A Woman's Voice That Rose

This month International Women Associates (IWA) in Chicago honored Retired Ambassador Prudence Bushnell as the fourth recipient of the Rising Voice of Woman Award. Before the presentation of the award and her acceptance speech, I had the honor of meeting and speaking with her briefly.   We spoke of only commonplace topics, like had she ever been to Chicago before.

During her acceptance speech, however, she told her story with the theme of urging and praising women who continue to speak out.  She declined to become Ambassador to Rwanda for personal reasons only to become Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs under President Clinton, in time to witness the aftermath of the horrific American deaths in battle in Mogadishu, Somalia: the USA hands-off approach to approaching Rwanda violence between the Tutsis and the Hutus, despite her official memoranda back to Washington, her unofficial discussions with persons both in Washington and in Kigali, her pleadings with anyone who might care or benefit from a peace-- all who would not listen.  Sadly, according to Bushnell, the situation in Rwanda was very different from the one in Somalia.  The violence in Somalia involved well-heeled warlords supplying paid soldiers with deadly weaponry and most of those representing the United Nations were unarmed.  In contrast, Bushnell described the perpetrators in Rwanda as highly impressionable youth with time, alcohol and machetes in their hands incited by ambitious fellow countrymen -- both which could have used some adult supervision. 

She became Ambassador to Kenya and was there in Nairobi when the USA Embassy was bombed.  She discovered later that the intelligence community had information that could have at least warned if not prevented the carnage, information that should have but had not been shared with Herself, the Ambassador.  All the while, she knocked her head against a brick wall, but felt supported enough by family, friends, colleagues and mentors, to continue speaking out.   (I cannot recount it as vividly as she did, obviously, but the entry for her in wikipedia does it quite well).  The question was, would the powers that be have listened or done more had she been a man?  The conclusion is, who knows, who cares, what's the difference?  Her point is, always do the right thing and always speak out when you believe the right thing is not being done.

To continue on this excellent point is Gaile Parkin's Baking Cakes in Kigali.

Alexander McCall Smith definitely started an interest in reading about strong African women and the characteristics of speech, thought, custom and viewpoint found in the area/country in which they thrived. I loved the cadence of the speech, mirrored in the cadence of his narratives about Precious Ramotswe as she went about her day, observing, helping those in trouble and drinking red bush tea.  What strikes me enough to mention is that all of these kinds of books are written by white European authors, outsiders who manage an interested but dispassionate eye and ear for what makes this side of the world unique to the rest of us English-language-reading public.

Parkin carries on this new genre of slice-of-life-in-Africa, set in post-1994 "100 Days' Terror."  Angel Tungaraza is Tanzanian, who moved with husband and grandchildren to Kigali, where there was money to be made.  Post-war Rwanda means reconstruction dollars are pouring in from various governments and non-governmental agencies as well as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and goodness knows who else. They live in a complex with many of the foreigners who came to teach, analyse, review, engineer, construct, preside over "unity and reconciliation" hearings, and more.  While Angel's husband teaches at the University, Angel decides she wants to be a "professional somebody," becoming a baker of cakes for all occasions.  With her innate good sense, she plies her trade while being a good neighbor, in the personal as well as the wider sense of pan-Africa, a place in which borders determined by European colonists do not prevent the spread of Ebola or AIDS, nor should they create nationalistic prejudices.  She does this in the backdrop of Rwandans trying to unite, Somalians laying low lest they be harassed as the reason for UN Peacekeepers not intervening in Rwanda, and Egyptians trying to prove that no, Tutsis are not originally from Egypt and yes, Egyptians are pretty decent people.  And, she's going through the Change.  This as yet another of Life's natural yet irritating complications, I must conclude, is symbolic of Woman, Rwanda, Africa and The World, yet the author's more precise meaning eludes me.  That same sense that Ambassador Bushnell conveyed pervades, that many of the Africans are simply childlike and need only some worldwise guidance.  This disturbed me and is only alleviated by the fact that in the book, the "worldwise person" herself is African.  Nevertheless, this is a satisfying read, even more enlightening than McCall Smith's The Ladies' No. 1 Detective Agency, perhaps because the viewpoints are more varied.  And, I did enjoy learning more points of culture and language, of Tanzania, Rwanda, Africa and the World at large.

