There used to be a couple of great used bookstores in Detroit. Maybe they're still there, I hope so. I used to go every couple of weeks. In fact, I still have credit at one of them if it's still in business. Also, the local library used to have a sale once a year. For $5.00 you got a shopping bag and all the books you could fit in it. What a deal! Here in Guatemala, books in English are hard to come by. They can sometimes be found at ènewè bookstores but are very expensive. There are a couple of used bookstores that offer books in English for $3-4 per book. But there's little selection, most being of the èvacation readingè variety, traded by travelers. Now and then one comes across a book of substance and it's a real treat to find. When friends from the states come to visit and ask what they can bring, the answer is always èbooks!!!!è

A new nursery opened this month where the old Cottage Creek Nursery was on Avondale Rd W'ville/Redmond area. It's called The Gardens at Cottage Creek. The old Cottage Creek was well known for it's roses. This one has quite an extensive collection of roses too, but I didn't have time to browse through there. I also noted quite a few dahlias potted up. Another one I like going to is about a mile south of there also on Avondale Rd. It is Classic Nursery, they have a good selection of shade/native plants. If you look at the independent nursery map at the link above for these locations they would be just south of the one marked #60(Bassett). Another good one for trees is Olympic Nursery. This would be located between #59 (Enchanted)& #64 (Molbaks) on the map. Olympic is well respected for their trees & shrubs. The do not carry many perennials, but what they do have is usually cheaper than Molbaks. OK-I spend way too much money around here.

Judydel, sorry for the late reply. Phone and internet were both out. I designed the paperback bookcases we have and my husband buit them. Hanging them was a joint project, then I painted them. I don't happen to have a copy of the sketch for the bookcase that I posted but, this is a very similar one in another room. They're pretty easy to build. Got the wood at HD. I think it was poplar, we wanted something that was "tighter" than pine. The bookcases have no "back", I just paint the wall the same color as the bookcase so that it looks like it has a back. They're supported by steel angle irons. There's one running continuously along the bottom that the bookcase sits on and there's another running along the top. That's it for supports. In the photo I posted the top of the bookcase is so high and the bottom way below eye level so the angle irons aren't easily visible. In the smaller bookcase sketch I'm posting we use crown molding to cover the angle irons. OH!!! And if you do build a paperback bookcase rework the clearance between shelves! Two of our paperback bookcases were built before they started putting out those slightly "higher" paperbacks and since I kept the clearance between shelves to a minimum in order to fit more shelves, those new style paperbacks won't fit vertically. I have to stack them horizontally.

Does you library have a Friends of the Library shop for resale of donated books for the benefit of the library? I have volunteered at mine for some years now, and have loved every minute of it. I work a solo shift, only selling, as my back problems would not allow shelving. I can play the music I like (softly) on the radio provided, read the book I'm currently reading when I'm not busy, browse the shelves, and have never left without 6 or 8 books to add to my TBR pile. I think the one perk I love is to be able to chat with the patrons at long as they or I want, with no one looking over your shoulder. I've met some wonderful people, and heard wonderful stories.. Fortunately our bookstore organization is very well run, and it is a true pleasure to volunteer there. If you don't need the pennies you would probably earn at a "real job", do look into volunteering.