Fairies Do Exist

Have you ever seen the movie "FairyTale: A True Story"? It's based on the story of the Cottingley Fairies.  In 1917, 2 young girls took 5 photos of what they claimed to be fairies in the woods near their home, and it captured the imagination of England.  It's a charming movie, and it begs the question: do fairies exist?

Today I want to talk about library fines.  If you are wondering what library fines have to do with the existence of fairies, I'll get to that.

 If you frequent a library, you are almost certain to have had a fine at one time or another. Most libraries charge a nominal fee, mostly as an incentive for the patron to return their items in a timely fashion. This is the fine structure at the Superior Public Library:

                                         DVDs-50 cents/day, maximum of $5.00 per item.
                                         E-readers-$5.00/day, maximum of $30.00
                                         Everything else, 20 cents/day, maximum of $4.00 per item


 Have you ever wondered what those nominal fees add up to? The Superior Public Library makes about $20,000 of our annual budget from the collection of fines.  Wow!  Those small amounts really add up, and they are very important to our bottom line.  Imagine $20,000 less out of the book budget.  At around $25 per, that's 800 books.  You can use this nifty library services calculator to discover what the library is worth to you in real dollars and cents.

http://www.ilovelibraries.org/what-libraries-do/calculator

Now, what happens if the dog ate your book, or you ran over the DVD with your truck?  (both have happened!).  You would be charged for the item so that we can replace it.  Anytime a fine is more than $5.00, library privileges are suspended until the fees are taken care of.  This way a person wouldn't continue to build fines upon fines, getting out of hand and making it more difficult to pay off.

Usually when a patron has a library fine they gladly pay it, realizing how much it would cost them to buy the DVD or book or CD that they have recently enjoyed. For most people these nominal fees are not a problem.  But there are those in our community that are stressed financially, for whom any extra expense is a burden.  Oftentimes the people who are most affected are the ones for whom the library is a valueable resource.  They rely on the library not just for entertainment but also for internet service, to apply for a job or pay their taxes. Perhaps they have young children and are part of the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program. Or maybe they're studying for their GED, or trying to put together a resume.  If their privileges are suspended it's a real burden.

The library has a solution, and you can be part of it, but only if you believe in the existence of fairies.  Do you? Because if you do, you can be a Fine Fairy.  What does this mean?  It's very simple. Your donation, large or small, to the Fine Fairy program makes it possible for those less fortunate in our community to pay off their fines to help restore library privileges to children, vulnerable adults, and other patrons in our community. You can make a donation at the front desk specifically for the Fine Fairy, or if you are paying off your own fine, perhaps you could round it up to the next dollar.  Just let us know. We won't divulge the names of those who contribute or of those who receive.

So put on your metaphorical wings. Wave your wand.  Make magic happen for a fellow library patron.  We believe in you, and we thank you.

.

4th Annual Holiday Cookbook Extravaganza! What's new?

With all the warm weather we've been having it's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week!  I usually title this annual post the Thanksgiving Cookbook Extravanganza!, but really this whole season offers ample opportunities for pulling out the cookbooks so I decided to broaden the scope and change it to Holiday Cookbook Extravaganza!

So the focus this year is on new cookbooks.  There are just so many great new cookbooks coming out that I wanted to review a few of them for you.  I am the type of person that actually reads cookbooks, for entertainment as well as edification.  I have learned so much about cooking from reading recipes without actually making a particular recipe.  I find that many of the newer cookbooks focus more on vegetables and grains, with smaller helpings of a lovely protein, which is more in line with my way of eating now days. So let's get to it!

Small Victories by Julia Turshen  

I just checked this one out and I am love, love, loving it!  Ina Garten wrote the forward, if that tells you anything about the book.  The recipes are straightforward (not a lot of piddly steps), flexible (options given for whatever ingredients you may have on hand), and beautifully photographed.  Most of the recipes also focus on learning a new technique or a way to make something easier.  I'm not a from scratch baker, but I did make the Afternoon Cake (no creaming butter with sugar! Yay!) with stunning results.  I'm asking for this one for Christmas.

Cooking for Jeffrey by Ina Garten  

I really like Ina Garten's cooking aesthetic.  Lots of flavor, fresh ingredients, beautifully and simply prepared.  She's really all about pulling the best flavor out of the ingredients-so many time I have tried a recipe only to be disappointed by the amount of flavor I am getting, whether it's garlic or lemon or whatever.  If Ina makes a recipe called  roasted potatoes with lemon, you can be sure you will taste the lemon! And her husband Jeffrey is just adorable. There's a menu section called Jeffrey's all-time favorite dinners, and Jeffrey appears to like some really tasty dishes.  How great is that?

