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October 20, 2021: The Eye of the Storm

I have, in dealing with the events of the past two days, had various analogies come to mind. One was that the local recycling center’s opposition to the Bright Lights Book Project is like a storm cloud over my head. Another was that it’s like a tornado, picking me up and setting me down in a distant place.

My most recent analogy, that I feel like I’m in the eye of a storm seems most apt.

This morning I thought, yes, the drama is swirling around me. I must not allow myself to get sucked into it. No, no, no. So off I went, to work. As in hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work I go. But I was not whistling. As Allen Ginsberg once said in one of his poems, my queer shoulder was to the wheel.


Shadow rides on Hrimmi along with Alys and Dilly Dally the clown


I first went to the Tree of Life Daycare Center and I dropped off two boxes of board books at the front desk. I next went to the Alaska Family Services Office and dropped off three boxes at their front desk. Two contained children’s books and one was women’s fiction. I then went to Fireside Books and dropped off an Alaskana book for the owner. They wanted picture books at the Pioneer Home, so I returned to the Meeting House and put together a box. I also threw in some kid’s books for them.

What was most interesting was that everyone was so upbeat and chipper, and thankful. It was a reminder why I do this. Given what’s going on, it is easy to forget.

I next went to Sutton and picked up my silent auction check. I was going to use this to pay for Bright Lights Book Project Tee shirts, but I have decided instead to use it to continue to pay for media rate shipping costs, for books that I’m sending to villages.

I then drove over to the Sutton Post office and sent two boxes of books to Quinhagak. It’s a small post office, run by one individual. A sheet of plexiglass separated Larry and me. I’m not sure why, but he chose to talk at me about the Covid virus issue, and about what both sides think. I really didn’t want to hear it. But on and on he went. I did not offer my viewpoint, which is left of center but instead remained uncharacteristically quiet. Afterwards, I hurried out into the lobby and straightened out the revolving book stand. I do not know why Bill has not been tending to it. No matter, it’s now on my lengthy list of things to do.

I returned home and first got Tinni out, and then Raudi. I did the Tin Can and Peaches loops on Raudi, not Siggi’s loop because it was getting dark.

Oh oh – I again will have to change my riding schedule.

So I kept myself busy and tried to remain at the center of the storm. Easier said than done, that’s for sure.

Next: 291. 10/21/21: Who da thunk it?

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