From my week…
A beat…
Someone tweeted this short film, The Beat Of New York. It’s mesmerizing. I fell in love with it – just like I did with the city.
A story…
My son told me this. He watched a man pull up to the indie coffee shop downtown. The man got out of his car, slowly. He was old, bent. He shuffled around to the back of his car and pulled a box from the trunk. The box had words written on it, but the words had been scratched off, except for one. And it wasn’t a word. It said “NF.”
Carrying the box, taking “the tiny steps that old men take,” he walked into the coffee shop. In the back there is a book shelf. On a sign above a collection box, it says, “Take a book, leave a dollar.” The coffee shop donates all the money to the local library. The old man set his box on a nearby table, opened it, and began putting books on the shelf. Fifteen, twenty, maybe more. When he was through he stood for a moment and looked at them, then reached into his pocket, pulled out a handful of change and dropped it into the collection box. Finished, he got back in his car and drove away.
I like that story. I wonder about the man. I love that the coffee shop donates money to the library.
A touch…
In my mailbox this week, besides all the bills and ads and catalogs and magazines, I got a postcard from someone special. I put it on my board, which is full of things that touch me and remind me who I am. I thought you might want to see the board, and the desk it sits above….
A thank you…
I just want to thank everyone who read the pieces I put up this week, especially those of you who took the time to tell me you did. (And the ones who haven’t yet, but swear they’re going to, and I believe them!) I feel very fortunate to have such an amazing, supportive Zebra Sounds community. You all rock!
And now, enjoy your 3-day weekend! (I think the Fridays that come before 3-day weekends are like the superheros of Fridays, don’t you? And because of that, we should all start our weekend shenanigans immediately!)
Wild
Non-Fiction would be one obvious guess for the box of books. Could the names crossed off be authors? We can call him a Nice Fellow for being so generous, too.
Happy weekend shenanigans to you! (I like the sound of that.) Hugs to a great gal.
I thought of non-fiction too, and when I was wondering I imagined maybe the other words were labels, like the box had been used to move many times, and each time he’d labeled what was in it. Now it was being used to do this incredibly generous, touching thing. (Of course, I did what I do and had him married and then widowed and then diagnosed with something and then in remission but wanting to pare down his “stuff” to just the essentials because he wants to feel lighter here at the end…) Always writing.
Hugs back, Louise. You know how I love when you come by!
I’ve always been a huge fan of indie coffee houses, but I’m jealous of the one y’all have. I love that they support the library. That is truly awesome!
They are awesome. I have pictures of how awesome they are. Toward the back (near the bookcase), they have these two awesome leather chairs by the window. Perfect for book reading while I sip.
I’m wondering why I didn’t get my usual e-mail notification of your new post. I missed J writes. Did you publish on private mode out of shyness? :-)
I’ll be heading over there and reading the ones I’ve not been privy to see. And re-reading the ones I have. Yay for J.
It was published privately at first so I could check the sub-pages and menus and get the labels and links to all work. I have NEVER had so much trouble in WordPress. A labor of love, but still. Holy cow! I almost DIDN’T post many times. (Yay for J made me grin. Thanks, Tricia!)
Love this! What a great board, who couldn’t smile every day looking at that! Love the video! I’m planning on visiting said “Big Apple” in Spring – to celebrate taking (hopefully) and passing (hopefully) my comprehensive exams, this video made me even more excited! I love your work, I didn’t comment – kickme, but you know I consider you one of my favorite authors, or did you not know that? Well I do! Just hanging around waiting for my (signed) copy of your book, that’s all. For now I just enjoy reading your short stories and your blog. xoxoxoxox Sparklyawesome J! Have a fantastic holiday weekend!!
I didn’t know, but now I do, and my shenanigans will be off the charts accordingly! New York in spring time, huh? I’m jealous! I hope you take lots of pictures which you post relentlessly. I need to hear more about your comprehensive exams. Expect followup questions. And you have a fantastic weekend too! xo
I love the scene your son witnessed. I have large box of books from my move that I was going to take to a used bookstore but I wonder if I could find a local coffeeshop and do the same thing.
I want to do it too. I recently gave a big box of books to Goodwill. I didn’t know about the cafe bookshelf. But I do now!
The pox fairy reports only seven incidents (so far) in which she has had to shower pox-dust upon a reluctant non-reader.
So far, so good.
