“Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?”
Today is the last of the warm days at least through the weekend. The weatherman called the weekend temperature an Arctic blast, but right now the temperatures are predicted to be in the low 20’s with some rain turning to snow and accumulating as many as 3 inches. I laughed when I reread this and saw I had written “as many” as 3 inches. That’s only a bit more than a dusting in New England or it used to be. This year we all seem to have refined our definition of Arctic and cold and snow storms. Right now it is 46°.
The Cape Times had a picture of daffodils which have already bloomed in Orleans. The article with the picture said bulges of buds are being noticed on some trees. One woman was quoted as saying this is the earliest she has ever seen daffodils.
Last night I drove home from Chatham. Though it was not even nine, the roads were almost clear of cars. I think I saw only 3 all the way from Chatham to Dennis. It reminded me of winter when I was young. In those days many people worked only summers as little work was available all winter. They let their bills pile up until they were back working, and nobody minded waiting. They knew they’d get paid. The streets were usually deserted at night. Few restaurants and only a couple of movie theaters stayed open all winter. By the day after Labor Day the Cape was a giant ghost town.
Last night as I was driving I also thought about books. Nothing is more exciting than reading a great book for the first time and nothing is worse than finishing it. When I was a kid, I took joy and pleasure in reading so many wonderful books for the first time, and I dreaded getting closer to the endings. I’d put the book down for a bit, which took every bit of fortitude I had, but then I’d give in and go back and finally finish it. I was seldom disappointed but was always a bit sad.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: books, Cape Times, Cold front, New England, Snow, Temperature
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
February 10, 2012 at 12:40 pm
“Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?”
In the virtual book store of amazon, both US and UK
February 10, 2012 at 1:43 pm
My Dear Hedley,
I agree! The only difference is I can see books i would never have thought of on the shelves of Barnes and Noble.
February 10, 2012 at 6:10 pm
But then Barnes and Noble becomes a showroom and you come home and buy it at amazon
February 10, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Nasty cold outside at the moment but it will get less cold already this weekend. It won’t get as high as 32 but anyway 🙂 🙂
We have very little traffic here since few live in this area, not even the expressway has lots of cars after 5pm. So I almost get annoyed when I have to meet anyone when I drive to work in the morning 🙂 🙂 Rush hour here means more than ten cars on the road at the same time 🙂 🙂
I too have problems when the book comes to an end, I think that’s why I often reread them 🙂
I’ll do some rewsearch about those flower beds so I know I’ll pick some self sowing perennials for You 🙂 Sandy soil is the best even if it might dry out a bit faster than other kind of soild might do.
Have a great day!
February 10, 2012 at 8:13 pm
Christer,
You get warmer, and we get colder!
In the summer we have so uch traffic it is cause for cursing. The streets are clogged the most on rainy days when people are looking for something to do to get them out of the small rooms and cottages.
Thanks for checking out the flowers!
I have reread a few of my all time favorites too.
February 10, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Hi Kat,
I chuckled at the “as much as 3 inches” remark. It reminded me of a friend’s story about the Christmas she spent in London. It snowed and she laughed each time the news readers mentioned drifts of up to 1 inch.
I agree with human weakness in bookstores and also on Amazon. I have no trouble finding books in Amazon that I would not otherwise have known about. My browser-fu is awesome and often leads me into strange and mysterious places. 🙂
It’s sunny and high 40’s here now. I should probably check the French Toast Alert for tomorrow’s snow and stock up accordingly. The birds have food although they are being picky and ignoring the thistle seed in favor of sunflower and fruit and nuts.
Enjoy the day.
February 10, 2012 at 8:17 pm
Hi Caryn,
They’re still sticking to the small amount. It will start as rain and go into snow early in the morning here on the cape.
Engand and Italy don’t have snow plows and see no real need to buy any as they get so little snow. Like Washington DC, a little is crippling.
It was a beautiful day today and lots of birds were by for dining. They seem to like the fruit and nut combo.
February 10, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Hi Kat
I am an avid reader and like you I hate finishing a good book. But as I grow older I find myself criticizing the behavior of the characters and getting a bit angry about disappointing endings. I just finished Angels and Demons and found the behavior of some of the characters just too unbelievable.
February 10, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Herb,
I have this thing about finishing books I’ve started regardless of how bad they are. It feels like drudgery sometimes, bit I perservere.
I have a suspension of disbelief I do to put the characters in the right perspective: fiction maanipulated for the author’s needs to further the plot.
February 10, 2012 at 7:54 pm
You are so right. Nothing beats a good book and it starts to wear on me too when the end is near. One thing I hate is for someone to loan me a book they just read and have to tell me all about it including the ending. Well, that one goes on the shelf for a few days.
February 10, 2012 at 8:21 pm
Z& Me,
Luckily I have friends who don’t do that nor would I ever. One friend must think I will as she always says don’t say anything. I never have so I hate the warning. Once I said I liked the author’s… and was interrupted that she didn’t want to hear more. All I was going to say was I like other books. Drove me crazy.
February 10, 2012 at 8:04 pm
The arctic cold air is supposed to bring North Texas a blast of winter this weekend. I will believe it when I feel that icy cold blast as I go out to get the paper on Sunday morning.
One of my favorite things to do is to browse a bookstore. I especially love second hand bookstores. One of the largest I have ever visited is Powell’s in Portland Oregon. It’s located in an old automobile dealership near the edge of downtown. The store has many rows of floor to ceiling wooden shelves filled with books, vinyl records, CDs and old magazines. They have an entire other large store, located several blocks from the main store, for computer and technical books. If you are looking for an out of print book they have a website.
When the iPad 3 comes out this Spring I intend to buy one and switch to digital books. I have lot’s of paper ones that I haven’t finished reading or one that I want to reread. They will satisfy my love of old fashioned printed and bound books. But, the new one’s will be available to me anywhere I carry my iPad.
A good book is like an old friend. You can call on them whenever you need some information or just some comfort.
February 10, 2012 at 8:25 pm
Bob,
I think that they have overestimated the cold, but we all now complain when it gets below 40°.
I’m with you in the fun of browsing a book shop. I also like to sit and have a coffee whil I’m there. My sister always gives me a gift certificate to a bookstore as one of my Christmas presents.
I too will get the iPad 3. When I went overseas, I brought the iPad loaded with several books. It was much more convenient than hauling books. I’ll do the same this trip.
I do love turning pages and a swish of my fingers just isn’t the same.