Tempus Fugit

December 02, 2010

It is hard to believe this, but the holiday season is upon us. It feels as if just yesterday, I was getting home from a trip to Portland. Actually, the trip was in late March! Time truly does fly, and it goes faster and faster as we get older. I recall that when I was a kid, old people used to tell me that. It always used to make me laugh really hard...I'm not laughing so hard about it nowadays!

This time of year can be really stressful for people. We all have too many holiday parties to attend, too many things to cook, too many gifts to buy, and we only have 24 hours in a day to get everything done.

There are many ways the library can help you with various holiday challenges in your life. A previous post pointed out using the Consumer Reports online database to help you choose the best electronic gifts. We also have a wide range of holiday cookbooks and holiday entertaining books. We offer many editions of traditional holiday favorites for children, from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. We have music CDs with all kinds of holiday tunes. Here's something you may not have thought about: we have loads of books on ways to reduce stress. One in particular that appeals to me is 365 Ways to Reduce Stress by Eve Adamson. It's a small book with short tips that are very practical ways to help you take control of the stress in your life. The tips are easy to apply to real life; it's a very practical book, and that's what makes it so helpful.

Maybe, the best way the library can help you with your stress is this: we offer a quiet place where you can pause for a bit, read a favorite magazine or two, and recharge your batteries so that you can press on through this season.

Sheryl W.
North Oak Branch