Wild Release #176

Another week, another late, but completed, SSM! I was having too much fun at Niece No. 7's birthday party yesterday, so I wasn't able to complete my SSM until today. I left "Celtic Design: The Tree of Life," by Aidan Meehan, in the windowbox planter outside dV8 Espresso Bar & Gallery on South Pennsylvania Avenue in Greensburg. It's a really cute and funky coffee bar/art gallery and I hope it's able to stay in business a good long time.

This week's challenge, set by dicentragirl, follows:

SSM 033008: Art
When: March 30th 2008
How: Today is Vincent Van Gogh’s birthday. Celebrate by releasing a book relating to art or artists at a gallery or other artsy place.

Catch #19!

"The Giant's House: A Romance," by Elizabeth McCracken, has found a new home at last. I think about this book every time I visit Barnes & Noble (where I released it two months ago) and wonder about its fate, but I needn't wonder anymore. I just received notification that the book was caught and journalled. Welcome to BookCrossing, alliehope, and thanks for taking good care of the giant!

Wild Releases #174 & #175

I was back in Ligonier this morning as part of my Daffodil Days duties, so I left "Princess in Pink," by Meg Cabot, on a bench outside the Ligonier Giant Eagle before setting up our daffodil selling area there. By the time I left, the book, which was release #25 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge, had been scooped up.

On my way home from Ligonier, I stopped at the Mountain View Inn in Greensburg. It's a lovely, historical hotel and conference center, and it was in dire need of a BookCrossing release, so I left "Executive Privilege," by Jay Brandon, on a picturesque white bench outside the front door.

Wild Releases #172 & #173

Ligonier, Pa., is the *cutest* little town. I wish I could just pick it up and squeeze it, it's so cute. There is a bandstand gazebo in the center of town where the two main streets meet and form a diamond. The streets themselves are lined with beautiful old houses and funky art and antique shops. I was in Ligonier today selling daffodils for the American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days campaign and when I was finished, I explored the town a bit and left a couple of books behind. I left Tom Wolfe's "The Right Stuff," on a bench outside the front door of Ivy's Café, then walked down to the Diamond and left Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" on the bandstand.

These books were releases #23 and #24 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

Wild Release #171

Last week's release on my way to the Courthouse was a great success (see Wild Release # 167), so I decided to press my luck today. I left "A Separate Peace," by John Knowles, in the Helman-Ghrist Parking Lot on North Main Street in Greensburg, on the bench by the parking ticket courtesy box around 3:30 p.m.

Release #22 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

RABCK #81

I was very pleased and surprised to find Night, by Elie Wiesel, in my mailbox in early February--a RABCK from dg7500, who saw it on my wishlist. I finished reading it last night and, in keeping with this particular book's RABCK tradition, I mailed it to CollegeLady in California, who also has it on her wishlist. Enjoy!

Wild Release #170

I had a late lunch at Wendy's on Route 119 in South Greensburg today, and took the opportunity to expand my releasing horizons by leaving "First Avenue," by Lowen Clausen, on the brick ledge outside the front door on my way out. I was going to leave it on my way in, but I happened upon the door at the same time someone was coming out and holding the inner door open for me and I didn't want to be too obvious. So the book and I kept each other company over a single with fries and then parted ways as friends who hope to keep in touch.

Wild Release #169

I was a bit late with this week's SSM thanks to Easter Sunday and work and recovering from a 48-hour gastrointestinal virus, which is probably more information than anyone wanted to hear. Anyway, once all the planets aligned for me, I was able to leave "The Seduction of Water," by Carol Goodman, at Twin Lakes Park, propped up on one of the supports of the fishing gazebo, almost exactly like the one on the cover of the book. I did take a release photo, and I will upload it here as soon as the planets are in alignment again for me.

This week's challenge, set by dicentragirl, follows:

SSM 032308: Water Water Everywhere
When: March 23rd 2008
How: March 22nd is World Day for Water. Celebrate by releasing a water-related book near a fountain on a bridge or other water feature.

Catch #18!

Another fast catch for me! Tom Clancy's "Breaking Point" was caught and journaled only six hours or so after I released it today. Thank you for journaling and joining, Lockmup, and welcome to BookCrossing!

Wild Release #168

"The Incredible Journey," by Sheila Burnford, has taken the first step on its own incredible journey. I left this book at the Post Office on South Pennsylvania Avenue in Greensburg, propped up in the window next to the door that leads into the post office box area.

Release #21 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

Wild Release #167

It's been awhile since I released anything at The American Coffee Shop on North Main Street in Greensburg and since the sun was shining and I was going past anyway, I left Tom Clancy's "Breaking Point" on a chair on the sidewalk in front of the store. Someone else had left a glove on the table--I wonder if it was labeled with a tracking number, too!

