I'm using: biography ~ cheek ~ exclusive ~ librarian ~ document
They were submitted by Rena of The Blogging 911.
The world has come to an end.
She stood in the hollowed out, mostly wall-less shell of what once had been the town library. More than just a library, really. They had hosted story based parties, book reading challenges, informational sessions, dramatic readings for children, whatever they could do to bring the love of reading to, share the love of reading with, the community.
The librarian just kept twirling. Slowly circling in one spot, trying to take in the devastation. Not an inch of floor was visible, covered as it was with chunks of shelving, books crippled by broken spines, defiled newspapers and magazines, documents resembling those having gone through a shredder. Newspaper wedding photos with no announcement, encyclopedias devoid of information, tattered cookbook pictures without a recipe.
Lemon Lime Pie Parfait
PS: Although I write this little piece of fiction with tongue firmly planted in cheek, it is with a profound sadness that I do acknowledge the slow painful decline in use of many local libraries. When my boys were little they participated in many programs at ours, sifted through the shelves looking for a book on a favorite subject, even did some school work there while their mother browsed.
Bethryn, like everyone else in this part of the country, had lived with tornado sirens, those ear piercing warnings that danger was eminent. And this is the season, without a doubt. Watch the local news and the weatherman seems to be constantly warning someone somewhere. But never had one hit anywhere near her. Never. yet here she stood, in her beloved library, the place she chose to focus all the efforts of her life's work. And it was gone, The world truly had come to an end.
She stopped spinning and hung her head. Not in defeat maybe, just trying to let some form of belief, resignation, take hold in her brain. And looking down she saw that there it was, just to the side of her left foot, the book that had arrived just yesterday. An exclusive. Not yet released but she knew the author, a local woman who has been a frequent patron of this library for years. She'd promised an advance copy and one week before release it had arrived. She was so excited to learn more about the background of this local blogger that she almost took the book home with her last night. Almost.
Shocked to have even found it, Bethryn bent to pick up the book. The spine was crooked, pages bent, but it actually looked to be intact. Gently rubbing the dirt from the scratched cover she could just make out the title of the biography:
A Not So Ordinary Life
by Karen BakingInATornado
I'm part of the problem, of course. A voracious reader, I went to the library every other week for books all while my boys were growing up. Now I borrow books on my kindle, or read them on my phone or laptop. I appreciate the convenience, especially in the freezing cold of winter. But I can also see the writing on the wall, the fewer hours and the staff cuts. And I mourn the imminent demise of so much more than a big building full of books.
Here are links to all the other Use Your Words posts:
Spatulas on Parade
The Blogging 911
On the Border
Bookworm in the Kitchen
The Bergham Chronicles
Simply Shannon
Southern Belle Charm
Part-time Working Hockey Mom
Climaxed
The Blogging 911
On the Border
Bookworm in the Kitchen
The Bergham Chronicles
Simply Shannon
Southern Belle Charm
Part-time Working Hockey Mom
Climaxed
Lemon Lime Pie Parfait
Ingredients (makes 6 - 8):
10 graham crackers1 (6 oz) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate
OPT: 2 drops red food coloring if desired
1 (6 oz) can frozen limeade concentrate
OPT: 2 drops green food coloring if desired
1 (7 oz) jar marshmallow creme
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
2 cup whipped cream
Directions:
*Crush 5 of the graham crackers and break up the other 5 into piece.
*Pour the frozen lemonade concentrate into a small bowl. Whisk and return to can. Repeat with the limeade.
*Put 2 TBSP of the lemonade concentrate and 2 TBSP of the limeade concentrate into a bowl with the marshmallow creme. Whisk together well.
*In a medium sized bowl, put 1/2 cup of lemonade concentrate with 1/2 of the can of sweetened condensed milk. Add red food coloring, if desired. Whisk together. Gently fold in 1 cup of whipped cream.
*In another medium sized bowl, repeat with the 1/2 cup of limeade concentrate, remaining sweetened condensed milk, remaining whipped cream and green food coloring.
*In 6 to 8 glasses, divide up the marshmallow creme mixture, graham cracker crumbs, then the lemonade mixture, graham cracker pieces, and finally the limeade mixture.
*Place in the freezer to keep cold. These won't freeze, they'll remain mostly liquid but are refreshing when served cold on a hot day.
To me, there is nothing better in the world than to hang out in a library, the smells, the feel of the books, all those stories, books full of amazing people, places and things. Yet like you, I use my Kindle more and more.
ReplyDeleteI know, I miss the quiet studying or reading in a corner of the library, yet I love the convenience of getting my books from them online.
DeleteGreat post! A lot of thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by.
DeleteOh, this breaks my heart! After the homes, themselves, there's no more important building in a town than the library!
ReplyDeleteI actually feel guilty for going in there so infrequently these days, makes me part of the problem not the solution.
DeleteI wanted to be a librarian when I grew up. I love libraries. I go to one at least once or twice a week. And the budget cuts I see make me sad, and, in a strange way, sorry that I did not take that career path. I've sometimes blogged about libraries; I should do so more often. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI've read some of your library posts, they represent your love for them.
DeleteMy mom read to me every night as I did my boys. She took me to all the library programs,as I did my boys. I challenged myself every year to read more and more books. But life took a turn, books are no longer available like they once were and I'm too tired. I miss the days of going to the library for hours. It is sad but life moves on and technology as much as I love it, has killed the great institute of the library.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's difficult because so many memories are associated with libraries, yet I myself prefer the ease of technology.
DeleteI know! It's so sad to think about and know that you are contributing to the problem, but damn it's just so easy. I love the library though, my kids grew up going and those memories are so special. We have a huge one here that I haven't fully explored but with a husband who works a lot and me STILL not driving...and then there is Book Bub that sends me the option for three different books EVERY SINGLE DAY! It's just to impossible to resist.
ReplyDeleteI know. I have Book Bub too. So easy, suggestions arriving in my email daily and many are free.
Delete