Tuesday, September 1, 2015

IWSG: Lost and Found this Summer





Let's begin where we left off in July when our sons were moving in together. and I was lost in my empty nest. Shortly before the big move, I found a wonderful position as a reporter for a community news website that covers the North Shore suburbs of Chicago, Daily North Shore.  Selected stories are also featured in a weekend print edition.

I spent the rest of the summer losing and finding my way back again. Fortunately, Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group, always welcomes us back with open arms.

Last month I was at the library researching an upcoming event when I found myself heading over to the local author book shelf.  I was very impressed to learn that William Goldman the author of A Princess Bride, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, and All The President's Men, is also from Highland Park, IL. I couldn't believe that our little poetry anthology shared the same shelf space with this two-time academy award winner.

I combed through the section a few times, and Old Broads Waxing Poetic  was nowhere to be found. Suddenly, my whole life flashed before my eyes. Someone had actually checked it out. I wanted to personally thank this person for selecting our book, and find out what they did and didn't like about it. Okay, I just wanted to hear the first part.

I decided to approach the librarian. I explained that I couldn't find the book, and asked her to check the return file. She insisted that the book was still on the shelf, and we searched for it a second time together. Then it hit me. The library was selecting a book of the month for the upcoming fall poetry readings. Surely our book was under consideration, and put in a special place for safe keeping. I kept that thought to myself, as the librarian continued her search.

Finally, she decided not to mince words, "The book is missing. No one has checked it out. I've never seen anything like this before. It's simply lost."

I don't remember if I laughed, cried or a little bit of both, but I do know that I found my way home in one piece.



50 comments:

  1. I was so hoping it was being considered, not lost. Maybe you could get another copy for the library.

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    Replies
    1. Rhonda - I will drop off another copy. Hopefully, I won't run into the same librarian again. Hope you're feeling better, Rhonda.

      Julie

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  2. That happened when my sister put a copy of my poetry, Just the Right Time, out in the waiting area where she works. It just disappeared. You know what, Julie? I celebrated. Someone wanted my poetry that badly, they stole the book. And that's true for your and our poems in Old Broads! Woohoo. They wanted time to savor each and every poem. God bless 'em. Or maybe it IS being considered for the poetry contest. Why not?

    Congratulations on your new job. Sounds like a great fit for you. Keep faith.

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    Replies
    1. Robyn - That was a lot of nerve stealing Just The Right Time! I'm sure it really brightened up the waiting room too. You better put an alarm on Woman on the Verge of Paradise! Thanks Robyn!

      Julie

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  3. That sucks! Maybe it's like Robyn said - someone wanted it bad enough they stole it.

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  4. Oh man, that sucks. I'll second what everyone else said. I bet it was stolen.

    Fun story: We stock our books at the local chain bookstore, and we like to keep track of sales on a weekly basis. Recently, there were two books that we just couldn't account for. We thought they were sold, but the manager assured us they were there in the store, as no one had bought them. Finally we asked her to check for herself. After a thorough comb of the store she found out that they were indeed gone. Someone had stolen them.

    Pro: Someone wants our books bad enough that they stole them!
    Con: Someone wants our books bad enough... that they stole them.

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  5. The library is a funny place. Things are lost and found in there all the time. I'd wait a couple of weeks and see if it hasn't turned up. It could've been misfiled. It could be up for consideration and that librarian didn't know it.

    I really hope this story has a happy ending!

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  6. Alex - Okay, we'll just go with the stolen theory. It's much more exciting that way! Thanks for four fabulous years, Alex!

    B & B - I feel terrible that your books were stolen. Funny, how you managed to find both the pros and cons! Thanks Bryan and Brandon!

    Robin - Thanks for sending positive thoughts, Robin! I don't know if the incident will ever be solved, but at least it gave me something to write about!

    Julie

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  7. What an interesting read, I had my poetry "Stolen" years ago in a different way.
    Someone from a group I used to belonged to copied it as theirs word for word.
    I learnt a very valuable lesson there.
    Yvonne.

