August 3rd, 2025 – late summer light filtering through the trees like golden syrup, slow and thick and a little sticky. A breeze now and then, enough to keep the bugs confused. One of those afternoons where the world feels paused between chapters.
🧶📚 We made our way to Dragon Bite Books, where the paperbacks lean in like old friends sharing secrets and the air smells like stories. Betty Grable, the shop cat, was very much on duty—zipping between shelves, brushing our legs with friendly purpose, pausing just long enough for a head bump before darting off to patrol her realm. Skittish, but sociable, like a librarian who’s short on time but still wants to say hello.
The take-home haul was a lovely one—some back issues of spinning magazines full of wooly dreams, a couple of gently-used novels, and a pleasing handful of art supplies. The wooden spheres clacked comfortingly in their little bag, the new stencil set looked ready to shape some fresh ideas, and the Halloween ribbon—orange and black plaid with a thin gold thread stitched through—caught the light in a way that felt like a wink from October. No pumpkins, no ghosts—just that subtle seasonal suggestion.
🐈⬛✨🎃
The Little Free Art Library was a bit bare today—just a bent paperclip and a sticker that said “You tried.” We tucked in three 3D printed llamas, all different sizes, ready to be adopted by passing hands. The kind of tiny thing that might make someone’s day brighter, or at least weirder in a good way.
We split a croissant from BreadCraft by the fountain, layers crisp and warm, little flakes tumbling into the water like edible confetti. A couple of pigeons watched us with obvious judgment. One tried to edge closer. We did not share.
Currently listening: the soft clack of wooden spheres and passing cicadas
Currently planning: what to stencil first
Currently grateful for: Betty Grable the shop cat, art surprises, and the quiet delight of orange and gold plaid
#scottobearstyle #salemva #dragonbitebooks #littlefreeartlibrary #3dprintedllamas #autumninspo #bookshopcat #breadcraftbreak
