Reality Check

Posted in Whimsies by kzmclain

I know someone who admits to limiting her television watching almost entirely to so-called reality TV. She is a mother of young children who also works part time outside the home in the evening. I suspect that in the little bit of time that she has to call her own, she doesn’t want to have to work too hard at following a complicated plot or becoming depressed from some of the very sad and/or violent offerings available to the viewing public.

If someone asked me if I watch reality TV, I would haughtily deny I did any such thing. Hmpff. Who needs to watch the Kardashians or Honey Boo Boo? I don’t care what’s in someone’s abandoned storage locker or about the problems of having 19 children. Really? 19 children?

But here’s the thing. I might deny watching reality television, but I would be lying. Because when I looked on the internet to find out what reality TV shows were currently popular, I was quite surprised to find that I watched a fair number of them.

Dancing With the Stars, Shark Tank, The Voice, America’s Got Talent, American Idol, not to mention many, many Food Network programs. I can call them whatever I want, but they are, in fact, reality television. Who knew?

Sigh.

I even watch Chrisley Knows Best, but mostly because I love Todd Chrisley’s AWESOME Georgia accent. But we all have our excuses, don’t we?

For the most part, however, my reality television is limited to cooking programs and talent programs. I have watched American Idol almost from the beginning. I don’t think I have ever missed an episode of Dancing With the Stars. I even watched Buzz Aldren clomp his way around the dance floor week after week until I thought my head would explode. You should have stopped with the moon landing, Buzz.

I strongly suspect that many baby boomers keep programs such as Dancing With the Stars on the air. Despite the fact that they keep trying to make the program palatable to a younger demographic, I suspect the actual demographic looks a lot like me.

At this time, I must admit to you that not only do I watch programs such as Dancing With the Stars and American Idol, I might actually, well, uh, you see, sometimes, on occasion, I even, um, vote. Again and again and again, to be perfectly honest. I’m pretty sure I’m single-handedly saving Clark Beckham each week on American Idol. And I have such a crush on Riker Lynch on Dancing With the Stars that it isn’t even funny. I think it’s because he’s from Littleton, Colorado. I’m going with that, anyway so it doesn’t seem too perverted.

I know I’m not the only one who votes on these performance-based reality television shows. While Jen and I mostly agree on who we like (Scotty McCreery owes us BIG TIME), there have been occasions when we have pretty much cancelled out each other’s votes.

I’ve only just this year discovered The Voice, and I’m totally addicted. I don’t know if it will be a long-standing love affair since I’ve never watched it before, but I’m certainly caught up in the drama this year. Oh Adam.

I was pretty sure that reality TV was a passing fancy, but I’m thinking it’s here to stay. I’m just waiting until my family hits the reality scene. We definitely have the makings…….

How about you? Do you vote on any of the performance programs?

27Apr2015

Gentle Shepherd

Posted in Whimsies by kzmclain

I am the good shepherd; I know my own, and my own know me. – John 10:14

Truly, who cannot simply love the notion that Jesus is the good shepherd and takes care of us all, in fact, knows each one of us by name? Every time I hear John’s beautiful telling of Jesus’ parable about the good shepherd, I am filled with joy.

These are words from You Are Mine, one of my favorite hymns….

Do not be afraid I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me I will bring you home. I love you and you are mine. – David Haas

I literally cannot hear this hymn without crying, particularly at the words I have called you each by name. I think this notion that God loves each one of us is so hard to understand that we simply don’t think about it. But I think about it every time I hear John’s gospel about the Good Shepherd.

I’m pretty sure the black sheep in the front of the flock is me!

