McHuston Booksellers

Rare, Collectible, & Otherwise

Author: admin (Page 49 of 220)

Love house-cleaning…

February 2, 2015 /

At least, when it is done by someone else and the result is extra books!

It’s the time of year when folks are rearranging shelves. Maybe it’s an effort to stow away the holiday wrappings and decorations. More books have come in the front door in the last few days than in all of December. As a result of this afternoon’s purchases, I’m thinking we may have every C. S. Lewis title ever printed.

A couple of first editions among them.

SSPX1041

To be honest, I didn’t know the author of the Narnia novels had penned so many books. When I’m overstocked (which is rare), his books get shelved in the literature section as well as religious reading – excepting the Chronicles, which are found in fiction, of course. Until this afternoon they had been reduced to – slim pickings.

I have learned that the Chronicles of Narnia weren’t the only fictional outings for the British author. In fact, there are plenty of titles on the table in front of me that I had never heard of before.

I’m really pleased to add the books to the shelves, but it saddens me somewhat that the fellow wanted to part with his collection. Moving, he said.

“Must be a C.S. Lewis fan,” I noted as I looked through the first box, stating what was perfectly obvious.

“I think I have them all,” he answered.

Looking over them, I’m thinking that may well be the case – as far as the non-fiction titles are concerned. So far I have only spotted a single Narnia-related volume.

The books could not have come in at a better time, though. When I took the first handful over to the literature section, I found only a single book. With the collection to be moved in next to it, I have to shuffle two entire sections of the literature titles. It’s for a good cause.

So, taking the time for this note is a break from the move-this-book-to-that-shelf, and this-bunch-to-the-next. It is nothing like ditch-digging, of course (I have done some of that in my lifetime) – but I don’t address those lower shelves like I once did.

With the shuffling completed I believe there is room to display them all, but I think I’ll leave the beautiful leather bound copy of The Screwtape Letters up in the front showcase. The gold-lettered spine and gilt front cover will fit in nicely with the first editions and fine-bindings.

A beautiful copy for someone’s library, and I can’t wait to find it a good home!

Come visit!

McHuston

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

Glad to hear it!

January 25, 2015 /

When guests visit at lunchtime, I want them to be treated like family. And I don’t mean having to rummage through the fridge for leftovers or arguing at the table. I’m thinking more of my grandmother’s at Thanksgiving or Easter, when we all knew the menu had been prepared with love and care, and was set before us with her own flair.

I’m missing her homemade egg noodles just thinking about it.

If there was something she made that wasn’t a favorite (like that gelatinous quivering purple stuff – cranberries maybe?), she would never push it on you. Help yourself if you want it. Take more if you like it. There was never anything to complain about, really. She was experienced in the kitchen and knew well how to please.

clubSand1

It’s a little different world these days. Particularly for those of us who invite folks into our places. We want people to come more than once a year, so we have to continually find new offerings. Chef Dustin is good at that.

Unlike our grandmother’s table, where we could always rely on her turkey and dressing, or glazed ham, we regularly have guests trying a menu item for the first time. When I ask at the table if everything is pleasing, I’m not just making small talk. I really want to make sure that each guest is enjoying their meal.

That’s why I was especially pleased to get an email today. Even with social networking and internet reviews, it is a pretty rare event when someone takes the time to pass along a compliment. Studies show that people are much more likely to make a complaint than to offer a compliment. Making a special effort to make good feelings known – well, it is just special.

On Friday the 23rd of January, I was in your Bistro for lunch…

I had the special of the day and it was wonderful!!!

The potato soup was especially delicious, and I was wondering if you would tell me what spices you used.

I make a very good potato soup, but it was nothing compared to yours.

So glad [we came] to your place, and I will pass this place on to others.

Satisfied customer

I’ve protected her privacy, but she signed her name, and from her description I remember serving her party on Friday. Recipe questions like hers are frequent, and establishments and their chefs and cooks have varying degrees of secrecy. Sometimes it isn’t a matter of keeping things under wraps like the KFC fried chicken spices or the Coca-Cola formula. Often it has to do with the quantities prepared and the serving situation.

Early on, I learned there is a world of difference cooking for a single party, the way my grandmother prepared our holiday feasts. She knew the approximate number of guests and time to serve it up? – well, that was when everything was ready.

Dustin plans diligently, but some things are unpredictable and the items have to be ready when required. Even though we make each plate to order, various prep and cooking methods have to allow for a slightly longer holding time before serving cooked items.

Even knowing a list of ingredients doesn’t insure that a particular recipe can be duplicated. For example, I used to place my hamburger patties in the freezer for several minutes before grilling at home, to keep them from sticking to the grate or falling through. That trick wouldn’t appear among the ingredients, but had a bearing on the final product.

And, our recipes are prepared the same way – every day. We want folks to have it the next time just the way they remembered it. Consistency. Hopefully, pleasing. Emailing a compliment? Well, that’s above and beyond.

I’m just so tickled to get those extra-mile-taken complements that I can’t help occasionally sharing.

We’re serving lunch tomorrow, so –

Come visit!

McHuston

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

Much too soon.

January 23, 2015 /

I was surprised to see his name on the caller ID. Hadn’t spoken to Michael in a while. He had called more than once this morning, which gave me a sense of foreboding.

Sure enough. It wasn’t good news that prompted Michael’s call.

Our friend and radio associate, Tripp Haggard had passed away in the night. No warning, apparently. Just there, and then gone.

tripp

At McAlester High School we were in the same class, although he was one of the movers and shakers. Committees and groups and such. Much more of a joiner than I was at that age, although I did take membership in the Jaycees at his urging. Tripp was the president of the Pittsburg County chapter and later moved up in the national organization.

He did the morning radio news and made it fun to listen to, even if the news wasn’t always designed for entertainment. He and I swapped that job a time or two back in the day. Tripp moved on and moved up. I was the boomerang-er that kept popping back up on KTMC-AM until I finally sprouted my own set of wings.

Tulsa is a bigger town and Tripp and I fell out of touch, although we bumped into each other a couple of times at some festival or another. As I recall, he had gotten into the catering business and apparently did well at it. The image shows Tripp on the right looking comfortable in his apron. Coincidentally, I’m wearing one just like it as I type this. He and I shared interests, obviously, even if we didn’t share a lot of time together later on in our lives.

As we talked this morning, Michael reminded me that Tripp had run a cooking event in Tulsa that proved to be popular. In fact, a couple of years ago, Tulsa People recognized Tripp as one of the communities movers and shakers. He was nominated for the cookoff he organized and carried out to benefit charitable causes. From the article:

Tripp Haggard provided the vision and driving force to create the Oklahoma Championship Steak Cook-Off, and his strong will and leadership skills have made it a success each and every year. The event draws thousands to downtown Tulsa and receives rave reviews from all who attend. We are proud it is hosted at Trinity Episcopal Church, conducted by our Brotherhood of Saint Lawrence and a benefit for selected nonprofit organizations each year. All because of Tripp’s idea and leadership.”

The passing of an associate is certainly a reminder of our mortality. Even as I think of Tripp’s friends and family who will be shaken by the loss, I am determined to become a better correspondent with my own circle of acquaintances.

Because, you just never know.

Rest in peace, my friend.

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