what’s a library for?
What’s a library for? I have to answer this question because of this article. What’s a library.
So at the beginning of the piece, the author is saying that the library across the street is closing, and well, he never went into it anyway. So he won’t miss it. But it means he knows nothing about it. Or why anyone might miss it. So I have some ideas about what he is missing.But he says some thing incorrect, so I will start there .
The author asks, why go to the library – the internet is free. I am guessing he doesn’t mean that the library charges . we don’t ( unless you are late or lose something). but The internet is not free. You have a monthly bill from you internet provider. Unless, of course, you are using your neighbor’s internet. Maybe he meant that once you are on the internet, the information is free.
Then let’s talk about the New York Times. It is free on the internet — as long as you are only interested in ten articles a month. At your library you can read all of today’s paper and ,at my library, you can read all the way back to 1851. No charge. And you like the crossword puzzle? Copy it at your library for 10 to 25 cents – or get the digital crossword subscription from the NYT. (yes, it is extra) . subscription info .
Which brings me to another point. You can get lots of quick answers on the internet,but maybe not the depth you need. Sometimes you just want to know where Benghazi is. Sometimes you want to know why we care about Benghazi ( the page I cam across didn’t really tell me)
Do you know who wrote what you are reading on the internet? Where it came from, when it was written? At the library – we can get you that information.
What about serendipity? I’m not talking about going down the rabbit hole of information on the internet and getting lost, but the wandering through the library shelves and spotting that book, that turns out to be what you really wanted. Or having that librarian says …”this isn’t exactly what you’ve been talking about , but there is a book that is related, that might be of interest…”
There are lots of other things going on in the library. Puppet shows, art classes, safety classes, book discussions,concerts, computer classes. And of course, we have books, DVDs, CDs, periodicals, ebooks, and audio-books.
There might be a lot of really good reasons to walk across the street and check out the library.
April 2013 books
The Magic Circle Katherine Neville(my book) reread and I don’t know why dan brown style convoluted plot – she has better books.
Splendors and Glooms Laura Amy Schlitz (KLB) children’s book that creeped me out – oliver twistian world. Dirt, poverty,extreme wealthy. puppets. Truly evil villains that do horrible things to people and die horribly. Hard to put down , well written and made it hard to sleep .
Gooseberry Bluff community college - part 4 (KS) loving the book – finding the format frustrating – every time I get a new one just enough time has passed that I end up going back a few pages.
Rosemary and Rue Seanan Mcguire (LB) She wrote Feed, this is her first book. It has some first book flaws, but the first part of the book is a hard. emotionally hard. A gutsy place to start a book. The flaw- really she has to explain everything – all the different creatures of Fairie. I like it, but it does interfere with the flow. And I am very glad I have the second one home .
A local habitation Seanan McGuire (LB) Quite good, but a little more complex and move a little slower.
Gooseberry Bluff community college -part 5 (KS) Really I can wait til I have them all and just read them end to end. I know suspense novels end chapters on cliff hangers – but when you can’t go onto the next… I am really enjoying every minute of it, however.
Swordfights and lullabies Debra Greary (KB) which light morsel ( which means short story ) fun.
The Wonderful wizard of OZ L. Frank Baum (KB) Neve read it , so I did. Wierder than the movie. and I think even though it is slightly old fashion – the language would be accessible to most children.
Heist Society Ally Carter (KLB) What fun! Different than I expected , but very good. Kat Bishop – has escaped from her con artist family and become - a boarding school student. But she doesn’t get to stay out of that life for long…A really good con/heist novel.
8 in april 23 for the year
Thoughts on Squats
So I started doing the squat challenge. 30 days of squats ( every 4th day is a rest) starting with 50 squats and hitting 250 on the last day.
