I Am Still Alive - Still

When I came across today's bookmark, I did a double take. The paper and handwriting seemed so familiar, I thought that maybe I had already posted it and that somehow it got shuffled back into another book (it's happened before). After a bit of research, it appears as though this letter is from the same author as the letter featured in this post from 5/23/2011:

http://www.forgottenbookmarks.com/2011/05/i-am-still-alive.html

This letter is also on Red Cross stationery, and the handwriting seems to match up -

Dutch New Guinea
July 12th 1944

Dear Betty Jean

Received your letter and stamps today and was very glad to hear from you. I am sorry that I haven't written before but it is a long story.

You see I am in a new place now and I have been kept pretty busy getting things organized.

My new home is right in the jungle but still is only about 300 yards from the sea shore. The beach is not much good as it is all coral and if you don't wear something on your feet when you go into the water you cut your feet all to pieces.

We have our area here fixed up pretty nice already. We have lights, showers and even gone as far as to make tables and chairs. Of course it takes time and we all have to work together.

The first think I fone when I got here was to dig a foxhole and boy right now it is the best buddy I have. The Japs paid us a visit a few nights ago.

We have a movie screen only about 25 feet from our tent and they have shows every other night. It's a good thing they have something to keep our morale up.

I had begun to think you folks had forgotten me as I had not heard from you in so long. I haven't heard from Aunt Elgia (?) now in months. I began to think she was mad at me over something.

I don't have much time right now Betty, so guess I will have to write you again when I find time. Thanks for the stamps. Oh say you might as well save your money as I can get them over here now. When it is so I can't get them again I will let you know.

Write soon, I hope you are all fine and say hello to the whole family for me.

Yours truly, George.

Now, it's amazing that I found this, but not absurdly so. I likely bought a few boxes from the same auction lot, and it just took me this long to get to the rest of the books.

Found in "The Damon Runyon Story" by Ed Weiner. Published by Popular Library, 1948.

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"Looking Glass" winner

This week's giveaway winner is Carrie Klein, who entered on Facebook. Thank you for all the entries! See you next week.

Number 1001: Giveaway winner

OK, I guess this was a good giveaway. Record-setting number of entries. It took me nearly an hour to copy/paste them all into notepad to send them to random.org.

Winner of the 1000th Post Giveaway was AES, who entered here on Forgotten Bookmarks. I'll be sending you an email after I post this...

...as for the rest of you, a very sincere thank you for all of your good wishes. I wouldn't be here without you - and I hope to continue giving you all something to smile about.

-M

History Winner

This week's giveaway winner was Sheri Fenley, who entered right here on Forgotten Bookmarks. Many thanks to all of you who enter every week, I look forward to seeing your names for the next one.

Poe giveaway winner

TONS of entries. You guys must really like Poe.

Winner of the ten volume set was Reading Rambo, who entered right here on the site. I'll be contacting you shortly.

Thanks to all who entered, I'll try and get a post up today.

False Start

The bookshop has been semi-closed for the last week plus; our employee has been on vacation, and I've been busy taking care of a new baby and a recovering wife. Today was set to be our re-opening day. I had spent much of Monday puttering around in the store, making sure everything was ready to go. Little did I know that a great beast was lurking behind the shelves, waiting to strike when the lights were down and I was safely tucked into bed.

The last few days have been cold, bitter cold. Sunday morning greeted me with a -11 F reading. It was cold enough to freeze the water pipes at the store. This was no great surprise, the pipes have frozen at least 50 times since we've been here. So as I was leaving the shop last night, I made sure to close up all the open faucets and turn-off valves in the bathroom, in case the pipes warmed overnight. It was a routine I've done many times.

I wanted to get an early start this morning, as with yesterday's holiday, we would have twice the orders to wrap up and get out. I was in by 7:30 or so, and the first thing I noticed when I walked in the door was that there was a big puddle. At first I thought some snow might have drifted under the door and melted, as the winds were high last night. Then I heard the sound. The great hissing of the beast.

It took me a second to realize what had happened and what I had to do. I sloshed though the water and over to the main shut-off. The hissing quieted, then stopped. I got up off the floor and took a good look; it was still mostly dark outside, and the only light was from the EXIT sign above the door. I noticed the reflection on the floor, rippling. This wasn't just a little water. It's a good thing I wore my boots.

---

Thank you for indulging me a bit. I'm a little overwhelmed. And sad. And angry... but I wanted to let you know where I've been this morning. For a moment, I wondered what I was doing here on Blogger in the middle of this emergency, but I realized that you all are my friends, and I'm here to share news with you, good or bad. Today is not good, but we're all alive and it appears that we have only lost about $10,000 in books or so. It could  have been a lot worse...

