A Book Lover's Lament

This morning I stopped by Pioneer Book where I loaded up on four art/photography books, a DVD about Henry J. Eyring, and a set of old radio mysteries on CD to listen to in my car. Outside the store, several local authors had booths and were selling their wares and meeting fans, so I picked up another book from an author I know, Tristi Pinkston.

This past month I have had my car in for repairs twice, so I did experience a moment of guilt as I stared at my bulging book bag. But I had calculated the cost in my head, and I have stew and salmon patties in my freezer at home, so I’ll still be able to eat until pay day.

I love books.

Then I went to a new bookstore where I bought a copy of a new book that a friend of mine has illustrated…

…and I bought one more book that caught my eye.

Even now, I’m sitting at the Barnes & Noble café, typing out this entry.

I have a sickness, people!

This is not a cry for help. (I can stop any time I want.) It is a cry to arms! Our bookstores are failing! The news of Borders bankruptcy caused me to drop my head into my hands and groan, “Oh, how are the mighty fallen.” Then I promptly went to pick the carcass by loading up on three of the discounted paperbacks from my favorite mystery series.

Now I admit to being a part of the problem. Larger booksellers like B&N and Borders are faltering, in part, because of online bookstores and the fact that retailers like Walmart and Costco order NY bestsellers by the boatload and sell them cheaply. Yes, I love that I can find obscure books on Amazon. And I bought “The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society” at Costco (where, incidentally, I also got an excellent herbed cheddar).

But the cruelest blow of all happened in Kansas City, KS (my home away from home). The “I Love a Mystery” bookstore is closing its doors! Aack! My favorite genre!

This time, it’s personal.





I realize that I usually feature Utah-based businesses. But today, I’d like to use the entry to lovingly eulogize one of my favorite retreats.

The “I Love a Mystery” bookstore specialized in…mystery. The interior of the bookstore looked like it could have been the library in which Colonel Mustard was caught with a lead pipe. Mystery “artifacts” were scattered throughout the store: a deerstalker’s cap, a calabash pipe, a dagger, or a skull. The store sold both new and used, every author of note. (And some not.) There were chairs for sitting and a tea cart.

You can find any mystery author of note there. I first discovered “The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” series at “I Love a Mystery.” Last year, I did Christmas shopping there. Every year, my book club has Christmas party and we each bring a favorite used book to gift—white elephant style. In anticipation of the event, I went to “I Love a Mystery,” to get the first books in two of my favorite series: the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series by Anne Perry and the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters.

Although I’m only in Kansas City about once a year, I’m on the email list for “I Love a Mystery.” That’s how I got the devastating news. So, I’ve put on my black arm band and had my moment of silence.

And so I finish my eulogy with these words: 40 % off all new titles, 50% off all used titles, vintage and signed editions brought out daily. Everything must go.

Flour Girls and Dough Boys

35 N. Barrat Avenue
American Fork, UT 84003
801-763-9232
Mon-Thur 7:30am-7pm, Fri 7:30am-8pm

There is a wonderful treasure, tucked away on a side street in American Fork. You wouldn’t even know it was there if it wasn’t for a sign out on the main road with an arrow and the words “toasted sandwich and homemade soups.”

I’m talking about Flour Girls and Dough Boys, of course! Let’s go there together. I’ll point out all the things I love as we go along. First off, how great is it that it’s just slightly off the beaten path? As we enter, I point out the various kinds of chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Then I redirect your attention to the floor which is tiled in orange white checks.

However, your attention has been wholly taken up by the gorgeous array of baby cakes and cupcakes in the display case to the left. Hungrily, your gaze rakes over the shortbread chocolate chip cookies, the muffin tops, and the pumpkin chocolate chip bars with cream cheese frosting. Behind the counter, the racks are filled with baguettes, alpine sourdough, sunflower honey oat, and focaccia.

















Let’s stay for lunch. I’ll have the chicken, avocado, panini. I can see you’re torn between a meat pie or the turkey and brie sandwich on cranberry walnut bread. I’ll also have a cup of the Tuscan sausage and white bean soup which is packed with vegetables, so I’ll feel good taking a couple of large, soft ginger cookies home with me.

Everything at Flour Girls and Dough Boys is made from scratch. Heavenly!

Thanks for joining me. Your company is a pleasure anywhere, but the aroma of freshly baked break makes it a perfect outing.

Flour Girls and Dough Boys also has a dining area tricked out with some fun stuff for kids. So next time, bring’em along.

