The Elderly: Lemons Do Give Life

Perhaps I think about the elderly more these days because my parents have reached that point when society considers them "elderly." They're both retired and have different health issues that often come with older age. Although they don't look the same as they did years ago and they can no longer do some things they once did, to me they are still my parents, and I can see past the outer facade to the people who loved and raised me. 

Unfortunately, in the U.S. and other western cultures that put more value on youth, so many look at the elderly and see only the facade--people who have become more of a burden rather than a contributor to society, people who need our help and care. This is why I'm so glad that Anna Johnston, an up-and-coming Australian writer, came out with her second book (which I recommend) about the elderly and the nursing home experience.

When Lemons Give You Life addresses the importance of treating our elderly (whether family or not) with dignity and respect, and how the little things, like good food, make such a difference mentally as well as physically. Griff, the main character who is a Michelin-starred chef, feels alive when he cooks and sees the impact food (like a homemade lemon tart) can have on others, especially those considered hopeless cases in a nursing home. The book shows that beyond age, Alzheimer's, blindness, sexual orientation, and other conditions, we all are human and have a need to be truly seen. We have a need for love and connection with others.

My co-worker recently told me that she and her teenaged daughter "adopted" a nonagenarian woman in a local assisted living facility who has no visitors (her children don't live nearby). Once a week they visit her for about an hour just to say hello, talk, and keep her company; they've noticed how the spirits of their "adoptee" have picked up since they started visiting. If you don't have elderly parents or relatives to help, consider the example of my co-worker and "adopt" your own elderly person--it can be someone in a nursing home, a hospital, or a neighbor. It will mean the world to them (and to you as well). Treat the elderly the way you would want to be treated, because one day, if you are fortunate, you will also become elderly.

Wishing you warm human connections and good reads from the perch.

Books and Their Healing Power

The Spokane Fires are like nothing the area has seen in recent memory. Eastern Washington well knows that August (and even early summer) is wildfire season, when everything outdoors is extremely dry, the temps are high, and the winds blow strong. However, to have tens of thousands of people evacuated from urban areas and over 900 structures (at the time of this writing) burned down to the ground are beyond comprehension.

A number of families in the area (including those connected to our base and library) have lost homes and everything. Needless to say, they are going through various emotions--disbelief, shock, sadness, anger, grief, insecurity, and fear, among others. This is where books can help.

Besides monetary and material assistance, mental and emotional help is just as important. Books can serve as an escape, a way to rest your mind during difficult times. Traveling to fictional or historical worlds in books can provide a much needed break and time to de-stress, even if it's only for ten or fifteen minutes.

Sometimes, reading about others going through similar experiences can make us feel less alone and give us courage. Reading books about the 1918 flu pandemic, such as Thomas Mullen's The Last Town on Earth, during the COVID shutdown gave me some comfort knowing that others went through the same things a century earlier.

No matter what you're experiencing, do not discount the power of books and their ability to heal. Books can help us survive and get through tough times. Stop by the library and check some out. And keep in mind that you can also check out digital books online through Libby/Overdrive.

Wishing everyone to stay safe and well from the perch.

Photo: Matt Friedman, CNN

Revolutionary Reflections

Hard to believe that our country is at the ripe age of 250 years old. Sure, compared to countries in Europe and Asia that go back hundreds or even thousands of years, America remains a toddler, but it's seen a thing or two in its history. Perhaps some of us have taken a moment to reflect on our nation, where it's been and where it's going. Speaking for myself, I've been reminiscing about the area where I was born and raised--New York's Hudson Valley--and its connections to the American Revolution.

As a kid growing up without the internet in the 1980s, a lot of local information about the Revolution came from family and teachers. Kings Ferry Road in Montrose, less than a mile from where I lived, dates back to the early 1700s and actually did lead to the King's Ferry, a strategic Hudson River crossing that went between Stony Point and Verplanck's Point (present-day Verplanck, known as "The Point" to locals and its residents as "Pointers"). Speaking of Verplanck's Point, George Washington was there on more than one occasion, including when he presented medals to the captors of British spy Major André (who was in cahoots with a traitor named Benedict Arnold).

