Are Holiday Cards Dead?

It's that most wonderful time of the year again.  That time when we go crazy buying gifts, baking cookies, and having cups of cheer.  It's also that time of year when we send holiday cards to each other.  Or is it?

I don't know about you, but I'm seeing fewer and fewer Christmas cards in my mailbox, and by mailbox I mean the snail mail box rather than my email inbox.  Sure, everything has become more electronic these days with email, texts, and various social media outlets, but Christmas tended to be the one time of the year when people actually bought paper cards, sat down to write them, and stick stamps on envelopes.  However, I'm seeing that changing.  It now seems that even once a year is too much trouble for some people to send cards.

In case you were wondering, the tradition of sending Christmas cards began in the UK in 1843 when Sir Henry Cole, who was working in what was the newly established Post Office, thought of a new way for more people to use the mail service.  He and an artist friend, John Horsley, came up with the idea of making and selling cards to be sent at Christmas with holiday wishes.

I have to admit that I always look forward to checking my mailbox this time of year and finding cards from people I haven't heard from in a while.  I love seeing the festive pictures on the cards and reading the few words that the sender has penned by hand.  The Christmas cards I receive each year become part of my holiday decor, adorning a shelf near the Christmas tree.

Personally, it would sadden me if Christmas cards were to completely disappear.  Although I have nothing against electronic means of communication, I feel something would be lost without paper cards wishing Season's Greetings.  In the meantime, I will continue to send Christmas cards until stores no longer sell them or I stop receiving them in the mail, whichever comes first.

Wishing you Happy Holidays from the perch.

Be Mindful, You Should

If you're a Star Wars fan like me, then it should be no surprise that the next movie, The Last Jedi, is just around the corner.  Since the first movie came out 40 years ago, people young and old continue to be captivated by events that happened "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away."

Sure, Star Wars is a great sci-fi story with the classic good versus evil theme, but it also has ideas rooted in various world belief systems that speak to everyone regardless of religion, ethnicity, and race.  Some of those ideas might be useful in getting through the holidays as well as other busy and stressful times.

"Meditate on this, I will." -Yoda
Meditation is a great way to take a moment, calm down, and find focus.  Set aside 5 minutes, find a quiet spot to sit down, close your eyes, and breathe. 

"Be mindful of your thoughts...they will betray you." -Obi-Wan Kenobi
Don't dwell on the negative, and don't make mountains out of mole hills. 

"Let go of your hate." -Luke Skywalker
Hating is destructive, and holding grudges don't do anyone good.  Forgiveness may be directed toward another, but it's also a gift you give yourself. 

"Do or do not.  There is no try." -Yoda 
Be confident and just do it, whatever it is.  You can handle things.
 
"Keep your concentration here and now, where it belongs." -Qui-Gon Jinn
Yesterday is over, tomorrow hasn't come yet.  Focus on the present moment, because you can only do something about today.

As Yoda might say--stress over the holidays do not; be mindful of your feelings and clear your mind, you should.  And don't forget that the library has plenty of materials to further help you de-stress (and we got Star Wars books and DVDs, too!).

Wishing you a calm, peaceful, and mindful Holiday Season from the perch.

 

Harry Potter...20 Years Later

Is it really 20 years since the first Harry Potter book was published?

Somehow, it doesn't seem like so long ago when kids (and kids at heart) eagerly awaited the next book in the series to find out what happened to Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the gang at Hogwarts.  Bookstores across the country had midnight parties with people of all ages dressed in wizarding robes waiting to buy the newest book.  I remember my mailman giddy with excitement when he rang my doorbell to personally deliver my copy of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix purchased from Amazon.

What is it about the Harry Potter series that continues to appeal to new generations as well as kids and adults alike?  It's always amazing when something like a book or a movie stands the test of time, resonating with people all over the world.

Maybe it's the fascinating world that author J. K. Rowling created?  A special train that takes students from Platform 9 3/4 to a special school of magic.  Classes from Potions to Transfiguration to Defense Against the Dark Arts.  Culinary delights such as butterbeer, pumpkin pasties, chocolate frogs, and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.  Extraordinary creatures including dragons, hippogriffs, centaurs, basilisks, and house elves.  Not to mention an evil wizard and his cohorts who want to kill the title character and terrorize everyone else.

