Well hello! Remember me, the infrequent blogger? Apparently it's been 6 months since my last post - 6 months during which my life has taken another unpredictable turn.
In January I was sworn in and took my seat on the St. Helens City Council, appointed after the demise of the previous holder of that seat. Since then I've been spending huge amounts of time learning the municipal ropes, so to speak. Although I still have the bookstore, my hours are more limited.
It will be no surprise to those of you who have served in a similar capacity that I'm finding the public's perception of how much time a City Counselor spends on the job and the reality are two different things. Not that I didn't know how much time the job would take before I applied - I did. I spent 7 years on the St. Helens School District Board, after all, and being a school board member is a truly time intensive volunteer position, if done well. It was very good preparation for my new position, in fact.
I've found that my time and calendar belong to the City first, and this is pretty close to a full-time job, at least for now. Maybe after the current budget session is completed I'll be able to be more consistent about the business of selling books. Until then please visit me during my abbreviated hours: noon - 6pm, Thursday through Saturday.
I'm always happy to provide you with books and excellent coffee, or to discuss current local affairs. Y'all come! Perhaps you'll want to join me on Thursdays when I host a recurring POP-UP BAKERY, with goodies from Brown Butter Bakery in Scappoose. Conversation is always better with espresso, books & pastry.
See you soon!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A NEW ATTITUDE
Until recently I've been taking this business far too seriously - looking at operating a bookstore/espresso shop as if I was hoping to trade shares on Wall Street, stressing about the continuing downhill slide of the economy. I've made some adjustments in my thinking now - accepted reality. I am a small, independent bookstore/espresso shop and have built-in limitations. I am not part of a chain, not a brand name, not providing a necessary commodity and not going to get rich at this anytime soon. I am what I am. This is a time for small business owners like myself to analyze who they are and decide who they want to be, and I have. This is a time to hunker down & make the best of having a small-town business in a diving economy, and I will.
Kindle & its clones get blamed for stealing the business of small indie bookstores, and although we've seen some loss of revenue I think in some ways we are overreacting. Our customers don't come to us just for the products we sell. Our customers come to us because we offer something they can't get through Amazon. We are the bartenders, psychologists & "Dear Abby's" of our biz - and that kind of personal interaction can't be replaced. We know our customers personally, we hear the stories about their children & hopefully help them through some of the challenges. We hear the happy stories and we hear the sad ones. Marriages, divorces, lawsuits, graduations, family celebrations, births, deaths - we listen to all the shared experiences and become part of a support group for our customers. When they come to us for books or coffee they are visiting us as friends, not just retail merchants or purveyors of our product.
And so I've adjusted my attitude. Ultimately I am here not to make a fortune, but because I love being part of this community. I love being that person who cares about the people I meet and I look forward to talking with the people who walk in this door. It doesn't matter whether they are looking for books, coffee, sparkling conversation (more available some times than others) or just someone to listen. I love being here and being a resource. And if I'm very, very, lucky I'll be able to make a living, doing what I love.
Kindle & its clones get blamed for stealing the business of small indie bookstores, and although we've seen some loss of revenue I think in some ways we are overreacting. Our customers don't come to us just for the products we sell. Our customers come to us because we offer something they can't get through Amazon. We are the bartenders, psychologists & "Dear Abby's" of our biz - and that kind of personal interaction can't be replaced. We know our customers personally, we hear the stories about their children & hopefully help them through some of the challenges. We hear the happy stories and we hear the sad ones. Marriages, divorces, lawsuits, graduations, family celebrations, births, deaths - we listen to all the shared experiences and become part of a support group for our customers. When they come to us for books or coffee they are visiting us as friends, not just retail merchants or purveyors of our product.
And so I've adjusted my attitude. Ultimately I am here not to make a fortune, but because I love being part of this community. I love being that person who cares about the people I meet and I look forward to talking with the people who walk in this door. It doesn't matter whether they are looking for books, coffee, sparkling conversation (more available some times than others) or just someone to listen. I love being here and being a resource. And if I'm very, very, lucky I'll be able to make a living, doing what I love.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The Write Stuff
I just finished reading an article by an author promoting her new book. If she is typical it makes me think it's a very good thing I've never persevered with getting my own scribblings published. This woman is BORING. Maybe her books are fascinating - don't know because I'll never read them. When she writes about herself she has nothing to say and spends 500 words not saying it. Is her real life lived through the books she pens?
