Rocky's Most Excellent Year!

It was my intention to do an end-of-year post about the ups and downs of my little business, Rocky's Mountain Books. Somehow the Universe decided to cut me some slack in one area of my life, as Rocky's just keeps growing. In the past month alone, Rocky's shipped 70 ORDERS! This was no easy task during the holidays, considering the dirty looks and groans of customers in line behind me at the Post Office as they watched me dump 20 large envelopes on the counter

But by some happy coincidence, Rocky's also hit a DOUBLE in the last week. Drum roll please....Rocky's Mountain Books (the online store), hit 700 SALES! As if this news were not enough to go dancing into the aisles of the blogosphere, Rocky's Mountain Books (the blog), hit 800 PAGE VIEWS! For a blog that published its first post a little over four months ago, that is just incredible!

And, not to be greedy, but in a perfectly symmetrical world I could report 90 positive, five-star feedbacks for Rocky's store, but the count's been sitting at 89 for two weeks. Honestly, can't people take one minute out of all their holiday revelry to leave me positive feedback?

Kate Winslet

Seriously, it did take a lot of hard work and determination on my part to get here. But, as I humbly accept these two honors there are some people I really need to thank. So in typical award show style, big shout-outs and hugs to: my daughter, Kate, who gave me the idea; my good friend, Linda Morris, who is one of the smartest women I know and who kicked my butt in the right direction on more than one occasion; all my Facebook Friends who put up with my harassment and still supported me; Corey Colombin, author and friend, for allowing me to 'use' her as my first Featured Author.

Finally, a big thank you to my husband, Marc, for putting up with a household overrun by books and shipping supplies for months and still asks, "But are you MAKING ANY MONEY?".... Still not sure what the exact answer is to that, dear, but in case you haven't noticed I sure am having fun!
 

The Holidays Are Over...Now What?

We've begun the slow slide into that dark and dreary time of year when it's often a case of just hanging in and getting through it. As I'm writing this, my East Coast friends are hunkered down against the first big winter storm of the season, and most of the rest of us will soon be in the same position.

Rocky's wants you to know we care about your downtime and figured that this is a perfect time to remind you that you can go just about anywhere in a book. So you just stay where you are and read on. I've tried to assemble a few suggestions for activities by way of Rocky's books (providing links to purchase as usual), but to a great extent these are just some ideas to get you thinking on the outer side of the cubicle container when it comes to indoor activities. If you want to purchase one of these books, that's okay too.

PLAY WITH CLAY:

The Art of Jewelry - Polymer Clay, by Katherine Duncan Aimone
If you love making jewelry, you should give polymer clay a try. "Poly clay" has come a long way since the early days of tiny Fimo figures. There are several different brands now available, and it's possible to make some really stunning jewelry as well as functional 3-D pieces. In this book, Katherine Duncan Aimone not only provides a sound basis for understanding polymer clay and its properties, but she also walks you through several jewelry projects from basic to more complex. This tutorial helps you to understand the tools, equipment and other materials that can be combined to create treasures of all sorts.

TAKE A NEW TRIP AROUND THE OLD WORLD:

Travel Guide to Europe 1492, Ten Itineraries in the Old World

We all know what was happening here in 1492, but did you ever wonder what was happening there, in Europe? What was life like in the cities? How did people manage travel? Did they travel? And if they did, where did they go and how long would it take to get there?

Lorenzo Camusso, a noted Italian historian and author of this book, creates ten itineraries for travel in fifteenth century Europe and vividly depicts the sites, sounds, and characters you might have met on your journey.

SIT DOWN AND WORK OUT:

In preparation for your exhausting couch journey through the streets of old Europe, you might want to consider warming up with the ultimate in-home workout guide, The Couch Potato Workout, 101 Exercises You Can Do At Home. Joel M. Press, M.D.has compiled 101 exercises that will help motivate you and burn off a few of those Christmas cookies at the same time. Destined-to-be workout classics like, "Reading the Paper", the "Shower Neck Stretch", and "Toothbrush, Knees Bent" are not likely to turn you into a finely-tuned physical specimen, but they will show you that you have limitless opportunities throughout your day to strengthen your body and provide a greater sense of well-being.

There's lots more, so stay tuned. I don't want to overwhelm you all in one post, and I figured ending with Couch Potato Exercises is challenging enough. Lean forward, reach for the remote. Now repeat...

Merry Christmas to All...

For all my Friends near and far, a little Holiday silliness to say Merry Christmas and thanks for all the support and encouragement! (Scroll down a bit and click the 'Play' button)

A Note From Rocky's About Holiday Shopping/Shipping

The leftovers are packed away, taking up way too much space in your fridge...at least they are in mine (sadly, the entire US military did not show up as anticipated). The Thanksgiving glow is already fading into the frenzied Christmas* shopping mode (*insert appropriate holiday). This is a good time to mention a few things about ordering and shipping from Rocky's Mountain Books to facilitate timely delivery of your gift books.

Rocky's has been passing along ideas for gift books on this blog, and providing links to our product pages for easier ordering. If you spot something you like and proceed to the ordering part of the process with Amazon, don't be deterred by the long shipping lead times! Amazon has a tendency to over-inflate shipping times, especially for book resellers like Rocky's.

