Mini lending library on State St.

Mini library, State St., Charleston, SC 

Cute little pink mini library on State St. I love this idea and hope it works as well as I imagine. I never use them myself since I have completely switched to downloaded kindle reading. I never would have guessed how much I love it. I don't buy books anymore at all which is fortunate since I've downsized to a small home with little storage.

Short walk again this evening due to the heat. I waited so late it was dark when I came back in. Stay cool, kids!

Need something to read?

Window Books, Hollywood, S.C.

I lightened my load and got rid of so many things when I moved downsizing to a smaller house last year. The only thing I have caught myself regretting has been that I gave away so many of my books. I had boxes of books that had been in my attic since my move before that - over twenty years earlier. I gave away all of my recipe books now that I google all recipes. If the internet is down, I am completely helpless and unable to make a meal.

I spotted this window full of books in Hollywood, S.C. in Robert Sarvo's Antique Store. Maybe I should buy a few. 

Family history by the book

Charleston, S.C.

I moved a bookshelf this weekend, emptying the dusty shelves onto a bed, throwing out Budget Travel magazines from ten years ago saved "just in case".

It's almost as good as reading a diary going through old books. The pile on the bed was a snapshot of interests that took me so far back into my childhood I tumbled down a rabbit hole of memories.

I shared common interests with my grandfather and have some of his old books. He loved art, music, birds and magic. I spent many an hour in his library drawing from sketchbooks, learning the escape secrets of Houdini and pondering hypnotizing my siblings to my advantage. I still have his books on British witchcraft, figure drawing and water colours of ships at sea.

I spent time as a kid, studying the faces in the "Beautiful Children" prints by the old masters, fascinated that the odd little people in the paintings were considered beautiful in their time. Through the years I added calligraphy and bird carving books which he would have liked, and I know he'd be proud of the magic and science tricks for kids from when my children were little.

My grandfather came from Scotland as Alexander Cameron Auchinachie. When no one in Canada could pronounce his Gaelic name without it sounding like a double sneeze he finally legally dropped it and went by his clan name Cameron. I am pleased to have at least one book signed before the name change.