Library Gossip

  National Library of Congress- Photographer maveric2003 

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I'm really liking the 5 rules of library etiquette, it's really true. If only people would follow it, then we would get far less complaints about mobile phones in particular. 

I'm thankful that even my worst day at work is never anywhere near as extreme as this library discovering bedbugs in a DVD in the return chute *shudders at the thought*. The only thing I ever had to keep an eye out for whilst working at the public libraries was discarded needles (apparently this did happen for time to time but fortunately never while I worked there) and that would have been bad enough but bedbugs would have to be one of the worst things to find. The bugs are now gone thanks a vigilant pest control inspection.

Pima County, AZ, Public Library has just hired the first dedicated library nurse in the USA. I think this is amazing, and often needed. Libraries attract an amazing diversity of people, including financially struggling and mentally ill patrons. It's a great community incentive to have a dedicated person to help these people most at risk. You can read the full article here.

From Little Things Grow Big Things

I've always liked gardening but renting has been really restrictive for me. I don't want to plant anything I intend on keeping in the ground, so I'm growing a small garden in pots.

I have to reign myself in so that I don't have too many pots. This is hard because I'm attracted to so many different plants and vegetables and it is easy to think 'just one more plant can't hurt'. Knowing that we will be buying a house I really don't want to deal with heavy pots. Moving is hard enough without moving a garden too.

I couldn't resist growing strawberries though. Strawberries are my second favourite fruit (after cherries) and they are relatively easy to grow. Like most plants all they want is a little water and some sun, and they give so much back.

This has been an experiment for me though, because I don't know much about growing strawberries at all (just that they taste delicious). So you can imagine my delight when I got to pick my very first strawberry. They look a little odd (or at least not like the immaculate ones in the shops) but they taste 10 times better.

There are lots more blossoming and about to ripen

My gardening bargain though, was my pomegranate tree. It was in the 'sick bay' of my local hardware store. My grandmother has always taught me that most of the plants that end up in the 'sick bay' are inadequately watered by the stores and just need some sun and a good watering and they'll recover. So since it was significantly reduced in price I took it home, gave it some TLC and here it is today:

I wish I had a before photo. It was once the saddest, scrawniest little tree imaginable.

Latest news and things I have been reading

I'm loving these secret bookcases, partially because if money were no object I would totally have one in my home. The Narnia inspired one is my favourite, but I love the idea and practicality of hiding a messy laundry.

I really love this opinion piece by Annabel Crabb to the AEC.  It's so true that we take for granted how well run our electoral system is.

In other news, I recently got engaged♥ It's taken me a month just to get used to wearing the ring (and I still gaze at it sometimes). I'm super excited though, I get to marry my best friend in front of the people closest to us.

Planning a wedding is still quite a daunting prospect. Unlike most young girls I never thought much about my wedding as a child, or had it all planned out on my head. I have stocked up on wedding planning books thanks to my local public library and I'm beginning to feel a little more like I know what I'm doing.

Whilst at the library looking for wedding books, David found me this book on the shelf:

I've only read part way through but I have to say it is pretty good. I totally chose it originally though for it's awesome cover.