Readers, Books and Writers

Bookstores - safe havens with

shelves full of stories traveling us

here and there and everywhere.

Penny University Bookstore

is just that - cozy, welcoming

and ‘never overbooked’.

“The love of learning, the sequestered nooks, and all the sweet serenity of books.”

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Penny University Bookstore 

3104 13th Ave.

Regina, Sask

https://pennyu.ca

Chapter Two, Episode 124 - For Gail - Situationally Theirs

For Gail 

They met around the long kitchen table. Cook had provided a large pot of tea, cookies and scones. Digby and Emelina were talking quietly while they waited for everyone to arrive. Dez sat silently beside Matt, his arm around her. A car pulled up outside. “That must be Giles and his family.” Digby went to the door to greet them. Martha and her daughter Joanie sat with Digby, her grandchildren were off in a corner doing homework. Giles sons joined them while the meeting began. Emelina nodded to Digby. He didn’t stand as he usually did at the staff meetings. “I suppose you’re all wondering why we’ve called this meeting so suddenly, so let me explain. Miss Emelina received a call today from the Storyteller with some sad news and a message for us all.” Quiet murmurings around the table stopped as Cook spoke up “We’ve not heard from her since last year. Is she coming out again?” Digby smiled. “No, Elizabeth she hasn’t said anything about that. She has already spoken with Miss Emelina and Miss Dez.” He turned at another car arriving. “So sorry I’m late. Couldn’t get here any faster” Dr. Jeremy came at a rush into the kitchen. Digby moved over so he could sit by his wife. Cook, Samuel and Brigitte were at the far end of the table. 

Digby stood up “Now I think everyone that could come are here. Those few that couldn’t have sent their condolences to the Storyteller. First let me say that everyone on the Estate and connected with the Estate are fine.” He had seen a few worried looks pass from one to another. “The loss is one of our readers. We go about our lives not considering those that may read our stories. They all make our lives rich with reality. One of those good people has left us.” He nodded to his employer and her sister. “Miss Dez, Miss Emelina…..” He gestured for them to continue and he sat by Martha. She gave him his tea.

Dez stood up. “It was the first day of the pandemic, or close to it. I don’t recall. I was alone in jail. That is where this whole story began and where many of our readers started to come with us. Like Digby said, we consider them and we don’t know their names. The message I received from the Storyteller was….” She looked at a the Storyteller’s note. “ ‘Gail was one of the first readers. Throughout the whole lockdown, she read your stories when it had been written daily. We mustn’t forget how important our readers are to keeping us all alive.’ ” A tear slowly crept from one eye. “Em….” She sat down, holding Matt’s hand. 

Standing Emelina said “My story came the next day when I was alone. Everyone had left on the televised advice of Public Health due to the virus. I am forever grateful for all the directions you left for me. In a deep dark place, I had to get my life in order in a hurry. A phone call from the city jail that my sister needed me.” There was a long pause while Miss Em gathered herself together. “We hadn’t seen each other for ten years. And I hadn’t driven for at least four years.” There were sniffles and tears around the table.

