That's Life

This evening I started an online search about an outdoor bookstore, Bart's Books that my dad had created many years ago in Ojai, CA.  I looked at the  many photographs of the store as it appears now.

It took me back to my childhood.  It also took me back to when my mom had died in a car crash.  One of her friends told me how my mom had expressed many times, that she felt she wasn't a good mother because she didn't spend enough time with me.

 
Funny thing, I never once felt cheated of my parents time.  If anything, when I look back at my childhood, I feel rather blessed.  I had parents who loved each other and worked together in the businesses they owned and operated.  I was allowed to run freely within the business.  I knew they were there if I needed them.

     

My parents had provided me with the most wonderful playground.  My playground had books and comic books of every imaginable kind, there were jewels that sparkled, gleamed and teased this young girl.  Also available was a restaurant with the best food,  on the property there were a couple of ducks, a couple of kitties, outdoor movies on the weekends, occasionally a live outdoor concert, and I suppose if I was older I would've appreciated the visits from some of the famous.

                


Time passes, people grow and change, my parents are gone now.  But, my dad's creation still lives on.  The books are still there, the concerts are still being performed, a kitty still roams the property seeking attention from the patrons, and someday soon I will return to my childhood playground.

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• #11 Comment from suzypwr 
  11/20/06 4:42 PM | Permalink

  You had a great childhood, Mon!
  
  xoxo
• #10 Comment from lifes2odd 
  11/18/06 9:25 AM | Permalink

  This is all so cool. Sounds like the perfect childhood to me :-)
• #9 Comment from sunflowerkat321 
  11/18/06 8:00 AM | Permalink

  Beautiful memories.  A very touching entry.
  
  What a wonderful legacy your family left behind for that community.
• #8 Comment from kaydeejay5449 
  11/17/06 5:26 PM | Permalink

  This entry is so interesting!  The bookstore sounds great.  You were so lucky to have had that experience!  I'd love to hear more if you ever feel like sharing.
  Hugs,  Kathy
  http://journals.aol.com/kaydeejay5449/Yadayadayada/
• #7 Comment from lsfp1960 
  11/17/06 3:43 PM | Permalink

  What wonderful memories and what great pictures...thank you Monica for this little bit of your history.   Linda   http://journals.aol.com/lsfp1960/LindasWorld/