Scratch by Maria Rodale

You won't find any long lists of ingredients here.  Many of the recipes have only 4 or 5 ingredients.  For example, crispy roast chicken with gravy:  1 chicken.  Also water, flour, salt and pepper.  That's it.  The snack time chapter is especially inviting-3 ingredient guacamole, fried chickpeas, roasted pumpkin seeds.  These are simple, new and old classics that are not difficult or intimidating.  Beautiful photos, too.

The Vegetable Butcher by Cara Mangini

In my quest to eat more vegetables I turn to this book.  I like that the chapters are arranged alphabetically by vegetable (I am a librarian). Each chapter starts off with a description of different varieties of a particular vegetable.  It covers how to choose the best veggies, when they are in season, what flavors will complement.  Then it moves on to how to clean, prep, and store your veggies, with photos to guide you, and a couple of different ways to cook your chosen veg.  Each chapter finishes up with 2 or 3 recipes to get you started.  Not all the recipes are savory.  There is one for a parsnip-ginger cake with burnt buttercream frosting which I am anxious to try. I'm sure it involves creaming butter with sugar but I'm willing to five it a whirl with my hand mixer.

My final review is really for a class of cookbook, those focusing on Nordic cuisine.  These books are just what you would expect from Scandinavia-uniformly spare, clean, lovely photos not just of food but of the countryside.  Happy people eating healthy, beautiful food while sitting around in their IKEA kitchens using their littala dishes and their Maimekko linens on their annual month off of work. I suppose there are recipes too.

 

  These seven new books are just the tip of the    iceberg. Check out our HUGE selection of  cookbooks at the library.          Happy Holidays and bon apetit!

Librarian Mary Will Now Take Your Questions

As you can probably imagine, Librarian Mary gets asked lots of questions at the library.  That's great, librarians love to answer questions!  It is our raison d'etre, besides our love of books and orderliness. Today I thought we could address a few of the most common ones.

"Librarian Mary, I have some family photos that I would like to scan to my computer.  Can you help me with this?"

Yes! The library now has a scanner.  There's no charge to scan any number of documents to your external storage.  If you need a thumb drive to scan your documents to, Librarian Mary has one that you may borrow until you upload your scans to the computer. Just ask at the Circulation Desk.

                                                                             *

"Librarian Mary, I have an important legal document that I need to have notarized.  Can you do that for me?"

Librarian Mary does not provide notary services. The City Clerk's office at the Court House (1316 N 14th St, Suite #200)  provides a notary service free of charge.  You could also ask at your bank, as many of them provide this service to their customers.

                                                                           *

"Librarian Mary, I am working on a cross stitch pattern, but it is so tiny!  I have tried a magnifying glass, but it's hard to cross stitch and hold it at the same time.  Can you help me?"

Yes!  The library has a copier that can enlarge your original pattern.  If you have lots of pages, use the document feeder to make life easier.  If you need instruction, just ask at the Circulation Desk. Librarian Mary is happy to help.  Copies are 15 cents per page.

                                                                             *

"Librarian Mary, what tax form do you think I need?  I have 2 children and I worked 2 jobs, and one was in Minnesota but I live in Wisconsin.  And what does it mean here where it says 'Tax Exempt Interest'?"

Unfortunately, Librarian Mary is not allowed, by law, to give you any tax advice-even if I personally know the answer.  I can steer you toward books and websites on the subject, but I can't tell you what forms you need or how to fill them out. I can, however, print any tax forms for you at 15 cents a page, but you must know which forms you need.

This really goes for any other advice you may need-medical, gardening, pet questions, how to answer the questions on a job application.  Librarian Mary will help you find the resources that you need to answer these types of questions, but I can't personally give you advice.

                                                                          *

"Librarian Mary, I am a globe trotting traveler and I don't like to lug all these books around on the plane, and if I put them in my luggage I'm over the weight limit!  What should I do?"

You need ebooks!  Download all your books and magazines to your tablet or phone and lighten your load. All you need is an Overdrive account and an internet connection.  Instructions can be found at superiorlibrary.org.   If you need more help, set up an appointment with Librarian Kyle at 715-394-8863.

