My mother has a wonderful heart when it comes to birthday gifts.

[Really a McQueen]

Since I've been digging into the Scottish portion of the family history, she ordered a book through the local book seller (rather than going online, or to a chain store), for my recent birthday. I now have a collection of poems by that well know, Scottish poet, Robert Burns.

It is sad that this simple tome had to ordered in special. Alas, a small town book seller cannot be expected to stock as many titles as one in a large city. But they were able to obtain this one in a reasonable amount of time.

[brewerpaul]

It is sad that this simple tome had to ordered in special. Alas, a small town book seller cannot be expected to stock as many titles as one in a large city. But they were able to obtain this one in a reasonable amount of time.

One more reason to support local owned businesses especially the disappearing book store. With all the electronic books and mega stores around the small book nook needs to be visited. I still find it most pleasant to have a real book in my hand, not some electronic copy of it. One of our favorite stores in Callander Scotland was a small used book nook. I came back with 4 wonderful books, some by Scottish writers, that I would have never found at a mega store. Enjoy your wonderful gift.

[ohiopiper]

Just my humble opinion here. While some good deals are to be had online, your money is best spent patronizing local brick and mortar stores in your community. I see it all the time in small towns. Everybody starts shopping at wal-mart (or similar) then gripes that local places are closing up shop.

And good on your Mom for a very nice gift!

[sevenoaks]

You have a thoughtful Mother and she has given you a great book to treasure.

[Laird_M]

Happy belated birthday.

A very nice present, and yes, its best to support your local trade.

[Meggers]

oh how nice! I wouldn't mind having something like that to keep around the house for my future kiddos. Gotta start them young like my dad did for me

(meaning plopped me down in front of the tv as a toddler and forced me to watch Braveheart...and then had this look plastered on my face all day: )

[thescot]

I congratulate you on a fine gift and wonderful mother. Many of us are blessed with mothers we do not deserve.

I try to patronize local book stores, but they're all gone from around here. Chapter 11 and that other one moved in, put them all out of business, and then went out of business themselves. One local store had opened in the first place about 30 years ago when the owner's daughter was in school, and she needed a book store herself. She fell victim to the big box stores that ruined the market.

Whenever I travel, I try to find something in any local book store I run across. There is a small store in Blue Ridge, GA, that deals in collectible books you can't find off-the-shelf in most stores.

On the other hand, I have purchased some very nice used books online. One is a rare History of the Gallic Wars (circa 1851 as I recall) in Latin for my neice who is a classics major and Latin scholar. And I have a copy of Burns poetry from about 1905 I got through Ebay.