Yes, it will be possible to do 250 on the last day.
no it isn’t fun. but no, it doesn’t hurt that much either. Nor does it take much time.
today is day 6 and here is what I have observed so far. The more correctly you do squats, the easier they are to do. Yes, you are working. Yes, you get fatigued, but you can do it. At 75 squats I am already doing what I noticed happening when I did long walks. When one muscle gets tired (like hamstrings) other muscles take over (like quads) . That’s what makes me know it is possible. And squats really are a full body exercise. My arms go up ( to about shoulder height ) when I squat. so they are getting some work too.
I have no idea what is next. this didn’t start as part of the resolution game , but I think I will find a reward when done. And I may work it into the next round of resolution .
Why haven’t you?
I have a friend that is a weight loss coach . She is good at it and I have a lot of respect for her and the job she does. Today she asked the question ( to a general audience ) why haven’t you lost weight?
It got me thinking…and I figured it out . It is not lack of knowledge. I’ve been interested in food and nutrition since I was 12 years old. It is not lack of discipline. You don’t train to walk 60 miles without a good level of discipline.
It is a matter of brain space.
Some brain space is always occupied by my health. Two chronic conditions. I’m either trying to manage them so they don’t affect my life or I’m trying to manage the effects they are having on my life. ( go find protein, I need to eat a veggie, did I take my drugs?, go for a walk, if I pull weeds will my asthma kick in )
work brain space. I am only at work for 37.5 hours a week , but like most people who enjoy their work – I spend a lot of time thinking about work. ( that would make a great teen program, I should post about that , what should I put on the FB page today, how long has it been since I reviewed a book)
household management. most of the day-to-day stuff is mine so there are constant list going through my brain . ( need cat food, garbage day, what can we do for dinner tonight)
and most of that is going on in the background. I’m not sure I have enough processor power to add one more background program in my life. ( and I really don’t want to ) It obviously fits in with the health, but it is going up a level. Partly because when I get hungry , zombies have nothing on me.
So , there is today’s answer.
books march 2013
Ghost of a Chance (Chintz ‘n China, Book 1) Yasmine Galenorn (my book ) I have no Idea where I got this from . I was thinking cozy tea shop mystery. Well, Not really. too much paranormal stuff for that . I actually liked that part and I found the mystery logical , if a little out of left field. However – 1) a tea shop owner that drinks mostly celestial seasoning commercial herbal infusions – really? and 2) the boyfriend is creepy, demanding, whiny, and a controller. He is a Nice Guy with everything bad that those capital letters infer. Kick him to the curb.
Gooseberry Bluff Community college (KS) part 2. moved up a notch in action, I feel like I know Joy (protagonist) better – and it left me hanging – so I cursed the author.
The Celtic Witch by Debra Geary (KB) I read a review of the series a few days ago -and they used the word unrealistic. I thought it was a funny word – because well, it is about witches. It has magic and spells. But then she said the family was ‘too perfect’ which I thought was interesting. These books are romances, but not just a couple, but a romance about finding you place in this world. Finding your family – your home. And it is lovely how people sit around and trying to understand what they need to do to improve the relationships they have with people
Breed of innocence (breed Chronicles #1) Lanie Jordan (kb) supernatural page turner–16 yr old girl is asked to join a demon hunter academy, by the director. She is good and seems to have some extra qualities – like fast healing and a good memory…What is she not being told?
Etiquette & Espionage Gail Carriage (LB) So much fun . really good read Steam punk – finishing school and spies review here
Gooseberry Bluff Community College part 3 – yes impatiently waiting for part 4…..
I’ll call it 5 books – so 15 for the year
march 18th 2013
Exactly one month from my 50th Birthday. I was reminded of this yesterday. It is interesting , because it does not feel particularly significant. When I was a kid, I though 50 was old, but I am long past that now. The most significant thing about this age seems to be that I have friends that are 30+ years older and 30+ years younger.
It is however, a zero birthday – so a good time to reflect. and a good time to think about where I want to go.
There isn’t a lot I want to change. I have a job a like, a great husband. I live in a great neighborhood and a beautiful place. I have a lot of friends of all kinds. I have more fun. Despite diabetes and asthma – I’m in good health. I stick to plans , but I can flex more than before.
So which way is forward?