For one 5th grade school trip I walked up Anthony's Nose (a mountain on the eastern side of the Hudson where the Bear Mountain Bridge is located), named after American Revolutionary General "Mad Anthony" Wayne. Another school trip took me to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where I heard stories about the Great Chain of 1778 that stretched across the Hudson and prevented British ships from going up the river and further into the continent (I even saw links of the actual chain on display). 

Naturally, one of my favorite local stories was about a Hessian mercenary (the British hired about 30,000 Hessian soldiers to fight the Americans) who got his head blown off by a cannon during the Battle of White Plains in 1776. His body was buried in an unmarked grave in the cemetery of the Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow and (you probably guessed it) became the inspiration for the Headless Horseman in Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

There are many more things to say about the American Revolution in the Hudson Valley; I just addressed those things that are near and dear to me. Of course, anyone interested can look even further.

Wishing America a Happy 250th and many more from the perch.

Image Source: hmdb.org

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Summer Reading is for EVERYONE!

Our Summer Reading Program is just about to start, so here I am to give you my annual spiel on why kids, teens, and adults (in other words, EVERYONE) should do it and READ. 

Kids and Teens

• Prevent the summer slide  Reading helps retain and even advance skills.
• Build vocabulary  Exposure to new words while reading expands language capabilities.
• Critical thinking  Reading promotes thinking and analytical skills.
• Break from screens  Unplugging is healthy for kids and teens, too.
• Develop a love of reading and learning  Reading unassigned books on whatever is appealing is FUN!

Adults

• Cognitive health  Boosts brain power, memory, and thinking abilities.
• Social and emotional intelligence  Step into someone else's shoes and empathize with their experiences.
• Improve focus  With so much time spent moving from one thing to another on screens, reading helps concentration.
• Self-improvement  Reading teaches people of all ages new and interesting things.
• Reduce stress  Books can mentally transport readers away from everyday concerns and is FUN!

Bottom line--reading (and the Summer Reading Program) is for everyone no matter your age. And it makes no difference what you read, as long as you're reading what you like and have FUN!!!

Which books do you plan to read this summer? Share with us!

Wishing you a fun summer filled with reading from the perch.

Theo IS Golden

A friend recently recommended Allen Levi's Theo of Golden to me, saying it was an "Eileen book." By that she meant a book that's a feel-good read that lifts up your spirits and restores your faith in humanity. (A little background: ever since the pandemic I've gravitated toward books with positive themes and stories to help me offset the doom and gloom of current events.)

In a nutshell, the book is about an 86-year old Portuguese man who goes only by the name of "Theo" and stays in the fictional town of Golden, Georgia over the course of a year. On his first visit to the local coffee shop, he spots on the walls charcoal drawings of the town's people drawn by a local artist. There and then, he decides to buy each drawing over time and gift it to its subject.

You're probably thinking what I was thinking--what a dull book. But hear me out. In the "bestowals" of the portraits, which happen on a bench near a town fountain, Theo speaks with and sincerely listens to the recipients talk as they look at their portraits. Most of the time, they open up about themselves to the attentive older gentleman who gives them his time and his interest. In the process, Theo makes friends and becomes a recognizable, well-loved member of the small Southern community.

We get to know about the various people of Golden, but ironically, we know little of Theo who evades sharing too much of himself. Without giving anything away, we do learn about Theo at the end of the book, but the real takeaway is that in today's high-tech world we still have human needs. We have needs to connect with others in person, to be really seen, to be truly heard, to give and to receive kindness. Most importantly, we have a need to give of ourselves, something that no technology can achieve. This is why Theo of Golden has touched me and I suspect so many others so deeply, making it number one on The New York Times bestseller list.

Which book has struck a chord with you? Share with us!

