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Jesse Lipman runs Ground Level Coffee House and it is a wonderful place, magical in the offerings it brings to the community. Itinerant Book Show was a lucky recipient of Jesse's cafe and the atmosphere he creates there.We spoke to at least 20 people that night and had some nice responses to what we do and how we put it all together. Sold a nice amount of books as well and of course, had a great cup of coffee or two.
Lessons from the road keep adding up. First of all, there may be regional differences but those differences have more to do with what our different communities need than with us as citizens here. Second lesson is that driving across half the country lets you see how gorgeous this whole place is and in many cases was. Too much farmland has become housing developments. Too much new commercial space being built even now when the commercial real estate boom is about to enter into nuclear extinction. Third lesson is to go to the local places and listen to the locals talk. Most of us are having all the same experiences. Sad times with too much pressure to keep up our spirits.
But the Itinerant Book Show can do what its original intent was: make us new friends along the road. Give us places where we are known and can add to the evening's discussion. Support local artists and their dreams.
Not too shabby a way to spend an evening. I truly enjoyed it.
Next trip, I am going to do an interview with Jesse because the more I talked to him, the more I realized what a great community organizer he is. We need those types of people today more than ever.
