Author Topic: The Library (Read 2088445 times)

Frybabe · « **Reply #4880 on:** April 26, 2011, 01:01:04 PM »

The Library

Our library cafe is open 24/7, the welcome mat is always out.
Do come in from daily chores and spend some time with us.

We look forward to hearing from you, about you and the books you are enjoying (or not).

Let the book talk begin here!

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I am back with my brand new Library card. I found out while I was signing up that Cumberland County actually doesn't have Overdrive. They share with Dauphin County which does. I suppose they contribute something toward running it. I was warned that the library only has one copy of some books. I think she was talking about the e-library, but maybe not. I also found out that when I return a borrowed book, I do not have to take it back to the same library I borrowed it from, but can drop it off at any of the CC Libraries I happen to be going by. I can also sign up for a free Philadelphia Library card. I am not sure what extra advantage that may have at the moment.

CallieOK · « **Reply #4881 on:** April 26, 2011, 02:05:46 PM »

The granddaughters of one friend are being allowed to stay home from school on Friday so they can either stay up or get up to watch the wedding from start to finish.
My friend said she did this for her daughter when Prince Charles/Diana married and "it was so much fun". She's thrilled that her daughter remembered and is doing the same thing for the granddaughters.
Personally, I think the girls should have Unexcused absences that day and not be allowed to make up any work.

Ms Grump 2

Frybabe, I'm sure you'll enjoy your library card more than you might think. Have you asked if you can browse the catalog, reserve books and renew loans on-line? That's really nice - although I can get myself in a lot of trouble by clicking "reserve a copy" too often and ending up with all of them coming in at the same time.

Frybabe · « **Reply #4882 on:** April 26, 2011, 03:32:57 PM »

Yes, I can Callie. In fact, I was just skulking around on the site a few minutes ago.It seems like a really nice setup. I looked into one book called The $64 Dollar Tomato. It lets you look at the table of contents and a chapter within. It also tells you before you sign up for it, which library it is currently in and whether or not it is checked out. I assume that if there were more than one copy it would list all of them. I guess all you library goers already know this stuff. There are a bunch of genre newsletters I can sign up for as well as reminders when a book is due back or when one is ready to pick up. There is also a link to a genealogy website which I am going to explore later when I have more time.

Only three more weeks of classes. Hurray!!

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4883 on:** April 26, 2011, 03:40:57 PM »

What a conundrum about the wedding - sounds like the same grumbling about the cost of celebrating Christmas - and what to me is really interesting to contemplate - some nations spend 17 million for a fluffy fairytale ceremony that is going to be watched by millions and those advertises expect their sales to increase - certainly the TV increased their sales by taking contracts for the advertisement space. And the caterers hired more folks, and the florists purchased and hired etc etc.

Other nations, like the U.S. spends 720 Million a day to fight a war in Afghanistan and hold onto Iraq. Since the news is also a TV source of advertisement there is money being made and of course the investments that add up to the 720 Million in arms, personal etc. brings income to all those involved in the machinery of war.

So, in this time of not enough jobs ceremony may seem over the top - we should be serious - like Dad used to say - no Saturday afternoon movies - no new Sunday shoes unless they can be worn to school - we are serious - we aren't quite broke but we cannot invest in anything fluffy - however, it looks like the seriousness is the U.S. can invest in one day 42 times 17 million for God knows what reason since gas prices continue to go through the roof and there are few additional jobs as compared to before this war took over our lives.

I just think it amusing to see the differences in how a nation will invest its money - granted Britain also has a war budget and the latest figures say, on both the Iraq and Afghan conflict the cost to Britain has been £20bn - however, that is over many years - to roughly break it down - we have been at this for 10 years - so that is £2 bn a year divided by 365 it looks like approximately 5 and a half million a day.

