grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Conway County Library ~ my recent visit, cool on many levels

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Conway County LibraryThe Friends of the Conway County Library recently invited me to speak on the subject on my book and writing and whatnot. This was cool on so many levels. Carnegie Library! The Conway County Public Library in Morrilton represents half of the remaining operating Carnegie libraries in the state of Arkansas. This particular library opened in 1916, and at the time achieved the distinction of being the smallest town in America to have a Carnegie library. That a pretty special little nugget of American + Arkansas history.Continue Reading

R is for Reading

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Once upon a time I unearthed a skeleton key buried in a badger hole. The rusty key unlocked a secret garden gate that led to a lifetime of fantasy and adventure, history and travel. From The Leaky Cauldron to the Great River of Narnia, each place taught lessons I carry with me.
Swinging on vines through unspoiled jungles of Africa without ever leaving my bedroom, freedom became more important than worldly objects.  Entire summers were spent sleuthing in the Osceola Public Library with Nancy Drew, solving mysteries hidden under the stairs.
Across the ravaged south I trekked, following love into the cold Shenandoah Mountains.  Back home, the choiring trees of the Ozark Mountains sang to me.

Kite fighting in Kabul brought courage and redemption, the likes of which I had never witnessed. Exotic smells and sounds came alive while brilliant colors spiraled and floated through the air, touched rooftops, rested on the ground.
Searching for the meaning of life and mourning all things lost, I found myself while hiking the wild Pacific Crest Trail. 

Visiting the egyptian pyramids from my porch swing, I discovered when something is truly desired, the universe conspires to make it achievable.

Where have you been lately?
R is for Reading

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” 
― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

Musical Pairing:

Sail Away
I’m blogging my way through the alphabet.
A to Z April Blog Challenge. R is for Reading…

not Wanted!

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Guess what? I managed to spend Friday afternoon at the Lakewood Library without causing a stink. In fact, I believe I redeemed myself.

Although I was concerned about returning after my last awkward visit, I had research to complete for my children’s book class, and I was too lazy to drive to another library branch. Plus really, should I be forced to do that?

There were no WANTED posters with my picture or blog name. I considered this a positive.
I made no eye contact but went straight to the children’s section which was empty—no adults or kids, only me. I did not dare sit in that section but searched for the books I needed and casually walked to the adult section to read. So far, so good.
After about an hour, I slipped back into the children’s section to re-shelf my books. There, in the same area I was not welcome a few weeks ago, sat a lady with no kids, talking on her cell phone. 

Oh, this woman was toast…
I instantly became nervous for her, knowing a librarian would soon swoop down to exile her into the adult area, slapping her wrist for talking on a cell phone (which I fully supported {the cell phone slap not the exile part}.
I considered warning her, but still trying to lay low I said not a word, returned my books and then bravely queued up to speak to the lady at the front desk. I was there to confess I lost my library card—hadn’t seen it in fifteen years and needed a new card. I prayed she would not recognize my face or name.
She was friendly and helpful and told me a replacement card was $4.00 which I paid.  Then she told me I owed $1.50 in fines.
I almost said, “For what? When? I haven’t checked out a book in forever, whine whine whine.”

But I didn’t.
I stopped myself...

I was determined to follow the rules, to be in good standing with the library, to again freely surround myself among books.

I paid the fine but wondered if I had been charged $1.50 for loitering in the children’s section last month?

Bygones.

I am proud to say I am a replacement-card-carrying, in-good-standing, library member. But, when I left, that woman will still sitting alone in the children’s section! Very sketchy, if you asked me.


talya
Musical Pairing:
P.S. in case you missed the first part of the story….Asked To Leave

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!