Wild Releases #165 & #166

Two catches in a row seemed to deserve two wild releases in a row, so I left Jeffrey Deaver's "The Empty Chair" in an empty chair in the service department at Kenny Ross Ford in Adamsburg, followed by Eoin Colfer's "The Opal Deception" outside of Panera Bread in North Huntingdon. The Deaver release was the first ever BookCrossing book officially left in Adamsburg, Pa. Here's hoping it's the first catch soon!

Catch #17!

Sara Gran's "Come Closer" checked in exactly one month after I left it behind for some lucky gardens, glass, and book lover to find while visiting the Chihuly Gardens & Glass show at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh. This is the first time I have had two catches in a row with no releases in between. I like it!

Catch #16!

Faith and Begorrah! The luck o' the Irish was with me today since "'Tis" has been caught already, not even an hour after I released it! If only I had played the lottery today as well. Thanks for picking up and journaling the book, McFarlin, and welcome to BookCrossing!

Wild Release #164

I have been saving this book specifically for this day: what better day to release Frank McCourt's memoir, "'Tis," than St. Patrick's Day? And where better to release it than outside the only Irish bar in Greensburg, Callahan's on South Main Street. I planned to release it on my way to Sister No. 6's house, but there was a man with a flashing shamrock necklace milling about on his cell phone, so I waited until I was on my way home to rescout the area. My first pass showed deserted streets, sidewalks, and doorways, so I went around the block, determined to make the drop. Wouldn't you know that my next pass revealed traffic, pedestrians, and patrons leaving the bar? Undeterred, I waited until the coast was clear and was able to prop the book up on a very handy ledge just outside the front door. Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Wild Release #163

It's the day before St. Patrick's Day, so of course this week's SSM would have something to do with the wearing o' the green. We SSMers were charged with releasing a green book somewhere green--not as easy as it sounds when it's still drab, grey, blah winter in southwestern Pennsylvania. Nonetheless, I do have an advantage living in Greensburg, Pa. I released P.D. Eastman's "Are You My Mother?" on a green bench at the can't-wait-to-be-green Lynch Field in Greensburg.

This week's challenge, set by dicentragirl, follows:

SSM 031608: Think Green!
When: March 16th 2008
How: Come celebrate spring and St. Patrick’s Day. Release books somewhere green and beautiful. Bonus points for books that have green covers.

Wild Release #162

We had a birthday bash for Sister No. 2 at the Bowl-A-Rena in Jeannette, Pa., this afternoon, and it was the perfect chance to expand my releasing horizons. I left Dav Pilkey's "Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 1: The Night of the Nasty Nostril Nuggets" (*whew!* say *that* five times really fast!) between two bowling balls on the rack for lanes 1 through 4. The book was gone by the time we left, but I think it may be in the lost and found, rather than being loved by a new owner. :(

Wild Release #161

Mom and I had a yen for breakfast at dinner time, so we headed to Eat 'n Park for some Breakfast Smiles (eggs, sausage, potatoes, toast) and fresh coffee. Still hopeful that I'll get a catch and journal entry from one of the many books I have left there, I decided to leave another to increase my odds. I released Jimmie H. Butler's "Red Lightning Black Thunder" on top of the ATM in the vestibule. C'mon, number 9--write home soon!

Wild Release #160

I went to the Shop 'n Save on Route 136 & Janyce Drive during lunch on a quest for 39¢ stamps; the Post Office in downtown Greensburg assured me I could find them there. They were mistaken. Apparently only one person has access to 39¢ stamps at that location, and he wasn't working there today. It was not a wasted trip, however. I left C. N. Bean's "A Soul to Take" on the pay phone in the vestibule. Guess I'll be ordering stamps online tonight!

RABCKs #76 - #80

Five books are on their way to nuyear1975 in Wisconsin, to distribute to children for her school's annual book fair in April. The books are: Long Shot for Paul, Dirt Bike Racer, Spooky Halloween Party, Little Witch's Big Night, and Lovable Lyle.

According to nuyear1975, "Our school holds an annual book exchange each year in April. The children are in grades kindergarten thru 5th grade. Many of the students do not have books to bring to exchange, so they just do not attend. I am hoping to get enough books together so that any child that wants to attend is able to and able to take a book home with them ... The children are able to exchange books as well as have a hot dog, chips and a drink. I can not guarantee that your books will be journaled after me because many of the familes do not have computers in their homes, but please know that they will be loved by a child."

Wild Release #159

We had dinner once again at Bob Evans Restaurant in Greensburg, and again, it was the perfect opportunity to release a book. I left Peggy Parish's "Teach Us, Amelia Bedelia" on the bench outside the front doors when we went in; it was gone when we left. I'm sure a journal entry is on its way!

Wild Release #158

Pizza was on the menu for dinner this evening, and I was the lucky one who was sent to get it. I left "Red Phoenix," by Larry Bond, propped up on a ledge outside the dining room door of the Red Brick Restaurant and Lounge in West Point Plaza, Greensburg. It was uncharacteristically unbusy this evening—I hope business, and the book, pick up soon.