The question becomes, do you think Britain is getting the same return on the war investment as they are in the wedding investment - do you think that the wedding or the war is adding to world perceived picture of good will including in places like Afghanistan. Because it does not appear either investment is pound for pound repaying itself. It sounds more like looking at Wedding celebration as either a Fezziwig Ball or as Ebenezer counting out his money.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #4884 on:** April 26, 2011, 04:22:22 PM »

To Callie: I think if Dads are allowed to take their sons out of school for Opening Day Baseball season(which happens every year), then Moms should be allowed to take their daughters out for a Royal Wedding (which happens maybe once in a lifetime). I really don't think an un-excused absence is called for. However, I, as Ms Partially Grump, don't we all have DVR's or VHS tape machines now? But, whatever, at least that Mom or Grandmom is "spending quality time" with the girls. (I just read on aol news that two little 14 yr old girls did a suicide pact, how ghastly is that?)

CallieOK · « **Reply #4885 on:** April 26, 2011, 05:00:04 PM »

Tomereader, you have a point - although I might disagree with you on allowing kids to skip school for "quality time".

One of our t v newscasters does op-eds called "My 2 cents". Last night, he really slammed all the hoop-la about a Royal Wedding. It will be interesting to see the reactions in the rebuttal segments called "Your 2 cents".

roshanarose · « **Reply #4886 on:** April 27, 2011, 01:25:05 AM »

Callie and other interested posters:

Re: the Royal Wedding

I sat down and out on my accountant's hat and came with some ideas about how to save some money at the Royal Wedding. This is all my own work, no one else would be silly enough to do it.

THE ROYAL WEDDING

SAVINGS TO BE MADE

The Bridal GownShould be made of some sort of Disposable material (similar to white garbage bags) that the bride has designed and made herself and may be used for their true purpose at a later date.

The Flowers
Should be picked and arranged from nearby fields by the bride’s sister.

AttendantsIn a departure from tradition all these spoilt brats will be locked in the toilet.

The Shoes
William’s the Shoeman have some lovely white vinyl high heels at about $20.00 a pair.

UnderwearMark’s and Spencers have a delightful budget range of white cotton undies for the bride.

Hair and Makeup
An aspiring apprentice hairdresser (free on Fridays) should Style the bride’s hair. It is believed the bride will be doing her own makeup.

The Transport
An olde English cab at a discount rate would serve perfectly for the royal conveyance.

The Escort
Some of Harry’s friends from Afghanistan in full combat gear would be a lovely gesture.

The Church
Westminster Abbey is not appropriate for a wedding of this nature as it and its contents are slightly old fashioned for a young couple. What about that nice historical church that featured in The Da Vinci Code? Preferably with no spreadeagled bodies pinned to the floor, though.

The Guests
A plate would be handed around to guests during the ceremony helping to defray costs regarding conveyances, wedding bag dress, singlets and knickers. The distinguished guests would have been alerted to this gesture prior to the ceremony, advising them that the equivalent of 50,000 quid per guest would be an acceptable amount. Arrangements have been made privately at the palace and by MI5 as to the destination of these generous amounts. But it is thought that these amounts are to help the newlyweds pay for their one night honeymoon in Leeds.

The Wedding Breakfast
Two pie and pea stalls have been installed in buffet style outside the Tower of London. Tomato sauce will be charged for as extra. The bride and groom’s cake will be a generous gift from Scotland, a slab of battered haggis, which can be paid for in a month’s time.

Gifts
Money transferred to charities of the bride and groom’s choosing. This is fair dinkum!

CD

Any other suggestions woukld be greatly appreciated. But - Hurry - Wedding is on Friday!

Steph · « **Reply #4887 on:** April 27, 2011, 06:10:20 AM »

A book ringing chimes in my heart.. Resilience by Elizabeth Edwards
She quotes Edna St. Vincent Millay.. How easily could God if so willed, set back the world a little turn or two. Correct its griefs and bring its joys again.
Then she goes on.. But we cannot turn back the time. This is the life we have now and the only way to find peace, the only way to be resilient when these landmines explode beneath your foundation is first to accept that there is a new reality..
This is something that I personally need to accept and I am really being helped by her story.
I decided in the past few months to find a suitable memorial for my husband. Yesterday, I made a donation to our local library. It will be used for a special set of childrens books, that the childrens librarian wants.. It will have a bookplate in each one with his name in memorial.. Makes my heart ease somehow. He did so love little children.

