A Lesson in Patience and a Giveaway
I’m an avid reader and reading, on average, a few books per week. I have a few favorites that I read over and over again, Living Seasonally: The Kitchen Garden and the Table at North Hill being my most favorite and the one I’ve read most (with East of Eden coming in a close second). I first read this book many years ago and fell in love. Not only do the authors portray a beautifully simple seasonal lifestyle in their kitchen garden, their way with words is perfect, almost better than photos. I keep checking this book out of the library over and over again, and each time I notice there are fewer and fewer copies in my library consortium. This past time there was only one, I decided it was time to buy a copy for my library.
I’ve been eyeing this book for years on Amazon and checking at any used book store I visit, searching to find it at a good price without any luck. I also added it to my wish list on Paperback Swap even though I’ve never seen a copy there either. Usually it’s being listed for $150 or more anywhere they have it, that’s a bit out of my price range for a book, no matter how much I love it.
Being threatened with the risk of not being able to read it again if the local libraries lost or sold their only copy, I decided it was time to finally buy a copy. I found one used for a price I could afford. Even though I paid more than I usually do for a book, with the number of times I’ll read this book, the price actually seemed reasonable for the amount of joy and inspiration I find in it’s pages.
Ironically, while still waiting for the book I purchased to arrive in the mail, I received an e-mail from Paperback Swap that another member sent a copy of this book to me. That means I got a copy of the book for FREE. I was flabbergasted!
Generally, I’m very patient person, waiting for quite a while before purchasing anything. This patience has saved me thousands of dollars in the past, on everything from t-shirts to land. Maybe I was impatient in my purchase of this book, or maybe I valued it enough to finally spend the money on it. Either way, I’m happy that I have two copies because now I can share this book with someone else. It certainly is a good reminder to be patient and to remember that the phrase “Good things come to those who wait” is very, very true. So faithful readers, my impatience will reward one of you.
Comment below for your chance to win my extra copy of Living Seasonally. For extra chances to win: use the icon below to tweet this post with the hashtag #chiotsrun or head on over the my FaceBook and share this post.
We have a winner! KimH a fellow Ohio gardener has won (if you didn’t get my e-mail make sure you contact me through the link in the sidebar).
Are you a patient person? Have you ever had an experience that reminded you of the important of being patient? Do you have a favorite book you’ve been trying to find a copy of for your library?
Filed under Miscellaneous | Comments (135)
I’m not a patient person but I’m working on it. This book has been on my wish-list for almost a year!
to Jennifer's comment
I wish I was more patient… there’s always hope for mellowing with age, right?
I recently saw this book and made a mental note to circle back to it… serendipitous of you to reccomend it. (and have an extra copy!)
to bethany's comment
This book has been on my Amazon Wish List for a while.
I think I would consider myself a relatively patient person. It’s really more a matter of necessity than any kind of personality trait, though. Wanting a newly refinished kitchen isn’t going to get me one any sooner, sadly. But that doesn’t mean I don’t check and double-check my seedling containers every day to see if the seeds I planted came up yet.
to itchbay's comment
Am I patient? I like to think so! Actually, you should ask the people around me for the truth!
Anyway, I would love to win the book, but would also love to see someone else blessed, and I’m happy you finally have your beloved book!
to Donna's comment
I’ve recently been very inspired by the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver and decided I needed to get copies for all the women in my family. Our Friends of the Library in New York State tend to have book sales a few times a year. I went to the one for Tompkins County last month and got one copy for a few dollars. I’ll be checking out the sale for my own home library this weekend. I tend to be a bit impatient myself but that’s something I’m working on.
to Michelle Wells's comment
I guess I’m not so much patient as I am indecisive and a procrastinator. Does that work out?
to bonnie's comment
Patience – yeah, yeah, yeah, how long will *that* take?
Sorry.
Mostly I never feel like I’m patient, but when I sit back and look at parts of my life, I must be patient at least some of the time, or my life wouldn’t work the way it does. I suspect starting a garden has had some bearing on that as well.
I collect issues of a comic book not at all common in the US. But I’m not fanatical enough to comb through eBay and all the like on a daily basis or anything. Instead, I look through Powells City of Books as often as I can, I’m always watching the library sales, and one or two people I know have amazing luck making connections once or twice and year and give me copies for my birthday sometimes.
Patience *and* favorite reading material! That should earn me a runner-up prize at least, donchathink? ;)
to trashmaster46's comment
I am much more patient than when I was younger, but I still have a long way to go.
