The Big Black Smudge is an abomination to any book. It is arguably the most offensive act one can inflict upon a good book. What is the "big black smudge?"

The big smudge comes in several mediums: ballpoint pen, crayon, wax pencil ~ most commonly, it comes in a toxic, permanent black marker. Black marker damages several consecutive pages. A smudge is used in an attempt to obliterate a previous owner's name. (The irony is that generally the name is often still legible.) The result is that a beautiful book is defaced and rendered less attractive to the next owner ~ be that a collector or simply a book lover.

A lovingly inscribed book ~ and we don't mean an essay ~ can sometimes even enhance a volume; will certainly always be preferable to a defaced book. The previous owner's name is not always offensive.

We have come to believe that pencil is a lasting method of inscribing a book (if it must be done) and is reversible as we say in museum terms. There is something embarrassing about a book that shows up in used circles inscribed, "...lovingly always, until the end of time, my dearest, may this forever be a reminder of our treasured time together." And then to read the sentiment through a big black smudge?!

Vimy Ridge

In France stands a monument ~ a testament to the courage and sacrifice of the Canadian Soldier.

Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, April 9 - 12, 1917.

Your Smile for Today:

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can,
begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."

Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, (1749 - 1832) German writer, poet, philosopher.
Gift of Wings, Carl E. Hiebert, Boston Mills Press, 1995

(Carl Hiebert was left a paraplegic after a freak hang-gliding accident. But after just two months in recovery and two weeks in rehabilitation, he placed a Gone Flying sign on his hospital door and with the help of a friend, took flight in a single-seat ultralight aircraft ~ viewing from above his wheelchair in the field below.)

~ Day Dreaming ~

The Back 40 Restaurant and Pub, two doors away from the bookshop.

Photo taken on a sunny day in June, 2009.

April 7, 2010. No sun today. Only thunder, lightning, rain and dreariness. Customers told us about hail on Lake Erie. Folks talked about their arthritis and shared stories that were noticeably lethargic and melancholy. No question, the weather affects our mood.

(And there were no Wednesday hockey players descending on Cayuga Street today. Hockey season is over.)

Hockey Season

Your Smile for Today:

"You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take."

Wayne Gretzky, Canadian NHL player (1961 - ) known as The Great One.

Speaking of hockey ~ we will miss the season players. Every Wednesday they burst ~ adrenalin flowing ~ onto Cayuga Street for lunch at The Back 40. See you in the fall, Guys.

Village Centre ~ Cayuga Street at Highway 3

Shot of the moon taken with a digital camera through a telescope. Art and photographs available only at The Neat Little Bookshop. Artist/photographer Scott Walker.

Seedlings

Seedlings and seed catalogues ~ the very thought of gardening brightens a day! The arrival of the new catalogues in the mail heightens our excitement.

Spend a few minutes glancing through books, "The Companion Book of Herbs," "Rodale's Successful Organic Gardening" and our imagination begins to run wild.

The April issue of Harrowsmith Country Life outlines "The 10 Biggest Mistakes in the Vegetable Garden." The thought brings us back to earth.