LarryHanna · « **Reply #4888 on:** April 27, 2011, 07:43:22 AM »

roshanarose, a great piece of work on your listing regarding the royal wedding. Personally I can't wait until Friday so maybe it will stop being mentioned in every newscast. Not everyone in the world is interested in it and a brief news clip will do fine.

Steph, your memorial gift sounds just right and will bring joy to many children.

Frybabe, maybe having the Philidelphia library card would provide more ebook resources. I find the same problem with our library that the ebook selection is not very big yet and most things are checked out. I have also reserved several books while looking through the listings and then have them all become available in the same two or three week period.

Frybabe · « **Reply #4889 on:** April 27, 2011, 08:26:37 AM »

My BF said the same thing Larry. I really hadn't thought about that. What I'd like to find out is if the Phila Library has genealogy resources.

My Dad's side of the family came from Philadelphia. Family oral history is that the family used to own quite a bit oh, so long ago. There was an inheritance fight and, as can be expected, the lawyers are the ones who won out. He said that the property afterward became known as lawyer's row after the number of lawyers who set up shop on the street. My mind is getting fuzzy about the few Philadelphia family tales he told because I never wrote any of it down either. Our family supposedly originally settled in Rhode Island and one of the Carolinas (I forget which).

Babi · « **Reply #4890 on:** April 27, 2011, 08:50:20 AM »

Oh, my, ROSEMARY, I hadn't even thought of the government using the occasion to play
nice with the oil sheiks. But of course they will! All at the nations' expense, of course?

Oh, ROSHANA, you old tightwad, you. That sounds really awful. And that's coming from me,
who was married in a retired minister's parlor, wearing a lace suit made for me by a sewing
whiz friend of my mother's. A wedding party of three, with a cake afterwards. That's it.

Gumtree · « **Reply #4891 on:** April 27, 2011, 09:11:16 AM »

I had the full meringue - loved it all and have never regretted it - had I been older and wiser I might have gone for something simpler - but either way you're just as married.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4892 on:** April 27, 2011, 09:51:27 AM »

I read in the May issue of Vanity Fair that Will & Kate asked along with the invitations that NO GIFTS be sent to them, but suggested the invited guests might give to a CHARITY of their choice! So there: they thought of it First!

Come on, party poopers! A royal fairy tale wedding DOES happen once in a generation; sometimes more often, but once is about it for the in-line-to-reign few. I loved my fairy tales as a small girlchild, and want to indulge my senses Now! Tiara on my head (paste from a Dollar Store), I shall swill some Mimosas and cheer and tear up and Be Happy!

And yes, I think London will pull in more than the wedding costs. Most of the money for the wedding comes out of the personal pockets of his and her parents and grandmother. The people pick up the security part, which is considerable, but the city's take will be even greater. And hey, it's a Par-tee! We need more, IMHO.

Gumtree · « **Reply #4893 on:** April 27, 2011, 10:02:56 AM »

MaryPage : I'm with you - not only will it have a huge effect on the Brits economy but will raise the morale of many as well. The spin-off effect will be enormous in both tangible and non tangible ways.

CallieOK · « **Reply #4894 on:** April 27, 2011, 11:03:30 AM »

I'm not at all "anti-wedding"!!!! I will be oohing and ahhing right along with all the other Romantics - and I've watched every one of the special programs leading up to the Big Day.

Since I wouldn't remember one thing I interrupted sleeping to watch at 3:00 a.m.

, I already have the t v set to record both BBCA and ABC reports on the whole thing. And I'm quite sure I will watch both from start to finish when I'm coherent enough to enjoy it all.

I also agree about the effect on the economy and the morale AND that William and Kate are a delightful couple.

