At first I didn’t remember that southwest had open seating, but I embraced the opportunity to pick my seat when I got on. Being in the last group to board, I knew that I would have the opportunity to pick my seat, so I looked around and found the most interesting looking, friendly looking person (with my limited options) and sat down. I knew like with most plane rides that I had to figure out my neighbors story so as the plane started moving I started talking and we didn’t stop till the wheels came out to land, 3 short hours later.
Here is the story of Ruth: The Chicago native, book store owner, cat lady, best grandmother to her only grandson, letter writer, and lady who believes love and respect to all is the way to a happy and good life.
Originally from Palatine a northwest suburb, she has lived in Chicago her whole life. Her husband grew up near Austin and now they live on the south side. Since 1970, she and her husband have owned the Paperback Trading Company, a used book store. She doesn’t buy any books they are all reused. Lately, she sells anywhere from 100 to 1000 books a week, but in the 80s and 90s she was selling triple as many.
In her neighborhood, stray cats are a big deal. A few years ago, she got into trapping spaying and neutering cats and releasing them. In the process, she has kept 3 cats (only the friendly ones), yet sees the others around. Because she is an avid reader each cat she has a special name…some are named after famous characters and others are named after authors. She feeds the cats 2 times a day in the morning and at night, with wet food as it’s better nutritionally for outdoor cats as it has more fat than dry food does.
Letters and persistence. Ruth has always been old fashioned in getting what she wants. She is persistent and doesn’t settle with just anything. Before she had the book store she worked as a law clerk. She learned how to write and learned the language of the law. In recent years, she has used this skill on numerous occasions to write letters to newspapers, tv, radio about her bookstore. In 2014 she got on Fox tv in Chicago to promote her bookstore. She also uses it when products don’t work. She once wrote a letter to nurf gun CEO about an issue with her grandson’s nurf gun. After a little while she got a package with a new nurf gun and a nice note apologizing for any inconvenience.
Lastly she her motto has been love and respect trumps all. If you can share love and respect then there is nothing more you need in life!