Musings of the Library Lady and Her Daughters

Louisiana Build

2006-07-12T12:10:00.000-04:00

It's been too long since posting a topic, and wanted to give the rundown of my latest Hurricane Relief build in Louisiana.

Ten days in Baton Rouge at the end of May/first of June was a huge blessing in spite of the heat. Our group was responsible for building two homes from foundation to landscaping in 8 days. And we did it! We did everything that was asked. Louise, the owner of one of the homes, had a harrowing story to tell of escaping from New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina. Truly amazing experience, and this steel magnolia will always be a hero to me.

I will always treasure my latest experience helping with hurricane relief.

Back to Louisiana

2006-04-21T22:33:00.000-04:00

Heading back to Louisiana the end of May. Will be participating in a blitz build. We are building 14 homes in 7 days - from foundation all the way to landscaping. We are supposed to be beating the heat! I hope so.

I'll travel with 29 other volunteers and it's going to be fantastic! Looking forward to being exhausted.

Here's a picture from last November when I was in Covington, Louisiana doing hurricane relief work. We rebuilt a home from the subfloor up that had been destroyed when 6 huge trees fell on it. The owner planted a shamrock under the house. Do you blame her?

Smiles

2006-04-21T22:19:00.000-04:00

Can't believe it's been weeks since posting. My goodness. So I thought I'd list some things that make me smile. I hope they do the same for you.

My four-legged children shown here.
My two-legged sons.
Getting a gift from my secret pal.
Giving a gift to my secret pal.
Going out early on a spring morning when the dew is still on the grass and smelling the morning air.
Sitting on the back of a motorcycle and smelling the honeysuckle as you ride by.
Knowing that God has a plan for me.
Babies of all kinds.
Unconditional love.
Sleeping with the windows open under a soft blanket.
Building a house with a family in need.
Knowing that I have freedom because our military heroes have ensured it.

There's so much more... And that's good.

Count your blessings instead of your burdens.

KINDNESS2 * PATIENCE = HOPE

2006-03-29T23:18:00.000-05:00

Last fall, I took over the job of librarian for a large elementary school in a small town in the desert. The population of our K-5 school is right around 950 depending on the day of the week. Over 90% of our school population qualifies for Title 1. These kids come from every background you could imagine and some that you would never want to imagine. Most of them are good kids; some would try the patience of Blessed Mother Theresa.

Just after the first of the year, a new girl came to our school. Let’s call her “Betty”. Betty is a fourth grader, although I think she’s much older than the kids in her class. She walked into our school with not just a chip on her shoulder, but a whole, Costco sized bag of Ruffles. I soon discovered that this girl's homelife was terrible. No sense of security at all; parents who should have been made to take a test before they could have children. You know the type.

When she came into the library with her class, she was ALWAYS in the midst of the kids who caused chaos. Yes, I’d call her an instigator. She was disrespectful, rude, and a real smart ass. She never checked out a book. I finally had to tell the teacher that this class could not come down together. Most of the problems are caused by a small handful, with Betty in the center. It would become a feeding frenzy of obnoxiousness that the teacher couldn’t curb. So, we started having the kids come down 4 or 5 at time and only those who really wanted to be there to get books.

Two weeks into this plan, in walks Betty. Honestly, I was not clasping my hands with glee to see her. But, my philosophy is that every time a student walks through that library door, it is a new, fresh visit.

She checked out two books, not hardly saying anything except her name. When she was done, she left with a sneer. I told her to “have a nice day. And you’re welcome.”

Today Betty came in again and turned in her books. I thanked her and invited her to pick out two more. About 5 minutes later, she approached my desk with another girl. “We both picked the same books,” she said to me as I looked at the duplicate copies in each girl's hands.

“It’s always fun to have a book buddy,” I told her as I processed her books. When we were done, I told her, “Betty, this was a really good visit. It’s been a pleasure. You have a great afternoon.”

And before she turned to leave, she looked at me and.....smiled.

So you have to ask yourself this: What part am I playing in a child's life whether that child is one of my own, a neighbor, or a stranger? Remember that something you may say or do WILL have an impact that child. One need only decide if that will be positive or negative. You never know, that smile or that word of encouragement may be the only ray of hope for them. Without hope, what is there?

I can only wish that that little moment in our library has imbedded itself in her heart, and one day she will remember how it made her feel to have someone praise her and wish her something as simple as "a great afternoon."

Father Jonathon

2006-03-29T09:22:00.000-05:00

This is a link to the blog of Father Jonathon Morris at Fox News. I like reading his thoughts and I hope you'll check them out, too.

As soon as I figure out how to do it, I'm going to put links to our favorite Web sites on the Musings blog so we can all easily access them.

