Books

I remember a trip to the doctor's office years ago.

Our then family doc had a children's waiting area, with books to while away the time.

We were waiting our turn when a sweet little girl came in with her Mom.  She spied the kid's area and declared 'Books!' so joyously that we smiled.  It warmed the heart.

Even in these electronic times, books are the gateway to knowledge.

I still prefer ink and paper.  Besides, during a power failure, we whiled away our time reading.

It led me to remember old independent bookstores, which existed a long time and now gone.

Long before discount chains and bargain bins, I used to go to three places.

One was in Broad Ripple, north of the canal.  It was in a converted old house, large with several rooms.  It was almost labyrinthian and books were everywhere, even on the stairs.  Reminded me of my friend and teacher Robert Easton's house.

It was owned by a heavy set woman who was one of the most erudite people I've known.  She seemed to have an answer for practically everything.  And if she didn't, she knew how to research/reference.

Fair prices and a few rare finds rounded out the place and added greatly to my collection.

The second store was east, right at the city limits in Cumberland.  The store was a converted Masonic hall, thus it was quite large and chock full of books.

The owner was likewise heavy set and just as resourceful.

The third was in an old five and dime building in Fountain Square.

It was the largest of all and had a wide stairway to what was the bargain basement.  Rows and rows of books greeted one, like a small town.

The owner was yet another heavyset lady, who evidenced a similar knowledge seemingly boundless.

BTW, the fact they were heavyset was simply a fact, a description, lest I be accused of some silly fat shaming tirade.  Ah how times have changed since these ladies graced the scene.  I think they would tilt their heads and smile amusedly.

It was a time of knowledge and acceptance.  There was more of that than the sjws would even guess.

Though most personality places like the above are gone, we still have knowledge.  Boundless, limited only by time and space, we can reach new generations who can still be thrilled to see 'Books!'