Wishing you great, heartfelt, moving reads from the perch.

Let's Meet at the...Death Cafe??

Death and taxes are two things you can't avoid, and I suspect most of us would prefer discussing the latter over the former. 

In the U.S., the subject of death is taboo unless we have to deal with it once a loved one passes. When that happens, different questions may arise. How do you plan a funeral? Cremation or burial? What do you experience when you die? These are big, uncomfortable, and scary questions about our mortality, and although we may not have all the answers, we can discuss these issues at a death cafe.

So, what the heck is a death cafe? Simply put, a death cafe is a casual meeting open to anyone who wants to talk about various aspects of death in a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment. And it's anything but morbid (pardon the pun). It can often be held at actual cafes or, more increasingly, at libraries with snacks and beverages.

It's important to keep in mind that a death cafe is not a grief support group. Sometimes, but not always, professionals in the death care industry (yes, that's what it's called) are present to help answer questions pertaining to their specialties. Included may be morticians, embalmers, death doulas, hospice nurses, cemetery caretakers, and crematorium technicians among others.

What are your thoughts? Would you go to a death cafe if one was held in our library? Share with us!

Wishing you the best from the perch.

Library Love, Part II

A few years back, I wrote a post about Library Love, which included some novels set in or related to libraries. Since then, similar books have been published, and as it's National Library Week, I thought I'd share newer titles that feature libraries in some way:

• The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson (Libby)  On the Nazi-occupied Isle of Jersey, a librarian hides her library's books that threaten the regime and starts a book club offering escapism to the island's residents.
• The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labuskes (Libby)  A WPA editor is sent to Montana where she learns about a woman who, more than a decade earlier, turned a boxcar into a traveling library reaching isolated mining towns.
• Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller (Libby)  A hysterical read about what happens in a small Georgia town when someone replaces the books of a prudish woman's little library with banned books.
• The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians by James Patterson (BT 028.9 PAT)  The interesting stories of real life librarians and booksellers in the U.S. are presented.
• The Astral Library by Kate Quinn (Libby, F QUI)  A great magical realism read in which a young woman finds a literal escape in a special library that allows its users to live in their favorite books. Complete with book dragon.
• The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson (F RIC)  A "blue" woman is part of the Pack Horse Library Project, delivering books to people in the remote areas of Appalachia on horseback during the Great Depression.

Don't forget that this week, our library is offering free T-shirts and book bags while supplies last. So stop by, pick up some goodies, and say hello!

Wishing you a Happy National Library Week from the perch.

Image Source: American Library Association

Great (FREE) Deals at the Library!

I don't have to tell you that the price of practically everything is up. Gas is up. Food is up. Services are up. Heck, even the price of girl scout cookies is up! (Amazing to think that as a brownie, I sold samoas for $2 a box.) I'm probably not the only one feeling that everything is going up except paychecks.

Believe it or not, there are some things that aren't going up in price. Actually, they COST NOTHING at all! You may have guessed--things at the library are FREE!!! And we're not just talking about books. Or DVDs. Or using computers.

These days, expect the unexpected at the library--video games, board games, puzzles, music CDs, audiobooks, and MORE! Tired of paying for Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services? Stream Kanopy from the library for FREE! Want to take a class and learn something new for the fun of it? Register for Universal Class for FREE! Not to mention we have other digital resources for books, audiobooks, music, language learning, newspapers, magazines, materials for kids and MORE all (you guessed it) for FREE!

So don't be shy and come over to the library to get some good FREE stuff! All you need is a library account, which we can make in minutes for anyone with a military ID. And if I may quote American author Anne Herbert, "Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries."

Wishing you the best from the perch.

"Discover" Washington State Parks

Spring is officially here, and the warmer weather is slowly coming to the Inland Northwest! It's time to get out of the house and back to the outdoors. With beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers, and forests, Washington State Parks are some of the best places to enjoy nature.