Speaking of Mysteries

There has always been some interest in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, never moreso than when Doyle was alive and kicking

Doyle altogether wrote 56 short stories and 4 novels (set mainly between 1880 and 1907), getting a little more tired of his character as he finished each one.  Even when he tried killing Holmes off, he had to revive him, like a Victorian (and then, Edwardian) age Bobby Ewing.

A revival came again couple of years ago in the form of a new film which someone had described as short on plot, short on character, but with good acting.  I cannot imagine how an adaptation, plumbing the depths of 60 stories, can result in something like that, except possibly due to a lack of imagination.

Now comes the new BBC One series to these shores on PBS (Public Broadcasting System), modernizing Holmes to the 21st century and I hear and read that it is terrific, no lacking at all in imagining how updated Sherlock Holmes can be.  He fits right in, with modern forensics, and even more modern criminal minds.  Sad but true, reference to fighting in Afghanistan did not need to be updated.  The English were in Afghanistan in 1880 as they are today.  So, if you want to make your own comparison or your interest is peaked, don't hesitate to come in and get the original, root inspiration for your own leisurely enjoyment and edification.

She Loves Me, Or Yet Another Mystery Solved

I have found the answer to my own question. I couldn't understand why I remembered a musical version of The Little Shop Around the Corner, and then, as if someone at the Writers' Theatre anticipated that the time was right and everyone in the autumn of 2010 would be simply aching to know and to see a revival of what this piece was in which Carolyn Chin saw Sam Waterston perform.  I am sure that She Loves Me is on the list of his oeuvre but I did not recognize it.  The wikipedia entry for She Loves Me mentions the film You've Got Mail! but not the PBS television production.  Hmm.  I have not yet proven that I have not hallucinated the whole.  In any case, now there is one mystery solved, and the research just fell in my lap in the form of a professionally printed flyer sent via United States Postal Service.  I do so love the printed word, don't you?

We Again Have Goat's Milk Soap

It is with great celebration that we announce we are again selling locally made goat's milk soap.  Since the demise of Robin's Nest Goats Milk Soap, Dixon has been feeling the loss, even while more and more people are keeping goats.  willow bay naturals is Marcy Moorhead's company out of Rock Falls, IL, and she has been experimenting with all-natural, food-grade-only ingredients for many years now and selling at fairs.  I am holding a White Tea & Ginger right now and it smells sharp and pungent, perfect for those who gag at the sweet fragrances like raspberry or vanilla bean (which we also have).  One customer was happy to see Patchouli which he likens to the smell of an old-fashioned after-shave.  And, the unscented is truly unscented, made with no dyes either, perfect for those with sensitivities.  Each 4-4.5 oz bar is only $5.  A book, a bath and a bar of willow bay naturals goat's milk soap -- what could be better?

I confess I am not knowledgeable about these types of things:  What's the significance of 10 October 2010 (10/10/10)?  If the world is not ending, I will inflict more blog posts on you later.

Amazing October Coming Up!

Indian summer weather here today after my having put away hot-weather clothing last Sunday.  It's like carrying an umbrella in order not to have rain.

I also just noticed what a fantastic line of events we have for this month.

Tonight is Downtown Dixon's Eleventh Second Saturday and we here at Books on First will be welcoming for the first time singer-songwriter Angie Pierce Jennings.  It is inspiring that we have been able to come together to have such a wonderful recurring event as Second Saturdays, which includes offerings at varied venues like concerts at St Luke's Episcopal Church, jam sessions at Dion's Barbershop (hmm, I wonder if they've ever had a barbershop quartet?), great showings of local visual artists like Lisa Higby LeFevre, John DeLong and Sydni Reubin, and combinations of both, like here at Books on First as well as at Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe this month.

We also have a visit with book-signing by Richard Boyer, one-time teacher (and principal) here in Dixon, who spent summers as a park guide in Northwest Illinois and now retired and living in Colorado, is doing more of that at many National Park Service locations.  I especially like the title, because once one reads it, the leading thought is, 'Well, I hadn't really thought about it, but now that you mention it, it really might be kind of cool.  What does it take to be a park ranger?'

So, join us on Thursday, 13 October, 3-5pm, to find out.


We also are beginning to clear our shelves in anticipation of the holidays.  So, there are a lot of books priced at $2 and up.  Come and browse and perhaps discover a new favorite author bought at a bargain!

