never woke from surgery.

That leaves two…

As a young parent I had to be the one to go to my parents in order for my children to build a relationship with their grandparents.

Now as a grandparent I must go to my children in order to see my grandsons.

I have a full time job as does my husband, and my children live over 200 miles away, both from me and each other.

(Most weeks if I can keep up with laundry and we have coffee and eggs in the…

What Was I Thinking?

I am concerned about last night’s me.

Yanked awake this morning by – what?- a noise? lights? beeps of something electronic? who knows.

I make my way out of the bedroom and come face to face with what last night’s me set out for this morning’s me to wear today.

Now, if drinking was involved I could understand what I found. But, for me, drinking is a special occasion and done very very sparingly. (L…

Karl Lagerfield is quoted as saying

“For every book you buy, you should buy the time to read it.” 

It doesn’t work that way with books. Or with beads. Yarn. Fabric. Paints. Candles. Soaps. Latch hooking. Cross stich. Stained glass. Scrapbooking.

I know this for sure- you name it and I’ve dabbled in the hobby.

I think it started back in the 70s: ShrinkyDinks. Make-Your-Own-Perfume kit. Knitting…

It Takes A Village

Summer holidays meant a 90-minute trip to Gramma and Grandpap’s house. There WAS an ‘over the river’ aspect to it, since we lived in Pittsburgh, where distance is seldom calculated by miles and more often described as the number of bridges you would cross. Getting to their home was a four-bridger for us.

My grandparents once lived in my Gramma’s childhood home, which was in turn sold to my…

Brain in a Box

Bob was a legend. He had worn so many hats with the company: Operations, seasonal businesses, auditor. He knew what happened, why it happened. how it happened, why it broke, how to fix it.

He relocated when the company moved the corporate offices. He took his turn ‘on call’ during the holidays. And retail holiday time is no picnic for the support teams. He hid when it was Take Your Child to Work…