Whatever it is, the Harry Potter series captures the imagination of both young and old.  It connects generations, giving kids, parents, and grandparents something they can enjoy together as a family.  Additionally, it transforms reluctant readers into book lovers and teaches that the power of love and friendship is the greatest magic of all.

If you've never read the books, perhaps now is the time to start; if you have read them, take the time to revisit.  Stop by the library to check out a Harry Potter book or movie and put yourself under its spell for the first time or once again.

Sending you magical greetings from the perch.

Teal Pumpkins!

They're coming.  Perhaps you've seen them.  Maybe even in your own neighborhood.  They're round.  They're teal.  They're...pumpkins!

Are teal pumpkins some strange mutation of the iconic Halloween squash?  The short answer is no.  The long answer is teal pumpkins are just regular pumpkins painted teal and placed outside of houses offering non-food trick-or-treat items on Halloween.

What?  No candy?  No chocolate?  No munchies of any kind?  Why???

Nowadays, it seems that more kids (and adults) have different kinds of food allergies.  There are people allergic to things like wheat, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, sesame, fish, and other items.

Imagine being a kid with a food allergy.  All your friends are out trick-or-treating but you can't go because you can't eat the treats.  Not much fun, is it?

However, kids with food allergies can take part in the fun if they can get treats other than food.  Glow sticks, pencils, erasers, coloring sheets, and stickers are popular with all kids.  Of course, you can still have candy on hand to pass out if you'd like, but just be sure to ask the little monsters coming to your door whether they would like candy or a non-food item.  And be careful of some non-food items, such as latex, because some people have allergies to those things as well.

If you'd like to put a teal pumpkin outside your door this year (or just print out a sheet with a teal pumpkin), take a look at the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) website for more information.  You may just make a lot of goblins happy this year and save your front yard from getting toilet papered.

Wishing you a fun and safe Halloween from the perch.

Polish Heritage Month

It seems like every month we're celebrating one thing or another at the library, and October is no different.  For the first time we're celebrating Polish Heritage Month with a big display by our front door.  Yay!

When you think of Polish things, what usually comes to mind?  Kiełbasy (a.k.a. Polish sausage)?  Pierogi?  Maybe even polkas and polka music?  (For the record, the polka actually originated as a Czech dance, but Polish-Americans have made it a part of their culture.)

Although it may not be obvious at first glance, Poles have made great contributions to the world.  Astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus came up with the heliocentric theory which placed the sun rather than the earth in the center of the universe.  Composer Frédéric Chopin wrote all those beautiful piano concertos that we love so much.  Scientist Marie Curie (née Skłodowska) discovered the two elements of radium and polonium, naming the latter after her native country.  And let's not forget those Polish military commanders, Kazimierz Pułaski and Tadeusz Kościuszko, who fought in the American Revolution and helped the Colonies win their independence from Britain.  The list of names goes on and on.

In the United States, 3% of the population (that's over 9.5 million people, including yours truly) are of Polish descent.  Chicago has the largest number of Poles outside of Warsaw, Poland.  The first Poles in the country were in Jamestown in 1609, establishing glassmaking and woodworking industries.  Polish-Americans can be found in all fields, including sports, journalism, entertainment, science, politics, literature, and others.  Chances are good that some of your friends or co-workers are Polish.

So, put on your Polish this month!  Learn to dance the Polonaise, watch an Andrzej Wajda movie, read a book by Henryk Sienkiewicz, and bake an awesome babka.  Or just have some Polish candies at the perch until they're gone.

Wishing everyone a Happy Polish Heritage Month from the perch!  Wszystkiego najlepszego!  (All the best!)

Fall Into...Fall!