Perhaps it wasn't my fear of rejection that kept me from being a published author. Maybe, instead, it was the subconscious knowledge that if I actually wrote for a living my day-to-day life would be of secondary importance and I wouldn't really be living it with my full attention.
I always thought I wanted to know more about the people who wrote the books that filled my obsessive need to read, but now I know. I don't. Sometimes they have put the best of themselves into their work and have nothing interesting left. Guess it was a near miss. One animator/publisher I submitted to actually encouraged me! I didn't follow up. Whew! Dodged that bullet.
I too have nothing to say and can spend 500 words saying it, but when my readers are bored they can just close this window (smile). I'll never know.
Perhaps it wasn't my fear of rejection that kept me from being a published author. Maybe, instead, it was the subconscious knowledge that if I actually wrote for a living my day-to-day life would be of secondary importance and I wouldn't really be living it with my full attention.
I always thought I wanted to know more about the people who wrote the books that filled my obsessive need to read, but now I know. I don't. Sometimes they have put the best of themselves into their work and have nothing interesting left. Guess it was a near miss. One animator/publisher I submitted to actually encouraged me! I didn't follow up. Whew! Dodged that bullet.
I too have nothing to say and can spend 500 words saying it, but when my readers are bored they can just close this window (smile). I'll never know.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Celebrate Living History in Olde Towne St. Helens June 3rd, 4th & 5th
Celebrate Henry Knighton Days June 3rd, 4th & 5th in Olde Towne St. Helens
PUTTING ST. HELENS ON THE MAP -
By Susan Conn -
Henry Knighton was the acknowledged founder of St. Helens, and we honor him for his foresight. Without his vision our history could have been very different. The reality of St. Helens as a town came into focus, however, when surveyor Joseph William Trutch, an Englishman who emigrated to San Francisco in 1850, was contracted to put Knighton’s dream of a city onto paper.
Trutch quite literally put St. Helens on the Map – the plat map, that is. His work was completed in July of 1851 and submitted to a San Francisco lithographer, Grafton Tyler Brown. A reproduction of the detailed lithograph Brown produced will be on display during Henry Knighton Days, Living History, June 3rd through 5th in Olde Towne St. Helens. Admission to the festivities is FREE.
This document, titled “Plan of the Town of St. Helens on the Columbia with a Chart of the River and a Map of the Locality”, includes three maps presented as one. The larger portion shows the original physical plan, laying out city streets in a grid. A second is titled “Map of the Locality”, and shows the relative position of St. Helens to the Columbia River and local mountains. The third, the “Chart of the River”, demonstrates the accessibility of the harbor in St. Helens, with depths listed in fathoms. Together the three maps comprise a complete picture of St. Helens, as it was originally planned, together with its surrounding features.
Visitors to Henry Knighton Days will have many opportunities to step into the past, among them this visionary view of the river town we have come to know as home, St. Helens. Stop by and see historic St. Helens, as planned in 1851. And stop by to see me, as well, at Word for Word Books & Espresso on 1st Street. Enjoy all of the charming shops and restaurants in St. Helens as we celebrate the founding of our town.
Special permission has been given by the Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, for R.J. Brown and the Historical Society of Columbia County to display this map at our Henry Knighton Days celebration. Thanks are due to a local resident for arranging this use.
PUTTING ST. HELENS ON THE MAP -
By Susan Conn -
Henry Knighton was the acknowledged founder of St. Helens, and we honor him for his foresight. Without his vision our history could have been very different. The reality of St. Helens as a town came into focus, however, when surveyor Joseph William Trutch, an Englishman who emigrated to San Francisco in 1850, was contracted to put Knighton’s dream of a city onto paper.
Trutch quite literally put St. Helens on the Map – the plat map, that is. His work was completed in July of 1851 and submitted to a San Francisco lithographer, Grafton Tyler Brown. A reproduction of the detailed lithograph Brown produced will be on display during Henry Knighton Days, Living History, June 3rd through 5th in Olde Towne St. Helens. Admission to the festivities is FREE.