In case you're new to the area, Washington has more than 140 state parks, historic sites, marine parks, and trails, according to the Washington State Parks website. And a number of them happen to be around Spokane and the eastern part of the state. 

Keep in mind that state parks do require you to display a Discover Pass hanging from your car's rearview mirror, but fortunately, our library has several to loan out for a week for FREE! That's right--check out a Discover Pass from our library and save $$ (that's $10/day or $45/year). You just can't beat that!

Spokane has 3 state parks--Riverside, Mount Spokane, and Centennial Trail State Park. Some notable parks just to the west of Spokane are Sun Lakes-Dry Falls and Steamboat Rock; south are Palouse Falls and Steptoe Butte; north is Crawford State Park. You can learn more about these and other state parks by using this interactive map.

So stop by the library, check out a Discover Pass, and take the family or just yourself to one or more of Washington's state parks. There are plenty of things to see and do in them.

Wishing you happy exploring from the perch.

Image Source: Washington State Parks

Finding Balance

Do you have trouble finding balance in your life? Maybe it's a balance between work and personal time. Or work, personal time, and your partner. Perhaps work, personal time, your partner, and kids. Better yet, work, personal time, your partner, kids, and aging parents (and if that's the case, you have my full sympathy). Wow, and we haven't even talked about friends!

In my humble opinion, I think there are few of us who aren't trying to maintain some sort of balance in our lives. Speaking for myself, I try to balance work, a husband, and aging parents (mine AND my in-laws). Sure, there are times when one part of our lives need more attention than others (i.e., when my mother went to the ER via ambulance). When that happens, we can get a little (heck, VERY) stressed, exhausted, and unsettled.

So, minus unexpected emergencies, how are we supposed to keep balanced for the most part? Wondering about the answer(s) to this question, I turned to the books (naturally):

• Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman (158.12 BUR, Libby) The subtitle of the book says it all: "Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts." 
• The Good Caregiver by Robert L. Kane (649.8 KAN) Written by a medical doctor who was a caregiver to his own mother after she experienced a stroke, this book addresses caring for the aging parent as well as the caregiver.
• Tidy Up Your Life by Tyler Moore (Libby) The author (a.k.a. "Tidy Dad" on Instagram) discusses not only tidying your home physically, but also tidying yourself emotionally and finding your own definition of "good enough."
• Positive Discipline for Today's Busy (and Overwhelmed) Parent by Jane Nelson (Libby) Offers guidance on how to parent well and effectively without giving up on your own goals in life, creating balance between family and work.
• Chained to the Desk in a Hybrid World by Bryan E. Robinson (Libby)  In a world where the lines of work and life are blurred thanks to cell phones and other forms of technology, this book claims to help workaholics recover from workaholism.

Of course, there are many more books (in addition to internet resources) beside those I listed above.

As much as some of us may want or try to "have it all," the reality is we're human and we're capable of doing only so much. Luckily for us, there are a number of books and other resources to help no matter our situation.

Wishing you a good life balance from the perch.

Children and Social Media

This past December, Australia became the first country to ban social media for children under the age of 16. The shock around the world was perceptible. How was Australia going to actually do this? Would it help protect kids from cyberbullying and disturbing content?

Social media is something I do every day. While I wait at the perch for patrons to come to me with questions or checkouts, I'm often managing the library's social media accounts--on Facebook, X, and Instagram--along with this blog that you're reading. I see what's trending on the feeds, and I scan through the news outlets to see if anything is happening in the literary or real world that's worth posting. Social media is important for advertising the library, our programs, and any other information we need to impart.

In my private life, however, I rarely use social media. Yes, I do have a Facebook account, but I don't check it often and I hardly ever post anything, especially information that's too personal. I suppose I'm a strange Gen-Xer who grew up without the internet. I played outside and rode my bike to friends. Bullying may have happened at school, but home was a safe place. The phone (a landline rotary) was used only for talking. If I wanted to know something, I went to the library to use an encyclopedia or the card catalog to look up where a book was located. I'm comfortable using current technology (and even help others navigate it in the library), but I choose when to use it and when to unplug from it.

