The Rabid Librarian's Ravings in the Wind 
I am really good at
At predicting the next step or ending in a TV series or movie (particularly solving murder mysteries), not by deductive reasoning, but because you can figure out what puzzle piece is missing that will make the story work. For example, last night I was watching where the housemaid was curious as to where the young male servant was going off to with flowers, so she followed him, thinking it was to a sweetheart, but I instantly knew it was to a cemetery to the grave of his mother. And I was right. My friend, who's very good with deductive logic, hadn't expected it, and he said, 'But they weren't funereal flowers'. I said you only use those at a funeral. People bring all sorts of flowers to graves, even gay ones. So how did I know? The story needed to be that way, simple as that, to be a good story. And when I'm wrong--it's not as good as it could be.I sometimes wonder if it means I really should try to write myself, if there's a writer somewhere in there, and maybe I would be good at creating plots after all.
and Lexington Public Library only has Season Three, inexplicably. Two copies.In case you didn't know, anyone in a contiguous county (including Fayette) can get a library card at the Jessamine County Public Library and have full borrowing rights if they're an adult. Unlike the Lexington Public Library, they still have physical CDs, older books in series, Hoopla, and Freegal music, which I miss. It fills in some of the gaps. They're at 600 South Main Street in Nicholasville, so not far away, and they also have a studio and a Library of Things, where you can check out practical things like birding backpacks and telescopes. All you need is an ID with your address on it. Their website with full details is: https://jesspublib.org/The library, as you exitI also found the first book in the Amelia Peabody mystery series, which I dearly love. So, unlike LPL, they keep older books in series. We've had to request books from interlibrary loan because LPL no longer has the earlier books for the series we want to get into.Also, JCPL has access to Freegal Music, which LPL used to have. You can download a limited number of songs a week to keep. For as long as you want. Period. I managed to get several albums that way when I used it before. So that is nice. I'm also really excited because they have Hoopla, which allows you to check out five items per month--books, audiobooks, movies, or TV series. I plan on checking out Life is Beautiful, a 1997 movie that is very highly acclaimed that will apparently make me cry, and the dramatised audio version of Crocodile on the Sandbank once I am finished re-reading the book.Also, some time ago, LPS got rid of all their CDs, and they had some Shinedown ones I got to listen to. I know, I can stream them. It's not quite the same. 😊 So between the two libraries, a lot of service gaps get filled.The library card is kind of spiffy'The Gilded Age' Season 1 (written by the same person who wrote for 'Downton Abbey'My favourite mystery series, first book
Gorgeous
Okay, it's not at the beach, or even a field, it's a parking lot, but this was my view of the sky at sunset last night when I walked out of the Chinoe Kroger here in Lexington yesterday evening. Beautiful, isn't it?
Apparently
Chair yoga is not for me. I used to do yoga back in the day when I could get up from the floor fairly easier, and I really enjoyed it and found it beneficial. I thought chair yoga would be great, so I went to a library programme, but I didn't think about how much arm work there would be, things like raising the arms above the head and hugging yourself. I have one torn long head on the biceps tendon and the rotator cuff is also torn on the right which was never repaired; on the other side both have been torn in a fall and repaired, but it has been hurti for awhile, so I've been wondering if I should go back to my orthopaedist. I still have range of motion issues on that injured side and probably always will. There's only so much moddification I can do. I did modify the legs a little. I didn't put my lower legs on my thighs, as that does hurt, even after knee replacement, although I can do it briefly. But my back hurts today from doing the twists, and I had to get dog food and cat litter today. Even though the food was 18.5 lbs and the cat litter was 'lightweight' (the torn rotator cuff/biceps tear on the right was from pulling regular cat litter off a shelf, so I'm really careful with that and only use the lightweight, but it's only 10 lbs. difference). So everything kind of hurts today, even with Tylenol. I'm signed up to do it again next Saturday. I'm thinking maybe not. If I do it, I may stick with books and at home videos where I can modify in peace. I know it's not a competition, but it feels like I'm failing if I don't try to do them as demonstrated in front of other people. And I suffered for that idiocy today.
Went to a lovely concert today
Of mediaeval music presented by Musick's Company - the Center for Old World Music in the New World 'Medieval Chivalry: Tales of Knights and Courtly Love'. I was happy because I could read much of the Middle French and Middle German lyrics.
I travelled a lot the other day, and found this gem
This gorgeous card catalogue is in the Boyle County Public Library and has been repurposed as a seed library. Patrons are allowed to take up to three seed packets each visit by notifying circulation staff. The binders include informational newsletters on how to grow plants. Drawers are organised according to type of plant [Flowers, Herbs, Vegetables, etc.] PS Yes, after I took the photo my sense of order overcame me and I closed the open drawer that was nagging me.
My Goodreads review for All These Ghosts, which was book #10 for the year (out of a goal of 15, so I'm ahead) Whoo!