                                                                           *

"Librarian Mary, I am very busy today.  I have a package for my friend who is coming to the library tomorrow afternoon.  Can I leave it with you until then? And can I put this personal letter in your out-going mail?"

Sorry, I can't help you with this one.  Librarian Mary cannot be responsible for any personal items you leave at the library.  Maybe you need a personal assistant?  Or some help organizing your day?  I can steer you in the direction of resources for this.

                                                                            *

"Librarian Mary, the computer wants the password to my email.  What is it?"

This question is surprisingly common.  So many people have their email set up on their phones without need of a password.  When they need to log on from a computer, they can't remember what the password is. Sorry, Librarian Mary can't help with this. In fact, Librarian Mary is embarrassed to admit that she also has this problem.

                                                                             *

"Librarian Mary, school has only been out 2 weeks and my children are already bored.  Help!

Our Children's Room can help with this.  Storytime, Summer Reading Program, Read to a Dog, free movies, Lego Club Mondays, crafts, games, computers-we have something for all ages and interests. Librarian Kelly, Librarian Nancy, and Librarian Kayleen are ready to help.


This is just a sampling. If you have more questions, or just want to find out what's going on, visit our website at superiorlibrary.org or follow us on Facebook or Twitter(@librarysuperior).  Or do the old fashioned thing- pick up the phone and give us a call at 715-394-8860.  We'll do our best to answer YOUR questions.

 

Shop Class

"Honey, park on the other side of the garage tonight, please.  I'm setting up the Shop early this year."  My husband sent me the text message on a warm February afternoon, and I was happy to comply.  The garage becoming the Shop is a sure sign of Spring.

I really enjoy the Shop.  The garage door open, the smell of sawdust, the sounds of the tools, the sight of a new project taking shape, a handsome man working.  I will often take my cup of coffee out there and just sit and watch and soak in the atmosphere.  Sometimes I might help out with the circular saw or in the finishing process.  It's a very Zen place to be, both physically and mentally.

If you are looking for a reason to spend some time in your Shop this Spring, I suggest building a Little Free Library.  Never heard of a Little Free Library?  The movement started in Wisconsin in 2009, and by 2015 the number of registered Little Free Libraries around the world topped 22,000.  You build the house for the books, put it in your yard, fill it with books, and people borrow them, and leave their own.  It's a great way to re-purpose, build community, and share a passion for reading and books.

 Plans for Little Free Libraries can be found for free online at LittleFreeLibrary.org.  But what if you're not so handy and still want to get in on the action?  There are lots of ideas for re-purposed Little Free Libraries.  Pinterest has a lot of ideas to spark your imagination.  How about an old suitcase (best for sheltered areas)? Or an old mini-fridge?  Metal bread boxes, mail boxes, tool boxes-basically anything weatherproof will work.

What to put in your library?  Fill it with your own books that you no longer read.  Some folks choose a theme, like children's books.  And you will find that as people take a book they will leave another in it's place.  If you need some "seed" for your library, the Superior Public Library always has books for sale in the Friends of the Library corner.  And the annual Friends of the Superior Public Library Book Sale is coming up April 29 from 9 am to 7 pm, and April 30 from 10 am to 2 pm. You can pick up more items than your Little Free Library will hold and help the Library out at the same time.

If you need a refresher in Shop class, the library has all the info you need.  Check out our display at the back desk. I know it just snowed, but Spring starts officially next week.  Really, it does.  Enjoy an early project in the Shop, and then watch what happens.  If you build it, they will come.


Some locations in Superior: 76th St. and Ogden Ave.
                                              59th St. and Cumming Ave.
                                              57th St. and Ogden Ave.
                                              21st St. and Ogden Ave.

Find more locations in the Twin Ports at LittleFreeLibrary.org

Babs and Chip in: "Blind Date of Doom!"

"Chip, Valentine's Day is next week."

"I know it's Valentine's Day, Babs.  In fact, I was just thinking about how we met.  Remember, Felicia and Rock set us up on a blind date. Boy, that was one for the books, wasn't it?"

"I'll say.  Wow, I haven't thought about that in ages.  Felicia invited me up from the Dells to help them decipher some ancient hieroglyphs they had found in a local cave."

"I remember it like it was yesterday.  I was living in the Yukon at the time, prospecting for gold...."

