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Shaker Hts., OH 44120
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NATIONAL BOOK AWARDSThursday, November 20, 2008
Harriett
. . . and the winners are:
- Fiction: Shadow Country
by Peter Matthiessen
- Nonfiction: The Hemingses
of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed
- Young people's literature: What
I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell
- Poetry: Fire to Fire: New and Collected Poems by Mark Doty
STATISTICSTuesday, November 18, 2008
Harriett
I just received this e-mail from Amazon.uk.
We've noticed that customers who have purchased or rated The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Collector's Edition by J. K. Rowling have also purchased The Oxford English Dictionary : second edition (20 Volumes Set) by John Simpson. [£427.50]
Um, does this really follow? Attention, Harry Potter linguists with deep pockets! Get your OED now!NON SEQUITOR
Monday, November 17, 2008
CLEO THE FLY CATCHERWednesday, November 12, 2008
Harriett
My goddaughter's cat, Cleo, has been enjoying the end of autumn and the late-season flies. Here she is, admiring the view and the catch. Must be great to be a cat. Note to self: come back in next life as a kitten. Get adopted by adoring children or bookstore.
HOT OFF THE PRESS! Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Harriett
It's been about 40 years since Jane Thayer's Blueberry Pie Elf was readily available. It's become a collector's hot item. Even though a strange Scholastic reprint came out a few years ago, the illustrations were different. Now it's back in print in its original form, and in a quality hardcover format, too.
One day the people who live with Elmer, who was a little elf, baked a blueberry pie. The minute Elmer had a chance he jumped right into that rich, melting pie and ate till his elfin stomach bulged. It was delicious, and Elmer wanted another one right away. But nobody can see an elf, or hear an elf, or feel an elf, so none of his people knew he was trying to tell them something.
Then, when Elmer was unhappily sampling cherry pie, he had an inspiration! But, dear reader, we can't give the ending away. Let's just say that Elmer's ingenious solution satisfied his craving for blueberry pie and, being a polite elf, he thanked his people.
Elmer has been the most appealing and industrious elf around for nearly fifty years, and he'll continue to delight children for generations to come. Seymour Fleishman's charming illustrations transform our familiar household world into the tiny world of elves.
ELF ON THE SHELFTuesday, November 11, 2008
Harriett
Continuing the pre-holiday highlights here, I'd like to mention a special book because not only do I receive phone calls for this one, but it features a tradition that needs to take place before Christmas, so it makes a fine Thanksgiving or early December gift. The Elf on the Shelf features a hardcover picture book that explains the elf, and one family's tradition of finding the elf in a new position each day, after his reports to Santa, of course. The box also contains the elf, a 1950s-styled Christmas ornament like my mother had, and who always sat huddled near the trunk of the tree in a most beguiling manner. I can understand the tradition instinctively, and I'm sure it's put the best behavior on many a small child's enthusiasms in the December season. Enjoy the book, create a family tradition.
SNOW! Monday, November 10, 2008
Harriett
In honor of the first day of snow (just a little dusting this morning), I decided to share with you one of the outtakes from Otis' Santa photo session. As I was reprimanded by my ad rep on Friday that holiday ads were due, I brushed off 2007's holiday ad, and sent it with a note that I'd run out of time to put Otis in a purple Santa hat. She responded that that was worth waiting for, and how 'bout Monday? Amazingly, and with the help of Sarah's camerawork, we were able to capture some good shots on Saturday. This is one of the outtakes that makes me laugh. I've named it "why?"
HANNAH AND LINNEA CALENDARS Saturday, November 8, 2008
Harriett
Last year I received dozens of phone calls about the availability of Linnea poster calendars. I had their holiday cards in stock, and thus was listed on their website, but I didn't know about the calendars. They are indeed special. Linnea and her daughter Hannah are great graphic designers, and their limited-edition poster calendars are reminiscent of old travel posters and 20s advertising. The calendars are beautifully printed on matte cardstock and come in two sizes, with optional acryllic shadow boxes to frame them. This is the last year that Linnea will be issuing her calendars, but Hannah will continue the tradition. I have plenty of both in stock this year. Don't wait too long!
IN MEMORIAM: MICHAEL CRICHTON Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Harriett
At age 66, Michael Crichton has checked out of the game. A medical doctor turned novelist, Crichton is best known for his riveting, detailed description of the science or biology that runs amok in his books. His thrillers could provide an education in technology, but read like a good Sherlock Holmes mystery or Hardy Boys adventure. Some even include a bibliography. His often-filmed oeuvre includes The Andromeda Strain, Congo, Sphere, Jurassic Park, Prey, Next, Disclosure, Rising Sun, and State of Fear. But Crichton will best be remembered as a great storyteller, a hook-and-sinker plot man who consistently wrote big, readable, and un-put-down-able books.
COUNTING VOTESTuesday, November 4, 2008
Harriett
Our friends at Unshelved have unleased the third annual Pimp My Bookcart contest, and the contestants are all in and ready for viewing. Out of 93 entries, I already have a favorite (pictured) -- I have no relation to Deer Run Library (don't even know where it is!), but who doesn't love a clean firetruck loaded with books? That's the trick of this contest for me -- you can pimp your bookcart to be all kinds of things, but if it isn't still a useful bookcart, then it's pretty much useless. It's about the books. One of these days we'll do a pimp-the-antiquarian-bookcart, but we haven't yet. Anyway, the submission desk may be closed, but the judges will be a while voting. Stay tuned.
IN MEMORIAM: STUDS TERKELMonday, November 3, 2008
Harriett
Legendary interviewer and journalist Studs Terkel died in his adopted hometown of Chicago at age 96. A varied career in media dominated his resume, but he perhaps best known for his interview skills displayed in radio and book format. He was a despression-era kid who went to law school, worked for the WPA, helped brand "Chicago school" television in the 1950s, and got blacklisted by McCarthy. Eventually it was print format that made him nationally famous, with 18 books of Americana that bear his name on the title page, but convey a depth of field beyond one person's subjective vista. The award list is long for titles such as Hard Times, Working, American Dreams, The Good War, Race, and My American Century. The last books, in fact, has just been published: P.S.: Further Thoughts From a Lifetime of Listening. Delve into a little Americana, some essays and interviews with a cross-section of people who opened up for Terkel in inspiring, infomative ways you won't get from a history book. Terkel lived a full life, and wrote about it with passion and insight.