Australia wants to let kids be kids, and other countries are contemplating whether to follow its example. Despite some Australian kids finding ways onto social media platforms despite the tighter restrictions, many are spending more time outside, with family, and with friends. They are interacting more with each other in person. They are also doing more things offline.

What are your thoughts about children using or not using social media? Share with us!

Wishing you a good online-offline balance from the perch.

Celebrating Friendship

Thanks to Amy Poehler, we have Galentine's Day (it also goes by Palentine's Day). Taking place every February 13, it's a day to celebrate friendships with the besties in your life. 

There's no pressure to buy chocolates or flowers like that other over-commercialized holiday that comes the following day (although I have seen Galentine's Day cards in stores). On G/P Day, it's all about hanging out and doing something fun with those who always have your back--watching a movie, going out to eat, playing board games, singing karaoke, or doing whatever else you enjoy together.

So in the spirit of the holiday, here are some DVDs (all available at our library) that celebrate friendships:

• The Bucket List  An average guy (Morgan Freeman) and a rich guy (Jack Nicholson), with little in common beside cancer, pair up to do various activities before they kick the bucket. 
• Hidden Figures  Three black American women working for NASA in the 1960s bond together against the sexism and racism they face.
• The Joy Luck Club  Four Chinese women become friends in San Francisco as they raise their Chinese-American daughters.
• The King's Speech  King George VI (Colin Firth) overcomes his speech impediment with the help of his speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), with whom he develops a deep friendship.
• Legally Blonde  Sorority sisters stick together through thick and thin when one of them (Reese Witherspoon) decides to go to Harvard Law School.
• The Lord of the Rings  One of the greatest bromances of all time: hobbits Frodo and Sam risk everything to go to Mordor together and defeat Sauron, the Dark Lord.
• Miss Congeniality  Beauty pageant contestants may be rivals, but they'll also stand by you...and want world peace.
• Mystic Pizza  Three girls after high school become tight-knit friends while working at a pizzeria.
• The Shawshank Redemption  Andy (Tim Robbins) and Red (Morgan Freeman) have a bromance that helps them survive a notorious prison for decades and gives them hope for a better future outside its stone walls.
• Top Gun: Maverick  You can't help but feel the close on- and off-screen friendship between Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer, who plays in his last movie role before his untimely death.

There are so many more DVDs depicting stories of friendships in addition to the ones I've included in this list. Which ones would you recommend? Share with us!

Wishing you a Happy Galentine's/Palentine's (and Valentine's) Day from the perch.

Books to Beat the Winter Blues

Can you remember when you last saw the sun in the Spokane area? Me neither. Normally, I don't mind cloudy, gloomy, moody winter days. They're great for snuggling with a cozy blanket on the sofa, having a cup of warm tea (or your beverage of choice), and reading a good book. I have to admit, though, that this long stretch of bleak weather is starting to get to me, and I'm guessing you as well?

Beside putting on the lights, getting some fresh air outside, and taking some extra vitamin D, there are always books to help us beat the winter blues. Here are some of my picks that can be found in our library or online:

• Life on Svalbard by Cecilia Blomdahl (BT 948.1 BLO, Libby/Overdrive) If you think we have dark, cloudy days here, imagine having polar night (no sunrise for months in the winter). Blomdahl shares her year-round experiences living on Svalbard, an island close to the North Pole, through text and fantastic photos.
• The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown (F BRO, Libby/Overdrive) In the mood for an entertaining page-turner? Brown doesn't disappoint his Robert Langdon fans with his thriller that takes them to various landmarks around Prague and other fascinating locales.
• An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister (Libby/Overdrive) As a former academic myself, I find it rare to come across a fictional book about academia that's rooted in today's reality with a little not-too-mushy romance on the side.
• The Incredible Kindness of Paper by Evelyn Skye (BT F Skye) After the main character loses her job as a high school guidance counselor, she unwittingly starts a worldwide, feel-good trend of making origami paper roses with hopeful messages inside.
• The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking (158.1 WIK) If you need some help in having a more positive outlook on winter, do as the Danes do--wear comfy socks, have a pastry, light candles, watch a movie, read a book, and do other things that help you to savor, not just survive, the season.