Book Review: Prince of Beverly Hills by Stuart Woods

2006-03-28T11:55:00.000-05:00

Stuart Woods introduces a new character in this book: Rich Baron, a cop on patrol who witnesses an accident in the wee small hours of the morning. A woman runs a red light and broadsides a car driven by Clive Barrow, a well-known actor at a major studio in Hollywood. The woman is killed and Rick recognizes Clive when he rescues him from the wreckage. He gets him away from the scene and takes him to the studio where he's making a motion picture. The studio owner offers Rick a job as chief of security. His main job will be to keep Clive sober and on the set everyday. The story takes place in the late 30's the heyday of the old glamorous Hollywood. Mix in a little romance, gangsters such as Bugsy Siegel, blackmail and the beginning of WWII and you've got a good story. Woods has written 28 novels. I've read about 3/4 of them. His heroes are Holly Barker, Stone Barrington and Will Lee. Rick Baron joins this distinguished group of detectives. My favorite of all his books has always been "Palindrome". His books are enjoyable, sometimes a little violent, but a fast read. I highly recommend them.

Renaissance Chick

2006-03-19T14:39:00.000-05:00

I have a good friend who has always called me a Renaissance Chick. I am a bit of a contradiction in terms. Have been known to wear a diamond tennis bracelet and Mickey Mouse watch at the same time.

My friend gave me the Renaissance Chick title several years ago, because I can cook, quilt, write a legal brief and frame a house. That means that my tools range from a sewing machine to my Henkels knives to a framing hammer. I have professional chef clothing that I wear when I'm really in the mood to cook and a toolbelt when I'm doing construction.

The last couple of days have been rough for me. Spare you the details, but I ended up drowning my sorrows in the Von Maur shoe clearance room. I love it there. I was looking for some really great boots - western, but Princess at the same time. I found three pairs. So I had to have them. (Darn it, shouldn't have paid that charge card off, too tempting.)

Bought a fantastic purse on clearance, too. Lots of bling, but with a western theme. Princess Cowgirl, I suppose.

Then to the Brighton Store. Shoes on clearance and a "free" umbrella. I know. It was a $100 umbrella and I got the shoes for free.

So I go out to my lovely red Beetle and open the spacious trunk. It actually IS spacious. Then I realized in order to get my shoes in the trunk, I was going to have to re-arrange my tools.

That's when I realized, yes, once a Renaissance Chick, always a Renaissance Chick.

Makes me smile.

And I know life is going to be just fine.

My Love Affair With Barns

2006-03-14T18:02:00.000-05:00

Anyone who has seen my paintings probably notices that many have barns in them. Growing up in rural Michigan our farm had a huge red barn that was a landmark. It has always had a special place in my heart. My father always kept it fresh looking and to me it was beautiful. All old barns have their own personality. When I'm in the car I try to remember my camera so that I can capture something that looks intriguing. An added bonus is lots of old machinery, crates or anything that adds to the story. Each barn is a story unto itself. Who lived there? How much fun have the kids had jumping in the hay loft or looking for baby kittens or rabbits hidden in all the nooks and crannies? If it is old and abandoned, did the family move away? When? Why? In the case of our old red barn, my father sold the farm after my mother died. He moved into a mobile home on an acre close by. You could still see the beautiful red barn from his new home. The day of his funeral we took panorama pictures of it in the sunlit snow. It wasn't very long after that the beautiful red barn was struck by lightning and burned down into the basement. The site is all covered over now and covered with grass and weeds. When I visit that area now you almost miss the place because it is so empty and nondiscript. But it lives on in my paintings and in my heart.

The Lady in The Pew

2006-03-08T22:55:00.000-05:00

This is a link to Kelly Clark's blog. I absolutely love her writings.

Before she started her blog, she used to have a website with her essays published, but no area for us to comment. But that has changed.

She really represents what being a true Catholic is. Her rants are so funny sometimes. And so true.

I hope you'll visit her site and take a look.

Gramma Linna's Molasses Cookies

2006-03-06T15:26:00.000-05:00

Here's the recipe for Molasses Cookies. Always my favorite. It was posted on our Family Website by my Dad, Jack.

Some of the young ones them "mud cookies." They can be rolled out and made into cut cookies, like Gingerbread Men. Another easy preparation method involves rolling the dough into individual balls, dipping them in sugar, and using a juice glass to flatten them out. The second method results in those really yummy cracked tops with sugar granules on them.

For years, Queen Leora would make these at Christmas time as Gingerbread men, frost them and write the names of all the kids in the neighborhood on them. She also made Christmas coffee cakes and would deliver the cakes and the personalized Gingerbread men to all of the families in the neighborhood. More recently, when Grampa Jack retired, but Queen Leora was the Library Lady, Grampa Jack would make these and deliver them to the grandkids.

These cookies always remind me of Christmas.

