Is your Club or Group looking for an inspiring guest speaker or do you want to host a book signing? . . . Contact Woody today!
* * *
For a Personalized Autographed copy of “STRAWBERRIES IN WINTERTIME” or “WOODEN & ME” mail a check for $25 to:
Woody Woodburn
400 Roosevelt Court
Ventura, CA 93003
* * *
Part II: Notes From a Bookstore’s Typewriter
The vintage Remington typewriter on display in Mrs. Figs’ Bookworm, an enchanted independent bookstore in Camarillo, could not be more irresistible were it to have a “Do Not Touch” sign on it.
Instead, a note invites patrons to sit down and type. As further encouragement, a sheet of paper always awaits in the carriage. Hundreds of people, many of them youngster who have never before used such a relic, have accepted the invitation.
Typing my own message on Mrs. Figs’ typewriter.
Some typists take their messages with them as keepsakes, but most tuck their “Notes from a Public Typewriter” – that being the title of the book that inspired this special nook – into a memento jar.
Connie Halpern – dear “Mrs. Figs” herself – recently allowed me to open the stuffed jar and read its contents. Some of the notes are silly, others heartfelt. Many are like short fortune-cookie adages, others much longer. Some have the typist’s name, but most are anonymous. More than a few have endearing typos and misstrikes.
Here is a sampling . . .
*
“me and my sister rachel are in a book store and i found this awesome typewriter and i am sooo fascinated with how this works and i love it.”
*
“hello. Typing on a typewriter is fun.”
*
“hello my name is eli and I am awesome. This typewriter is cool.”
*
“Hello world i am here”
*
“Ben the Incredible was here.”
*
“Sometimes you see a friend . . . just see their face, and your entire world brightens.”
*
“Some days feel like they may be an ‘upside down’ day, but then life happens and the day turns out to be just beautiful and ‘upright!’ Thank. You. Life.”
*
The one and only Mrs. Figs — Connie Halpern.
“i LOVE u”
*
“ ‘I love you.’ Language is a beautiful thing, isn’t it?”
*
“I LOVE THIS TYPEWRITER”
*
“Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type Why do people still have typewriters?”
*
“this is an old piece of technology. this thing does not always make the letter appear you must press hard.”
*
“memories of the past this typewriter brings each finger presses a key to create the words my fingers are tired.”
*
“The most valued gifts to someone are: Your time, your attention, and your respect : ) ”
*
“KNOCK ME OVER WITH A FEATHER
“I am a disabled veteran who went to In-N-Out Burger on Independence Day to avoid the fireworks because the sound and sight and shockwaves put me in a bad place emotionally. And, while there, wearing a hat which identified myself as a veteran, I had two teens approach me. I had never met them before. They both said ‘Thank you for doing all you have done’.
“Then each of the two young men shook my hand. It was a very good feeling, being recognized even in the high-paced and crowded place that is In-N-Out. Thank you to those two young lads who made my Independence Day”
*
“I love reading. I love books. I love Mrs. Figs!”
*
“hi im a geek I love harry potter.”
*
“Do you REALLY want people to treat you the way you treat them?”
*
“Sometimes we don’t think things are working out, but they are.”
*
“Don’t forget to sing. Please.”
* * *
Woody Woodburn writes a weekly column for The Ventura County Star and can be contacted at WoodyWriter@gmail.com.
Check out my memoir WOODEN & ME: Life Lessons from My Two-Decade Friendship with the Legendary Coach and Humanitarian to Help “Make Each Day Your Masterpiece” and my essay collection “Strawberries in Wintertime: Essays on Life, Love, and Laughter” …
- Personalized signed copies are available at WoodyWoodburn.com
- Unsigned paperbacks or Kindle ebook can be purchased here at Amazon