This document, titled “Plan of the Town of St. Helens on the Columbia with a Chart of the River and a Map of the Locality”, includes three maps presented as one. The larger portion shows the original physical plan, laying out city streets in a grid. A second is titled “Map of the Locality”, and shows the relative position of St. Helens to the Columbia River and local mountains. The third, the “Chart of the River”, demonstrates the accessibility of the harbor in St. Helens, with depths listed in fathoms. Together the three maps comprise a complete picture of St. Helens, as it was originally planned, together with its surrounding features.
Visitors to Henry Knighton Days will have many opportunities to step into the past, among them this visionary view of the river town we have come to know as home, St. Helens. Stop by and see historic St. Helens, as planned in 1851. And stop by to see me, as well, at Word for Word Books & Espresso on 1st Street. Enjoy all of the charming shops and restaurants in St. Helens as we celebrate the founding of our town.
Special permission has been given by the Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, for R.J. Brown and the Historical Society of Columbia County to display this map at our Henry Knighton Days celebration. Thanks are due to a local resident for arranging this use.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
BUT I'M STILL OPEN!
Tossing all dignity aside (dignity is not my strong suit anyway), I just found myself running out the door to respond to a passerby's comment to her friends. As I was standing here shelving books, waiting for the next customer, I heard her say "It's a shame there's nothing open. It looks like Wal-Mart has driven everyone out of business." Well, not everyone. Some of us are still here and hoping for potential customers to notice. While I can't argue with the fact that Wal-Mart has made an impact, I also can't believe that she didn't SEE ME. I'M STILL OPEN!
Hmmmm. What more can I do to grab the eye? I'm here 5 days/week all-year-round (and I respond to book & coffee emergencies if you call). I have attractive signage that screams WORD FOR WORD BOOKS & ESPRESSO, a neon GOURMET COFFEE sign, a quaint vintage exterior with outdoor seating, and an OPEN sign on the door. If you venture in you'll find a welcoming, charming interior with a good selection of quality books and a well-stocked espresso bar serving excellent fair-trade organic coffee from St.Johns Coffee Roasters, a local small-batch roaster. Besides which you'll find friendly people who welcome good conversations about books, politics, social issues, or whatever you'd like to discuss. Sometimes, if you get lucky, it'll be a day when I'm serving freshly baked pastries or cookies from Houlton Bakery or Wild Currant.
Really folks, I'm OPEN! Or at least I think I am. On the other hand maybe this is just some elaborately detailed fantasy. Perhaps it's just a figment of my imagination, believing that I exist. Have to admit, after all, I am living the dream - surrounded by my favorite things, books, coffee, conversation. Hmmmm. Well, if I AM dreaming maybe it's better that you don't open the front door and wake me. However, if you want to SHARE in my dream, by all means venture in and become part of the storyline here. OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, or a reasonable facsimile thereof.
Hmmmm. What more can I do to grab the eye? I'm here 5 days/week all-year-round (and I respond to book & coffee emergencies if you call). I have attractive signage that screams WORD FOR WORD BOOKS & ESPRESSO, a neon GOURMET COFFEE sign, a quaint vintage exterior with outdoor seating, and an OPEN sign on the door. If you venture in you'll find a welcoming, charming interior with a good selection of quality books and a well-stocked espresso bar serving excellent fair-trade organic coffee from St.Johns Coffee Roasters, a local small-batch roaster. Besides which you'll find friendly people who welcome good conversations about books, politics, social issues, or whatever you'd like to discuss. Sometimes, if you get lucky, it'll be a day when I'm serving freshly baked pastries or cookies from Houlton Bakery or Wild Currant.
Really folks, I'm OPEN! Or at least I think I am. On the other hand maybe this is just some elaborately detailed fantasy. Perhaps it's just a figment of my imagination, believing that I exist. Have to admit, after all, I am living the dream - surrounded by my favorite things, books, coffee, conversation. Hmmmm. Well, if I AM dreaming maybe it's better that you don't open the front door and wake me. However, if you want to SHARE in my dream, by all means venture in and become part of the storyline here. OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, or a reasonable facsimile thereof.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Have It Your Way
Did I happen to mention that Word for Word has a new espresso machine? Yup, we were down for a couple of weeks and strictly selling books. But now we are full service again - both books and coffee - and just in time! I've become very dependent on having my machine always available, producing a rich, deeply flavored, aromatic espresso for me to savor & share. Without it I was lost. I found I didn't even like hot chocolate anymore without the steamed milk. Nope, microwaved just isn't the same, regardless of the quality of chocolate used.