Roshanarose, <giggling> at your suggestions. Just think of all the salaries that would never be paid if it were done that simply. (and I'm not being entirely facetious about that!!)

My wedding was a big one for the little church in the little town where I grew up. My very formal wedding gown had a "bustle" so it would look as good when I had my back turned to the guests as it did when I was facing them.
The atmosphere, however, was less formal. When it was time for the groom, the groomsmen and my Dad to make their appearance, the ushers had to get them from the church basement where they were playing shuffleboard.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #4895 on:** April 27, 2011, 12:16:37 PM »

Steph - that is the most lovely thought, and will make sure that your husband is remembered for generations to come.

Something that is often done here is making a donation for a seat or bench in a spot that the deceased person loved - one of my clients paid for two benches on the river bank that his mother had been so fond of, and there are many such seats around Edinburgh - is that done in the US?

Rosemary

MaryPage · « **Reply #4896 on:** April 27, 2011, 12:25:16 PM »

Yes, it is.

CallieOK · « **Reply #4897 on:** April 27, 2011, 12:54:57 PM »

Steph, that is, indeed, a lovely memorial for your husband.

Frybabe · « **Reply #4898 on:** April 27, 2011, 03:03:20 PM »

I don't have any interest in the wedding, but hey, lots of people really like a chance to have a celebration/party/festival. I hope that everyone who wants to join in on the festivities has a lovely day whether they are at home watching on TV or actually at the event. Time to break out tea and little cakes, and maybe a sip or two of wine. I might watch the wedding itself, but all these pre-wedding specials don't interest me.

I've started reading a 1881 book by George Washington Cable called Madame Delphine. The narrator of the story is looking back 60 years to around 1820. The setting is New Orleans. It involves people of mixed race, Quadroons (one quarter black), in fact. Here is an article that explains some of how they lived. http://www.nathanielturner.com/livesandtimesofquadroons.htm
I like the writing style and the the descriptions of the buildings and gardens. You can feel the sense of, I don't think shame is the word I want but that is there too, shrinking away or the need to stay out of the limelight. It must have been hard to live where you were (are still in some places) not welcome by either whites or blacks. These people lived in a grey area racially and legally.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4899 on:** April 27, 2011, 03:22:47 PM »

This is a virtual tour of the area of Westminster where the marriage takes place... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12819684

And I love this virtual of the route they take through London to Westminster http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13155517 I even like the 30 second Tiffany ad - made me smile as I think so many events to celebrate and what more endearing than a couple on the day of their marriage.

Jonathan · « **Reply #4900 on:** April 27, 2011, 04:50:01 PM »

Kate? A secondhand rose? Buckingham Palace would never allow that to happen.

PatH · « **Reply #4901 on:** April 27, 2011, 09:28:14 PM »

Steph, that memorial has just the right feel to it. A wonderful decision.

JoanP · « **Reply #4902 on:** April 27, 2011, 10:03:16 PM »

A wonderful idea, Steph. I'll bet your sons will be happy about it too..

Callie, I love the iimage of you standing there in the bustle, dad iand the groom in the church basement playing shuffleboard. Do you think Kate's dress will have onea bustle on Friday morning?

Actually, I didn't come in this evening to talk about the wedding. We're getting ready to vote for the next Book Club Online discussion and I wanted to make sure that you are aware of the nominations. You still have time to suggest the title of a book you'd like to discuss with our SeniorLearn readers. You can post nominations in the Suggeston Box - see the link in the heading on this page...

Please do vote this weekend...
Here are the nominations to date - notice that the titles are links to reviews...

Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

Kristin Lavransdatter Vol I - Bridal Wreath by Sigrid Undset

Dancing at the Rascal Fair by Ivan Doig

A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cossé

roshanarose · « **Reply #4903 on:** April 27, 2011, 11:02:38 PM »

Hehe - Callie - when I reread my silly piece, I could see some fiscal merit in the suggestions. I am glad that some of you (many of you) are going to enjoy the royal wedding. I am too. And I love all that pomp and splendour.

