Prep Monday – Brrr, It’s Cold!


Yep, it’s been a while. No excuses, no apologies. Okay, the holidays were hectic, and I’m still working on end-of-year stuff, but . . . here I am!

Here I am, sitting in sub-zero temps – outside, not inside, thank heavens. Although my tub/shower pipes seem to keep disagreeing with that.

My point is that, while I can’t get outside and do much of anything in the way of prepping or, really going into the garage is a bit painful too, I have resolved (ahem) to do at least ONE THING, every day.

So far, I’ve packed up and labelled my generally useless drawer of sewing supplies. It’s not a lot, none of sew, actually; I even gave up on buttons and such over the years. I’m not very good at it. But who knows, maybe someday? And, of course, when SHTF, I’ll be forced into it. But at least I have those supplies!

I’ve also counted, rearranged, and re-catalogued my indoor supplies, as well as my freezer. You know how sometimes you need just ONE THING to make dinner, so you grab it out of the supplies? Yes, I’m guilty. On the other hand, it is important to rotate supplies on at least a semi-regular basis. And I’ll be restocking as soon as the roads clear up and the temps rise.

Something else to consider – I’m sure you’re familiar with all the “stuff” we all accumulate. Well, when SHTF, what’s going to happen to it? Now, I can be as sentimental as the next person, and there’s no reason not to enjoy our “stuff” as long as we have it, but what about all the things you DON’T need, or DON’T use, or even don’t really want or need to keep?

Like old clothes, most of which are too small. For me, that is. Maybe not for you. And, of course, if you bug out or stay in and lose power, you might want to forgo fashion and just layer up. Unless what you have is too small, of course. So keep what’s useful, but that old cocktail dress you’ve held onto for years that’s a size or two too small? Sell it. Sell whatever you can, and sock away that money in your cash stash.

Keep the blankets, old sheets, ugly sweaters. Especially right now, I’m thinking of all things warm. Single gloves gone the way of old socks? Keep them. Again, layers. But really think about the other “stuff,” stuff besides clothes, maybe old DVDs or CDs, maybe a box of computer parts and wires, maybe things you were going to repair, someday, or whatever you don’t use or need or will probably never look at again.

So there you have it – no outdoor action right now, unless you have livestock, so get busy on the inside!

Big Holidays Doings at the Bookstore


SLLC City Wide Book Fair 2013 (3)

Yes, I said “doings.”

Anyway, coming up this Saturday we have the amazing Laura Ray – I won’t try to list all her names because it gets a little confusing – with her new book, “Brain Dead and Still Cooking.” Awesome recipes, and an hilarious style make this a great gift! Pair it with her first book, “Brain Dead in the ‘Burbs,” for twice the awesomeness!

SUNDAY-SUNDAY-SUNDAY!

Yes, we’ll be open this Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m. for a special event – and you ALL SHOULD COME! Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, I’m going to add the press release for this FANTASTIC, ONCE A YEAR EXTRAVAGANZA!

St. Louis Literary Group Rings in the Holidays with an Area-Wide Book Fair

Checking your list? Checking it twice? Books make great gifts, and there’ll be plenty of chances to  shop ’til you drop at the St. Louis Literary Consortium’s Second Annual Holiday Book Fair. Set for Sunday, December 8, 2013, from 12 noon to 5 p.m., the Book Fair will feature the work of local writers at five locations around the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.

“We’re always happy when we can partner with independent booksellers to support local authors, and the Holiday Book Fair is a great opportunity for us to do that,” said Winnie Sullivan, who heads PenUltimate Press, a Consortium member organization. The St. Louis Literary Consortium, formed in 2012, is an alliance of literary organizations whose purpose is to promote the literary arts in the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Its members include Blank Slate Press, the St. Louis Writers Guild, the   St. Louis Poetry Center, and Walrus Publishing.

Holiday Book Fair displays will showcase the work of St. Louis writers at the following stores:

  • Subterranean Books – 6275 Delmar Boulevard, University City
  • All on the Same Page Bookstore – 10052 Olive Boulevard, Creve Coeur
  • STLBooks – 100 W. Jefferson Avenue, Kirkwood
  • The Book House – 7352 Manchester Road, Maplewood
  • Main Street Books – 307 S. Main Street, St. Charles

And writers will be on hand to sign their books at the Creve Coeur, Maplewood, and Kirkwood locations.

So come out and join in the holiday fun. Shop at your neighborhood bookstore, browse at one of the newer bookstores in the area, or visit all five! For more information about the Holiday Book Fair, contact Kristina Blank Makansi at kbmakansi@blankslatepress.com or any of the participating organizations, whose website addresses are: www.blankslatepress.com, www.stlwritersguild.org,  www.penultimatepress.blogspot.com, www.stlouispoetrycenter.org, and www.walruspublishing.com.

So, there you have it! Saturday AND Sunday this week! Plus, we have book bundles, and new items, and NEW coffee, tea, and hot chocolate! Come on down!