Yes! I’m (too slowly) learning this. It seems a simpler way of life, to just show up as you are and create magic for yourself and others in this way. I hope we get it. And I think reminders like yours help.
As the grandmother of that 11yo.band the mother of his dad, you have no idea how very gratefulnwe are to you both for
what you do. It's one thing for family to be interested in our kids and grandkids interests, but when someone from outside steps up and listens to a child's dreams, we all take notice. You have inspired not only our child, but his entire world. Even living in Canton, Ohio, we know ALL about the Nook!! So thank you from the bottom of our 💕 hearts. I only wish we lived closer so we could visit. Next time we come to Lancaster it is definitely on my list. ( love the photo! It's also on my Facebook page!)
We are asking similar questions over here in our current version of life and living. Thanks for bringing the questions to the forefront. I feel both longing (maybe a little cynical) and hope as I read and think. I’ll stay with it.
These are the moments that matter and it’s a quiet revolution. A revolution that slowly changes the current around all of us and reminds us to do the work of connecting with another.
We are increasingly encouraged away from connection, simply because it's cheaper and more efficient! It is a quiet revolution, and you write about it too, Kristin.
Was not expecting to get teary-eyed at 7:30 in the morning, but it happens when someone helps you yet again to put on "different glasses" with which to view life and its stresses and joys. Peco and I have similar reflections, and marvel at the immensity of our blessings which take a different perspective on success to perceive. Thanks for writing and hoping to one day visit your wonderful bookshop in person!
Very kind of you, Ruth. Thank you. It can be hard to live in this world when we're wearing different glasses, as I know you and Peco do--let's all keep our eyes open for the unexpected "immensity of blessings"! (I love that phrase.)
I wish I lived locally. (I’m in CT and only visit PA once a year if I’m lucky. I haven’t been out in 2024 and likely won’t manage a trip until Spring.)
I wish I lived locally, but who am I kidding, my wish should be: I wish I lived locally AND had cash to spare to buy ALL my books at independent bookstores. (Cuz we have plenty here in CT.)
I do buy books at independent bookstores because I love them and I wish I could work at one/own one, but I can’t buy ALL of them—so I haunt the libraries and I buy most of my books used, and every once in a while, there’s a van dropping a book off on my stoop from time to time.
There’s a used book store 2 towns over that has upholstered chairs and WiFi and tables and I once attended an acoustic concert there and they have coffee and scones — I only go there sometimes during summer when I have a day off, because it’s a 30 min drrjve and I work FT. But a lot of their customers drop in walking from the neighborhood. Some go every day to read, put some pieces into the puzzle, to chit-chat. But it’s CLOSING in January. I am so bummer about this. I want to buy it (ha!) but I think it’s more than the owner wanting to retire, I think the property owner wants too much rent or wants to sell the building or knock it down. I don’t know all the details but…
I lived this post. I love that the 11 year old comes there, that you make time to chat. The photo is everything but that post is sublime!
I wish you success, maybe enough to keep it going!
We totally understand that voracious readers cannot buy all their books! We love libraries! I just want to keep reminding people that where they decide to buy their books actually has a big influence on what kind of a world we end up with.
Wow... your words are insightful, comforting, and well... peaceful for these times. May you know that your work (even your past podcasts) continues to uplift, encourage, and sustain folks like me. There is a deep sacredness in that measure of success. Thank you, Shawn and Maile.
Some days, when the news is loud and the world feels heavy, I’ve wondered if the hundreds of hours we’re spending on the creation of an illustrated poetry anthology for children could really be the best use of our time and energy. But when I remember again the immense joy I’ve seen in the faces of both contributors and my children brought about by this project, I am reassured that this is exactly what we’re supposed to be doing. 💖
Yes! I’m (too slowly) learning this. It seems a simpler way of life, to just show up as you are and create magic for yourself and others in this way. I hope we get it. And I think reminders like yours help.
Yes, there is definitely something about simplicity that is important here.
"to just show up as we are and create magic" Thank you for this. ♥️🙏
As the grandmother of that 11yo.band the mother of his dad, you have no idea how very gratefulnwe are to you both for
what you do. It's one thing for family to be interested in our kids and grandkids interests, but when someone from outside steps up and listens to a child's dreams, we all take notice. You have inspired not only our child, but his entire world. Even living in Canton, Ohio, we know ALL about the Nook!! So thank you from the bottom of our 💕 hearts. I only wish we lived closer so we could visit. Next time we come to Lancaster it is definitely on my list. ( love the photo! It's also on my Facebook page!)
