grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

not Wanted!

By

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

Asked to leave…

By

I spent yesterday afternoon at my neighborhood library. I’m enrolled in a children’s picture book writing course that comes with homework. Time consuming homework involving children’s library books… 

I was deep in thought, midway through the assignment with half a dozen story books spread across the table, along with my MacBook, paper and pens when Librarian Lady (LL) approached me…
LL: Do you have any kids?
Me: Yes. (Does she know my brilliant kids?)
LL: Where are they?
Me: One’s in college, one works for the Texas Legislature. (beaming proudly)
LL: You can’t be here. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.
Me: Wait, what?
LL: You can’t be in the children’s section of the library without kids.
Me:  Really? Why? (There was not one single solitary person in the children’s area which comprised one-third of the library.)
LL: You can take your time leaving.
WOW.

What would Dr. Seuss think?

Would he, could he like this rule?
I think not, 
this was not cool.

Is this normal library policy nowadays? Did she think I was some type of perv, loitering in the kiddie area? I was not talking or texting or eating or drinking or laughing or coughing or sneezing or snoring. Obviously, I was working on a children’s project…

I gathered up all my belonging and the picture books, wondering if Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile was even allowed to move from the children’s area…

Could I, should I move the book?
Would a buzzer buzz?
Will she think me a crook?  
As I slinked over to a more appropriate spot in the old people zone, I felt that same terrible feeling I experience when I accidentally wander into the petite section of Ann Taylor. At least Ann Taylor salespeople humor me until I stumble back the department more fitting for me.
I’ve never been asked to leave a library before. Even a department.
talya
Where Do The Children Play? – Cat Stevens

I like nonsense. It wakes up the brain cells. -Dr. Seuss

Land of the Lost

By

Taylor (my niece) and I were having severe internet withdrawal yesterday. She needed to download a book for her Kindle and I needed to blog. Temporarily living in the Land of the Lost, we are lucky to even get television reception.

We went to the Osceola Public Library for a quickie wi-fi adventure. The lady on duty checked my driver’s license and assigned us to study carrel 10. It was the only vacant one. She insisted we sit in the carrel, as if she was responsible for filling all the seats on the Tilt-a-Whirl before starting the ride.
Me: Can’t we just sit at one of the reading tables?
Library Lady: The internet doesn’t work there.  (Four yards away??)
Me: (Puzzled. Shouldn’t it work everywhere inside the library?)
Ignoring her direction, Taylor and I spread our things on the reading table, excited to soon connect with the outside world. Several networks popped up, all locked. Having spent time at this library before, I knew the drill although it does vary slightly with each visit.
Back to the front desk:
Me: Which network is the library? (Showing her my screen. There were several options.)
Library Lady: (Reading from a secret hidden paper beneath the counter.) It’s 877456566.
Me: (Puzzled. Again.) Isn’t that the password? First, I need to know which is the library network.
Library Lady: Well, they haven’t told me that yet. 
Me: So do you think one of these might be the library?
Library Lady: Probably the AT&T one. Yes AT&T. Maybe. (She was becoming flustered.)
It wasn’t the AT&T one. At least not with those secret numbers she gave me.
Me: That wasn’t the right network. (My head was beginning to spin.)
Library Lady: Look you really need to sit in carrel 10 for it to work. (Getting a bit snippity.)
Me: Why?
Library Lady: I don’t know. I’m just a part-timer.
Returning to the table with the secret numbers in my head, I tried every network including the dentist across the street. None of them worked. Just for grins, Taylor and I went to study carrel 10 to see if it was magical. Dangling inside was the hard wire to plug in for connection. The plug was larger than my MacBook Air. 
Avoiding the lady at the front who was beginning to look like a Sleestack, we left the library undetected. Driving slowly around town with my MacBook open in my lap, Taylor and I trolled for unsecure wi-fi. As Taylor occasionally announced, here’s one(!), I pulled over attempting to connect. I thought someone on Hale Street might have an unsecure network. No. We thought the Catholic Charities might be generous enough to share. Nope. Secure. The entire town of Osceola is amazingly secure. Or completely without.

Osceola Days Inn
Free Internet + Biscuits and Gravy!
Finally, the manager of the Days Inn generously allowed us to use the motel’s free wi-fi as we loitered in the lobby. It was very nice and clean and comfortable. Taylor downloaded her book and I published a blog about Chatty Cathy.
We returned to the Bat Cave feeling like we had just survived a rickety ride on a Tilt-a-Whirl. 
Taylor partaking in free wi-fi @ Days Inn

talya

Musical Pairings:

Land of the Lost Theme Song

If you’ve been in the Land of the Lost that much longer than we have, you ought to know by now that not everything here is logical. Will Marshall, Land of the Lost

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!