A plug for the library

I've been fortunate to always live in a city that had plenty of branch libraries, and believe me, some of the branches used to know me very well. When I move to a new city, that is one of the first places I search out. Lucky for me, I have access to both a county and a city library system.

I have used many of the resources, including the online services that not only provide tons of classes at no charge, but also a music service that allows me to have 5 free downloads every week (with an amazing range of titles from classical to comedy to jazz to r&b), and wonderful reference resources. We check out DVDs that give us the opportunity to watch movies using the subtitles and munch our own snacks, lol. I have taken advantage of the free wi-fi services and enjoyed the activities sponsored, including book readings.

I have just become acquainted with their e-book service, that allows one to check out books in a variety of formats (I know, as if I need MORE books to read, lol). Most amazingly to me, one version is specifically designed to be read on the Kindle, can be checked out for up to 3 weeks, and remains in the history. I am still learning the ins and outs of searching through that catalog, but there seems to be a nice variety of genres represented. For those who prefer audiobooks, there is also a catalog of those to be enjoyed.

So...check out your public library, I think you will be wonderfully impressed at all of the resources!

Epic, the movie (yes, I occasionally watch movies!)

                                               


Ok...I am a very big fan of my local county library.  Not only does it do a fantastic job of providing books (although I am sure they have breathed a sigh of relief now that I request fewer of them, lol) but they have so many other services, including access to a wide variety of online learning resources.  I have gotten old and cranky enough that it is VERY rare that we go to the movies.  One of the last ones I went to gave me such a headache the day after I enjoyed the 3-D movie, I haven't tried another one in 3-D.  So, it's great that the library also has DVDs.  That way, I can sit at home, turn on the subtitles, munch on my much less expensive snacks and rewind when I can't figure out what the heck just happened.  The drawback, of course, is that I don't keep up with what has been released so I don't get in line quickly enough to not end up in the high hundreds on the waiting lists, lol.  We recently checked out the animated movie Epic.  Through a comedy of errors, we didn't pick it up on time, requested it again, had a series of events such that we never got around to watching it, then had to request it yet again (while I kicked myself for depriving some other soul of the opportunity to enjoy it)...so then we FINALLY got to it.

I am predisposed to enjoying animated lighthearted movies.  I make that distinction because there are lots of animated series that I have never watched because they just don't seem to be my style.  I was a little concerned because this one had lots of creepy-crawly things but I have to say, I really enjoyed it and giggled my way through quite a few scenes.  Somehow, I have never been a fan of snails and slugs...but I have to say that they practically stole the show for me.  I skimmed through some of the reviews on Amazon and have to continue to marvel at the different reactions that folks have, but for myself...I really enjoyed the movie, both the sight gags and the dialogue.  It started a little slowly for me and it has certain sad aspects but overall, I think it is a great story!  I'd be interested in hearing what you think about it...especially since some of the comments reflected on the age group that would appreciate this move.  I think that it is a delicate balancing act to make something that kids would enjoy yet wouldn't bore the adults to tears and I thought this one should fit the bill.

Flowers blooming and learning resources

Beautiful weather lately (if you can deal with the pollen that is being distributed by the winds) and we are already getting blooms!  My Mahalo iris plant has lovely reddish-violet blooms and I can't wait for the other iris to display its beautiful bi-colored blooms.. It's funny, I bought both plants from the local iris society through a serendipitous visit to...you guessed it...the library!  I cannot stress how useful one's local library is to anyone who wants to learn about new things and I am delighted that I learned about these new varieties of iris which are fortunately still alive despite the very harsh frosts we had this year.

I am VERY fortunate in that the library in my city belongs to a large county system and the next city down the freeway is only minutes away yet has its own collection that frequently receives and catalogs new books before my local library.  Needless to say, for awhile I had notoriety at both places but I have settled down to a dull roar because I have so many review books to write up and I am starting to receive more edits which keep me very busy.

Nonetheless, I remind you of the other resources that you can often obtain through your library, including but not limited to:  basic educational instruction and/or assistance with homework (particularly helpful when faced with children's homework nowadays), learning new languages through Mango (I was startled to show this aspect to a friend of mine and have her exclaim "Greek"--since I had not even noticed that this was one of the languages being offered), car repair resources such as the manuals for many makes and models of cars and many other things, and, at least at my local county library...access to the wonderful online university 'Ed2Go'.  I knew that there was no way to keep up with classes for this session given the number of titles I was juggling but I have managed to take several very useful classes through this...as long as I enroll through my library site, I can take up to three classes and use the code that I obtained through my library card.  What a great bargain and a wonderful way to keep the brain stimulated (and occasionally frustrated, lol).

And, speaking of flowers blooming...the poppies (Calilfornia's state flower) are well in bloom, just in time for our local Antelope Valley Poppy Festival which celebrates everything related to the California Poppy (except, perhaps, the drug related references, lol).  It will take place over the weekend of April 20 and 21 and usually includes live entertainment, lots of vendors and food, and interesting displays.  Alas, it is the same time as the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books so you can imagine which one I am most interested in...particularly since I have discovered that Robin Hobb and Raymond Feist are having a discussion!  (after all, I have poppies growing in the backyard...and I can always drag the hubby--and his breathing mask, poor guy--to the Poppy reserve, lol)