Blog

So if you have spent more than 10 minutes around me, you will quickly find out that I am a huge fan of public libraries. I have been a loyal library patron since before I could even read on my own. I thought it would be fun to occasionally post about my library trips and what cool things I find out about that day. It seems like there is always something neat going on at the library, so it will be an easy format to come back to! That and I enjoy bragging about the cool things I find.

I actually posted a few months back about a cool diy magnetic poetry kit I had gotten there. Today’s fun take-home do-dad was a set of playing cards! I can’t really post a photo of the cards without dox’ing myself, but on the back of the cards is a collage photo of all the libraries in my county (along with the bookmobile!). And then each card has a fun little tidbit about different programs and resources my library offers. For example; one card mentions STEM kits for kids to rent, while another mentions that your library card can get you a statewide pass for free or reduced cost entry to many museums and parks. I am for sure going to need to sit down and go through all of them!

My main reason for going to the library today was to print some favorite online recipes. My family and I are currently working on putting together our own recipe book, mishmashing stuff from our favorite cookbooks, magazines, and online sources. I do not have my own printer at home! Getting a non HP printer that has the basic features I need just feels so expensive. So instead I just pay the 15c per page to copy and print at the library as needed. Most of the recipes I printed today were slow cooker type recipes. We are getting to that time of the year!

I actually haven’t had a lot of motivation/energy to cook since I got sick. I for sure still cook, but I would say I am cooking about half or less as often as I was around this time last year. I am trying to get out of my funk while also not pushing myself and causing backwards progress. Thankfully some other folks in the house have been both understanding and helpful.

While I was at the library, though, I did see a poster for a cooking class! More specifically, it is a class about cooking on a budget. The poster mentions learning how to pick nutrition foods on a budget, couponing, and there will be a live cooking demonstration as well! Now I have been budget cooking pretty much my entire life, and I would say I am fairly good at it. However, I still plan to go! There is always more to learn. I already sent a text to my gf and a buddy of mine and we are all planning to go together.

One of my favorite places in the library to check is the new books section. Even if they are things that don’t interest me at all, I still like seeing what sorts of things my library is getting. Tbh it is where I get most of my checkouts from. A lot of times I go to the library with the thought of “I want a book”, but with little clue what kind of book I would want. Today, I found a book called The Lavender Companion. Lavender is one of my favorite herbs to grow, specifically for the relaxing scent. I think I have to run my hands through the lavender plant nearly every time I go to the garden. This book looks like it has information about growing and the different kinds of lavender, along with recipes for using them in food, drinks, and homemade beauty products.

My library also has tons of DVDs for rental. I remember when I was a kid this cost money, so I didn’t borrow DVDs from my library for the longest time. Well apparently they are free now, so I borrow so many movies now lol. I have an older TV in my bedroom and have chosen to have a DVD player instead of getting a streaming stick. I briefly mentioned in a previous post about my CPTSD healing journey about trying out Tai Chi. Well, thankfully my library has several Tai Chi DVDs! I have been enjoying the Tai Chi videos I have been doing on Youtube, but I don’t feel like I have actually been learning what the forms are and all that jazz. This looks like it is an introduction DVD meant to teach what Tai Chi is/does, and along with learning some simple poses. I looked at the yoga DVDs too, but I didn’t feel overly drawn to any of them.

And the last, but one of the coolest things I got today, was a pair of binoculars! My library has a whole bunch of tools and hobby items that you can borrow from them. I have borrowed a CD player and laminator from them before. They even have a Nintendo Switch to borrow. My gf and I are planning to go on a nature hike Monday for our 14th anniversary. Last time I went out there I saw so many blue jays and other birdies, and I hope I will get to see them all again now that I can see them a little better with these binoculars!

And that’s it for today! I hope this post makes you want to visit your local library :]