Thursday, April 23, 2026
Kent Peterson, Superior WI USA
Christine and I share a belief that it is best not to pack our days too tight with obligations, something that has become easier now that both of us are retired. Today, as I head out the door after breakfast, the only thing on my schedule is meeting up with my lovely wife at the public library a bit after 11:00 AM when her Tai Chi class gets out. I like to wander just to see what the day has in store for me.
Today turns out to be rich in books. I had begun the day by rereading Hemingway's excellent short story, A DAY'S WAIT. I first read that tale more than half a century ago and it has stuck in my brain ever since. I have been on a bit of a Hemingway binge lately and on this morning's ramble, still thinking about Hemingway, I stop at a Little Free Library over near the college and am delighted to find two more Hemingway books, THE SUN ALSO RISES and A MOVEABLE FEAST. As I am extracting those two volumes, another book literally falls at my feet, a slim book called THE WHORE'S CHILD AND OTHER STORIES by Richard Russo. Russo is one of those fellows on my vast, disorganized mental list titled "I've heard good things", so I add not only the Hemingway books but also the Russo to my backpack.
Superior is an extremely bookish town, I think our long winters may have something to do with it. We have dozens of Little Free Libraries, a terrific independent bookstore, an excellent public library, and also a wonderful college library at our local University of Wisconsin campus. As a Superior resident, I am welcome to use the Jim Dan Hill college library, so I stop in there, settle into one of their comfy chairs, and read the title story in the Russo book. It is one hell of a good story.
As I'm leaving the library to go to the other library, I see by the checkout desk a whole bunch of freebie things celebrating National Library Week which I guess is now. I also learn that today is World Book Day and since I'm already well into the spirit of the day/week I take home a nice notebook, a button that says "READING IS MY SPORT" and a tote bag that declares "YES. I REALLY DO NEED ALL THESE BOOKS."
I get to the public library a bit before Christine, verify that they have a bunch of Richard Russo books to lend and then find a copy of the Russo novel STRAIGHT MAN in the Friends Corner of the library. The Friends Corner is a great, by-donation place to get books. This is my lucky day and I donate a buck and take the Russo. I do check out a book from the library, but it's not another Russo title, it's a book called LIVING IN THE PRESENT WITH JOHN PRINE and it caught my eye.
I still have some time before Christine gets out of class, so I settle into another comfy chair and start LIVING IN THE PRESENT WITH JOHN PRINE. I'm settled nicely into the book when a librarian comes over, presents me with an "I caught you reading!" Coupon that she tells me can be traded for a prize at the front desk. It's like getting a major award just for doing what comes naturally! I go to the desk and trade the coupon for a Superior Public Library coffee mug.
When Christine gets out of class we head over to the 2540 Coffee House where I fill her in on my very bookish morning. Once again we marvel at our great fortune to live in such a bookish town.