(those of you scratching your heads, read this)
Ha! That’ll teach them to think you’re kidding! :-)
Love the story of the old man, I find that’s so noble of someone to do :)
Your week seems like it was a good week, though I think every week when someone touches us is a good week!
And thank YOU for being the wonderful person you are and for including each of us into your life, for letting us catch a glimpse of it (and you’re welcome too)!
Hugs!
Well, I was looking for the good parts of the weeks, though maybe I should look for the most beautiful or touching… which are not always “good” in a traditional way. Hmmmm… And thank you, back! I am oh-so-happy you are here to glimpse. xo
If I took a picture of my “desk” no one would believe there was actually a desk in the pile of stuff.
I love your board, Hottielicious! I think I recognize a card from someone we both know!
Have a great weekend!
It always makes me blush when I get called that. ;-) Thank you, Terre! You have a great weekend too.
I loved the short story your son told you. And we get to see a glimpse of where all the magic happens! Maybe I should get a board too? Perhaps that’s one thing to do this weekend. Have an awesome long weekend, J!
You should get a board. I’d tell you to send me a picture, but you’ll just remind me that you don’t have a camera. Perhaps you could make me a list. You know how I love lists… Hope your weekend is awesome too, Eman.
Anyone’s cork board that adorns a piece of paper with “Tough Titty” on it, is always worth my time.
Amy, Ha! Yes well, my board rocks. That is actually a play program for a play I saw last year that really inspired and amazed me. Short post and an amazing quote here. http://zebrasounds.net/2009/02/07/shining-some-serious-light-on-it-all/
Well, crap. That made me weepy. I love live theater. Paul and I are big fans, which is one of the rare offerings that Sacramento has – theatre in the round. We’ve seen some outstanding performances there over the years.
Yes, actually, Sacramento has good theater. I forgot you were now so close to me. (Well, close in the sense that we share a state and a time zone and a coast. )
J,
I love the old man. But I’m sorry to say that I wouldn’t give up my books.
I like seeing your desk and board where your magic happens.
Ralph
Yes, I love the old man too, and I know what you mean. Books would be hard to give up, but maybe when I’m old and shuffling. And clearly you need to send me something for the board, baby.
Judy… I love your little corner :~) I love your board…inspiring.
I have places like your board all over my house. My fridge is a pretty big one ! LOL visual inspiration for the wonders that we loved about life.
I too want to know this old man…what a great story your son told you
can’t wait to watch the video about NewYork.
have a magic weekend :~)
see you out there
Fridge picture, please! I should do a post on that. Invite people to send me fridge pics. Hmmm…
Yes, check out the video. It will make you long for NYC. And thank you. A “magic weekend.” That is so what I love about June. xo
Ooh, I love the glimpse into your week – thank you!
‘YIPPEE!’ for the j writes page! And an extra ‘YIPPEE’ for you, for boldly going where you haven’t gone before. (And taking us with you!)
Such a lovely story (both the one your son told you and the one you made up) about the man with the books. I think ‘NF’ means ‘No Fear’…
Hugs!
jb, Oh, I love “No Fear!” I hadn’t thought of that, but that makes the story even better! *mind spins off into story land* <3
I love the “glimpses” and your desk and the board. I especially love not just the story of the man with the books, but how your son paid attention to it. Thank YOU for sharing the glimpses into your life and your wonderful writing and your amazing wit and your stunning smile! You make our lives a better place to live, j, with lots of smiles and sparkles that fall off your sparkly awesomeness to brighten our days.
I was literally tickled pink when you added your “J Writes” page, so thank you for that, too. I am rationing them out, rather than greedily gobbling them all up at one time as I would like to do.
Have a FABulous weekend. I’ll try to email soon, but please don’t feel it’s anything you need to get to over the holiday. *Much Love* *Big Hugs* *Smooches*
Why thank you!!! I am feeling the love, and sending it back.
I love that NY video almost as much as I love NYC. There is no city quite like it.
What a great book story. I am a sucker for a great book story. :)
Hey, I see a few familiar things on those boards that inspire you. Yay! <3
You are so right about NYC. I love how the video catches the amazing sense of energy, motion, life that is NYC. And yes, sweetheart, you inspire me every day. I need only look up. <3
I love the board! I’ve just started reading your blog and I’m also enjoying going through the archives.
Thank you! BIG smile. I will get more coffee and come visit you.