Come Together: The Abbey Road Show

Provo Rooftop Concert Series
Friday, June 1st 8:00 p.m.
Provo Town Square Parking Terrace Rooftop



1969. It was a very good year. The year 1969 gave the world Sesame Street, Monty Python, the Apollo 11 moon landing—and me. And, more to the point here, the Beatles’ album Abbey Road.





Of course the Beatles split up while I was still a squalling infant, but thanks to their ubiquity and musical genius (and the tutelage of my sister’s high school boyfriend), I grew up to be a Beatles fan. Like, a really big Beatles fan.



















Like, I own all the Beatles albums, films, anthologies, and special editions of Rock Band. I’ve seen both Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr live in concert. I’ve seen Julian Lennon in concert. I’ve seen any number of Beatles tribute bands in concert. I’ve even made the pilgrimage to Liverpool.


















Oh yes, and to Abbey Road itself—the now-famous street in London where the Beatles recorded at EMI studios.








Abbey Road has been ranked the 14th on Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest albums of all time list. Which is pretty good, especially considering it’s only the fourth or fifth best Beatles album of all time. And which is why, if you’re in the neighborhood, you won’t want to miss Downtown Provo’s free Rooftop Concert Series this Friday night.
























(Oh, hey! Do you know who else enjoyed free rooftop concerts?)

If you’re a Beatles fan, you already know that John, Paul, George, and Ringo never performed the Abbey Road songs together in concert; they had long since quit touring by 1969. All the more reason to hear their music performed live this weekend!

And even if you’re not really a Beatles fan, you still know the songs from Abbey Road: Come Together. Something. Octopus’s Garden. Maxwell’s Silver Hammer. Here Comes the Sun. You’ll be singing along, trust me. (You might not be singing along throughout the less-familiar Side Two epic medley, but you’ll enjoy it. Trust me.)

To get you primed for the Abbey Road Show, here are some of my favorite insider tidbits about Abbey Road. Now you can be a Road-ie too:

- Abbey Road is a very busy street. If you go there and if you insist upon recreating the album cover photo in that famous zebra crossing, be prepared to cross quickly and get a few grumpy looks from passing motorists—not to mention interference from other tourists there ruining your shot. (“Zebra crossing” is what the British call crosswalks. You are not likely to spot any actual zebras in one.)

- Take a closer look at that album cover. Notice that Paul is the only Beatle crossing the street barefoot. This is allegedly one of the clues that contributed to the whole “Paul Is Dead” conspiracy theory. Also, do you see that man standing on the right-hand pavement, next to the black taxi? Turns out that guy was a passing American tourist who had no idea he was photographed until he saw the album cover. Well, that’s the official story, anyway; I think maybe he is the Angel of Death, stalking Paul.

- “Something,” one of two George Harrison classics on Abbey Road, so impressed Frank Sinatra that he hailed it as “the greatest love song ever written.” Sinatra may just be right about that.

- John Lennon hated “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” (written by Paul) and refused to participate in recording the song. I kind of don’t blame him.

- “Because” features producer George Martin on the harpsichord and George Harrison on the Moog synthesizer. Moog is a funny word.

- The translation of John’s chorus in “Sun King”? “Mundo paparazzi mi amore chicka ferdy parasol”? Yeah, it’s gibberish. A faux mix of Romance languages and Liverpuddlian nonsense.

- Nobody really has an explanation for “Octopus’s Garden.” Not even Ringo, and he wrote the blooming thing.

- “Her Majesty” is the shortest song in the Beatles repertoire at 23 seconds long. (Tip: Try singing it in the shower. Hair care experts recommend massaging your scalp for 30 to 60 seconds while shampooing. Sing “Her Majesty” through twice and you’re pretty much on the money. You’re welcome.)

- “The End” was, appropriately enough, the last song recorded collectively by all four Beatles. And in the end, the love you take / is equal to the love you make….

One more thing. If the Abbey Road Show only whets your appetite, there’s more where that came from. Southern soul band Booker T. & the MG’s recreated Abbey Road (with Moog!) as an R&B album, McLemore Avenue (1970)—McLemore Avenue being the street in Memphis where the legendary Stax recording studios were located.






P.S. I’ve made a pilgrimage there too.

Strawberry Days!

In 1792, a young pioneer, missionary and husbandman named Darryl Strawberry trekked across the U.S. frontier, planting strawberries and sharing the word of God.

Okay, not really. That was Johnny Appleseed. But the strawberry is the fruit of choice in Pleasant Grove, and we're celebrating it in a big way this week!

