Judy Blume. 

You may have heard of her. 

She is the author of more than twenty-six novels including Tales of Fourth Grade Nothing, Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, and Superfudge, …to name a few of her children’s and young adult titles. 

She has also written some adult fiction. But now? Now in her eighties, Judy Blume is living her dream.

I know. She told me. 

Yep, that's me with Judy Blume.

A couple of weeks ago, Mike and I headed to Key West to catch a ferry to the Dry Tortugas. If you missed that post, CLICK HERE.

The day before our venture, we took in some of the sites and enjoyed some great food on Mallory Square, but the biggie for me that day was visiting Books and Books at the Studios of Key West, a local bookstore. 

I had done my research. Books and Books is owned by Judy Blume and her husband. I also learned she spends much of her time in the store. 

We parked the car and headed down Eaton Street. And there, right on the corner was Books and Books. It was lunchtime. Mike and I poked around the store a few minutes. They had a bit of everything.

I have to admit I haven’t liked all of Blume’s books, but I admire her tenacity, her willingness to tackle tough subjects, and her ability to ask questions others ignore.

A few minutes later, as I was speaking with one of the clerks, Judy Blume walked in and headed to the back room to hang up her windbreaker. The clerk went over to her and motioned for me to come to them. 

We talked about writing for differing audiences. She asked about my books. Her only words of wisdom were to “keep writing.”

And then she surprised me.

“I love books,” she said. She went on to say she was now living her dream.  It wasn’t writing. It wasn’t being an award-winning author. 

She drew in a deep breath, looked around and simply said with a chuckle, “I’ve always wanted to own a bookstore.”