Wednesdays with Freddy

When Pete, my schwester, partner in crime, and well respected boss-lady, asked me to write for our shops blog, I of course said yes. I do love to write, though not as much as the talented Pete, but I do find enjoyment in it especially when it’s presented as an assignment. I love having deadlines and due dates, nothing gets my creative juices flowing like the fear of running out of time.



Book lover by Alephunky

I have the assignment, so now what? No ideas are coming to me and Pete’s going to proof read this anyway so I’m just going to write some random who-ha about my day at the shop. Wednesday is my day at the shop; you see how I underlined the word “my”? That’s because I’m rather possessive of it. It’s my special day in one of my favorite places and I cherish it. I’m supposed to open the shop at ten, but I’m usually running late. My snooze button has quite a hold on me. (winky face) Once I am in fact at the bookstore I’m wrestling with my “keep-busy-bag”, purse, shop bag, all of which while trying to unlock the door to the shop. Inside the shop I rush to deposit my supplies before they cause me to crash to the floor. Then it’s the registers time to wake up and the lights are next. In my opinion the shop could use more lights, romantic lighting isn’t so great when you’re squinting at titles, but I guess the shop is not that bad.         

After the lights comes the siren sign for outside. I call it that because it is meant to tempt unsuspecting customers inside to dangerous and thrilling adventures only found in our lovely books. I also have to call it something nice because the thing weighs a ton and you can get pretty tired of hefting it even if it’s just once a week. When the sign is outside I do a once over of the shop, making sure everything is in its proper place and the toys in the back are not planning a hostile takeover of the store.

 I love straightening shelves and finding spaces for new books. Picking out what should go on display and what should be deleted from the shop so it can stay with me forever! Oh um well maybe don’t tell Pete that last bit. Moving along, after all the books are where they need to be and there are no customers needing me, I turn to my “keep-busy-bag”, a term coined by our Mum for handmade totes filled with treasures, made for long car rides and trips. Inside are my tools for the day, a journal for ideas and thoughts, a sketchbook for when inspiration strikes, writing and coloring utensils, and whatever I happen to be reading at the moment. Of course it’s never just one book, right now I am in the midst of one audio book, one classic novel, one book of poetry/short stories, one book of juvenile historical fiction, and one actor autobiography that my brother reads to me while I do the dishes. However, I don’t bring all of these with me to the store, usually just two; and I’d be a liar if I didn’t tell you that Netflix steals a lot of my day. Yes, I’m ashamed of this fact but I’m working on my self-control. I try to only watch something when I’m on my lunch break, if that break happens to lengthen at least you can say I tried!

Hopefully by this time I will have seen and spoken to a few customers, but honestly I still have a good day even when we don’t make a dime. After lunch I have a cup of coffee, which I’ve been told is the equivalent of three cups considering how strong I make it. But hey that means I’m saving the time and effort it takes to make and drink the three cups. Afterword there is more reading, maybe another customer, maybe an accidental nap. Interspersed throughout my day are phone calls or texts from Mum, Da, or Pete; greetings of love and curiosity to see if I’ve met my prince charming or had a million dollar day or both. When closing time draws near I back everything up and put all the books to bed.

"And I asked myself about the present: how wide it was, how deep it was, how much was mine to keep."

~Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughter House-Five

When you got passion you proclaim!

The road to opening and operating your own business is long and winding. There are often days, even months, in which drumming up more enthusiasm is difficult, if not impossible. However, it is always important to remember the end goal, the reason for your "blood", sweat, and tears.

Books! We are here for the books. We are here to share our passion with fellow book lovers or to start in someone a new enthusiasm for the written word. I for one can't wait for the day when I sit my little son or daughter down and watch as magic unfolds. That is why we are here...to share such magic, to share such endless escapes as books.

June and the rest of this month plan to be a "big time" for us at Pete & Freddy's. We have the rest of 'Get Caught Reading' month to keep us busy and excited. We have new books arriving daily, if not weekly. Plus we have changes and ideas brewing for the inside of the shop. I wanted to share some teasers with you. You don't mind, do you? (insert wink)

Get Caught Reading
'Get Caught Reading' challenges everyday are certain to keep you hopping. This week and next especially are "must go book shopping" days to be sure. Here is one such reason you should come in:

Snail Mail
We have been endeavoring to add to our Postcard options as often as possible. Today alone, three more designs have been added. Offering local features such as the 'Mentone Egg' and 'Teel Orchard' and several photography shots by yours truly. This is exciting for us, because not only is the shop a way to share books, but a way for us to share our artwork with the public. We are artists after all! Need convincing:

