Why Collecting Books Can Come in Handy

[Pulsegleaner]

About three weeks ago, I bumped into a florist who had packets of garden seeds from China (that's not that unusual in the city, with little space, there is no real market for garden centers, so those functions are taken over by florists (and supermarkets). The problem was that these packets had no pictures, just the words for the seed in Chinese, so I had no clue what was what. The florist tried to do her best to help me, but it was taking far too long and I left without purchase. I knew I was going back to that area the next week (there was a new restaurant I had had to pass on due to lack of funds) so I spent the time wondering how I could get around that problem. Suddenly at about 4 in the morning of the day I was to go, I remembered that on my bookshelf was a little book I had gotten as part of a lot of Chinese children's books, a book that was about vegetables. I pulled it off and sure enough it had the characters for each veggie next to a photo! So into my backpack went the book, and when I got there I could simply play match up from picture to packet. It worked (well it sorta worked, the only seed I got that was actually at all interesting was packet of green bean seeds that were from another company and that DID have a photo on the front, so I didn't need the book for them, but the idea was a good one.

As a bonus, a recent book lot I bought has a similar book in Korean, so I'm covered for that now too.

 

[digitS']

I have to wonder about ..

. @Larisa and English. I get it, I like it, it's charming . I try to restrain myself from idioms but there is so much to slang out there. Oh, I don't suppose any of that is likely to be on a seed packet. Maybe, north and south Chinese ?

I was talking to a guy about Mr. McGregor a few days ago. He didn't have a clue ... felt sorry for him.

Steve

 

[Nyboy]

The children's books you collect, can you read them ?

 

[Pulsegleaner]

Generally not, at least, not yet. I used to be able to read a little Spanish and Hebrew, but it has been literally years since I did either. And that really doesn't help much with the others. I have a Rosetta stone set for Japanese somewhere, but where I have literally no clue.

I have to wonder about ..

. @Larisa and English. I get it, I like it, it's charming . I try to restrain myself from idioms but there is so much to slang out there. Oh, I don't suppose any of that is likely to be on a seed packet. Maybe, north and south Chinese ?

I was talking to a guy about Mr. McGregor a few days ago. He didn't have a clue ... felt sorry for him.

Steve

It sort of happens for English speaking people too. I was quite widely educated cartoon wise which means I am familiar with a lot of series from other English speaking regions which most people would assume an American wouldn't. I have wowed British friends by quoting Danger Mouse and Australian ones for knowing about Dot and the Kangaroo. And you recall I introduced myself to @Larisa by making mention of Alexander Volkov's books (for all intents and purposes, the Russian version of The Wizard of Oz) It's just a little unusual when the books come in handy for some purpose OTHER that nice pictures to look at.

 

[Larisa]

I think Mark Twain not offended by me if he knew that on his thick books I put the boxes of seedlings in the spring. Very neat! Fortunately, he had a good sense of humor. In far my youth, I was hiding in the books of romantic letters from men. To my mother is not found. If I have something to stick together, the book can be put on top of as press. And I went with a book on his head for good posture. How much benefit from literature!
By the way, Volkov and all the books about the Land of Oz, I once read to his sons before bed. They also liked, like my childhood.
@digitS' Steve, do not worry! Hakuna Matata! I do not want you to step on your tongue!
Do not brake! Say what you want!
Ништяк!!!

 

[digitS']

Hakuna Matata!

A problem-free philosophy.

I ain't got no worries for the rest of my days!

Steve

 

[Smart Red]

And I went with a book on his head for good posture. How much benefit from literature!
Ништяк!!!

Me, too! I used to practice walking up and down the stairs with trusty books on head. Haven't been able to interest Gypsy to improve her posture that way. So much easier than remembering to stand up straight is practice, practice, practice.