If you've been following my blog for a while, you probably know I'm a fan of lists.  And since fall is actually here, I thought it would be fitting to make a list of fun things to help us really get the most out of the season.  So without further ado, here are 10 things you can do locally in the Inland Northwest or at home:

• Apple picking in Green Bluff, WA  When you think of fall, you think of apples.  So why not have some fun picking apples with the family in Green Bluff?
• Have some spiced cider.  Speaking of apples, doesn't some nice warm spiced cider on a chilly night sound good?  You can try this recipe or just get a bottle ready-made from Trader Joe's.
• Have some tea and pastries.  Not into cider?  Then have some nice hot tea in the comfort of your own home or go to a local tea house, like the Silver Spoon Tea House in Spokane or the Gaiwan Tea House in Coeur d'Alene.
• Attend an Oktoberfest celebration.  Maybe beer is your thing?  If so, fall is Oktoberfest time!  The big one is 3 hours away in Leavenworth, WA, but there are others nearby in Spokane, and Coeur d'Alene, ID.  Or you can go to Das Stein Haus in Spokane.
• Take a walk in Finch Arboretum in Spokane.  Beside apples, isn't fall about...falling leaves?  Stroll in the arboretum among the trees sporting their autumn colors.
• Light some candles.  Perhaps you're more of an indoor person?  Make a cozy, inviting atmosphere by lighting a few candles.
• Knit or crochet a scarf.  Talking about cozy, knit or crochet a scarf for yourself or a loved one.  Don't know how?  Then come to the library's Spin-a-Yarn the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month and we'll teach you.
• Bake a cake.  After a while, doing all those fall things will make you work up an appetite.  Baking a cake is good for a growling stomach as well as the soul.  And your house will smell great!
• Snuggle in a blanket and watch a movie.  When you get tired, there's nothing better than snuggling in a blanket on the sofa and watching a movie.  Relax!
• Read a book.  You know I had to plug in books and reading somewhere, didn't you?  Fall is the perfect time to stay indoors with a good read, and we have plenty of good ones here at the library for you to borrow!

Hopefully, this list will help you get a start on fall!  For more ideas and things to do, stop by the library!

Wishing everyone a great fall from the perch.

Wildfire Smoke is No Joke!

I'm sure it's no surprise that the air quality in the Inland Northwest is extremely poor to downright hazardous due to smoke from wildfires in the region and neighboring states.  Until the fires are put out and the winds shift, there's not much we can do to get rid of the smoke.  However, according to the experts, there are things we can do to help protect ourselves and keep our exposure to wildfire smoke at a minimum:

• Stay indoors.  The less time spent outside in the smoky air, the better.
• Close windows.  Try to keep the indoor air as clean as possible. 
• Recircle air, close vents.  Cut off the flow of outdoor air coming into your house and car.
• Don't burn anything.  Candles, fireplaces, etc. contribute to bad air quality.
• Drink plenty of water.  It will make your throat feel better and less irritated.
• Wear proper masks.  If you must go outside, limit your time and wear effective masks.

Here are some other informative resources that can help you and your family protect yourselves from wildfire smoke:

• Health Tip: Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke Exposure
• How Smoke from Fires Can Affect Your Health
• How to Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke
• Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke
• Wildfire Smoke: Frequently Asked Questions 

Let's hope the fires are extinguished soon and air clears, but in the meantime, please take precautions and use common sense.

Yours truly practicing fire safety at the perch.

Welcome Back to...Books!

Just because the summer reading program is over doesn't mean that trips to the library should become less frequent.  Noooo!  Quite the opposite!  This is the time of year to take advantage of all the resources the library has to offer to make your little ones (or yourself) successful in school!  Really!

Got some younger (or older) students feeling a little apprehensive about the new school year?  Don't worry.  We got plenty of books to put them in a good mood and make them feel like academic champions.  Need books to help out with reading, writing, math, or science skills?  We got that, too.  History?  We got books and DVDs that help bring the past alive and make it interesting for everyone.  Home ec, woodshop, or anything else?  Yup--chances are good we have it.

If you need some one-on-one help, the library offers tutor.com, real tutors online for K-12 subjects.  For those needing the services of a proctor, we can proctor exams that are either online or on paper.  We also have laptops and desktop computers for you to use, printers, and a fax, as well as electronic databases and other online resources to help you gather whatever information you're seeking.