VOTING DAY
Monday, November 3, 2008
Catapiwwa
Time's up. We've had many actions, parties, rallies, concerts and organizers out here in Ohio to Get Out the Vote. But all you really need to do is go to the polls. Or we'll send Bad Kitty your way....
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Friday, October 31, 2008
Harriett
Happy Halloween! Click on the image here to take you to a wonderful Literary Witches' Quiz, courtesy of The Guardian.
my first round resulted in
> Oh dear. You have the supernatural abilities of Paul Daniels. No, actually, more like Debbie McGee.
until i finally got
> Abracadabra, your powers are strong! We will have to burn you.
. . . but perhaps you have stronger magical instincts than I do. Enjoy. :-)
PERCY REPORT Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Harriett
Remember the little foundling I found a new home for? Well, Percy has been renamed George, and the report is that he's going to be a real tiger. He's 3 pounds now, which is still a one-hand kitten, but twice the size he was when I last saw him. He's recovered from his initial trauma, and report has it that he's running around and terrorizing the plants like a kitten is wont to do. The photo here is old; but that's George's new mom. She promises to send me a new photo sometime.
IN MEMORIAM: TONY HILLERMANTuesday, October 28, 2008
Harriett
Master mystery writer Tony Hillerman died on Sunday at the age of 83. He was a white guy born in Oklahoma (“the Joads were the ones who had enough money to move to California”), served in World War II, and who spent 17 years as a journalist before moving to Albuquerque to get his master's degree and to join the journalism faculty at University of New Mexico. He also began writing fiction -- mostly mysteries set in the Southwest and featuring one or both of his favorite protagonists: the logical Lt. Joe Leaphorn and the spiritual Sgt. Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police. Hillerman went on to write 18 mysteries, win the Edgar Allen Poe Award and the Grandmaster Award from the Mystery Writers of America. But he was most proud of being named Special Friend of the Dineh in 1987 by the Navajo Nation. He will be missed by mystery readers from all over the world.
TIM BURTON'S ALICESaturday, October 25, 2008
Harriett
We've got awhile to wait yet -- the film's slated release date is March 2010 (a nice birthday present for me). Yes, Tim Burton is busy directing Alice in Wonderland right now. Johnny Depp is playing the Mad Hatter, Mia Wasikowska is Alice, Helena Bonham Carter is the Red Queen/Queen of Hearts, Anne Hathaway plays the White Queen, Matt Lucas is both Tweedledum and Tweedledee, and Crispin Glover has just been named to the cast as the Knave Of Hearts. Tim Burton has emphasized the psychology of Alice in his interviews, and trying to make the film a continuous impactful whole, rather than a series of strange meetings and characters, as he calls other film adaptations (especially Disney). He says, "the goal is to try to make it an engaging movie where you get some of the psychology and kind of bring a freshness but also keep the classic nature of Alice." We look forward to the outcome.
LITTLE RED BOOK Friday, October 24, 2008
Harriett
You never know what's going to sell on a given day. You can have five copies of Khalil Gibran's The Prophet sitting on the shelf for months, and then one day sell them all, to different people. Part of being a used bookseller is having the patience to find the right customer for the right book. And knowing which books are worth the shelf space.
Today I had a customer looking for Mao Tse Tung's Little Red Book. It used to be really common, oh dime a dozen, and it's been variously revered, detested, ridiculed and feared in its history. Ironically, first editions (in Chinese of course) now sell for thousands of dollars. Today's customer was curious to see the book (again) to check out what socialism really is -- he said the current political talk about "Obama's socialism" was puzzling, so he wants to go back to the source (one source, anyway). World of difference there, my friends.
Well, did I have a copy? Short answer, yes. Unfortunately, it was in German. Now that's ironic.
FROZEN IN TIMEThursday, October 23, 2008
Catapiwwa
Sometimes you just need a piece of surreal artistic humor. This is such a time. Take a visit to the Grand Central Station. It's at least a year old, but it's frozen in time.
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD NOMINEESThursday, October 16, 2008
Harriett
The nominees for the National Book Award have been announced! Winners will be announced on November 19th in New York City. Here are the contenders for the prestigious title:
FICTION
Aleksandar Hemon, The Lazarus Project (Riverhead)
Rachel Kushner, Telex from Cuba (Scribner)
Peter Matthiessen, Shadow Country (Modern Library)
Marilynne Robinson, Home (Farrar, Straus & Giroux)
Salvatore Scibona, The End (Graywolf Press)
NON-FICTION
Drew Gilpin Faust, This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War (Alfred A. Knopf)
Annette Gordon-Reed, The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family
(W.W. Norton & Company)
Jane Mayer, The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How the War on Terror Turned into a War on American Ideals (Doubleday)
Jim Sheeler, Final Salute: A Story of Unfinished Lives (Penguin)
Joan Wickersham, The Suicide Index: Putting My Father’s Death in Order (Harcourt)
POETRY
Frank Bidart, Watching the Spring Festival (Farrar, Straus & Giroux)
Mark Doty, Fire to Fire: New and Collected Poems (HarperCollins)
Reginald Gibbons, Creatures of a Day (Louisiana State University Press)
Richard Howard, Without Saying (Turtle Point Press)
Patricia Smith, Blood Dazzler (Coffee House Press)
YOUNG ADULT
Laurie Halse Anderson, Chains (Simon & Schuster)
Kathi Appelt, The Underneath (Atheneum)
Judy Blundell, What I Saw and How I Lied (Scholastic)
E. Lockhart, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks (Hyperion)
Tim Tharp, The Spectacular Now (Alfred A. Knopf)
OTIS TOYSTuesday, October 14, 2008
Harriett
My brother brought Otis entertainment to the shop, and was dismayed to discover that Otis already had a small fan club circled around him admiring his beauty. But Bobby's toy moves. It has lights, and it flies. This quickly usurped the Otis game in progress, and even the small children became more interested in the small remote-control helicopter than the small cat, but mostly we were all interested in the cat's reaction to the RC helicopter. It was a great show. Otis was definately interested, and he chased, swatted, hesitated, jumped, and tried to frighten the helicopter more than he himself was frightened (and intrigued). Most amazingly, Otis could swat the helicopter dead, and the helicopter would pick itself up and fly off again (Bobby is a good pilot). The photos of this event aren't great, but it was certainly fun to watch. Yes, great entertainment for all involved.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PADDINGTONMonday, October 13, 2008
Harriett
I love the special edition Google logos that alert you special events and dates. Today is apparently Paddington Bear's 50th birthday. Who knew? What fun! Of course I remember Paddington, and of course I have some in stock. But I didn't know he was making a tour of London today via black cab, and winding up at the Paddington train station for a photo op and birthday celebration. Have some cake for me, Paddington.
