While growing up, I frequented the library. “Always has a
book in her hands,” Mother said. She worried I’d get too serious. In Chippewa
Falls, the library was an Andrew Carnegie Free Public Library. My local library
looks like it in that it has steps leading up to the bit double doors. It’s an
old library and I like its warm charm. The books are often well worn; the pages
soft and often smudged or dog eared. Others have read this book before me and
some have left their trails littered.
Items found in library books
- Old shopping list: butter, 2 AA batteries, Tims cookies, 1 green veg, tr snacks?
- Brochure for Mariners
- Movie ticket stub
- Bookmark: United States GOV’T BOOKSTORE
- Hand-written note: copy stuff onto floppy disk
- Library due date notice
- Book hold: MAUR RIC xxxxx0529 3/8/2012
- Business card: Painting contractor
- Torn ToDo list: call MT, return (smudged), email to joy
- Torn end of energy bar package
They are like cairns saying, “I’ve been here. It’s safe.”
This is my last blog. To all my loyal followers, and you
come from all over the world—THANK YOU. I have loved your comments and emails.
My very best wishes to all of you and good luck with all your ventures. I’ll
miss you.
I recently found a scribble in the inside of the cover of an old book on my shelf. The book is no bigger than a note pad but it is one of my all time top ten books that I will never give away - well maybe some day to someone precious - this one was James Allen's As a Man Thinketh. The note said - "Don Jones, No Fixed Address". Of course that is my name but I didn't remember writing it, even the handwriting looked strange. But then I remembered that it was the time that I was out of work, just out of school and bumming around, carrying that little book of inspiration with me, trying to find work and maybe myself, though they don't always go hand in hand, but they are not so distant cousins I have found, and was living one or another of my sisters, I have 4, or one of my bothers, I have 2 and I was hoping that I would one day be able to use some of the energy and ideas I felt I had in a job I could do well. That was about 35 years ago and it was a small reminder to me of my path.
ReplyDeleteYour posts have meant a great deal to me Ruth. They, as you are, are beautiful and rich and nuanced and light and funny and deep and filled with such care and generosity that they always inspire me, you always inspire me, to be better. Not because you cheerlead, though you do, but because you have such a gifted spirit that so essentially touches me and others in a profound way. I am going to put an injunction into the US court system, if a Canadian can do that, to say that you cannot stop writing these posts. So you will have a legal case on your hands if you try Ms Maxwell.
Thank you - each one has been, like you are Ruth, a gift, and I appreciate them and you very very much!
Don
I don't believe it. You have too much left in you. Perhaps those of us that sit at your feet to gratefully gather the wisdom, can become the scribes to continue sharing your incredible insights.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure you're done? I'll miss reading your posts Grammy, your an example of goodness to us all. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Don Jones on this one! I PROTEST! A LOT! But, I know you know what's best. I just hope on occasion, if you feel the need, you'll pop in and surprise us with another post.
ReplyDeleteI loved visiting with you so much. I love listening to your stories. I love the positive energy that flows so freely from you. It has always been that way. You're an inspiration to me Grammy. I love, andmire, adore & look up to you. You're the best Grammy there ever was & ever will be.
So, can I call our bluff? Can I agree with Jennifer too and say "I don't believe it"? Wishful thinking i'm sure, but we all LOVE reading your posts.
Lots of love,
Laura
Dear Ruth,
ReplyDeleteI would have liked to see you, sit with you and listen to your impressions of travel or life one more time but... We met many years ago through Aydin and his work; you had done a wonderful training session with him and a group of his colleagues in USA. He told me about one of the procedures and I was fascinated! You got these rather formal (stiff???) Turkish administrators to remove their shoes and do various things to earn their shoes back, one at a time too I think, and also to get lunch... That's when I knew you were DIFFERENT! We got to meet in person too and I'll never forget the afternoon we spent together with you narrating your adventures of travelling in the east of Turkey with the other Aydin (your friend and tourist guide). I can't say goodbye to you because you will be with us and so I just wish you a peaceful passing. Thank you for all the insights and feelings that you shared with us... Thank you for being...