So I'm sitting in the Eric Nelson Room at the Tufts Memorial Library in Pinehurst, NC. I'm at the head of a rectangle table, sitting in a red leather chair. There are books all around me and magazine articles and a Christmas tree in the arched window directly in front of me. There's even a grandfather clock on my left. It doesn't work.

Through the double doors is the non-fiction book room. Tufts primarily houses fiction. But is home to the Tufts archives, which tells the beginnings of Pinehurst.

The town founded by James Walker Tufts of Charlestown, Mass. Tufts was the man behind the American Soda Fountain Co. He bought this patch of land here in NC Sandhills and created a community that has become one of the nation's finest resort towns.

It says so right here in the handout John B. gave me when I signed up for my library card.

They don't have many reference books here but they do have internet access, a real plus for me.

They also are a busy, busy place. People keep dropping in for all sorts of things -- Captain Underpants books and books on tapes. Directions to places I don't know. And some come in just to wish John B. a Merry Christmas.

They are all headed off to New York City or Boston or Atlanta. So far no one has mentioned going to Oregon.

This is a very orderly library.

Very friendly.

I wish I had time to read the entire Tufts Collection.

But I have to get off this keyboard and go shopping for presents since I haven't bought a thing yet.

I've been a very bad girl this year.

Don't tell Santa.

Please.