A NEW BOOK FOR THE SPECIAL SHELF

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

Did you survive last night's Stupor Bowl? It's not something I watch.

However, I have a new book for my special shelf that houses first editions and/or autographed books. I'm now the happy owner of Labor Day by Joyce Maynard:

Here's the autograph:

It says

for Janie
with undying faith in the
power of love. And with
friendship

Then she signed her name and drew a little sketch of a woman.

I've read two books by Joyce Maynard: To Die For is loosely based on the Pamela Smart case and was made into a movie starring Nicole Kidman; and At Home In The World, Joyce's memoir.

I watched the movie of Labor Day, which stars Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin. To read my review of the film, click HERE. The movie made me want to read the book.

I didn't obtain this book with the lovely inscription at a signing. Instead, for some reason I can't remember, I looked up Joyce Maynard's Facebook page not long ago. I thought, What the hell?, and sent her a Friend request. She accepted it. I don't know why.

Then I saw a Facebook post from Joyce about Guatemala, where she visits often and has a home. On Christmas Day, 2001, she met a five-year-old named Rosa. Joyce and Rosa became fast friends. Rosa was serious about going to school and studying, but she was the youngest child in a very poor family. Joyce helped fund Rosa's education.

Two years ago, Rosa enrolled in a pre-med program. She has one year left. The people who helped with most of her expenses are not able to do so this year, and Joyce can't take on the total cost herself. She turned to her Facebook friends for help, and offered the gift of a book for a certain level of donation. I give to one charity or more every month. I felt delighted to help Rosa and receive an autographed book.

I had a lovely exchange with Joyce on Facebook, promised that Labor Day would cuddle up to my autographed book of Robert Frost's poems, and made my donation at http://miraclesinaction.org, specifying that the gift was for Joyce Maynard's Rosa fund. I received Labor Day shortly thereafter.

Joyce announced on January 27th that the "Rosa fund" has raised $10,000. 

If you like, you can help Rosa, or assist with other needs in Guatemala, through Miracles In Action at http://miraclesinaction.org. You can read Joyce's post about Rosa at http://goo.gl/e1FMJl.

It feels so good to help.


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

P.S. I won't post on my blog for a couple of days, and I apologize, but my visits to your blogs will be limited. I must spend more time editing.