Rodney's

This weekend was a good weekend. Saturday I was throwing another dinner party, but this time it was a smaller party – only six people. It was a farewell party for Noah who is off to grad school this fall but will be leaving to travel around this summer. I’m working on getting a plane ticket to go over and visit while he’s in Paris and is house-sitting a friend’s apartment. Anyways, this time, I was a little less all-consumed in getting everything perfect. The house wasn’t perfectly cleaned and the cooking wasn’t completely in place. But it was with dear friends so I wasn’t too worried. It was nice being able to take it easy throughout the day. Although by lunchtime I was still running around grocery shopping in the pouring rain and crowds and had some last minute menu changes. But more about the party in a future post, perhaps.

So Saturday was busy, but not frantic and exhausting. I slept in Sunday morning and had absolutely no plans for Sunday. And I mean absolutely nothing (well, other than calling mom for mother’s day). With the dinner party I was so focused on Saturday I hadn’t even started thinking of the “shoulds” for Sunday. I should do laundry, or I should finish my mending, or I should drop off my dry cleaning, or I should tackle any of the other items on the endless “to do” list. I had nothing of that. I started the day watching a movie on Netflix in bed. And then had to run off to Central Square in Cambridge to meet up with Noah. He had left his cell phone at my place and I didn’t really want to get out of my comfy bed to bring it to him. But then I thought – he’s not going to be around much longer (in Boston, not life), it’s a nice sunny day, I have a car (that I love driving) and he doesn’t, and I could easily check off a “should” that has been on the list for about two years now.

My step-sister had given me this wonderful messenger bag from Ten Thousands Village. But I don’t really use messenger bags – they’re too clunky for me and wanted to exchange it for the same bag in the tote style. And the store is in Central Square, so there you go. I was running a bit late, but it was a Sunday. I met up with Noah, I found that my procrastination paid off.  The bag I wanted was on sale which meant I could get something else so picked up an engagement gift for a friend, and then… Then, Noah introduced me to my Sunday adventure. The store next door is Rodney’s Used Bookstore. And it was having a sale. A huge sale – 50% off! Unfortunately the place is going out of business. I should have known something was up because I easily found a good parking spot even though I was running late. Which is very very odd. It’s impossible to park down in Central Square, well at least without having to hike a mile.

Well, Noah headed off to get back to studying and I hunkered down, systematically going through each section. Not too far in I realized this was the bookstore I had visited a few years ago and seen this awesome book on graphic design in Germany during the early 20th century. I hadn’t bought it. It was expensive and I was poor (covering rent and a mortgage while working at a non-profit doesn’t add up in ones favor). So I shifted gears and went upstairs to the design section and went through each book. But no luck, the book wasn’t there – understandable. I found some other wonderful books though and had to keep sitting down and going through my pile and only keep my absolutely must have books.

I love used bookstores. The selection is always so unique for each store. Case in point, I was almost done with the second floor when I came across a section on – Kennedy. A whole bookcase packed full on books about JFK and Teddy and the whole Kennedy clan – only in Massachusetts! By now I’m getting a little thirsty and hungry and already had a nice pile of books that included design, architecture, memoirs, and art. But I pushed on, and headed downstairs to finish off where I left off. I spent a bunch of time in the history sections. Picked up a book of short stories. And was thinking I was almost done when I turned the corner and found a section on art, architecture and design. There was a second section downstairs that I didn’t know about. And I’m always torn about these books, because I love studying the images but they’re usually big and bulky and expensive. I did find I was selecting many of the books based on their ability to survive my commute. I probably spend about 14 hours a week reading of which at least 12 are while I’m commuting. So the big heavy art book just isn’t going to work.

I did a quick perusing of the shelves. Just to make sure I wasn’t missing out on anything amazing. And there it was. In the design section on the second shelf from the top, was none other but the German design book! I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it. Even this morning while I was sifting through it over breakfast. So with that, I decided it was time to leave. After three hours, I walked away with 23 books which honestly shows a lot of self-restraint. I had found at least three times that amount and books are good. Ok, it’s a lot of books, but I could still carry them to my car all in one trip. And I got to use my new tote bag (which I love). All in all a good day.  A good weekend.  I was fatigued but in a rewarding way.

I think I enjoyed this weekend more than normal as I had somehow booked my "spring tour"inadvertently this year.  I've not had much of a free weekend for awhile.  This doesn't include the adventures during the weeks, but here's the list for my spring tour this year.

Mar 6/7: Kennebunkport, ME - visiting Maggie and Dave - Reegan & fam, Sarah, Nima & pregnant S.
Mar 13/14: Jamica Plain, MA - visiting with Marie to see her new house
Mar 20/21: Richmond, VA - visiting my new nephew and his parents (my step-sister and her husband).
Mar 27/28: Brattleboro VT - sugarbush weekend enjoyed with friends Dawn and Bill
Apr 10/11: Dover, NH - visiting Reegan and her family
Apr 17/18: Lexington, MA - dad visits for Patriot's Day weekend celebrations
Apr 24/25: Brattleboro VT - earth day celebration 
May 1/2: Ferry Beach Park, ME - retreat weekend with Cece and the kids
May 8/9: Cambridge, MA - dinner party for Noah and Rodney's bookstore
May 15/16: Chatham, NY - visiting Emilia and family and see her new house

It's been great seeing everyone, but, it's been a bit exhausting and I didn't even get in all the visits I intended.  I still want to make it to CT to visit my cousins but no set date yet as I need a little breather before even thinking about it.  Still, I'm thankful that weekends exist in the first place (thank you unions) and that I have so many great opportunities for traveling and visiting with friends (love New England for being small - that's six states there and only VA required some vacation days).  I just need to remember that there is a reason why I might be a tad on the tired/worn out side.  It does sneak up on you.  The good news is that I don't have anything else planned other than the potential Paris trip sometime in July.