08/29/2026
So... I've been kicking this thought around all week. Trying to think of the best way to put it out there without riding the coat tails of tragedy. First, I'll say, this past week sucked for losing some people that made this world a little brighter, funnier, and downright wholesome.
That being said. Peter Cullen. Thank you for being such a formidable voice of my childhood. My parents probably got tired of hearing your voice in our house when I was younger as both my brother and I grew up watching Transformers religiously. And I will always try to strive to live up to his words of "Be strong enough to be gentle."
From one iconic voice to another. Tim Curry. It's funny looking back on this man as I remember only becoming aware of who he actually was when I'd seen the 1991 Sylvester Stallone movie "Oscar". I remember having a nagging feeling in the back of my mind of, I know this guy. Shortly after did I realize he was from some of the most iconic and influential movies of my childhood. I realized from his works that you could be smart AND funny... with just a hint of terrifying. In case anyone is interested, I do have a copy of his memoir on the shelf as pictured below.
Finally, the one that reaches well before the other two. I remember listening to Dolly Parton songs in the truck on family vacations or when my dad would decide we were all going to take a ride through the country. It wasn't until after Dolly's passing that I'd learned about her book charity and revisiting some of these old roads gave me a little clarity as to the reason I'd started a bookstore myself. I wanted to have a place to spark the imagination in children and for the community to maybe find something that would spark their love of reading. So, while I definitely don't have the resources of Dolly Parton, I do have used children's books that I keep prices at $1 for paperback and $2 for hardcover. HOWEVER, in honor of this wonderful human being's passing, ALL USED CHILDRENS BOOKS WILL BE FREE THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
I want to be able to say I'd given back to the community that I've spent my life in and I hope this in some small way will spark the love of reading in someone's life. God willing I wont need to make a long post like this again anytime soon. But to those that read to the end, may you be blessed, and a very heartfelt THANK YOU!