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  8. Old Broads Waxing Poetic is such a wonderful collection - I'm not surprised that somebody pinched it. Yes, I'm going with the 'stolen' theory.
    Happy IWSG Day, Julie!

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  9. Maybe it will turn up. Having worked in several libraries over the years, I know it's possible. It could have been mis-shelved or perhaps a little kid came along and carried it off and put it on another shelf. I've seen that happen more than once. :)

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  10. Bummer, interesting story. I like the stolen theory too, but as someone else pointed out that is pro and a con. lol.
    Juneta Writer's Gambit

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  11. I do artwork, and had seven pieces taken in a single weekend. The booth covered the costs, and I went home happy.

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  12. My friend who is director of our local library calls it forking. Your book was forked. And, she has seen it before. How soon will they replace it?

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  13. Oh gosh, I was so hoping it was the chosen book. I'm sorry this happened, Julie. That library should order another copy because their patrons are missing out on a great book.
    Congratulations on your reporter job!! I'm sure your readers are enjoying your work.

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  14. Oh boy, hopefully someone didn't steal it or it could simply be in a spot completely different from where it should be

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  15. Yvonne - What happened to you was much worse. I'm sorry that you had to go through that.

    Michelle - I'm glad that you also see the humor in this! Thanks so much for your wonderful review! Happy fourth anniversary, Michelle! You've always been an integral force at the IWSG!

    Daisy - I could always drop off another copy. I just thought it was strangely funny at the time. Thanks Daisy!

    Juneta - Yes, Bryan and Brandon pointed out both sides. I found it entertaining too. Thanks Juneta!

    Dixie - I'm glad they covered the costs, though I'm sorry they stole your lovely artwork.

    Joanne - My book was "forked!" I like the sound of that! I never checked back in with them, so I'm sure the whole incident was forgotten. Thanks for always teaching me something new, Joanne!

    Julie - I'm really enjoying being a reporter. Thanks for the kind words, and for co-hosting the IWSG!

    Birgit - We checked a few areas. For all I know, it could've turned up by now. It was just silly how my imagination was running wild at the time.

    Julie

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  16. Well, bummer. I'm sorry our book disappeared, but hey! Maybe somebody just took the old broads on an outing to the park or something. Three times now, I've typed and deleted something smart-ass about the person who might have "forked" it, but decided to behave myself. (Happens once in a while.)

    I hope you're still having a blast in your new Lois Lane job. ;)

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  17. I'm pretty sure it was William Goldman who nicked it. Forgot his library card that day. :P

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  18. Congrats on your new job. I'll be dealing with an empty nest tomorrow. I'm grateful my daughter will at least be close.

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  19. Of all the books to be lost! Coincidence or mysterious sign?

    Glad that you made it through summer.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out

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  20. Susan - The suspense is killing me! I need to know if you have a lead on the little forker. Please send me an email, or just come on back and let everyone us join in on the fun! Haha...I'm still laughing from Lois Lane! Thanks Susan!

    Luanne - You know I thought it might have been him, but according to Google he moved away years ago! Haha! You always crack me up, Luanne!

    Lee - It could have been a hate crime. There was one year when I ran out of Halloween candy...

    Natalie - Oh, I'm sure it will be bittersweet at first, but moms weekend is probably right around the corner. It's also great that she'll be close by, so maybe you'll see her even sooner. I will continue to cut back on blogging, but I'm just an email away if you need to vent. Good luck to you and your daughter tomorrow! Thanks Natalie!

    Julie

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  21. Great, wonderful and a whole lot of assorted positive adjectives on your new job! Somebody had to have stolen the book or took it and had an unfortunate incident and could not get it back to the library. What is the name of the library so we can all virtually storm it, demanding another copy to replace it. Every library needs someone to laugh out loud and disturb those quiet ones.

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  22. I like the idea that someone just had to have the book! Can you blame them?

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  23. Arlee - I think it was a "mysterious sign" that our book was "forked!" Thanks to Joanne, I now have the perfect ending to this story! As always, the summer went by all to quickly. Thanks Lee!

