Down the Rabbit Hole on the River's Edge

White Rabbit Books & Curiosities just wouldn't be the same without the little plot of ground outside its door. Nestled beside the Animas River, a grandfatherly old ponderosa pine and a handful of stately cottonwoods preside over the place, along with ever-present crows and magpies who converse with passersby. In the summertime, sunflowers and poppies and other bursts of seasonal color are splashed here and there, and four boulders at the garden entrance now teeter with rock cairns- gobs of them- that visitors have lovingly stacked. I’ve grown quite close to that space over these last eight years. It has hosted book signings and story times, concerts and workshops, chess tournaments and picnics and a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party among other things. It has evolved into a gethering place for locals and tourists alike, where the resident fairies love, no doubt, to welcome strange little bits of whimsy that folks leave behind. The garden wasn't officially part of the bookshop unti...

On a fine day of frolicking through a new town, I found myself on a foot path along the river. It had been an enjoyable afternoon of sight seeing and taking in the presumably cowboy friendly, western influenced town full of outdoor enthusiasts. To me that was all good and well, yet I was still seeking a true resonance with something…someone… something that spoke to the Fairy in me. In moments my eye caught small signs with white rabbits on them, pointing down the way. Naturally I was intrigued and follow them to their destination. I was met by a small garden with small rock towers, a life size chess board, flowers with eyeballs, colorful pieces of hanging art and fantastical mobiles. My heart fluttered. Through the windows of the small building I could spy beautiful crystals calling in the sunlight that splashed off the babbling river just a few paces away. What is this place? I wondered. I ventured onto the porch that was equipped with a “little free library,” a box of boo...

That is how I found it, after being invited to come to the White Rabbit Books and Curiosities just around a corner on the river walk in Durango, Colorado. I turned the corner wondering where it was and almost missed it. As I left the parking lot, I could already feel the tug of something new and so very different. As a bibliophile, I could not resist the pull of books unknown to me. It was like driving on Main Street next to the Jean Pierre bakery van and having a steaming loaf of French bread thrown through the window to land in your lap. Of course, you immediately went to a store to buy butter and then to tear it into pieces and butter and eat it. What else could I do, the books beckoned me. I met Keena and Jason before the idea of their own bookstore had been firmly planted, perhaps as it was being born when they visited the quirky bookstore that I owned. I fell in love with the vintage clothes and intelligence of this wonderful couple. I became a bookstore booster and awaited...

I’ve always been a burn the candle at both ends kind of person. I was the kid that refused to take a nap for fear of missing out on something and would eventually just fall asleep standing up. So many places to be and things to do, so many ideas to be pondered and realized one at a time, so much to experience in the time we’re given. For me, sitting still has always been the hard part. Time spent at the bookstore is no exception. It’s magical to watch this little warren grow each day as folks wander in and leave a bit of themselves imprinted upon the place, and my heart, oftentimes while I am attempting to do ten things simultaneously. If you are one of those people, I owe you a debt of gratitude. Thank you for being here and for being you. Thank you for reminding me to slow down and just ENJOY it all. We all have so much to be grateful for. For me- it’s this living, breathing rabbit hole and the unexpected everythings that continually unravel and reveal themselves her...