Fear not, and don't freak out when you see a lead time of 7-14 days! Firstly, the Evergreen P.O. is magical. I don't know how they do it, but I've sent books to Australia that were received in five business days. Secondly, if you ARE concerned and don't want to stress out about getting your package on time, CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY VIA EMAIL! Rocky's Mountain Books Email
 
I like my relationship with amazon so won't go into detail, but there are ways around this problem so you need to contact me DIRECTLY if you see a book in Rocky's inventory that you absolutely positively have to have ASAP. Simple as that. Now relax, sit back, and order up some holiday book lovin' from your favorite online seller, Rocky's Mountain Books!

Got Dogs? More Holiday Inspirations for Dog Lovers!

If you've followed Rocky's blog for any amount of time, you've probably figured out that I'm a dog lover of the first order. So it should come as no surprise that I'm drawn to books about dogs. For the fun of it, I just checked, and Rocky's has at least 10 in inventory right now. I know your time is valuable so I'm just going to list them with a brief condition description and a link to the specific product page. If you have questions about a specific book, please do not hesitate to ask! 

(To purchase from Rocky's, click title link below, then click on 'Add to Cart' button on right side of product page)

Dog Joy: The Happiest Dogs in the Universe       SOLD OUT

 by the Editors of Bark

Do you love happy dogs? Do pictures of cute, happy, cuddly dogs make you smile and feel good. This book does all of that. Excellent condition with only minor surface scuffing on dust cover.

Dogwise, The Natural Way to Train Your Dog
by John Fisher

Binding is uncreased and pages are tight and clean. Very clean overall, minor scuffing on cover.

Anti-Aging for Dogs: A Longevity Program for Man's Best Friend
by John M. Simon, D.V.M.

Light shelf wear on hard cover. Very tiny dent on bottom of binding edge; binding is uncreased. Pages tight and clean.

Caninestein: Unleashing the Genius in Your Dog 
by Betty Fisher and Suzanne Delzio
Subtitle: 100 Activities to Measure and Enhance Your Dog's Intelligence
Very clean. Normal, light shelf wear on cover with clean tight pages and binding.



Cesar's Way, by Cesar Millan
Subtitle: The Natural Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems
Slight bend to front cover at top corner. One page creased on top corner. Clean and tight.

Bone Appetit, by Suzan Anson
Subtitle: Gourmet Cooking For Your Dog
Moderate scuffing on cover. Slight bend at bottom edge. Pages clean.

How to Raise a Jewish Dog
by Boca Raton Theological Seminary told to Ellis Weiner & Barbara Davilman
Absolutely hilarious. If you have a dog you will love it, Jewish or not.
Slightly worn on cover edges. Turned edge on bottom cover corner. Clean pages and binding.

 

Walkin' the Dog: Denver

Pocket-sized guide, featuring 43 of the best dog walks in and around the city

Excellent condition, Like New

Natural Dog Care, by Celeste Yarnall, Ph.D.
A Complete Guide to Holistic Health Care for Dogs explores every
aspect of holistic care for our canine companions.
Very good, clean copy in like-new condition.

Got Cooks? Holiday Inspirations...

If you like to eat well and are fortunate enough to love (or even really like) someone who loves cooking, Rocky's has a great gift idea for you!

In the culinary arena, there's one publication that stands out above the rest. Cook's Illustrated is the crown jewel in the necklace of culinary publications. If you don't know WHY, check out their own description at Cook's Illustrated. Every recipe is put through its paces by their chefs and tasters. Cook's is 100% ad free with artful illustrations, equipment reviews and how-to articles.
 
When I came across these Cook's Illustrated Annuals, hard bound in green cloth with gold lettering, filled with lush images of steamy plates of goodness, I had a dilemma on my hands. The books beckoned, "Keep Me, Read Me, Love Me". But, with a tinge of regret I decided to send them out into the world to be read and loved by another. 


Cook's Illustrated Annual, 1999 - SOLD!
Cook's Illustrated Annual, 1997
Cook's Illustrated, 1996
Cook's Illustrated, 1994

 
Each one of these delicious volumes contains a year's worth of Cook's Illustrated magazine. The chefs at CI test every recipe repeatedly until they are confident of providing you with foolproof results. Success with recipes like "Rustic Free-Form Apple Tartlets" and "Dried Cherry and Stout Sauce" is within every cook's grasp.

Just like the little basic black dress, the individual issues are a classic, and neither the information nor the instructions will get stale as the years pass.Reasonably-priced and in excellent condition, one or all of these will be a treat to give and receive!


(To view detailed  product information and/or purchase, please click on title of the book)

My "Perfect" Lemony World

"In a perfect world..." is an intriguing phrase. Collectively and individually, we are imperfect. To a degree, that's a good thing. Because (A) it gives us something for which to strive and (B) wouldn't this be a boring place if there were no greater level to achieve and no higher calling to beckon us?

Thankfully, there's much to aspire to and many opportunities for change and growth all along the rocky path of life. You may be wondering why Rocky is waxing so philosophical today; in a blog captioned, "It's All About the Books" one could reasonably conclude that there would be some bookish connection here. Not exactly.

Rocky's Mountain Books is still working hard, gathering new inventory and,selling books like mad. But I am  going through some difficult personal times. Usually, I write when I'm motivated to do so, and at this moment (and no doubt in future ramblings) the emotions and feelings exposed in the personal areas of my life are bound to bleed through.

But there are also wonderful things happening and much joy yet to be squeezed, squoze or squizzin out of my momentarily lemony life. I'm a bookseller. I love that part of my life and hope I can do it for a long time. But meanwhile, I'll be over here making lemonade...