This is a place for me to muse out loud about our adventure, the world, politics, and anything else that pops to mind. I invite you to jump into the comment threads and join the conversation. The awesome thing about blogging is that it is a communal activity. Let's commune!
...my favorite place to hang out--is closing its door forever!
Many of us are sadden by the threat. Instead of mourning, many of us are pulling together to save Dudley's.
Here is a letter from a friend that says it all what Dudley's all about:
Greetings,
I’m writing on behalf of the way things ought to be. I’m writing on behalf of why I live in Bend. I’m writing on behalf of what we talk about when we talk about community.
One of downtown Bend’s most precious, humane, and resourceful resources – Dudley’s Bookshop Café - is perilously close to closing – for ever. This place where books (Books!) are cheap, music is free, readings are plentiful, where couches are soft and coffee is strong, and where everyone is welcome whether they buy a
book or not – this place is on the brink.
I know, I know – lots of businesses and lots of individuals are on the brink, scraping by, barely making it, not making it. So why am I willing to put my own money up to try and keep Dudley’s open? Because Dudley’s is possibly the downtown area’s most important business. It’s more than retail – it’s a resource. You go
to Dudley’s to meet and talk with friends, drink a cup of tea or coffee, meet with your book group, find a used copy of a book someone recommended, listen to local gossip, sit and stare. It’s the Village Commons if Bend has one. It’s a community space, as much as any space in town.
So, here’s what I’m proposing – I’ll chip in one tenth of Dudley’s rent for the coming month – I’ll tithe, in other words. Are there nine other tithers out there? Or 18 others who would pay one-twentieth of the rent bill? Or 100 who could slide a ten dollar bill out of their pocketbook?
Don’t be shy. Step up if you can. Or do you have a better idea than mine for keeping Dudley’s open? Let’s hear it.
Support Dudley’s, support community, support the best of Bend! Go there and buy a book, buy a coffee, use this resource or lose it. And pass the word!
If you have any sort of contribution, money or ideas or anything else, let me know – let everyone know. And pass the word.
Thanks for reading this,
John Martin
If you are a patron (local or live out-of-town,) do stop by and show Terri and Neil that you care and appreciate all that they have shared and built such dynamic community!
Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried playdough doesn't come out of shag carpet.
Real Mothers sometimes ask "why me?" and
get their answer when a little voice says, "because I love you best."
Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured
by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mama to Mommy to Mother.
It's the little things that count and beauty in the very smallest thing a mother sees...for there's a little bit of heaven in a small child's offering that give a mother pleasure. Wishing every mother a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
On most Friday evenings, it's not difficult to find me
...at Dudley's Bookshop Cafe in heart of downtown, Bend. This evening was quite a treat...music to the ear. One of my favorite local musician (ex-San Francisco Bay Area resident) Mark Barringer performed a piece he discovered recently on YouTube below
The beginning is now and will always be
You say you lost your chance, then fate brought you defeat
but that means nothing, you look so sad
You've been listening to those who say you missed your chance
There's another train, there always is
Maybe the next one is yours
Get up and climb aboard another train
You feel you're done there's no such thing
although you're standing on your own your own breath is king
The beginning is now don't turn around
Regrets of bad mistakes will only drain you
There's another train, there always is
Maybe the next one is yours
Get up and climb aboard another train
We crawl in the dark sometimes and think too much
Then we fill our heads with crazy things that only break our hearts
and I know you've seen what the earth can do
When it's dragging down another load of worrisome fools
There's another train, there always is
Maybe the next one is yours
Get up and climb aboard another train
I know it's hard when you feel confused
You can crown yourself with fear now you feel you cannot move
You're building worlds that don't exist
Imagination plays the worst tricks
There's another train, there always is
Maybe the next one is yours
Get up and climb aboard another train
There always is
Maybe the next one is yours
Get up and climb aboard another train
What a powerful sound and lyrics! This is Pete Morton's classic song/anthem with the audience in good form.
If you're local or ever in town visiting, be sure to stop by my favorite store Dudley's Bookshop Cafe! Terri and Neal, the gentle-souls/owners, believe in their cause...recycle books...support local musicians...big supporter of higher education for youths and The Nature of Words...and build a strong community. Many of us would love to see Dudley's here to stay. Ooooh, they serve mean coffee drinks, teas, and real-fruit smoothies too.
I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands
True learning-learning that is permanent and useful,that leads to intelligent action and further learning, can arise only out of the experience, interest, and concerns of the learner. John Holt
Real heroes are men who fall, fail and are flawed, but win out in the end because they stayed true to their ideals, beliefs and commitments. Actor Kevin Costner