All These Ghosts by Silas House My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is a beautiful collection of poetry. I originally borrowed it from the library, then got it in audiobook form (narrated by the author), and then bought the book so I could own the text as well. I wanted both. I highly recommend both. Hearing the poems in his own voice, with his accent, made them leap from the page. I am a 9th-generation Kentuckian, although I am from the Bluegrass, not the Appalachians. But this volume filled me with pride for my people, especially 'Those Who Carry Us'. My favorite poem is 'For Those Who Have Loved Old Dogs'. As he reads it, his voice nearly breaks. You can tell he loves the dogs he has himself had. You feel a nearness to the author in the text, but in his voice even more so. The book is a wonderful collection of poems that make you feel, think, and wonder. They touch you just as poetry should. The audiobook is as if you had invited the author into your home, had him over for salmon cakes and beans, and by the fireplace, telling you stories afterwards. View all my reviews
Another beautiful poem, one anyone who has loved a dog will appreciate
I was listening to the audiobook version of Silas House's 'All These Ghosts', which is a new book of collected poems. It is narrated by the author. When he came to this poem, his voice nearly broke, and I cried. I think you can tell why and where. It's a beautiful volume of poems. I bought both the book and the audiobook. Hearing the poems in his own voice, in his accent, is worth it as well.[Photo is of my own beloved dog, Cerys, now gone so many years, almost 20. But she lives on in my heart as if it were yesterday, my Cer-Bear 1991-2007]For You Who Have Loved Old Dogs Old Andy is a big dog, black as a night sky in the most lonesome winter months. He is fat even though he doesn't eat much these days. His man is one of the best folks I know. They were hiking deep in the high mountains when good Andy's back legs stopped their work. The old dog folded himself down on the path, his eyes lighting on his mani's to apologize. My friend carried him nearly a mile, this great sprawl of blessed animal, who must have lain in his arms both thankful and ashamed. They collapsed together at the end of the steep trail, holding on to each other, exhausted. I'm thankful for you who take care of old dogs. I'm glad you have one another when you need a friend the most, that you've had timesof stillness, watching the world, that you knowthe grace of silence together. I thank the infinite eternity and the God of my understanding for people like you, who carry them when they need you. Three times now I've held an old dog in my arms as they left me. Three times I felt their heartbeats fade away on my palm, witnessing a shooting star become more darkness. The end. All lost and gone. I've grieved for each of them just as much as I have for people I've loved. I've carried the sweet sorrow with me, a heft I wish I did not have to bear but one that I will always cherish now. The burden of my empty arms is the greatest weight.Silas House. All These Ghosts. Durham: Blair, 2025, p. 59.
A poem that seems apropos by Sara Teasdale
'There Will Come Soft Rains'
Enchanting
Ye Vagabonds :: Willie O Winsbury by u/RustyBike39 in Irishmusic Gorgeous harmony. I love the song 'Willie O'Winsbury' anyway, but this version...is absolutely beautiful, and it was nice to see the musical instruments at the shopkeeper's. I'm assuming it was in Donegal from the one sign. Have a listen if you love traditional Irish or Celtic music. And do so if you're not familiar with it. You'll fall in love with it, trust me. They have a YouTube page as well:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMftOxnC_Jh5JAjyllxDgYQ
Oooohhh!!!
So I got an email yesterday from Amazon about a new update to the Kindle Scribe that gives you the ability to add shapes from the writing toolbar, but also Smart Shapes, which allows you to draw a shape, say a triangle, then hold the pen for a moment, and the shape will snap into perfect lines. What they didn't say in the e-mail is:You can then move and rotate the shape by manipulating it, even reactivating it later. This currently just works in notebooks, but it's really useful.The same update lets you handwrite on images in eBooks with enhanced typesetting and on Word documents sent to Kindle.Most importantly, this update is available now for my Kindle Scribe (the 2022 original Scribe), but not yet for the two later models. Hmm...Anyway, if you have the original Scribe and the update hasn't downloaded yet, you can download it manually by going to this page and downloading it to your computer, then moving it over via USB. Be sure you choose the correct version for your device. And if you're reading this later, it should be version 5.19.4 [or presumably later]. The image below is Amazon's demonstration from the email, but yes, it works just like depicted.
Every Little Thing Is Going to Be Alright
I first heard this on the British mystery show 'Beyond Paradise', although I was already familiar with Kate Rusby and had a couple of her CDs. This popped up after I posted another video on Facebook. This seemed to be good for me lately.
