One of the pleasures of having the opportunity to travel and work in the West Texas town of Monahans, is to get to explore the nooks and crannies of a small town. While wandering through the old part of downtown, which like most of small town America, has it’s share of deserted and abandoned buildings. Amongst the dust and tumbleweeds we had the pleasure of wandering into a traditional bookstore.

Through the Pages Bookstore (and candy shop) – www.throughthepages.com – was a real treasure to stumbleupon. At the expense of losing the wonderful feel of a bound book in my hands, I buy most of my books on my Kindle. Oh what we do give up for a little convenience. Entering through the glass door, I was greeted with the wonderful scent of old pages,ink, aging bindings and true words. Some people might notice the warm smells of the fudge, but give me the smell of a bookstore. It made me wish that Yankee Candle would offer an “Old Bookstore” flavored candle.

What pleasure to hold a physical book. The feeling grew when upon checking out, I was offered the pause of a person actually handwriting and recording the sale. More time for a linger and more warmth for the heart.

If you are driving down I-20 in the vastness of West TX. Pull off onto the “blue road” and find the treasures that await you.

Enjoy  the things that you have given up. †† en theos ††† jim