No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth. - Robert Southey

I KNOW there are people who wish to know, so below is a list of books I picked up at the thrift store in Bethlehem. I left behind a copy of Art Speigelman’s In the Shadow of No Towers and AS Byatt’s Babel Tower, because I already own those. But there was a kick-ass book selection for a thrift store! Blackbird and I also found a fabulous cookbook, with recipe blurbs like, “You will never guess what you are eating…” and “Glamorize and gloss up yams with an orange-gelatin glaze…” I laughed so hard reading that book that I nearly fell off my desk chair. I am sure Blackbird just LOVED having me read bits and pieces to her in between fits of giggles and other conversation…. She is a patient woman.

Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
Bridget Jones – The Edge of Reason - Helen Fielding
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek - Annie Dillard
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
Echo House - Ward Just
Strange Pilgrims - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Green Dolphin Street - Elizabeth Goudge (THIS is the book Anna Quindlen talks about, NOT On Green Dolphin Street. I can’t wait to start it!)
Romantically Challenged - Beth Orsoff
1000 Great Quilt Blocks
Feeding the Kids - Judith and Marguerite Patten
Lullabies and Good Night – A collection of lullaby poetry featuring the artwork of Mary Cassatt
A Very Young Gymnast - Jill Krementz – these three are a total blast from my pre-teen years!
A Very Young Dancer
A Very Young Skater
Solo Plus One - a cute picture book for the boys
Noddy and the Lost Animals
Clifford’s Tricks
George and Martha One Fine Day
The Mystery of the Hidden Beach (Boxcar Children, for Primo)
Richard Scarry’s Best Story Book Ever - this is from 1958, and is in great shape. I LOVE it.

I paid – wait for it – nine dollars and thirty cents for all these, plus a purse (Liz Claiborne! A little floral canvas bag with brown leather straps) and this fabulously hideous home-sewn skirt:

So damn ugly it’s wonderful. It closes up the back with Velcro, and has wraps that tie around your waist, and it fits like it was made for me.

Blackbird brought me a present:


I purchased a little something for us both at the best (worst) Crappe Shoppe, for her to remember our weekend by. But what? Shall remain our secret. YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE.

I don’t know why I took a photo of these wipes, except we both like The Good Home Beach House scent and it cracked me up to think of buying fifteen-dollar disinfecting wipes that smell like Beach House. That little shop was next to the Panera – lots of adorable stuff – and the cutest baby stuff EVER. Made me want to try for a girl…sorta.

That Panera was also where a VERY LARGE woman fell off her chair right behind me, and nearly took me down with her. We were OF COURSE the epitome of politeness and concern - because we are nice people - but I was DYING inside. It might have been the only time of the whole weekend when I wasn’t howling with laughter.

We did not eat at this restaurant – but those whiskers! How could I not take a picture? Aren’t they just wildly appetizing, and making you want to partake of whatever food they might serve there? Then I returned to my car and I had a parking ticket. For five dollars. To fund the little town of Bethlehem. It was a small price to pay.

Look! It was a directive from above! How could we not obey?

And I brought the boys presents from the best toy store, and also, bought the baby a birthday present. Except I am in love and want to keep him for myself.

Today the window guys are here, replacing five windows.
Tomorrow I work.
This week I must get the boys pictures taken, and move the TV to the living room, and paint ceilings so H can install ceiling fans in the boys’ rooms.

But I am full of pep and energy, from all the sleep I got this past weekend. Go, me!

And it occurred to me that perhaps the breast milk from Bethlehem – should only be served to the baby AFTRER FIVE.