I had a plan for today. I didn’t accomplish all I set out to do, but I made considerable headway. I began by continuing work on Shelf Life. I’m at the point now in which I am writing about becoming a nonprofit and our having to rent a U-Haul unit. I’m getting towards the end of Part II, the Meeting House and soon will begin Part III, which is about our moving to the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel.

Now in this chapter, I am going to write about what’s involved in being a nonprofit, noting that our vision statement, which is that envisioning the power of literacy to change lives corresponds with our mission statement, which is making books more accessible to readers locally and statewide. Had I opened an independent bookstore, my literacy related concerns would have remained on the back burner.

Yes, I am now at the point of no return on this book. I will not set it aside again as I did before. It was actually good that I did because my going with a split narrative and including family related background information was not working. I had to distance myself from Shelf Life in order to figure this out.

Now I am certain. I am going to finish this book and it is going to be published. I want Alqonquin Press to publish it. And I will donate the proceeds to the Bright Lights Book Project.

The hour a day I’m spending on this book is an hour a day in which something else does not get accomplished. For example, I did not have time to go swimming today. If I had decided to forego writing, I would have swam, and my body would have thanked me. It’s just not possible to do it all.

I did half my distribution route and stopped by the Pioneer Home and talked with their volunteer coordinator. We are set for next Tuesday, that is the kids read to seniors program.

The head volunteer and I got to talking – I mentioned that Hrimmi would be in the parade and she liked the idea of, at the end, our spending time with the seniors. She then mentioned my bringing her to meet the seniors in July. Hrimmi will also like this.

I finished distributing and returned to the literacy center (this is what we are now calling it). Pete met me there and we went to the Mat-Su Borough Animal Shelter, and I put two boxes of books on their bookcase.

After, we went to Wolf Eyewear, and there I stocked their shelves and ordered glasses – Pete’s insurance doesn’t kick in until July so he has to wait. The Optical Assistant, Hannah, was very congenial. Her round wire rimmed glasses fit her face perfectly. She assisted me in picking out glasses – I finally settled on two pairs. I have never done this before. The second pair are heart shaped.

Lastly, we stopped at Mid-Valley Greenhouse on our return trip and purchased tomato plants. And the owner, who once had Pete as a teacher, sang his praises and then donated a hanging basket to our upcoming silent auction.

Clap clap clap.

Next: 146. 5/28/25: Sun up to Sun Down