We're so lucky

We are lucky because we missed the ice that is plagueing southern Missouri. We're cold, but no sliding so far.

It is sad here. I think the economy tanking hit us first a few years ago. This past week I've had patrons tell me of more sudden layoffs than I can count. Twenty here, sixty there. We have no job possibilities left. Our people don't know where to turn for help. I had a gentleman tell me yesterday that he had to walk 5 miles (to our nearest town) because he needed groceries and didn't have gas in his car. Sad. The economy has helped th library patronage though. We are still free, but we already know we are operating in the red this year, and we can't keep that up very long.

I Think I'm in Alaska

It is cold here in the middle of Missouri. - And threatening to be colder in 2 days. That's okay. Its January. This is a busy time of year for libraries - even little ones like us. Tuesdays are busier because we give away a free newspapers. So people time their visits to the library to coincide with the paper giveaway days.

Found a new author. Her name is Karen White. Anybody out there recognize her. The stories she writes are sweet, kind of sentimental. A relaxing read.

Winter diversions

A fellow blogger just said that january is Read more Novels month. That's good because that's what we do here in Missouri when it is cold and/or snowing, or sleeting or freezing rain. We had a good weekend. I got to curl up under my warm, fuzzy blanket and finish reading "Foreign Body"
by Robin Cook. Then i took a nap. Can't ask for better than that. I've been considering getting out a jigsaw puzzle for the winter.

Two days in a row

I think this is a first. I've been able to visit for two days in a row. Life is looking up. Guess what! My wonderful, kind, loving husband agreed to go shopping with me tomorrow. I can try to spend my Christmas gift certificates. WOW. I'm excited.

This morning I visited my 99 year old mother. She's fine. She isn't mobile, or she would still be living at home. But there's not a lot wrong with her thinking process. Her room at the nursing home is across the hall from the social services office, and she can hear better than they think. She doesn't always understand what they are talking about, but her room mate (who is my age) can interpret. Mother said she heard one of the aides say, "How does she know so much?" That made her day.

Library is quiet. That's not a bad thing. Two public access computers in use, but nobody needs me right now. After school will be a different story. One of the ladies that works in housekeeping at the nursing home told me this morning that she was trying to borrow a bible from her 16 year old daughter and she wouldn't let her have it because I had given it to her in 2001. That made MY day.

UPS brought me another package of IRS forms. That's sad. They have sent the library six packages so far. Wonder what would happen if they sent them all at once.

Gone for now, but I promise to come back.

2009

Okay - I'm back. The new year has risen and one of my resolutions is to keep up this blog. Nice holiday. Is there anything more sad than left up Christmas decorations on the 7th of January.

went shopping yesterday after my doctor appointment. I think that startled
my shopping gene into working. I wish I had my granddaughter here to go with me. She's the best shopper I know. I lost some weight in the past year and if I want anything to fit, I need new clothes. Do you know they don't really make neat stuff in little, old lady styles. I found lots of 16s, but few 6s. The weather is supposed to be pleasant on Friday (my day off), so I'm wondering if my husband would like to go exploring with me. What do you think my chances are?

We've had our city officials searching for water leaks the past couple of weeks. They found a big one under the house of a gentleman who had gone to visit his daughter in another state. Imaagine his surprise when he comes home to a $500.00 water bill. Great start for the new year.

This day

I really am ashamed that I go so long between posts. Now we are right on the edge of the holidays and where have I been? I'm ready for Christmas. my shopping is done. And my aunt died yesterday afternoon.

It is sad for those left behind when a loved one dies at Christmas. My grandmother died on Christmas day and my 99 year old mother still bears the scars. She was close to this sister-in-law, too, so she won't feel like celebrating.

The economic recession or whatever you want to call it is beginning to show in the library. I have people come in to use the internet who have had to give up their home access. That's partly because we are so rural that the fees are enormous. Then there are those who've had to cut off cable, dish or whatever who check out our videos. People are dropping their magazine subscriptions as they expire, so they come and read ours. I'm just glad we are here.

I am off again, who k nows when I'll be back. If I ever get my own equipment, I'll be daily.

The Rest Of The Story

My week that started out so ominescing last Mon, turned out to be more exciting and more eventful than I would have thought. My daughter (who lives in the Kansas City area) called and asked me if I would like to hear gracia Burnham speak. Her story is told in her book"In The Presence Of My enemies". This was at a women's luncheon at my daughter's home church.

I don't have many opportunities to spend one on one time with my daughter, so this was a golden opportunity. My husband asked if I was sure I wanted to go up there by myself. And I got the message. He wanted to go, too. As it turned out, we were all glad he went.

The evening before, my son-in-law woke up with chest pain. They had recently paid an enormous ER bill, so he was toughing it out until the dr's office opened. He planned on driving himself, but Calvin (husband) said, "No way" and he went along. The Dr. didn't like the ekg he did in his office, so, guess what. He sent him to the ER.

They were keeping us informed. Wonderful invention the cell phone, so we went on to the luncheon when they ruled out a heart problem. They still sat in the hospital for a couple of hours after lunch, and we went to our luncheon

The luncheon was great. They served my very favorite meal, homemade chicken salad and broccoli cheese soup. Mrs. Burnham's talk was inspiring. I bought her latest book. All was good

I rushed home on Friday to go shopping (at our local nursing home) with my mother who will be 99 years old on December 5. They have this company called Clothes To You that sets up a store in their activity room and the residents can purchase whatever they want. My mother was in a mood to buy clothes. She bought $121 worth of new stuff. And we both enjoyed the afternoon.

I have run out of playtime for today, so hopefully I'll be back tomorrow with some more of the story.