Shelf Life is, in my mind, getting to be one long book. It just does not seem to end. There is more, more, more. I hope it tapers off gradually, that is some heed the literary calling and decide to take on more of the administrative role.

I can keep up with the operations and publicity end of this. But if competent and passionate people hop aboard the caboose, I will support their efforts.

All this was what I was thinking today, in preparation for the evening fundraiser at the Bleeding Heart Brewery. This morning, I had some quiet time, and in that time, I got the craft books sorted out and the fiction/nonfiction table cleared off. Then Calle appeared and I gave her an assist, first with sorting some of the paper publication materials that needed to be handed out this evening, and then in checking out book prices on eBay.

Then a woman from Willow appeared—she wanted a bookcase and books, and she got both.

Then (always another then) Logan, our former videographer, appeared with Lynsey’s All Aboard the Concert Caboose poster. It is a wonderful poster of animals playing instruments on a train. The horse is the conductor of both the railroad and the orchestra. I am really pleased with this and pleased about the fact that the animals are front and center in this poster.

Pete left close to 5:00 p.m. and I left after, had to pack up all the event stuff – I got to the Bleeding Heart Brewery late. And there by the door was a woman we’d met the week before, with two bags of books. It was cold and I was in a hurry, so I did not get to properly thank her. I will do this.

I was not prepared to see what I saw when I opened to door – lots of people – most were BLBP supporters. By then Pete was already selling raffle tickets. Miss Alaska and Miss Midnight Sun Alaska were already there – and they assisted in setting up our events table.

Miss Midnight Sun, very personable, outgoing, with a huge smile on her face – she said she flies leer jets and works for Life Med. All I could say was “wow.”

Our friends Judy and Brian came all the way from Anchorage to support the BLBP.

And there were so many others. What most bothered me is that I was not able to talk to everyone for any length of time. So I ended up hanging out by the door and thanking people as they left.

There were so many people to thank. Gosh, I didn’t get to thank our neighbors, Keith and Krista, who gave the BLBP the chair that everyone, when they are tired, fall into. Nor did I get to spend time with our old friends the Mastellers, who came with those we met last week, one of which was the woman with the two bags of books.

Well, the BLBP is now a known entity in the Mat Su Valley. And for this I feel good.

Next: 73. 3/14/26: Almost the Equinox