Wonderful birthday present
I finally got unemployment in the middle of the night on the night of my birthday [hey, I happened to be up at 3 AM looking at my bank account, expecting a whopping 94¢, and instead two payments for both missed payments in March were there.], which was a complete surprise, as I was still watiting a month after my appeal for a scheduled date for the hearing. In fact, I'm still getting correspondence about how that will be scheduled soon. (?) But no, I received the paperwork today. [I called yesterday to make sure before I touched any money]. That's the good news. The bad news is it's going to throw me off Medicaid, just that amount, never mind that I'll get paid twice more this month--or I'd just taken a distribution I haven't gotten yet out of my retirement because I didn't have any money coming in while I appealed and had bills and, well, had 94¢. I have Medicaid until the end of the month, anyway. If I have a job by then, it shouldn't matter. Otherwise I'll either have to get another insurance at 1000 dollars or so a month that won't cover hardly anything or do COBRA (and I checked, I have till May 4th to do it) and pay about $1300 for medical + dental a month--but I'd met all my deductible AND my out-of-pocket expenses so would literally only pay premiums, no copays, medication co-insurances, or any other medical costs. Any ER, surgery, or MRI at an in-network facility (and most are) would be $0.00. Hopefully, it would be for a short time. And unemployment only runs partway through June. In other words, I need to find a job pronto, anyway.I did apply for a cataloguing position in my hometown (Danville), and I have one near there to apply for at the Garrard County Library, a children's librarian position as well. There's a librarian position here at UK, but I want the career coach at the Alumni Career Centre to look at my curriculum vitae and give me some feedback, since you don't normally see much written about format or what to put in those, and it's required.I also just applied tonight for two UK research positions that are primarily training, and they're in the same department, making a lot more money than I ever have, and they sound very intriguing. The job descriptions were very vague. I'd like to interview just to learn more.So far I've had four interviews, and I've been shot down on two of them, but two are still pending, so fingers crossed, both with the state. So, we'll see...
Quote of the Day
Quote of the day (image is from a plaque by Daniel Miller available on Etsy; I've linked it, so follow it if you'd like to purchase one):A lie doesn't become truth, wrong doesn't become right, and evil doesn't become good, just because it's accepted by a majority.--Booker T. Washington
Navigating the job hunting world
I have another interview set up for Tuesday. It's a state job with the Department of Natural Resources tracking abandoned oil wells and gas tanks. Not a library job, but it has state benefits and pays well. It's a virtual interview. Wish me luck!That's:34 job applications4 interviews completed or set up8 rejections (1 post-interview)2 webinars attended1 job fair attended1 job fair planning to attendAlso: UI applied for the very day I lost my job, but was denied.UI appealed, awaiting hearing to be scheduled (20 days past acknowledgement of receipt of appeal letter--I sent an email yesterday because I couldn't get anyone one the phone and they won't let you stay on hold, it just ends the call if no one is available, and they got back to me this morning say it was with the schedulers still) [not an issue with my employer, but rather an issue with the explanation of the 'waiting week' requirement'.]Medicaid was applied for, too and approved.SNAP was applied for, too and approved (finally--it took exactly 30 days)Moved every bill I could to May.Took a small distribution from retirement to pay bills; I couldn't move; I can't draw on my pension until May without penalty for the rest of my life because I'm turning another year older, 24 hours into next month.It has been a very busy 38 days. Whew!The job fair was a bust. I got there a little late because I had to go to the library to print some résumés after my 15-year-old printer died, and they had a lot of trouble with their printers. A lot. But we got it all worked out. I got there about the time you'd expect a lot of people to get there after work, but most of the prospective employers had packed up and left. The only ones left were construction and a temp agency (I have tried temp work before, and it was not a great experience, would not recommend at all. I got two one-day replacements in food service, even with clerical experience (back in the day, mind you, but still, I was very annoyed). I remember it was with the Snelling agency. They were absolutely useless. We had an excellent temp who covered me while I was out on medical leave. They really wanted to hire her for an open position, but couldn't because they'd have to pay over 30% more to her and them as part of a finder's fee in the contract, and it was just untenable, so they lost her to another employer.) Anyway, it turns out I could just upload my résumé to the website, so I grabbed a card to prove I'd gone, scanned the QR code, uploaded what I needed, and just went home. I'd already had a webinar and interview that day.The interview that day was for a patient access position and went so well I was invited to come in Monday for several hours to shadow the people I'd work with to see how we'd get along, sort of a long second interview, I guess. The next day, I got an email saying they'd decided to take the position in a different direction, but that I had good qualities and would be considered for other positions within their practice. So I don't know if that meant they retooled the position, went with another candidate, or what. It was a little confusing. But I'm okay with it. It would have been a good job, and I think I would have liked working there, but I would rather work in a library, of course.I am trying not to be constantly on the phone or computer doing this sort of stuff. I am volunteering for the Kentucky Talking Book Library as a proofreader. I picked up my first book and have my first two chapters to listen to. Essentially, I listen to the recording and see if there are errors, mark any issues with a timestamp, and turn in the paperwork so it can be cleaned up before final production. These audiobooks are loaned to patrons with low vision, ADHD, dyslexia, inability to hold traditional books, and other issues that keep them from enjoying standard books. It is a division of the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.