Don't you just hate it when a photographer from the big city paper comes to the shop to take your picture, and you are interviewed for a Sunday feature and you grab the paper Sunday after Sunday and - Nothing? You restrain yourself from phoning the writer and asking, "So?" You shrug and forget about it.
This past Sunday I had taken my granddaughter to buy her Halloween costume (finally settled on Batgirl), we had lunch, then strolled past an empty building with ladybugs clinging to its walls. Ladybugs? In October? We played with them, letting them crawl on our fingers, blowing them off and watching them return to the wall. Eventually tiring of the game, we strolled back to the car and I dropped her off, and proceeded on my journey of shopping for office supplies. Instead I bought an umbrella colored with a Renoir painting, and an adorable figurine to put in my upcoming Thanksgiving-theme window.
I got a cell call. "Congratulations on your story in the paper today." "What story? What paper?'' He said, "The Chicago Tribune Magazine story." "Really? Really?" I was so surprised. I drove right home and opened the section to a delightful story by Rick Kogan (an author of several books besides), and my picture by the wonderful photographer, Charles Osgood, who shot a gazillion pictures of me trying to get past the smile I paste on my face as soon as I see a camera pointed at me. He did great. Oh, I almost forgot to mention - my husband was also featured in MY story with some cute anecdotes about his being a famed photographer.
Well. The phone rang all the next day with offers of books. Breathlessly, I answered, expecting each call to offer a gem. It didn't happen. People came in, one man with his copy of the magazine as a gift. That was sweet. They each said they loved the story and they love the store. And I loved hearing it. And they all assured me they would be back.
I assured them they would be very welcome, wistfully thinking, "Bring money."
---Florence
Note:
Rick Kogan wrote about Titles Inc. in The Chicago Tribune Magazine on Sunday, 10/12/08, quoting Shay's observation: "There is an enchantment to old books, especially ones signed by authors. It means that the writer held it in his or her hands. If that doesn't resonate with you, you are not a book lover."
Kogan added:
The store is always a delight for book lovers, whether they are serious collectors, willing to pay the many thousands of dollars that rare and or autographed first editions demand, or merely people browsing and touching and, on the best days, finding an affordable gem.
Click here to read the whole article.
Mom- Great photo of you in the article! Dad just mailed me copies. Thanks! Also, this is the first time in over a month I have been able to access your Web site from either of my computers. My apologies for not reading/commenting on prior posts during that span.
Love, Steve
Posted by: steve shay | October 19, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Dear Famous Person:
You. The Ladybugs. Your grandchildren. Your celebrity. Art. Wow. The good stories never end.
Keep 'em coming, beautiful lady.
Your forever fan,
Shelly
Posted by: Shelly Reuben | October 31, 2008 at 09:50 AM