A week ago, or was it two weeks ago, a fellow at the Palmer Senior Center made sure that I got a certificate of appreciation. I then told those who said I deserved it that I didn’t think so. Glenn, this was the guy’s name, he said to just say thank you.

So today, when people said congrats for my having gotten the ambassador of reading award, I repeatedly said, “thank you.” Thank you – it was a simple, easy, fast, and efficient way of acknowledging that I’d gotten this award. I didn’t deny that I deserved it; rather, I indicated that I appreciated their feedback.

Bookcases at Vagabond

I really don’t know if I did deserve it. I can’t see the forest right now because of the trees. And there are a lot of trees.

At lunch, the keynote speaker was Emily Haniford, who is a reporter for American Public Media. She gave a long talk about the importance of the science of reading, based on anecdote and research. I could tell that she’s a very hard worker. Her overview was just that, an overview. I thought she should have been one of the first speakers because those who attended the innumerable sessions knew what she was getting at. I did not attend any of the sessions, so I benefitted from hearing what Emily had to say.

After, I rushed over to her and ended up writing my contact information on the back side of her speech.

I hope to hear from her. I will email her.

Pete appeared right on time (as he always does), and we loaded up the remaining books and visited Brian and Judy. We also went for a lengthy walk with them and their dog, Kyra. I don’t know how to thank such people for their incredible kindness. Well, they too were BLBP partners in crime, what with them going with me yesterday to get more books at Title Wave.

We are now car shopping – considering the purchase of a grant-related Subaru. Pete and I went to the dealership after we left our friend’s place – it was closed.

Once home, I cleaned the horse pen. My neglected animals need a brushing. Pete said that three truckloads of books came in yesterday, so tomorrow we’ll go to VCRS and salvage them. I’ll then sort these books. And once again, I wonder what in hell we are going to do with all these books.

Good, to hang out with the horses and goats. They did not miss me, although I missed them.

Tomorrow, I go to the dentist and get one, maybe three implant crowns. I will be glad to have this behind me. And I do see the light here, at the end of the dental tunnel.

I have just a few days before I go to Barrow. Then, maybe, a break.

It really is spring here now. The snow is melting fast. This happens when you have 50 plus degree temperatures.

The end. Amen.

Next: 119. 5/1/23: May Day