Books - One of My Favorite Companions!

For as long as I can remember, I have loved to read. Some of my earliest recollections are running home from school with book order forms. Usually I had numerous books circled. Each time Mom would patiently explain that I could only get one or two. Some of those early books (price 35 cents) are still in my possession -- Little Witch, The Lemonade Trick, The Shy Stegosaurus of Cricket Creek, to name just a few. All favorites! One stands out in my memory: Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors. I loved that book! From an early age, the story of Joseph and his brothers has been one of my favorite scripture stories. Somewhere around age 8-9 Mom and Dad gave me my first Nancy Drew book for my birthday -- The Clue of the Whistling Bagpipes. I was already in love with Scotland and they probably thought this was the perfect mix of my two obsessions. :-) My copy was read so many times that Mom had to eventually tape the book together.

Eventually Mom introduced me to the library. Back in the olden days [translation: my childhood] the library was an old two story building across the street from the American Fork Tabernacle. There were two entrances: one in front that went upstairs to the grown-up books and a separate entrance in the back that went downstairs to the children's books. Inside was a connecting staircase. No electronics -- we actually had to have our return date ink-stamped in the back of our books by the librarian! The limit was 4 books but since I usually had those finished in a couple of days, Mom had a conference with the librarian, Miss Tracy, and convinced her to allow me to take as many as I could carry. Since I often walked to the library, what I could carry was a real consideration! Because reading became such a large part of my life, when my sister planned a series of humorous pictures involving our family, my picture included a large stack of books! (Note the "old" transistor radio sitting on top of the books!)

Although reading is a worthwhile pastime, Mom must have been blessed with infinite patience. If it was my turn to do the dishes, I first had to make a trip to the bathroom [translation: book hidden in the vanity]. If I was supposed to be clearing the table, I first needed to change my shoes [translation: book hidden in my closet]. Or if I was supposed to be cleaning the sink, I first needed to put something away in my room [translation: book stashed under my bed]. I soon discovered that our front room couch had a sloped back and if I crawled in behind it along the floor, I could lay behind the couch and read. Of course, my selective hearing kicked in and somehow I couldn't hear Mom calling my name. :-) When I developed a rash from leaning on my forearms on the nylon carpet, Mom couldnt figure out where it had come from! (Sorry, Mom!)

Over the years I've enjoyed a variety of books depending on where my current interests lie. You name it: mysteries, science fiction, historical fiction, spiritual, biographies, health, romance, etc. etc. etc. I have liked it all! Probably the biggest trial I've ever faced is that the only library in the small town where we now live is a bookmobile! (moan) It's like finding yourself in the desert with no water! Needless to say, I've become more creative in finding my reading material. And if you were to visit my home, you would still find a large and varied pile of books next to my bed! (I even own a library card from West Dunbartonshire in Scotland! That's sort of a long story!)

Time has not lessened my passion for the written word. There's one thing I know: Regardless of what we may have to face in life, it can only be better if we have a book near by! Happy reading to you all! :-)

Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are. – Mason Cooley

Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. – Author Unknown

Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new after all. – Abraham Lincoln

To read a book for the first time is to make an acquaintance with a new friend; to read it for a second time is to meet an old one. – Chinese Saying

Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. – P.J. O'Rourke