So just because the summer reading program is over doesn't mean that there's no reason to come to the library.  We're here for you all 12 months of the year!  Rain or shine, hot or cold, sunny or cloudy (you get the idea :-).

Wishing everyone a great new school year from the perch!

Our Love Affair With Superheroes

When I was 12 years old, I fell in love with Christopher Reeve and Superman.  Those dreamy blue eyes and nerdy lock of hair curling on his forehead made me crush hard (to be honest, I've never completely gotten over that crush).  And what's not to like about Superman?  I mean, he can fly faster than a speeding bullet, leap tall buildings with a single bound, etc., etc.  But he's also Clark Kent, the geeky, mild-mannered reporter with glasses who's charmingly klutzy.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who's a fan of one superhero or another.  Our collection of graphic novels (a more respectable rendition of comic books) keeps growing and being used on a regular basis.  Of course, we have Superman graphic novels, but we also have Batman, Aquaman, Iron Man, Captain America, Captain Canuck, Spiderman, Green Lantern...you name it, we probably have it.  And naturally, we have TV shows and movies which are popular and get checked out often.  Just look at all the hubbub the new Wonder Woman movie has been generating in the cinemas.

So, what is it about superheroes that captures the imagination of so many?  Granted, they're all good looking and incredibly muscular, but I think it goes beyond appearances.  In a world that's riddled with problems and tragedies, it's nice to imagine that people with superhuman strength can swoop in and save the day quickly.  It's also comforting to see that all superheroes have a secret identity as everyday, ordinary people who look just like us and deal with normal issues just like us.  Clark Kent loves Lois Lane, but he wants to be loved for himself because Superman is what he can do rather than who he truly is.

Centuries ago, the Greeks and Romans had gods who were capable of extraordinary feats while at the same time exhibiting human shortcomings such as jealousy and hate.  Today, superheroes have taken the place of ancient gods, inspiring us to possibly become our own superheroes and try to make our imperfect world just a little better in our own human way.  And for the record, I actually prefer Clark Kent to Superman because of his vulnerabilities rather than in spite of them.

Wishing you superhero daydreams from the perch.

Manners in the Library

The following post is an oldie but a goodie from 2014, but I thought it was worth a revisit.  It's wonderful to have so many people coming into the library with the Summer Reading Program in full swing.  Yay!  However, please remember to practice good library etiquette.

So here's a basic refresher on how to behave in the library:

• No running in the library.  The library isn't a playground.  Although we're happy to see kids excited about getting their books, we don't want to see them running and getting hurt.  We also don't want to see them playing tag and disrupting other library users who are trying to read and get work done.
• No shouting, yelling, or screaming in the library.  Again, the library isn't a playground.  Please remember to use your library voice (a.k.a. quiet voice or whisper) when you come in so you don't disrupt other people.  Save your loud voice for outside.  And parents--if your children are loud, we're grateful when you take them outside for a moment and return with them once they've calmed down.
• Don't throw library items around.  Books and other library materials aren't intended to stay on shelves unused.  They're supposed to be used and go on visits with borrowers to homes, work, school, and other places.  However, they're not meant to be thrown on the floor and other places where they can get damaged.  If you don't want an item, please leave it at the desk or at other designated areas.  It will be re-shelved properly.
• Don't scribble on the desks (or anywhere else).  You wouldn't scribble on your kitchen table or countertops, would you?  Then please don't scribble or allow kids to scribble on tables, chairs, books, or anything else in the library.  We want to keep the library a clean and inviting place for everyone.  If you or your kids have the need to scribble, we'll be happy to supply you with scratch paper and even crayons!
• Please and thank you are not bad words.  Politeness will get you far in the library, and we at the desk always like it when kids and adults have good manners.  We're here to help you and are happy to do so, but we never get tired of people asking us nicely for our assistance.

Let's make the library a safe, fun, and exciting place for everyone this summer and throughout the year!  After all, it's your library.  Treat the space and the materials in it like you own them, because you do.

My ever humble 2 cents from the perch.