The 'Drinkable Book'
My friend Deven shared this with me on Facebook...a 'Drinkable Book'? She knows my love of books and my passion for clean drinking water. I am so excited about this technology that I want to be sure to help out any way I can. It is coming at the shop...so you better pay attention! Checkout the details here:

 

 

Egg Festival

This year will mark our FIFTH Annual Tent Sale at the shop. We are excited, as this year the sale will benefit Helping Hands Food Pantry AND...you guessed it, WATERisLIFE.com's the 'Drinkable Book'. We hope you will join us in numerous ways. Share with your friends, family, and yes everyone about the Tent Sale and the Egg Festival. Show up and buy some books...after all you can never have too many books. Spread the word by hanging a poster at your shop or local business. I am in the midst of designing the shop's poster as I write this blog post; if you are willing to hang up a poster, we would be soooooo grateful to you for helping us spread the word about the Egg Festival.

 

Your support makes proclaiming our passions possible!

 



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Show Me A Family

I believe Napoleon said it best:

“Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.”

 

 

In April, on a Saturday afternoon, nearly closing time, an elderly couple arrived at the shop with their daughter, Laura. She was in Mentone visiting them and would be heading home to North Carolina soon. As luck would have it the Times Union newspaper article had appeared the week she was here. Even though Laura's parents had lived in this area for many years they were unaware of a bookstore in downtown Mentone. There was much excitement to be had at the prospect of book buying.

 

A bibliophile's heart does little leaps and bounds when a fellow booklover wants to talk "shop". As a shop owner we darn near dance in the various nooks and crannies of the shop when a customer shows as much enthusiasm--or more--about the inked pages we call friends and lovers. Laura and I got along smashingly and her pile grew and grew. I stood behind the counter to give her the comfort and quiet of browsing to heart's content. Every now and then I would hear exclamations of joy of another treasure found and added to the pile.

 

Laura left the shop with quite the hull and promises to be back the following month, for Mother's Day, with her daughters. "They will just love the shop!"

 

It is not as though I was disbelieving, but first time meetings and the knowledge that you are from many, many miles away led me to not think anything more of a promised return. I was simply blessed by an afternoon visit from a new customer...a book loving encourager to the cause that is our shop.

 

Fast-forward to May...

 

The day before Mother's Day dawned and I was happily in my own world of creating for the shop; when I heard the door open, signaling the arrival of customers. I glanced up from work and greeted two young ladies and went back to my project. I heard the door open again and more people coming through from the main room. Low and behold...it was Laura and the two girls before were two of her three daughters. I couldn't stop smiling and happily running around the shop giving suggestions and searching for requests. Laura's daughters after all are bibliophiles too and that means...we come prepared...we come with lists!

 

I hope to see this lovely family again in the future. They were kind enough to allow me to take their picture together in the shop. Thank you ladies for blessing me the day before Mother's Day (and my birthday) with your visit. Thank you for loving books!

 

(Left to right) Abigail, Lydia, Laura, Mary (grandmother), and Hannah

Get Caught Reading All Month Long!

Welcome book lovers to the new and improved blog!

May is a big month at the shop for us for many reasons. Among those reasons is a new project we are taking on this year, the annual 'Get Caught Reading' campaign! 'Get Caught Reading' was founded in 1999 by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) to remind readers of all ages how much fun there is to be had in the world of books and reading. It is usually a campaign that libraries and schools endeavor to reach as many people as possible, but this year I (Pete) thought it would fun to bring 'Get Caught Reading' to the shop.

This is your opportunity to get prizes, book shop, AND participate in a treasure hunt of sorts. Below you will see an image/download link for Pete & Freddy's 'Get Caught Reading' calendar. This calendar will act as your guide and "bingo board" so to speak. Each and everyday (except the days we are closed, which is indicated for you) there is an activity or incentive for you to take advantage of on that day. The day's activity will be featured and explained each day on our Facebook page. Be sure to 'like' us on Facebook!

Click on the image to download your copy

Once you have accomplished the days activity you will receive a stamp from us at the shop. At the end of the month participators who have filled out the ENTIRE CALENDAR will be entered to win a Grand Prize (more details to come). Each day you will be having fun, but there is even more fun and surprises to be had if you accomplish the feat of a "full" calendar!

Long distance customers are challenged to participate as well, but you can get creative with how you join in on the fun.

If you are unable to download and print off a copy of the calendar at home, we will have additional copies at the shop.

Let the games commence...