Chip swirled his pan of water.  The shallow river water swirled around his feet. His eyes scanned the lay of the land, looking for whoever had shot at him from the bushes yesterday.  Rumors about his stash of gold were a local legend  and there were those in town who would stop at nothing to get it. The horizon was clear.  He swirled the water around his pan, and picked out many bright nuggets.  At this rate, he would be set for the next 3 years or so of roaming the globe in search of adventures.  He packed his gear up, stowed it in the small shed he had built from sod and river rocks, set the booby trap, and started home. Felicia and Rock were throwing a party to celebrate the deciphering of some ancient hieroglyphs they had found in a local cave and they wanted him to meet the woman who had helped to finally break the code.

"Her name is Babs, and I think she's just your type.Felicia met her in a continuing ed course they took in college, How to Keep Multiple Cats Happy in Your One Room Apartment.  Extremely intelligent, pretty in a bookish sort of way.  She can speak Mandarin Chinese as well as Polish and makes a mean martini.  She rode her Honda PCX 150 up here from the Dells."

"Isn't that a scooter?"

"Yes, but it's an awesome piece of machinery."

 Rock greeted him as he came into the backyard.  It was deserted except for Felicia and another woman.

"Am I early?  Where is everybody? I thought you said to be here at 7:00."

"Everybody?  Umm, no, I guess it's just the four of us tonight."  He glanced at what was in Chip's hands. "Flowers and candy?  Really?"

"What?  What woman doesn't like flowers and candy?"

"Whatever you say.  Come on, I'll introduce you to Babs."

Chip was smitten. She was wearing a black evening gown and and carried a crossbow as an accessory. She was declaiming in some foreign language and seemed to be either reciting poetry or making a speech. She stopped short as they walked up, and stared at Chip.

 "Now, now ladies.  No more medieval Polish.  English, please. Babs, here's the guy I was telling you about.  Chip, meet Babs.  Babs, Chip."

"Hello", said Chip, handing her the flowers and candy.  She looked rather confused.  Were these gifts meant for her?  Surely they were for the hostess.  Who was this tall, dark and handsome stranger?

"Rock and I are heading out to the lecture on ancient Esquimaux written languages.  Why don't you two take a canoe ride? There's a great little restaurant about 3 clicks down the river, Salmon Sam's.  Just watch out for the class VI rapids, they can be a little dicey this time of year. Have fun!" And with that they made a beeline to their ancient Land Rover.

Babs turned to look up at Chip.  "Well, we might as well make the best of it.  I'm always up for a little adventure."

"My kind of gal.  Let us proceed on."

She gave him a quick look and smiled.  "I like Lewis and Clark too."

The first part of the trip was uneventful as they floated down the river.  The long Yukon twilight cast dappled shadows and an elk grazed on the shore. Then suddenly shots rang out.  The canoe was struck and took on water fast.  "They're after my gold!", Chip shouted. "Gold?", shouted Babs.  "Yeah, I have enough to keep me going for the next few years."

"You do?!" Babs quickly swung her crossbow around and with true aim, she sent a bolt into the bushes. The sniper was taken care of.  But the damage had been done.  The canoe was taking water on rapidly and would soon sink. "We have to swim it!" she shouted, and jumped into the rapids. Chip followed suit.  They swirled down the river, dodging rocks and getting turned around and disoriented.  When they came out the other side, they were holding hands.

"I guess this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship", Babs said, and smiled at Chip.

Babs and Chip ended up happily ever after.  You too can have a great blind date. Live dangerously and check out a book from our blind date with a book display during the month of February.  And be sure to bring that date to the Love Your Local Artist event on Friday Feb. 12 from 5:30-8:00. Meet local artists as you sample wine and refreshments, listen to music, and bid on items in the silent auction.

Let Us Have Music for Christmas

It's now roughly 10 days before Christmas, so I feel ready to pull out the Christmas music.  This might seem a little late, but Christmas music is something I want to enjoy right through New Year's Day.  If I start in listening to it the day after Thanksgiving,  I'll be deleting those playlists on Christmas Eve.  And I do mean playlists.  I currently have 7 Christmas playlists, ranging from Alternative Christmas to Urban Christmas to Traditional Christmas, as well as one labeled Winter Music.  Altogether that is 291 Christmas songs.  And that's not to mention the 5 albums of Christmas music that I inherited from my parents.  I play these on a console stereo that I picked up at an antique store in Duluth.  Listening to old albums on an old stereo takes me right back to Christmases in my parents' home-putting the reflectors behind every bulb on the Christmas tree, bringing up the coat hangar from the basement that held the tinsel we reused from year to year (not the flimsy stuff you can by now, this was almost like liquid metal), searching the box of ornaments for my own special one, the large red and white one with the reflective hole in the middle.

