There is a wonderful little old building in my town that was once a store, ‘way back in the logging-town days (back when Oregon’s economy was all about timber), and more recently refurbished and turned into a home. That home sold a while back and is now a most delightful bookshop. Handy as those chain book stores are, I still prefer the little independent shops and support them as often as I can, and this one is certainly worth a visit.

I strolled around the downstairs of the shop, all dark wood and creaky floors, jars of old fashioned candy, neat stacks of books and a not-yet-occupied coffee bar at the sunny end of the shop, and asked the owner if there were more books upstairs. “No, we rent out that space for classes and groups. Go on and take a look, if you’d like.” So I did.

It’s what you might call and “intimate” space. I lived in a space like this for almost a year, in what was essentially the attic of a century-old farmhouse in the west Oregon woods. The roof was peaked and a taller person would have to stoop, but short as I am I loved it. I looked around this new space and wondered how I could pull it off and when, but never wondered IF I should… I know I need to do more local publicity and get my ever-growing kimono collection out there, so why not have a fashion show and lecture right in this tiny, vintage space? Bring a few bottles of sake’ and some nibbles, maybe a little music, invite some friends and interested strangers, maybe even have some young pretty models to wear the kimono as I talk about these gorgeous garments.

Yes. I want to do this.

I need to pick out a date and reserve the space, plot out my plan of attack publicity, write press releases, print invitations and flyers, that sort of thing. It’s a lot of work, but fun, too. I’ll post details as things progress. The show will be after Fanime, so most likely June, I think. Maybe. I have no idea. Someone give me a clue.

I’m excited!