Local Libraries

I volunteer at our local library each week.  Our library is small but has access to libraries all over Georgia so I don't feel deprived. In fact, small is nice. The librarians are pleasant and greet customers by name.

I like shelving books except for the nonfiction and children's. They are always out of order. Today a children's book fair was being held nearby so children kept coming in. They pulled books out and then left them for me to put up. At first I sighed, but then I realized, if a child cares enough to pick out a book and look at it, chances are one day s/he's going to be taking them down from the shelf and reading them him/herself. That's how they start loving books. And if it takes a little effort on someone's part, it's well worth it.

This is Miss Ginny who heads our local library; she always has a smile for everyone, even us grumpy people.

Wally World

I don't think I'm alone in my hate-love relationship with WalMart. I hate them because they're always crowded, there are never parking spots, and it takes forever to check out. I love them because they have the lowest prices on just about everything we buy and we can usually find what we need there.

Like other relationships, you adapt. You go early on Sunday morning so that you can find a parking spot less than half a mile from the entrance -- only 3-4 cars up and two lanes over from the door -- and so that you don't have to wait in line long -- well, not over 5-10 minutes anyway -- and so that you aren't bumped by other people's carts -- although we did have to move out of one lady's way today.

In the same way, we adapt to our personal relationships. He hates the sofa you love, so you buy one both can live with. You know he likes taking photos at the Alligator Farm so you go with him but read all morning at the snack bar. He knows you're dieting so he doesn't complain about not having meat and potatoes. You want pets and he doesn't but he lives with the cats anyway.

A lot of give and take goes on in all relationships. When they balance out, the relationships are usually successful. When one gives but the other takes, they usually aren't.

Robin Hood

So the new Robin Hood is Russell Crowe. Seems like one comes along every few years. I enjoy Crowe's acting, but I think he's a little long in the tooth to fit my image of the "Take from the rich, give to the poor" rogue.

In fact, thinking back over the various actors portraying the Hood, I'm not sure anyone can fill Errol Flynn's tights.

Mmmm.

PD James Book

Prowling through the Village Bookstore the other day, I found an old PD James I hadn't read. I am almost through with it.

Though I like her, it seems to me she's gotten wordy over the years. I'm wondering if this happens when writers become big names. I noticed it with others like Elizabeth George and Anne Rivers Siddons. Their first few books were easy reads but gradually, the books got bigger and bigger. Not plotwise. Wordwise.

It's so hard to find a new author I really like, I hate to give up on the ones I do find but sometimes that's the case.

Maybe it's not the authors. Maybe the editors are overwhelmed and can't edit like they used to. Or maybe the author's allowed more leeway once s/he gets a following. Or maybe there's a demand for that kind of writing.

Talking Pets

I've seen talking pets on TV before. Usually dogs. My cats aren't that smart but Roz is trying.

About 6 am she starts saying, "Meow-p," for "Get up."

Once I drag myself out of bed, it's "Meow-n," for "Come on!" as she hurries to the kitchen.

And once in the kitchen, she looks up and pleads, "Meow-t." "Eat."

I think with a little more training, I can put her on YouTube.

Tight Tummy

Went for our usual walk today. For the past month I've been holding my tummy in as tight as I can while I walk. Someone said it's a surefire way to a flat, flat stomach.

I don't think it works.

Friend's Ebook Out Today

Gonna promote a friend's writing today.

Nan D. Arnold's second ebook, PESTO PACKING MAMA, comes out today.

It's a light entertaining read from Champagne Books. Nan calls her work Quirky Fiction for Boomers. I think it's more like hen lit. She's one of those strange people I talked about in an earlier post, but a real doll in spite of it.

You can visit her site by following the link on this blog. She's also being interviewed June 22 at http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/

Drop in if you get a chance!