Gumtree - I love that expression "the full meringue" it seems so apt.

MaryPage - I know they thought of it first. Please note I said "Fair Dinkum"! More power to them for such a sensible move.

I was reading in the newspaper that the latest trend is to have the guests donate money at weddings - just cash - to the happy couple. No gifts, just cold hard cash. I was a bit shocked by this. Maybe I am just old-fashioned.

Steph · « **Reply #4904 on:** April 28, 2011, 06:11:56 AM »

We just had a wedding in our widows club.The invitations said.. No presents, just your presence to join our joy at a second chance at life. I thought that was nice.

Babi · « **Reply #4905 on:** April 28, 2011, 08:34:34 AM »

I will undoubtedly watch at least part of the grand wedding. After all, as MaryPage said,
how often to we get a chance to see such a grand affair, complete with fairy-tale golden
coaches. In my lifetime, this will make three times. Elizabeth and Phillip, Charles and
Diana, and now William and Kate.

ROSE, I think the cash 'gifts' arose as more and more young couples were getting married
with low income and few, if any, savings. They really needed cash more than tea towels!

Frybabe · « **Reply #4906 on:** April 28, 2011, 09:03:03 AM »

I hope everyone is in one piece and accounted for after this latest round of nasty weather. We've been getting tornado warnings here since yesterday. In fact, George called me this morning at 5:45am to let me know the weather service issues another one for the area. Hopefully, it is soon clearing out.

LarryHanna · « **Reply #4907 on:** April 28, 2011, 10:12:08 AM »

Happy to be able to say that the area around where I live was not touched by the storms last night. It was a very scary night in Georgia and there were many deaths in the state and in the adjoining states. We prepared to take shelter, as best we can, in our hall closet. It has been quite awhile since we have done that. Thankfully the storms went north and south of us and we ended up with no wind and just a small amount of rain.

jeriron · « **Reply #4908 on:** April 28, 2011, 10:20:25 AM »

I live in south Cherokee Ga. and the sirens went off 4 times last night between 9pm and 11pm. Scary as heck now that I'm by myself. Went into the inside bathroom each time and came out when it stopped. Infact the first time I was outside with the dog. Really loud because it comes from the fire station 2 blooks away. We were supposed to have a watch until 2am and then it was changed to 11:30. Hardly any rain just lighting.

Frybabe · « **Reply #4909 on:** April 28, 2011, 11:12:03 AM »

We are not used to tornado watches/warnings up here yet. We've been getting them for the last few years now, but ours, if we get them at all, are rather limited. More often, the doppler radar sees rotating clouds that don't develop into a tornado. We get high winds, though, that cause a lot of damage. I don't know of any community around here that uses their sirens to warn people. That sure would be handy, especially if you are asleep. I am glad to hear you are okay.

bellemere · « **Reply #4910 on:** April 28, 2011, 11:15:57 AM »

Ginny, the classics world is about to have a new scholar. My Latin teacher son has been accepted into the Ph.D classics program at City UNiversity of New York, starting in September. He is really taking on a challenge, will have to leave home in Mass. for two nights a week. Lucky to have a supportive wife, who will have to manage house and baby and job while he is gone,
Wonder what subject he will choose for dissertation.

pedln · « **Reply #4911 on:** April 28, 2011, 11:42:48 AM »

Steph, what a thoughtful memorial to honor your husband.

Frybabe · « **Reply #4912 on:** April 28, 2011, 03:06:20 PM »

That is wonderful Bellemere. My best wishes for him. I know how intense and challenging his life will become for a while.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4913 on:** April 28, 2011, 03:15:13 PM »

That is SO great, Bellemere. Good on him!

I am gratified to begin to read of people coming to Greg Mortenson's defense. No doubt mistakes were made, but outright deception appears doubtful. The jury is not yet in, despite the fact that in these days of lightning flash news headlines around the planet any human being's reputation can be demolished before they have a chance to take it all in.

