Old Friends, Old songs and Great books

My dear friend Norma emailed me last night and reminded me that I haven't "blogged" in a very long time. I could tell you that I have spent all my time reading and doing library things. but then this is a library thing, isn't it? I could also tell you that I am totally overwhelmed by Sandy's blog. I know you are all reading that and getting the latest news, which probably adds to my incredible slowness in writing myself. I can not offer the bells and whistles , but I can give you my words. Recently, someone that I first met 50 years ago has come back into my life. This blessing made me think about the journey through the years and what I have learned. Telling you all of that would take much more space and time than I have here.(Maybe, I'll get my book finished someday) Anyway, here are a few things that I have learned: I like being old. I have learned to be kinder to myself. I don't worry about what others think. I have learned its ok and rather wonderful to dance with myself to the music of the late 50's and early 60's and even to let the tears roll over a lost love. I have learned that it's ok to spend as much time as I want reading without feeling guilty about the housework or whatever else I "should" be doing. I have learned to be grateful for the wrinkles on my face, because they let the world know how I have laughed in my life. I have learned that grey hair and a less than flat belly are a song to a wonderful family. Being old has set me free.

Summer Reading began yesterday with jungle Jim. Sandy and Susan have worked hard to put together a fantastic program for our little ones, teens and for adults. Great prizes and incentives wait for our readers.

Revenue is down, but that is not news. I am still ordering new books, just not quite as many. Lee Child's new book made me want more of Jack Reacher. Evanovich's FINGERLICKIN' FIFTEEN will be on the shelf June 23. Her books make me laugh out loud. THE PHYSICK BOOK OF DELIVERANCE DANE is a fascinating novel about a woman who discovers a key and the name Deliverance Dane. Deliverance Dane lived during the 17th century and was accused of being a witch. I thoroughly enjoyed this look at woman's lives in the 17th century, along with a great story.

Until next time, here's to old friends, old music and great books.

Books and...

We've have some fantastic new garden books, and what a great time this is to be reading about gardening in Texas. The weather certainly makes me want to be outside puttering about in a garden. I heard this morning, though that we may have a freeze tomorrow night. That will be a good time to look at some of those gardening books. I zoomed through Maeve Binchy's new book, Heart and Soul. I didn't want it to end. She always manages to create interesting, believable characters, and this book is no different. True Colors by Kristin Hannah is also a good read. It is about three sisters and how their lives are affected by their mother's death. The new Robert Parker is here, waiting to be cataloged. It will be out next week, along with Jeffery Archer's latest. Have you seen the 3D rendering of the new library? Check it out on the website. It is gorgeous. We desperately need someone to lead the fund raising effort. Let me know if you have any ideas. Today is Friday, and I am looking forward to the weekend. I hope your weekend is a good one.

New Books! Lots of new books have arrived. I am reading as fast as I can!! We have the latest Barbara Delinsky, Jefferson T Parker, Janet Evanovich, and James Patterson books to name a few. We also have Revolutionary Road, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. With the economy the way it is, many of us can not afford to buy books. What a wonderful thing it is to have our own library providing us with the books that we want to read. I read an article last week discussing the growth in library use during this shaky economy. People come to the library for many reasons. Here at LHPL, computer use has nearly tripled in the last few weeks as people job search. Going to the movies can be an expensive evening, and rather than spend money for tickets and popcorn, people are checking out movies and popping their own corn. That's what libraries are for. Please let me know how the library can help you.

A Bit About Me

So many have asked how I found my way to the library, so I decided to write a bit of my story. Books have always been my passion. I remember being bored stiff with Dick and Jane, because I already knew how to read. (Does that tell you how ancient I am?) I loved to write, and to this day have journals stashed all over my house. What better way to combine two loves than teaching literature and writing. I taught high school English for 32 years. I always told my students that I hoped they would be as fortunate as I, in having a career they loved. I still miss, and probably always will, interacting with students. During those years, I taught grades 9 through 12, and all levels from Resource to Advanced Placement. I believed that if I "[gave] kids great things to do, they would do great things." They never disappointed me. I spent a number of years mentoring new teachers, and I always told them that they had to love their content areas as well as each and every kid; they didn't have to like some of their actions, but they had to love the kid underneath the action, because kids instinctively know when you don't like them, and they know instantly if you do not like what you are teaching. OK, so what does all that have to with being the Director of LHPL? I'm not sure, except for my connection to books. When I retired from teaching and moved to Liberty Hill, I joined a book club here at the library. When one of the members discovered I was a retired English teacher, she encouraged me to apply for this position. What better way to spend my "golden days" than among thousands of books? I am so very lucky. I get to talk about books, touch books, talk about books, order books, talk about books, read books, talk about books, read about books and talk about books every day. Heaven!

Merry. Merry

It is the day before the day before. I finally finished the shopping, but I have nothing wrapped. I still have all day tomorrow to do all that, though. I'm taking home The Long Embrace and My Father's Country. Of course I already have four other books at home . I guess I will be covered if we have a blizzard of epic proportions. To all of you who bother to read these ramblings, I wish a warm, laughter filled Christmas.

Keepin' On

Thanks to the person who encouraged me to keep on keeping on. So, only a few more days until Christmas. I got the package mailed to Australia, the package mailed to CA and the package mailed to MI. Now I just have to begin my shopping for those at home. You can guess where I will be this weekend. I also have a pile of books waiting for me. I will have to fight that urge to say the heck with it and read. I find myself doing that too often. I finished reading The Hour I First Believed. He's done it again. When I began the book, I attempted to do my usual skimming, but not with this book. I not only had to read it all, I wanted to read it all. Lamb has once again created characters that will not be forgotten easily. I am looking forward to talking about this book with someone.

Too Soon

Another month is gone, and Christmas is almost here. I have spent way too much time reading, instead of getting the things done that need doing. I have to mail gifts to the grandkis in Australia by Monday, in order to have even a whisper of hope that they will arrive on time. I have books for the girls and books for my daughter and son-inlaw--what else would I send? Of course the postage is outrageous, but they are more than worth it. I am reading The Hour I First Believed. It is not a happy book, but Lamb has created a fascinating look at the aftermath of Columbine and its effects on the school nurse who was present when the tragedy happened, and her husband, an English teach who happened to be out of the state at a relative's funeral. Lamb manages to take the reader into the characters' lives, as we question what they question, experience their agony and fear, and wonder if we can ever get beyond it. I am also reading God of Animals. It is an inside look at a family as they struggle to maintain their horse ranch and their lives. The narrator is the 12 year old daughter. I was a bit leary when I discovered that the narrator was so young, but seeing the family and the situation through her eyes does nothing to minimize the seriousness of situation, including the growing pains she is experiencing that neither parent seems to notice. Have you been in the library lately? We have more detailed floor plans for the new library. The Christmas tree is decorated, and lots of books are under the tree for those of you who received the coupons at the parade last Sunday. Aa White Christmas plays on the radio and the wind blusters about the library, it seems like another good day to read!