Good Stuff! The author and the Office Outlet Copy room wall.

Good Stuff from the Copy Wall

by Trudy Fry

May those who love us, love us,

And those that don't love us,

May God turn their hearts.

And if he doesn't turn their hearts

May he turn their ankles

So we'll know them by their limping.

- Old Gaelic blessing

There is a place in our small community that that appears to have been touched by the likes of the Dalai Lama, Bill Cosby, Dr. Levine (of Good Morning America fame), Dr. Ruth, Billy Graham, and animal rights activists. Everything from the profound to the inane. No two pieces of wisdom were donated by the same individual.

To say that the collection is eclectic is an understatement. This exhibit is free to the public to browse at their leisure. There is also the option of getting copies made of these pearls of wisdom. To those who are having a bad day and need a good laugh or to those who need a spiritual lift, it can be found on these walls.

If Pinedale were to be buried tomorrow by a volcanic eruption and several hundred years from now the site were to be excavated the theory about this particular place would be that it was a place of great importance. A place of gathering and a place of higher learning where people met to exchange ideas. Then again it could be guessed to be exactly what it is. The copy room at Office Outlet.

For several years, the copy room has been the hub of the store. Regular customers come in to purchase needed items and casually stroll through the copy room to see what is new on the walls. This is a room of high tech, photocopy graffiti.

There does not appear to be any prerequisite to what is copied and taped to the walls. No one has gone away offended by the thoughts and feelings that are displayed for public viewing. The boundaries of good taste are never crossed and the political sarcasm that is so popular today is left to those that search the Internet.

It has been so long ago that the first page appeared on the wall that no one that works at this establishment can remember which gem was the first. It may have been the zebra whose stripes are coming unwound and whose caption state,s "I think it's stress," or it might be the gem that asks, "Why worry?" It really doesn't matter which one was first just that there is something there for everyone to enjoy.

The "Psychiatric Hotline" was copied and given to a daughter that was graduating from medical school with a degree in psychiatry. "The 12 Decibles and other Bible Facts Quoted by Children" was sent to a friend studying to be a minister. "What I Have Learned in Life" was copied and sent to each of a lady's six children. "Old Age" has been a hit with the over-50 crowd. Copies of that one have been sent out worldwide. As one lady put it, "If we can't laugh at our weaknesses while we can still remember what they are, then we are truly a pitiful specimen of humankind." This poem tells about standing at the bottom of the stairs and not remembering if you were going up or had just come down. How many of us have stood in front of the refrigerator with the door open and can't remember what we were there to get? Another poem was written by a young girl about grandparents and how wonderful they are.

The newcomers to the area get a big kick out of the cartoon with the caption, "Loretta started a rock garden. So far four rocks have died." There is more fact than fiction to that concept when it comes to growing things in Pinedale.

It is very rewarding to the people who work there to have comments made from customers such as, "I really enjoy coming here," or to have customers bring in friends and family from out of town just to show them where they obtained a moment of humor or spiritual uplift. Every now and then one of the employees tries to take down a copy that has been there for a while to make room for a new one. This action is usually met with dismay from the "regulars." They are demanding to know what happened to this saying or that poem. It has been discussed that when the copy room walls are filled then the overflow will find its way down the hall.

The most frequently requested copy is of "10 Pretty Good Rules."

1. Never wrestle with a pig: you both get dirty and the pig likes it!

2. Never argue with an idiot: people watching may not be able to tell the difference!

3. Observe everything: know you're ignorant!

4. It's easier to obtain forgiveness than it is permission!

5. Rarely resist the opportunity to keep your mouth shut!

6. Don't ask the question if you cannot live with the answer!

7. If you want a new idea, read an old book!

8. If you don't care where you're going any road will get you there!

9. Never have a philosophy, which supports a lack of integrity or courage!

10. Never look back unless you intend to go that way!

P.S. For those who have an "Eddie Murphy" style sense of humor, there is always the folder that is kept in the back room in the file cabinet whose contents don't make it to the wall!

Photo credits:  Rob Shaul, Rob Shaul