"I think the world is going to be saved by millions of small things." ~Pete Seeger

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 until recently, though. That is to say that I’ve kept it up and added flowers and color and this and that, encouraging others to do the same as the years and the river rolled by, but it wasn't until about six months ago when some other folks expressed an interest in leasing the space, that it was either use it or lose it on my end (losing it a heartbreaking prospect.) So, officially adopt it as part of the shop lease I did, although I was jittery about the rent increase in the midst of this lengthening pandemic. Sometimes a kick in the butt like that is just the motivation we need, though, no? Ideas and dreams take time time to percolate, too, and I’ve always believed that things fall into place precisely as they should. The garden has been resting during these months of COVID, and the time has come to stir it up again. Reinvent it, help it to grow…

Nothing at White Rabbit comes in large doses as some of you know- it’s a one of this and a mini that kind of realm… just enough. For me, it’s like the bed in the three little bears that was juuust right. No room for filler- just the good stuff. And so, the White Rabbit Garden is being reinvented this year, and is in for a makeover, just as soon as the weather warms up a wee bit. Hooray! At which time, the next chapter of its tale by the river will be as a venue for the White Rabbit Micro Market, a place where creatives of all kinds can showcase their work, prepare their newest dish, demo their craft, or debut their latest composition, and curious passersby can enjoy and indulge in the abundance of creative energies from the artists present that day.

Yep, The White Rabbit Micro Market is a go! We’d love for you to be a part of it. May 1st- September 30th, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we’ll have three booth spaces available each day. Affordable space is getting hard to come by in Durango. But, that idea of “just enough” is the sweet spot- especially down by the river, don’t you agree? Artist booths are $20 on Fridays and $25 Saturday, and Sunday, and just $35 a day for food vendors, who also have the option of weekly and monthly rates. We're now taking reservations for this upcoming season. A mini theater in the (almost)round and micro music venue is also taking shape. We welcome your ideas and energy! Call the bookshop at (970)-259-2213 for an application and more information. Booth space is first come, first served, so don't wait. Many thanks to you all for helping this space to grow and thrive. Stay Curious, all!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A shout-out to everyone who has taken the time to write about what White Rabbit means to you. Your submissions have brought a smile to my face and have made me teary more than once. I’ll be sharing entries with you all here once a week. You are most welcome to submit your own, if you are so inclined. This blog is to be a community meetingplace of sorts, for anyone who feels compelled to share your perspective on White Rabbit through words or photos. Entries can be submitted via Messenger on the White Rabbit Facebook page. Leave a note with your name, and where you hail from, too. Thank you for being a part of White Rabbit. ~Keena