Which favorite books of yours are winter blues busters? Share with us!

Wishing you cozy reads on grey days from the perch.

New Year for You

The holidays are over. After all the merrymaking and getting together with loved ones, perhaps you're feeling a little sad. Or, if you were a busy elf in charge of different things (decorating, cooking, gift buying, gift wrapping, clean up), you might be happy that they're over. Maybe even a bit drained?

Those of you who are parents or caring for parents (me) will probably understand what I mean. Don't get me wrong--I love spending time with my family, but having the pressure of making the end-of-the-year holidays (from Halloween to New Year's) enjoyable for everyone really takes it out of me, both physically and mentally.

It seems like after the togetherness of the December holidays, many of us tend to focus on ourselves in the New Year with resolutions (I prefer calling them intentions). It's important that we remind ourselves that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity for our own well-being. As they say on planes, put on your own oxygen mask first before you help others.

Keep in mind that self-care can be anything you enjoy doing that relaxes your mind and your body. It can be something that makes you feel well physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. There are other types of self-care, such as financial and educational, but the bottom line is that self-care is about taking care of you. 

Interested in learning more about self-care and ways to help yourself? Here are some articles I recommend:

• 5 Types of Self-Care for Every Area of Your Life Very Well Mind
• 50 self-care activities to do when you don't know where to start Mental Health America
• What is self-care? Global Self-Care Federation

Wishing you a peaceful and mindful new year from the perch.

Remember What's Important

I think I've become a holiday humbug. Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Christmas in Rockefeller Center this year, rather than seeing balloons, decorations, and smiling performers, all I saw was commercialism, greed, and capitalism at its worst. Every float advertised a business or company, from Disney to Rao's spaghetti sauce. Singers with new albums were performing to advertise themselves. Instead of enjoying the entertainment, I felt my mood increasingly turn Grinch-like.

My husband told me those negative traits of the parade and show were always there, but we just never noticed them as kids. And as a kid growing up in the Hudson River Valley, taking a trip into New York City at Christmastime always felt magical and exciting--the huge tree lit up in Midtown Manhattan, the holiday window displays at Saks and other stores on 5th Avenue, the Christmas show with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. 

Now, however, in addition to TV commercials, we're bombarded with store advertising through social media and practically every click we make on the internet. I understand this is the biggest time of year for stores across the board, but come on. Tone down the "buy, buy, buy" for things we don't want or even need. Yes, I am among those who think it's ironic that just one day after Thanksgiving, a holiday celebrating gratitude for what you have, so many rush out to get even more stuff.

So, what is the purpose of this post beside ranting and humbugging? I guess I'd just like everyone to remember what's really important about the holidays (no matter which ones you observe)--the people in our lives. Whether they're family by blood or family by choice, co-workers or people who provide us with services. Spend time with them, tell them what they mean to you, appreciate them. Even a smile or a hello to someone you don't know is a precious gift these days when manners and courtesy seem to have gone the way of the dinosaurs.

Wishing you and yours kindness and the gift of being together from the perch.

Image Source: Pixabay

An Introvert's Holiday Season

Many of you see me, your friendly neighborhood perch librarian, happily making conversation with patrons checking out books or needing help around the library. Catching me in action, you'd think I'm a social butterfly who can't stop talking. Well, you'd be mistaken. I'm an introvert and HSP who's good with people one-on-one but shrinks back from crowds. That's why I don't look forward to the holiday season.

