A Life of Its Own

A well-produced local newspaper has approached me to write book reviews on a "semi-regular" basis. My first thought was, "...When am I going to get time to write?!" (One possibility is that I could give up some CNN news. I know more about Michael Jackson than I care to admit.)
It seems the store has taken on a life of its own. In the bookshop we are seldom alone. When we first opened two years ago, a bright, young English student fell asleep in the wing chair and was startled hours later when a customer opened the door.

A priority today is the involvement of local authors. Their shelf-space, signings, readings, discussions all contribute to the richness of our bookshop. Readers enjoy meeting writers -- novelists and poets alike. Essential to the author's success is promotion and advertising. Essential to our book shop's success is promotion.
Our newspapers play an important role in our community; I welcome this opportunity. Stay tuned.

Jill Marshall ~ To the Arctic and Home Again

A new book by Jill Marshall reveals a family adventure in Yellowknife during the eighties when the Honorable Justice David Marshall, her husband, presided over the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories and the Yukon.
The book consists of newspaper articles, editorials and various vignettes from thirty years of writing. It is a collection of the light -- Jill got her motorcycle licence while in the north -- as well as the more serious issues of the day.
To The Arctic and Home Again will enlighten and entertain. Chapters that are certain to hold the reader's attention: "Powerful Women;" "Fear;" "Emergency Flying is a Tough Job;" "Judge, Doctor Talk About Ethics;" "Ice Bridge Goes Out;" "Remembrance, My Father, Dr. Harold Smith." Retails $15 no tax at The Neat Little Bookshop.

David Wice ~ Vocalist Guitarist

David Wice appearing tonight at The Back 40, downtown Cayuga. (Next to the L'l Bookshop.)Saturday, June 20, 8:30 p.m.

Over two hundred tunes in Wice's repertoire. Come with requests. "He's like a human jukebox!" Fabulous entertainer. Music to please.

No cover charge. Everyone welcome.

Photo: "Either I am singing or I have been punched in the groin."

The Skunk

"Not skunk!" the officer said. "That's pot." Not amused. (Certainly not your typical old-book smell.)
I cautioned the upstairs tenants and we have not again smelled skunk ~ until this week. It is a row of old buildings -- businesses downstairs, apartments upstairs, old dungeon-like basement. One expects the odd incident but it wasn't until a customer noted that "It smells like old books!" that our concern grew. The Neat Little Bookshop takes great pride in presenting, yes "used," but absolutely "like new" clean books. They don't smell. The lawyer next door pronounced it "Skunk!"

We try not to draw attention to this latest incident -- freshly perked vanilla coffee helps -- I learned not to mention it to our OPP customers. The landlord rattled some junk in the basement. Shuffled stuff and made a lot of noise. No evidence. We are not convinced that rattling the undesirable (or even the desirable tenants) is the best approach? But who does one call about skunk?

"24-Carat Character"

A friend of ours with a colourful vocabulary ~ greater than my own ~ pointed out to me that I shouldn't have any difficulty writing a daily blog considering the "24-carat characters" that he observes coming and going in the bookshop. (This is the same gentleman who referred to the resident pekinese as an"animated floor mop.") Of course, I have enough material to enter several "posts" a day ~ including a paragraph or two on same gentleman. The trick is to write without offending anyone.
A "plug" is always good. This week I sold some westerns to a man who asked, only as an afterthought, if I had anything on Johnny Cash or Ronnie Hawkins. Yes. I do!

Now, this is a man whose deep bass-baritone voice does not go unnoticed even before his identity is revealed. Johnny Cash impersonator, Bill Cayley!

Mr. Cayley, although the train no longer goes through Cayuga, we know you will return some day and we look forward to seeing you. "The Legend in Black." is a 24-carat character. http://www.thelegendinblack.com/

Guitarist David Wice

Guitarist David Wice performing at The Back 40, Saturday, June 20th. 8:30 p.m., " 'til done."

David's "HIGH-ENERGY-MUSIC" is appropriate for any occasion. He is available for weddings, parties or just about any event. The Back 40, downtown Cayuga, welcomes the return of this talented entertainer. No cover charge.

Check out http://www.davidwice.ca/ to subscribe to David's newsletter, "da News."

The Twisted Lemon ~ Opening Soon

The Twisted Lemon Restaurant will be opening soon. Many of us have been watching the renovation progress at the corner of Munsee (Hwy. 54) and Norton Streets, Cayuga. The original structure, known as Miss Glenney's, was a single brick dwelling ~ picturesque behind a row of pines.
Dan and Laurie are recognized for their excellence in catering as well as their popular cooking classes. The attractive new exterior ~ black with lime-green trim ~ portrays the thoroughness and professionalism with which the couple have approached the overall cooking experience.
http://www.twistedlemon.ca/

The Parrothead Restaurant

The landmark restaurant, The Parrothead, is reopening. As early as Canada Day weekend, patrons of this popular Lake Erie restaurant will be able to once again enjoy their favourite fare and try some new menu items ~ including Margarita Cake.
The new owner, Shane Carmichael, assured visitors this week that when he opens, he wants the neighbouring community to feel that this is their restaurant.
The Parrothead will retain the Jimmy Buffet flavour with careful attention to fresh, locally supplied products ~ (We will wait and see; will there be a "Cheeseburger in Paradise?")
As a bookshop, we are aware that Jimmy Buffet once said that "One of life's great pleasures is exchanging good books with close friends." Another of life's greatest pleasures is sharing good food.
The Parrothead is located at the corner of Lakeshore and Kohler Road, Lake Erie, Haldimand County. Watch for the official announcement.

"You've Got it!"

Words that are music to a used-bookstore vendor's ears, "You've got it!" Today it was a p/b copy of Frank Herbert's Dune. 1975. It was not the book that was unusual, it was the circumstances. Jeremy is leaving in the morning for Laurentian University in Sudbury ~ a big day. His graduation. Exciting, except that he will be in the company of his best friend from whom he borrowed Dune. The book was annihlated during a move.
Jeremy, congratulations and all the best. In this case, don't mention The Neat Little Bookshop.

Dunnville Author ~ Brad Smith

Dunnville author, Brad Smith, has accomplished what many Canadian authors strive for and few achieve ~ having their manuscript picked up by a publisher. (Most books today are self-published -- certainly first novels.) In addition to that, Brad is making movies from books.

Brad's tales have a colourful cast of characters ~ admittedly composites of people he has met. Rough. Tough. Humorous. People whom we have met at some time in our lives. Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River said, All Hat is an incendiary example of pedal-to-the-floor country noir."
The story lines are captivating; the underlying life-lessons linger.

When available "used," The Neat Little Bookshop carries Brad's books. All Hat, One-Eyed Jack, Bushed Flush, and Big Man Coming Down the Road, are all available new at The Dragonfly in Caledonia.