Patriotic Movies

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, I was thinking of what can put us in the mood for the holiday beside barbecues and fireworks--movies!  After spending time outside in the heat, try cooling off inside with one of these patriotic picks (which can be checked out from our library, of course):

• American Sniper  A Navy SEAL is one of the nation's best snipers in history, saving countless lives while doing four tours of duty.
• Apollo 13  When something goes wrong on a mission to the moon, NASA has to find a way to bring three astronauts safely home.
• Born on the Fourth of July  A marine accidentally kills a fellow soldier and becomes paralyzed during his second tour of duty in Vietnam.
• John Adams  Depicts the life of the Founding Father and second president.
• The Patriot  A peaceful South Carolina farmer turns patriot and fights the British in the American Revolution.
• Patton  Focuses on the American general, George S. Patton, during World War II.
• Pearl Harbor  Presents the Japanese attack on the American naval base in Hawaii and how it impacts the lives of those involved.
• Saving Private Ryan  After D-Day, a small band of soldiers searches for an army private who lost three soldiers during the course of the war.
• Top Gun  Elite fighter pilots push each other to be the best at the Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School.
• Unbroken  An Olympic athlete joins the military during World War II, survives a plane crash in the Pacific, is stranded on a raft for 47 days, and is captured by the Japanese who send him to a POW camp.

Enjoy one of these good movies or whatever it is you're doing this Fourth of July!

Wishing you a happy, fun, and safe holiday from the perch.

Books and Tea

Like many perch librarians, I like tea.  Hot tea, iced tea, sweetened tea, unsweetened tea, black tea, white tea, green tea, boba tea.  Get the idea?  I like tea.  There's just something about that little cup full of happiness that fills you with peace and calm.  The hot varieties make you slow down to avoid scalding your tongue, and the cold varieties make you slow down to savor the flavor.

And beside a scone, what goes perfectly with tea?  Books, of course!  Picture this: a cozy nook by a window, a comfy chair to curl up in, a cup of tea to sip on, and a book you can't put down.  Now honestly, fellow book lovers, does it get any better than that?

Maybe you have that special reading place at home?  Or maybe there's that special reading place somewhere in town?  There are a number of bakery cafes and tea houses that are inviting venues for reading.  I especially like this one bakery cafe (the Rockwood Bakery in Spokane) which is in an older building with big picture windows, high ceilings, rose colored walls, wood floors, and mismatched tables and chairs.  Whenever I go there, I can get lost in a book and cup of tea for hours.

Speaking for myself, I absolutely love the perfect cup of jasmine tea--nice, light, and floral (I like Two Leaves and a Bud).  When I'm in the mood for a strong, full-bodied tea, my little splurge is tea from the Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC (you can order it online).  If I want a more fruity variety, I enjoy a cup of black currant tea from Ahmad Tea of London.

Do you have a favorite tea and a special reading place?  Share it with us!

Clinking tea cups with you from the perch.

Take a Hike (Or a Bike)

At long last the (somewhat) warmer weather has finally arrived in Spokane!  If you're like me, you're probably stir crazy from being cooped up through a cold winter and spring.  Maybe you're ready to burst outside, fill up your lungs with fresh air, and do something fun in the midst of nature.

Whether you're a hardcore athlete or just enjoy a little exercise, the Inland Northwest has a number of biking and hiking trails to get you out and about.

Some of my personal favorites include:

• Centennial Trail (WA) and North Idaho Centennial Trail (ID)
• Columbia Plateau Trail (WA)
• Mineral Ridge Trail (ID)
• Route of the Hiawatha (ID)
• Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes (ID)
• Tubbs Hill Trail (ID)
• Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (ID)

There are trails around Sandpoint, Idaho (the Mickinnick Trail has a good view of Lake Pend Oreille) and Libby, Montana (the trail to Kootenai Falls is a must-do).  If you're interested in exploring these and other trails, check out the following websites:

• Hikes Every Local Should Do
• Montana Wilderness Association
• MTB Project
• North Idaho Hiking and Biking Trails 
• Pedal the Palouse
• Priest Lake Hiking Trails 

Of course, the library has plenty of books on trails near and far.  Just stop by and ask your friendly neighborhood perch librarian what's available.

Wishing you happy trails from the perch.