Wild Release #157

Ever since I registered this book, I thought the perfect release spot for it would be a pet store. I had errands to run that took me in the vicinity of PetSmart today, so I decided to make a little detour and leave it there. Since there are bird cages on the cover, I left "Trouble at Bett's Pets," by Kelly Easton, on top of one of the empty bird cages that were for sale.

Wild Release #156

This week's SSM dovetailed nicely with my 20th release for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge. I left "Hannibal," by Thomas Harris, snuggled up next to his movie version in the Suspense area of Blockbuster on East Pittsburgh Street in Greensburg.




This week's challenge, set by dicentragirl, follows:

SSM 030908: Let’s Go To the Movies
When: March 9th 2008
How: Leave a book at a video rental store. Match up movies with the books they are related to.

Wild Release #155

I released "The Kill," by Allison Brennan, while I was doing some errands about town. I propped it up on the bench in the entranceway of 101 North Main Street in the hopes that a passerby will pick it up and take it home with them, then run in to the house to journal their find immediately!

Wild Release #154

My car was filthy with leaves and debris of various unknown origins and was crying out to be vacuumed, so I stopped by the car wash next to Blockbuster on East Pittsburgh Street in Greensburg and gave it what it asked for. I thought it was a great opportunity to leave a themed release behind: "Good Driving, Amelia Bedelia," by Herman Parish, was left in a BookCrossing release bag on top of the coin-collecting contraption in one of the car wash bays. It should stay clean and dry until someone takes it home with them.

RABCKs #73 - #75

Three books are on their way to Kimmi in British Columbia, Canada, to distribute to children in Kampala, Uganda, when she visits there this summer. The books are: When I'm Sleepy, Six Sticks, and Oops, Clifford!

According to Kimmi, "About eight teachers are going to work in the schools and other volunteers are going at the same time to put together a resource/library type center for teachers, parents and children. More info about the project is at: www.niteoafrica.org."

Wild Release #153

I had a couple of deposits to make at the bank, and I had the perfect book to leave behind. "Banker," by Dick Francis can be found on top of one of the planters outside the parking lot entrance of Citizens Bank on South Main Street in Greensburg. The cover of the book is different than this one--more green, if I remember correctly--so hunters should look for the BookCrossing release bag it is in.

Catch #15!

"Payback" didn't languish long on the Combos shelf at Sheetz. An Anonymous Finder reports that "I found the book on a shelf at Sheetz convenient store, right before my shift was over. I plan to read it and leave at an unknown place." Thank you, AF!

Wild Release #152

A craving for Diet Mountain Dew led me to Sheetz in Greensburg on my way back to work from lunch. While I was in the snacks aisle, I left Thomas Kelly's "Payback" on the shelf with the Combos.

Wild Release #151

This evening I had the honor of releasing the first BookCrossing book ever in Norvelt, Pa. How do I know it was the first ever in Norvelt? There were no release zones in the drop-down list on BookCrossing, which could only mean that none had ever been released in the town before. I left Alistair MacLean's "San Andreas" inside Johnson's Hardware on Main Street; it's in a BookCrossing bag on an endcap near the garden hoses.

Originally called “Westmoreland Homesteads," Norvelt was established April 13, 1934, by the federal government as part of a New Deal homestead project. With 250 homes, Norvelt provided housing, work, and a community environment to unemployed workers and their families during the Great Depression. It was renamed “Norvelt" in 1937 in honor of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and her interest in the project.

Wild Release #150

Three restaurant releases in the last three days; you may be thinking I should eat *in* more often. This time, however, it was a work function that required my presence at Eat 'n Park across from Westmoreland Mall, and as usual, I took the opportunity to release a book. I left C.S. Lewis' "Out of the Silent Planet" on the pay phone in the lobby.

Wild Release #149

Mom and I met Sister No. 3, Niece No. 1, and Nephew No. 1 at Bob Evans Restaurant in Greensburg for dinner this evening--another opportunity to spread the BookCrossing karma for me. I left "My Side of the Mountain," by Jean Craighead George, on the bench outside the restaurant when we went in and it was gone by the time we came out an hour later.

Release #19 for MRWiley's 2008 Movie/TV/News books release challenge.

Wild Release #148

Sister No. 2 and Nieces Nos. 3, 4, and 5 took my mother and me out for lunch at The Olive Garden today, and I slipped a book in my jacket intending to release it on one of the benches outside. When we got there, the benches were all occupied by people waiting for tables, so my plan was foiled. We had to wait about 30 minutes for a table, so I took my nieces—and my book—over to Barnes & Noble. I was able to leave Janet Evanovich's "Metro Girl" on an unoccupied bench outside of The Boulevard on the way. When we left Barnes & Noble 25 minutes later, we were pleased to see the book had disappeared.