LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

I love to read and for years have especially enjoyed the short story.

I've eagerly awaited the annual editions of The Best American Short Stories and O. Henry Prize Stories. Ten years ago, my husband purchased several older (as in pre-80's) editions online from various sources as a Christmas gift to me. Since then, we've been on a mission, albeit relaxed, to find more (old) short story anthologies. I can't get enough of these little time capsules! They're full of history, subtle things, the daily life and vernacular that might go unrecorded otherwise.

I especially cherish those that have inscriptions, endearments written inside. One that makes my heart sway every time is a loving note from a father to his daughter. Decades on, witnessing that space in time, gives one a sense of connection with things eternal.

We now live in a place that is within driving distance to a very unique book store. My DH visits it every time he is in the vicinity to score more books for me. It's called BookedUp and is in Archer City, Texas. Its owner is famous contemporary author Larry McMurtry. Archer City is also the site where the '71 movie The Last Picture Show (based on one of McMurtry's books) was filmed. Pretty cool little burg.

Two recent purchases: a signed collection of essays by Aldous Huxley (remember reading Brave New World in school?) and another signed by I.B. Singer, one of my favorite authors.

Anyone else enjoy old books?

a true bibliophile! yes, i love books. i just don't have the time committed to collect them. i love walking into a house and seeing a library chocked up with old books, first editions, every kind imaginable. actually, the aesthete and intellectual in me combine to envision a gorgeous richard meier house with an open study with a room floor to ceiling with books and a rolling ladder. i actually got a rolling ladder in my office at work simply for my future dream of having such a library in my house. perhaps i am indulging more architecture than books but i love both and together that is heaven. i love fiction. i have just truly engaged in non-fiction of late. i used to just read fiction. now i am focused on non-fiction. i have an idea to feature an author a day for a series of blogs in the future. don't know when.
best,
sml

Oh yeah. Oh yeah!!! You filmed a news segment in front of that ladder, those books, correct?! I was DROOLING over that ladder/books and not paying any attention to whatever it was you were saying! Heart stopping beauty.

Off to Google Richard Meier. I want to see what that might look like.

Oh, fwiw, I feel about books similarly to your take on excellent design (that expensive or inexpensive can be fine). I just look for quality.

cool. that is very cool. meier is quite modern so may not be your taste. don't know what you like to be honest. i love him.

Maybe we need a thread re: architecture! It might be interesting (maybe more interesting than old books) to many people. We could explore what anyone loves in a building and WHY. I can see why Meier is so appealing--found an excellent interview he did with Charl. Rose in '95. I bet he'd love your E.Williams (correct me) building. I do.

The house we live in is a replica of 20's era homes. We had a budget (drats!!) and worked to make it great at being exactly what it is-a little house in the country. My favorite feature is reclaimed pine floors throughout. I believe everything, however humble, (e.g. a vase, table, piece of art, an individual!, should evoke that it is excellent at being what it is. Very unassuming.

That being said, I don't feel committed to only one style of architecture or one aesthetic.

Do you consider yourself married to modern design?

gary williams was my architect. i am much more modern in focus. however, i like everything. i already planned a week of architects for blogs but that won't be for a while probably.

Gary Williams your architect. E. Williams your friend, teacher, and mentor. Correct? (Let's see if I have it right--I did not look it up. You talk about both a lot.)

Trivia contest-I will show up and win.

you win the grand prize!