Samuel, the ‘man of few words’, had been listening intently. He spoke up. “I didn’t come into the picture ‘til much later. Don’t know much about this Gail or about readers but I’m guessing that she wouldn’t want us all to be snifflin’ and cryin’. She could be lookin’ for some music and a glass of wine. Don’t know but we’d better all cheer up and just be grateful to her and all them readers for making us real.” After Samuel’s long speech, the tissues were put away. Digby went to his office for the bottle of wine he kept for special occasions. Martha and Cook got out the wine glasses, made sure the dust was wiped off them and a toast was made to all readers and especially to Gail.

~~~~

Sarah, the Estate’s little ghost girl, sat up on the ceiling, listening. She whispered over the heads of the gathering. “And all the readers have made me real, too.” The children looked up at her and smiled.

“‘Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse, 

“It’s a thing that happens to you.”

~ Margery Williams Bianco

Little Lost 'C'

 

Completely missed by all

unless

readers have been kind.

February Theme Come Early

was empty

t’wards the tail end of the word!

Confidence has two c’s, 

always,

until I misspelled it to read

CONFIDENE - the missing C

gone

and remembered today!

“Anyone who can only think of one way to 

spell a word obviously lacks imagination.”

~ Mark Twain

Books, Lunch and Summer

In my world, the second Tuesday of the month from September to June is Book club. That means for ten months, one book a month for come up for group discussion. Each of us have read all or at least part of the host's recommended book. A small group, some of us read far more than one book a month. But for myself, one book a month has often been enough, although my recent retirement has opened up space and time for journeying into the many lands and lives within the covers of books. Yes I still prefer solid, paper and ink books. My generation? Doesn’t matter. I will use e-books but only for the logistics of traveling ~ maybe.

So. No book review this month. June is the month to establish a new list of books for the next season. We go out to lunch, each one of bringing our suggested books. When someone has two possible books, the group make the difficult decision about which book sounds like a better fit for us. There is also a list of hosts for the months. It’s a very productive and fulfilling afternoon. Books and lunch ~ what a great combination!

Occasionally we discuss a book or books that qualify for a good summer read. There’s no time line or discussion with these reads. No pressure to even read those suggested! Not that any dedicated book readers need pressure. Did I mention I recently retired? 

For this summer, two books were suggested by one of our members:

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan

“George Washington Black, or “Wash,” an eleven-year-old field slave on a Barbados sugar plantation, is terrified to be chosen by his master’s brother as his manservant. To his surprise, the eccentric Christopher Wilde turns out to be a naturalist, explorer, inventor, and abolitionist. Soon Wash is initiated into a wold where a flying machine can carry a man across the sky, where even a boy born in chains may embrace a life of dignity and meaning - where two people, separated by an impossible divide, can begin to see each other as human……”. 

Partial summary from bookbrowse.com

Full Disclosure by Beverley Mclachlin

“From the former Chief Justice of Canada comes a riving thriller starring Jilly Truitt, a rising , young defense attorney faced with a case that hits close to home. A searing look at what justice means in the courts and on the streets, Full Disclosure is perfect for fans of Kathy Reichs, Louise Penny, and Lisa Scottoline.

When everyone has something to hide, the truth is the only defense.

There’s nothing Jilly Truitt likes more than winning a case, especially against her former mentor, prosecutor Cy Kenge. Jilly has baggage, the residue of a dark time in a series of foster homes, but that’s in the past. Now she’s building her own criminal defense firm and making a name for herself as a tough-as-nails lawyer willing to take risks in the courtroom……..”

Partial Synopsis from kobo.com 

“Books are mirrors: you only see in them what you already have inside you.”

~ Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind

Encouragement to Soar

On the other side of motherhood and family,
my career reality shifted from
nurse, and only the practice of nursing, to
nurse and fledging writer learning how to soar on creative currents.
Retirement loomed large with the passage of time blank and staring.
Ideas and words always drifting and floating, docked uncertainly in the blogosphere two years ago today
supported by faithful readers both interested and kind whether my choice of topic was
muse, poetry, rants or story
opinions, prose or book reviews.

A very warm 'Thank you' to all my readers!!!!!!

“The reality of a serious writer is a reality of many voices, 

some of them belonging to the writer, some of them 

belonging to the world of readers at large.”

~ Aberjhani, Visions of a Skylark Dressed in Black

Goals and Gratitude

Tonight I have reached one of my writing goals ~

Three hundred and Sixty five blog posts that have led me down many more paths than I even knew existed.

All of you that have read, and commented, on my varied scribbles have come with me ~ I only wish I could thank each and everyone of you personally.

There are many goals for each of us,

large and small, throughout our lives whether it be to 

get a certain grade

make a special purchase

get that job that will boost a career

learn to walk, talk or run, or

maybe just pay the rent.

Many of these things we do on our own and

much of the leg work must be done by ourselves.

However, when there is support

material or moral

great or miniscule from

friends, 

family, 

colleagues and 

yes, sometimes even strangers

the satisfaction crossing the finish line has a special glow.

I will be continuing this nightly blog as it has become a very active part of my writing practice that I do love so very much.

You, my readers, have been a large part of my success in achieving this writing goal.

Thank you.

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark 

from another person. Each of us has cause to think with 

deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame with in us.”

~ Albert Schweitzer