I always wondered about the notion that sheep really give a hoot about who it is that leads them around, that is, the shepherd. Seriously? Do the sheep really care? Deacon Gordon at All Saints Church in Mesa gave the homily yesterday. Though he grew up in Chicago, he married into a family who raised sheep. He talked about his mother-in-law, who really tended to the sheep. The sheep knew her voice and followed her commands, he said. In fact, one time his children – her grandchildren – asked if they could herd the sheep back to the pen. Grandma said yes. The sheep, however, had other ideas and went every which way except the way they were supposed to go. Grandma stepped in, called the sheep and they followed her. She knew each one of them and they knew her.

Just like the Good Shepherd.

My sister Jen’s pastor is a young priest of 35 or so. The same age as Jen’s son and mine. He is dying of cancer – an inoperable stomach tumor. In his homily, this brave priest said that people often ask him what he wants them to pray for – God curing his cancer or him accepting God’s will. His answer? This man who likely will succumb to cancer at a very young age said he believes that the prayer is one in the same. Because Jesus is our Good Shepherd, we must trust that God’s will most certainly will be whatever is the best for him.

Can I possibly ever have that much faith? Certainly I try. Every morning when I say my prayers, because I figure I can ask God for anything, I ask Him to cure Bill of his Parkinson’s if it is His will. That’s what I say, but what I REALLY mean is I don’t care or not if it is HIS will; it is certainly MY will and therefore – DO IT!

It is certainly a good reminder to listen to the story of the Good Shepherd and remember that he will care for us and love us forever.

25Apr2015

Saturday Smile: Skinny Neck

Posted in Whimsies by kzmclain

Our 5-year-old grandson Joseph underwent surgery this week — he had his tonsils removed. I’m pleased to say everything went fine with the surgery. Since we weren’t able to be there (they live in Vermont), it was fun to be able to Facetime with him this week. He was cheerful and happily chasing around his little brother Micah as we talked.

This picture made me smile. It is Joseph on his way home from the hospital. I love his valient attempt to be cheerful for the camera. His look is a mixture of glad-it’s-over combined with I’m-still-fairly-doped-up-from-the-surgery. His Uncle Allen’s comment upon seeing the picture? “I swear his neck looks skinnier!”

Glad it’s all over Joseph, and heal well.

Have a great weekend everyone!

23Apr2015

Guest Post, Reluctant Traveler: Life is Good

Posted in Whimsies by kzmclain

By Beckie Borman

I love traveling to a new place, somewhere I’ve never been. But, it’s also fun to go back time and again to a place I love. One of those places is Cocoa Beach, Florida, where I recently spent a week with my son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Here’s how our week went:

We ate a lot of seafood, at least, we adults did. Mackenzie and Carter stuck mostly to hamburgers and chicken tenders. But, Erik, Josey, and I had shrimp, local fish like grouper, live-from-the-tank blue crabs, and many, many raw oysters. One of our favorite places to eat is the Sunset Café Bar and Grill, which, as its name implies, is a wonderful place to watch the sunset over the Banana River. We had dinner there our first and last nights, fried shrimp and oysters, as usual. Sunset Café is always fun, but it was a particular treat on Friday night, our last evening in Florida. A blue heron flew in and out several times, perching on top of a boat docked in the marina. But, even more entertaining was the dolphin, who, the entire time we were there, swam, leapt, and dove about twenty yards from the shore. We were all captivated.

Carter and Josey are quality control while Erik picks out the crabs.

We also had fun picking out blue crabs at Ms. Apple’s Crab Shop. Ms. Apple is a real character, a petite woman who runs the shop with an iron fist. Customers can pick out their own crabs or let one of the staff do it. But, really, how can you resist the opportunity to use tongs and pull out one after another snapping crabs, plunk them in a bucket, and turn them over to be steamed for your eating enjoyment? We chose 18 large crabs and took them back to our hotel, where we enjoyed them on our balcony.

Another “must” when we’re in Cocoa Beach is Ron Jon Surf Shop. Picture the biggest beach store you’ve ever seen and multiply by four. Ron Jon is open 24-7, and it’s always busy. There’s nothing related to surfing or the beach that you cannot purchase there. It’s definitely sensory overload, but so much fun! Rest assured, all five of us Bormans found numerous items we couldn’t live without.

