May 21, 2008
· Filed under General · Tagged jay parini, middlebury, new age, otter creek used books, religion, Robert Frost, vermont, vt
“Let us read and let us dance - two amusements that will never do any harm to the world,” Voltaire.
I just updated the store’s quote board found at the top of the stairs and thought I would post it here as well. It fits how I have been feeling lately especially since I am now working here full-time. It is a new sensation for me to be here surrounded by all these books everyday and not just once a week as I had been. Every day I get to come down the stairs and say “hello” to them. This is contentment.
There is so much I want to get done but I am learning to pace myself. There is no hurry - I have time now. Foreign language section needs to be rearranged and I need to paint the back wall of that section. The children’s section also needs reorganization. Let’s see, physically move around some bookcases but most importantly label! Since moving around sections labeling wasn’t completed so it can be confusing. My mother found the Philosophy section and we did a little dance. We knew we had one but couldn’t find where it ended up. I know, sounds kind of silly and that we are so disorganized. Well, maybe just a tad but we are getting to where we want the store to be.
Added to our collection some self-help, religious as well as new age, general fiction and many young adult books including sci-fi. I picked through a box and found something to read that I’ve been searching for (love the hunt!) - Jay Parini, a local author who wrote “Robert Frost.” I’m also happy to report that we finally have a start of a Robert Frost section. It probably would be better if I brought in my collection from home…hmmm. Not sure how I feel about that but something to think about!
May 12, 2008
· Filed under General · Tagged bookends, middlebury, used books, vermont, vt
So far this month the store has been busy with the influx of ‘new’ books! We are swimming in them and they are slowly getting on the shelves. I’m working on it! Believe me, I am working on sorting, pricing, and moving shelves around. I probably sound like I’m complaining but I’m not! I love it. It is so hard for me to not sit down with them and turn their pages.
We were the gracious receivers of plants that are welcoming all who enter the store. With such a wonderful large window and high ceilings they fit perfectly. I am so overwhelmed by the good friends who gave them to us and I take on their responsibility with delight. We also have started putting up flower boxes outside but those are currently on the patio until Rusty figures out how to secure them safely to the railing. I have a bunch of other flower pots that still have to make their way here.
Just returned from Kentucky where my sister-in-law took me to, I believe, as many ‘funky junky’ places in a 50 mile radius of their house where I found a number of cool bookends. I started to put them up and around the store.
I promise pictures soon. I plan on posting images of some great books, the window display as it changes, bookends, and more. The good news is that I will be down here full-time! I am so excited. It wasn’t what my original plans were but sometimes things work out differently and this will be great! With that said though I’ll be gone for a couple of days returning on Friday. So next week changes will start. I hope on a daily basis until I get the store whipped in shape as to what I dreamed it would be. I have always wanted a job where I could bring my knitting so I look forward to that. Great to have simple goals!
