Library News....

A reference question:

Yesterday a young 6-year-old boy and his mom asked for the book "Between the Covers." When I looked up the book, the only book with this title in the catalog was "Between the Covers: the Book Babe's Guide to a Woman's Reading Pleasures."  The boy said he saw the title in the library. When the mom asked him to show us where he took us to the display case where we have an SRC display. He pointed to the SRC poster with Frankenstein  and Scarlett O'Hara each in bed reading a book. Mom suggested son get another book.

We do everything to make you feel at home....
A lady patron reported there was a woman with her pants off drying herself with the hand dryer in the women's room. The patron was too embarrassed to enter the room when someone had their clothes off. I took Colleen with me. When we got inside the room, Cheryl  was in the handicapped stall-with the door wide open--pulling her pants on. I told her that it was inappropriate for her to stand in the public rest room without clothing on. She said she was drying a spot on her pants. i repeated that she could not walk around the public restroom without clothing. She said ok but later came to the desk to say that I shouldn't say anything to her because other people had left the bathroom dirty and some people take books into the bathroom. I told her that if the room was dirty, she was welcome to report it to us, but that I wasn't talking about anyone else's behavior but hers. I stated that should her having her clothes off be reported to us again, I would ban her from the branch.

Not only do we take 50 year old encyclopedias from your basement...
On 3 recent occasions a patron  has put old books and trash in our book drop.  Some of the trash included old dirty sports bags, dirty plastic bags with recipes in them, exercise rubber bands, toys, old travel brochures,and ancient magazines and binders from old conferences with  Judith's name and address on them. When  Judith came to the back door to donate books she spoke with Mary . Judith told Mary that she was moving to Glen Burnie and getting rid of stuff. After looking at the items in her trunk Mary told her why we couldn't accept the items and gave her the donations guidelines.

ying and yang of technology

I know technology is here and I do embrace it almost all the time.Believe me, I am the first to get excited about new strides. I am probably in need of an intervention for Angry Birds.  Our library will be the recipient ofall new PC's, software, and the newest printers. This is all good, until we have a problem.  I realized I am not able to send pics thru email from my blackberry. SO, I am forced to call my provider.  Conversation goes like this:

ATT: Have you downloaded the most recent handheld software from your blackberry desktop manager?

ME: What? I understand none of that.

ATT: I will send you an email on how to do this. After you download the desktop manager on your computer, you will need to back up you handheld and then upgrade your software.

ME: Uhhhhh.....ok....how many emails am I looking for?

ATT: I am sending you 6 emails with instructions.

ME: This sound like hours of work. On something I have no understanding of.

ATT: It is about 2 hours of your time.  We will call you with a follow up to see how it went.

ME: Maybe you should call me in about 6 months...when I can devote 2 hours of my time on something I really don't care about or understand.

I think i will just forgo sending pics. After all, my device is a year old and it will soon be non functional and I will be forced to buy an upgrade.

And the guy in the cartoon has the right idea...however, passwords change just as soon as you have remembered them.  And you can't use the previous 3 to reset them.  Angry Birds require no passwords or upgrades.  And neither does Scrabble.

summer approaches!

Memorial Day kicked off the season with flair and fun.  I had a great visit with Julie, who continues to show spirit and adaptation. We took a ride to the national Arboratum, which of course we got a bit lost.  I believe Juls has the lost gene, as this happens quite often. 
Saturday, I headed to TImcon...which was a gaming weekend extravaganza. Have to admit, was a little leary about this. I pictured comstumes and role playing, but found instead, lots of game nerds and introductions to new board games.  I bought "Survive", which is all about getting to an island before Atlantis is blown up by a volcano or  you are eaten by sharks.  Ticket to Ride involves train tracks and points for the longest train.
We took in Dark Shadows with Johnny Depp. That's all you really need to say..Johnny Depp. Memorable quote:

Barnabas Collins (to members of a hippie commune): "Love means never having to say you're sorry. However, it is with sincere regret that I must now kill all of you."

Friends over for a cook out Monday..which was the large contigency of Katie and Bill.  4 kids 7 and younger.  God love em.

Here's to warm weather, beaches, and no responsiblities!