The whole Borman clan enjoy the ball game.

This year, we also enjoyed doing something we haven’t done before…we attended two of the Washington Nationals spring training games. I am a big Nats fan, and although I usually attend a “Cactus League” game or two in Phoenix, where I live, I’ve never seen a Nats game in Florida’s “Grapefruit League.” So we drove the short distance to Viero and took in some baseball. While no one else in the family is a fan like I am, they all love sports and enjoyed learning a little about the players and the game. Mackenzie managed to get a fly ball on Monday, and she took it back with her to the game on Thursday, hoping for an autograph. Ian Desmond, Nats shortstop, obliged. She was a very happy girl!

In case you’re wondering, yes, we spent a lot of time on the beach, in between all these other activities. The Resort on Cocoa Beach is, well, on the beach, and it’s only a short walk to the water. With beach chairs and umbrella, boogie boards and sand toys, it’s easy to spend long, relaxing days sitting by the water, walking the beach, building sand castles, boogie boarding, and jumping the waves. We did all of the above. When we tired of the sand, we made our way to the beautiful pool area, where the grandkids could swim and play in the pool, while we adults enjoyed adult beverages from the poolside bar.

View from the veranda.

Yes, life is good in Cocoa Beach. We all dream of going back again, maybe even this year. Because there’s no such thing as too much beach time.

22Apr2015

Put a Fork in It

Posted in Whimsies by kzmclain

Day 2: Operation Disneyland
Outcome: My legs are tired

We spent two full days at the happiest place on earth, and if we’d only spent one-and-three-quarter days, my legs wouldn’t be so tired. Between Monday and Tuesday, we walked a full 21 miles.

Admittedly, it was 21 miles of pure, unadulterated fun. The closest I came to a roller coaster yesterday was Goofy’s Sky School, which was, well, goofy. But fun-goofy. Bill did the Tower of Terror by himself first thing in the morning while I went to pick up a couple of my must-haves – Matterhorn Macaroons.

It was during my trip from California Adventure (where the Tower of Terror is located) to Magic Kingdom (where the Matterhorn Macaroons live) that I saw my strange-person-of-the-day. Another grandmother like myself, but wearing a green shirt, green shorts, and fairy wings. All over her gray hair she had 30 or 40 flower barrettes. That’s all I’ll say about Grandma Tinker Bell. But, FAIRY WINGS.

The first time I ever went to a Disney park was Disney World as an adult. My family of origin didn’t go to Disneyland; we went to Colorado. That’s how the Gloors rolled. But it was love at first sight. And I passed that love on to my son, who loves it as much as his mother. From my first visit, my favorite ride has always been Pirates of the Caribbean. The Haunted Mansion is second runner up. That has never changed.

Until now.

Cars “race” at the Radiator Springs Road Rally

It is with great trepidation that I admit that I am leaving Jack Sparrow for another man. Lightning McQueen. I decided after my second round on Radiator Springs Racers that it is my favorite ride. But Pirates is still a close second.

One final remark about Disneyland. I have no idea how the company treats their employees (though I would suspect well). But as far as running a great organization, I don’t think they can be beat. If I had a question, it didn’t matter who I asked. They knew the answer and they were cheerfully helpful. Disney’s attention to detail cannot be matched. We had dinner at the Blue Bayou which is the restaurant adjoining Pirates of the Caribbean. As we sat at the table, we watched the boats float by. There was an old shack by the water, and fireflies flickered on and off. You would have sworn you were outside sitting by the bayou. You could almost hear the crickets. I noticed a cloud in the “sky” and, as we ate, the cloud slowly changed its shape – just like clouds do in real life. I finally asked our waiter how in the world that was possible. He explained that the cloud was really just light projected onto the wall. And the “fireflies” were really just tiny lights at the end of a long stick that were being blown around by a big fan.

