Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.  Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us. – Maya Angelou, WOULDN’T TAKE NOTHING FOR MY JOURNEY NOW

I think the best vacation is the one that relieves me of my own life for a while and then makes me long for it again. – Ann Patchett, THIS IS THE STORY OF A HAPPY MARRIAGE

Yes, I think it is time I step away and take a few days for me. Nothing special. Just some down time. I know, I own a used bookstore. What’s the stress with that? Well, actually there isn’t any. Things are going swimmingly. But, having a break every once in awhile is needed. Clear my head. A few days of no commitments.

Some think that owning a used bookstore allows time to sit back and read. Talk books with customers all day. Not really. Every day I’m in the store I work. There are always stacks of books to go through. Shelves to stock. Move books around. Sweep. Clean. Sort. Price. Boxes to go through. There is no end. It is continuous. Then I reach the point where I feel I’ve lost my creativity. I’m at that point.

I will be taking off September 6-9, returning to the store on Tuesday, September 13. Hannah will be in the store on Saturday, September 10 to cover for me. (Thanks, Hannah!)

My plans? Nothing much which works out to be just what I need. I’m feeling the need for spring cleaning in preparation for the upcoming winter. I’ve started hiking again so I’ll take some short hikes. The days of reading on the front porch are dwindling so I want to spend some time there too. I have a trip planned for the last few days which I’m looking forward to. And yes, that’ll be all about book shopping. Bags and boxes of used books. A great way to cap off the time away.

That’s why people take vacations. Not to relax or find excitement or see new places. To escape the death that exists in routine things. – Don DeLillo, WHITE NOISE