Heading North

We will be heading to Minnesota and plan to be in Hibbing on March 23 and 24. I have a conference to attend on Tuesday, March 25. Is anyone interested in getting together? Please join us at Zimmy's at 5:00 p.m.

Hitting the road

One of my projects is to create a winter reading program. This is not a new idea. The Indianapolis Public Library hosted a "Read Around the House Reading Program" when I was in graduate school. The idea was tweaked by Linda Fox at the Cloquet Public Library and myself several years ago. The idea was further tweaked by Rita at the Arrowhead Library System in Minnesota. I am now working with a graphic artist and several librarians to tweaking it again for the libraries in Virginia. With all this tweaking, sometimes the process becomes paramount and the project loses focus.

When this happens, and it has, it is time to hit the road and visit the people I work for. Sometimes Terry comes along with me. This is a good thing, for I can get lost in a closet. Terry gets me to the library on time and then will find a place to sit and read. With Terry driving this allows me to relax and focus on the visit rather then worry about directions or the lack of them.

I have been impressed by the libraries I have visited and the librarians who serve their community. They care about their community, proactive in meeting the needs of the community and proud of the things they have accomplished. This is not a false pride, either. The librarians have done some fantastic programs. In the comming months I would like to find a way to recognize and celebrate these accomplishments.

The consuction paper artwork is from the Fauquier County Libraries.

A Mostly True Event

While some people are readying themselves for that most sacred of days,“Super Bowl Sunday,” I cheer another sport. One that is older than football. I am of course talking about the game Dog and Squirrels. This game is played across the United States, but the first game in this country was held here in Virginia. In 1607, over 400 years ago three ships, Discovery, Godspeed and the flag ship Susan Constant, led by Captain Christopher Newport (who only had one arm) sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. The 105 passengers and the 39 seamen who landed in Virginia on Sunday, April 26, 1607 began exploring the Chesapeake Bay and were met with misfortune, one of the passengers died. The settlers withdrew to the ships and then explored Virginia Beach on April 27. Two days later, on a Wednesday, the settlers traveled to a site known as Cape Henry and erected a cross and gave thanks to God. The next day, it was a Thursday, the three ships, with 104 passengers and the 39 crew meandered up the James River and began a settlement in Jamestown on May 13, 1607. It was in the forest of Jamestown, over 400 years ago, near the first English settlement in the new world, a Dog saw a Squirrel, barked and gave chase. Thus the game began. There were no cheerleaders, no instant replays, no fouls and no first downs. Yet the game did begin. This great game continues in our backyard and in our neighbor’s backyard. On this most scared of days. If you go outside, you will hear no cheers of “Who let the Dogs Out.” The Dogs are down 3 to 3,655. The Squirrels Rule!

The facts came from Jamestown's Story Act One of the American Dream by Parke Rouse, Jr. Compiled and Edited by Wilford Kate.

2008

This has been a quiet weekend. One of contemplation, reading and movie watching. Last week was the beginning of the new year. Although Terry and many others do not make resolutions on January 1, I do try to think of something to do to improve myself. So I do make new year's resolutions. My resolution this year is to find something in each day to be grateful for. The first day was easy - Bron and Glenn called. Another day it was a phone call from Bob and Mary; another was letter from Rachel, a college friend, and still an another day a letter from Jen. I am, of course, very grateful for our friends, but to grow in gratitude, I think I need to look further.

The car is now in the garage. Believe it or not, this is something I am grateful for. This has been a goal of mine since we moved to Virginia. This does not quite translate to all the boxes being unpacked and everything put away, but it is quite close. There are a few pictures to put on the wall, and a few things to put up in the attic, but the house does feel comfortable now. If you are headed this way, please stop by. We just need a few hours advance notice so the guest bedroom will be ready.

For Christmas, Terry received a book lover's calendar and a gift card for purchasing books. He is quite content and grateful. I received a late Christmas present for which I am very grateful - notification that I may attend the Public Library Association conference in Minnesota in March. I also received permission to drive our own car. If approved, I will take a few days of vacation and swing up to Hibbing before the conference.

Julie should be receiving the Judy Moody book soon.

Gratefully Yours,
Enid

Garden of Lights

Each year the botanical garden in Richmond hosts a Gardenfest of Lights. The grounds are decorated with lights with a botanical theme. Instead of water in the fountain, the frog here looks at a pot of glimmering gold and jewels. Note the great greenhouse in the background. Floating around them are huge butterflies and lights created to look like lilac bushes. Through candycane shaped red and white lights is a children's garden. Instead of rows of grapevines is a maze of muliticolored lights which the children run thorugh. Parents carefully monitor the games while sipping hot chocolate or toasting marshmallows for s'mores.

Wander past the pond and there are lights shaped as trout and notherns diving through the air. Further down are a flock of flamingos and alligators. In front of the great greenhouse is a peacock. This picture was taken using nighttime option on the camera. It is not as good as Emily Law pictures, but it does give you an impression of the lights.

In addition there are roses with lights climbing up arbors and lights highlighting plants still in bloom.

Snow

It snowed in Richmond, Virginia last week. Terry took this picture from the front porch. The snow only lasted a few hours, but suddenly it seemed a lot more like Christmas.

As you can see from the picture, leaves are still on the trees. Where Hibbing has snow, Richmond has leaves. Leaves are raked into the street or by the driveway. Then the City of Richmond sends around trucks with huge vacuums to suck up the leaves and cart them away. The next day more leaves kept on falling and the raking begins again.

Last week a city of lights festival was held at the state capitol. Governor Kaine and his wife turned on the lights for the city and held an open house. While this was going on, a crew from the Richmond Public Library and I helped host a Polar Express party at the train depot. As families walked into the Main Station, they were greated by a conductor who gave them a ticket. Then they were met by an elf who gave everyone a bell. On the upper level was Santa, hot chocolate and cookies. There were more elves singing Christmas songs and the Library crew. We elved (rather than manned) a storytelling area, a make-and-take craft area and hosted a book give away. One of the librarians brought a camel puppet, named Fred. I had the pleasure of helping Fred greet the children and parents. For the most part Fred was very well behaved. He posed for pictures, did not eat anyone's cookies and talked to the children as camels often do. He did become a bit carried away as a dancing fool, when some of the more snappy music was playing. It was a fun evening. I was told I would be invited back again next year.

Blue Ridge Mountains

Terry and I have begun traveling around the state of Virginia, visiting libraries, attending Virginia Library Association Conference and hosting trainings sessions. One of the big plusses for this is to see the Blue Ridge Mountains. These mountains extend along the crest of the southern Appalachian mountains. If you look at them from a distance they look blue, thus the name Blue Ridge Mountains. The mountains are old with rounded peaks which are worn from the blowing winds. Pioneers traveling west found navigating the Blue Ridge Mountains was one of their first challenges.

Traveling in the mountain area even today provides some challeges. The road follows river and creek paths which wind around the mountains. This provides for beautiful scenery, but slow travel. Sudden rain storms can cause flooding. Yet the risks are worth it. I saw a ground hog standing by the side of the road. A bobcat crossed the road in front of our car. At one of the rest stops I took this picture.

More information on the Blue Ridge Mountains may be found at
http://scott.k12.va.us/martha2/Mountains.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ridge_Mountains