carrolls

I think it might be time to lightne things up.  I have been thinking alot about my favorite aunty and unclt bingo as of late. They are getting read y to move to a new chapter in their lives after retiring to Florida.  They have had enough of  nascar, spring break, and motorcycle packs that invade Daytona throughout the year.  Despite the fact that they live one block from the Atlantic ocean, that is a huge selling point.  In any case, their condo is on the market-probably one of millions in Florida. Beautiful place and reasonably priced if anyone is interested.
We have always had a close relationship, thanks to a close age difference.  I so envy them..they retired early-actually months after 9/11, which coulda easily been Bingo in that building.  They have no children to bleed their finances dry, just dogs who are treated like their children. 
There is quite a history of dog that have lived in the Carroll home.  There was the beautiful Husky, who was a bit cranky.  He would lay under the dining table and emit a low growl as you feet dangled below. Sometimes he simply nipped at them, just to remind you he was there.  My brother came for a visit once..somehow that husky cornered him in the room, away from the rest of the human pack.  Rumor has it, however, that my brother was pretending to limp.  Now what would you expect as the weak ones are always the first to be taken down?
Then there was Teddy.  Teddy never sat on a floor. He sat on your head. Or on the dining room table after it was set. Kitchen counters.  Your feet.  He had free reign of his domain.  He didn't seem interested in making enemies, but we were always instructed to enter the home and take a seat immediately and sit quietly for the first 20 minutes.  After the husky, I was sure to follow instructions.  Bandit joined Teddy-who was probably the most well behaved dog ever to enter the home.  We miss Bandit.  Sweet, calm, and never sat on your head.
There's a new addition-Chloe-a rescued greyhound.  I understand she is very gentle, quiet, and a little nervous, especially loud noises.  Hmm...sure racing had something to do with it.  She has been a good dog, but now is comfortable enough with her new owners to eat their shoes.  Good Chloe. Welcome to my world. Just don't ever bite the hand that feeds you.

ALS

I have been attending ALS support meetings for the past few months to support Julie and really, to support myself.  Last night's meeting was worth some commentary, as I left incredibly moved and awed, for a lack of a better word. Renda's husband just recently died..last month actually. He had battled ALS for 4 and a half years, with her at his side every step of the way.  Rhenda has always struck me as a strong, sensible, smart, and controlled woman-all the things I love in women. I often thought-don't piss her off cause she'll challenge you.  Certainly last night I saw a softer side of her, which is probably closer to who she is.  Whern you are thrown into a situation as she is-to care for someone you love, deal with the bureauocracy, handle your job-you simply step up. No choice.  And you kick some ass along the way to get what you need for your loved one. Because time is one thing no one has with this vile disease.
This led to an honest conversation os to whether the group leader should share information about the death of group memebers to other group members.  Tough call. I think the general concensus was it depends on what stage everyone is in at the time. I took a gander around the room at the caregivers and the ones they love and care for.  It's a mixed group of black and white, all ages, men and women. But there are more men caring for their women. And doing a damn good job.  I caught one wrapping a coat over his wife's shoulders who is wheelchair bound and then simply grabbed her hand and held it. Another took off to the bathroom with her, as she has no use of either arm. 
I look at Julie, who I admire most of all.  Who has always been sensitive to traumas of life and has stepped up and found the strength to deal with what's been given to her.  I am so grateful she has her sense of humor, her honesty, and her ability to make everyone elses' life issues her own, regardless of what's going on that day.  We had a great day of reminicing with my old room mate during my college years earlier in the week,when we were a bit wild at times.  She has a way of making you laugh at yourself which I find so enjoyable and fun. That's probably why she has so many close friends who love her dearly.  I can't leave out her family-they are an incredible support and a very tight group of siblings. 
I don't want to think about the future, but I am so grateful to have yesterday with Julie and the group. And everyone is doing great. That's all you can ask for.
Go ahead!

Quality Teen Time

I have been spending a great deal of time in the last reading aloud To Kill a Mockingbird with Maddie.  She thought she would understand it alot better if she hear it read out loud.  Nice for me as well since I haven't read it it in a very long time.

To round out the experience, we invited over a few other 9th graders to watch the great film.  here is a sampling of the conversation duting the film:

"Who is that guy?"

"He is a bad guy I think. Or it might be Mr. Radley."

"Are they going to SHOOT the dog?? Really?  I can't watch that! This is a terrible movie! Who shoots dogs?"
Maddie: "Court, the dog has rabies.  It will die anyway"

"That guy is innocent!! What's wrong with these people?'  She is SOOOO lying."

" I am sorry, I can't be scared that someone is following Scout ans Jem. She is dressed like a ham;"

"I think i'st Mr. Radley and Atticus fighting. No, it might be Boo. Or Mr. Radley and Boo. Where is the ham? "

"Oh God, that man behind the door freaked me out!"  That was scary. More scary than the ham being knocked down in the woods."

Okay...people listen up,,think they might explain why it's called To kill a Mockingbird.  Maybe Boo is a mockingbird, not a blue jay...

I lost the train if thought after that....

Dog politics

As we embark on a new election year, my mind wandered to my visit to the dog park Sunday afternoon. It seems perhaps we humans could learn some lessons from man's best friend.  Dog parks bring all walks of life...big, little, black, white, asian, chinese, english...the only requirement is tolerance of others.  Dogs enter on equal footing..everyone is in charge and no one is in charge.
There is an initial greeting as new arrivals enter...a pack will usually wait patiently, and there's an exchange of butt sniffing before everyone decides it all okay.  No one is ostrasized-simply accepted as they pursue balls catching, playing, and running.
I have seen some attempts to aggressive mutts, and it seems most simply ignore them until they give up trying to control the situation.  They work it out with few squabbles. 
It seems to me humans might adopt a bit of tolerance for their fellow man...we would all be a much happier population. Go forth, sniff a bit, realize they are ok, and enjoy having them in your world.