finishing

 

This little piece of whatever is almost done. It might not look bad in the spare bedroom, under a lamp.

I suppose you would only know about Baker & Taylor if you were a library worker, but they are a large book distributor in North America. Where I work, we've always gotten our books from them; now, they are going out of business, and my boss has had to find another company. 

Baker & Taylor had two Scottish Fold cats for mascots. If you went to a library conference, you could get a paper shopping bag with their photo on it. And other things. They passed away years ago, but the B&T bags, and calendar, kept going. In fact, they would ask for photos of library cats for the calendar - I had almost forgotten that. 

The cats lived at a small library in Nevada, but were obtained for the library by B&T, who thought it would be a cute PR thing. They never expected them to be such a hit. Anyway, this book was written by a librarian at that library, and I couldn't resist when I heard about it. I don't know how a company can go from the largest distributor to libraries, to having to close up shop, but it's sad. My boss was faithful to them till the end (and a cat lover, I might add). It's not a gripping story, but under the circumstances I'm interested to know the story. 

farewell to summer

Well, it was pretty cool today and will be freezing tonight, so I guess that's the end of summer. The forecast predicts days in the fifties and sixties. I went out, picked all the red tomatoes, and a pepper. I cut down the three basil plants - one plant will be plenty next year - and sat on the back step in the sun, picking all the leaves off them. I had to dress warmly, but it was lovely. I covered the tomato plants with sheets, since they keep producing. My plant out in the backyard garden had so many of these tiny ones on it, but I didn't cover it - that's enough. But they look like jewels.

It was good just to be outside for a while. I don't make it a priority often enough.

Last week I found a couple of pieces of something near the litter boxes downstairs; I thought the cats were responsible. But it was two pieces of wet wood - a leak!. Rather alarming, so the plumber got called. He came by to have a look, which meant everything had to come out of my closet, so he could get access to the pipes. 

He came this morning to do the work, and the "door" to it needs to stay open for two weeks, to allow the wood to dry out. Of course, Daisy can hardly keep away from it. I don't think she would try to get in there, but it makes me nervous. I'll have to put something in front of the closet door, but not close it entirely.

I'm kind of at a standstill with my sewing, but I did notice how the small scissors match my fabric!

may he rest in peace

 Well, everyone's stunned by the sudden death of Charlie Kirk, assassinated by a sniper with a high-powered rifle. He must have been hired by someone - surely those with such a skill are known to the kind of people who want to force revolution on the world, who want to sidestep the order of the constitutional process. 

They are cowards, and they do not love their fellow beings. Gavin Ashenden has a lovely youtube meditation with his thoughts. It's just under ten minutes.

"God bless you, and give you health, strength, good spirits, and as much of life as you think worth having."

The above is a quote from Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to John Adams. More of that later.

I had a cute pillow from the thrift store, from which I'd removed the ugly cover. Underneath, the stuffing was encased in something which wasn't real fabric, and it disintegrated, so I grabbed the nearest piece of cotton to me the other day and whipped up a new cover.

It's a permanent cover, but I still want to make a removable one. 

So I'm done with the Adams-Jefferson letters. Their mutual affection was remarkable, and the sign-offs in their correspondence always touching.

I hope [your health] is restored; and that life and health may be continued to you as many years as yourself shall wish is the sincere prayer of your affectionate and respectful friend.

                                        - Jefferson, Jan. 11, 1817

...I am still unalterably your Friend,  J. Adams

                                       May 21, 1819

I...repeat always with truth the assurances of my constant and affectionate friendship and respect.

                                                - Jefferson, June 27, 1822

I most sincerely congratulate you on the recovery of your hand, and am your friend for this, and, I hope, and believe, for all future Worlds.

                                             - Adams, Feb. 10, 1823

...I add sincere assurances of my unabated, and constant attachment, friendship and respect.

                                                         - Jefferson, Oct. 12, 1823

I have lost your last letter to me, the most consolatory letter I ever received in my life. What would I not give for a copy of it. Your friend for all eternity.

                                                 - Adams, April 19, 1825  (the letter was a congratulation on the occasion of the election of John Quincy Adams to the Presidency)

I'd never seen it before

 A man came into the library carrying a box of books; said he'd called on Monday, but I wasn't there on Monday; I didn't know about it. He had the Oxford English Dictionary, the whole thing. The Whole Thing.

They were moving. He had a helper, and they brought in four boxes of it; he seemed wistful over the business. He said they're moving to a smaller place. I said well, you can buy the version with the magnifying glass, right? He said It's not the same. A likeable fellow, he was looking at it fondly, said it didn't get used much, but the kids did look up things in it now and again. 

He even told me what they're selling it for on Amazon: fifteen hundred dollars. But on ebay, nine hundred. He wondered if anyone would really buy it for that. (I don't know what he paid for his new one) Finally, he sighed, touched one of the boxes a last time, and left. A pleasant fellow.

Afterward, I called the director in her office. She didn't know about it, but no, we weren't going to keep it. The Friends of the Library will try to sell it somehow. But no sooner had I hung up the phone, than she trotted down the hall to have a look. We were touching it. The OED, for heaven's sake! In pristine condition. Then I said, I suppose I should take a picture!

And so I did.

a catch-up

 Two weeks just passed by, and I thought about posting several times, but I often was tired or felt blank. I have to say that I'm glad it's spring, and the trees are so beautiful, but I think I'll feel better when they're done blooming and things are a bit warmer.  That's usually how it goes.

