Eat Like the Irish!

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner! In the past, I've talked about Irish books and plays; I've even talked about Irish movies. Today, I thought I'd talk about something different that we can all sink our teeth into (literally)--Irish food!

When most of us think of Irish food, corned beef and cabbage along with a pint of Guinness probably come to mind. Irish cuisine, however, goes beyond those two St. Patrick's Day staples. Take a look at these recipes which are bound to make your mouth water:

• Colcannon (Spend With Pennies)  It's hard to get any better than creamy, Irish-style potatoes with bacon, cabbage, and butter--oh, my!
• Corned Beef and Cabbage (Dinner at the Zoo)  Easy, traditional, slow cooker recipe with melt-in-your-mouth meat.
• Irish Beef and Guinness Stew (Recipe Tin Eats)  A hearty beef stew full of flavor, perfect when served over mashed potatoes.
• Irish Potato Leek Soup (My Recipes)  Great for St. Patrick's Day or any chilly day.
• Irish Tea Cake (Will Cook for Smiles)  A no-fuss, buttery cake that's great with a cup of tea.
• Scones (Bigger Bolder Baking)  The best recipe ever for Irish scones. Period.
• Soda Bread (Sally's Baking Addiction)  Classic, flavorful, simple-to-make quick bread.

So, are you getting hungry yet? Why not try one of these tasty recipes? And don't forget to check out other delectable delicacies offered by the websites.

Wishing you good eats and a Happy St. Patrick's Day from the perch.

One Year Later

Do you remember February 2020? It was the last month of normalcy in the U.S., the last pre-pandemic month. We were still eating inside restaurants, getting together with friends, going to school or work, doing all the things we normally do in day-to-day life. Yes, there was a virus called COVID-19, but that was in China, in Italy, not here. Halfway into March, our lives changed. I don't think anyone imagined the past year the way it actually turned out to be.

Needless to say, the library was not unaffected by the pandemic. For the first two weeks, we were completely closed down. Afterward, two of us were working inside a closed library while the rest of us worked from home, expanding our social media and doing whatever we could remotely. Electronic resources--Overdrive/Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, and others--became more popular than ever before. We started a new curbside service to give our patrons access to physical materials in the library, bagging requested items and delivering them outside to those waiting in cars.

Although our library has been open to foot traffic by appointment since October 2020, things just haven't been the same. Everyone is wearing masks, hand sanitizer is around, and plexiglass comes between us and our patrons. Self-checkout has become a new thing, and in-person programs are non-existent. And it's quiet, much quieter than normal even for a library since we don't have patrons lingering as they did in pre-pandemic times.

We're waiting for the day when things will return to normal. Not a new "normal," but a real normal. When we hear the sounds of kids and their parents enjoying storytime. When we have a computer lab packed with patrons surfing the Internet or doing classwork. When we can see each other maskless, face-to-face with no barriers separating us. When we don't have to be afraid of getting sick or getting others sick. Whenever that day comes, let's cherish it and be grateful. Let's not take the simple pleasures, like enjoying a visit to the library, for granted.

Until then, let's take care of ourselves and be considerate of others.

Wishing you better and happier times sooner, rather than later, from the perch.

Love in the Time of COVID-19

I'm sick of it. You're sick of it. We're all sick of the COVID-19 pandemic, which seems to go on with no end. And now we're on the brink of celebrating yet another holiday in a time of quarantines and lockdowns.

This Valentine's Day will be different from others. Dining out, going to a movie theatre, attending a concert...chances are we won't be doing any of these things this year. Maybe we're too stressed to even be thinking of Valentine's Day at all, with many of us working from home, some with our partners and some by our lonesome.

So, how should we celebrate V-Day this year? Can we even celebrate the holiday? Here are some ideas to enjoy the day safely, whether you have a partner or not:

• Just relax. With everything going on, we have enough pressure and stress as it is. Look at the day as an occasion to show yourself or your partner some love by taking it easy. Meditate, practice yoga, or do nothing at all.
• Go for a walk. Fresh air does plenty for your body and mind. Take a short walk in the park or even in your neighborhood. It's sure to boost your spirit.
• Dine at home. Feeling ambitious? Have some fun and make a recipe you've never made before. If cooking isn't your thing, try takeout from your favorite restaurant or one that's new to you. You'll be taking a break while giving support to eateries that have been hurting during these tough times.
• Have a video chat or Zoom call. If you can't be together with loved ones in person, use technology to bring you closer. Tell that someone screen-to-screen how much he or she means to you.
• Have a movie marathon. Get some DVDs from the library or try out Kanopy, a database that allows you to stream movies for free. Spend the day catching up on some flicks you may have missed.
• Read a good book. Similar to the previous listing, check out some good books from the library or get some free ebooks from a library database, such as Overdrive/Libby, Hoopla, or others. There are plenty of romances to read along with different genres for all readers.

Whatever you do this Valentine's Day, have a good one.

Sending out warm wishes from the perch.

Read for Your Need

I have a need to read, but I also read for my need, something which has never been more true than over the past year with the pandemic. Through all the various ups and downs, I've found that my needs have been ever evolving, and with them, so have my reads.

If you're wondering how I read for my need, here are some of my approaches:

• DO read whatever you want.  Read whatever you're in the mood for reading. Go wherever the wind takes you.
• DO read for the moment.  Sometimes we need a read that helps us get through different moments in our lives. In his play, Shadowlands, William Nicholson wrote, "We read to know we are not alone."
• DO read one or more books at the same time.  If you feel like reading a more serious read in the morning but a lighter read before going to bed, go for it. There are no rules on how many books you can read at a time.