Some favorites of the era include the classic version of The Little Drummer Boy by the Harry Simone Choir, Dean Martin's cheeky 'Baby It's Cold Outside, Kay Starr's jazzy ''(Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man with the Bag", and 'What Are you Doing New Year's Eve?' by Nancy Wilson.  Most of these are actually off of the original  'Christmas Cocktails' CD, which I think is the best of the series.

Music has a special way of taking us back to a certain place and time.  Nostalgia is comforting, but I also don't want to get stuck in a Christmas music rut.  Every year I look for new sources of Christmas music.  This year I found Weezer's 'Christmas with Weezer' ep on Spotify, with some unexpected versions of traditional Christmas tunes.  Another newish fave is the 'Holidays Rule' CD, which includes an acoustic guitar rendition of 'Senor Santa' by Y La Bamba. The CD 'Alternative Rock X-Mas' has a rollicking cover of 'Please Daddy, Don't Get drunk this Christmas' performed by the Decemberists.  'Keegan's Christmas' by Marcy Playground is about a boy waiting up for Santa, and '12.23.95' by Jimmy Eat World is a wistful story of a Christmas break-up.

When I'm in a quiet Winter mood as opposed to a Christmas mood it's time for the Winter Music playlist.  'To Drive the Cold Winter Away' by Loreena McKennitt has some nice atmospheric tunes, as does Anne Dudley's 'Ancient and Modern'.  'Nordic Nights'  by Ely Minnesota raised violinist  Eli Bissonett captures the mood of Winter in the North. This playlist also contains two of my absolute favorite songs by Sting, 'Ghost Story' and 'Gabriel's Message.'

I could literally go on and on.  Please share your own favorites-I'm always open to suggestions for more Christmas music. And be sure to stop in the library and browse our collection of holiday music. As a thank you for following our little blog, I share with you the inimitable Patti Page.  Happy Holidays!

The 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Cookbook Extravaganza! Vegetable Dilemmas

It's hard to believe that this is the third year of the annual Thanksgiving Cookbook Extravaganza! As I contemplate my menu for the meal, the question always comes into my mind of whether or not to include a vegetables other than some type of potato. No one ever eats them but still I feel there should be a token something on the table. This year I turn to food history to help me decide.

To begin at the beginning, I will investigate the "harvest celebration of 1621", as the first Thanksgiving was called by the inhabitants of Plimoth Plantation.  According to Smithsonian.com. the menu would have consisted mainly of poultry, venison, fish and shellfish, nuts, and perhaps corn..  Potatoes, both sweet and white, were not yet known in North America. No cranberry sauce. Wheat for flour was scarce, as was butter (no pumpkin pie).  The turkey or other wild fowl would have been stuffed with onions and herbs.

In a letter of 1779, Juliana Smith describes a New England Thanksgiving dinner to her Cousin Betsey, which includes this description of a vegetable: "one which I do not believe you have yet seen.  It is called Sellery and you eat it without cooking."  The full menu is still pretty meat-centric. I feel the "sellery" is only included as a novelty.

           Haunch of Venison          Roast Chine of Pork                     Roast Goose
              Roast Turkey                     Pigeon Pasties                               Onions in Cream
              Cauliflower                        Squash                                            Potatoes
              Raw Celery                       Mincemeat Pie                               Pumpkin Pie
              Indian Pudding               Plum Pudding                               Apple Pie


So where did our traditional menu come from?  Most likely from the Victorians of the 1800's, which is when Sarah Hale, editor of Godey's Lady's Book, made a big push for Thanksgiving. According to Smithsonian.com there was a real nostalgia for the Colonial era at this time.  In 1863 Abraham Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a national holiday.  The Original Boston Cooking-School Cookbook of 1896 offers this menu:

          Oyster Soup                         Crisp Crackers                                 Celery
           Salted Almonds                    Roast Turkey                                   Cranberry Jelly
           Mashed Potatoes                 Onions in Cream                             Squash
           Chicken Pie                           Fruit Pudding                                   Sterling Sauce
           Fancy Cakes                         Neapolitan Ice Cream                   Mince, Apple and Squash
           Nuts and Raisins                Bonbons                                                     Pies
           Crackers                                Cheese     

I have to admit that I like the unabashedly celebratory feel of this menu. Oysters, meats and lots of desserts. Also lots of crackers. Celery is still there though.    

