The Renfrow Story

After a very mild December and holiday season, winter arrived in full force in Iowa this week. Tuesday we had over 10″ of snow in Grinnell, and similar amounts in much of the state. As we’re in drought conditions, the moisture is welcome, despite the inconvenience. News that another storm will drop similar amounts along with high winds and blizzard conditions tomorrow is welcomed by no one, least of all the road crews who are trying to keep up with it.

After hearing stories of semis and other trucks and vehicles along the side of the interstate on Tuesday, my perspective on waiting a while for the book delivery changed. I’d much rather wait a little longer than risk having this precious cargo slide off the road. (My new nightmare is an accident where the cargo is destroyed, forcing a reprint of the entire project.)

So when I finally heard from the delivery company today I was determined we would figure out the next step, despite the obstacles. If there was a day and time they could get their truck safely to Grinnell, I would find a way to make that delivery work.

Plan A was delivery to my house, using the alley entrance to drop them by our garage. That’s a no go with this much snow. Plan B was to have them delivered to the Pioneer Bookstore using their paved alley access. Staff there has been great and they are almost as excited as I am for this arrival – plus 25% of the books are going to the college right away anyways.

The only day the delivery truck will be in Grinnell next week is on Monday. The high that day is forecast to be negative 5…. negative 5 for a high that day… so that will be fun. Oh yeah, it’s also MLK Day so the college bookstore is closed.

So we’ve moved on to Plan C. My husband and I are lucky in many ways to be good friends with Chris Bair. Besides being an all around great guy, he’s also the college Environmental and Safety Coordinator and works at the Facilities Management (FM) facility. Even though it’s a holiday for him, Chris has agreed to meet us at FM Monday afternoon so that the truck can deliver them there.

The three of us will figure out the best way to get the books safely moved from the truck to their temporary storage at our house. First thing Tuesday morning I will deliver copies to the bookstore. I’ve got 123 envelopes labeled and waiting for copies to be slipped into them for delivery to Kickstarter supporters. Of those, 36 will be mailed via USPS, hopefully Tuesday or Wednesday. The rest are for people in the area who will be able to pick them up in person (more on that below).  If you have preordered from the bookstore, they have your information on file and will either mail your copy or have it at the store ready to be picked up. And of course, anyone will be able to walk into the bookstore and buy a copy – hooray!

I am currently planning a book launch event for Saturday, January 27th at the Pioneer Bookstore. (We can’t do it on the 20th because they will be busy with students getting ready for classes!) I will be at the bookstore from 10am-1pm if people want to have a book signed or chat with me about it. After all of the wonderful support I’ve received, I am excited to share it and be able to talk to people about it. So if you’re in the area I hope you’ll stop by.

NOTE TO DONORS: If you donated $20 or more to the book project as a part of the Kickstarter campaign last spring and live locally, I will have a signed copy ready for you to pick up. I plan to be at Saints Rest for some part of Saturday, January 20. The times are yet to be determined because I have an obligation that day at some point (a church leadership event I’m in charge of originally scheduled for the 13th has to be moved, more weather woes, but we haven’t figured out the specifics yet). Watch your email for more information or just plan to come and get it on the 27th if that works for you. Either way, I am excited to get your copy to you and thank you in person!