After two days, strategic use of Fast Passes and Park Hopper tickets, planning ahead, and very many trips back and forth from Magic Kingdom to California Adventure, here’s what we were able to ride during our time at Disneyland…

Magic Kingdom
Star Tours
Space Mountain
Roger Rabbit
Small World
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain
Haunted Mansion (twice)
Pirates of the Caribbean (twice)
Boat ride to Tom Sawyer’s Island
Tarzan’s Tree House

California Adventure
California Screamin’
Radiator Springs Racers (twice)
Hollywood Hotel Tower of Terror (Bill by himself)
Goofy’s Sky School

After two days of Disney, our legs are tired and we’re ready to go home. But it was great fun indeed.

We elbowed our way past a few children to get our picture taken with Mater. Oh don’t be horrified. I’m just kidding.

Bill enjoys an adult beverage in Downtown Disney.

After what our trip cost us, we’ll have to hitchhike home!

21Apr2015

Screamin’

Posted in Whimsies by kzmclain

Day 1: Operation Disneyland
Outcome: it really is the happiest place on earth
We got to the park by 8:30, and were thrilled — thrilled, I tell you — when they told us they were going to open the gates to California Adventure a half hour early. Our plan was to make a beeline to the Radiator Springs Road Rally fast pass line to get an early fast pass for the most popular ride in the park.

But the Disney folks played a big fat trick on us. I will, however, forgive Mickey because how can you remain mad at such a lovable fellow? While we did get inside the gates, they stopped us before we could actually get into the park. We had to wait until 9 for that. What they did is give us an extra half hour to shop. That mouse thinks of all of the marketing angles.

Anyhow, no harm, no foul, because 35 minutes later we held our fast passes in our hot little hands. And we had some time to kill.

Now, what I’m about to tell you will shock many who know me and know how

California Screamin’. I, for one, was too scared to even scream.

terrified I am of roller coasters. Looming ahead of us, you see, was a ride called California Screamin’, and Bill wanted to go.

“Please?” he asked me. “It won’t be bad at all.”

He didn’t fool me. I have eyes and I could see it was going to be bad. But I VERY reluctantly agreed for two reasons. One, I knew I was going to ask my husband that very day to go on

It’s A Small World. What can I say?

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Small World, and Pirates of the Caribbean, and furthermore, I knew he would ride them because I asked. That’s how he rolls. The least I could do….

And two, I could hear my sister Bec’s final words to me before we left AZ: “I double dawg dare you to ride California Screamin’.” Double Dawg Dare.

As we stood in line, I was literally shaking with fright. We had gotten past the point of no return when I saw that the ride included one of those circles in which riders go upside down.

Sweet Jesus.

Well, as you can see, I lived, but I assure you it was not even close to being fun. My eyes were closed the ENTIRE time, and I said seven or eight Hail Marys throughout the ride. I texted Bec as soon as I stopped shaking, and she responded, “It was fun, right?” Nope, I said.

We had a wonderful Day One, and I noticed a couple of things. One, there were

I was so happy to find the Mickey Mouse ice cream bars!

many little girls in princess dresses, and easily 7/8th of them were either Elsa or Anna. Have any other princesses ever been so popular?

Two, something happens to people when they go to Disneyland. They spend money on and wear things they will never wear again. I saw a man who absolutely HAD to be an NFL player wearing Mickey ears, and he was only one of very many. I don’t see them wearing them into work next week. But perhaps the oddest thing I saw was a woman of about my age wearing a princess gown. And yes, it was Elsa.

Speaking of funny things, I noticed an unusually large number of people wearing Star Wars paraphernalia, dressed as Obi Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader, Han Solo. I wondered about this, because while there is a Star Wars ride at Disneyland (Star Tours), it’s certainly not the focus of the park. I learned there is a Star Wars convention in town. Seriously. Do these people have jobs?

I love the topiary all around the park.