Coloring for Adults

Remember what it was like when you were a kid and got a brand new coloring book with crayons that were never used?  Oh, the excitement of having a blank book just waiting for you to bring it to life with colors of your choosing!  And those pointy crayons with that familiar wax smell!  Coloring books and crayons were the keys to taking you away to a blissful world (and giving your parents a few hours of quiet!).

If you're missing those coloring days of your youth, you can re-live them again through the library's Coloring Club!  For one hour once a month, you can join your fellow adults in the library for coloring while you listen to soothing ambient music.  We supply the coloring sheets (which have a monthly theme), the coloring pencils, and the music.  You supply yourself and a desire to escape from the stresses of life for a short spell.

Ever since Johanna Basford came out with The Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book, the adult coloring craze has taken the country (and many libraries) by storm.  I remember at first being skeptical about coloring for adults, but it's something that so many of us need.

Coloring is like meditation--your mind clears as you focus on your hands maneuvering the pencils, filling pages with color.  It's a short break from whatever is going on in your life and a subconscious return to the happy, carefree days of childhood.  It also allows you to connect with your artistic side, something many of us have left by the wayside when we grew up and entered the adult sphere.

The library's Coloring Club meets the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.  Why not take a break, relax a bit, and get in touch with your inner child?  After all, adults need to have some fun, too!

With ever colorful greetings from the perch.

10 Reasons Why Is the Library Important

This week is National Library Week, and it got me thinking: with information available electronically at our fingertips, why is the library still important?  There are many reasons the library has relevance in today's age, but for now I'll give you 10:

1. You can check out items for free.  Let's start with the basics.  You can check out everything including books, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, and more for free.  How many places loan things without charging a dime?
2. You can get free e-books and e-magazines.  Have an e-reader or tablet?  You can download books and magazines to your device for free as well.
3. Someone can show you how to use your electronic gadget.  Suppose you don't know how to use that e-reader or tablet you got as a gift.  The people at the store are in the business of selling products, not teaching how to use them.  Enter the library staff, ever willing to help for free.
4. The computers and Internet are free to use.  Maybe times are tough and you don't have a computer or are able to pay your Internet bill.  The library offers free use of their computers and Internet.  And if you do have an electronic device, you can use the library's Wi-Fi free of charge.
5. There are free programs and classes.  Want to learn how to knit or crochet?  Walk with other walkers?  Learn how to do computer basics?  The library has programs and classes to teach you these things and more.
6. It's the new community center.  Where can you get together with other people?  Where can you find out what's happening in the community?  You got it--the library, the modern town square!
7. There are still some things you can't get online.  Although a lot of things have been digitized, there are still so many more things that can only be found in print.
8. Librarians can proctor tests.  Taking a college class online?  Perhaps you need to take a proctored exam.  Well, library staff can serve as proctors.  For free!
9. It promotes literacy.  Maybe this is a no-brainer, but the library is in the reading business.  It has storytime programs for babies and for preschoolers.  Additionally, there are book clubs for young kids, teens, and adults.
10. It's both entertaining and useful.  If you're bored, you can always find something at the library to keep you entertained.  Something for home, something for that vacation you're taking.  If you want to learn, get information, apply for a job, or whatever, the library can help you do what you want to do.

The library is as essential as ever with its various offerings, most of which are free.  And not that you need any more incentive to come into the library, but this week in honor of National Library Week, we're giving away free book bags and other goodies, so come on in!

Yours truly from the perch.

Get Hygge!

Are you like me?  Getting a little tired of the dark, gloomy, rainy weather we've been having for ages?  Having enough of all the water flooding the fields and roads?  Seeing too much gray and brown than vibrant colors?

Then look to our friends, the Danes, for some inspiration.  In winter they have up to 17 hours of darkness a day in Denmark, yet they're some of the happiest people around.  Why?  That's because they have a secret, and that secret has finally gotten out.  What do they have that we desperately need?  HYGGE!

