I dunno about you, but any time I go to the Arden Fair, I feel the need to document the goings-on. Unfortunately there’s only about 5 pictures, because I am a rank amateur, still learning how to use my tools, and a significant number of the pictures were blurry beyond belief. Arrrrrrrrrgh.
The weather for the Fair was perfect, though. Just warm enough to wear shorts, not quite warm enough that the moisture in my groin was a bother. We ate kettle corn, and I wandered into the book sale and started making selections. After I had tucked 10 or so books under my arm, a nice gentleman volunteer came over and asked if I would like a box.
“I would LOVE a box,” I replied, and he fetched me one. After 5 or so more minutes, I had completely filled the box and was balancing even more books on top.
“Sir, would you prefer a bigger box?”
I agreed, and he got me another one. I ended up taking away about 2 dozen books, including a host of fiction (Madeleine L’Engle’s Time Trilogy, consisting of A Wrinkle In Time, A Wind In The Door, and A Swiftly Tilting Planet, all of which I’d been planning to order from Amazon soon anyway, along with the Tripods Trilogy by John Christopher), poetry, books on photography, and a few medical textbooks. Total cost: $16. I love used books. I don’t understand how people can get rid of books; I have three 6′ bookshelves at home completely stocked, and dozens of books laying around my basement with no shelves on which to reside. When we get our new house, I’m going to try and reserve one room as my library, assuming my wife permits such a thing.
Sarah and her mom looked over some crafts, most of which were a tad overpriced, and little was bought. But the food was decent, like it is most years, and the Diamond State Concert Band played marches and things in the “Beer Garden,” and all was riotously fun.
Totally with you on the used books. They make life worth living. Esp. when you open one up and there’s handwriting scrawled in the margins, or an inscription on the first page.