By 1949 the menu was smaller and more manageable for a housewife without extra help. The Modern Encyclopedia of Cooking suggest this holiday  menu:

         Roast Turkey                                     Oyster or Chestnut Dressing             Giblet Gravy
         Mashed Potatoes                              Buttered Onions                                    Cranberry Sauce
        Hot Rolls, Butter                               Head Lettuce, 1000 Island Dressing
        Pumpkin or Apple Pie          

More onions still, buttered this time.  Who would have thought?

Marthastewart.com offers several Thanksgiving menus, many of  which include onions. She suggests Braised Onions, Roasted Pears and Red Onions, or Glazed Pearl Onions.  

Of these menus onions are the only vegetable to appear on all three.  So, in the interest of being historically accurate, I am going to go with the lowly onion as the side dish this year.  I think maybe I'll just throw pearl onions in the pan with the turkey and let them caramelize.  Yum.  

For help with your own menu dilemmas, stop by the library before you start cooking.  Check out the display of holiday cookbooks for menu ideas.  We are open until 6:00 pm on Wednesday the 25th.

A very happy remembrance of the Harvest Celebration of 1621 to you all. 

              
         

Blinded by the Meaning

This past weekend I was sitting outside on a patio, enjoying the lovely weather and my morning cup of coffee.  It was at a hotel in the Twin Cities and they have music piped out there.  Generally I ignore the background music, but this playlist was actually pretty good. And then they played it.  Manfred Mann's Earth Band's 'Blinded by the Light.'  I commented to my husband that I had never liked this song, and we got to discussing it.  First off, what are the lyrics?  And what can they possibly mean?  Some kind of druggy trip?  Or a night in a club?

We found out that the song was written by Bruce Springsteen-who knew? When you look up the lyrics, the words don't mean much at all.  It's just a song. No deep meaning.  Just something to be enjoyed (or not).

Manfred Mann's Earth Band

This year the theme of the library's Halloween trick-or-treat is Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland', another piece of art that people are constantly looking for the meaning of.  Some claim Lewis Carroll was under the influence of drugs when he wrote it.  Or that Carroll had a problem with children.  There are all kinds of scholarly papers that may be found online explaining the deep, possibly dark, meaning of Alice and her adventures.

My question is, why?  Why are we looking for deep meanings in something that is a charming children's book? And it's not the only children's book to be dissected for some deeper meaning beyond enjoyment.  J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings' has been put under a microscope.  So have the Narnia Chronicles by C,S, Lewis. In fact, right now I am reading a book on how the Great War affected both of these men and their writings. Or take  Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials." It is supposedly based on John Milton's "Paradise Lost",  but on his website  Pullman states that when people ask him the meaning of the story his reply is that "I'm not in the message business.  I'm in the 'Once upon a time' business."

My own theory is that as adults we are looking for some more compelling reason why certain stories stick with us from childhood, apart from simple enjoyment.  As adults we must leave that childhood sense of wonder and nonsense behind and find a rationale for our likes and dislikes.  But why?  Why do we need to justify liking this or that story?  As well try to explain why you like 'Blinded by the Light' by Manfred Mann, or why you like chocolate, or anything else that defies descriptions and reasons.  Retaining that childhood sense of wonder and delight is a beautiful thing. And if adults did not retain it, we wouldn't have an Alice in Wonderland, or Frodo or any other beloved characters of fiction, characters so beloved that we carry them along into adulthood.

Yes, perhaps there are deeper meanings to fairy tales and such.  Perhaps they do speak to some deep psychological need in us all.  But that is secondary to the simple enjoyment they give.  I highly recommend re-reading that beloved childhood tale for your own pure enjoyment.  Get reacquainted with your inner child.

I think I'll give Manfred Mann a second listen while I contemplate my Halloween costume.

Take your own trip down the rabbit hole at the Superior Public Library's Halloween Trick-or-Treat! Friday October 30th from 10:00-noon and 2:00-4:00.  Bring along a non-perishable food item for the food shelf.










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Stuff

While packing for an upcoming vacation I was reminded of George Carlin's classic routine about stuff.  Do you remember it?  You can easily find it on YouTube (be forewarned, it's George Carlin so there's some language).  It's hilarious and so true. What to bring on the journey and what to leave behind?

