Michael Popek's Blog, page 253
January 18, 2012
Recovery - contest closed
Good morning all. I'm not quite sorted out from yesterday's mess, so a new bookmark will have to wait another day. Instead, I'm happy to offer up a giveaway:
"The Works of Edgar Allan Poe" in ten little volumes (they measure 4 inches by 7 inches). Published by John Hovendon, circa 1902. I know there's only nine in the photos, I left one on the shelf. Trust me, I have all ten.
Contest closed to entries, back with a winner in a few minutes.
-Click to enlarge photos-
"The Works of Edgar Allan Poe" in ten little volumes (they measure 4 inches by 7 inches). Published by John Hovendon, circa 1902. I know there's only nine in the photos, I left one on the shelf. Trust me, I have all ten.
Contest closed to entries, back with a winner in a few minutes.
-Click to enlarge photos-
Recovery
Good morning all. I'm not quite sorted out from yesterday's mess, so a new bookmark will have to wait another day. Instead, I'm happy to offer up a giveaway:
"The Works of Edgar Allan Poe" in ten little volumes (they measure 4 inches by 7 inches). Published by John Hovendon, circa 1902. I know there's only nine in the photos, I left one on the shelf. Trust me, I have all ten.
To enter, please leave a comment here on the site, or enter on Facebook or Twitter. I'll pick a random winner tomorrow morning around 10:00 AM EST. Just my way of saying thank you for all of your encouraging words and support yesterday.
Good luck!
-Click to enlarge photos-
"The Works of Edgar Allan Poe" in ten little volumes (they measure 4 inches by 7 inches). Published by John Hovendon, circa 1902. I know there's only nine in the photos, I left one on the shelf. Trust me, I have all ten.
To enter, please leave a comment here on the site, or enter on Facebook or Twitter. I'll pick a random winner tomorrow morning around 10:00 AM EST. Just my way of saying thank you for all of your encouraging words and support yesterday.
Good luck!
-Click to enlarge photos-
January 17, 2012
False Start
The bookshop has been semi-closed for the last week plus; our employee has been on vacation, and I've been busy taking care of a new baby and a recovering wife. Today was set to be our re-opening day. I had spent much of Monday puttering around in the store, making sure everything was ready to go. Little did I know that a great beast was lurking behind the shelves, waiting to strike when the lights were down and I was safely tucked into bed.
The last few days have been cold, bitter cold. Sunday morning greeted me with a -11 F reading. It was cold enough to freeze the water pipes at the store. This was no great surprise, the pipes have frozen at least 50 times since we've been here. So as I was leaving the shop last night, I made sure to close up all the open faucets and turn-off valves in the bathroom, in case the pipes warmed overnight. It was a routine I've done many times.
I wanted to get an early start this morning, as with yesterday's holiday, we would have twice the orders to wrap up and get out. I was in by 7:30 or so, and the first thing I noticed when I walked in the door was that there was a big puddle. At first I thought some snow might have drifted under the door and melted, as the winds were high last night. Then I heard the sound. The great hissing of the beast.
It took me a second to realize what had happened and what I had to do. I sloshed though the water and over to the main shut-off. The hissing quieted, then stopped. I got up off the floor and took a good look; it was still mostly dark outside, and the only light was from the EXIT sign above the door. I noticed the reflection on the floor, rippling. This wasn't just a little water. It's a good thing I wore my boots.
Thank you for indulging me a bit. I'm a little overwhelmed. And sad. And angry... but I wanted to let you know where I've been this morning. For a moment, I wondered what I was doing here on Blogger in the middle of this emergency, but I realized that you all are my friends, and I'm here to share news with you, good or bad. Today is not good, but we're all alive and it appears that we have only lost about $10,000 in books or so. It could have been a lot worse...
The pipe burst right behind my desk, where we keep a lot of the expensive books, and where I keep all the forgotten bookmarks. I lost most of them:
So, we'll see what this week brings. I can't promise you anything, but you can be sure I'll do my best. Here are a few more pictures for you:
-Click to enlarge photos-
The last few days have been cold, bitter cold. Sunday morning greeted me with a -11 F reading. It was cold enough to freeze the water pipes at the store. This was no great surprise, the pipes have frozen at least 50 times since we've been here. So as I was leaving the shop last night, I made sure to close up all the open faucets and turn-off valves in the bathroom, in case the pipes warmed overnight. It was a routine I've done many times.