DEWEYMonday, October 13, 2008
Harriett
Dewey Readmore Books lived in the Spencer Public Library in Spencer, Iowa. As a public and most photogenic cat, he made tons of publicity, which feeds on publicity, and gets forwarded and passed along. He was, in short, famous.
Now his mom, Vicki Myron, has published a book. It's a triple biography of sorts -- of Vicki, her hometown of Spencer, and of course Dewey. This triple-power adds interest and heart to the book, which I found an easy and enjoyable read. While some editing of the end-of-chapter sentimentality would have improved the book, Dewey is wonderful and shines through nicely. Cat lovers will surely agree, which makes this an easy giftable book. I've already started creating a gift basket with cat toys, food, and a copy of Dewey. Of course you want one.
RENEWABLE ADVOCACY Monday, October 13, 2008
Harriett
In an interesting display of corporate censorship, ABC recently refused to run a Repower America ad because it accuses the big oil companies of lobbying and campaigning against American investments in renewable energy. The organization sponsoring the ad, wecansolveit.org, also states that ABC runs ads from oil companies "that mislead the American people about the role fossil fuels play in the climate crisis." To see the proposed ad and to sign a petition to ABC to screen it, visit wecansolveit.org.
The organization's mission is to lobby for 100% of America's electricity to come from clean energy sources – within 10 years. It's a big, but not impossible, task. It requires a big corporate change, and individual energy efficiency wouldn't be a bad idea, either.
There's a similar grassroots advocacy group in Cleveland. It's called Windustrious, and it's a petition drive to urge the creation of a fresh water wind farm in Lake Erie. Well, why not? Monitoring is expensive with little payback. Why not stop studying the situation and actually build some? A wind turbine on Lake Erie? You know it'll produce something.
IN MEMORIAM: PAUL NEWMANFriday, October 10, 2008
Harriett
In remembrance of Paul Newman, the Shaker Square Cinemas is showing two classic Newman films this weekend on the big screen. Newman was from Shaker Heights, and his legacy still shimmers locally in old names like Newman-Adler's Sporting Goods. The Sting was a revered film in my family, as one of two favorites films of my father's, and the litmus test against which all other films were ranked. But I don't think I've ever seen it on the big screen, so this is exciting. And it will be viewed by my family as a memorial not only to Paul Newman, but for my father, who of course has no connection to Newman or the film. That's okay. That's how art transcends life. Or perhaps that's a con?
CINDA
WILLIAMS CHIMA Wednesday, October 5, 2008
Harriett
It's a dreary rainy day in Cleveland. Is it any wonder that Clevelanders have great imaginations and a penchant for fantasy? Enter Cinda Williams Chima, a local author who has achieved national prominence. Her trilogy, The Warrior Heir, The Wizard Heir and The Dragon Heir, feature strong charcters, a Lake Erie setting, many secrets, and fantasy plot twists galore. She was recently honored at The Lit's Writers and their Friends, and her books have hit the New York Times bestsellers list. Today's interview in CoolCleveland.com was nice, so I thought I'd share that here.
PERCY
ADOPTED! Saturday, October 4, 2008
Harriett
A woman referred to me by my vet was looking for a kitten... and she came into the shop with her daughter and decided to give Percy a home. This is good news! There seems to be a concern about anemia, but I think that's curable. The best news is that Percy found someone willing to nurture him into a strong, healthy tiger. Good news, indeed! Thanks to everyone for their help and well-wishes for this little foundling, who found a home.
PERCYFriday, October 3, 2008
Harriett
Dr. Nan Decker was kind enough to look at the baby, so I can now offer the following information: The kitten is a male orange tabby and approximately 8 weeks old. He's malnourished and just over 1.5 pounds. He tested negative for leukimia and HIV. He's just been treated for worms, and has kitty vitamin supplements. He may turn out to be long-haired. And of course, he needs a home. I'm feeding him on regular intervals, and he's perked up considerably. He's friendly and sweet! Here is a revised adoption poster, if you know any places to post this. Thanks to all for any help or ideas. Percy thanks you too.
So, now I have to consider the source for Percy's name. Marjane Satrapi is out, as he's apparently a he. Keeping the sound-source of the name Percy just makes me think of Bob Dylan's "Percy's Song" -- and I guess since the rain and the wind have been harsh on this little guy, that's okay.
PERSEPOLISThursday, October 2, 2008
Harriett
I don't need another cat! I'm somewhat apalled that someone would just dump a foundling here, but I'm too much of a softie to take her to an animal shelter before trying to find her a home. This Pumpkin-Petunia-Polly-Persephone-Persepolis is just a little bundle of orange fuzz needing some love and attention. She arrived here last night hungry and dirty. She's tiny, but I'd guess she's about two months old. She probably has fleas and perhaps an eye infection, and needs a vet check-up. Please help me find a home for her. You can download an adoption poster here. Thanks.
KENT STATE FOLK FESTIVAL Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Harriett
The line-up for the prestigious Kent State Folk Festival has been announced, and it's the best line-up I've seen in years. I'm clamouring to see at least four concerts: Richard Shindell, Peter Rowan & Tony Rice, Martin Sexton and Nanci Griffith. They may not all be household names, but these are seriously talent folkies sure to put on a great show. All headline concerts this year will be held at the Kent Stage, which is a coup for this enterprising folk club in an old movie theater in the little college town called Kent. Big stuff. Mark your calendars: November 6-15, 2008.
DON ROSENBERGTuesday, September 30, 2008
Harriett
The firing of an arts critic is never without its critics. In this case, the Plain Dealer's reallocation of music critic Don Rosenberg to reviewer of non-Cleveland-Orchestra concerts has made headlines from New York to California. Rosenberg is famous (notorious?) in town for not being a great fan of the present Cleveland Orchestra conductor, Franz Welser-Möst. However, Rosenberg manages to balance his reviews and clearly discusses the music at hand, never personal politics. A couple of years ago, under fire from the Cleveland Orchestra management, the Musical Arts Association, the Plain Dealer staunchly defended Rosenberg and reminded readers of his job as critic. Then Welser-Möst's contract was renewed until 2018, and Rosenberg would seemingly never pen a thing about the Cleveland Orchestra again. Note that the owner of the city's only daily newspaper also sits on the board of the Musical Arts Association. And out-of-town reports are quick to quip that the Cleveland Orchestra is a bright spot in an otherwise hazy and economically depressed city.
