Books, Butches and Fall

I have read very few books,
this Summer,
don't know why,
but, a few days ago,
I picked up a book that,
I had ordered in April,
and,
that had just been received,
at an indie bookstore,
I frequent,
occasionally.

The book is The IHOP Papers,
by Ali Liebegott,
it came highly recommended,
by a good friend,
and, 
I loved the other book,
of Liebegott's,
that I read:
Cha Ching.
Good writer,
strong voice,
no beat you over,
the head message,
subtle,
slice of life,
of lives,
walk a few moments,
miles,
in a character's,
boots,
wear their hoodie.
That is the power,
of fiction,
to see life through,
someone else's eyes, 
learn from them,
it adds to the,
texture of your life,
your experience.
Sometimes,
you recognize yourself,
sometimes,
it just illuminates,
other experiences,
and,
perspectives.

I haven't read much,
of this book,
but,
already I am liking it.

The main character,
Francesca,
moves to San Francisco,
to follow her,
Philosophy teacher,
every butch's 
dream,
and gets a job,
at IHOP(International House Of Pancakes)
and,
has to wear a Heidi of the Alps,
type uniform,
with nurses shoes.
every butch's,
nightmare.
It is amusing,
Liebegott,
isn't dark,
even when the,
subject matter,
could be,
life, 
identity,
coming out,
unrequited love,
cheap labour,
all of it,
she makes me,
laugh,
and think,
and,
remember.

In 1995 or 1996,
my ex and I,
went to Boston,
for vacation,
it was fantastic,
and,
aside from going to,
Harvard Square,
The Boston Common,
and all the historic,
beauty that is,
Boston especially in,
the Fall,
I had to go to,
the IHOP,
there was none where,
we were staying,
in Cambridge,
but,
one was within,
subway distance,
I was really looking,
forward to going,
and,
the ex was amenable,
an hour of subway,
and,
streetcar and we,
arrived,
the food,
was absolute
....
garbage,
and,
pricey,
everything is in,
Boston.

Why had I wanted,
to go there so much?
Beats me,
childhood memories,
maybe,
who knows,
we went and,
I figure,
never again.

It was also on this,
trip,
that I went to,
Starbucks's for the,
first time,
we didn't have any,
in Montreal,
at that time,
Starbuck's I loved,
and,
still do.

On this trip,
it was early,
in October,
I had one of those,
moments,
we were having lunch,
in a cafe in Harvard Square,
clam chowder in bread bowls,
outside,
a gorgeous sunny day,
my favourite,
gorgeous colours on the trees,
the smell of Fall,
a breeze,
sitting with a friend,
a precious friend,
sharing the day,
no need to babble,
no nerves.
I felt the breeze on my face,
and,
I remember thinking,
this is a moment,
of pure happiness,
I could die now,
with no regrets.

Weird,
when I hear,
IHOP,
I think of that awful breakfast,
but,
the memory,
always ends,
with,
the perfection of the,
lunch and company,
and,
moment in,
Harvard Square.
 
I am blessed to have,
had,
a few of those moments,
in my life,
and,
I think Fall,
weighs in pretty high,
on my happiness scale.

Enjoy the last of the heat,
of Summer,
prepare and rejoice in the,
coming Fall,
the season of colours,
of sweaters and sturdy shoes,
of walks through leaves,
of crisp air,
and deep blue skies,
of new friends,
and,
books,
of learning and harvest,
Fall the best of what,
life has to offer.

Be well
Later girls,
BB

Author: Bookish Butch

I am a bookish butch in my mid early fifties. I live in Montréal and always have. I used to run a small used bookstore. Reading keeps me sane. My latest jiggie is photography, book project in the works, living the dream View all posts by Bookish Butch