No Such thing as Normal.

4 Sundays out of the last 5 I have been to Waterstones cafe in Darlington, and 4 Sundays out of the last 5 I have bought at least one book.

But not today. Yes, I had already bought other things in town, but no books gave me their intuitive nudge today.

Instead I looked at the words all around me, as I drank coffee.

Words, Words, Symbols, meanings.

It was poetry books, both in the children’s section and upstairs that did attract me, but I know that I never read poetry when I buy it.

So I just looked at the words all around, all the words I could see from where I was sitting. Paying attention, to them, as they are.

And with my newly bought pen and notepad, started to write them down.

Words of Waterstones Cafe.

Durham, Powered by Steam

Hot Drinks, The Sleeping Beauties

Fossils, The Spare Parts

Organic Coffee, Sit in or take away.

The Beatles, Bloody Brilliant People

Free Hot Drink, Happy.

Start where you are, The little book of Bananas

How to grow a garden, Chai latte.

Practical Self-Sufficiency, Footprints

In praise of Walking, Slugs

Automobile, No Snoring

Coffeeland, Hunter killers.

Northeastern Railway, A treachery of spies

Biography, They.

A History of God, Abyss

Freedom, No such thing as normal.

Elephants, Limited.

My Life, How to build a tree house

What If? Stillness is the key

The Path, Nothing to envy.

(James Ballantyne)