I wanted to get an early start this morning, as with yesterday's holiday, we would have twice the orders to wrap up and get out. I was in by 7:30 or so, and the first thing I noticed when I walked in the door was that there was a big puddle. At first I thought some snow might have drifted under the door and melted, as the winds were high last night. Then I heard the sound. The great hissing of the beast.
It took me a second to realize what had happened and what I had to do. I sloshed though the water and over to the main shut-off. The hissing quieted, then stopped. I got up off the floor and took a good look; it was still mostly dark outside, and the only light was from the EXIT sign above the door. I noticed the reflection on the floor, rippling. This wasn't just a little water. It's a good thing I wore my boots.
Thank you for indulging me a bit. I'm a little overwhelmed. And sad. And angry... but I wanted to let you know where I've been this morning. For a moment, I wondered what I was doing here on Blogger in the middle of this emergency, but I realized that you all are my friends, and I'm here to share news with you, good or bad. Today is not good, but we're all alive and it appears that we have only lost about $10,000 in books or so. It could have been a lot worse...
The pipe burst right behind my desk, where we keep a lot of the expensive books, and where I keep all the forgotten bookmarks. I lost most of them:
So, we'll see what this week brings. I can't promise you anything, but you can be sure I'll do my best. Here are a few more pictures for you:
-Click to enlarge photos-
January 16, 2012
Fourth
Fourth place ribbon. The insignia at the top of the ribbon bears the following acronyms:H.Y.C.
N.Y.C.
C.Y.C.
H.B.C.
Found in "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka. Published by Bantam, 1981.
-Click to enlarge photos-
January 14, 2012
"Romance" winner
Winner of this week's giveaway was Bev Hankins, who entered right here on Forgotten Bookmarks.
Bev, I'll contact you shortly to arrange for delivery.
See you all next week!
Bev, I'll contact you shortly to arrange for delivery.
See you all next week!
January 13, 2012
Friday Giveaway: The Real America in Romance: contest closed
This week's giveaway is a twelve volume set of American history - "The Real American in Romance: An Authentic History of America From the Discovery to the Present Day Profusely Illustrated With Portraits of Historical Characters and Views of the Sacred and Memorable Places of Our Native Land" edited by Edwin Markham, published in 1914.
As you can see from the photos, the complete set is thirteen volumes, this collection is missing the last one. Filled with illustrations and a handsome shelf look, I think they'll make a fine addition to your home library.
Contest closed, winner announced in a moment.
-Click to enlarge photos-
Friday Giveaway: The Real America in Romance
This week's giveaway is a twelve volume set of American history - "The Real American in Romance: An Authentic History of America From the Discovery to the Present Day Profusely Illustrated With Portraits of Historical Characters and Views of the Sacred and Memorable Places of Our Native Land" edited by Edwin Markham, published in 1914.
As you can see from the photos, the complete set is thirteen volumes, this collection is missing the last one. Filled with illustrations and a handsome shelf look, I think they'll make a fine addition to your home library.
To enter, leave a comment here on the site, or you can enter on Facebook or Twitter.
I'll collect all the entries and select a winner at random tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM EST.
Good luck!
-Click to enlarge photos-
January 12, 2012
Me Gusta
Black and white photograph, no writing or dates on other side.Found in ""Mary-'Gusta" by Joseph C. Lincoln. Published by A.L. Burt, 1916.
-Click to enlarge photos-
January 11, 2012
Breadwinner
Shopping list:Yeast cakes
1 loaf of bread
1 loaf of whole wheat bread
raisins
Coffee
Baking Powder
Sunday Paper
Found in "365 Ways to Cook Hamburger" by Doyne Nickerson. Published by Doubleday, 1960.
-Click to enlarge photos-
January 10, 2012
The Last Step
Silk ribbon bookmark; written in green crayon (I think):
1908 * E.C.
BookMark F.O.
Found in "Stepping Heavenward" by Mrs. E. Prentiss. Published by Anson Randolph and Co., 1880.
-Click to enlarge photos-
