It's Christmas

Somehow I haven't felt ready for Christmas this year. Too many appointments to keep, too many issues to deal with, too much homework, too much cleaning. But panic has set in - I only have a week!! And it's going to be just fine. See our tree? See the big red "blob" on the right? It's an angel, hand made by Mackenzie. Many of the ornaments are hung too close together, but the kids did it, they love it, and I wouldn't change it for the world. Today we made pepperminst schnapps. I sent Gil his kringla. I'm baking cookies tomorrow, and we're going to have a fine Christmas. I wish we could all be together, but you're all here in our hearts.

In Cod We Trust

Mike and Scott, you've got to try this one. Maybe we should go back to our "other" roots!

The End's Approaching!

I'm never going to catch up - my goal of 100 books may be unattainable. But I'll keep plugging away. Mike and Scott, the book I just finished might be interesting to you. Maybe a little Steven Kingish.

As long as I'm here, maybe you can tell me why people approach the information desk to ask a question, then turn their backs on you and walk away before you've finished the answer. Maybe I should just start feeding them lies.

Audiobooks

Okay, this is working for me. Not enough time in the day, so I can now use my Ipod to multitask. And on top of that, I used the Ipod to track my walk workout this morning, while listening to a book at the same time. The ultimate multitasking. What a nerd I am, and only 20 years behind the times!

True Crime

So what are your favorite true crime books? The one I just finished, Evidence of Love, was very compelling. Read it in less than 24 hours.

Last Two Book Entries

It's been a long time since I've read a book I couldn't put down. That's the way I felt about The Vault. The second book is related to the first, although not really a sequel.

Ruth Rendell is tricky, though. She writes a series with a police inspector, Wexford, that I like very much. Her other stories can be weird and suspenseful; I don't always enjoy those. In this case, the first book was weird and suspenseful, the second a "Wexford" book. Really loved them.

A Friend Returns

When I first started working at this library, one of our "regular" homeless people was Sonny. He came in every day. He had a supply of very short pencil ends in his pocket, along with bits of eraser. He spent much of his time writing poetry, which he would copy. Photocopies were left lying on tables for us to find. In time, it felt like Sonny was a friend. He'd stop and visit; I taped a couple of books together for him.

Then I think about two years ago he disappeared. We heard that he had been arrested. And he didn't come back. Until today.

He looks good. His travels led him to Florida, where he stayed about a year. He's going back in a couple of weeks. I hope he comes by to say hello again.

And he left me three poems.