My mom, in her 70's wrote a book of children's poetry. It's called Poems for Kids by Dorothy Czarnecki (self-published and available on Amazon). I grew up listening to her poetry, as well as others' she read to me, and now I create my own. How sad that this young poet died too soon. May her poetry continue to inspire people as I hope my mom's, and someday mine, does.
Since I loved your last para, Paul, I'm repeating it, because it's true, and needs to be repeated:
"If you love something that somebody does—some art, some words, some sounds—you tell them that you love it. You tell everyone how much you love it, repeatedly and enthusiastically. Don't save your appreciation for later, or worry about wearing people out with your passion. Because the happy truth is this: If a piece of art truly moves you, you will never, ever run out of new adjectives to express how much you love it. Getting to love someone's art is one of the very finest parts of being alive."
Wait - I see now that they have a new address on 1st Ave SOUTH - not 1st Ave. Their website shows a photo of the old store, so I was confused. I'm guessing the new place doesn't have the mezzanine the old one had. Anyway, glad they're still in business.
"If you love something that somebody does—some art, some words, some sounds—you tell them that you love it. You tell everyone how much you love it, repeatedly and enthusiastically. Don't save your appreciation for later, or worry about wearing people out with your passion. Because the happy truth is this: If a piece of art truly moves you, you will never, ever run out of new adjectives to express how much you love it. Getting to love someone's art is one of the very finest parts of being alive."
WAS? Is it closed? Their website indicates that they're still open.