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Thursday, February 2, 2012

Bookstore To Offer “Escape” from Football!



Somewhere the other day I read a delightful quote about a bookstore “spilling light onto the sidewalk.” Wish I could find that quote this morning, because it would capture my plan for this coming Sunday at Dog Ears Books.

So far I have kept to one of my new year’s resolutions, the vow to sit quietly outdoors for at least an hour a day and immerse myself in whatever nature offers during that time. Five days in January have partially accomplished that goal so far, with 11 months to go. I can’t help looking forward to spring, when it will be warm enough to go out before daybreak and start my days to the songs of courting birds, but every session, every season, has its unique charm.

The other resolution was both simpler and more complicated—simpler because it involves only one day, more complicated because it involves other people. But forward I go with Resolution #2, the Super Bowl Escape party!




Date: This coming Sunday, February 5

Kick-off: 5 p.m.

Who is invited: Anyone who wants to come!

What people might want to bring (all optional)
(a) snack to share;
(b) wrapped “white elephant” (or “secret player”) gift to exchange—this is for laughs only, don’t spend money or get fancy;
(c) jigsaw puzzle or game, if you like, but I’ll have plenty on hand;
(d) poem or short story if you want to read it aloud to the rest of us;
(e) musical instrument if you want to entertain us (or CD if you're shy).


Here are a few things (besides snacks) that I've got lined up:






What will there be to drink? Nonalcoholic punch. If you want a soft drink instead, BYO, but please, no alcohol.

What if we want beer? Go next door! Garage Bar & Grill will be open, and the football game will be on there, too.

Sale prices on books: Yes! 20% off everything in stock, including new books, for as long as the party lasts.

How long will the party last? At least until 8 p.m., and at that time we’ll see who’s still around and make an executive decision about whether or not the party is over.

This is a complete experiment, my friends. As far as I know, no other businesses in town (or elsewhere) are planning what I’m planning. How much interest there will be, if any, in escaping the Super Bowl I cannot predict! 


Are you still on the fence? Can't commit? That's okay, too. Drop in for a while, if you can and if you get the urge, but don't feel obliged to stay for three hours if you've got somewhere else to go. 


If anyone comes and if we have fun, we may do it again next year. 

18 comments:

Helen said...

Gand idea.

Be there in spirit--or can you do a Skype hookup for far away folk?

P. J. Grath said...

Oh, Helen, I am so behind the times that I do not Skype. Nor twit. Tweet? I will raise a glass of punch in toast to you, however, wishing you were in Michigan and thanking you for the morale support. (I know people say "moral," but don't you think it's the morale we're talking about in that phrase?)

Anonymous said...

We will be there with Chex Party Mix!
Maybe a doggie treat, too.

Marjorie and Walt

P. J. Grath said...

Oh, yum! Chex! Now you're talking an American tradition!

Kathy in Oz said...

That's a very pretty cat sitting on the fence, Pamela. We don't have a super bowl over here but it is probably too far for you to come to escape it, just for one day.

P. J. Grath said...

Kathy, I should have known you would appreciate that lovely cat. It belongs to a friend who was visiting the bookstore today with her dog. The cat had followed them down the block and was sitting there on the gate between bookstore and bar--on the fence, as it were, and as it was.

Dawn said...

Could almost make sense of driving that far to escape for 3 hours if there were no job waiting on Monday morning. Have fun!!!

P. J. Grath said...

You and I have different days off, Dawn, but those of us there will toast to you, too.

dmarks said...

Why not also celebrate the battle between the Patriots and the Giants?

Display copies of books by Thomas Paine or Thomas Jefferson in the store window, along with "Jack and the Beanstalk"?

First Presbyterian Church in Petoskey is also having a Souperbowl

P. J. Grath said...

You have good ideas, dmarks. Ever do windows?

Is First Prez going to be showing/watching the game? NOT a feature at my ESCAPE party!

P. J. Grath said...

There will be Literary Scrabble for those brave souls willing to try it. I'm nervous ("Bookseller Loses Big on Literary Scrabble") but will give it a go!

Gerry said...

I swear people have more fun on the Leelanau.

P. J. Grath said...

You do pretty well, too.

Kathy said...

Can I get down there now? Please? I would LOVE to attend!! Sounds like a wonderful time.

P. J. Grath said...

You would have enjoyed it, Kathy (and Gerry!): Fourteen people came, and we had, besides lots of food, a table of jigsaw puzzles, a table of Scrabble for Booklovers, and a table of Palabra, another word game. People were enthusiastic and seemed to have a good time. Wish you could have been with us!

P. J. Grath said...

You would have enjoyed it, Kathy (and Gerry!): Fourteen people came, and we had, besides lots of food, a table of jigsaw puzzles, a table of Scrabble for Booklovers, and a table of Palabra, another word game. People were enthusiastic and seemed to have a good time. Wish you could have been with us!

Walt said...

We had a lot of fun there tonight, Pamela. But I'm curious how you managed to post your review of the evening at 5:56 pm when the party was still going strong at 7:30.

--
Walt

P. J. Grath said...

Tempting as it is to accept unearned credit, Walt, I have to tell you that I did not post my comment at 5:56 p.m. OUR time. Blogger must be in a different time zone because I've noticed discrepancies like this before. Sorry to dispel the aura of mystery!