tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post4622915995773725809..comments2024-03-26T03:46:04.937-07:00Comments on Books in Northport: Before We Get StartedP. J. Grathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-10307401537011683502020-07-19T16:30:09.593-07:002020-07-19T16:30:09.593-07:00Idaho, Michigan, Brazil -- what fun that we are al...Idaho, Michigan, Brazil -- what fun that we are all connected, isn't it? Jeanie, do you know Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn? The owner, before she had a bookstore but only the dream of one, used to blog about her bookstore dreams, so I became acquainted with her in the blogosphere. Again, connections -- though I have never in my life been to Brooklyn. P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-76527853943100395392020-07-19T07:02:59.461-07:002020-07-19T07:02:59.461-07:00I love your independent bookstore owner! The stor...I love your independent bookstore owner! The store looks just like my favorite one in Brooklyn called ‘Unnameable Books’ which has new and used books plus events such as speakers and writer forums. On Vanderbilt Ave., Brooklyn, NY. A great place! How funny to see that old VW van, and to remember how they had such quirks. Here in São Paulo they were ubiquitous when I first visited in 1975, and what I remembered was the engine noise - it was loud and evident because the high-rises ricocheted and amplified the noise. Those vans are still around, battered but serving well those who have persevered! Hey BB, I hope that the black & red one is yours!! Jeanie Furlanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16294566547596358943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-56402386293757958022020-07-06T14:29:05.874-07:002020-07-06T14:29:05.874-07:00Oh, how well I remember the "heater in name o...Oh, how well I remember the "heater in name only" in VW buses and being bundled up as if making a winter trip in an open horse-drawn wagon! Your wife's adventure with the canoe and garage is a new one, though. I wonder where your old bus is now. We didn't get the history of this one, but maybe next time we can find out it it belonged to you in a former life.<br />P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-45568776666177655192020-07-04T09:41:25.039-07:002020-07-04T09:41:25.039-07:00The photo of the restored VW bus looks like our ol...The photo of the restored VW bus looks like our old one..maybe it is!<br />Odd, but fun vehicle, with a steering wheel flat like a city bus, a<br />heater in name only and greatly underpowered. We often took two cars<br />on river canoe trips and the high centered bus was great for overgown<br />trails and ruts. My wife commuted in Mpls and on the sub zero days came back on the freeway looking through a hole in the inside ice<br />she rubbed constantly with her mitten. But she had a romantic affair<br />with the ridiculous vehicle. One Monday after a weekend of canoeing,<br />we left the 16 footer strapped atop. She returned from work and zipped into the garage with her usual elan. WHAM! The whole neighborhood came out to see if it was a meteor strike. The history<br />of the event left both garage and VW with a tell tale 'impression'.<br />All joy must end and the vehicle wheezed its last on a little rise<br />in the highway near Lake Mille Lacs. Last rites included just enough<br />$$ to get to a tiny town 15 miles short of home..a whole other story.<br />Traded the bus in a Chevy station wagon, serviceable, but too<br />suburban wife for Mrs. B. The bus was re-motored and I lost track of<br />it in the mid sixties. Did it end up in the UP? (hint- there should be a canoe dent on top someplace)BB-Idahohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388509941702241290noreply@blogger.com