And brewed coffee? Uh, no thanks! I grew up with grocery store coffee from a can, perked in a percolator and held at temperature for as long as needed. That wasn't my idea, though. I blame my mom. She made it, but she didn't even like coffee. Maybe that should have been a clue. Mom only drank green tea - BEFORE it was trendy & only from a bone china cup. It wasn't just that she was using not-so-great coffee, she occasionally was caught using the grounds twice! No wonder she preferred tea! I remember visiting my dad right after their divorce and having a cup of great drip coffee from freshly ground, high quality beans. I couldn't have been more surprised! Apparently the grocery store bargain coffee wasn't HIS idea either and he was moving forward.
Yes, I freely admit it. I'm spoiled. And now my mission in life is to spoil YOU. Wednesday through Sunday I make espresso drinks to your order, with organic, fair-trade, small-batch, locally roasted coffee. Both Burger King and I claim we want you to "have it your way". The difference is, I mean it (smile).
And brewed coffee? Uh, no thanks! I grew up with grocery store coffee from a can, perked in a percolator and held at temperature for as long as needed. That wasn't my idea, though. I blame my mom. She made it, but she didn't even like coffee. Maybe that should have been a clue. Mom only drank green tea - BEFORE it was trendy & only from a bone china cup. It wasn't just that she was using not-so-great coffee, she occasionally was caught using the grounds twice! No wonder she preferred tea! I remember visiting my dad right after their divorce and having a cup of great drip coffee from freshly ground, high quality beans. I couldn't have been more surprised! Apparently the grocery store bargain coffee wasn't HIS idea either and he was moving forward.
Yes, I freely admit it. I'm spoiled. And now my mission in life is to spoil YOU. Wednesday through Sunday I make espresso drinks to your order, with organic, fair-trade, small-batch, locally roasted coffee. Both Burger King and I claim we want you to "have it your way". The difference is, I mean it (smile).
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Day Tripping - Respite Self-Care
Suddenly the bookstore is silent. My husband, his buddy & his dad just left and all the hot air is coming from the heater now (just kidding, guys). Customers this morning have represented a cross-section of political & social thought - all serious subjects so far today. I'm looking for someone to drop in with a little light humor now, please. Something to lighten my day - maybe something entirely unrelated to my real life.
Hmmm. Can't really complain about my life, actually. What can be better than spending each day surrounded by books & coffee, engaged in interesting conversations? Even a perfect life requires a little time away, though. Too much perfection is wearing (smile). Once-in-awhile I need a little fresh air after too much time spent indoors.
I do feel refreshed after my recent "weekend getaway". Rob & I took a long overdue road trip on Monday. We took highway 26 over toward the coast, stopping for brunch at Camp 18 & then wandering over to 101, through Cannon Beach & up to Seaside. Seaside isn't my favorite place - it's always so packed with people & I prefer my coastline deserted. Monday was the day to be there, though. Very few people ventured out despite the sunshine, which was fine with me. We could enjoy the ocean without risk of a head injury from an unseen Frisby or fear of a collision with a free-ranging pooch fresh from the city, crazed with his sudden freedom & trailing his leash.
From Seaside & The Prom we went up the coast to Fort Stevens to check out the historic military sites there. I'd never been to the protective bunkers where troops defended the coastline before and walked around reading all of the signs & trying to determine where the ocean was. (Since WWII trees have grown up and block the view, so you have to rely on imagination to see what the men guarding our shores saw). One sign pointed out that the guns there were never fired in anger. Another (contradictory?) said that a Japanese sub was fired upon. Apparently nobody was angry though? Good to know. Bike trails abound and they're paved, so I'm pretty sure we'll be making a return trip soon.