I would love to win a copy of the book. Thank you for your generosity :)
to dkswife's comment
I think it’s hard to answer whether I have patience or not with a yes or no answer. For me, I have differnet levels of patients with the person or situation.
The book sounds lovely! I checked out the paperbook swap website for a few minutes. When I have more time, I’ll look it over a little more. Your library seems to have more available than mine and our Borders has closed, so some websites like that may be what I need!
Thanks!!
to Andrea Duke's comment
I would love to win this book! Thanks, Peggy
to Peggy's comment
I’m patient when dealing with other’s not so much with myself. This book looks awesome. I’ve never read it. Even if I do not win the copy I’llcheck it out!
to Robin's comment
I`ve been trying to get my hands on a copy of “Spice, the history of a temptation“ for a few years now but it`s out of print. One day…
to Marcia's comment
I am patient, I looked for 2 years to find the right winter coat, three years of looking for just the right laptop, and three years saving to purchase a new bike. But I still expect a made from scratch dinner to be on the table when I get home from work.
to Ryan's comment
I’m afraid I’m not a very patient person when it comes to wanting something but I am learning. Now that I am retired I can’t just buy things on a whim. Each purchase takes careful thought. Thanks for the chance to have this lovely looking book!
to Cari S.'s comment
Everyone always tells me that I’m the most patient person they know. I guess that either means I’m patient or they must know a lot of extremely inpatient people! Being patient is definitely a blessing most of the time and has come to pay off on numerous occasions.
to Kat's comment
Much more so than I used to be, thanks for the giveaway.
to maggiewann's comment
That book sounds great! As for patience, if I didn’t have much before, having a son definitely provided me with a lot of training…
to Ghislaine's comment
We are like you very patient in waiting to purchase things. Some times it drives our kids nuts!!
to Rick's comment
I have learn that good things come to those that wait. It may take years to, but it will.
to Joan's comment
Sometimes I am so patient, the chance never comes! I almost *never* buy a new book, I *always* check it out ahead of time at the library or see if a friend has it. If I can’t find it, then it becomes one of those niggling thought at the back of my mind.
to Sarah's comment
I totally understand patience…I can be patient to a fault!
I would love to have a copy of this book!!
to Tena's comment
Getting a copy of a favorite book for the library is a great idea. I usually circulate favorite books through friends, but the library route would potentially reach many more people. I’ll try that next time.
Thanks for the giveaway!
to andrea's comment
I would love a copy of this book, it looks wonderful.
to Amber J's comment
I facebooked about the giveaway and about your awesome blog!
to Amber J's comment
I’m usually a pretty patient person, especially when it comes to buying books. I also have a couple that I’ve checked out of the library over and over. This book sounds great and I’ve just added it my list of holds at the local library – thank you so much for sharing your second copy as a givaway!
to Becky's comment
As i get older i am getting more patient, happy to give things time, to wait and see….
I’ve been quite lucky with the odd book that I had been searching for; just popped up and at a reasonable price.
You have to love the public library system :) being able to read/ check out books before putting them on your ‘wish list’. :)
to Mich's comment
I am the Paperback Swap “giver”! I recently consolidated personal libraries from two homes to one, and took a hard look at books I hadn’t touched in years. I love the swapping idea – somehow if I know a book is going to someone who would really enjoy it, and I get a book I’ve been wanting to read in exchange, then it is much easier to let a book go off into the world without me.
Enjoy, wherever it lands!
to Kris's comment
What a wonderful book this would be to own. On my fixed income, there is no way I would ever be able to buy it and it is too much to ask for a Christmas present. Congrats to whoever gets it.
to Patsy's comment
Oh dear, not at all patient, I’m afraid. I am very curoius about this book, but like you, cannot afford $150 for it. Time to check the library!
to Jenny's comment
My patience depends on the subject. I’m very patient with children and my garden but not at all with any form of technology.
What a neat looking book. I hadn’t heard of it before. It seems like it needs to be reprinted!
to AGinPA's comment
I would love to win this book. It looks wonderful and full of lots of good tihings I need to learn.
to April's comment
I would love to win! Thanks for the giveaway!!
to Kaylan's comment
I hope I’m not too late! I, like you, have been checking this book out of the library for years and have not wanted to spend the money for my own copy.
to Cynthia Mead's comment
The book would be nice, but I *really* need to thank you for introducing me to the paperbackswap website!
to Karen's comment