My favorite book blogger, The Perpetual Page Turner, has a reoccurring post series called If We Were Having Coffee and I thought I’d borrow her format for this post. So grab your favorite cuppa and join me!

It’s been quiet here on the blog for the past few weeks, and rather than let you go a another week wondering if I’d followed Alice down a rabbit hole, I thought we should catch up over a mug of tea! I’ve chosen my new favorite herbal blend of Pea Flowers and Peppermint this evening, called Ice Caves. Not only is it delicious, but it’s blue. It was also a one-time deal at a local market. What’s in your mug?

If we were having tea, I’d gush about my new blog logo!

While my schedule has left little time for writing blog posts in the past several weeks, you might have noticed the new logo at the top of the blog. If you haven’t, scroll up and check it out! I’ll wait.

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Pretty, right? I found a great little logo shop on Etsy and within a day the artist had drafted a design with the customization and colors I had requested!

Ok, I know that doesn’t exactly explain where I’ve been…

If we were having tea, I’d excitedly reveal that I had my first experience working in an indie bookshop!

Remember those posts I’ve written about the best qualities of indie bookstores (here and here if you don’t)? Well when the opportunity arose to volunteer at a local bookshop, I jumped at the chance. Having never worked in a bookstore before or even with a cash register at all, I thought it might be a good experience to have for that someday when I own my own indie bookstore…sorry, I started dreaming, where was I? Oh right. The bookstore/gift shop at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center has reopened after renovations and under new ownership. I offered a couple hours of my time to work the register while the young summer workers spent the day in training. Although I was nervous about my own lack of training, I happily found that I know enough local history and facts to pull off at least two-hours of work in an Alaskan bookstore. Watch out for a longer post to come on my foray into indie bookstore work and why you should read books set in the place with which you’re most familiar!

If we were having tea, I’d admit I’ve been spending more evenings reading than writing.

Sadly, my partner lost a buddy just a couple weekends ago when his small plane crashed. In Southeast Alaska small planes crash unfortunately frequently. Often the cause is inclement weather- pilots can’t see the mountainsides in the fog before it’s too late. This particular Saturday, however, dawned warm and clear blue sky stretched from mountain to mountain. Being ever the librarian, I naturally turned to a book for solace. I picked up The Flying North by Jean Potter, a book about the history of small plane flight in Alaska. It’s been on my To-Read list for two years, but now I hope it will provide some context or perspective to the question circling within my skull, “Why do people keep getting in these contraptions when more often than not it seems they end nose-down somewhere unexpected?” When I’ve had time to process, I’ll write more about this so-far surprisingly entertaining book.

Because I’m sure you’re wondering, the pilot and two friends had been nearing their destination when the plane went down. The lone survivor in the backseat recalls that the pilot had been practicing a common maneuver of restarting one of the engines mid flight. When the engine wouldn’t restart, he attempted to land the plane to check out the problem and that’s all he remembers. According to authorities, corrosion on the battery may have caused the engine’s failure to restart.

On a happier note, I’ve been scrambling to prepare for my upcoming month in England. I’ve been researching, buying tickets, and of course, reading. If you’d like to read along with me, here are the books I’ve chosen to read in relation to my trip:

Persuasion by Jane Austen
Northanger Abby by Jane Austen
The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen by Ada Bright & Cass Grafton
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens

If we were having tea, I’d tell you the sun came out.

If you’re a Southeast Alaskan local this is probably all the explanation you need. “Ah, yes.” You’d nod your head, agreeing that was a reasonable statement. For those that aren’t familiar with a rain forest climate, let’s just say, when the sun appears, the whole town has collective amnesia that there’s anything else to be done, and heads out of doors.

Alaska Wilderness Collage — *Whale tail photo c/o my brother

Finally, if we were having tea, I’d tell you my last excuse is much needed exercise.

As much as I would love to post more frequently, a life of stationary hobbies is no good for anybody, even if you’re a librarian. Unfortunately, reading, knitting, and blogging aren’t exactly active. Luckily I’ve found an exercise program I love, so although exercise time takes away from other hobby time, I can’t say I’m too upset. So if you too have been spending too much time on the couch with your book for your own good, join me in in giving the PIIT28 (Pilates Intense Interval Training) program a go! Let’s be distance-exercise buddies as well as book nerd pals!

Let’s Talk!

How’s your summer going? Diving into any good books? Busy enjoying the outdoors? Let’s catch up in the comments below!

*Affiliate Links

Read Along With Me

The Flying North by Jean Potter

Northanger Abby & Persuasion by Jane Austen

The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen by Ada Bright & Cass Grafton

The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens

Exercise With Me

PIIT28

If you already have a great exercise regime, good for you! In that case, can I just say, Popflex Active makes THE MOST comfortable workout wear I’ve ever worn!

*I’ll make a small commission if you use these links, at no extra cost to you!