Dear friends,
Remember that enormous poetry and philosophy collection we mentioned in our last New Arrivals email? 25 boxes and 3 pulled muscles later it is now in the shop! This past week was a madhouse of cataloguing and sorting, pricing and dreaming. We shelved and arranged and awed and collapsed (from exultation not exhaustion) and it was worth it. Our friend, a world traveler and writer of note, hauled his ENTIRE book collection into our house saying, “Have at it. My earthly possessions are now yours to enjoy.” It was an overwhelming delight. You could start a bookshop with this collection! Fortunately, we don’t have to! It’s now proudly on our shelves at 1025 Elias Street. Only a fraction of it is catalogued. More to come before the end of the year too, although the best way to see them all is to just brave the weather and come into the shop!
Speaking of which…
As we write this, our street is being anesthetized by this year’s first major snowfall. To our friends way down south, snow is the cold accumulation of small ice crystals in our atmosphere which then fall to the earth. You can see it effectively animated in the classic Christmas cartoon special A Charlie Brown Christmas. We Canadians are top notch at dealing with the stuff. Just now our whole neighbourhood greeted each other outside as we all shoveled out our driveways and sidewalks. Capraesque, it was. Don’t forget the walkway to your door lest you be marooned in your laneway feasting on the Tim Horton’s wrappers that line the floor of your car. We only bring this up to say that we sincerely know the weather might affect your ability to come into the store. We can and will hold anything you like for a few days. Also, of equal importance…
We have alternative shipping methods ready to go during the Canada Post strike.
These methods consist of the usual suspects — Purolator, Fedex, etc. — as well as crows, wormholes, dreams and time, all ready to get your gifts and holiday reading to your door in time for the Big Day. We have the packing tape and envelopes ready to go. Local delivery is also an option, although please do not expect us to meet you with a dog sled. The books might not make it. Rather, our Tim Horton’s lined van will do the shipping, us caffeinated and festive at the wheel. What a bloody year it’s been, folks. We hope you, like us, have at least one foot down on the ground again. Even if the other dangles over the void.
Happy Dang Holidays, Book Fans!
Jason & Vanessa