Here and There, Part II

First, I would like to thank the persons who really worked at making this trip the success that it was: John Chin, Cynthia Sung, Ellen Bozzo and Chris Bozzo.

John found the specific cruise.  Cynthia made sure our parents were in the loop as well as planning our family Portland excursion.  Chris took the time to figure out the exact cabins that we should book based on the complex formula of comfort: being mid-ship, above the waterline, not above nor below any public rooms, no less than and no more than x and y number of doors from the elevator, etc, and we should have listened to him!  Ellen organized the onboard pre-dinner cocktail parties.  Cynthia and Ellen shepherded us through picture-taking sessions.  There were two formal dinner nights and Cynthia arranged to have a celebratory cake at one of them for our parents, one whose landmark birthday was in early August and the other whose b-day is just arriving this month.  Portland was our family stop.  It was going to be Bay of Fundy, but unfortunately, because of Hurricane Earl, that port of call was cancelled.

Speaking of Hurricane Earl and cancellations, we ended up spending two days at sea, circling the storm with Tropical Storm Fiona pressing up the south of us.  The captain had regular 9am, 12N and upon-sailing-time updates, and they weren't significant or noteworthy until he told us on Wednesday that we were skipping St John, Bay of Fundy.  By Thursday, he was saying conditions would deteriorate considerably by Friday night.  If not for the courage of the fearless crew, the contents of our stomachs would have been more lost than they had been.  Anything that was not bolted down had a tendency to slide.  Larry was out and about early Saturday morn and he watched the water in the pool (it's saltwater, did you know?) slosh from one side to the other, following the movement of the ship, and spilling over the sides.  Then, the maintenance personnel came and secured canvas over them.  There was no swimming on Saturday.

I wish we had known the exact longitude and latitude of Cape Liberty, Bayonne.  I think it was supplied somewhere, but I did not have it on hand as we watched on the television a miniature topical terrain drawing of the Atlantic Coast with lots of Atlantic.  Like the electronic crayon of an NFL play rehash, the projectory of the ship's movement was drawn in a bright red line on the screen with the ship's current position cryptically shown in the corner.  We could tell we were south of Philadelphia, but how south?  We ultimately arrived 5 hours later than scheduled on Sunday and waited some more in the comfort of the Celebrity Theatre (site of previously carefree viewing of standup comic and dancing & singing) until we were allowed to disembark.  We were entertained by Jamesy who started running out of ways to entertain us. He told us all about himself again (My name is James.  If anyone did not know that, HELLO!  Where have you been this past week?) and how he had come to New York hoping to be the fifth member of the Sex in the City cast.  He called into his walkie-talkie for backup and fish and chips as we waited past 1pm before being called to head to the gangway (Larry, I, Ellen and Chris were in group PINK1, as we said we were trying to make plane flights).

Now for the real disappointment:  We called United Airlines as soon as we could on Saturday evening to change our flights, as we didn't think we could make it in time for a 2:40pm flight back to Illinois.  We were charged a net amount of $138 per person.  UAL had been waiving fees for flight changes due to Hurricane Earl.  We were told on the phone that that offer ended at the end of 4 Sep (Saturday).  Upon coming home, I had taken the advice of a UAL ticket counter agent and requested a refund online.  I also put in a comment.  Response to the comment came first.  The respondent said the customer service agent was correct and that no one received fee waivers for travel after 4 Sep.  He asked that I answer a survey about the promptness and professionalism of his response.  It was quite professional and too prompt.  I felt that he did not do enough to assist.  A couple of days later, I received an e-message from someone else at UAL who apologized for the inconvenience and stated that a $150 refund was being processed.  I was astounded.  Either the left hand and the right hand were not working together or UAL was being amazingly responsive.

And, I received two $150 refunds, apparently one for each ticket!  Shhh.  Thank you, United.

How Does It Feel, Part III

I talked with someone involved in Fantasy Diamond/Hampden Corp's e-commerce who is not only young and tech-savvy, but not originally from Chicago.  He says he has no loyalty to local businesses, because he doesn't know them.  He doesn't know the ones from his childhood in Florida, either, if they still exist today, because they were not on his consciousness while growing up.  It is much easier to shop on the web, especially if it's 11:30pm and if he is just researching, not buying, because he believes he could find the answers to his questions online and does not want the pressure from a live salesperson. 