It's an honor to know them!
We are asking similar questions over here in our current version of life and living. Thanks for bringing the questions to the forefront. I feel both longing (maybe a little cynical) and hope as I read and think. I’ll stay with it.
(And that bookshop porch picture…oh, my heart!)
Longing and hope. There's an intersection there that's important to live in, I think.
Agree! It’s the liminal space where the light gets in and the transformation happens.
Yes, that picture depicts success to me.
Thanks, Linda.
Yes to all of this. What a great soundtrack: Success is writing. Thank you for writing here!
Oh this really resonates this morning! Thank you for so courageously asking the questions. ♥️ I am going to keep this one close today.
Thank you, Sarah.
These are the moments that matter and it’s a quiet revolution. A revolution that slowly changes the current around all of us and reminds us to do the work of connecting with another.
We are increasingly encouraged away from connection, simply because it's cheaper and more efficient! It is a quiet revolution, and you write about it too, Kristin.
Was not expecting to get teary-eyed at 7:30 in the morning, but it happens when someone helps you yet again to put on "different glasses" with which to view life and its stresses and joys. Peco and I have similar reflections, and marvel at the immensity of our blessings which take a different perspective on success to perceive. Thanks for writing and hoping to one day visit your wonderful bookshop in person!
Very kind of you, Ruth. Thank you. It can be hard to live in this world when we're wearing different glasses, as I know you and Peco do--let's all keep our eyes open for the unexpected "immensity of blessings"! (I love that phrase.)
I wish I lived locally. (I’m in CT and only visit PA once a year if I’m lucky. I haven’t been out in 2024 and likely won’t manage a trip until Spring.)
I wish I lived locally, but who am I kidding, my wish should be: I wish I lived locally AND had cash to spare to buy ALL my books at independent bookstores. (Cuz we have plenty here in CT.)
I do buy books at independent bookstores because I love them and I wish I could work at one/own one, but I can’t buy ALL of them—so I haunt the libraries and I buy most of my books used, and every once in a while, there’s a van dropping a book off on my stoop from time to time.
There’s a used book store 2 towns over that has upholstered chairs and WiFi and tables and I once attended an acoustic concert there and they have coffee and scones — I only go there sometimes during summer when I have a day off, because it’s a 30 min drrjve and I work FT. But a lot of their customers drop in walking from the neighborhood. Some go every day to read, put some pieces into the puzzle, to chit-chat. But it’s CLOSING in January. I am so bummer about this. I want to buy it (ha!) but I think it’s more than the owner wanting to retire, I think the property owner wants too much rent or wants to sell the building or knock it down. I don’t know all the details but…
I lived this post. I love that the 11 year old comes there, that you make time to chat. The photo is everything but that post is sublime!
I wish you success, maybe enough to keep it going!
We totally understand that voracious readers cannot buy all their books! We love libraries! I just want to keep reminding people that where they decide to buy their books actually has a big influence on what kind of a world we end up with.
Wonderful 💛
Thanks, Lauryn. You're a big part of Nooks!
Your writing is magic in itself. Thank you!
You're very kind, Kathy.
My goodness, this is so beautiful, Shawn. Thank you.
Thanks for taking the time to read it, Andi.
Wow... your words are insightful, comforting, and well... peaceful for these times. May you know that your work (even your past podcasts) continues to uplift, encourage, and sustain folks like me. There is a deep sacredness in that measure of success. Thank you, Shawn and Maile.
Thanks for the encouragement, Karen.
Some days, when the news is loud and the world feels heavy, I’ve wondered if the hundreds of hours we’re spending on the creation of an illustrated poetry anthology for children could really be the best use of our time and energy. But when I remember again the immense joy I’ve seen in the faces of both contributors and my children brought about by this project, I am reassured that this is exactly what we’re supposed to be doing. 💖
That sounds wonderful.
Even the open door with light spilling out has significance ✨🤩
I love this photo so much.
I live in Canada. My bucket list includes a visit to Nooks and perhaps even a conversation on the porch.
That wold be awesome!