The last vacation I took I planned for sunny skies and little rain and packed accordingly.  When it rained the WHOLE TIME I ended up wearing the same clothes for 4 days in a row.  Why on earth did I worry about packing a different outfit for every day?  I am keeping this in mind as I pack my suitcase. Who cares if I wear the same thing for days?  I'm never going to see these people again, or even be in the same city for more than 2 days.

Anyone moving into student housing or a first apartment has to figure out what stuff to bring and what stuff to leave, too.  Sometimes Mom and Dad give you the stuff they were saving for you, but maybe you don't like that stuff.  Or maybe your roommates don't like your stuff.  They have their own stuff.  Stuff gets to be a problem.

We all know Americans are the largest consumers on the planet.  According to internationalbusinessguide.org,  the American consumer market is 29% of the world market, followed distantly by Japan with 8.51%.  There are 300,000 items in the average American home (LA Times), and 25% of people with a two car garage can't fit two cars inside of it! (US Department of Energy).  The average American woman owns 30 outfits (that sounds about right for me, and I got rid of a lot of clothes this summer).  In 1930, she owned 9 (Forbes). I found these fun facts on http://www.becomingminimalist.com/clutter-stats/ and I must say I was astounded by some of them. 300,000?  Surely not I.

But then I figured all my silverware (2 sets at least), dishes (ditto), pens, cooking utensils, shoes, books (of course!), the kids' stuff that I'm "saving" for them, inherited pieces that I feel too guilty to give away but never use or even like, and what exactly is stored in my two cedar chests? 300,000 is totally possible.

One thing I have noticed is that a lot of librarians like to keep stuff.  I look around the library and I see we all have a lot of stuff.  Perhaps it's just that people who like to keep stuff tend to go into the Library Science field, which after all involves cataloging and organizing stuff- mostly books, but other stuff too.

                          Librarian Stuff

Anyway, sometimes we can feel overwhelmed with stuff. If you need help paring down or organizing your stuff we can help.  Whether you want to build some shelves, organize a closet, or pare down,  the library has materials to help you get started.  And when you are done you will feel a new lightness.  And have room for more stuff.

Babs and Chip in "Terror on the Mountain!"

The following is based upon a true story.

They drove the truck up the last few miles of dirt road, the serpentine switchbacks taking them higher and higher until they were finally up above the treeline.  The drive up the mountain had taken them past little rivers and gentle waterfalls.  The sunshine had even peeked out a couple of times.  Now the mist shrouded everything. Earlier in the day Chip and Babs had spoken to an old timer that warned them of snow up on the mountain, but they were doubtful.  Snow in the middle of July?  Rain was much more likely.

Reaching a level spot at the end of the dirt road, they parked their sturdy 4-wheel drive and got out. The trail over the mountains was clearly laid out, a straight line traversing the side of the mountain just down from the top of the ridge until it bent out of sight around some boulders.

"Well, what do you think?  Still want to go on this adventure?" asked Babs, her eyes on the grey clouds looming.

"That's why we came all this way, isn't it?  We have no choice at this point.  If we wanted to back out we should have done it in Superior, or Denver even.  It's too late now.  We're here and we're going to proceed on."

"Proceed on?" she repeated with a smile.  "Those are the words Captain Clark used on the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  'We proceeded on'."

Chip smiled back.  "I knew that would get you motivated."

 Babs donned her foul weather gear-wool sweater, sweat pants, buff and scarf, and over all the thin green raincoat, As they headed down the trail all seemed well.  The wind blowing across the high moor was refreshing.  A family of marmots playing in the boulders drew her attention.  As they came to the bend in the path, they saw that it proceeded on ahead around another bend.  "We'll stop up there and see what there is to see", said Chip.

What there was to see was a steep  downward plunge into a deep chasm.  And more clouds.  Soon the wind began to whip up, the light faded, and the rain came lashing down.  Babs pulled up her hood and wished for warmer shoes.  Stopping to catch her breath she noticed the sky light up with a sharp fork of lightening.  The tremendous crash of thunder startled her so much she lost her footing on the now slippery slope and teetered on the edge of the chasm.  Chip, coming up from behind, grabbed her hand as she slipped over and pulled her back up.  But the rain was coming down so fast and hard that the path beneath their feet was beginning to wash down the mountainside.  If they didn't move fast, they would go with it.  Too late.  Even as the thought occurred, she felt the ground beneath her feet slip and slide.  Her tenners lost their grip.  "Chip!" she screamed, and she felt her hand slipping through his.

