The Diary — April 12

Do you apologize to your diary for not writing?  Do you ignore the two-month gap in corresponding and just soldier on? Do you make excuses?

I am going to choose the latter.  Of course, I had the best of intentions of writing regular updates but…. things got busy as February came to a close.  My friend and contractor extraordinaire KP came down from Crystal Lake and began the process of updating the shop.  Walls were painted and shelves installed. Progress was fast and impressive.

All the while, I had a stomachache that would not go away.  On Saturday, March 7th, the pain became intense. I drove to OSF and a few hours later I had an emergency appendectomy.  All went well—thank you, nurses and doctors. Soon, I was on the mend.  As I lay in the hospital bed, however, I did think of changing the name of the store to “The Appendix”.

Since the operation, KP and I have put the final touches on the store.   The books have arrived and are shelved. In the gallery, you will find paintings and prints featuring views of Peoria on loan from the Peoria Historical Society, a gem of an organization.   The center of the store features a wallpaper mural that captures two of my greatest interests.  Out front, we have placed a bistro table, two chairs, and a planter.  The doors of the store will open on Wednesday, April 22nd at 10 am.  If you come by, feel free to sit outside and read. One of the goals of the bookstore is to animate Main Street.

PS-- I am writing this at a table under the old redbud in my backyard in Henry.  The tulips and bluebells are in bloom, the male robins are chasing each other, and a bluejay is barking from a treetop.  What a wonderful time of year.  If you love spring as much as I, check out the front table in the Reading Room.  You will find books on gardens, birds, rivers, and even the Cubs!