It has been an amazing experience, this book project. It has taken many twists and turns, too many for me to now totally comprehend. I have during the three short years since its inception seen the best and worst in human relations.

Today I went in early to the hotel, to finish categorizing the nonfiction books that came in the door last week, along with kids’ books and fiction.

I enjoy the quietude, and I never take it for granted. It seldom lasts, which is good for the project. Today there was first the visit from Cherokee, who talked with me about her smoking habit. She’s now smoking cigarette cigars – says that if she gave up smoking that the nicotine would disappear from her blood – and wondered what would replace it? I didn’t say anything; I just let her talk.

Bill with bookcase he built for Janet Kincaid at the Valley Hotel

Then after she left, Bill Schmidtkunz put in an appearance. He never stays long – I don’t think that he’s comfortable in the space. He looked glum. It didn’t occur to me that he was early because he had no books (he drops off book on Saturdays). It was his last day t working at the VCRS recycling center, salvaging books. He’s been doing this nearly every Saturday for three years.

Somehow, when first I, then Pete, then Robert got the boot, he remained unscathed. He attributed this to the fact that he was good with people and gets along with everyone. He considered the people who volunteer and work there to be his friends, and he thought, vice versa.

Today Bill had a rude awakening. He was told by Carol to call Tam and she told him that he could no long salvage books. Oh oh. So he left with no books in hand.

The question that we now have is, what is to become of the excess books? VCRS has a small bookstore, and a paid employee who stocks this bookstore, but the two room book area can’t hold all the good books that come in.

So now, it is likely that the majority of the incoming books will either be shredded or pulped. This is what most pains Bill, me, Robert, and Pete.

We worked hard to establish good relations with the VCRS staff, but the VCRS board didn’t see this, and asked that the BLBP and them remain separate entities.

But today there was a bright star in the dark sky. Maryann Corkle owns and manages Fireside Books on Main Street in Palmer. I talked with her yesterday about partnering, and today she came to a BLBP board meeting. Maryann is a very special individual. She gets it. She has figured out that our working together will benefit both her for profit bookstore and our nonprofit book distribution. And so I am going to work hard to further promote Fireside Books.

Yes, there continue to be many twists and turns in this, the establishment of a fledgling nonprofit. Stay tuned for inevitably there will be more.

Next: 283. 10/15/23: All we are Saying. . .