Successful Search

A couple weeks ago, I told you about a book I was searching for. It was full of happy childhood memories for me. I had searched for it for years and years. This lovely story was read to me by my fourth grade teacher. She read it to the class every afternoon and we would race back into her classroom after lunch and all sit quietly, in rapt attention, to hear the next chapter of UNCLE FRANK'S MARY.

My searches always ended in dead ends until a Christmas-time outing a few weeks ago with my friend. Our girlz day out ended with a visit to an antique mall where I went into search mode again. My clever friend said to me "have you ever checked Amazon?".

Well, you know, with all that searching, I had never looked on Amazon. It never occurred to me to look there. In my mind, Amazon was for new books. As soon as I got home, I did search Amazon...............and they had it but, alas, the price was excessive.

I looked for it at other venues and finally entered the word "borrow" into a google search. And, voila! several libraries had a copy, including the Library of Congress. After inquiring at the Library of Congress, I was directed to my local library through which I would make an "inter-library" request.

I HAVE the book in my hand now. The Library of Congress did not send me an actual copy of the rag covered book published in 1916 but instead made me a photo copy of the book. Therefore, I can keep it!!!!! It does not have to be returned. I can let friends borrow it if they put up security of their first born. (just kidding)





As you can see from this picture, the book is quite thick - 265 pages.

I haven't begun to read it yet although I am very anxious to get started. I have another committment - a library book that I do need to return and I'm racing through it so I can start on UNCLE FRANK'S MARY, and savor every word.

Thank You, God, for photocopiers.............

Memories of Childhood

Aren't there just certain things that are "stand-out" memories from childhood? They are just so sweet that you long to experience them again, even if it's just for a little while. Some people remember a doll, some - a vacation, others - a visit to Grammie's, some fondly remember playing with a childhood friend or playing a certain game.

I have a couple memories that seem to torment me because they are elusive, I can't quite grasp them again. One is a doll. I'll tell you about that another time. So far, it does not have a happy ending. The other is a book. This one is well within my reach. I can almost taste it.

When I was in the 4th grade, my teacher, Sister Raphaella, read us a chapter a day from a story book. I loved that story so much, I would race back to her classroom for the story reading time. My little girlfriends and I would rhapsodize about it on our long walk home from school. It seemed so romantic - the stuff dreams are made of.

Several years ago I began, in earnest to search for this book. I knew the title but not the author. Because I'm such an estate sale and flea market junkie, I thought for sure I would run across it. I would see a wall of old books, not in any particular order (like at the library). The wall became daunting after a few minutes of reading dusty old titles, my neck bent over sideways to see the book spines. I'd give up after five or ten minutes.

I even tried, unsuccessfully, to contact the headquarters of this particular order of nuns that Sister Raphaella was a member of, thinking, perhaps they might have a copy of the book in their libraries.

So every time I go to an estate sale where there's books, I search. When I go to flea markets, same. Antique Malls, the same. Just recently on a "girlz day out" my friend and I went to a Christmas Bazaar, then to lunch and capped off a wonderful day at an Antique Mall. I began to search again. I told my friend the story. She also searched. Then she said to me........."have you checked Amazon?" I had not. It never occurred to me to try to find an old book on Amazon.

Of course, as soon as I got home I checked Amazon......................THEY HAD IT !!!!!!!! (sorry SueR-I hope it's not too early for those !!!!!)

Have a look.....



There's a glitch. There's 4 copies and the price starts at over $300.00 !!!!!!!

Here comes the happy ending.............I googled "borrow Uncle Frank's Mary" and several libraries appeared on my screen which owned a copy of the book. One of them was the Library of Congress. I emailed them. I was told they do not lend to ordinary citizens but only to other libraries.

I went to my local library, submitted a requisition, which will first go to the main library here and they will requisition it from whichever library has it available, starting with the closest (Library of Congress).

My librarian said I will have it in my hand within 3 weeks. I am so excited. I get to be 9 years old again ♥ ♥ ♥