Lonely

I am 50 years old and I have never lived by myself. Typing that sentence makes me feel rather odd. Tommy moved to Columbus in February 2009. Thomas will be in his third year at Missouri State this fall and is doing an internship in Augusta this summer. Naphtali moved to St. Louis last weekend. And, I am by myself in Kansas City.

Nothing feels permanent about my life. Can I find a job in Columbus someday? Can we sell this house in Kansas City someday? How long do I wait or how long should I wait? What does it look like for me to live by myself and be married and have adult children in other cities?

More questions than answers obviously. Maybe now is the time to blog. About this change in my life. About the wonderful books I read. About what I learn about life & reading. We shall see if I can be regular about posting.

Invention of Hugo Cabret

I've just finished savoring Brian Selznick's new book. NPR ran a story about the book calling it "intricate" and "cinematic". (Click on over to the site for great background as well as the great story.) An illustrated novel, Invention of Hugo Cabret, goes beyond that genre. Detailed charcoal pictures zoom in and out like a film mixing the words and the art to give full story. Check it out from the library as soon as we get it or go pick up a copy for yourself - I can guarantee that you'll want to spend large chunks of time exploring the art and experiencing the story. If you want to go buy, Brian will be at Reading Reptile Tuesday September 20 so you can even get an autographed copy!

Shakespeare

Continuing with Library 2.0, I created a picasa account and added some of my photos from my England trip. Not too hard and seemed like a good match since I use google email and blogger and picasa are under the google umbrella (is there anything not under this umbrella?).

I love this photo of my sister and my daughter in front of Shakespeare's home in Stratford-upon-Avon. My daughter was studying at Oxford during the 2005-06 academic year and my sister and I traveled to visit her in April of 06. What a tremendous time that was - and seeing Romeo and Juliet by the Royal Shakespeare Company was thrilling. Of course, being silly American tourists we had an easy train trip from Oxford to Statford-upon-Avon for the theatre event, but getting back to Oxford after the play was an adventure. We missed the last train and the only way back was by a very expensive taxi trip. That was one time when I chose not to calculate the difference between dollars and pounds. :) The photo should be hyperlinked to my picasa web site with more photos of the England trip.

BeginABlog

A few years ago while completing a summer reading program grant with a colleague and friend we attempted to create a blog, but then I had no idea how to continue. What to do with a blog? Where would the time come to blog? I may be fascinated by online social networking but I am clearly not part of this phenomenon (witness my lame facebook account...my children are embarrased).

Then I read about the PLCMC Library 2.0 project for their staff. My fascination came to the forefront again and I suggested it to the Staff Day Committee for KCPL. I may have suggested it but other committee members developed, implemented, encouraged, and made it a reality. Now, I have waited until the last day to get involved - as usual. However, I am determined to keep this up. And I am determined to get at least slightly creative with that facebook account!
PS - Having problems figuring out how to get a picture of me attached. So, I've picked the picture and am putting it in my first post. It is me at Kings Cross Station in London at Platform 9 3/4. The all important tourism destination for Harry fans :)