Finally, before I return for Day 2 to the happiest place on earth (which today will NOT include any roller coasters) I will leave you with my nicest-person-in-the-park story. We were waiting in line for Splash Mountain (which, while I don’t love it, only has one drop, and Bill sat through Small World) and the wait was a long one. Suddenly a stranger came up to us in line, asked if it was just the two of us, and when we said yes, proceeded to give us his two fast pass tickets. It was awesome (except for the near riot it caused by those standing near us. Hey! Sometimes it’s good to be a cute old couple.)

It’s a small world after all.

And we walked 28,000 steps yesterday!

Do you think I’ll ever learn to take a selfie?

Here’s how we started our day. Beignets!

And here’s how we ended it…fried chicken at The Plaza right outside Tomorrowland.

20Apr2015

Five Hundred

Posted in Whimsies by kzmclain

Five hundred…..

Miles, as in the old folk song?

Laps, as in the Indianapolis 500?

A Fiat, as in the Fiat 500?

A win/loss percentage, as in having a 500 season?

All of the above are well-known 500s. Today, however, I’ve got another 500 on my mind. For today I am offering you Nana’s Whimsies’ 500^th blog post!

Five hundred posts. I can hardly believe it. Who would ever think that I could come up with 500 stories to tell you?

In 2008, Bill and I took a trip to Europe, cruising across the Atlantic on a ship. We spent the next three months traveling around Spain, France, Germany, Austria, and Italy, enjoying the various cultures, eating the delicious indigenous foods, seeing spectacular sights, and meeting amazing local people. As we prepared to leave on our big adventure, I began thinking about how I would stay connected to my friends and family from across the ocean.

“I’ll send you all regular emails,” I said, wondering if that would indeed be realistic.

No, said my much-hipper-friends. Write a blog.

Huh? It was late in 2007, and I seriously had never heard of a blog. Heck, I was happy that I even knew how to email. But my friends explained blogs to me and showed me just how easy it was to create your own. In particular, my daughter-in-law Lauren enthusiastically encouraged me to consider the idea. So, with her help and the help of others, I published my first blog, The Reluctant Traveler. I imagined a few hits a day. To my surprise, as the months passed by, I learned that a surprising number of people were following Bill’s and my adventures via my blog. That knowledge helped waylay my homesickness.

When we returned, I again was surprised at how many people told me that they think I should continue to write a blog. They missed reading my posts every day.

Seriously? Why would anyone be interested in the mundane life of a 60-something baby boomer? It’s one thing to be able to write about travel antics, but my days consist mostly of kids, grandkids, family and friends. No exciting plans to hike Mount Everest.

Now I must give a nod to my friend Megan, who convinced me that blogs were just the 21^st century’s version of magazine columnists. And, she pointed out, just think how popular Erma Bombeck had always been because of her funny stories about her normal life.

Between Megan and my sister Jen, I was convinced to start another blog. I struggled a bit with what the blog’s focus should be. I didn’t particularly want to have a cooking blog because a) I’m not a particularly creative cook and b) there are 10 cajillian cooking blogs already out there. Plus, I didn’t want to be stuck with just one focus. I have a lot of interests. And sometimes I just want to tell a story without having to come up with a recipe.

Thus, the birth of Nana’s Whimsies.

Though the idea of making a bit of money from my blog was, and continues to be, appealing, what really keeps me posting every day is connecting with people. I think most of my readers are associated with me in some way – a relative, a friend, the friend of a friend, etc. On the one hand, I would like to figure out a way to garner the interest of people unconnected to me. On the other hand, I am so very happy that Nana’s Whimsies has become a part of a lot of people’s everyday lives. When I was recently in the hospital, for example, a number of people commented on how they missed reading my blog. One reader, a cousin, said she missed her “daily dose of Nana.” That makes me smile.