But speaking of trees, I went around the yard to look at our five young trees which we bought last year. The white crabapple is just filled with blooms! And it's right by the road.

Isn't it wonderful! The one behind it is our neighbor's rose-colored crab. I noticed over the winter that the crabapples didn't all get eaten; there was a squirrel in the tree one day, and birds now and again. So maybe I can do something with half of the fruit, while leaving the rest for our small neighbors. But I'm not interested in jelly. It must be a good source of vitamin C, wouldn't you think? Because they are so tart?

The purple leafed plum tree is the largest of the new ones, and all the leaves are out, but I spied two small blossoms - so, I guess we'll have two plums later! 

They're right in the middle of the picture. And way over in the corner of the back yard is another ornamental cherry, like the one in the front yard, the Brave Little Cherry Tree. It's declining - the blooms are there, but it's not filled with them. :(  The new one in back is doing well, though.

The other two trees, a linden and a kousa dogwood, are later starting, but they look well. 

In other news, I got a new ironing board cover -

the fabric I'm pressing is for a blouse I'm trying to make, and this fabric is a ruffle at the bottom of the sleeves and at the hem. The body is a green cotton, like a broadcloth of some kind. I hope it turns out all right; I've never worked with sheer fabric before. Cyndi had given it to me years ago and I'm finally using it. 

Speaking of Cyndi, her brother had her funeral service on Tuesday, like she asked him to, one year after her death. It was strange after so much time. 

Back to the home front, I'll bet at least some of you have seen the youtube videos of cats who unroll the toilet paper. You know where I'm going with this - ours is now hanging in a crocheted bag on the bathroom door hook. 

Beth gave me this years ago, and it's sure handy now! I'll have to write and thank her again - I don't see her around anymore. 

the (ir)responsible party - and it was definitely a party for her!

I've been reading God's Hotel - a Fantastic book about the Laguna Honda hospital in San Francisco, written by a doctor who worked there for twenty years. She writes so well, the story gently flows along and with all the necessary and interesting details included. The author, Victoria Sweet, got a doctorate in the study of the methods of Hildegard of Bingen for treating patients, and she used some of these methods at the hospital! It is truly fascinating, I'm not exaggerating. The book is not new, and if you follow this link, you'll see the hospital is in trouble. I don't know what will happen, but it seems to me that we've long passed the point where such a place can exist, and that is lamentable. There was a time when money and profit were not the main concerns, where insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies did not control, as they do now, the doctor-patient relationship. If you have ANY INTEREST in this subject at all, i.e., any interest in the way medicine is going, in the old-fashioned doctor/patient dynamic, in a true story well written, in the way things used to be, in Hildegard von Bingen - READ THIS BOOK. Sorry, I'm not trying to shout. It's a chronicle of a lost age. I'm old enough to know that. 

I'm also reading The Code of the Woosters, and it's some very welcome comic relief. 

four farewells

 Four people we know died last week; we went to a funeral today, and attended one on Monday. There was another, yesterday, which I couldn't get to - I was at work and couldn't get anyone to fill in. The fourth was a schoolmate of my brother's.

I found that after both funerals, I came home and didn't feel like just going back to my chores as usual - that I felt like doing only what was essential, like the laundry and dinner, the dishes and feeding the cats, but otherwise it seemed like it should be a quiet time. 

Three of these people were old, and we all know we aren't going to live forever on this earth. Still, you knew them and now they're gone, and it's something to ponder.

May they rest in peace. Amen.

Jesus Christ is the light no darkness can extinguish.  (from Magnificat)

little bird

 My brother came home from work holding a small box. A little bird hit their window, and didn't survive. But he looked so perfect in the box, with his little eye open as if he was fine. Poor thing! He brought the box out to his pickup, and only then did I take the bird guides to try and identify it. So, going from memory, I think it may have been a brown creeper. It looks like this

this picture is from the internet

I want to see him again in the morning, to make sure - it seems important that we know what he is. I have heard of brown creepers, but they don't come to the feeder, or near the house. It got me thinking of all the wildlife that you don't see, so you don't know about it, and they carry on their lives nearby and you're unaware of it. It seems to me that if creatures are living on your property, it's a good thing to know it, and know about their life cycles. But then it seems like the idea of property seems almost ridiculous in light of these other beings, who are living nearby. (I am NOT one of those who thinks private property should be done away with! Just for the record.) 

an exceptional cat

 DOLLY

April 22, 2003  -  August 24, 2022

Memory Eternal, little Queen of Our Hearts

a weight

Remembering Ukraine. That situation hangs like a weight over everything we all do, all day, every moment, doesn't it? The other night I wasn't sleepy for some reason; but I wondered if anyone in Kyiv was able to sleep at all anymore.

A co-worker of mine worked her last day today at the library - she was with us for twenty three years. There was a nice party yesterday, but someone thought we should show up at eight o'clock tonight  to give her a final send-off, if possible, since only three people work till closing. So, a few of us came with cupcakes and a balloon. She was touched, but she's not a sentimental person, and glad to be retiring. It's strange when they go, and another one will be leaving too, moving to Florida soon. There's a lot of that going on, it seems.

Annie purring on the bed

O great Physician of the soul
To whom the helpless pray,
We come to you to make us whole;
Oh, cast us not away.