And when I'm hosting (as I'm doing for Thanksgiving this year), I feel more stressed and out of my element. Even when it's just family and close friends, I'm agitated by the shopping, the preparations, the cooking, and making sure everyone is comfortable and having what they need. At a routine checkup yesterday, my doctor thought my heart was racing due to white coat syndrome, but I told her I was just thinking of all the things I need to do for the holiday.

Does this sound like you? Are you in my boat? If you are, I've been researching what can make the holidays easier on us introverts. Some believe setting the proper atmosphere in your home with space, lighting, and room temperature is key. For others, joining an online community for introverts can help with posting concerns and reading what others suggest. In the thick of it all, it's okay to give yourself permission to take a mini-break to recharge, whether that's in the bathroom, outdoors for a moment (or two), or taking an inconspicuous deep, slow breath at the dinner table. And of course, it's important to prepare for an introvert hangover by setting aside some quiet time to rest, read, watch a show, etc. (in other words, do some self-care).

Thankfully, my husband understands what I go through hosting the holidays and tries to help out in any way he can. Even though I enjoy my family and holidays together, I still can't help feeling stressed and waiting for downtime to follow. However, if I feel overwhelmed by holiday-making, you can bet the bathroom will be my temporary sanctuary and recharging station.

Wishing everyone a happy (and, hopefully, calm) holiday season from the perch.

Image Source: Medium.com

Four Soups and a Quiche

It's officially fall! Time to dust off the slow cooker and bring out the soup pot. As the weather gets cooler, warm recipes in your tummy feel like a hug from the inside, don't they? I actually got a head start on my fall cooking thanks to recent gum graft surgery (trust me, you don't want to know) that's forcing me to avoid any food I can't cut easily with a fork.

So, I'd like to take a moment to share with you some new (and some old) fall recipes I discovered that are easy to make and simply delish (whether or not you've had dental surgery):

• Crustless Spinach Quiche  I have to admit I found this recipe because I didn't know what to do with leftover spinach. Turned out this was a tasty, filling dish that's easy to make and also great for diabetics or anyone cutting carbs.
• Easy Creamy Vegetable Soup  I never made a creamy vegetable soup before, but this one is awesome and full of flavor. Made with carrots, potatoes, celery, and onion, you can fool your kids into eating their veggies with this. I recommend using a vegetable broth for better flavor.
• Rosół (Polish Chicken Soup)  Many Polish recipes are passed down through generations. This one is the closest rosół (pronounced roh-sue) to the one made in my family. How my recipe differs: 3 carrots chopped, 4-5 celery stalks chopped (in place of parsley root and celery root), and no leek or garlic. As for the onion, I slice each end and burn it (yes, burn it) in a pan before adding to the pot for flavor (it can be removed from the soup later). Make sure to serve with extra fine noodles.
• Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup  This pea soup recipe beats any you'll get out of a can. It's made with fresh ingredients and is a dump recipe, so there's a minimum of work involved. I recommend adding salt and pepper to taste once it's done to wake it up a bit. 
• To-Die-For Hungarian Mushroom Soup  I've mentioned this recipe in a past post, but it's so good and easy, it's worth mentioning again! This is definitely the recipe for mushroom lovers. For a more intense mushroom taste, mix white and cremini mushrooms. This soup is perfect for a chilly fall day!

In addition to these online recipes, the library has a number of cookbooks with recipes to put some love in your tummy. Be sure to stop by and check them out. And of course, your friendly perch librarian is here to help you find recipes on your culinary journey.

Do you have a favorite fall recipe? Share with us!

Wishing you delicious fall eats and good reads from the perch.

A Kindergarten Refresher

The new school year has started. Some are continuing their studies, others are at the very beginning of a long road of formal education. Of course, however, we learn throughout our lives, both in and out of the classroom, academic subjects and life skills. 