It's hard to imagine that a hometown critic could do much career damage to the powerful and world-famous Cleveland Orchestra. Perhaps the sound-byte quality of a review has become even more powerful? The big, glossy, newly-designed Cleveland Orchestra program features two full pages of favorable nuggets from foreign newspapers, but nothing from Cleveland. And while I don't share Rosenberg's great love of predecessor Christoph von Dohnanyi, I don't share his displeasure with Welser-Möst either. I agree with others' suggestion that a Siskel-&-Ebert-type team might rid the impression of critic-against-arts. But I agree even more with the Cleveland Orchestra musician quoted: “we take all these reviews with a grain of salt.” That sounds like the best advice.
AMUSEMENT Monday, September 29, 2008
Catapiwwa
HEMA is a Dutch department store. The first store opened on November 4, 1926, in Amsterdam. Now there are 150 stores all over the Netherlands. HEMA also has stores in Belgium, Luxemburg, and Germany. In June of this year, HEMA was sold to British investment company Lion Capital.
Take a look at Hema's product page. You can't order anything; it's in Dutch, but wait a few seconds and watch what happens. This company has a great sense of humor and a great computer programmer.
IN MEMORIAM: JACKIE SAXFriday, September 26, 2008
Harriett
Jackie Sax, one of Loganberry's favorite friends and customers, died on Monday morning. Her sons have written a wonderful and loving obituary, which is so good I feel moved to share it here, in its entirety. We'll be hosting a memorial reception here at Loganberry following the services this Sunday.
JANET B. SAX, MD (nee Berman) a pediatrician who treated three generations of Cleveland Citizens and who raised three sons of whom she was ludicrously proud, died Sept. 22, 2008, at the age of 84, after a tenacious and graceful struggle with cancer. She never knew a stranger, which was occasionally a problem for her sons: at an Indians game, a school function, or in the grocery store, she would stop anyone and tell them that their baby was dressed too warmly, or they should not smoke near their child, or even that they should not feed their daughter those potato chips. Remarkably, people always responded positively, perhaps because they saw the concern and love in her heart. Dr. Sax was a founding physician of the Community Health Foundation (later subsumed within Kaiser Permanente) in 1964, and passionately taught and treated her patients. Long hours were a given, but Jackie never missed a bedtime story with her boys. Something rubbed off, her three sons have two MDs and two PHDs. Pat Drake, her loyal nurse, stopped counting at 30, the number of former female patients who had become doctors (including her own physician Sandy Bellin, who diagnosed her cancer, after our mother had helped cure her childhood cancer). Dr. Sax walked into the hospital room of 16 year old Sandy and said, "I have bad news, but you are going to cope. I will be with you, and you will cope with this." She was quite a force. Dr. Sax was born in Toledo, OH, and earned degrees at The University of Michigan and at (now Case) Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She was one of the only two women in her medical school class in 1953, then married, moved to Houston where she assisted Drs. DeBakey and Cooley with their first aortic aneurysm repair in 1953. In 1960, she took her three young sons and began a Pediatric Residency at Children's Hospital in San Francisco. She completed a fellowship in Juvenile Diabetes at University Hospitals in 1964 and practiced for 30 years at Rainbow Babies and Children Hospital and at Kaiser. Her enthusiasm was entrancing. She loved medicine, tennis, family, and liberal politics (not necessarily in this order). She was feted as Woman of the Year in 1986 and served a one-year term as President of the Northern Ohio Pediatrics Society (NOPS). She received numerous other awards, and served on local and national boards concerned with philanthropic causes, educating families, and improving the statistics on inner-city prenatal care and teenage pregnancies. She was preceded in death by her matriarchal sister Anne, brothers Don, Ed and sisters Rita and Dorothy. She is survived by her dear partner Mort Epstein and his daughter Gene and son Jesse. Her sons, Steven and fiance Edith of Houston, TX, Richard and wife Lynda of Painsville, OH, Leonard and wife Katie, and her loving parents, Joan and Bill of Malvern, PA. Nine grandchildren, whom she adored: Jason, David, Aimee, Daniel, Jon, Megan, Aidan, Gareth and Sarah. Services will be held Sunday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m., at the BERKOWITZ-KUMIN-BOOKATZ MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 1985 S. TAYLOR RD., CLEVELAND HTS. Interment Mayfield Cemetery. Family will receive friends FOLLOWING THE SERVICES at Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland TILL 5 P.M. Friends who wish may contribute to the Obama for President Campaign.
FINE PRINT FAIRFriday, September 26, 2008
Harriett
The Annual Fine Print Fair returns to Cleveland this weekend, featuring fourteen quality dealers of old prints, as well as the local Zygote Press featuring new work by master printmakers here in Cleveland. The show will be held at Tri-C's Corporate College (4400 Richmond Road) on Saturday, September 27 from 10-5 and on Sunday, September 28 from 11-4.
WELCOME
ELIZABETHThursday, September 25, 2008
Harriett
I have lots of news to catch up on here. So, without further ado, welcome to cousin-baby Elizabeth, who arrived three weeks early on September 15th. She's not even 5 pounds, but perfectly healthy and fine, as you can see. Her older brother and sister are eager to play with her; the world is waiting! Welcome! [Hmm.... books. I've already sent big-sibling books by Martha Alexander and Joanna Cole to her siblings. I think I'll send Tripani's board book Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. It has a whole bunch of new verses that are sweet and singable, and would make a nice lullaby for the baby.]
NEIGHBORHOOD HOME TOURThursday, September 25, 2008
Harriett
The first-ever home tour of the Shaker Square neighborhood features some humdinger homes you've been dying to see. Now's your golden opportunity. Some of the highlights include: a single-family home seeking Gold LEED status; two spectacular suites in Moreland Courts; a two-story Shaker Courts penthouse with terraced rooftop garden; a newly-renovated Cleveland double in the Larchmere neighborhood; a new restaurant in a restored turn-of-the-century home; and a new construction townhome on Larchmere. Check out the nice article and pictures in the Plain Dealer. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online.
