Dear Liza,
You might not remember when Auntie Katie opened her bookshop, called Books with Pictures, in 2016. You were only three years old.
I remember, because it was one of the busiest and proudest weekends of my life.
Grandpa Nelson, Auntie Bridgett and I flew up from Salinas to help. The weather was hot, and the work was hard! Setting up food for the opening, shopping for wine and such, then visiting with the hundred or so wonderful folks who came to see the new shop and buy books.
We crashed at our hotel, then got up and flew to Colorado to be with Auntie Bridgett’s brother Matt’s wedding. The flight, the drive, and the altitude sure took its toll. We slept like rocks. The wedding was pretty and all, but I was reminded that I’m much more of a beach girl. Rocky places with thin air do not appeal to me much.
I realized that weekend how much work it takes to get a new business off the ground. And now, four years later, I realize that the work doesn’t stop. All the arrangements to open a business, then finding an almost-comfortable plateau, then moving to a new building with bigger obligations, then opening a branch bookshop in Eugene, and now, figuring out how to stay afloat during a quarantine, have been a huge challenge. And Katie has done it while raising two absolutely awesome kids.
I am incredibly proud of Auntie Katie for her professionalism, her caring for her clientele, and her focus on getting things done.
Hoping to see you soon!
Love,
Grandma Judy
Dear Liza 