So, what the heck is hygge, you ask?  There's no direct translation into English, but hygge (pronounced "hoo-ga") is a sense of coziness, of having the warm and fuzzies of the soul.  It's the feeling you get when you're wrapped up nice and snug in a soft afghan, sipping a cup of tea, and watching the rain beat against the window.  It's the feeling you get when you're getting together with a few of your good friends over a candlelit dinner.  It's the feeling you get when you're curled up in the corner of your sofa reading a good book.  Simply put, it's taking pleasure in little, everyday things and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Hygge has become the big trend of the moment.  There are a number of books on the subject, including The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking of the Happiness Research Institute (yes, they really research happiness).  There are also various articles on hygge and how to put a little more of it in your life:

• The Art of Danish Hygge
• The Hygge Conspiracy 
• Hygge House
• The Year of Hygge, the Danish Obsession with Getting Cozy  

So, until the weather turns warm and the flowers start blooming, light those candles, make that cocoa, put on those fuzzy socks, cuddle in that blanket, and enjoy that pastry!  And of course, stop by the library to get some good books to read and put more hygge in your life!

Wishing you much hygge from the perch.

Kindergarten Rules

Unless you've been on Mars for the past 6 months, I probably don't have to tell you how politics have been a hotter topic than usual.  People either love or hate the new leadership and they have no problem voicing their opinions.  There have been protests.  There have been demonstrations.  There have been fights.  Things have gotten downright ugly, really ugly.

It's human to disagree sometimes.  It's divine, however, to listen to and respect others even if their beliefs differ from our own.

I can't help but think back to the lessons learned in kindergarten.  There were kids you didn't like and kids who didn't like you.  I remember my teacher saying that you didn't have to like the other person, but you did have to get along with him or her.  I'm sure I wasn't the only one to hear that somewhere while growing up.  What happened?  Did so many people forget that lesson?

There's a small group of us here at the library.  We all had different opinions about the election and while we voiced our opinions, we didn't shout and get nasty.  We listened to each other and we respected what we had to say, even if we disagreed.  Isn't that the way how things are supposed to work?

If you ask me for my ever humble opinion, I think we can all revisit the basic rules of kindergarten, the rules of showing respect, being polite, and acting courteously.  Don't shout and don't be mean.  Try to be helpful.  Clean up your mess.  For other lessons, take a look at Robert Fulghum's modern day classic, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.  It's alright to disagree, but do so in an appropriate manner.

Ever respectfully yours from the perch.

Beating the Winter Blahs

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm so winter-weary it's not funny.  It seems like winter started in November with frigid temps which were soon followed by one snow storm after another, and here we are 4 months later with no end in sight.  If you're a snow bunny, then I guess this must be your dream winter, but what about the rest of us?  What should we do to beat the winter blahs until the crocuses start poking up?

Well, here's your friendly neighborhood perch librarian to offer you some ideas to help you make it to spring.  In no particular order (and with, perhaps, some slight bias):

• Go to the library
• Read a book
• Watch a movie
• Listen to beach music
• Knit or crochet
• Draw or start a new hobby
• Take a yoga class
• Hang out at a bakery cafe
• Walk outside (even though it's cold)
• Cook a new recipe
• Try a new restaurant
• Get a massage
• Sleep or nap
• Work on a puzzle
• Do that home reno project
• Visit the local museum
• Have a 1-night getaway out of town
• Get together with some friends
• Take a bubble bath complete with candles and wine
• Get some extra Vitamin D (either natural or pills)
• Do some aromatherapy
• Meditate
• Eat some dark chocolate
• Clean your house
• Keep a gratitude journal
• Turn on more lights
• Plan your next vacation
• Play old-fashioned board games
• Color an adult coloring book

I'm sure there are other things that can be added to the list.  Maybe you have some ideas of your own?  If you do, please share!

Wishing you early and warm spring wishes from the perch.

Gifts from the Heart

Believe it or not, Valentine's Day is looming on the horizon, just a week away.  Maybe you've already gotten something for your sweetie.  Maybe you've already made reservations for that popular restaurant.  Maybe you've got something special planned to demonstrate your love.  If you're all set for V-Day, that's great and we're happy that you don't need to read the rest of this post.  If you still don't know what you're doing, then read on.

