FRIDAY VIEWS ON SATURDAY AND A VISIT TO THE ER

Yesterday was my last Friday at the Fishtown Community Library until next fall.  During the summer months Richmond Branch is open on Fridays and closed on Saturdays.  So we work our five days at our home branch.  When we reopen on Saturdays in the fall, I will go back to spending most Fridays at Fishtown.

It was a very slow day and had enough people there that I didn't have to do so much.  Most of the day I spent reading blogs and facebook because there was nothing to do.  It was very hot in the workroom because the air conditioning wasn't working.  I started feeling sick sitting up there.

Last week for my Friday View I showed you the outside of the Fishtown Branch.  This week I thought I'd show you the inside.

 This is the Children's section. It has a blue neon light to make the waves and the fish are wooden cut outs.  It's so bright and cheerful.

 The second floor is the fiction, new books, teens, and books on CD.  The after-school program kids made these fish a couple of years ago.  They are made out of a paper plate.  The staff then made a scene out of them that runs all around the bottom of the balcony.

Here is the view from the front door.  The circulation desk is to the right of what you are seeing.  You can see how very small it is.  Think of a 700 sq. ft. house and you have it.  The downstairs has the non-fiction books and CDs in the front, magazines, DVDs, reference books in the middle and the children's books, DVDs and CDs in the back.  They make the most of the little space they have.

The reason I did not post this yesterday is that I spent most of the evening in the Emergency Room.  My left foot has been swollen and hurting.  But yesterday when I got home from work my whole leg was swollen also and I was in pain.  I called the doctor and he told me he would not be in until Tuesday and couldn't treat me over the phone without seeing it.  He told me to go to the ER.  Joe was sick so my friend Carole took me.  I was there from 7 p.m. to midnight.  The doctors took X-rays and did an ultra sound to check for blood clots, but everything was OK.  The only thing they could come up with was edema aggravated by the heat and the fact that most of my job is spent on my feet.  They gave me ice to put on it and elevated it the whole time I was there (I was in a nice comfy recliner).  By the time I left all the swelling had gone down.  It is still OK today, but I am taking aspirin for the pain.

I am still getting nauseous and I really think that is from the heat.  We really have to get our air conditioners in the windows and turn them on.  We went to Shop-Rite today and I had to sit in the restaurant while Joe shopped because I felt so sick.  The A/C in there made me feel better.

I have LOTS of cleaning to do.  We are having friends over on Monday and the house is a mess.  And I do mean a mess.  Some things have to go on even if I'm not 100%.  Take care friends, and have a good weekend.

WHAT I'M READING

THE SECRET SCHOOL by Avi (2001)

About the book:

More than anything, fourteen-year-old Ida Bidson wants to become a teacher. That's not going to be easy, especially for a girl living in the remote Colorado mountains in 1925. Still, Ida knows she can do it. She just needs to finish eighth grade so she can go on to high school.

 

But then her town's one-room school unexpectedly closes, and for the first time Ida's dream seems unattainable. Her only hope is to keep the school open without anyone finding out. Yet even a secret school needs a teacher. Ida can't be it... Or can she?

 

Two-time Newbery Honor reciipient Avi once again has created a compelling story featuring a headstrong and memorable heroine who is determined to take control of her destiny.

 

My thoughts:

What a great book. Another quick read kid's novel, but the story was great. A little bit of history, human nature and a good story combined to make this a book I couldn't put down.

WHAT A DAY!

This has been a day and a half!  I got to work today and found that Bob had called out sick again.  Diane was at the dentist and so I was the only Library Assistant there.  To top it off, the only computer in the workroom was not working, so I had to bring everything I had to do to the front desk.  I called to the IT department and they said that they couldn't get to it till tomorrow (maybe).  I told them it was the only computer we had in the workroom, so that moved us up the list a little bit.  I hope it's fixed tomorrow.  I really, really do.

Sheila had the pre-school storytime.  It is the next to last one for the summer.  She is stopping for the summer months when the Summer Reading Program starts on June 10th.  The little kids were so good today.  Wish I could say the same about the kids after school.  They were so bad!

Diane's boyfriend drove her to the dentist and to work so she was able to get there at 11:30.  I didn't expect her until 1:00 so that was a nice surprise.  It was a tough day, though.

I was going to take some pictures at work but that definitely did not work out.  Well, maybe tomorrow I will be more inspired.

To end on a humorous note, my sister sent me an e-mail with funny epitaphs.  I'm pretty sure they are made up, but they made me laugh after the day I've had.

Harry Edsel Smith of Albany, New York:
Born 1903--Died 1942.
 
Looked up the elevator shaft to see if the
car was on the way down. It was.
=============================
In a Thurmont, Maryland , cemetery:
 
Here lies an Atheist, all dressed up
and no place to go.
=============================
On the grave of Ezekial Aikle in
East Dalhousie Cemetery, Nova Scotia:
 
Here lies Ezekial Aikle, Age 102.
Only the good die young.

And my favorite:

In a Ribbesford, England , cemetery:
 
Anna Wallace
The children of Israel wanted bread,
And the Lord sent them manna.
Clark Wallace wanted a wife,
And the Devil sent him Anna.