Today, I went to the office and during my lunch break, I went to the library. The morning had been a little cool, but by lunch time, it was warm! Mid to upper 70s, I'd say. I had a nice walk to the library and back. This particular branch of the library is only two blocks away from my office building, so it is a short, ten minutes walk each way, which gives me another 10 minutes or so to browse the bookshelves and pick a book to read. On the way back to the office, I walked through the weekly farmers' market, but I didn't buy anything.
I have always enjoyed trips to the library, ever since I was a child. I don't remember going to a public library as a child, but I used to enjoy the weekly visit to the school library as a class. We needed to get our teacher's approval of any book we checked out, but my teacher always approved any book I chose to read. The other library of my childhood was the library in the school where my mother taught. Whenever I went to her school, I was allowed to borrow books from that library, too, or, sometimes, my mother would check out books for me. Later, I lived close to the British Council and the United States Information Services, which both had libraries. When I was at university, I worked at the library and shelving books often led me to find interesting books that I'd often borrow. These days, there's a library about one and a half miles from my house, as well as the one near my office. I make use of both!
My upset tummy had resolved itself, today. I had taken some sandwiches from home along with a banana and tangerines for my breakfast and lunch. But, I was hungry on the way back home and I had been wanting some Chinese food for a couple of days, so I drove to one of the Chinese restaurants and picked up some food to go. Came home, ate my dinner, and watched news.
One of my friends had called me in the morning to inform me that this month's prayer gathering will be held at her home, as my cousin is unable to host it. In the evening, I called my cousin to check on her; she didn't answer her phone, so I left a message. Then, I called her sister and she said her sister was not feeling well and, also, she was having some problems with the sewer system, which needs replacing.
Still later, another friend called and we chatted for a little bit. Another friend sent an email with several photos of historical buildings in her town, expanding my cultural knowledge a little bit, in the process! And then, I video chatted with my daughter.
Today, I am grateful for:
- A sunny, warm day
- A safe drive to the office and back
- Libraries
- Keeping in touch with friends and family
- A friend sharing some lovely photos of some historical buildings in her town
How was your Thursday? What are your earliest memories of going to a library?
Slowly but surely getting back to our normal routine. The weather has turned bitterly cold (currently 19F) and sunshine expected with a high in the 40's. Happy to have warm flannel sheets on the bed and central heating at the flick of a switch.
ReplyDeleteVery concerned about the latest fire in California and several earthquakes very close to San Diego. Sorry to hear about your cousin not feeling well and sewer problems are the worst. My dear sister-in-law died suddenly leaving my brother, niece and family deverstated.
Agree 100% about libraries and books in general. 📚📖❤️
Sandy, I am so sorry to hear about your sister-in-law's sudden death. My deepest sympathies. When I heard of the fire in San Diego, I was hoping your son was OK. Hope you are keeping warm during this cold spell.
DeleteI'm glad you got over your tummy upset.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember ever going to a library as a child until I was able to use a school library from 11 years of age onwards. Before then, since we didn't have money for books, I reread the few I had, but I did get a couple of comics each week. Our granddaughter devours books at a fantastic rate, and I'm sure I would have been the same given the opportunity. She is now 11 and has a head start on me at that age!
I love libraries and worked as a volunteer locally for 30 years. I used to say that if you shut me up in a library with food and water, a bed and a bathroom, I probably wouldn't notice the days go by for a while! However, lately I find myself buying used books because I don't have a deadline to return them at the library during the restricted opening hours. The internet also is a factor as I can research many things on-line now.
Bushlady, that's so wonderful that your granddaughter loves to read. I'm sure Grandma helps to keep her supplied with plenty of reading matter, too. :)
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ReplyDeleteI loved the library as a kid but hated it because they would only let me check out 6 books at a time.
ReplyDeleteI love reading your thankful list every day!
Anne, I can't remember how many books I was allowed to check out at the school library, but I think it was one book per child per week. But, we might have been able to get around that limit by going twice a week to the library - once with our primary language teacher for books in Sinhalese and once with our secondary language teacher for books in English. :)
DeleteI love the library too. I dont read as much as I use too.. But, need to start reading more..
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good week.
Judy, maybe once the new year starts, you can start reading more. That might be a good new year's resolution/goal. Hope you have a good week, too. :)
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