And, when it comes to buying, he still is much more apt to buy the product online, because he does not perceive the value that a bricks-and-mortar retailer may add after he has done the research.  Even a large-box electronics one has the added hassle of driving there, waiting to be served and paying sales tax, if he could get it at the same or better discount online with free shipping and return.  (He does concede the value of paying sales tax, which he says he contributes in other ways.)  He doesn't exactly have loyalty to online retailers, but he knows which ones he can trust and which ones have always delivered what he expected for his time and money.

Smaller indies may be able to survive if they can provide answers to unasked questions, who can add value to off-line research, including touching and feeling the product before one buys.

Buying online sight unseen could be an opportunity especially with a major purchase, like an engagement ring.  Fantasy Diamond's beautiful new line Endless Embrace is sold online.  With a credit card, one can request CZ (cubic zirconia) and metal alloy samples (the credit card charge serves as a deposit, returnable when samples are returned).  Does the fact that they are sold online or the fact that they offer samples threaten small, local independently-owned jewelry stores like Trein's or Venier's in Dixon?  My response, after some thought, is no, because, besides the loyalty factor, there are still people who need to talk with a person face-to-face.  Fantasy Diamond received a call from a jeweler with just such a situation.  She wanted the Endless Embrace product, which she found online, but she wanted to buy it from her local independent jeweler.  If, even getting samples online is a hassle, the answer is our independent jeweler customers having our Live Catalog display, chock full of the best-selling pieces made with CZs and metal alloy.

We brick-and-mortar guys want and need access.  We want to be a choice and to be on the website as a "where to buy" if someone is uncomfortable with PayPal or with giving his credit card number on the site, or need to see before buying. 

We should be part of the deal if a reader receives an electronic book device as a gift, but still wants to give some financial recognition to a bricks-and-mortar especially if he had come into the store to browse or skim through a printed bound hardcopy before committing to buying a download.  (This not a delusion -- booksellers have talked of browsing shoppers whipping out their devices while in the store and then, walking out without a purchase from the bricks-and-mortar).  Perhaps the relationship between booksellers and publishers must change to something closer to the magazine stand model, where for various reasons some people buy the single issue and end up with a subscription when they really like it, or don't buy it, but certainly got a feel for the publication while flipping through and maybe even reading a page or two.  Meanwhile, the seller gets credit for those left unsold after a period of time, or some other compensation for being a showroom or sample shop.  This combined with Lightning Print digital printing might help small guys survive in situations where a big guy is just too big.

BUT, indies have to be open to being accessible. I just looked online to www.endlessembrace.com and see neither independently-owned local Dixon jeweler as a Fantasy Diamond customer.  That could be a lost sale, neighbors.  Check it out!

"Big Box" versus IndieBound (or, How Does It Feel? Part II)

This WSJ commentary by Peter Funt - "The Internet Might Save Main Street" is so strange, I don't know how to respond.  Will the internet be the demise of large retailers while simultaneously be the boon of small independents?

Quite interestingly, the film, "You've Got Mail," was released in 1998, the year Books on First began.  And, in fact, an early customer wrote a letter to the editor at local newspaper, The Telegraph, expounding on how the film was an updated version of an old film called The Little Shop Around the Corner,* how wonderful it was to have a bookstore of any size in Dixon, and how we should all patronize Books on First, so that we wouldn't have to read of its demise.  The "you've got mail" part of the story is the internet (AOL) update of two antagonists (one male and one female) who spent the days as co-workers verbally sparring with each other and their nights, handwriting and mailing letters through the post to a sympatico penpal who entered into his/her every feeling (in the days when most postal mail was delivered by the next day).  At the time, Barnes & Noble (Fox's in the film), was such a behemoth and such an energizing concept (a "piazza" environment for the gathering of philosophers, coffee drinkers & booklovers) that no one thought that convenient medium called the World Wide Web would be the downfall of such a giant.  Can we conclude that smaller, local independents will prevail like prairie or desert plants with seeds or roots hiding deep beneath the surface of the earth, ready to rise up when the conditions are right again?  Can indies last that long? 

*I actually recall a PBS presentation with Sam Waterston which had quite a bit of music in it (it might have even been opera-like in which all the words were sung, but sweetly, not like Pavarotti).  I don't see it in any of Waterston's bios online nor in the linked Wikipedia entry on The Little Shop Around the Corner.  Does anyone else recall this?