A day in which you take off from work is called a day off. A day in which you go to work is not called a day on. Why is this? Lately, like today, I have had yet another day on. I worked hard today, doing distribution, the same route twice because I needed more books than I had on hand.

I cursed as I pulled up behind a huge beer truck – it was parked between the Va Ho and the parking lot. I would not have been able to get around it. I was getting books out of the back of the car (the hatch is now fixed) when a tall, lanky African American fellow appeared above me, on the truck floor. He said ,“hey, thanks for the books,” and further explained that every Friday, he came and got books from the bookcase for his two twin eight year old daughters.

We introduced ourselves. He said he was Jamal, and that he lived in Anchorage. I thanked him profusely for his support of the Bright Lights Book Project then went in and put books on the shelves.

When I came out of the Va Ho, Jamal was wheeling his cargo into the Va Ho. I stopped him and took his photo, which is something I never, ever do.

This encounter made my day because sometimes, what I’m doing seems so thankless. I also realized the enormity of this undertaking. Here we are, stocking bookcases, and a fellow from Anchorage who is driving a beer truck is taking books for his daughters. I would never have believed that our making books accessible would lead to this.

And it does make it all worth it on days like today when I’m the only one working and there is no end in sight to this work.

At the same time, Katie, a friend of Pam’s, painted a raven on one of the newspaper boxes. It’s going to Raven Hall (of all places). Katie worked tirelessly, and quietly for two days on this project. I am most appreciative of her efforts.

All this enabled me to overlook the fact that the first Story Time session, which was supposed to be at the Mat-Su College Cabin, never came to be because those running it had not yet opened it up for the season. Lois was there, ready to read, but it was a no show on the part of the kids.

So after the parade, which is tomorrow, I will have to work on advertising story hour.

After all these ups and downs, I came home and checked in on Pete. His brother Pat got Covid either before, during, or after his trip here, and Pete thought he might have it, so he laid low today. He did make dinner, and he did go for a horseback ride, so I suspect that whatever he has is not the Big C, as I call it.

Tomorrow is the parade. Hrimmi is going to be the star for a change.

Giddy up

Next: 224. 8/17/24: Hrimfara, Front and Center