The Old Curiosity Book Shop

Welcome!

If you'd like to visit a unique book shop that is full of charm and interesting (secondhand and new) books, be sure to visit The Old Curiosity Book Shop in Columbia, Tennessee.

You know you're somewhere different even before you enter the shop, the building with its old façade, and clever name, which is a play on the title of a Charles Dickens novel, "The Old Curiosity Shop."

The uniqueness continues inside with a lovely décor throughout.  While I was there, several people commented on how much they liked the way everything looked.

They also seemed to like the books, as I saw a lady carry out a whole armload of them.

The proprietors, James and Heather Lund, decorated the shop themselves.

                                                                 James Lund

                                                         The Children's Area

Even my books are on display!

I'll like to publicly thank James and Heather for allowing me to have a book signing at their shop yesterday.  I had a great time.  (For more on the book signing and other book-related happenings, please see my other blog, www.spiritphotographs.blogspot.com .)

F.Y.I.
The Old Curiosity Book Shop
12 Public Square
Columbia, TN 38401
931-548-Book (2665)
facebook.com/theoldcuriositybookshop

Positive thought: "He fed his spirit with the bread of books." -Edwin Markham
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

A Visit to Big Stone Gap, Continued

Welcome!

As I said in last Sunday's blog post, we had a great time in Big Stone Gap, Virginia with the book signing for my new paranormal book, Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind. 

While at the signing, I took another paranormal photo which was witnessed by several other people in the room.  To view that photo, please see the current (Saturday, August 3, 2013) blog post on my "Spirit Photographs" blog.

After the signing, Greg and I met my brother, Nick, next door, for the celebration of  the 50th anniversary of  the Official State Outdoor Drama of Virginia, The Trail of the Lonesome Pine . 

Nick and I started things off as we sang for the preshow.

The festivities continued with Barbara Polly, President of Lonesome Pine Arts and Crafts, being honored for all her years of service to the June Tolliver House and to the drama.

All those who had participated in the drama sometime during the past 50 years were asked to come up on stage for a group picture.  (They also did this the night before, as the reunion was two nights , so things would not be so overcrowded on one night.)

Then, we all enjoyed the show.

There are a only a couple of weeks left for the drama this year.  Catch it if you can!

Another every day miracle:  A friend that I had been in the drama with in years passed, asked me if I had a photo of her when she was in the drama, in costume, because she had none.  I told her I'd see if I did.  Luckily, I did find one without much effort (which is a miracle in itself, since we have so many photo albums).  I took the photo to a big box store to copy, but before I did, I shopped some, and then I noticed that I couldn't find my buggy anywhere.  It was gone, and the only copy of that special photo was gone with it.  I panicked, but thankfully found a clerk whom I asked to help me find my buggy with the photo in it.  He explained that if someone had taken my buggy, they would generally place any items on a nearby shelf.  I prayed, and asked the angels to please help me find that photo, as I knew it was a longshot to find something like that in a large, busy store like that.  My prayers were indeed answered, for I just happened to glance over to my right, and there on a shelf was my missing photo in the beaten-up manila envelope I'd brought it in, along with my little package of cashews which I'd put in my buggy earlier.  With tears in my eyes, I thanked Tim (who had helped me, as he'd given me his time and moral support), as I gave him a hug.  I told him I'd write about this.  What would we do without people like Tim who are there to help just at the right time?  (I also learned a lesson: Never leave your buggy unattended, especially when there is something valuable, even irreplaceable in it!)

If any of you have an everyday miracle to share, please feel free to let me know, and I might mention it in another blog post.

F.Y.I.
Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind
by Becky Arnott
(Paperback or PDF download)
Fast Pencil Marketplace
http://www.fastpencil.com/marketplace

Positive thought: "Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others."-Booker T. Washington
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

A Book Signing in Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Welcome!

I'd just like to share with you part of the fabulous day Greg and I had in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, yesterday (Saturday, July 27) which was easily one of the best days of my whole life!

First of all, there was the book signing at the June Tolliver House for my first book, Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind.  It was far beyond my expectations.  I am so thankful my first signing was in my old hometown.  There was such an outpouring of support from people I hadn't seen in a long time, both friends and family.

Here are a few highlights of the wonderful book signing in words and pictures:

Judy Samples, president of the June Tolliver House, did a great job coordinating and promoting the book signing.

Greg and me with Patty Cooper, Garnet Gilliam, and Paxton Algyer (who help to make the Tolliver House the success it is) and friend Joyce.

                                                       Another Friend, Tommie

With cousin Stan who always takes time out of his busy schedule to be supportive of family.

  
              With Bobbi Potter who shares her ghostly Tolliver House stories in my book.

Here, I'm with longtime friends, Shelby and son Ked with girlfriend Miranda.  Shelby and Ked are big-time lovers of Halloween.  In fact, fellow blogger Ked even has a really well-done blog devoted to it.  Check it out- http://www.wickedwaysproductions.blogspot.com

I made new friends with Garry, Holly, and Chris of the Black Mountain Paranormal Society.  We'll all be back together for another paranormal event in October which I'll let you know more about in a later blog post.

Nancy Allman and Patty Cooper served wonderful refreshments for everyone's enjoyment who attended the book signing.

I left several signed books with bookmarks in the Tolliver House gift shop.  The books retail for only $12.95.

I'd also like to thank all the other people who stopped by to see Greg and me.  We appreciate all those in the Tolliver House who brought refreshments, who worked in the gift shop, and anyone else who helped make this book-signing a real event! 

A special thanks to all those who contributed to the book and to Glenn Gannaway who wrote a fabulous article in The Post (a local Big Stone Gap newspaper) about the book signing which was greatly responsible for the turnout we had.

F.Y.I.
Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind
(by Becky Arnott)
(Paperback or PDF download)
Fast Pencil Marketplace
http://www.fastpencil.com/marketplace

I have a lot more to share about the day's events, but we're already running long.  I'll just have to save it for next week.

Just click on the link below to see Greg's and my latest photos on iStock:
www.istockphoto.com

Positive thought:  "Change your thoughts and you change your world." -Norman Vincent Peale
Thanks for visiting!  Until next time, Becky