• DON'T read X number of books a year.  Read as many or as few books as you want. Sometimes you want to binge-read, sometimes you don't. The books are there for you, not you for the books.
• DON'T finish the TBR (To Be Read) stack on your night table.  If you're in the mood for reading those books, fine. If not, read something you feel like reading. That stack will always be there waiting for you.
• DON'T finish the book just because you started it.  I'm not a quitter, but I've learned that life's too short to force yourself to finish a book that doesn't really grab you. Don't make yourself suffer through to the bitter end.

Reading should never, EVER be a chore. Books are there for us when we need them. Even if we can only spare 10 minutes at a time for reading, those 10 minutes can make all the difference in improving our mood and outlook. Treat reading as an outlet, a way of relieving stress and, perhaps, loneliness during tough times...you won't be disappointed.

How do you read for your need? Share with us!

Wishing you good reads (and tasty sips) from the perch.

My Pandemic Reading

I thought I'd start 2021 with reflecting on and sharing with you my 2020 book journey which, like many things last year, was slightly different from the usual. 

Firstly, I read more since I spent less time out doing things and more time at home. Reading is something I normally squeeze in while having lunch or winding down before bed. However, during last spring's stay-at-home order, I found I had more time than usual for one of my favorite activities, which was a good thing.

Secondly, I found that the pandemic and events of the year really affected my reading choices. Although I usually read according to my mood and interests, often choosing books by the time and place in which they're set, during the pandemic I gravitated toward fantasy and selections that were more positive, uplifting, and mindful. I wanted to read books that took my mind off the daily news.

Thirdly, the past year had an impact on how I read. Not that I had anything against ebooks, but I could never see myself abandoning paper pages for an electronic screen. Well, the lack of library access for a spell and safety concerns compelled me to get my first e-reader, and I surprisingly got hooked. I loved having access to the virtual library 24/7 and feeling connected to the outside even though I was staying inside. 

I've learned different things about myself as a reader over the past year, many of which broadened and re-defined my reading experiences. A Polish proverb states that "necessity is a great master," and that certainly proved true. Circumstances taught me some new things, for which I'm grateful.

How was your pandemic reading, and what have you learned about yourself as a reader? Share with us!

Wishing you a happy new year of reading from the perch.

Holiday Movie Time!

Seasons Greetings 2020. It's been one rough year. Maybe you feel like celebrating this year, maybe you don't. Maybe you're stuck at home with nowhere to go and feeling a little down. If that's the case (as it is for so many of us this year), why not get your spirits up with a holiday movie? Here are some of your friendly, neighborhood perch librarian's top 10 favorite picks, all of which can be checked out from the library:

• A Charlie Brown Christmas  This children's classic celebrates its 55th anniversary this year and is perfect to lift your spirits in this Charlie Brownest of times.
• A Christmas Story  Oh, ffffudge! The cards are stacked against Ralphie getting that official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle for Christmas, but will he get lucky after all?
• The Holiday  Two women, both frustrated with their lives, swap houses for Christmas hoping to re-gain some gumption along with a change of scenery.
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas  Stink. Stank. Stunk. The Grinch does everything possible to ruin Christmas in Whoville, but there's something he didn't count on in this cartoon classic.
• It's a Wonderful Life  Life doesn't go quite as planned for George Bailey, who discovers something very important one Christmas Eve.
• Love, Actually  Love is lost, sought, and found in this holiday comedy set in the UK with a stellar cast.
• Miracle on 34th Street  Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and in this well-loved movie he's at Macy's flagship store on 34th Street in New York City.
• The Polar Express  Whether you're a kid or a kid at heart, you'll feel warm and fuzzy inside as you watch the events of a magical train ride to the North Pole unfold.
• While You Were Sleeping  Sad not to be with your family this holiday season? So is Lucy, until she meets the Callahans, who welcome her to their clan.
• White Christmas  Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, traditional Christmas songs, a cozy lodge in Vermont...need I say more?

All these movies, coincidentally, show that no matter how dire things may seem, no matter how down you may feel, everything will work out and be fine in the end. It's a message many of us can use in these dark times.

Wishing you a safe, happy, and healthy Holiday Season and a better, "normal" New Year from the perch.

Things to Feel Grateful About

Gratitude is good to practice at any time, but it's especially important to practice during difficult pandemic times. Often, we're able to see all the bad things going on because we're wired to see the negative. Blame our ancestors thousands of years ago for this. Their survival depended on remembering bad things that happened to them so they could avoid dangers in the future. Focusing on the positive takes more work.

As hard as it may be to believe, we have a lot of good things to be grateful about during 2020. What things, you ask? In no particular order, here are a few just for starters:

• Family--Having the support of family means a lot.
• Pets--After all, they're part of the family.
• Good health--If you and your loved ones have it.
• A job you enjoy--Having work that's rewarding is a good thing.
• The outdoors--It's always there, even in your backyard.
• Exercising--Like it or not, it improves your mood.
• Laughter--A good belly laugh does wonders for the soul.
• Kindness--Giving and receiving it is so important.
• Movies--They relax us and lift our spirits!
• Books--Of course! They take us to different places!

We can be grateful about all the big things that are good in our lives, but it's important to note the little, everyday things that make us feel grateful. For instance, a warm cup of tea, a beautiful sunset, a warm bed in which to sleep, music, breakfast, or fuzzy socks, among others. Experts say that keeping a daily or weekly gratitude journal of life's little joys can help lower stress and cultivate a more positive outlook.

Heading into the Thanksgiving holiday, what are some things you're grateful about this year? Share with us!

Gratefully yours from the perch.