December 2013
Yesterday was Greg’s birthday so we stopped by the Oysterville Store to give him a little token of remembrance and wish him many happy returns. There was another couple ‘of an age’ at the counter and, as we approached, the woman said, “Oh! You’re Sydney Stevens, aren’t you!”
They were an attractive pair and I wondered if I had met them before or if it was my usual face-blindness plus growing forgetfulness that was kicking in. So I asked: “Should I know you?” It turned out that they were from Bellingham, she reads my blog regularly, and she had a Legendary Locals book in the car she wanted me to sign. I was suitably impressed that she recognized me from my FaceBook photos and amazed that their intention was to stop by the house for my signature. A fan! A real honest-to-goodness fan!
When Nyel walked in a few minutes later, they greeted him with “And here’s Farmer Nyel!” Wow! We – Pam and Gary, Nyel and I – visited like it was old home week. They were both retired teachers, they had raised chickens, they come to the beach once or twice a year, and they have other books of mine. We had walked in on their purchase of yet another, The North Beach Peninsula’s IR&N, which I also signed for them.
Meanwhile, Jim and Marion Lee came into the store to greet the Birthday Boy. Greg pointed out two cakes on the counter that Susan Holway had brought in earlier – one a German chocolate and the other a Boston cream with chocolate frosting – and we all helped ourselves and kept visiting. About then, in came Sandra Lill and Mark Clemmens. More visiting. More cake.
Oysterville Store Display
By then, I had spied several fabulous Christmas ornaments in Greg’s special showcase that I knew I couldn’t leave without. They were both earmarked (in my mind) as gifts and I did get them wrapped when we got home but, so far, they haven’t left the house… I wonder if my good intentions will prevail or if they will find their way to the Christmas tree here at our place…
It was the perfect beginning to an Oysterville day! We met new people, saw old friends, and celebrated our charismatic store-owner’s special day. But, honestly, every day is just like that here in Oysterville! Except maybe for Greg’s birthday and the cake!
This is just the interaction that I saw in a bookstore/coffee house in Boulder, CO years ago. I’m glad you enjoyed the visiting as much as I liked the facilitating.