We had terrible storms rumble through here last night, complete with tornado WARNING. I had to turn everything off (computer, tv, a/c) and hunker down with my book and just 2 reading lamps. We had rain, thunder and lightning, but the tornados did not touch down in or very near Annapolis.

This morning, we had TWO separate storms crash through. Again, tornado Warnings, but no touch downs close by. The rain in both attacks simply LASHED down and across my front (southwest facing) porch and pelted against the sliding glass doors. Well, looking on the bright side, it is doing a number on the heavy pollen we have been suffering. My creamy medium grey Toyoto has been looking a sort of greenish yellow this week!

Steph · « **Reply #4914 on:** April 29, 2011, 06:03:48 AM »

Here in central Florida, we did not even get rain, although I think they did north of us. We desperately need rain at this point, but got nothing.
I am up, but dont believe I will turn on the TV.. They will show the wedding over and over, so will just wait a bit.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4915 on:** April 29, 2011, 07:39:56 AM »

Got up at three this morning and watched MSNBC until four, when I turned on PBS in order to see it all without commercials and without all that silly commentary. Like just the straight, quiet reporting of what is happening and whom we are seeing.

Was hoping for elegant, and elegant it was. Quite frankly, I hated Diana's dress: too large and too poofy; just too much. Kate's dress was perfect and beautiful and she was beautiful and the flowers were smack on and the music was heaven and the bridal party smart and adorable.

Loved it! Loved the whole shebang. Now for the balcony and then to watch it all over again!

Sigh!

JoanR · « **Reply #4916 on:** April 29, 2011, 08:08:18 AM »

I was attending the ceremony via PBS with you, MaryPage, in my best bathrobe and a cup of PGTips tea - the Royal Family favorite. Lovely, lovely! And what a lucky break they had with the weather! Back to the TV for the rest of it!

MaryPage · « **Reply #4917 on:** April 29, 2011, 11:52:05 AM »

Did you stick with it long enough to see the newlyweds pop out of the palace in the little black convertible? Half the crowds had gone, but the multitudes still there went nuts. So did I. They were adorable!

bellemere · « **Reply #4918 on:** April 29, 2011, 11:55:36 AM »

Meant to get up for the wedding, but forgot to set my alarm. So I will look for video coverage.
I finished Cleopatra: a Life. It left me in awe of the depth and scope of
Stephanie Schiff's work A lot of it had to be speculation,and extrapolation, but she made even that logical and interesting. Her final conclusion about the myths that have grown up about this amazing ruler is that historians, not willing to grant her the gift of rare intelligence and courage that she possessed, would rather attribute her mastery of Mark Antony and Julius Caesar to sexy seductiveness. Whilke she was no blushing virgin , her real genius was in keping her kingdom toegther as long as she did, in the face of the roman conquering juggernaut.
If I had more of a classics background, I would have enjoyed it more. I did remember that Octavian, Antony 's adversary, becamc Augustus, the emperor= that from I Claudius on Masterpiece Theater. It's a great book and deserves some kind of prize for historical writing.
and speaking of historical writing, the president of the Carnegie Foundation for Peace , jessica Tuchman Matthews, is indeed the daughter of my all-time favorite historical writer, Barbara Tuchman. Her book, The Guns of August is my favorite, but also loved her "March of Folly"
Jessica is a frequent commentator on PBS News Hour.
Thanks for the congratulations to John as he starts on his doctorate - and college teaching career as teaching fellow next fall. It's going to be tough, but he loves the whole classics field.

ginny · « **Reply #4919 on:** April 29, 2011, 12:05:39 PM »

Bellemere I am so happy for John and you, how exciting!!!! Huzzah! I look forward to hearing what he decides to focus on, lucky he lives that close, too, and has a supportive family.

Thank you for letting us know, is this the young man who took his students to France last year? Such a happy day today all round, I loved the wedding.

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2088445 times)