To Kill a Low Cholesterol Diet

Since I began again attempting to control my cholesterol and liver enzyme levels through diet and no alcohol (and exercise, of course, once Nichole Miller returns to teaching NIA after giving birth to River), the world has conspired to defeat me. Latest is NPR's Meredith Bethune seeking Scout Finch's neighbor Maudie Atkinson's specialty Lane cake.Scout, Maudie Atkinson and Lane cake are all in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.  This comes about as its sequel Go Set a Watchman is published to much fanfare.  The New York Times offered a preview of the first chapter.  Interest in the original book (and movie with the wonderful Gregory Peck playing the wonderfully named Atticus Finch) has also been revived. So, we get to hear about the recipe of an unofficial Alabama state cake which most life-long residents no longer know about.  I thought I'd make it, except for... 8 eggs! 1 cup butter! 1 cup whole milk! 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon bourbon whiskey!  Not for the cholesterol-conscious.

Where's Waldo? Too

We are gearing up for our second annual Where's Waldo? challenge.  Twenty-five (25) businesses throughout Dixon, mostly in Downtown like Salamandra's Mexican Restaurant and Waterfront Gifts, but also including Distinctive Gardens on Lowell Park Road, will participate by hiding a miniature Waldo on their premises for children to find.  We thank you in advance for allowing people to tramp in and out of your establishment and hope these same people will take the time to look around and see what a great place you (and we!) have.  The "challenge" will be throughout the month of July and culminate in a party right here at Books on First on 31 July, with door prizes and real prizes for winners of a drawing of those participants who have found twenty or more Waldo standees.

We also are stocked up with all sorts of Where's Waldo books.  And, the first 100 kids who find and come in with proof (stamped passport) at least 10 of the 25 Waldos will receive a Waldo sticker and $1 coupon good for a Where's Waldo book at Books on First.  How can any kid aged 12 and under miss out on the fun?

In Contemplating Lent, College Basketball and the First Day of Spring

It is snowing right before the first day of Spring here in Dixon.

Yet, the promise is there.

NCAA basketball playoffs are in full swing, already in the 2nd round, with a couple of upsets, although the record of the first seed prevailing against the 16th remains unbroken. 

Additionally, Nichole Miller is coming up to one year of teaching NIA with her white belt at Dixon's Traditional Wellness Center, and will be teaching her latest acquired routine, "Passion," soon.

There are kids and lambs in the barn and we are all contemplating chicks (from McMurray's Hatchery) as well as Hampshire gilts (first-time pregnant sows) and piglets.  Larry has me reading this book from the Englishman Philip Hashieder.  The photos of the pigs are adorable, and the book has me wondering if every English garden also has a little pig grazing in it.

And of course, we are in the Lenten season, working up to Easter.  Brenda has brought in a lot of Easter books, but as the Cardinal preached, we cannot "trivialize" Easter down to bunnies and coloured eggs.  Nevertheless, Spring and rebirth go hand in hand.  And, besides churches, Catholics are really good at sacrifice, which goes hand in hand with Lent.

If you need to know more, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything has been a big seller.
I wonder how many people are buying it as a gift?

And, Chicago Vassar Club will have its Annual Scholarship Benefit on 10 April, which means I will be missing another Second Saturday in Downtown Dixon.

An Incredibly Busy Saturday Arriving Fast

I meant to remind everyone that Larry has been agonizing over which books to order and bring to offer for sale at Nachusa Grasslands' Autumn on the Prairie, come Saturday, 19 Sep (always on 3rd Saturday of September). It's probably too late at this juncture, but you can put in your 2 cents (don't tweet him -- just call on the telephone or send an e-msg) and if we have something on the shelf, I am sure he'll be happy to oblige.

I and Bri Boyer, our newest employee, will be holding down the fort at Books on First, because there are major bicycle races happening right on the streets of Downtown Dixon, and Larry thinks all these riders and spectators are going to want to quench their thirsts -- for liquid refreshment as well as printed material -- immediately. The course comes north on Hennepin (downhill towards the river) and makes a left turn right in front of our place onto First Street. I am told that professional riders can reach speeds of 30+ miles/hr coming down that hill and at that point, a hairpin, turn. Luckily (but fingers crossed, unnecessarily), Dixon Fire Department and Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital are both nearby. I am still trying to figure out how all these thirsty people are going to be able to cross the street to reach the store, although I am assured that there is ample time between races, so that people can walk and will not need to worry about stray or lagging participants attempting to catch up or at least finish.

Distinctive Gardens is having its chili cook-off.

And, if that weren't enough happening in one day, I will be missing the return of NIA! to Dixon, as Nichole Miller, after a summer break and lots of Sunrise Yoga on the riverfront, starts up Saturday 5:30pm class at the Traditional Wellness Center upstairs from Touch of Thai. But, you don't have to, so be sure to give Nichole and NIA a try and I'll see you there next weekend.

And after a good workout for mind & body, come to Books on First to welcome classical guitarist Michael Lich who comes to us after many years of a Saturday a.m. larger double shot sugar-free vanilla latte customer, his father, Terry saying, "You gotta hear my son play." I am so excited that we finally will hear him live. And, I hope live music lovers everywhere will come to hear him, too. (Tony Fiorini's Wrong Element, who has been at Books on First, will be at Distinctive Gardens, but while the music is different, the events are not mutually exclusive -- where do you think we're going after we close at 9pm?)