BOOKS FOR BARACKWednesday, September 24, 2008
Harriett
I try to keep a relatively non-partisan viewpoint here at Loganberry, while still overtly supporting equality, peace, and free press issues. This campaign struck a chord with me though, and apparently stirred the imaginations of many well-known writers. Author Ayelet Waldman (wife of author Michael Chabon) solicited writer-friends to donate signed copies of their books for a fundraising effort for Barack Obama. $250 donations will receive a bookbag with ten random books from a rather impressive collection of donated books. Signed! I like the strategy of the fundraiser. Great idea. Then again, I might be biased. I rather like books.
AUTUMNAL VERMONTTuesday, September 23, 2008
Harriett
I'm back after a week in Vermont! It takes time to weed through the mail, messages, incoming and deliveries. Amazing what can happen in a week: births, deaths, birthdays -- even a power outage, Christmas card delivery, and a surprise visit from Nancy Pearl! Well, sigh. Otis is glad to be back at the shop, and I'm catching up quickly.
ELVES AND FAIRIES! Friday, September 12, 2008
Harriett
It's back! Jane Werner's classic Giant Golden Book of Elves and Fairies, as illustrated by the great Garth Williams. Originally published in 1951, it came back into print for a minute in 1999, and has been just as elusive since then. But here we have it, with the original cover art too! Just $16.99. Buy it now before it goes out of print again.
THE INCOMING STATS
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Harriett
Big book haul this week from a local couple who are moving and down-sizing. Here are the stats:
2000 books (3/4th are
cookbooks)
180 boxes
45 trips with the dolly down a narrow flight of stairs
16 hours with 2 people over 2 days
5 trips with a small pick-up truck
0 room left for storage of said boxes
It's exciting, of course, once you get over the exhaustion and the
quandry of how to process and where to shelve them
all. 1500 cookbooks is probably more than we have now, and we
have a decent section that's already pretty full. But hey, who
can resist? We'll figure something out. 180 boxes
45 trips with the dolly down a narrow flight of stairs
16 hours with 2 people over 2 days
5 trips with a small pick-up truck
0 room left for storage of said boxes
OTIS THE TROUBLEMAKER
Monday, September 8, 2008
Harriett
oh, that sneaky furry! he knocked over one of the plaster columns near the front door, one of a pair we use to feature books near the entrance. boy, did it shatter. what fun! mess, noise, physics!
sigh. there were a couple customers here at the time and they all said the same thing: "...but he's cute!"
MUSE OF THE REVOLUTION Friday, September 5, 2008
Harriett
At long last, there is a real biography of Mercy Otis Warren. When I wrote my thesis in 1994 on this first American female playwright / revolutionary incendiary / historian of the Revolution, there was little material to be found on her. Just a year later, two scholarly books were published, and in 2004 she was included in Cokie Roberts' Founding Mothers. But Mercy is a woman unto herself, and well-deserving of her own biography, not just critical aspects of her writing. I am delighted to finally have found that book. Hot off the press, Muse of the Revolution: The Secret Pen of Mercy Otis Warren and the Founding of a Nation by Nancy Rubin Stuart gives a full-life appraisal of Mercy. From ancestory to geography to continual politics and prose, this is the woman to stir your imagination. Can't fathom why a full-length biography has eluded us for so long, but Stuart promises to try to answer that question too. I've just begun reading it myself, but I've already bought more for Loganberry, because it's the kind of book you can read for fun, and deserves an audience as wide as McCullough's John Adams. In fact, that's a damn good pair, right there.
OTIS OKAYWednesday, September 3, 2008
Harriett
Today is Otis' final check-up with his surgeon after breaking his hip bone. He's had his "daisy hat" off for about a week (we gave him a grand ol' bath, and then released him from the Victorian collar so he could spend the next two hours grooming every piece of fuzz he'd missed for the past almost four weeks). He still has a modest limp and doesn't like to use full leg extension, but it doesn't seem to slow him down any. His new hobby at home is to jump on top of Kandinsky and ride him like a pony. K doesn't entirely enjoy this, but he does engage in play. And then he puts that little punk in his place.
IN MEMORIAM: RALPH KOVEL Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Harriett
Ralph and Terry Kovel have masterminded an antiques empire since their first book was published in 1953. They were not dealers, they were not auctioneers. Foremost, they were historians. They were also authors, journalists, and popular columnists with a Q&A-styled approach. Their first book was on pottery marks, but by book number 97, they covered just about everything in the antique, vintage and collectible fields. If you wanted to know about something funky and old, just ask the Kovels.
They were Cleveland celebrities, and proud of their hometown. Indeed, their annual contest often offered a week-free vacation . . . in Cleveland. They once visited my parents house and commented on my banana-sticker collection on the refridgerator. One of the few things my father saved in his "Harriett box" -- along with report cards and tax receipts -- was a letter and some articles from Ralph Kovel about these banana stickers. I, of course, removed them one day in a fit of maturity, stating that banana stickers were for kids. What did I know?
I speak of "they" because I always think of Ralph and Terry Kovel as a team. It seems hard to separate them in my mind. But it was Ralph who died, on Thursday, at age 88. Terry survives him, along with a son, daughter and three grandchildren. You can send condolences to Terry and family via Legacy.com or the Kovels.com blog.
CATERPILLAR! Thursday, August 28, 2008
Catapiwwa
Gene asked me for a butterfly book to help identify a new guest in her house. Apparently the wildflower bouquet had a resident caterpillar, who has been eating and growing at an alarming rate. Well-fed on Queen Anne's Lace, the caterpillar shed its skin and then began coccooning. We've determined it's a black swallowtail.
Young caterpillars, also called parsley caterpillars, are black with a white saddle (to resemble bird droppings), later becoming smooth and green with black bands and yellow spots, growing to approximately 2 inches. It has an orange osmeterium, a forked gland that produces a foul odor, but it needn't worry too much since the caterpillar is bad tasting to predators as it absorbs toxins from its foodplants: Queen Anne's lace, carrot, parsley and dill. It overwinters as a chrysalis, which can be either brown or green depending on its best camoflauge defense.
So perhaps Gene will leave the cocoon in her garage and give us a report in the spring? :-) Speaking of Gene, she has a piece of artwork featured in the 2008 We'Moon Calendar, which is now in stock at Loganberry!
END OF SUMMERTuesday, August 26, 2008
Harriett
We were fortunate to have a full staff of students this summer, but now the summer is drawing nigh and off they go....
