Rare, Collectible, & Otherwise
It must have been a case of the ‘hungries’ (as my Dad used to say) that made today’s batch of Irish Stew wind up as a photo. If it wasn’t so early in the morning, more than likely I’d be sampling a bowlful instead of writing about it.
Fresh russet potatoes, carrots, celery, roast beef, onions and spices – ready to ladle into a bowl and serve up with slices of bread.
Breakfast of champions. The Irish ones, anyway.
After a brief test-run, it is time for some fine tuning. There have been no big announcements to date regarding the bistro end of the new shop. That’s because much of the time up to now has involved getting the books and the store’s interior in order.
Even that is still an ongoing process.
There are more items in boxes in the office awaiting rediscovery. I did find my first edition copy of To Kill a Mockingbird and the three-volume Universal Songster (Jones, London 1832) by George Cruikshank, who illustrated Dickens’ Oliver Twist and two other volumes. It was a pleasure to hold those books once again.
Meanwhile, I’m still fielding questions about the food service.
The trial run revealed a few areas requiring attention, and there is still the matter of suppliers: Specifically – trying to get their attention.
In my previous life as a restaurateur, I contacted Coca Cola about switching to their products and they were quick to bring out a machine that would dispense soft drinks. All we had to do is buy the product. Of course, Paddy’s Irish Restaurant seated 150 people (we had many more than that inside on St. Patrick’s Day, but that’s another story…), and the current layout for the bookstore bistro will accommodate about a tenth of that number.
The food distribution company salesperson hasn’t been seen round these parts since April, so it has been Plan B in the meantime.
There is also that issue of publicizing the food service. It’s in the works now, part of the planned entry-level marketing that will accompany the inaugural run, once we’re beyond the trials.
A number of bookstore guests have already expressed their impatience over the delay – a feeling I share completely. I can only point out that several of the Main Street neighbor restaurants were months in opening, even after posting their outdoor signage. The McHuston awning has only had lettering for just over a week now.
My sixth grade science teacher was fond of repeating the adage “Patience is a Virtue.” I’m not going for sainthood or anything.
It’s only in hopes of avoiding the snags that sometimes come with hurrying.
I’m getting to know my youngest grandbaby. I’m memorizing her name and… well, – to be honest – not a lot more. She won’t be born until Friday.
Things just aren’t the same as they were years ago.
Back then, you couldn’t paint the crib unless you were a gambler with those 50/50 odds of blue or pink.
Names?
You could whittle your list down to two favorites, but there couldn’t be a final decision until, you know – the event. Now, the baby’s identity is already well-known before she is born. If the doctor would just tell us her preference, we could order up and enjoy a piece of her favorite cake, right on her birthday.
Technology has changed some things for us. On the other hand, there are some staples that remain.
My step-son had a hurting tummy on Friday and couldn’t get out of his bed for school. I learned later that a miraculous recovery was affected about three in the afternoon. In fact, his road to recovery was paved with such incredible vim, he was still energetically gaming at his internet-connected ‘Nuke’em to the Stone Age’ at 3am.
In my time, that was diagnosed as ‘school-itus.’
Some things remain the same.
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