I've lived in Pleasant Grove for seven years. I love this little community. From the annual Firemen's Breakfast to the concerts in the park, P.G. loves to get together and celebrate. The City of Fun carnival is in town this week, located at the city park right on Pleasant Grove's historic main street. In addition to the carnival there is a pie eating contest, art show, parade, charity chili challenge,and of course, the nationally famous Strawberry Days Rodeo.

















A friend recently clued me into a Strawberry Days tradition I hadn't yet participated in, Huck Finn Day. They flood Battlecreek Park, stock it with fish, and allow everyone in the community to bring fishing poles. There are also pony rides and pioneer games. You can view a list of Strawberry Days activities and their details here.

















For the past couple of years, I've had a booth at the Strawberry Days Boutique in the Old Community Center. I make bits and bobs with paper, each year experimenting with something different. The booth is actually an indulgence in my hobby rather than a money-maker. You've got to have a lot more artistic talent than I've got to make a profit. But every year, somebody buys a thing or two and I feel validated in my crafting craze. Some people have enquired about my website...I don't have one. I'm not that organized, but this year I set up a blog where people could go to see the kinds of things I'm making. If you're interested, you can take a gander at "Your Picture Here." It's not a blog that I update on a regular basis. I've simply created an entry for each type of craft I'm working on.














This weekend, consider coming to Pleasant Grove and getting a cup of strawberries and cream for $1. Take a whirl on the ferris wheel. And be sure to try the fresh cut fries!

Donald Where's Your Troosers?

Utah Scottish Festival
Friday June 10th 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday June 11th 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Thanksgiving Point in Lehi










I got my love of hunting through junk shops from my father. Some of his more…er…unique finds, informed our lives in creative ways. Such as…the White Heather Club LP. The White Heather Club was the U.K.’s answer to Lawrence Welk. It was a Scottish televised variety show in the 1960’s.

As kids, our favorite song on the album was "Donald Where's Your Troosers?" Our dad’s name was Donald, so this song used to have us kids rolling on the floor in laughter. As adults, my brother and sister and I can all still sing the chorus:

Let the winds blow high,
Let the winds blow low,
Down the street in my kilt I go
And all the ladies say hello
Donald where's your troosers?

We never tired of reminding our dad to wear pants.

















This wasn’t our only tie to Scotland. Apparently I’ve got Scottish ancestry on both sides of the family. On my father’s side, we belong to Clan Lamont. Family legend says that our surname was originally Lamont and all of the family members were blonde, except for one son. He was called “Black” because of the color of his hair, and the name stuck.

So, in honor of my black sheep relative and namesake, this weekend I’ll make my annual pilgrimage to the Utah Scottish Festival at Thanksgiving Point.















I…Love…This…Festival.



Bagpipe bands
Meat pies
The Wicked Tinkers
Celtic dancers
Authentic Scottish wares
Clan booths
Molly’s Revenge
Highland Games
U.K. wares
Wide variety of food and drink
(including haggis)








This is a fantastic event for the whole family. Utah really embraces its Scottish heritage, and this is well-attended event. There is so much to see, and the entertainment is top notch. One of the most popular draws is The Wicked Tinkers. These guys are incredible musicians and entertainers. It’s impossible to sit still in your seat once their pipes and drums get going.
















There are two places you can go to see more details about this weekend’s festivities: the event’s official website, and Thanksgiving Point’s website . Here you’ll find ticket prices and a schedule of events. Kids 11 and under are free!















Haste ye back, we loue you dearly, call again you're welcome here.
May your days be free from sorrow, and your friends be ever near.
May the paths o'er which you wander, be to you a joy each day.
Haste ye back we loue you dearly, haste ye back on friendship's way.

Romance on the Rooftop

Provo Rooftop Concert Series: Meaghan Smith & Mindy Gledhill

I am—not so secretly—a vintage girl at heart. I love to look back at history through rose-colored glasses that give it a velvety patina of nostalgia. Things seemed simpler and more decent. That’s an illusion of course—as anything viewed through rose-colored glasses will be. My grandmother and grandfather would have pointed out that their survival in the 1930’s and 40’s was anything but simple.

I’ve been doing some reading, lately, about the plight of the British citizens during World War II. I’m embarrassed not to have known about the incredible deprivation and starvation these islanders faced. And I’m amazed at their resiliency and determination.