Juliet concluded her second summer here at Loganberry and is already back for her second year at American University in D.C. She gets high accolades for helping us empty the kitchen of book boxes in the nether regions of deep storage (only a few left to go!). Betty is also headed to D.C., but she's finished college at Duquesne, so this time it's for a "real job", after working here for -what?, 5 summers?!- wow. What?, no more dust jacket protectors? Elisabeth was instrumental in helping with the Local Author Book Fair this summer, creating some new Collectible Authors webpages, as well as reorganizing the religion and Americana sections. She'll be heading back to Vasaar soon. Katie was new this year, but since Cambridge University is on a slightly different schedule, I get her for a few weeks more. In addition to reorganizing the Cleveland section, she updated the Most Requested pages, which will be posted soon.
Many thanks to these fine collegiate bookies! The shelves are full and neat again, my cup runneth over!
That leaves me and Rebecca (book search expert), Jan (window dispay artist) and Sarah (who just inherited the Book Club job in addition to Book Stumpers). Brenda intends to go to Vermont as soon as the Sidewalk Sale concludes this Saturday. Yikes. I guess we'll just have to put Otis to work.
ANN GETS WHEELSMonday, August 25, 2008
Harriett
My sister-in-law has had a tough summer, but that hasn't slowed her down any. Instead, she purchased a motorcycle. After declining lessons from my brother, she enrolled in an official motorcycle class and is now officially licensed and raring to go. That's her above, riding circles around the class instructor. And, she tells me, she has outfitted the bike with a snazzy GPS because she gets easily lost, and bikes are all about journey and the back roads. So now, she's truly ready for life's journey.
FULL SERVICE BOOKSHOP Friday, August 22, 2008
Brenda
Here I am back at work, and it's obvious nobody missed me while I was away. The place has become a card shop with a world-class kitten attraction. Otis sleeps in a window full of Olympic sports books, people pass by and speak to Otis, then come in and buy greeting cards with cats on them. The book arrivals pile up on the floor, but everybody is adept at walking around them. Yesterday a man passing by came in to buy a sports book from the window just at closing time. He was hurried and distracted and asked for the phone number of a taxi company. Cleveland is not noted for good taxi service. Harriett found a number, but it seemed the cab could not arrive soon enough to get the customer back to his hotel in time to make a dinner engagement. So I did the easy thing and drove him back in my car. Good customer service goes along with the independent full-service bookshop, and I am glad to be back at Loganberry doing my part.
STITCH-FREEWednesday, August 20, 2008
Harriett
Otis got his stitches out today, hooray! He still has his blue "daisy hat" to keep him from licking his wounds, but he doesn't seem to mind it too much. His fur is growing back, and that's a good thing, too. He's allowed to run, jump, and cause chaos like kittens do. Yesterday he was a little grumpy. I hope he'll feel a little better today now that the itchy stitches are out.
UK POSTCARD 9: BLENHEIM PALACEMonday, August 18, 2008 (written 8/13/08)
[Brenda returned on Saturday, but the postcards keep coming]
Brenda
Pictured is small part of library of this grand "great house." Tour managed to abandon me here for a while & I had time to really examine many gorgeous books - including S[amuel] J[ohnson]'s big dictionary & David Roberts' Egypt, etc., plus fabulous bindings. Also enjoyed gardens, despite rain.
8/14/08
Arrived London 2:30. Took underground to tour of Clarence House (Prince Charles lives there, is now in Scotland). Walked too much, watched street performance at Trafalgar Square, ate quick supper, & spent 2+ hours at National Gallery, which closed at 9pm w/ us still there. Equally busy day today. But sun is back. No more Australians!
OTIS LOST A TOOTH Saturday, August 16, 2008
Harriett
It's bad enough breaking a leg, but losing a tooth?! Most mammals have baby teeth which fall out and are replaced by adult teeth. But we usually don't witness the event in other species. Jan did, however. She said Otis was rubbing his face against a chair, and then there was a tooth on the floor. She delivered it to me with full pomp and circumstance, and said I have to play tooth fairy tonight. It looks almost like a fingernail, actually. What do you give your kitten for losing a tooth?!
UK POSTCARD 9: EDINBURGHFriday, August 15, 2008 (written 8/10/08)
Brenda
Amazing city! Full of beautiful old buildings and way too many people. Festivals (& tourists) everywhere. Rain and sunshine every day. Great kilted guide for all-day tour. Sir Walter Scott (local hero) and Rbt L Stevenson lived here. Street performers. Cheap beer. Very expensive everything else. Lovely gardens, fabulous old street scenes.
Book fair started yesterday. Guide said he went & saw JK Rowling there; she lives not far from this hotel, which is in city center. I have no time for book fair. Very busy days. Walked to tattoo in rain, but then it stopped. Back to England tomorrow.
Hotel fire drill just sent me to basement & back again....
[Harriett says: you're there during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe?! Get some theatre! Bring me a program and a map!]
UK POSTCARD 8: CRATHES CASTLE Friday, August 15, 2008 (written 8/9/08)
Brenda
Heather in full bloom everwhere!
Scottish raspberry = Loganberry :-) Grown commercially just around here.
Sunshine for 2 gorgeous gardens & Isle of Skye, but rain with us again today. Edinburgh for royal tattoo tonight.
[Harriett says: I hope that means you shipped a case of Loganberry preserves/jam/whatever home to Larchmere!]
BOOK CLUBWednesday, August 13, 2008
Harriett
Loganberry's book-of-the-month club is now in its second decade of delivering books all over the world (Britain and Australia included). Many are young members, sponsored by distant relatives, although there are also members in colleges and nursing homes, and some who treat themselves to the monthly pretty purple package. Pictured here are siblings Julia, Flint and Nathan holding their lastest selections: Hoban's The Little Brute Family, Otis' Toby Tyler, and Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox. Learn more.
UK POSTCARD 7: GRASMEREWednesday, August 13, 2008 (written 8/6/08)
Brenda
The Gingerbread Shop - Grasmere - the English Lake District - home of Sarah Nelson's Original Celebrated Grasmere Gingerbread since 1854.
Here we are NOW - and P.O. on way back to bus. Must return here. :-)
ETHAN
SPLASHES INTO KINDERGARTENTuesday, August 12, 2008
Harriett
Cousin-baby Ethan celebrates his first day of kindergarten . . . with fanfare! The weekend before, he threw a party for two dozen friends with a super-huge water slide in the driveway. I didn't know you could rent your own amusement park! But, it's been awhile since I was in kindergarten. I didn't know you could draw on the walls, either, but his new school looks like a lot of fun. And Ethan certainly looks ready for it. Bring it on, Teacher!
