The Back to School Entry.

Something about the end of August incites me to commit back-to-school activities. It doesn't matter I haven't been to school in 23 years. It's time for clothes shopping, buying school supplies, pursuing knowledge.

There is a clothes (and shoe) shopping trip in my immediate future. Never at the mall, oh, no, but it's time to look for a few items - black is back, and life is good. Not that black is ever absent in my closet. I am planning a small online expedition as well. It wouldn't seem like the end of August without a new outfit or two.

Next stop; office supplies. My favorite, Renton Stationary, closed at least ten years ago. In addition to business supplies they stocked a vast array of pencils, papers, and erasers for architects, engineers, artists, and school kids. The store shared space with the printing press for the Renton Record Chronicle . The faint, astringent scent of printers' ink always drifted through the aisles. Wedding invitations and personalized stationary were printed on-site. An elderly typewriter repairman had his own corner, with racks of typewriters to be fixed, and a few antique machines displayed. When I was eleven, he fixed my green garage-sale typewriter for three dollars. I enjoy trips to any office supply store, but I still miss that store particularly.

This time of year also inspires me to take stock and plan to continue my education. Dig through my disc storage and find the Spanish course I keep meaning to start. Unfold the King County Library System Megalit list, wondering which title to tackle. I'm considering Fool's Crow, by James Walsh. I seem to read a lot of non-fiction in the fall, and usually have a small burst of interest in the family genealogy.

I think back-to-school behavior becomes ingrained. But now we buy outfits we like, even if they are for work. Silly Post-its instead of pens and rulers. The knowledge we pursue is for our own interests, not graduation requirements. We experience all the back-to-school pleasure without having to open those heavy school doors and walk inside - unless we want to.