Title: Old Fashion Molasses Cookies

Description:
Got this recipe from Norma years ago. They make great Gingerbread Boys and Girls. I decorate them for the neighborhood kids at Christmas. This is as close as I have come to the cookies I remember as a kid...

Ingredients:
6 cups flour 1 tsp salt
1 cup shortening 1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup molasses 1 tsp nutmeg
1 cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla
1 egg 1 tsp baking soda

Directions:
Do not use elelctric mixer.
Put baking soda into 1 cup boiling water.
Cream sugar, egg and shortening, add molasses.
Stir well then add the spices and part of the water with some of the flour. Add the rest of the flour and water gradually, mixing well.

After mixing place dough in the refrigerator or other cool place until completely chilled.

Bake for 12 minutes at 350 degrees on a greased cookie sheet.

Number Of Servings:2 to 3 dozen, depending on cookie size

Preparation Time:aproximatelly 20 minutes

Chicken and Dumplings - Northern Style

2006-03-05T15:24:00.000-05:00

Title: Bernie's Chicken and Dumplings

Description:
Takes a few steps, but they don't have to all be done the same day. Worth it!

Ingredients:
Large Roasting Chicken
Lemon slices
crushed or minced garlic
herbs de provence (or thyme, sage, rosemary)
large onion, chopped (or small pearl onions are better)
sliced celery and carrot
cornstarch
bisquick (unless you really want to do this from scratch)
milk
parsley

Directions:
Slice a lemon into thin slices. Put lemon slices, garlic and herbs under the skin of the roasting chicken. Roast until done. Remove from oven and cool. (you can do this step in advance). Save the drippings from the roasted chicken and cool in the refrigerator. Remove the fat from the drippings if you like (I do). Remove the meat from the chicken and set aside.

Place the reserved chicken drippings, the chicken carcass and about 4 cups of water in a deep pan. Add onions, carrots and celery. Do not put the chicken meat in yet. Simmer all for about 30 minutes. Remove chicken bones from the broth. Now add the chicken meat back to the broth, add herbs to taste. Bring to a boil. Mix two tablespoons cornstarch in about 1/2 cup water and then stir into the boiling broth to thicken.

Mix Bisquick, milk and about two tablespoons parsley to make dumpling dough. Spoon onto boiling broth. Reduce heat slightly, and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. About 5 minutes into this process, gently ladle a small amount of the broth over the dumplings a few times. Cover and cook additional 10 minutes.

Delicious!!!

Number Of Servings:About 6 to 8.

Preparation Time:Not too long. Just a lot of steps but really worth it.

Spring Is On Its Way

2006-03-05T09:07:00.000-05:00

I sooo can't wait for Spring. Signs are starting to pop up, but it will probably be a couple of weeks before we see it in ernest. Here's a photo that Queen Leora took several years ago at my former home of my perennials off the patio. Just a taste of things to come.

What not to read this week.

2006-03-03T16:45:00.000-05:00

I hadn't read anything written by Greg Iles for 3 years. I had always liked his books because they were in the "you can't put it down" category. When I was at the library a couple of weeks ago I picked up "Blood Memory". I did manage to read it all, but it was hard. I was tense the whole time. It deals with child sexual abuse and with the tender heart that I have for all kids, it was hard to stomach. I had picked up another one of his that was written after that one, but it is graphic, too, and I'm returning it to the library unread. "Blood Memory" was very disturbing. There are a lot of other exciting things within the "you can't put it down" category. That is what is great about the library, you can return things unread and you haven't invested a dime.

Musings and such

2006-03-03T15:14:00.000-05:00

All of the members of my family have been vaccinated with a phonograph needle - also referred to as having diarrhea of the mouth. Never at a loss for words - either spoken or written - this family always has something to say and has an opinion about everything. No surprise.

Email and the internet have allowed us all to keep in touch with each other across the miles. So it seems natural to graduate to blogging.

Who is Leora? Also known as "Lee," she is the wonderful, loving, generous mother to 5 daughters and 2 sons. And grandmother to 18. She and my Dad, Jack raised us right. They have been married over 51 years.

Leora is a fantastic artist, having painted in oils since the early 1960's. Perhaps we'll feature some of her work here - if she approves. She is also a wonderful tole painter and makes all of her greeting cards by hand.

Leora spent many years working as a librarian. In addition, she is an avid reader. She has notes about every book she has ever read. As a librarian, she was always recommending books to her clients based upon their tastes in literature.

So, Mom, this blog is dedicated to you, your works, your hobbies, and to those of your daughters, too. OK, the sons may be able to post, too if we let them.

Please enjoy our blog. And consider this a positive, happy place even if the rest of the world and blogosphere seems to be chaos. We'll try to keep the ranting to a minimum.

Enjoy!!