Somehow, I think my book-making “frenzy” of late may be related to the fact that I was to have an operation today to remove my gallbladder. I fantasized dying on the operating table without having left behind the two books I most wanted to create.
So, in the past month, I created those two books. And now that I have made a 111-page (the maximum number of pages allowed), 12 x 12-inch Shutterfly book of older, scanned-in photos and comments about my wife’s and my family (it arrived last Friday), and an upcoming 220-page Blurb book of my first 208 essays (ordered this evening), what comes next?
My first thought is to put together an illustrated autobiography. It would likely contain many photos of my family and me, and photos of documents from the past, such as childhood artwork, diplomas and resumes. I would likely arrange items chronologically, and in sections such as “My Birth,” “Elementary School Years,” and “Middle School Years.”
My second thought is to put together an illustrated Shutterfly book about the biblical commentators who discussed the Book of Proverbs.
My third thought is to put together an illustrated book showing, identifying, and commenting on the trees in my neighborhood, or just those 30 trees I can see from my backyard.
My fourth thought is to put together an illustrated book about my 100-plus hobbies over the years.
My fifth thought is to put together an illustrated book of all the pop-up cards I have made and saved over the years.
My sixth thought is to put together a book about all the books I want to make – just joking.
It’s so much fun making these books. So much fun seeing them, holding them, flipping through the pages. It does not hurt as much as I thought it would to pay with my credit card. This seems like a whole new chapter – and verse.
Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com.
