NEW AT THE LIBRARY: A way to go online and learn to become proficient in many of the computer programs now being used in various businesses and professions and just for you. Our main library in Port Lavaca is now making available to all residents classes online in the following software programs: Computer & Internet Basics, E-mail Basics, Social Media (Facebook, etc.), OpenOffice, Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook. All you have to do is to visit our Library, sign up at the desk and then go online. What a painless and non-stressful way to learn!
It’s December and Christmas is approaching, which means, you’d better get out those wonderful cookie recipes and start baking. And it happened in my house that I was called upon to bake some “incredible chocolate cookies” by a young relative. Checking out our various shelves I found Mrs. Fields’ Cookie Book, which I immediately grabbed. Trying out some of the recipes on my better half who is not only a chocoholic but a cookie fiend, he gave Mrs. Fields not one but many blue ribbons. Her recipes are definitely worth trying as they do make a great impression on any man!
While shelving books once again, I hit the “Q’s” and wound up with a very interesting title, BLACK & BLUE by Anna Quindlen. The title describes the plot, one, that unfortunately, seems to be very common these days, of a husband’s violence towards his wife. And violence as many have learned is not just denoted by physical acts but also by horrific words. The writer handles a difficult subject with pure class; she brings out the terror suffered by the wife and her eventual escape in words that are very well understood.
Ms. Quindlen’s second book, RISE & SHINE is also one that deals with a somewhat current topic and staffed with extremely well drawn characters. The protagonist is a highly successful radio personality whose show is broadcast early in the morning. And one morning she makes a highly controversial statement thinking her mike is dead, or did she deliberately speak? I’m not certain if the author’s characterizations are better than the plot; both are very well done. These books are somewhat unusual in their story line, and very interesting.
And for kicks, I picked up a book by Nora Roberts, an extremely popular author at our Library. Titled BORN IN SHAME the book is set on the Western shores of Ireland in County Clare. Having relatives still living in the old homestead in Northern Ireland, Fermangh County, I became intrigued and hoped that the author would really describe so many of the unusual areas and vistas of that faraway country. She did give a few pages throughout the book of a an area with cliffs overlooking the sea, but not much else. This book, which is the 2nd in a series, is more involved with the romantic involvement of an American artist with an Irish native. Easy reading, but lacking for me.
We still have books for sale at the Library, thankfully, with donations from residents coming in regularly. Luckily for Shirley and me we have received a number of current books that cover a variety of subjects; even some for handcrafting special items. The monies received from these sales go to add to our DVD collection and to purchase additional books – many of those missing from a series. Do come and check them out! You won’t be disappointed.
Just remember:
“When an old person dies, a Library burns down”
Karin Gillespie
