January was a hellish month weather wise; now we have February, attempting to make up for the previous month’s squalls. The temperatures were in the high 30’s today, and it appears as though this is the way its going to be the rest of the week.

Another busy day; the high point was working with Cathy at the Mat-Su Senior Center – putting illustrations from books on mat boards. I didn’t have a lot of time because I had to get back to the hotel – but in the time we had, we did good work. The one I am calling mine is of a horse lying on a couch drinking hot chocolate and reading an encyclopedia. I can see using this one in working with kids on their reading and writing.

It's hard, lugging in full bins of books and art materials. Cathy asked the president of the board if we could put the bins in the building, so that I would not have to transport them elsewhere by car. Her answer was “no.” I am not going to dwell on this, but I can’t help but think that this is a person who lacks having a soul.

More books on hand than usual right now – and more came in today. Some people tend to think that books are a donation, so they don’t have to make a financial contribution. I’d like to dissuade them of this notion, but I’m not sure how to go about it.

I had to leave mid-afternoon, had to attend Pete’s grant writing class. It was hard for me to stay awake, not because the class was boring but because I was tired. I did not sleep at all last night. The open mic event was sensory overload. I don’t know when I’ll do this again – when I have as many books as I have on hand, I have to put the brakes on. The problem is that my brakes don’t work. If they did, I would work five days a week, for a few hours a day and thus be able to ignore the growing number of books that are accumulating in the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel.

There’s a part of me that wishes that we purchase the hotel. It’s a big building, in a good location, and has many rooms. I have not even done a real tour of the place. It would suit our needs, but it is going to need work.

And so, we are now waiting for several grants and word about our strategic plan, which will enable us to get more grants. Waiting is hard, but this is the price one pays in order to have nonprofit status. Is this worth it? This is a question that I ask myself now every single day. My ideas about our supposed peripatetic venture went out the window yesterday when I visited the Black Birch bookstore. There were many, many books, and they were securely on shelves. And they were not free. I sometimes wince as when, say, someone with a less than appreciative attitude ends up with a pricey book in hand. Who wouldn’t?

Next: 45. 2/16/24: Weather or Not