The pipe burst right behind my desk, where we keep a lot of the expensive books, and where I keep all the forgotten bookmarks. I lost most of them:

So, we'll see what this week brings. I can't promise you anything, but you can be sure I'll do my best. Here are a few more pictures for you:

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Some News

Apologies for no content yesterday; as some of you found out on Twitter and Facebook, my wife gave birth to a very happy and healthy baby girl (our first). We'll both have our hands full for the next couple of decades, but I promise to have some new bookmarks here for you soon - and I will do my best to get a giveaway up tomorrow. Feels natural to give back after so much has been given to us.

-Michael

Giveaway winners

Yes, I said winners. I was reminded that this is the last giveaway of the year - and it's been a damn good year for Forgotten Bookmarks, thanks to all of you. I thought I would throw together a few more prizes.

Winner of the original 17 vintage books was Kelly Marriott, who entered on Facebook.

Second prize are these matched volumes:

Winner of this batch was thisgirlremembers, who entered right here on Forgotten Bookmarks.

Last, not least, are these:

Winner of these was @ChasingAmyK, who (of course) entered on Twitter.

I will do my best to contact each of you, but if you see this - email me: fb@forgottenbookmarks.com

Have a safe New Year!




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Giveaway winner

This week's giveaway winner was Faythe Levine, who entered right here on the site.

 As always, many thanks to everyone who entered! Have a fantastic holiday, and I'll see you all on Monday.

Giveaway winner

Winner of the 24 children's books was Audry, who entered right here on the site. Thanks to everyone for entering and for all the birthday wishes.

Audry, I'm off to leave a comment on your blog. Feel free to get in touch: fb@forgottenbookmarks.com

Giveaway winner -

Winner was Amber (this one, in case there were more than one)

 Please email me at fb@forgottenbookmarks.com so I know where to send it!

Friday giveway - three winners

"Stories by American Authors" winner was Kels H., who entered here on the website.

 "Stories by Foreign Authors: winner was Karen (this Karen, there were a couple), who entered here on the website.

 Finally, winner of the dictionaries and language books was Wyndy Youngblood, who entered on Facebook (best name ever?)

 Thanks to everyone for entering!

I will try and get in touch with all three of you, but please email me at fb@forgottenbookmarks.com when you read this.

Friday Giveaway: The Winners

Another great turnout for this week's giveaway, I can't tell you how much fun I have with these.

To the winners...

Winner of the lovely copy of "Huckleberry Finn" was Claudia Li, who entered on Facebook.

Winner of the English Authors set was doris, who entered on the website.

Winner of the "Hours In A Library" set was @hotdirtyfork, who entered on twitter.

 That certainly worked out nicely!

 I'll be trying to get in touch with all three of you, but if you see this, please send me an email so I know where your books are going: fb@forgottenbookmarks.com


 Thanks for another fun giveaway!

Giveaway winner

Happy to report that this week's winner was MrCachet - a familiar face around these parts for some time. I'll email you in a moment.

Alcott winner

Winner of the three Alcott books was Country Girl (of http://poplaridge.blogspot.com), who entered right here on the site. 

I'll try and get in touch with you, but it's always easier if you email me:

 fb@forgottenbookmarks.com

 Thanks!

Giveaway winner

Tons of entries to sort through and format, I apologize for the delay... Winner of the 24 children's books was kellytirman, who entered right here on Forgotten Bookmarks. Thanks to everyone who entered.

Nonfiction winner

This week's winner was @RyanAdams, who entered over on Twitter.

Giveaway winners

I have two winners to announce this morning, so let's get to it.

Winner of the Star Wars giveaway was @posiegirl - who entered on twitter.

Winner of the second giveaway was Ashley Teal, who entered on Facebook.


But wait - I can't allow my faithful readers here on the blog to go home empty handed...

I've taken the entries from both giveaways and picked a winner for the super-secret third prize:

Two terrific Arthur C. Clarke books, "The Exploration of Space" and "The Promise of Space" and a little battery-powered Millennium Falcon.

Winner of this little bunch was Suz and Allan.

To the winners - if you see this, send me an email: fb@forgottenbookmarks.com

I'll be trying to get in touch with all of you on my own, but it ever hurts to check in.

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Harry Potter winner

Winner of the two Harry Potter books was Maggie Dempsey, who entered over on Favebook.

Many thanks to all of you who entered, it was a great turnout this week.

Extra special big thanks with hugs for those of you who donated to the local animal shelter. I will post a picture when I bring the money over!

Giveaway winner

The Black Beauty winner was Whistler - please contact me via email so I know where to send your book:

fb@forgottenbookmarks.com