Listen to Jim’s 4-minute podcast: https://youtu.be/tvspqp2oBB8
or read the transcript below:
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HOW YOU HELP ME BROWSE THE DAY
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An idle mind is a playground that in ungrammatical Latin might be called Idioticus Moronicus.
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If you are a Down South Latin scholar, try to treat me kindly. I’m just having fun here and I don’t want to shake the Universe asunder. Just want to cause a smile or a giggle.
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Anyhow, Idioticus Moronicus is a term I use to dismiss incredibly silly thoughts that arise when I am not at my most intelligent best. The way I remain semi-sane is to stay alert and swat away all things moronic.
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People wander through my life at a leisurely pace, here in the bookshop at the center of the galaxy. Each browser brings baggage that consists of such things as attitude, mood, tentative ideas, hope, despair, humor, playfulness, curiosity, tragedy, anecdotes, avoidance, anger, sunlight, willingness to be seen and heard, desire to be invisible. And so on.
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Owning a bookstore is both a spectator sport and an advanced course in species behavior. If I don’t pay close attention to each and every denizen of the aisles, I will miss something important. So I take notes, I file away observations for later contemplation. Sometimes I try to engage. Sometimes I surprise or even frighten perusers with my curiosity, my avidity. Sometimes I awaken a sleeping mind and end up having a delightful conversation.
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How a customer reacts to the bookshop tells me a sidebar story about a life unseen.
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For instance, entrances and exits are profoundly interesting.
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Here are a few reactions that browsers display as they enter the store:
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“Omigod!” Open-mouth wide eyed surprise at the plethora of overlapping objects.
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“Wow! Never seen anything like this before. I was warned.”
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“Good grief! Where did you get all this stuff?”
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“Is this a liberry?”
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“Have you read all these books?”
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“I don’t read. I’m just looking for old stuff.”
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“Look at this, Maud. Do you know what this is?” Handling a drive-in movie speaker.
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“Oh, the best book I ever read!” Picking up a copy of To Kill A Mockingbird.
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“Where did you get all this stuff?”
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“You got any books on witchcraft?”
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“I had this book when I was a kid, but I never found a copy anywhere in the country. I can’t believe you have it. Can I buy it?” All smiles, all excitement.
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You can tell that I take great pleasure in hearing these comments, in helping people who wish to be helped, in being merely available to those who do not wish to be helped. I also take pleasure in showing off special books or sharing unique facts when a customer seems open to new ideas.
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It is a random life, this bookie profession. Each moment is filled with expectation because I have no idea who or what will enter the door next. Keeps me on edge in the most exciting ways.
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I don’t need to be electronically entertained or wooed. All I have to do is unlock the door and await the next adventure
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© Jim Reed 2025 A.D.
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