Okay, that really is some water slide. Cousin Chris says you have to have huge memories (translate: lots of photos) to coincide with a slide that big. Of course, one of my memories of Chris as a tot was being terrified of going down the big metal slide. His mom assured him that she would catch him at the bottom. So, he carefully climbed the stairs, screamed and cried at the top, and took the plunge. And there was Aunt Daphne at the bottom with open arms . . . and the kid flew right on past her arms and crashed at the bottom of the slide. Huge memories, yes indeed. There's a photo somewhere to prove it, too.
OTIS CONVALESCINGMonday, August 11, 2008
Harriett
Otis is convalescing nicely, having had two (now three) quiet days at home to focus on recovery. The nasty drugs have worn off, his even temper and kitty-playfullness have returned, and he doesn't understand why he's still in quarantine or has to wear this ridiculous daisy hat. But the hat keeps him from causing infection to his wounds while mistakenly trying to clean them, and it's a quite sporty fashion that wins him admirers from all the ladies. Yes, he can walk, but with a limp. Hopefully that will disappear too. I might have to bring him to the shop tomorrow so I can keep an eye on him, especially now that his great energy seems to be returning, but his leg still needs some gentle care.
OTIS REPORTSaturday, August 9, 2008
Harriett
Otis has returned home, but he's not exactly happy. He has a bandage on his front forepaw where the IV was, his rear hind is shaved and sports a nasty stitch line and a pain-med patch, his balls are missing, and he has a noisy hood contraption around his neck to keep him from licking his wounds. Not to mention that his mobility on the rear end is still compromised. Sigh. We bought him a nice soft fluffy bed with low sides in which to convalesce, and he's there now sleeping (at home, not shop). I'm glad he's home (the wait was excrutiating). Time is now our best healing agent.
OTIS WITHDRAWS FROM
OLYMPICSFriday, August 8, 2008
Harriett
Today is the official opening of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. But Otis won't be competing. He apparently fractured his right hip bone last night. I honestly don't know what exercises he was attempting, but his pain this morning was obvious, so I rushed him off to the emergency vet clinic. An X-ray confirmed that his right hind leg was fractured near the hip socket. Apparently kittens have soft cartiledge in their joints to allow for growth, and these become bone as they mature. This also means there's a soft spot, and this is where Otis managed to rip his leg apart. The medical choices were fairly dreadful: put pins in his hip and then put the kitten in confinement for 2 months while it heals, or remove the fractured ball from the socket and allow ligaments and cartiledge to grow into a healthy hip socket. We chose the latter, in part because recovery is easier and generally more successful. I hear he got through surgery okay, and I can go retrieve him tomorrow. Squee.
UK POSTCARD 6: IRELANDFriday, August 8, 2008 (written 8/1/08)
Brenda
So, we've had 3 days of this kind of scenery. But one was so rainy the pictures I took are all water-logged. Wild flowers evrywhere are really gorgeous. Heather, gorse, and wild fuscia!
Long busy days -- dramatic coast line -- Ireland is gorgeous.
PS: Too much food; too little sleep.
SHAKESPEARE'S THEATRESWednesday, August 6, 2008
Harriett
Keeping with our British theme today is some exciting theatre excavation news. First found was the theatre built by Philip Henslowe and used by the Admiral's Men: the Rose (1587-1603). It was partially excavated in 1989, and you can now visit. Then, the most famous theatre, owned by the Burbage brothers where the Lord Chamberlain's Men (with Shakespeare) performed: the Globe (1599-1613 and 1614-1642). A tiny piece was excavated in 1990 and a reconstruction built nearby in 1997.
Now, there is James Burbage's The Theatre, which preceeded them both -- originally, that is -- on the other side of the Thames, in 1576. James Burbage was the father of the Burbage brothers who built the Globe, and the timbers from The Theatre were dismantled and used in construction of the new Globe. This recent excavation site is ironically for the new construction of a theatre building for the Tower Theatre. As such, the excavation will surely focus on fundraising rather than on restoration campaigning ('tis a relief).
ALL THINGS BRITISHWednesday, August 6, 2008
Harriett
Brenda may be in England right now (or is she in Ireland?), but she'll miss this impressive show, slated for the British Museum in 2011. Might be a good excuse to go back!
Apparently King George II donated almost 2,000 medieval and Renaissance manuscripts to the newly-founded British Museum in 1757, and the public has yet to admire them. This new exhibition will be worth the wait however: in addition to public viewing of 150 choice objects, 400 manuscripts will be researched to discover their patronage, artist and usage histories. The "Royal Collection" has been at the British Library since 1973, and the project has been funded by a £265,000 grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Within the collection are the illuminated manuscripts of the
medieval
and Renaissance library of the Kings and Queens of England,
representing the largest surviving collection of medieval and
Renaissance painting owned by English monarchs. Start planning
your trips to London now!
To help plan your trip, I offer a brand-new book to help fodder your love for Britain: The Anglo Files: A Field Guide to the British by Sarah Lyall. King George has nothing to do with it.
AMAZON
SWALLOWS ABEMonday, August 4, 2008
Harriett
I suppose it was inevitable, but the gobble-fashion is wearisome. Amazon.com has announced its intent to purchase AbeBooks.com, the Canadian used-book consortium website most popular amongst independent dealers and customers for used and out-of-print books. With consortiums being eaten by monoliths, it gives an independent bookseller shaky feet.
NERD DIALECTS Monday, August 4, 2008
Harriett
I guess if it's worth forwarding to friends and book nerds, it's worth posting. Would you like a Elfish phrase book to help you at Comic-Con? Okay, the convention is over, but there's always another year. Or another application. This Klingon illustration from Wired comes with following translations:
"You call this near-mint condition? It has a peanut butter stain!"
Elvish: Estatyes alahasta? Vahtana ná apsanen!
1337: nm!? roflmao, stainzzors!!1! wtf?
Klingon: pupbe' Dochvam. lam.
Pirate: Arrrh, this pamphlet's woefully besmirched, ye
scurvy knave.
UK POSTCARD 5:
IRELAND Saturday, August 2, 2008 (written 7/29/08)
Brenda
Killarney, Ireland, Tues. 4:30pm
Here we are in a very beautiful place - and it's raining :-(. Took boat ride (no cover) to Muckross castle in national park, where we all got drenched on all-day outing. Must come back here again. 2 more days of touring Kerry & Dingle peninsulas. Doing it all despite rain.
