The Bookmark Project: Winter Vibes

Photo illustration by Stacy Reich

On a night like this

I can’t get any sleep

The air is so cold outside

And the snow’s so deep

Build a fire, throw on logs

And listen to it hiss

And let it burn, burn, burn, burn

On a night like this

—Bob Dylan, “On a Night Like This”

If not for you

Winter would have no spring

—Bob Dylan, “If Not for You”

The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree

Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued.

—Robert Frost, “Dust of Snow”

To begin with, please forgive the unreasonable number of epigraphs, but I could not part with any of them. Many soul-stirring words have been written about winter, the coldest and darkest season, and if you’re not spending the winter in South Florida, chances are you will experience at least some snowfall, icy conditions and freezing temperatures before it’s over. Even here in Palm Beach County, there’s been a chill in the air. Whether you dread winter weather, or find it exhilarating, I hope you will take time to relax with a mug of hot cocoa and enjoy this Winter Vibes ‘found items’ collection. A photo taken from a balcony of the empty snow-blanketed night street below, a note of encouragement written in a New Year’s card during the Covid lockdown, a letter written to family and friends expressing gratitude at the start of a new year and a drawing of the regal Snowy Owl are among the objects that seemed appropriate for a January grouping. Sending warm wishes for a happy new year from the Friends volunteers!

The Bookmark Project is an ongoing effort by Friends Bookstore volunteers to collect all items left in donated books. We are incredibly grateful to our book donors as they allow us to offer gently used books to the public at affordable prices, which in turn allows us to fund major library programs and projects. Please enjoy this collection of found items and please visit our bookstore Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., closed Monday. (For more information, call us at 561-544-8596 and press 9.)

To read about the origin of The Bookmark Project, click here: https://www.bocalibraryfriends.org/post/the-bookmark-project-by-stacy-reich