Monday, May 08, 2006

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.

14 comments:

blackbird said...

You didn't tell me that you got a ticket! (at that price it would have felt so cheap to just PAY to park wherever we wanted)

While I didn't know Noddy, I adore George and Martha - as does Middle who has a wry sense of humor.

Gosh. Coming home has hit me like a ton of bricks.

Caro said...

What a bunch of good buys at the thrift store.

I like the skirt.

All the pics were nice.

Boo work.

Anonymous said...

"It makes me want to try for a girl" HAHAHA. You know you'd get another boy. Not that there's anything wrong with 4 boys. I'm just saying.

Amy said...

I came here by way of Blackbird's site by way of some other site, I forget now, but I live near Bethlehem and am so sorry I missed the whole meeting up, riding in on a donkey thing. I would've wanted to see that. Great blog, I'll certainly be back, and if you're in town again, let me know!

BabelBabe said...

Amy, did you recognize the catfish?

MsCellania said...

Most excellent selections, but the skirt? I dunno ... But tall could carry it off.

Ah, books. I love books. Our home is rich in books. I can't seem to part with any of them, either.

WV is wewax, which I have been doing to the wood furniture today. Twice a year, whether it needs it or not...

Lynne@Oberon said...

Hee hee hee - the catfish! He's fabulous :D

I would like to see a photo of that skirt on you before I make up my mind about it. Maybe it one of those 'looks better on' outfits ;)

Sleep, and your trip had a fat lady falling off a chair. It doesn't get any better ladies!

lazy cow said...

Oh George and Martha! Richard Scarry! But, I thought you hated Bridget Jones...

What are you going to wear the skirt with?

Can you please come and paint my bedroom ceilings? The thought of it fills me with horror but it must be done.

My float said...

You got to go on a trip, sans family, and buy books? And lots of little nice things? And sleep?

Ah cruel world, how jealous am I!

You scored well in the book department, great one! And Bert is very cute. Sounds like you had a great time.

Jess said...

I SWEAR I commented about my love of Elizabeth Goudge. A little too wholesome at times (is that possible?) but lovely. I think my favorite is The Bird in the Tree.

Suse said...

When I was growing up, I had the Richard Scarry Best Story Book Ever, and my brother had What Do People Do All Day. Now my boys love them too.

Never got into Noddy though. He and Big Ears are a wee bit suss if you ask me. I love EVERYTHING ELSE ENID BLYTON EVER WROTE though.

Do tell what the secret gifts were ... not all of us COULD be there, sadly.

Oh, and a photo of that skirt on, perhaps?

Paula said...

A catfish dressed as a chef, you know what they eat. Ew.

My youngest had Ernie and Bert, but he only loved Burt. In fact, he always refered to him as "My old buddy Bert". The whole title, every time. He was just a bitty thing and would rub the silky tag on his nose as he went off to sleep. He's 20 now.

Bec said...

Glamorise is a real verb? And you can do it to yams? We are SO changing the name of our blog!

(see, I'm so jealous of your weekend away that I can't bring myself to comment on the real content of your post)

WV is psqysugr, which I think means pass the sugar, possibly in Bethlehemese, or somethin'

Sarah Louise said...

I love the quote. I already told you I liked the pictures.

SL