PS: music in pubs everywhere. 8pm - sun's out again!
UK POSTCARD 4:
SOMERSET Saturday, August 2, 2008 (written 7/26/08)
Brenda
Still warm & sunny. Globus guide & driver invaluable. Too many tourists in Bath for me, but I loved Wells. Also saw cathedrals in Glastonbury, Canterbury and Bath. But Wells really special, and saw some lovely houses & shops there. Everywhere are wonderful flowers. Went twice to Dartmoor moor & saw ponies, etc. Beautiful & wild: you'd love it. Now in Wales & go tomorrow to Ireland - by boat. Filled 1st camera card. :-)
BEIJING WEATHERSaturday, August 2, 2008
Harriett
You've probably heard of the environmental hurdles the officials of Beijing have dealt with to host this summer's Olympics, including moving many manufacturers out of the city entirely, and creating an every-other-day driving ban on the citizens (based on the last number of the license plate). But this latest is too much. I'll just quote the source here, which is the British newspaper Telegraph.
It's not just environmental and Olympic officials who are hoping that the skies stay clear. The biggest fear for the organisers of the opening ceremony is that it rains on Friday night, when China's leaders and foreign dignitaries including President George W.Bush will be among the 91,000 capacity audience at the Bird's Nest Olympic stadium. The ceremony is nearly always the most watched part of the Games and China is laying on a spectacle appropriate to its rising status as a superpower, as well as celebrating 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation.
With forecasters are already warning of a 41 per cent chance of rain that day, the Beijing weather office has mobilised some 32,000 people to man monitoring stations on the outskirts of Beijing, as well as fielding a battery of planes and artillery to try to manipulate the weather. Rain-bearing clouds that come within 30 miles of Beijing will be "seeded" by firing rockets and shells containing rain-inducing silver iodide particles, so they deposit the rain far from the stadium.
A LOVELY RARITY Friday, August 1, 2008
Harriett
It isn't uncommon for customers to "pick my brain" about a book they're interested in having rebound or repaired by Strong Bindery. I'll admit that if someone has to ask this question, the answer is often no. Not that I have any judge over sentimental value, mind you, but those with books of sentimental value generally know better than to ask the bookseller what she thinks it's worth.
Today, however, a customer thought she had a good thing, but wasn't really sure, as it had been a recent gift and she'd never heard of the author/illustrator. While I might be reluctant about giving free appraisals, I never turn down the opportunity to leaf through a treasured rarity, and I'm sure my jaw dropped as soon as I saw it.
The Ship That Sailed to Mars is the only book by William Timlin, published simultaneously by Harrap (London) and Stokes (New York) in one single edition in 1923. Only 2000 copies were produced, of which 250 were distributed in America by Stokes. It is quarter-bound in white vellum with 48 gorgeous color plates tipped onto gray art paper, interspersed with sheets of calligraphic and poetic text. It is invariably on the top-ten list of classic illustrated books, as well as a classic in fantasy fiction. But aside from a glossy reprint done in 1993, there's only that limited first edition.
So who was this guy? William Mitcheson Timlin was born in Northumberland, England, and studied art in Newcastle before following his parents to South Africa in 1912, where he completed his studies in art and architecture. He then practiced as an architect, designing a number of major public buildings in Kimberley; at the same time he worked as an artist, producing paintings, etchings and pastels of conventional subjects, in addition to the watercolor fantasies for which is he best known. He also wrote stories and music, and did periodical illustrations. He credits the influences of Aubrey Beardsley, Edmund Dulac and Arthur Rackham. In 1923 he published The Ship that Sailed to Mars which he wrote out in calligraphy and lavishly illustrated. He was apparently planning another book before he passed away, and although film rights were sold, a film was never produced.
Aside from its fame for illustration, it has also become a fantasy classic. The story follows a man who solicits help from fairies to construct a ship which takes them to Mars where they encounter a magical world. While the storyline is minimal, the exotic descriptions and beautiful illustrations have garnered it much fame and collectibility. Is this one worth restoration? Heck, yeah.
UK POSTCARD 3: CARDIFF CASTLE, WALES Thursday, July 31, 2008 (written 7/27/08)
Brenda
Aboard ferry from S. Wales to Ireland, tonight's hotel is in Waterford. Beautiful weather continues, sunny but windy here on top (11th) deck of big ferry, where I'm at picnic table in breeze. The Chapmans are inside out of sun & wind. Many people babbling in too many languages all around. This morning's tour of Cardiff Castle lots of fun. It's a fantastical place. Guide belonged on stage & had responsive audience w/ us. Drive through beautiful countryside to coast. Our Globus guide is Welsh & has a good voice in nice humor & loyalty to Wales. Played traditional music for long drive. Getting used to New Zealanders & Australians (60% of group) & their reference to rugby heroes. Not much free time at all, & busy days.
[Harriett says: in case you can't tell, that's a fully-fanned peacock in the foreground.]
LARCHMERE
IMPROVEMENTS Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Harriett
Larchmere Boulevard, just east of the commercial strip here from N. Moreland to the crazy intersection at Shaker Lower Lake, has been repaved, halleluiah! We've been referring to this part of the road as the "cobblestone menace" of late, and it required low speeds or wheel realignments to navigate. But just yesterday, the project was officially finished, and the street is smooth enough to satisify even rollerbladers and bikers. Hooray.
AND, to make it even better, Shaker Heights has decapitated the parking meters on the Shaker side of Larchmere, so parking in front of Loganberry is currently free! (Can't tell you what new heads these meters might grow, but take advantage of the freebie while you can.)
SNEAKY FURRY Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Harriett
It's time for an Otis update, I think. Yes, he's outgrowing some baskets around here, and sometimes opts for just lounging over the books themselves (especially in the front window, which is too cute for words). He's certainly still a kitten, but he has those adolescent lanky-legs now, and a cat-like gait (when he isn't playing sneaky furry attacks). He's mostly independent but friendly, especially with children (he'll wake up when he hears children in the store and go say hi). And he may yet win over the other Furry Fatsos at home, where he persists in kitten antics and invitations to play, despite any superficial growling and impatience. I guess that's what makes kittens so irresistable.
SUZIE'S
CAT!!Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Harriett
I just got pictures of my goddaughter's kitten, Cleopatra. I must share! Ok, world, here is Cleo! What a cutie. Suzie is off at camp at the moment. I'm sure she misses Cleo, but is having a blast all the same.
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