Still cold, but it is spring. Everyone (including me) seems to have a bounce to their step, which is why it is called spring. It’s like having coils on my feet. I appreciate this, even more so because I know that it is not going to last. Winter lasts a long time, and midway through, I cease to appreciate it.

I thought I would get the day off. I had the day off yesterday, sort of. I worked on my commencement speech and then came up with a list of volunteers for a BLBP board member. Then I rode horses, cleaned the horse trailer and tack room, and called it good.

The plan was to stay home until 3:30 p.m. and then go to Taekwondo. Plans changed, though. Shortly after getting up, a board member informed me that my friend Hillary was going to give an assist cleaning books at 11:00 a.m., so I of course agreed to be there.

Hillary is always upbeat and very positive. Today she said that the great thing about the BLBP project that I founded is that I can do anything I want to. She added that I could draw upon my knowledge as an English major. Her statements got me to thinking – wow – I could teach creative nonfiction writing classes if I wish. This, for a long time, was my life goal. I of course pictured myself teaching in a traditional academic setting.

But I could teach outside of academe, and for example, teach the course I’ve been wanting to teach, memory, memoir, and memorabilia. Why not? I would not have to deal with administrators and their weird ass dictates, nor would I have to deal with grades and unmotivated students. Those taking this course would want to be there.

We have to have a literacy component at events. We are now seen as the group that gives away books. We are more than this now. We are now honoring our vison statement, which is “envisioning the power of literacy to change lives.” Well, what do you know. . .

This was my morning. Midday I got an email from Family Treasurers Thrift store saying they had more books. I went over there. Yes, they did have books – some from Alaska Family Services. I gave them these books. The woman’s shelter in Unalaska had given them to us. Well, I put them on their shelves, and I left with a carload of children’s books.

I returned to the hotel and sorted them out. Then Pete came in the door with another load of children’s books. Good books from a huge consignment sale. Problem is, many were taped together and had price tags taped on them. I took most of the stickers and tape off the books – I finished at 8:30 p.m.

There are many, many books, organized but not sorted, cleaned, stamped, or categorized. This is evidence that there are simply not enough people to get the job done in Pete and my absence.

I’m not going to fret about this. As the clichéd expression goes, “It is what it is.”

Next: 140. 5/21/24: What’s Next?