Next stop on our journey was the jetty at the point where the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean meet. As I am seldom a danger to myself anymore (mostly) I had no problem with signs instructing "Do Not Climb on the Jetty". 20 years ago I might have ignored the sign & clambered over the huge rocks, but no more. I am mortal now. The only climbing I did this day was onto a viewing platform that overlooks the juncture. Although the view was amazing I did get a little insecure when I found the platform had a built-in sway. Having spent much time in earthquake prone California I like the ground to feel firm under my feet so immediately made my escape, climbing quickly down when I detected movement. I really think there should have been a warning posted on the viewing platform, something like "Expect Movement". After all, I WAS reading all of the signs and following the instructions to not climb on the rocks. They might have warned me!
All of this walking, climbing & sightseeing prepared us for our next & final stop, the Wet Dog Saloon in Astoria. After a good dinner with locally brewed beer, topped off by dessert. Er, um, that is, I had dessert. Rob exercised more discretion & had room to gloat later (literally). Finally we headed home around sunset, physically tired but mentally rested.
Yes, even bookstore owner/baristas need some time away - time spent doing something completely unrelated to books or coffee. All the better to enjoy my daily surroundings when I return. OK, I confess, I did peruse the books at the Camp 18 gift shop, and enjoyed a latte with my dessert at the Wet Dog. Can't help myself, it's what I do - books & coffee. I can't quite do without them, even on a day trip. It's an illness. My name is Susan and I'm a coffee/bookaholic.
Hmmm. Can't really complain about my life, actually. What can be better than spending each day surrounded by books & coffee, engaged in interesting conversations? Even a perfect life requires a little time away, though. Too much perfection is wearing (smile). Once-in-awhile I need a little fresh air after too much time spent indoors.
I do feel refreshed after my recent "weekend getaway". Rob & I took a long overdue road trip on Monday. We took highway 26 over toward the coast, stopping for brunch at Camp 18 & then wandering over to 101, through Cannon Beach & up to Seaside. Seaside isn't my favorite place - it's always so packed with people & I prefer my coastline deserted. Monday was the day to be there, though. Very few people ventured out despite the sunshine, which was fine with me. We could enjoy the ocean without risk of a head injury from an unseen Frisby or fear of a collision with a free-ranging pooch fresh from the city, crazed with his sudden freedom & trailing his leash.
From Seaside & The Prom we went up the coast to Fort Stevens to check out the historic military sites there. I'd never been to the protective bunkers where troops defended the coastline before and walked around reading all of the signs & trying to determine where the ocean was. (Since WWII trees have grown up and block the view, so you have to rely on imagination to see what the men guarding our shores saw). One sign pointed out that the guns there were never fired in anger. Another (contradictory?) said that a Japanese sub was fired upon. Apparently nobody was angry though? Good to know. Bike trails abound and they're paved, so I'm pretty sure we'll be making a return trip soon.
Next stop on our journey was the jetty at the point where the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean meet. As I am seldom a danger to myself anymore (mostly) I had no problem with signs instructing "Do Not Climb on the Jetty". 20 years ago I might have ignored the sign & clambered over the huge rocks, but no more. I am mortal now. The only climbing I did this day was onto a viewing platform that overlooks the juncture. Although the view was amazing I did get a little insecure when I found the platform had a built-in sway. Having spent much time in earthquake prone California I like the ground to feel firm under my feet so immediately made my escape, climbing quickly down when I detected movement. I really think there should have been a warning posted on the viewing platform, something like "Expect Movement". After all, I WAS reading all of the signs and following the instructions to not climb on the rocks. They might have warned me!
All of this walking, climbing & sightseeing prepared us for our next & final stop, the Wet Dog Saloon in Astoria. After a good dinner with locally brewed beer, topped off by dessert. Er, um, that is, I had dessert. Rob exercised more discretion & had room to gloat later (literally). Finally we headed home around sunset, physically tired but mentally rested.
Yes, even bookstore owner/baristas need some time away - time spent doing something completely unrelated to books or coffee. All the better to enjoy my daily surroundings when I return. OK, I confess, I did peruse the books at the Camp 18 gift shop, and enjoyed a latte with my dessert at the Wet Dog. Can't help myself, it's what I do - books & coffee. I can't quite do without them, even on a day trip. It's an illness. My name is Susan and I'm a coffee/bookaholic.
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