How would you like to be called a hag, slime, the most unattractive creature in the sea, and be blind on top all that? Then meet the Hagfish. This brute suffocates it’s victims, eating everything, leaving "a bag of bones". Living in cold waters up to 1,800 feet deep, these useful scavengers help clean up the environment, feeding on the dead and dying creatures of the sea. Check out the hagfish and other interesting creatures on Amazing Animals of the World.
I have always been an "animal person". Most library people are, hence, books like Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World. When I was growing up, we had always at least 2 animals running around the house. However, when I got to college most apartments wouldn’t allow cats or dogs. So, I went and got the next best thing…a rat.
Let me tell you about my cat, Sammy, who truly runs the household. I thought when felines got somewhat older, they slowed down. But not my feline, he is about ten years old. I believe he has an Everready battery attached to himself, but I sure can't seem to find it. He loves to shred paper up and tips over anything that contains liquid, which spills all over the place. Sammy thinks the kitchen counter, cabinets, and table is his personal runway. He has some wonderful qualities, but oh, I wish he would slow down. Does anyone have a cat like mine?
Temperatures have finally cooled down, fall is in the air. For me, that means time to separate my sheep into two groups, the boys and the girls. I am a shepherd. I have a small flock of Blue-faced Leicesters, a breed of sheep with a lovely soft fleece. Hand spinners very much enjoy working with this fleece. There are many breeds of sheep as well as many colors and qualities of fleece. This breed of sheep is also well known for a pleasant disposition--even the rams are easy to handle. Also, I have border collies to help me with the sheep.
At the library, we have a calendar with pictures of cats. Usually when you think of cats, you picture them as cute and playful. For instance, a famous library cat you may know of is Dewey from Spencer, Iowa.
Throughout my years working for Mid-Continent, I have often wondered what it would be like to have a pig in the library. It seems as if my wish will come true. On Saturday, September 25 at 2:00, Stable T. Farms will present the Farm Animals to You program at the Blue Springs North Branch. I am told that the animals will be allowed into the library (a tarp will be provided.) Joining the pig named Dora, there will be a chicken, a duck, a rabbit, and a goat.
Does loving a dog make us more human? This is one of the questions that Steven Winn, author of Come Back, Como: Winning the Heart of a Reluctant Dog, answers in his book. As a self-proclaimed dog lover, I was instantly drawn to the sweet picture of Como on the cover of this book, and fell in love with Como and his family as I read.
On September 16, the Lone Jack Branch had some interesting little visitors: three baby opossums! These babies were found orphaned on the side of the road, and adopted by a kind family. Their new mommy brought them to meet all the boys and girls at storytime. Everyone got a chance to pet them and take pictures, and the little guys had as much fun as the kids. Be sure to come to storytime every Thursday morning at 10:00 am. You never know who will show up!
