Beneath the Wraps

            I went to my first   Library Futures Task Force meeting - only it isn't called that anymore.   The meeting was referred to as Douglas County Library Rescue Coalition .   About 100 people (I thought it had been more) attended the meeting in Winston last Thursday (August 17).   I think most were volunteers, some onlookers and concerned citizens, some who would like the libraries to continue to operate just as   they had before, some there for support, some there to share newfound growth and remain independent ; cooperative but not restricted . . .             Mary Kay - who represents the state - was there to raise awareness and provide options for those who needed or wanted the support.   The libraries who seem to be most successful would like to share materials but not guidance that feels mandatory.   Most representatives expressed that they are doing fi...

        Jenna had asked if her friend Kylee could spend the night.   They had planned for Monday night, but workday sleepovers did not work out well when she and Annette we better friends.   I told her it would be up to Roland.   He said yes and   Jenna created a list for the following day.               Jenna's agenda for Monday, August 21:   1) [Kylee]   2) pool 3) eclipse 4) doughnuts 5) library 6) rays/goin’ postal 7) little shop 8 games . . . 9) something scary 10) bed.   Allow me to explain:   First thing, we went to Kylee’s house to pick her up at 8:30 a.m..   Check off 1.   Next we went to the pool.   When we arrived, there was a note on the door: A birthday bash is held at the pool each year on the Friday closest to the 21st.   We have missed all three years however. We were in Roseburg this year as I...

         I had not noticed what the temperature was when I left the house this morning, but it was cold. I grabbed a jacket and slipped on some long pants before I went. It's felt so hot for so long the drop in temperature makes it seem cold.   I didn't want our swim instructor to be there by herself.   Two other students showed.   The water was colder than the air was.   After fifteen minutes of movement, I still wasn't warm.   I got out of the pool just after 9:30.   It was warmer outside than in the pool.   It is still overcast, but no rain yet.         There was a misty fog hanging over the hills this morning.   I love that sight, but think I enjoyed it more this morning believing it has helped clear some of the smoke - though yesterday was not as bad as Tuesday.   Skies were hazy with smoke since the solar eclipse had passed.   That isn't healthy to breathe.   ...

                Serena asked if I would write a news article about the library. She sent over some ideas of what was wanted and asked if I could do it in 100sh words.   That's not a lot of words.   I could easily do more than 1000.   I did over 400 and just barely scratched the service.   I have not heard back from her.                 I enjoyed the first economy class that I took several times more than the current class I'm taking.   To give my readers an idea of how foreign this subject is to me, let me share with you the discussion and assignment topics:     Explain why you think the Federal Reserve Bank tracks M1 and M2.   OR   List and explain each of the three traditional tools the central bank has for controlling the money supply. Which is the most popular? Why?; Now with thes...

           With all the hype involved, I thought we would be seeing the cornoa.   Jenna and I were both disappointed that we didn't.   We were more impressed by the blood-red sun painted that way due to all the smoke.   Mornings are usually clear.   Not this morning.   Smoke makes fires appear closer than they are.   There are so many of them.   I like the feel of the pool in the morning - especially when we have had it to ourselves - though I do miss some of the other members of the class.   School starts next week and so it's understandable why we haven't seen those who are school teachers.             I have Jenna's agenda for yesterday stored on a file - but not ready to post.   I have to create a discussion post for my economic class (which I am NOT enjoying) and 100 word report on the summer reading program.   My blog posts will have to re...

Jenna's been in a slump I wish I knew how to fix the situation surely as my mom wished she could when I was the age that Jenna is now   I don't believe mom had gone through this slump when she was thirteen. Her parents were newly divorced and she was a latch key kid trying to support her mom and help look after her brothers She didn't have time to get bored Jenna gets bored I got bored. How unfortunate. I think my mom had it harder than I do. Jenna still allows herself to be disappointed whenever plans don't work out or promises get broken. When I was thirteen, I had already fixed my mind into believing that I didn't care It was a lot easier to not care than be hurt all the time Lonely.   We both needed good friends. And actually I was in a better position as far as contact goes.   There were fewer working mothers and houses close together.   I could walk up or down the street and spend some time with either Julie or Janeen. J...

                When I showed up to the library on Monday, Rindy and JM handed me a book on Faeries and told me look through the book and pick something to share.   They said they had looked for a story but weren't able to find one.   The "information" book was the only they could find.   Faeries are micheiveous creatures - not to say that fairies aren't - but I think the spelling somehow changes the definition.   Faeries, on a whole, sound impish and somewhat scary . . . at least from the descriptions in the book.                 I did like the "faerie" definition to mean "doesn't necessarily have wings, no specific size (as some can be as big as giants)   . . . but are all bound by magic" and there were different classes of faeries, which I did not go into.   The book had some detailed illustrations on some pages and rather dull one...