McHuston Booksellers

Rare, Collectible, & Otherwise

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I know the unknown magazine model.

March 2, 2015 /

Readers will think she was hired for a photo shoot, but it’s my lovely daughter Kristen gracing the article by Tulsa People Magazine. I’m pretty sure the paragraph identifying her standing in front of McHuston Booksellers and Irish Bistro was accidentally trimmed – for space requirements or something. It is appropriate that she is featured on a festival article, though. Kristen has agreed to help us again this year for the St. Paddy’s fun. The picture was taken outside the bookstore on St. Patrick’s Day last year.

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The article on the Tulsa People website has a photo credit, although it almost looks like it is identifying the green-beer-bearing beauty as someone named Debra. That’s a photographer’s credit, and is the name of the organizer of the ShamROCK the Rose festival, who must have snapped the picture at last year’s event. The 2nd Annual festival will happen in the Rose District on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day (which falls on Tuesday). Since our shop is located in the Rose District, we’ll get to have two separate days to party!

You can click on the links to see the articles on the TULSA PEOPLE website and on the ShamROCK festival page, since Kristen appears on both.

kristenShamRockArticle

Chef Dustin and Party-President Kristen will be teaming up for some specials for both days, but rest assured – I will not be personally idle. Someone has to come up with a green beer concoction, and they have entrusted that duty to their dad. I plan to take the job seriously.

We sold a lot of Irish Stew at last year’s event (along with a lot of green beers…) and we’re hoping that all of you will come out to sample our Irish fare when that bless’t day o’ days rolls around.

I’m greatly pleased to see Kristen modeling in front of the bookshop, accessorized with a pitcher of Irish tonic. Luckily, she was spared the majority of her father’s genetic makeup and is considerably more photogenic. I do believe her children are not quite as afraid at the sight o’ me as they used to be.

I just wish the magazine or the festival would have identified Kristen. I’m hoping some of her friends will spot the article and share it, which would make an old dad more than a wee bit proud!

The festival is March 14 and – of course – St. Paddy’s Day is on the 17th, but you don’t have to wait until then to – Come Visit!

McHuston

Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow, OK!

Snow Dancers.

February 23, 2015 /

It’s a Snow Angel day, but they are pirouetting here in the bookshop.

Empty parking places in the Rose District at lunchtime…a rare sight. Attributed to the snow and the frigid wind, no doubt. They weren’t ALL empty though, and Chef Dustin and I were able to send out quite a few meals to lunch-time guests today.

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Here’s the switch: there is more snow on the ground now (late afternoon) and more cars are lining the street than before. Here in the bookshop, I’m having a little break and a chance to post some pictures of the new sculpture display.

Rose District artist David Nunneley visited the other day and mentioned he was having some floor repair done at his gallery, and as a result was required to move all the displayed artwork out of the way. He wondered if we’d be interested in hosting a few ladies for a week or so, until the work is completed.

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Yes, without a doubt!

So the ballet is afoot at the front column in the bookstore, bronze sculptures that were completed by Mr. Nunneley as studies done while undertaking a commission that now graces the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

It’s one of those times I wish I had some photography skills, but I’m sharing – as best I can – the dancers in their poses atop the wooden pedestals. One of the three has previously visited, and I mentioned in an earlier note how I regretted not taking a photo before she departed.

Well. Take advantage of second chances!

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Those of you who may have missed my earlier post and the link to the artist’s website can click HERE for a personal introduction courtesy of DavidNunneley.com. And you get a better look at any image on this page by clicking on it.

He has recently delivered another bronze monument out of state, this time to Colorado, and has a life-sized statute of a noted US Civil War figure in Arkansas, the story of which I hope to share in the near future.

In the meantime, you are invited to come down for lunch and a tour of the temporary bookstore gallery. It’s quick, tasty, and cultured.

In fact, if it gets any artsy-classier, they won’t let me in any more!

The snow is ending, so – Come visit!

McHuston

Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow OK!

Mary. Mary.

February 19, 2015 /

“How come you aren’t wild and crazy?” my son wanted to know. “How come you aren’t like Aunt Mary?”

Dustin was just old enough to have figured out family ties and kin-connections. Mary isn’t his aunt though.

She’s my Aunt Mary.

“I WAS crazy,” I answered, “but then I got married and we had – you.”

That was probably the wrong answer, I admit. But what parent can say their life was unchanged, post-child?

There was the unicycle I rode from Chadick Park to Allen’s IGA, where I pedaled up and down the aisles. My sister called me out for singing in public. My friend Mike will recall Craig and the billboard incident, which may be beyond the statute of limitations but I had best be certain before I say more.

Dustin’s mother will remember my suggestion for pizza one afternoon, and the fact that we proceeded to drive from McAlester to Stillwater for a table at Hideaways.

To me, that was a little wild. Maybe a little crazy.

But Aunt Mary?

She never gave it up, not for kids, not for nothing. She had it. The kids, the life, the work, the church, the chores, the friends, the restaurant, the station, and..

And the love. She has that still.

Wednesday was her birthday but her doctor’s diagnosis made for a poor gift. She’ll be released from the hospital. They’ll make her comfortable at home. My cousin Bill said she was joking around with kids and staff.

And there – right there – is where I can step up for my son, and that question from so many years ago. I want to be able to face it and forge on. I would like to keep my sense of wild and crazy in the face of dire tidings.

I would love to be – as my young son said at the time – like Aunt Mary.

Those of you with influence would favor our family greatly with special thoughts and prayers. I fear my own standing isn’t enough.

My cousin Bill and I have struggled to get together for some time even though the miles between us aren’t that great a distance. Life seems to interfere. Our previous reunions have been the predictable and unfortunate occasions. This is one I would just as soon put off.

If crazy to believe and wild to consider, the one person who might prove them wrong is my Aunt Mary.

I’m hoping someone will help me keep her in our thoughts.

And thanks for your indulgence on the bookstore notes today. Between the covers and amidst the pages, sometimes there are real stories being told.

Here’s to the health of you and yours…

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