Falling in Love Among the Bookshelves

Georgette Heyer's books probably were lost in one of our many moves. Owen always claims we lost his best boots that way.

Heck, no, you can't wiggle out of it that easy. I remember reading them after we moved to Atchison Street. Have you been moving around much since then?

Well, I wish I'd written this. Actually since I loved many of the same books, this really resonates with me. Thanks for the memories.

Shannon,

Books have been some of my dearest friends since I learned to read. They never disappoint like real people sometimes do.

Another sister jumping in here...No one ever mentions my very favorite Zane Grey book, Under the Tonto Rim. Mom doesn't even remember it at all! Maybe because it wasn't his standard western, but was about a backhills beekeeper and welfare worker Lucy from the city. You can read it online now at http://freeread.com.au/grey-003.html. And how about that huge Lincoln Library we had, which was an encyclopedia in one volume? We read it to death, but I think it finally gave up the ghost when it was used one too many times as your booster chair at the dinner table (as maybe the 6th toddler in the family to do so!).

I now have 15 Zane Grey's books including your favorite as well as mine, The Twin Sombreros & The Drift Fence. Mom

Under the Tonto Rim was one of my favorite Zane Grey books too. I also remember fondly The Maverick Queen and Betty Zane.

What a delicious, delightful, romp through growing up with books! Excellently written essay, Shannon. Keep up the good work. Aunt Carol

Shannon, it was like you being with us still to read what you wrote..... seems our whole family loves books! What a joy they are. We ALL miss you and treasure the various memories. Glad I got to know you as an adult. Bet heaven has a great library and that you are enjoying "falling in love among the bookshelves" all over again.

Gail, you have wonderful children! God bless you
Melba Lu

You had such a way of bringing interest to even the smallest of things from bugs to books. Thanks for sharing your heart. This years Kansas Authors Club theme for the upcoming writers convention fits you so well, "Pen Life As Art Write From The Heart."

June 6th, 2007: Wednesday's performance as Gene Stratton-Porter held at the Wichita Botanica in Shannon's memory was done in front of a packed house. Afterwards several family members toured the butterfly house, knowing Shannon would have enjoyed seeing them as well. Gene Stratton-Porter considered butterflies & moths as winged flowers.