Earlier this week I wrote: I am sitting on a bench in my private space under the arching branches of the New Mexican elder. On either side of me – a cat. One, my own Maine Coon giant, and the other, my neighbor’s cat who has decided he wants to live here in this cat and wildlife sanctuary. I am almost hidden by the blue salvia, which is joyously alive with honeybees and butterflies. To the north I see the fading yellow blooms of the goldenraintree which stands as a sentinel before the jungle of the creek area. The east is dominated by my neighbor’s towering cottonwood rustling in the slight breeze. To the south I can hear the invasive cacophony of traffic. Behind me to the west, the chickens are purring. It is in the 90s. I am in the shade. All around me I hear bird song and thunder. The storm is going to miss us. Today I have been pondering the mysteries of life and death, as diarists enjoy doing. I have been pondering my own uncertain future. How much time do I have? What can be done? Am I totally nuts to open a bookstore again in this age where “the book” is dying? And more to the purpose of this blog: how can I use the bookstore to advance the National Diary Archive?
In March I began 33 days of radiation therapy for a liposarcoma. By May I was jumping right into work on the farm: collecting bee swarms, growing a huge garden, mowing lawns, watering, weeding, overseeing the help that I had to have this past year. The entire farm is being painted this summer…a red barn at last! Not to mention all the preliminary negotiations on opening a bookstore. Have I given up on the archive? No. Just put it aside for a while.
Here is the current plan: I am soon to be moving my in-home bookstore of 12,000 books to an actual retail location. As soon as it is open I will begin regular journal workshops. I am considering paying a lawyer $750 to create a non-profit organization. I will search for a volunteer staff and archivists. I will then solicit donations and attempt to build this organization. “If you build it they will come.”
National Diary Archive 
August 14, 2011 at 4:03 am |
What a mixed blessing this post is Cynthia. It is great to have you sharing your excellent prose again. It is terrible to hear about your need for radiation. Although, if I’m reading this correctly, it sounds as if there was a good outcome.
I am so sorry to hear about the difficulty you have had with the Archive. It does seem that you are taking the proper actions. And yes, I do believe it.
Wishing you the best of luck with the move of your book store.
I can’t remember, have you contacted the local, state or national authorities concerning the NDA? Just a thought.
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