There’s a single phrase that has been popping up in design and décor a lot lately. “Keep Calm and Carry On.” You can find it on wall hangings, pillows, postcards, and even tissues. The phrase was initiated by the British Ministry of Information in 1939. Distinctive red posters were printed with the slogan in white block letters. They were meant for distribution across the British Isles to boost the morale of citizens during World War II. However, very few were actually distributed.






















In 2000, one of the original posters was found at Barter Books, a second-hand bookstore in Northumberland. The phrase has taken on new meaning in current world-wide recession, and the slogan is getting much more attention that it ever did originally.















Even though I know that earlier eras were also filled with the worry and strife of life, it inspires me to know that people who endured hardships greater than mine did more than just survive; they thrived. And that means I can too.






















All of that rambling has set the stage so that I can announce a new love: the music of Meaghan Smith! Her voice is as clear as a bell, and it has a sort of nostalgic poignancy. In her whimsical illustrated bio, Meaghan says she’s really into the music of the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, and you can definitely hear that vintage sensibility in songs like “If You Asked Me” and “A Little Love.”






















“Here Comes Your Man” fulfills all kinds of lazy summer day fantasies for me. (Check out the video and you’ll see what I mean.)

Here’s the great news! Now you can see Meaghan Smith live—on a rooftop. And as the extra scoop of ice cream on top of the Sundae, appearing with Meaghan is another favorite of mine, Mindy Gledhill! Meaghan and Mindy will be appearing as part of Provo’s Free Rooftop Concert Series.

When: Friday, June 3, 2011 8:00 p.m.
Where: On the roof of the Provo Town Square parking terrace

The concert is free. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs to sit on. You can arrive as early as 6:00 and visit the food and craft vendors in the marketplace direction below the venue (in the Provo Town Square Courtyard).

Meaghan recorded a special tune just for Provoans which you can listen to here.






















Vintage darlings.

It's Not the Destination, It's the Journey

I remember being a college student at BYU and living near the south end of campus. There was a bagel/sandwich place near the old location of El Azetca (you old Provoans know what I’m talking about) that featured local bands on weekends.

I remember going there Friday afternoon for a sandwich before my evening shift waiting tables. I saw Swim Herschel Swim. I went there on a first date with a guy who would be my boyfriend for a semester. We saw an amazing female singer who was trying to raise money for her mission. I was young, I was hip, I was broke…it was all part of being in the Provo alternative music scene.

I took that stroll down the 20-year corridor of memory last Friday night when I decided on a whim to go to Velour in Provo and see what the local college bands had to offer. I had been ironing shirts and watching a re-cap of the royal wedding. But I had an epiphany standing in front of the T.V. clasping my spray bottle. I was middle-aged, I was broke, but damn it…I was still hip. (Or at least hippy.)

I didn’t know where Velour was, but I vaguely remembered there being a club somewhere on Center Street. Well, it isn’t there. It’s on University Avenue. Nothing a little call to 411 and more couldn’t resolve.

Velour was small, hip, and non-alcoholic, much like me. I spotted my friends fairly easily and slid into a seat next to them. When had the bands gotten so young, I wondered. Did they let high school kids in here? The woman seated on the other side of me turned slightly, and we had one of those “don’t I know you?” moments. Sure enough, she and her husband and I had been in a singles ward together. She couldn’t have been more than 4 or 5 years older than I, if that.

“That’s my son,” she said proudly, pointing to the bassist on stage.

Her son?

I am old enough to have given birth to the musicians on stage! Or at least one of them.

I suddenly felt dirty for having noticed how cute the drummer was.

But the evening wasn’t ruined for me. Far from it. While I was no longer the young thing swaying on the dance floor, I felt that my 20-odd years gave me the privilege of anonymity. I sat back and people watched. And I enjoyed myself. And when my younger, hipper friends took off before I did, those extra 20 years had given me the self-assurance to stay seated, listen to the next set, and enjoy being a part of the scene.

So music lovers! If you’ve managed to stay with me thus far, I give you the act you all came to see: The 2011 Season of Downtown Provo’s Free Rooftop Concert Series! The season kicks of this Friday, May 6th at 8:00 p.m. with Fictionist and Paul Jacobsen and The Madison Arm. Concerts take place on the roof of the Provo Town Square parking terrace. Admission is free.

Fictionist is one of eight bands nationally competing to be the first unsigned band featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Paul Jacobsen and The Madison Arm has been featured at the Telluride Bluegrass Troubadour and Folks Fest among others. The concert is being brought to you by CJaneRun.com and Vivint.

I’ll be there. I hope you will be too. You can read more about the event here. Or visit their Facebook page here.