Is spring really here? You may have asked yourself this question yesterday when you were outside in shirtsleeves and today watching a snow storm from your living room window. I know that after long, cold, and gloomy days, I am ready for sunshine and warm weather. My daffodils have been at the brink of blooming for weeks. They have been enduring the cold and snow valiantly, and finally, last week they opened up their yellow blooms. I am now optimistic that spring is really here. I am looking forward to having some pots of colorful flowers hanging from my porch.
Who knew? There is a day for getting done all those things you have put off. No matter the reason for your procrastination, no matter whose list it is: your wife's (honey-do list," your own "to-do list" or that infamous - when you get "round-tuit list.") It can be that big thing you have avoided, like quitting smoking or something little like sorting your sock drawer. April 17 is the day that you can begin it. No need to procrastinate further! Here is your moment! Focus! You might even get carried away by the moment and do TWO things! Who knows! Go for it!
Okay. So here is spring. I have a house and a lawn. What do I do with it? I need to change the grass from the nasty brown/yellow color. I need flowers out there. I need to do something about the trees with giant limbs that are breaking because of the heavy snow that weighted them down. And, this is the year (I swear it this time) I'm going to grow my own vegetables.
For the month of April, Mr. Michael Espino has loaned us his sketches and drawings that illustrate the different phases of his life. He grew up in the Los Angeles area, and his family goes back to Mexican and Central American cultures. He benefits from strong ties to the land. Thanks to his family and their strong background of faith and bonds of love, he overcame many negatives and began to rely on positives.
About a month ago, while I was still very new to the Library, I started to notice all of the things that people happen to leave in books. I became fascinated by all of the little things that were being accidentally delivered to me. So, for the last 30 days, I decided to keep track of everything I found inside of the books as they made their way back to the Library.
Having grown up in Buffalo, New York, this particular holiday has more importance to me than your average mid-westerner. Dyngus Day is as important to folks from Buffalo and Cleveland as St. Patty's Day is to many others. Historically, Dyngus day is a Polish-American holiday celebrated on Easter Monday. This year Dyngus Day is April 1, 2013. It celebrates the end of the hardships of Easter Lent.
I recently read an article out of the School Library Journal titled Libraries "App Up" Storytime. A library in Waterton, MA is experimenting with digital storytime, using apps in children's library programs for education, entertainment, and involving parents in the learning process. The benefits and risks of using apps are not yet well known. One of the main disadvantages, in my opinion, is that by depending on electronic devices, it takes away the human interaction with the children.
The Smithville Branch now offers Book Club Kits to help you get started. The kits include a book, discussion questions, and several handouts that have tips for starting and running a successful book club. They can be checked out at our branch.
In March we celebrate National Middle Name Pride Day. As a child of the 60s, I figured my middle name was common for that time frame. So, being curious, I googled it and found out that not only was "Ann" common during the 60s, but it's still in the top 3 most common middle names along with Lynn and Marie. The reason these are so popular has to do with rhythm. They fit well with most names. I always wanted a different middle name. It seemed like everyone had the middle name Ann. There was even a girl in my hometown with the exact same name, and we were the same age!
