For twenty-five years Adah Buike has worked at SUNSET STATIONERS, part-time, full time or whenever she is needed.

Adah was born in Deadwood, South Dakota, and spent her early years in the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

“The only river in North America that flows North.”

And since 1967, San Francisco has been her home.

She can help you find the right pen, whether you want a Bic, a Sheaffer, (this pen was used to sign the document that brought the United Nations into being,) a Cross or a Fischer (both American owned companies). Fischer is highly regarded for their Space Pen. A pen, that works on any angle in the galaxy of space or underwater. Adah can locate a refill for your pen, even in you didn’t think a refill was an option.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for a refill. I enjoy looking thru the catalogs. I like to help people find what they want.” And she has noticed,

“Fountain pens have made a comeback.”

Adah also notices your sense of humor by the greeting cards you choose. She has a few favorites.

“Swing Cards. They produce two designs a year. They’re three dimensional. The cards pop out into moving parts and the objects in the center swing back and forth.”

Bride and Groom, Cats and Fishing Net and Clowns on a Unicycle are a few that will pique your curiosity with the attention to detail, imagination and whimsy. These cards will make you smile.

I’ve noticed another rack of postcards and note cards with stunning photography of the Golden Gate Bridge, with or without the fog. Adah informs me,

“Hausmaus. They’re a local couple and the cards and note cards could even be framed.”

She places her hands around a note card of the Golden Gate Bridge with panoramic views of the Marin Headlands. There’s so much sunshine in the shot she frames.

Adah obviously enjoys her work and her customers, many local, who support independent businesses. I wonder, where else she feels joy.

“My family and my Congregation, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The motto of this church, “Grace Makes a Difference.” This congregation celebrates diversity and believes positive changes can be made in the world thru ministry, community involvement and worship. Music resides at the soul of their congregation and there is a gentle reminder to all who enter this sanctuary,

“We welcome both friend and stranger as brother and sister…”

Adah’s greatest accomplishment?

“I have wonderful and socially involved children. My daughters are aware of other people. They will hike and bike for a cause.”

She has four grandchildren and she beams when she says,

“They’re environmentally aware.”

Adah is an avid reader. She’s currently reading, Three Cups of Tea and will begin a reading group because,

“One of the pleasures of life is to read and discuss books.”

She recently read Jane Smiley’s, The Greenlanders,

“It’s a heart breaking story of what people endured.”

The novel set in 14^th century Greenland explores themes of love, family, hardship and courage.

Adah admits, she’s a “book freak”, but has made a pact to donate books to the Daughters of Norway, because she also studies the culture of Scandinavia, Norwegian authors and Scandinavian subjects.

“Reading helps me see the world.”

We both miss Black Oak Books, which closed its doors three months ago.

To improve her computer skills, Adah completed a Bookkeeping course at City College. I ask her about her competency with the computer and the Internet.

“It makes me feel stupid. But it’s an opportunity to exercise my brain.”

Like many of us in this neighborhood, she and her husband enjoy the restaurants. We discuss the closing of P.J’s and wonder, What happened? Why?

“It’s where my husband and I had our first date.”

She and her husband Doug, still have dates at Howard’s, Villa Romano, Andy’s and Ebisu. They are delighted with the quality of the food and atmosphere that the owner, Steve Fuji’s brings to Ebisu.

“We’ve eaten there twice in one day.”

I have to admit, I have as well.

If you need a card, a pen, a smile, to discuss a book, or a restaurant recommendation, it’s Adah’s pleasure to accommodate a new friend or old neighbor.

Adah makes a difference with her grace.

NEXT WEEK LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO FRANK, OWNER OF AMAZING FANTASY COMIC BOOKS.