On the day before the day before Christmas...

All is quiet here in the library. That is, except for me. I'm wearing loud shoes. I never noticed how loud these boots could be until today. My steps shatter the silence in the halls and I can feel the eyes of collegues and patrons scorching my back. Such is life I guess. I won't wear these again.
Christmas is upon us and we're ready at home. Family visits, good food, knitting with my neice, good food, watching my little girl on Christmas morning, good food... yep, we're ready for Christmas. However, I'm troubled. I have been looking for uplifting things all day, and I can't get away from this feeling. There is a host of issues that nag me... and since I can't think of anything holidayish to write... allow me to broach an issue or three.
Christian Democrats- There seem to be so few of us, but I know different. Media has a knack for fitting people into neat little holes, especially when there are only two sides (or so it seems.) Why am I a democrat? I believe in an honest and fair government. I don't mind slightly higher taxes if that will bring some relief to the poorest among us. However, I shouldn't have to pay higher taxes if a fair tax system were in place. And I believe the taxes I pay should go back to the people. I don't believe in the one almighty candidate that can save us, only Christ can do that. I do believe in civil rights for all no matter what. And I mean no matter what. And I believe with all my heart that the environment needs all our attention soon.
Global warming- This is happening, and every gardener knows this. So why is it not being discussed in the news with legitimacy? And why pray tell did we (the U.S.) lessen emission restrictions? What happened to the quest for the paperless office? And why would a single city dweller own a hummer?
Product Safety Websites-It frightens me when I find websites touting the safety and effectiveness of chemicals. Even if they are safe.

Hanging of the green

The first Sunday after Thanksgiving... time for decorating, anticipating Christmas, planning time with family and friends. Aaaahhhhhh..... too bad I will be doing none of that. Not today at least. I'm at work, but alas it is only a four hour day. This morning I drove about ninety miles to pick up my neice. She spent Thanksgiving with the other half of her family. We had a nice trip back.
On the way I saw an old motel- four rooms all lined up like a connected cottage, walls were peeling away in most areas, the roof was crumbling. It had probably been there longer than the interstate. All the rooms were dark save one. A large blue tarp covered the roof of this one unit and the porch light was on. Several cars were out front and the front door was open to reveal warm light.
I'm sure anyone who sees this wonders who lives there, wonders about thier lives- families- circumstances. I imagine that they are happy. I imagine they have names like Cheryl and Martin or Eva and Stan. I imagine that they are anticipating Christmas.

Let's read.....

Here's my train of thought:
I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving....warm kitchen, sage, family, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...
I visit Macys.com... see pics of the parade, get some history but it's not enough.
So, I visit the New York Public Library Website and see pictures of parades gone by-- 1930's and 40's...I love the old Felix the Cat Balloon.. God I wish I could time travel.
What's This? Something else has caught my attention on NYPL.org.. it's LOCKSS.
What does that mean? I wonder to myself ... (click)
The first poetry and prose journal to grab my attention is Failbetter.
I like the name.. for I am always looking for ways to fail better. If at first you don't succeed... find better ways to fail.
And here they are! A list of nice short stories! Good to read at work if you happen to work in a library and you happen to sit at a computer when not assisting patrons..
I especially like "Break Up" by Douglas Light and "Someone's Drunk Wife" by Susan Buttenwieser.
I love Sundays.

This has got to be a joke!

Take me there

You Are 50% Weird

Normal enough to know that you're weird... But too damn weird to do anything about it!

How Weird Are You?

NELSON FOUND!!!!!!

After weeks of searching Nelson came by to tell me he found his family including his son Nelson!


Prayer works!

God save Guatemala!

Hurricanes, fires, floods, earthquakes... all over the world. First the Tsunami, then Katrina.... then the California fires... now Central America is in the midst of everything!
Mudslide and rain caused by hurricane stan result in over two hundred deaths...Friday an earthquake hit both Guatemala and El Salvador... not to mention the Ilamatepec volcano eruption outside of San Salvador! This is unreal!

click here for the cnn story

Jack

I had to allow the vet to put my dog to sleep today. God, it's been a bad year for that kind of thing.
Jack had a lot of health problems: blind, deaf, arthritis.... for the last few days we had to carry him from place to place.... This has to be the best thing. I said a prayer for him just before.. told him the pain will be over in a few minutes and that something better is out there for him. I held him and it was almost instant-- the spped shocked me. Jack was a great dog... and beautiful... gentle and good natured- God bless him. There must be something for animals, there really has to be. Jack was an angel; a white, fluffy, cuddly angel that just wanted a little brushing from time to time. My heart hurts

Nelson

If Katrina never happened, I would not know his name. This child is missing. A patron came in today needing some photos scanned. Normally we are closed to the public on thursdays, however he only needed the scann and I was not busy at the time so....
I did not know at first what we were doing... he handed me the photos and said they were of his son. I asked if he had a disk on which to save the images. He looked slightly bewildered, handed me a sheet of paper and said "I brought what they told me....I don't know about computers." I looked at the folded piece of paper and and saw the email address for NCMEC.
I was able to scan the pictures and send them to NCMEC... a few seconds later we got a confirmation email. Together we also registered other members of his family on next of kin and the red cross family listing.
Over the past two weeks i have cried watching the news... sent money to the rc and helped some displaced families register with FEMA..... Even with all that.. nothing could have drove this tragedy home with me as much as this man, alone and scared... unsure what he should do yet finding ways.... this man who does not know where his son is.... this bright eyed child smiling with a friend in a neighborhood that no longer exists.
His name is Nelson... as is his son if you want to add him to a prayer or two.
My heart is heavy lately.. but my faith is strong. God Bless these suffering people on the gulf coast... especially the children.