West Nyack, NY– I got into this little hamlet yesterday by way of Yonkers and I plan on never going through Yonkers ever again. It did make my arrival in this upper middle-class hideaway that much more welcome. Though it was difficult to find accommodation because of the festivities surrounding their annual Battle of San Juan Hill reenactment, I did end up with a cozy corner in the 921 section of the West Nyack Free Library.

Today after grabbing my makeup from the 390 section I headed off to find Jim Barnseed, owner of the world’s smallest shoe collection. In Bayshore, Hammond Flap had mentioned this intriguing collection, and then there I was knocking at Barnseed’s door. The first thing I noticed when the crumpled old man let me in was his lack of shoes. I wondered if owning a normal-sized pair of shoes would spoil his collection, but was ushered into “The Red Room” as he called it for no obvious reason.

It wasn’t red and was more of a walk in closet, but it was lined by dark mahogany cases. All of them were empty and open, except for one. His hands shook from age, or Parkinson’s as he opened that case to reveal to me the steel tip from a work boot. As I left I reminded myself to send a strongly-worded letter to Mr. Flap.

Haven’t quite decided where I’m going next. Probably South, but it could be any of the other directions.