Perhaps you're a little short on cash or you just want to do something from the heart.  Homemade Valentine's Day things are the way to go!  Remember when you were a kid and you made Valentine's Day cards in art class to give to your mom or that special crush in your class?  Who says that a homemade card isn't something that would make your sweetie melt?  After all, it's something YOU made that can't be bought in any store.  Not too creative?  Take a look at some of these samples for ideas.

Want to make a homemade gift to go with that handmade card?  There are plenty of things to make that your sweetie would absolutely love because it's from you!  Personally, I think the love rocks and coasters are great things that even the artistically-challenged can make, but there are a lot of different ideas.  If those ideas don't do anything for you, maybe some of these might do?  Or perhaps these?

Remember, Valentine's Day is all about telling that special someone how much you care.  It doesn't have to be about how much you spent.  Heck, probably the best thing you can give your sweetie is just some time and affection.

Wishing you warm and fuzzy feelings this Valentine's Day from the perch.

Author! Author!

Not too long ago, one of our library patrons wanted to self-publish a book, which she eventually did not once but twice (and counting).  It got me thinking that there may be more budding authors out there interested in publishing their books but have no idea where to start.

Once upon a time, you wrote a book and then tried to get an agent who would present your book to publishing houses that would hopefully accept it for publication, put out X many copies of it, get it into bookstores, market it, etc., etc.  That still happens today, but with the increasing costs of publication, fewer and fewer publishers want to take a risk on a new and unknown author.  This is where self-publishing comes in.

Self-publishing allows new authors a way to publish their books easily and without the middlemen of agents and publishers.  Some famous writers have done it, including Edgar Allan Poe, Beatrix Potter, Mark Twain, and Virginia Woolf.  More recently, Lisa Genova and Christopher Paolini self-published Still Alice and Eragon, respectively.

It does take a bit of work to self-publish because you have to edit, revise, and format your book yourself, rather than have others do it for you.  However, you have more control over your product and get a higher royalty.  There are a number of authors who have even switched to self-publishing some of their books, such as Stephen King and J. K. Rowling (but keep in mind that they published traditionally first and no longer need to market their names).

If you're interested in self-publishing a book you wrote, there are a number of self-publishing platforms available to give you a start.  The following are just a few of the platforms out there:

• CreateSpace
• Light Switch Press 
• Lulu
• Smashwords
• Xlibris 

So, good luck to all you budding authors out there!  I can't wait to see some of your work!

Wishing you literary success from the perch.

A Book Called Heartwarming

I have to tell you about Fredrik Backman's book, A Man Called Ove.  It's a wonderful book that surprisingly moved me to tears (and your neighborhood perch librarian rarely cries when she reads a book).  In the midst of so much Scandinavian noir, it's nice to have a Swedish literary export that's an ordinary story about an ordinary person.

At face value, Ove is a grumpy old man who gripes about everything.  The price of flowers, drivers who can't back a trailer, and proper home maintenance, for instance.  The author, however, takes us deeper into this character, peeling away layer after layer of Ove's past to show us the different events in his life that turned him into a grumpy old man.

A Man Called Ove is extraordinary in its ordinariness.  It can be the story of anyone you know.  Someone who's experienced heartbreak and joy, loneliness and companionship, loss and gain.  Ove is a regular man with values that belong to a another era when rules were rules and when people prided themselves on honesty, decency, and a job done well.  In the beginning, he isn't the most likeable character, but as you get to know him you see there's much more to this grumpy old man than what meets the eye.

Backman's book shows that we all need love and understanding.  We need compassion for each other whether we're old, young, disabled, gay, or from another culture.  At the root of all things, everyone is human and the world is a better place when we help and are there for each other.  Even the simplest thing, whether it's reading a story to a child or bringing someone dinner, makes a big difference and goes a long way.

I'm not going to tell you how the book ends, but I will say I cried like a baby while reading the last few pages.  Maybe you will, too?  And if you watch the movie version of A Man Called Ove, you won't be disappointed.  It does justice to the book and features one of Sweden's leading actors in the title role.  If you're looking for a heartwarming story, come to the library and check out A Man Called Ove.  We have both the book and the DVD.

Ever sincerely yours from the perch.