Wow...long time, no post

It has been hectic. PLA in Minneapolis was great. What a wonderful city! The people are so friendly and the atmosphere is homey. The programs were thought-provoking and informative.

Then there was Bernie Vavrek's conference in Columbus. Another good city to visit. New and old friends talking about public libraries.

The PLA Exec Board meeting in Chicago was just last Saturday. The big topic was the approval by members of the bylaws change. It passed by a huge margin and has become the mandate for a new structure.

It seems as if everywhere I go, we discuss change and the future of libraries and library service. Talking is the easy part. Accomplishing it is much harder. We all embrace change...as long as it is change for the other person. It's harder when it means changing yourself. They say the average person stays on a diet for two weeks. Landfills are crammed with old exercise equipment (which can make nifty places to hang wet towels, if yours hasn't made it to the curb for garbage pickup.) If everyone with a gym membership showed up, it would break all of the fire codes and folks would be lined up around the block to get in. I am lucky to make it to Curves twice a week.

However, thanks to my friend Kitty, I have now begun something that is fun, good for me, and will make a difference in my personal future. I have started using BrainAge on a NintendoDS that I borrowed from my son-in-law. When I did the first test, my brain age measured at less than my actual age by a few years. When I did the test the other day, my brain age had dropped another 3 years! And it's fun, doesn't take much time, and it keeps the mental juices flowing. So, to any "boomer" reading this blog, get yourself into something that exercises your mind. After all, it needs to last a lifetime.

Remember what's important

It's the end of another hectic day at the beginning of a new week. It's easy to get lost in the day-to-day minutiae of work and life. It takes an effort to reflect on the good things in your life and how much there is to be grateful for. I once heard an evangelical, urban minister ask his congregation to thank God for a good night's sleep. Amidst the amens surrounding me, it struck me that not everyone can take a good night's sleep for granted. They may be too frightened to close their eyes, too uncomfortable to find the respite in sleep, or they may lack a bed. I feel so lucky and blessed to have a good night's sleep and I hope that I never take it for granted.

Clean water, free education, free speech, freedom of movement, clean air...these are other things that I hope I never take for granted. Laughter, hugs and kisses aren't a given, either.

May this week bring you blessings, both great and small.

February musings

I, like many of my colleagues and relatives, had a "bug." I'm not sure it was the flu but it certainly wasn't pleasant. I did rouse myself from the pillows enough to watch one of the best football games in recent memory. Whether you were cheering for the Patriots or the Giants (or, if like me, your team wasn't in the game), you have to admit it was a great game. Usually the commercials are better than the onfield play, but not last Sunday night. They'll be talking about this one for years to come.

The groundhog saw his shadow this weekend, so winter will linger awhile longer. Not a big shock for someone who grew up in Buffalo.

Politics are on everyone's mind and certainly on every newscast. Today is Super Tuesday and Mardi Gras. Odd, huh?

I hope you get lots of beads, that your candidate wins, and that you enjoy the events that make February special.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all. It has been a mixed start for me. My mother is in the hospital in South Carolina but is doing ok. Hopefully, she'll be released today. I attended a fun and raucous New Year's Eve party at Chris and Crystal's house with my family and about 50 other folks. What a treat to see toddlers and oldsters dancing the salsa as well as the soldier boy! May peace, health and happiness be yours in 2008!

December snows

It's December. Almost the end of the year. In the midst of holiday gift giving, it's nice to remember those who are no longer with us. My grandma and grandpa were a very important part of my childhood. They spoiled me, not with material things, but with time spent together and projects we did as a family. Frosting Christmas cookies was one of my favorites. The temptation to sprinkle on too much colored sugar was tough to resist! My grandpa would take me with him to the gas station every week. While someone filled the tank (no self service in those days), we would go into the little stucco building, where he would chat with Mr. Roll, the owner of the station. He would pull out a small, well-used, leather coin purse and pay for the gas and buy me a candy bar. As I decorate my house for the holidays and do a little special baking, I will remember the love that came my way from my grandparents, Edna and Clarence Beeman.

May you and yours have a holiday season filled with warmth, laughter and love.

Time flies

I guess it's true that the older we get, the faster time goes. Remember when we were kids and the time between the start of school and Thanksgiving seemed endless? Now it whizzes past. I wonder what my grandchildren will remember about their childhoods. I kept a secret diary; my granddaughter has a page on MySpace. I had Romper Room; she has 100 channels from which to choose. The one constant? Family.

May you and yours have an abundant and happy Thanksgiving.

Time flies

Wow, this year is speeding by. Tomorrow is Halloween...goblins and ghosts and fairy princesses will roam the streets. My grandkids will be Michael Jackson, a ballerina, a rock star and a ladybug. I never liked dressing up for Halloween but I do love to see little kids dressed up and coming to the door for a treat. Maybe having to wear a snowsuit over my costume most years (I did grow up in Buffalo) was the ultimate turnoff for me but for those of you who love the holiday: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!