Concepts Make More Sense When They Rhyme

In these times of political uncertainty, and especially as Election Day approaches, I find comfort in turning to something simple and straightforward to aid in my understanding.

Though we’re not electing a president on November 2, it never hurts for me to catch up on my U.S. Government knowledge. Or lack thereof. I’m embarrassed by my confusion at terms like “electoral college,” “congressional district,” and “Lower House.” Somewhat hopefully, I’m guessing I’m not the only one who gets overwhelmed when it comes to political subjects.

Today I did some research on the way things work in our government. I was all over Wikipedia reputable sites because I kept coming across new things I had to look up. But now I feel like I can vote with a little more confidence.

It was important to me to go into this Election Day as an informed citizen instead of an "ignorant young person."

It may take a little more work after digging through your mailbox overflowing with ads,  rolling your eyes through the commercials, and hanging up on recordings, but it’s worth it. And research doesn't have to be boring, either.

Friends. Of the Facebook Variety.

You have one friend request.

Oh, yeah. There’s nothing like a Facebook friend request. What? Someone wants to be friends with little ol’ me? How sweet! Well, who wouldn’t want to be friends with me; that’s the question!

The anticipation of who it could be is usually – no, always – more exciting than seeing who it actually is.

That’s why it’s always best to savor the moment. It could be ANYone behind that blank head and shoulders icon. Nonchalantly, I’ll do other things on Facebook – look at pictures, update my status – all to allow me time to enjoy the fact that someone wants to be my friend.

Finally, when I can’t stand it anymore, I click on it. Usually, it’s no one earth-shattering. A lot of times it’s someone I don’t even know, so I instantly hit ignore.

Well, that’s that. Now I just have to wait for another mysterious stranger who thinks I’m cool enough to add me as a friend.

It’s the simple things...

This is the Facebook Friend Request T-Shirt from http://www.zazzle.com/. 

And Just a Dash of Incomprehension

Occasionally, at the library, a cookbook will catch my eye. One with a slice of the most perfect chocolate cake featured on the cover. But, as I look through it later, I realize that almost every recipe in the book includes at least one ingredient I lack.

I don’t HAVE fresh spices growing in boxes on my windowsill. I’ve never HEARD of that specific kitchen utensil. And I refuse to use ingredients I can’t even PRONOUNCE.

To me, Rachael Ray’s cookbooks are prime examples of my cooking dilemma. I turn to a stromboli recipe in Rachael Ray’s Big Orange Book:

“1 large loaf of semolina bread.” Okay, let me just google that real quick. Um..guess I’ll need to run to the store.

“2 bunches of broccoli rabe.” Is this a typo? Am I really that ignorant? Google...

“1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.” Cheese. It’s got to be some kind of cheese. Maybe if I open and close the cupboard 3 times, I will find this “hard, granular cheese” which is “cooked but not pressed” (thank you, Wikipedia).

You know what? Forget it. Once in a while it’s fun to go to the store to get several specific ingredients for one special meal. I just hope I can use up each bag, box, and jar because otherwise they will sit and never be touched again.

My favorite place to search for new recipes is http://www.allrecipes.com/. At this site, you can search for recipes by ingredients you want along with those you don’t want. Also, I choose to search only the recipes that have pictures. I can’t make anything if I don’t have a picture of what it’s supposed to look like. I need affirmation in the kitchen, not confusion.

Stand Tall

I used to really hate being tall. Now, I realize some benefits through the years:

1. Able to reach things off the top shelf. For me, or for random short strangers at the store.
2. Assumed to be much older than I really was.
3. Long legs to walk fast and pass short people on the sidewalk.
4. Tall enough to see over people’s heads at the theater, church, or a claustrophobic store on Black Friday.
5. Tall enough to look most people in the eye. Or down at the tops of their heads.
6. Could go deeper in the pool while still able to touch the bottom. This eliminated the risk of losing my footing and being devoured by “pool sharks,” who lived in the dark corners.
7. Long arms to grab falling items before they hit the ground (similar to “ElastiGirl”).
8. People assumed I played basketball. So they thought I was an exceptional athlete who used my height to my advantage, instead of curling up my limbs in a comfy chair and reading “Little House on the Prairie.”
9. Able to spot Easter eggs quicker, whether they be nestled in a tree or up on a dusty shelf.
10. Could easily place the angel on the top of the Christmas tree instead of blindly waving it above my head and getting my eyes poked by needles.

