New and Used Books

"New and Used Books/ Your Favourite Authors...," our ad reads. We are frequently asked by puzzled customers, "Are these new?" The Neat Little Bookshop prides itself on carrying only new and like-new books ~ never musty, smoky or mangled ~ so our books are easily taken as new.

Fortunately for our planet, there is an ever-growing popular philosophy of Recycle/Reuse/Re-read. (In addition, the nostalgic aspect of the lovely old book never loses its appeal.)

The ad ends with "The coffee pot's always on..." So come in, visit The Neat Little Bookshop and Go Green!

First Christmas Card

Today, on the first day of December, the first snowflakes and our first beautiful Christmas card arrived.

Parts of Ontario apparently broke a record this year ~ this is the first time since the '30s that there was a snow-free November.

Christmas in Ontario by Cheryl MacDonald describes the traditional country sleigh rides, church bells, singing, family gatherings around the Christmas tree, gifts and of course the festive turkey dinner.

Visit http://heronwoodent.ca/ for more Canadian stories by local author, Cheryl MacDonald. Books available at The Neat Little Bookshop.

Beowulf

Michael Walton of Cayuga has written what is arguably the best translation of the Old English epic poem, Beowulf.

Beowulf was the first major poem in a European vernacular language.

Many of us have seen the modern movie version of Beowulf's exploits in defeating the monster Grendel and fighting to his death with a dragon.

Beowulf Anglo-saxon epic in modern English, by Michael Walton, is available in The Neat Little Bookshop. A beautifully bound, first edition hardcover that will excite the legend reader on your Christmas Gift list.

We will have much more on this author in the future. Visit Michael's extraordinary website.

http://www.beowulf-country.org/

Dr. David Marshall wrote in a glowing preface to his wife Jill's book, To The Arctic and Home Again, "Writing these words for my wife's book is an opportunity for me to acknowledge and thank a beautiful wife, super mother, able partner and my most trusted friend."

Thank you Doctor Marshall for the profound difference that you have made during a lifetime ~ a lifetime cut far too short. We will miss you.

Visitation is Wednesday and Thursday, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., at the Ballard-Minor Funeral Home, 315 Broad St. E. (Hwy. 3), Dunnville, Ontario.
The funeral is Friday at 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 233 Locke St. W., Dunnville.

Ontario Supreme Court Justice T. David Marshall

The community is mourning the passing of friend and neighbour, Justice David Marshall. Known best to many as Doctor Marshall, the Dunnville native practiced medicine in Cayuga for many years, also on the Six Nations Reserve where he was named an honorary chief. He held degrees in both medicine and law, eventually teaching criminal law at Windsor University. The author of several books and articles, Doctor Marshall presided as judge in Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon and most recently in the Cayuga courthouse.
Doctor Marshall was recently appointed Colonel Commandant of the Medical Branch of the Canadian Armed Forces, liaison with the British Royal Family.
We extend our sincerest condolences to Mrs. Marshall and to her family.

Maddalena Ruggiero

The Neat Little Bookshop is proud to present the work of Maddalena Ruggiero. Her photographic studies of abandoned sites across Ontario draw admirers into spaces long ago forgotten ~ yet hauntingly alive.

"There is something fascinating about the state of decay, the silence and peace that resonates in the space and the existing footsteps and memories of the past," said Ruggiero.

A graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design with a BA in Photographic Studies, Ruggiero lives in Toronto, Ontario.

http://www.maddalenaruggiero.com/

The lady at the Tim Horton's take-out window is telling me that she cannot take my money. Puzzled, I hesitantly accept the change that she is offering me. I also get change?

There are days that ~ for whatever reason ~ it requires extra discipline to show up for work. Today was one of those days. With the Christmas season fast upon us, comes the various festive events, the extra baking and the gift-giving. It is easy to become overwhelmed. It takes a strong person to decline invitations and keep things simple ~ and to get one's sleep! In all the years of retailing, I have offered these few simple words to tired shoppers, "I think we try to do too much." Without exception, the response is always the same -- a huge sigh and hopefully a recognition of how we can step back and look at the big picture.

Someone ahead of me in the long line-up this morning at Tim Horton's had paid in advance for my order. This single spontaneous act of kindness renewed my appreciation for yet another precious new day. Bless you, dear friend!