I plan to continue Nana’s Whimsies as long as it is fun to write my stories. Because I so enjoy writing, I think that will be a long time. I continue to try to find ways to build my readership, and I appreciate any help you all can give me in that regard. Share my blog on Facebook. Tell your friends. Read my stories every day. Give me feedback and/or ideas. Comment on my blog.

Over the next few weeks, I plan on taking another kind of scary step – that of self-hosting my blog. I would explain what that means, but it’s way too complicated for unsophisticated minds. (The truth of the matter is I haven’t really the foggiest notion of what that means, but it’s what everyone tells me my next step should be.)

What I do know is that it will allow me to become part of blogging networks which should help with my readership. I’m telling you all this so that if you log onto my blog and there is a glitch of some sort, know that it will be worked out. Be patient. Let me know any problems you encounter.

Thanks for all of your support and your faithful readership. It means more than you will ever know.

Five hundred!

18Apr2015

Saturday Smile: On the Edge

Posted in Whimsies by kzmclain

When I got home from the hospital this past week, I found in my mailbox handmade “get well” cards from Alastair, Dagny, and Maggie Faith. The cards made me very happy. Dagny apparently got some sort of spirograph set because her card contained many, many spirographs. Magnolia’s card was sealed with a sticker and the order that it should only be opened by Nana. It contained a big sun and many good wishes.

Alastair’s card, however, made me laugh out loud. In typical Alastair fashion, his card was carefully hand-drawn with characters who may or may not be figments of his imagination. Have any of you ever heard of Grammie Pearls?

But it was the verse that made me laugh. Here is what Alastair said to me:

I’M SORRY

I’m sorry that you are in the hospital, Nana.

I hope you recover soon and are in good health.

I still love you and will pray.

Sincerely — Alastair

Very sweet wishes; it’s just that the part about still loving me makes me a bit nervous. Was I on the edge? Could this have potentially pushed me over but I survived the threat? Am I running out of time?

Grandsons. What would we do without them?

Have a great weekend.

17Apr2015

Friday Book Whimsy: My Brilliant Friend

Posted in Book Reviews, Whimsies by kzmclain

It’s easy for me to tell if I dislike a book, if I like a book, or if I love a book.

If I dislike the book, I abandon book. Without a shred of guilt. But here’s how I tell the difference between me liking a book and loving a book. If I have a bit of spare time and I sit down with my IPAD intending to read but instead open up my newest game addiction Candy Crush Soda (to which 6-year-old Kaiya got me hooked), then I like the book.

I played a fair amount of Candy Crush Soda while reading My Brilliant Friend, by Elena Ferrante. At least at first.

My Brilliant Friend tells the story of two girls – Lila and Elena – growing up in a suburb of Naples during the years following World War II. Both girls are extremely bright, but Lila is held back by parents who don’t believe that daughters need to be educated. Instead, she is expected to become part of the family’s shoemaking and repairing business. Elena, on the other hand, is allowed (not necessarily encouraged) to continue her education.

The book offers the reader a vivid picture of Italy in those years when the people were getting back on their feet following the war. The characters are passionate, often violent, having and displaying strong emotions.

The two girls continue to be best friends, though they often find themselves competing against one another. Lila is probably the naturally smarter of the two girls, and the book ends with her getting married to a man who likely won’t give her what she truly wants from life.

The book is the first in a series referred to as the Neopolitan Novels. The fourth book in the series – The Story of the Lost Child – is scheduled to be released in September 2015. Interestingly, very little is known – or at least disclosed – about the author, even in her native Italy. She may or may not be a mother. She may or may not be from Naples. She gives no face-to-face interviews and has offered only a scattering of written interviews. Unusual behavior for an author, most of who are looking for every way possible to garner publicity.

Once I was fully ensconced in the book, I set Candy Crush Soda aside, and can recommend the book as an excellent story of friendship and an interesting portrayal of the Italian culture.

Buy My Brilliant Friend from Amazon here.

Buy My Brilliant Friend from Barnes and Noble here.

