From the time of our earliest companionship when we were in our early teen-age years, we were both bibliophiles, attracted to books, reading them omnivorously. A "date" would comprise a trip to the local library together where we were free to pursue our individual reading interests. Our love of books has only increased over the years. And we have amassed a collection of books, both those we have read and cannot bear to part with, and those we intend to read.

We had put together bags of clothing items meant to be recycled through the Salvation Army thrift shop, as part of our annual clothing change-over from winter apparel to warm-weather clothing. Dropping them off there gave us the opportunity to meander over to the used-book section. This is where we also pick up films, and we scooped up a video of "Ran", which, though we've seen it several times, bears retaining for the excellent entertainment value and historical documentation it represents.

While he gathered a substantial number of the kinds of reading material he favours, I came away with a number of books more suited to my tastes, including a tome featuring "Religions of the World"; obviously a textbook published twenty years ago, but fully comprised of what I consider to be extremely useful information.

I also obtained mint condition novels by Rohinton Mistry, Jane Urquhart and Margaret Atwood; never know what's available until you look - and pounce!