    Arleen - "Virtually storm the library?" The least you could do is camp outside their doors reciting the poems until our demands are met! Haha! Thanks for the kind words, and any offer to stand up or sit down for me, even if it's a virtual one, means the world to me!

    Cherdo - When you put it like that, it's pretty darn hard to! Thanks Cherdo!

    Julie

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  24. Maybe someone slipped it into their backpack to take home and keep forever!

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  25. Hi Julie - it's an interesting story about the lost book .. especially one that's called "Old Broads Waxing Poetic" ... perhaps the Romans found it and used it as their waxed tablet writing base? Somebody was obviously very enticed with the title - it's a great title ...

    But the library will be happy to have another copy ... and maybe that first one will come to light.

    Glad you've found a new home - and can find your way there ... the sat nav could take you all over the place. Great too that you've found a job as a reporter for the local community news ... fun and it'll suit you down to the ground ...

    Take care and have a happy September - Hilary

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  26. It would have been so wonderful to see it next to a book by William Goldman. It would have felt like one could walk on air.

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  27. Oh, no...what a thing to lose.

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  28. Welcome back, GEM JULIE!
    I'm glad YOU didn't get lost... or stolen.

    Funny thing is, I had a wild dream last night that I was a librarian and I was having all kinds of trouble trying to re-shelve books because none of them were numbered, and the library had them arranged in weird ways.

    Then there was all kinds of other strange things going on with me in library. I was also a security guard there and my uniform shirt was filthy and untucked. My supervisor showed up and I was trying to double-talk my way out of some things I'd done wrong.

    Then I was accused of having done something (which I think I really had) but I claimed that I couldn't have done it because I always had my nose in a book. The person said, "Well, that's not what your co-workers say. They say you're very outgoing and talkative and they all like that about you".

    I think it may have been the dill pickles, buttermilk, and those sugared candy "orange slices" I consumed in the last 10 minutes before I went to bed last night. (What a combo. Could I be pregnant?)

    Hopefully, tonight in my dreams, I'll come across your missing book and put it back on the proper library shelf... right after I tuck in my shirt and brush the dirt off it.

    Glad to have you back, Julie. I missed ya. Really. Thought about you numerous times and wondered how things were going wid ya.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

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  29. Karen - Now that theory warms my heart! Thanks Karen!

    Hilary - Glad the Romans could put it to good use! Susan Flett Swiderski created the title with me, along with her other countless contributions to the anthology. We didn't move, but our sons did. Even with the sat nav, I've still managed to get lost many times. It's always good to see you and I hope you've had a relaxing summer. Thank you so much, Hilary!

    Yvonne - Old Broads was in the same shelving area, as Princess Bride, because they were arranged by titles in the local author section. It was just a lucky break even if it only lasted a moment. Thanks Yvonne!

    Olivia - in high school I decided to wear my late grandma's engagement ring to school. At one point the diamond fell out of the antique setting, and I didn't notice it until after I came home. That was worse.

    Stephen - You'd better send that dream over to Robin right away, so she can start analyzing it. On second thought you could just do a load of wash, so you don't have to worry about your dirty shirt hanging out. That was one heck of a bedtime snack combo! Now they make popcorn at Trader Joe's with pickle juice instead of popcorn oil. That would really complement the orange slices. I've thought about you too, and I've also missed you! You always make my day, Stephen!

    Julie

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  30. Look on the bright side...
    When your book is good enough to be stolen, you've arrived.

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  31. Oh, my! I'm glad you're going to take them another copy. Congrats on your new job!

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  32. Carol - I'm just waiting for the librarian to retire. Thanks Carol!

    RR - Thanks so much, RR!

    Julie

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  33. Congratulations on the job! Watch for the library sign: Help needed---must love books passionately.

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    Replies
    1. Susan - I'll be on the lookout for the sign! Thanks so much, Susan!

      Julie

      Delete
  34. I don't advocate stealing books from a library (or at all), but in this case, I really hope someone loved it so much they nicked it.

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