Embrace the Bacongal, and what ever I'm itching to say !

I have a few possessions that belonged to my parents.   Items that hold special memories for me are displayed in my home.   My mom’s glass bell collection and my dad’s acoustic guitar are all in my living room.   People that come to our home sometimes notice them, and I like to mention that they belonged to my parents.   There is one item that I don’t display, it’s too precious and for me acts as a pathway to the past.   A touchstone that when I concentrate can take me to a time when my parents were alive.   My Dad’s camera, a 1978 Mamiya NC-1000 35 MM camera, for me is a talisman of my parents, and my history.   My Mom died from brain cancer when I was sixteen years old.   My Dad died, unexpectedly, when I was thirty-five.   The loss of my parents are the two experiences that have had the biggest impact on who I am.   They were both good, honest and loving human beings that lived their lives with grace and courage.   I know ...

Since I mastered the skill of reading and comprehension I've been blessed with a very strong ability and drive to read.  I read everything.  If I'm caught on the toilet without a device that has an e-book on it, or a magazine, I read the backs of bottles, the inserts in medication, whatever I can reach while ensconced on the throne.  Growing up my Dad had his collection of Reader's Digest stored in the bathroom, along with the collection of coupon toilet paper that was purchased by pimping me out to go buy the limited 2 rolls with the coupon.  Before my first kindle ( I have 4, don't judge) I kept a book on the tank at all times.  I also carried a book in my purse, car or gym bag.  It's a sickness, I know.  I love the weight and smell of a real printed book.  I love the portability of an e-book.  Having a Kindle has not ended my purchasing of printed material. In fact I was humiliated by my own cheapness at the Wilsonville Goodwill....