Spring time is coming

Spring Break: March 17th - 27th
March, 2006

"Book Sale"
The first few days of March was the remainder of our Annual Book Sale. It was so much easier this year. We set the books up on the new shelves in our "new" back room, instead of on extra tables all over the library. We were ready for the sale about a week and a half before the sale was held. That has never happened before - well, not in my 'lifetime' at this library. It was so nice not to have the mess all over the library, not to have to carry boxes back and forth, unpack and repack, not to have to cram at the last minute yet during closed hours to get ready. We sorted our books this year by the first two letters of their call numbers (Library of Congress classification). It was much neater, used less space, less harried, less work and less stressful (I'm all for that!). We did our commercial! We were ready! We were pumped!!! Then when we were done, we counted our money... We only took in about 2/3'rds what we usually do. :-( What a disappointment. We weren't open for Saturday this year. We did get some phone calls asking about Saturday. That may have made some difference. So next year we are extending it to Saturday again. The TV commercial brought in 2 people. So that wasn't really the big of a draw. The students didn't respond like they usually do in the past. How sad. Well there's always next year.

"Shadowlands"
We put on a play every year. Every other year it is a musical and the "off" year it is 'just' a play. But our "just a play" this year was Shadowlands, a play about C.S. Lewis. I was very impressed. Our participants are mostly the college students, plus a few guests from the public. Our lead character this year truly is a character in real life. But he shaved his beard, let his hair grow back in and followed the directors directions (!). He was quite successful in causing you to forget who was doing the acting, and convincing you of the character he was protraying. Every one came away quite impressed with what a great job he and everyone had done! If you every get a chance to see the PBS video, check it out and watch it. It is by the same name and if you are a C.S. Lewis fan you'll love the video.

"March 23rd"
This was the 6th birthday of our next to the oldest grandson, SF. We all gathered at his other grandparents house for the occasion. He had quite a time. He is a typical second child - opposite of his brother, competitive and in his case, full of energy - very "kinetic." He got, among other things, a full batman costume. He was in 'heaven.' Of course as soon as he got everything opened he had to go put it on and demonstrate to all of us how good a batman he was! What a riot!

"Two bosses"
I actually answer to two deans - one over the college and one over the seminary. The college dean's secretary sets up my monthly appointments with him at the beginning of the semester. The seminary dean doesn't set up any appointments. It is interesting to see the different personalities and styles of management when you have more than one boss. One is organized, business like, the other is laid back and doesn't push life as hard. The College dean limits his meetings to a 1/2 hour, every month. The seminary dean - well I saw him earlier in the year. I hadn't met with him again until this month. So he got an earful, as I "had" to get him caught up. We talked for an hour and a half! It's rather amusing. They are both appreciated, however and encouraging.