That's a Good Question

 This one made me laugh and its a short one.

Man: What's that up there?

I tear into a good description of the merits of this ultra cool sled.

Me. That... is a Sno-Rocket sled.  Its original finish.  The side boosters are still intact. Its like the holy grail of American sleds. You see the rocket boosters on the side often broke off and the kids had no sled. Its heavy American steel  and dates to the early 1950's.  Its got that 1950's space age look to it, doesn't it?  Was only made for a few years. Other than that I don't know much about it manufacturer.

 Man:  So that was made for snow?

Me: Yes, it was.   (Inside I'm thinking.... No dumbass!  It was made for grass and gravel, that's why they called it SNO-ROCKET!)

Mean While Back At The Store

 Dear readers forgive me for not being more timely with my blog entries.  I promise, now that I have some breathing room, I"ll post up something with some meat on its bones.  In the mean time, here's something that you make you either chuckle or sadly shake your head.

This just happened today.  As stunningly beautiful as it was it was slowwwww.  I had a man to come in.

Man: I'm gong to get this book.

Me: Than you will that be all for today?

Man: Yeah.

He then proceeds to throw a American Express credit card on the counter.

Me:  I'm sorry I don't take credit cards.

He says in a very snotty way.

Man: Your sign says otherwise.

Me:  What sign??

Man: Hello?? The sign in the window.  Shop small.  American Express excepted here.

Me: I'm sorry that was a give away.  American Express promotes that slogan but I don't take American Express. In fact I don't take any.  I honestly never saw that it was there I just saw the slogan.  I love the canvas bags they give small merchants.

Man:  WELL, ITS A GD FUNNY THING TO ME THAT YOU ADVERTISE THEM BUT WHY DON'T YOU TAKE THEIR CARDS!  I THINK THATS FALSE ADVERTISING.

ME:  I'm sorry sir but I've never taken any credit cards.  Because....

Man:  YEAH, YOU'RE FULL OF SORRY.  YOU SHOULD TAKE AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDS LIKE YOUR SIGN SAYS.

Me: WELL, FOR ONE THING! I CAN'T AFFORD THE $500.00 + A YEAR IT TAKES FOR ME TO ACCEPT YOUR PLATINUM AM EX CARD FOR YOUR $3.00 BOOK!

Man:  Fine I'll just pay cash for it.

He proceeds to toss down a $100.00 bill.

Me: I can't break that. I did a deposit last night.  ( really could)

Man: Well, what now?

Me: The ATM is up the street.

Man: Fine I'll be back in a few minutes.

I guess he got lost cause I've not seen him since.  Ahhh! The joy of small business.  Needless to say I took the Shop small sign out of the window.

Happy Customers are the Object:

Gene & Nancy D. of Boise,  Idaho

This sweet couple is Gene & Nancy D. of Boise, Idaho. Its this type of customer that I turn that key in the door for everyday. A great joy to wait on and good customers to boot. They loved loved Harrodsburg and all it had. 

On Wednesday, though I'm usually closed, I happened to see a couple looking into my darkened windows.  I came up to them and asked if they'd like to come in. A a treat. Both were from England. Not just England but from Stratford-upon-Avon. But they also had a book store!  I quickly felt insecure.  I was but to rest as they loved the store.  The husband I had a great 30 minute conversation about business.  He remarked that England was also becoming a "motor" country, instead of walking, as town folk has for centuries.  This couple was very interested in Wal-mart and other big box retailers.  Such things were only available in large cities, but in the states they were everywhere.  They also said that in the last 10 years nearly 80% of the smaller mom and pop  book stores had closed in their region.  Fascinating to talk to and I regret that I didn't have my camera on hand to photograph this couple.