Well, that's how I like to tell the story.  It did rain while we were hiking.  Everyone needs a little adventure.

Want some adventure in your life?  A good start would be our display of Adventure books. And remember,

"It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage."
                                         

Beginner's Luck?

Last weekend I took the Basic Rider Course at WITC to get my class M Motorcycle Operator’s license.  I was somewhat nervous, having never been on a motorcycle before.  But I can ride a bike, so hey, it can’t be that different, right?  Within in my first half hour on the bike I fell over on it.  I now have the bruises and scuffed boots and a great story to tell about the time I wiped out on my cycle.

Perhaps I should have consulted the ‘Everything Motorcycle Book’, wherein I would have learned that you should not apply the brakes while making a sharp turn on your motorcycle.  Had I done some preliminary prep work, I may have earned my Class M Operator license.

How many times have you jumped into a project without the proper prep work?  Most of us find the preparatory work the boring part.  We want to get to it, make things happen, be finished, and succeed.  But a big part of success is being prepared for success.   

Being an absolute beginner at anything can be very intimidating.  You don’t know the terminology.  How should you hold the knitting needles, or the baseball, or the clutch?  What does knit 1 purl 2 really mean?  How much water is involved in painting with watercolors? Why is it called canning when I am using a jar?

Years ago, people often learned a skill from someone else in the home.  Maybe grandma taught you how to knit or crochet.  Dad threw the ball around with you after dinner, or Mom taught you how to back bread or can.  Today with two parents working and grandma and grandpa living in their own homes longer, many of these skills are no longer passed along and we are on our own if we want to learn them.

Before you go to a class, pick up the paint brush, or throw the ball, check out the library.  We have some great resources for absolute beginners.  The 'for Dummies' series is geared toward the absolute beginner, as are the 'Everything ________' books. The Children's Room is an often overlooked resource for the adult beginner.  You can find books in the Children's Room that explain things in a clear, concise manner.

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I will be retaking that class M license test.  But first I will review all I learned and practice, practice, practice.  Maybe on a scooter.

What's In a Name?

Lettice.  Cale.  Or, if you want to be more traditional, Kale. Maybe Romaine is more to your taste. A recipe for a salad, you ask?  That would be a good guess, but no.  These are actually trending baby names.  Yes,  Baby Lettice.

We have babies on the brain at the library lately since one of our own is due any minute now.  We're always excited to get new patrons, and the youngest patrons are the library's future.

Did you know that you can get your child of any age a library card?  Just have your own card in good standing, and you can get each of your children their own cards, too.  I still remember the day I got my first library card. I remember how excited and privileged I felt.  Having attained the great age of 5, I was now ready for the responsibilities and rights associated with a library card.  I would walk down 12th Street to the Carnegie Library on Hammond Avenue at least once a week.  I was a quiet child and I enjoyed the quiet pursuits of watching the fish in the aquarium, looking at the stereopticon, and of course, choosing and reading books. The Boxcar Children?  The Fannie Farmer Cookbook? Maybe be daring and get both? My choices were ceremoniously brought up to the desk beneath the Mother Goose painting and the nice librarian would look up my card and check them out to me.  I have very warm memories of that Children's Room.

Circa 1975 Children's Ro

Circa 2015 

You can build your own happy memories with your child in our Children's Room, too. The aquarium is gone, but the painting of all the Mother Goose rhymes is still there as well as the nice librarian.

Any child from newborn on up can get their own library card.  And studies show that when you read to your baby, you build important connections in the brain's language, social, and emotional areas.  Holding baby close while you read to him/her fosters feelings of safety and happiness for both of you, and helps baby learn to connect reading with those good feelings.

How about trying out the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program?  Sound daunting?  If you read only one book to your child each night for 3 years you will have read well over 1,000 books!  You may include ANY books your child listens to, whether read by you, a grandparent, sibling, teacher, Kindle, computer-you get the idea.  So long as your child listens to the entire story, even if it's the same one over and over, it counts towards the 1,000 total.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is just one of many activities in our Children's Room.  There's Story Hour every Tuesday at 10:30, LEGO Club the first Monday of every month, a new craft every month, movies, Summer Reading Program-check out the newsletter at superiorlibrary.org and then stop by the Children's Room to start building your own memories.

Be sure to bring in baby Cale so we can meet him (or her?).

Do you have fond memories of the library?  I would love to hear them!