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£. "Everything I have done has something to do with books," she said, talking in the Friends area of the library where books are sold to raise money. "My mother had to come and poke me for meals -- I had my nose in a book. There's nothing can replace a book -- I don't care what they are doing on a com- puter." After moving to Fenwood Gardens --- Bill was working in Mississauga and coming home on weekends until he retired three years ago -- Bev decided to take work at, where else, Chapters. She left to become recep- tionist at Quinte Gardens, the new retirement complex on College Street that opened about a year ago, and it was the right move. "It's the best job I've ever had and the residents are so amazing. They have many sto- ries to tell." Still, she has to admit her Chapters' price break on books wras nice, as were free tomes . for reviews. "I have a lot of books at home. I really miss my dis- count." Books, always books. OK, then, she is asked to name a Bev Kennedy favourite author. "Anybody that writes a book. I prefer mysteries but I do read best sellers." When pushed, she mentions Dick Francis, the former Brit jockey who writes about crime, always involving horses. Which brings us to animals and a dog named Shadow who had, once upon a time, red painted toenails. Her cousin in Marysville found a stray, a Jack Russell/beagle cross, and Bev and her called the find into a radio station. The owner was reached, but he really didn't want the male pup back (no word on why the canine had red toenails). Bev kept it for company while Bill was in Mississauga. Shadow had a stint with the grandkids, but is back now and still spry at 12 years of age. The couple like to travel and have been to Europe a couple of times, as well as driving from one coast to the other in Canada on several occasions. Bev watches little television, unless there is a special pro- gram of interest, and is more apt to be tuned to the CBC or the classical music station CFMX on radio. She is quick-witted, as when she w^as asked if she liked to cook. "No, I like to eat." Favourite dish? "Food." She and Bill rent movies, but nothing violent. She is quick to put in a plug for the Friends, too. The organization's general meeting is on Jan. 23 at 4 p.m. at the library, Gallery One. "All the public is welcome," she said, adding Friends have about 60 members, "and we are looking for more." Bev noted that all the money raised goes to buying books and other materials for the library, not operating costs. The Friends sell books in a nook just as you enter the library and they are in need of donations of same to resell, Bev added. Her love of books is so great that it begs the question, 'Did you ever want to open a book store?' "Yes," she said, with a dreamy look in her eyes. Wrho knows? • Contact Barry Ellsworth at: bellsworth@intdligencer.ca