Sure, there are disadvantages of being tall. But, having dwelled on them much of my 21 years, I choose to leave them behind. Because they can’t catch up with me and my fast-walk.

The End

I hate finishing a good book.

I want to get to the end, but I don't want it to end. When I find a good book, like a really good book, like the kind of book I have to carry around everywhere...it's just a shame that it has to end.

NOW what am I going to read, I grumble. Everything else is worthless. I might as well give up reading altogether! Knitting, maybe I should knit....

I savor the last few pages, enjoy the satisfying ending, then close the book and glare at it resentfully. I knew you were too good to be true. I think I finally found a book I can trust, one I can depend on, one I can - dare I say it - LOVE. And you've gone and ruined it. Just like that, you're over. WE'RE over.

So I put the book away. And I have some time to myself, try to prove that I don't NEED a book.

And then, when I least expect it, one finds me again. And I reluctantly fall in love.

Squirrels Are People, Too. Not Really.

I remember when I first started driving, I told myself to just suck it up and hit the squirrels.

They get hit all the time. It’s too bad, but it’s a fact of life.

I told myself that I would never go out of my way. I wouldn’t slow down. They’re SQUIRRELS! And they have brains, after all. More or less. If a car is coming, they should know not to go bounding in front of it, freeze in panic, dart back and forth and then turn around and go back where they came from. I mean, how smart is that? They deserve what they get!

Then it happened to me. I was driving alone on a street, no other cars around. And a squirrel, perhaps dared by his buddies who were cheering him on from the bushes, made a run for it. I wanted to teach him a lesson, not to mention warn his little delinquent friends, but I just couldn’t do it. I slowed down, even stopped, leaving him free to enjoy the adrenaline rush.

I sure showed him.

Word.

Don't you just love how certain words sound? Or how some words just fit perfectly with what you want to express?

I found this excellent site where people post their favorite words and what they mean to them. For example, Mark-from-California says that his favorite word is "indefatigable," because "it just sounds like a word you don't want to make angry." I have to admit, that is an awesome word. Say it. Out loud...

I want to post a word on there, but I have to give it some thought first. It certainly won't be "velcro," which I can NEVER come up with right away. Without fail. It's the one word that I have to stop and think of every time I try to use it.

And it won't be "necessary." Because I couldn't spell that word right for years.

Oh, and here's the site: http://www.myfavoriteword.com/

If Life Was a Musical...

1. You would always know what was on everyone’s mind.

2. Everyone would either get out of the way or join in.

3. Strangers wouldn’t be strangers for long.

4. Anyone could sing along.

5. By the end of the song, something would have changed. Usually for the better.

6. Everyone would stay on key.

7. No matter what your schedule was, you could sing for a few minutes and not be late for anything.

8. Everyone would know their cues, not to mention all the words!

9. Any object within reach would become fair game for an instrument, prop, or dancing surface.

10. Things would just be simpler, wouldn’t they?

Not Your "Average" Librarian

This is probably an odd subject to begin a blog with, but I want to spread the word.

Don’t call me ma’am.

Seriously.

Do I look that old to you? Because I am leaning my elbow here on the counter because I think it makes me look contemplative, not because I need support for my shaky arms.

Guy-who-can’t-be-more-than-25...don’t call me ma’am! I’m too young for wrinkles and gray hairs! Just because I am a person who works in a library, do not assume I am “the typical librarian.” Trying to break the stereotype here, people!

I don't wear glasses (most of the time...), I don't own or even like cats, I don't wear my hair in a bun, and I am not old enough for people to call me ma'am!

Thank you.