Greetings! And Happy Father’s Day. As I’m a Gen Xer, when I think Father’s Day, I think of the Leonard Cohen’s First We Take Manhattan line “Well, it’s Father’s Day, and everybody’s wounded…” or Kurt Cobain’s “I tried hard to have a father but instead I had a dad.”
This might be why my kids call their father, ‘papa’ instead. I digress.
But maybe I don’t. I can quote pop culture because I grew up in record stores and libraries–and as many of you pointed out, it SAVED us. Remember feeling outside the norm in sixth grade and Harriet the Spy saving you? It did me. Also, I guarded my journal just in case–so Harriet became informative valuable info as well.
Much talk goes on in the mountains about suicide prevention. People organize to do TEEN nights and anti-alcohol and drug abuse talks. As someone who registers on the depression scale, I’m always skeptical of such things as actual prevention. I suppose we all have our own method that keeps the dark cloud from rising. Mine was/is books and music. Sometimes it’s listening (I dj at the local community radio station). Sometimes it’s doing (I perform locally singing with a ‘band’). Sometimes it’s reading and sometimes it’s writing. But there’s a connection between my body & soul with words and music and as long as I have that connection I feel like I belong to the world.
I want that for our 7th-12th graders at Greenville High School and Indian Valley Academy and it totally looks like you want that too. THANK YOU.
I am working on the Amazon list this morning and the Donerchoose.org that some of you pointed me too. You all got my techie husband all excited about the project! He’s not playing softball this season and was down and now you gave him the ultimate honey-do project. THANK YOU.
Yesterday we had six volunteers come in to sta
rt opening boxes and recording what we’ve received and from whom if possible (some of you are anonymous). We emptied out more current events from the 1950s–60s. We’ve also had a great time getting to know the neighbors better. The mountains are like that. People who live here are often on their own path up here and you don’t see them. But right now? It’s all in. Everyone is astounded. It’s bringing people together. THANK YOU.
My husband got my dying MacBook Air up and running. It’s still on the brink of destruction so have patience with me–he seems to think it won’t last. We appreciate all you are doing. And I will answer all email. I did 100 emails yesterday. That’s about all I can do.
Have a great day! We’re going back in for another round of getting this thing going.
And hey! I got the audio done for the seven stories that will be featured in an audio book of my short stories in the fall done yesterday. It’s a very cool thing that in the Plumas National Forest we have so many talented people. Here’s Heidi Moore–she just finished her first full length feature film Dolly Deadly. We used locations and kids and adults all over Indian Valley to do the movie. Now she’s decided while waiting on film festival results and possible distribution to try audiobooks. So here we are taking a break from books to record an audio book. Audio is great. Those asking about audio books–yes those are appreciated. It took 4 hours and I couldn’t talk afterwards but looks like we’ll have an hour long book in the fall. Alas–mature audiences only. Oh well.
Now I’m off to input Amazon wish lists for teachers/students/and such. Thank you again and have a great Sunday.
Throwing Chanclas 
maggie,
this is such a wonderful thing that you’re doing for those kids. i told myself to only buy one book, but i couldn’t stop myself & bought three. books open up the world to kids – especially kids growing up in tiny mountain towns. i know, because i did. my best days were those spent devouring books for hours and hours. you’re a fantastic person! i wish i could be there to see the faces of those kids! best of luck with this, and all, of your projects.
Maggie, I saw your first blog post on this subject in a FB share from a sorority sister. So I have shared it on page, and tagged my mother. Mom has “too many books” (50 + years of book club bestsellers, so probably not really all that appropriate for you) that I am encouraging her to down size. Additionally, Mom is the treasurer for the Friends of the Library in my hometown. They often need to find a place for books that need a home. And I will be sending you a box from my own shelves. I will try to mix it up a bit. So, from one crazy mom, who waves her arms and agitates for something better for our kids (In my case I wanted a boys swim team–and I don’t have a son) to another, LET’S GET YOU A LIBRARY! Kathy
Hi, I saw your original post and have organised for some Australian fiction! Such a wonderful thing you’re doing!!
I will be sending a box out tomorrow of gently used books. I teach at a high poverty school in North Carolina, so I am always scouring thrift stores for books. I pulled some for you guys! You are a hero, Margaret. Don’t forget it. You are changing lives.
Love seeing the pics! Thank you for the updates. It’s very exciting seeing this come together for the kids
We’re putting together a box of books to send you from Word Up Community Bookshop/Libreria Comunitaria, an all-volunteer-run bookshop and arts space in Washington Heights in New York City. We just celebrated Word Up’s fifth birthday last Saturday, so we can testify to what can grow out of a small germ of an idea–when supported by lots of labor and love! Our volunteer collective of writers, artists, musicians, teachers, and neighbors shares your commitment to bringing books and music and art into the lives of our community, especially to the middle school and high school students in our neighborhood. We wish you every success with this terrific project, and if you’re ever in NYC, please come by Word Up (2113 Amsterdam Ave @ 165th St in Manhattan) and say hello!
facebook.com/WordUpBooks
https://wordupbooks.wordpress.com/
We are preparing a box of books to send you from Word Up Community Bookshop/Libreria Comunitaria, an all-volunteer-run bookshop and arts space in Washington Heights in New York City. We just celebrated Word Up’s fifth birthday this past Saturday, so we can testify to what can grow out of a small germ of an idea–when supported by lots of labor and love! Our volunteer collective of writers, artists, musicians, teachers, and neighbors shares your commitment to bringing books and music and art to our community, especially to the middle-school and high-school students in our neighborhood. We wish you every success, and if you’re ever in NYC, please come by (2113 Amsterdam Ave @ 165th St in Manhattan) and say hello!
https://wordupbooks.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/WordUpBooks