DAY TWO

Tuesday was much better at work.  Like I said yesterday I really do like all the people that work there.  They are so nice and friendly and helpful.  So I try to help them as much as I can.  Even though we all basically do the same job, each library has its own little way of doing things.  Sort of like when I was a secretary I could type, I could figure out things, but where one office wanted newer things filed in the front, another office would want the older things in the front.  You get the idea.

So I have been spending three hours a day on the front desk.  That doesn't change all that much from branch to branch.  We all check books in the same way.  We all circulate books the same way.  You can only give out a library card one way, etc.

I also noticed when I was shelving just how messed up the shelves were.  So I asked the head librarian today if she would mind if I straightened the shelves.  She was delighted with the idea.  No one has enough time to do it.  So now if I am looking for something to do, I just go over and start straightening.  So much better than trying to look busy or just sitting there.

After work I had to run over to my home branch to fix some things that I had left undone.  I got out at five and they were open till eight.  While I was there I picked up the next book for the book club Joe is in.  He was reading it tonight and is about halfway done already.  It must be good.

I have one more picture of the McPherson Square branch to show you today.  It is in the children's room.  They're theme is a garden.  These tables and stools are made out of a tree stump.  The wooden flowers you see behind the tables are on the back of a book case.

I think it is so unique and beautiful.

So that is all for today.  Since it is after midnight I think I had better go to bed.  Goodnight everyone.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG WEEK

I'm heading out in an hour for my second day at the McPherson Square branch.  Yesterday was... interesting.

I wasn't sure how long it would take me to get there.  I turned on the GPS (there are parts of the trip I am not sure of) and it took me a different way than I had ever gone before.  It turned out to be so fast.  And with all the construction being done on my way to work each day it is actually faster and easier than going to my regular Richmond branch.

The people I am working with are so sweet and nice.  I really liked them a lot.  The guard used to work at Richmond and he and I are very good friends.  So having the chance to work with him again was great.  But...

it is so unorganized.  In my branch I am the supervisor and I have the place running like a well oiled engine.  We all know what our jobs are, have a schedule for when we are on the desk, and know what we are doing and where we're supposed to be all the time.  At McPherson it's "Do you feel like going on the desk?  OK."  And instead of one person to handle everything there can be two or three on at one time.  Don't have anything to do?  Go on the desk.  The same with the other things that need to be done.  Feel like sitting there?  Sit.  Feel like doing something?  Uh...  well maybe you can shelve.  Or maybe you can do this list.  It's driving me crazy after just one day.  I was counting down the hours yesterday.  And I have four more days to go.  My mind just doesn't do well like that.  So today I think I am going to set myself some tasks.

Enough with the complaining.

I took a few pictures of the place to show you.  It's a beautiful building.

This is the outside of the building.  It is situated in the center of a beautiful park.  Unfortunately a lot of drugs and prostitution go on in the park.  In the back of the building is a small parking lot which is always locked so our cars don't get broken into.

This is the teen section.  It is new since I was there the last time.  The chairs on the floor rock and the kids love them.  The back is all cafe type tables where you can sit and read or do homework.  There's a leader that is there working with them.  On the right side there is a counter and chairs where you can plug in a laptop computer.  They even have four laptops that you can borrow and use the library's wi-fi.

This is the inside of the dome.  The skylight provides so much light and the lights help too.  It is right over the front desk but lights up the whole workroom too.

This is the children's section looking from the front desk.  It's so cute in there and STUFFED with books.

 I will try to take some more pictures today.  Only four days to go.  Like I said the people I work with are great so that is a big plus.  I can do it....  I can do it....

THE SUNDAY GARDEN ON FATHER'S DAY

Today being Father's Day is a hard day for me.  The last time I saw my dad alive and conscious was on Father's Day 1999.  He died four days later from colon and liver cancer.  I miss him so much.  I think about him a lot and even 14 years later can still hear his voice and feel his hugs.

Dad on his property in Maine

Last week Pastor Justin began in Genesis 1:1 to go through the entire Bible.  Today we studied Genesis 1:26-2:25 "The Dawn of Humankind".  I have been studying each week by reading the scripture in a modern translation, then in King James with a commentary, then in the original Hebrew and finishing up with listening to a message by my former pastor on the passage.  This has really helped me to understand everything.  Especially reading it in Hebrew has brought it alive for me.  I am seeing so much in it that I didn't see by just reading it in English.

After church Bud, Karen, Joe and I went to the Country Club for lunch.  It was really crowded because of Father's Day, but they moved really quickly and we didn't have to wait long at all.

When we got home I just laid down and slept for a couple of hours.  I'm getting so lazy lately.  But I work so hard during the week that I tend to try to catch up on my sleep on the weekends.

I took pictures of my garden yesterday and wanted to share them with you today.

The hydrangeas are starting to bloom.  My little pink one is completely overpowered by the blue lacecap.

There are blooms everywhere

The pink hydrangea is on a small bush.  If I had known how big the blue one would get, I wouldn't have planted them so close together.

It's going to be even prettier in a few days when all the blooms open up.

The coleus is getting huge!

The lilies are absolutely beautiful this year.

This is the most that has ever bloomed.

That's it for right now.  I am going to go make dinner.  Poached salmon and a fresh salad with the veggies I got at the farm yesterday.

Until later....