Years ago, there was a book that resonated with many called All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, written by Robert Fulghum (available as an audiobook on Libby). Although it was first published in 1986, there are simple lessons that can be applied not only to kindergarteners, but to all of us. And at a time when it seems like we're surrounded by a lack of respect, courtesy, and kindness, I think it's worth taking a look at some of the kindergarten lessons Fulghum thought are important to remember:

• Share everything.
• Play fair.
• Don't hit people.
• Put things back where you found them.
• Clean up your own mess.
• Don't take things that aren't yours.
• Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
• Wash your hands before you eat.
• Flush.

The list goes on a little further, but you get the idea. One lesson I remember learning in my own kindergarten--if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. 

Wouldn't it be great if we all remembered and practiced the not-so-little life lessons we learned in kindergarten? I'm not so naive to think they can solve all of the world's problems, but I think if we all tried to put these early lessons to use in our own encounters with others, whether in person or online, we've done our part. Maybe that's one of the reasons I enjoy being a librarian--when you're helping a library patron, kindness comes with the territory (or at least it should).

What are some lessons you remember from your kindergarten? Share with us!

Wishing everyone a great new school year from the perch.

The Return of the Cassette?

When was the last time you saw cassettes in the library? For me, it was probably around 10 years ago, and the few we had were books on cassette or language learning cassettes. Since then, they have been removed from our collection because they rarely got checked out, and most people told us they didn't have cassette players anymore. Could that soon change?

If you or someone you know is a Swiftie (fan of megastar singer Taylor Swift), you might decide to buy her next album on cassette. No, I'm not kidding. Swift's next album, Life of a Showgirl, will be released in October on streaming, CD, vinyl, and...cassette.

For decades, "records" (a.k.a. "vinyls") were the primary format for audio recordings, but they had their limitations--they scratched easily and weren't very portable. Cassette tapes came out in the 1960s and became popular with the public in the 1970s through 1980s because you could take them anywhere (think 1980s "boom boxes" and car tape players). As a teenager, I played the cast album of The Phantom of the Opera endlessly (okay, I was a weird kid).

So why the heck is Taylor Swift releasing her latest album on cassette, of all formats? Apparently, Gen Z want to connect with their favorite singers more closely through something old school and tangible. Cassettes are also different from streaming in that you need to listen to an entire side rather than skip from one song to another (technically, you can fast forward to the next song, but it's not so easy to find its starting point).

Will the library be buying cassettes again? I doubt it. As someone who grew up with cassettes in the '80s, give me a clean-sounding CD I can play in my car and skip to any song I want.

Do you want to see the return of the cassette? Why or why not? Share with us!

Ever truly yours from the perch.

(Photo Source: BRRT on Pixabay)

"Superman" Returns?

There's hype about Superman, the latest movie in the Superman franchise coming out this week. You may recall that I'm a big Superman fan, so I'm interested in this new take on the iconic superhero. Although I've enjoyed portrayals of the Man of Steel by different actors, Christopher Reeve's portrayal will always be the most quintessential to me and others.

In fact, a number of people like Reeve's Superman so much that they've created AI versions. Yes, there are actually videos on YouTube that feature an AI Reeve as Superman that eerily look AND sound like the late actor in his prime. Other videos present an AI Reeve as an aged Superman, something we sadly never saw in real life.

CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) resurrected Peter Cushing to play Moff Tarkin in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 22 years after the actor's demise, but there's a difference between CGI and AI. Whereas CGI is created and controlled by artists, AI is created completely by computers and looks unnervingly realistic. Beside movie characters, some have even digitally resurrected loved ones, which raises a whole slew of issues.

As astonishing as it may be to see "Christopher Reeve" portray Superman, I can't help but wonder how his children must feel seeing a character on screen that's not actually their father but looks and sounds so much like him. Is it respectful to resurrect a person through AI? Robin Williams didn't seem to think so, since the comedian's will had a special trust that didn't permit the likeness of his image (CGI, holograms, etc.) to be used for 25 years after his death (Williams died in 2014).

What do you think about AI characters? Share with us!

Best wishes as always from the perch.