Buy My Brilliant Friend from Tattered Cover here.

Buy My Brilliant Friend from Changing Hands here.

16Apr2015

Ask the Librarian

Posted in Whimsies by kzmclain

I got my first library card when I was probably 6 or 7. Back in those days (when dinosaurs walked the earth), we didn’t learn to read until we were 6 or so. These days, kids go to kindergarten already knowing how to read. When I was in kindergarten, we learned our colors, our shapes, how to take naps on little rugs on the floor, and how to be away from our mommies. Reading didn’t come until first grade when we met Dick and Jane. See Spot run. Run Spot run.

But as soon as I was able to read, Mom took me down to get my library card. I have had a library card ever since. And it isn’t something that just disintegrates in my billfold. I am an active library user. In fact, I am very happy because now I can have a library card from two different library systems. Look up geek in the dictionary and there I happily am!

We can thank Benjamin Franklin for coming up with the concept of libraries. Apparently when he wasn’t out flying kites in lightning storms (and who thinks that is a good idea?), he was spending time in the more valuable pursuit of figuring out ways to encourage people to read.

The library in Columbus (at least when I lived there; it has since moved) was located in a big brick building downtown. You climbed up the long cement staircase, walked through the wooden doors and were greeted by an array of books that could make you cry from happiness. I literally can remember to this day how it smelled.

Off to the right was the children’s library. When I was younger, I recall I was addicted to a series of biographies about famous people of all sorts – Susan B. Anthony, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Florence Nightingale, John Quincy Adams. The stories were seemingly endless.

As I got a bit older, my tastes began to gravitate towards mysteries. And heaven, sweet heaven, I discovered Agatha Christie. My life was forever changed. The library had the complete set of books written by the Queen of Crime. They were hard-covered, and on the cover and the spine there was a little gun and the words “Crime Club.” I remember this distinctly because when I was in 6^th grade, I had an Agatha Christie book on my desk at school, and Sr. Amica spotted it on one of her prowls around her classroom. She held it up and pointed out to the class about the sinful book I was reading. “Crime Club!” I remember her saying as she looked at me like I was Adolf Hitler. I remember even at that young age, and even being so painfully aware of wanting people to think the best of me, thinking, “Seriously? Agatha Christie? Miss Marple?”

Sr. Amica passed away that school year, and, well, that’s all I’ll say about that.

I began to think about libraries because Jen sent me a picture of something she saw during one of her walks in Fort Collins. Someone built a lending library of sorts in their front yard. It is full of books, and apparently you are invited to borrow the book, bring it back when finished, donate your own books, etc. I really, really love this idea.

I have mentioned before that I have become an avid ebook reader. In fact, ebooks are literally the only way I read these days. I get them from the library if I can; if I can’t, I buy the book either from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. I like that I always have a number of books at my ready. The biggest disadvantage, of course, is that most ebooks are not sharable unless you are willing to actually hand your reading device to another person. I’m not.

But if I still read paper books, I would sooooo take advantage of this enthusiastic reader’s personal lending library. In fact, I would be happy to donate some of my own books to his/her cause.

One final word about libraries. When I was in college, one of my work/study jobs was to reshelf books at Norlin Library at the University of Colorado. I would get the books reshelved in quick order, and had enough time at the end of my shift to peruse the stacks. Even a few minutes to read. It was while working at Norlin Library that I read Dracula by Bram Stoker – in 15 minute increments.

Thank you Benjamin Franklin. You deserve to be on the Hundred Dollar Bill. Libraries were one of your best ideas.

Nana's Whimsies

Musings of a Baby Boomer….

Category Archives: Whimsies

Reality Check

Gentle Shepherd

Saturday Smile: Skinny Neck

Guest Post, Reluctant Traveler: Life is Good

Put a Fork in It

Screamin’

Five Hundred

Saturday Smile: On the Edge

Friday Book Whimsy: My Brilliant Friend

Ask the Librarian