Wyoming Breezes

Libraries have changed drastically in a few decades:         •  card catalogs have disappeared         •  digital self-check out         •  digital library cards Can you think of any other changes?  Personally, I miss using the old card catalog. I enjoyed flipping through the cards. When I was in high school, I helped the librarian type cards for new books or books that had been donated.  The old checkout cards were fun. I'd often pull them out and see the names of those who had previously read the book(s). Now, I suppose it would be considered an invasion of personal privacy. 

Little Library Grand Villa October 2020 The owner of my apartment complex built a Little Library for the tenants, and everyone could not be happier. It's twice the size of most of the Little Libraries I've seen, and has weather stripping around the doors, so it will be weather tight.  inside is a wide variety of books This is not a registered Free Little Library, but it's a great addition to the neighborhood, and better yet, it's just across the parking lot. 

Little Free Library Laramie, WY August 2018 Saturday was such a beautiful day that I explored the neighborhood. I found a Little Free Library all decked out with solar, decorative lights at the intersection of Plains Street and Bath Avenue.

May 2018 Books that I've "read" since March:       Stranger in Paradise by Robert B. Parker   👍       Bear Town by Fredrik Backman   👍 👍       The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman   👍       "E" is for Evidence by Sue Grafton   👍       Death in Paradise by Robert B. Parker   👍       A Fine Summer's Day by Charles Todd   👍       The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah  👍       Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr  👍       Cop Town by Karin Slaughter  👍       The Blue Bedroom and Other Stories by Rosamunde Pilcher 👍       The Empty House  by Rosamunde Pilcher 👍       American Fire by Monica Hesse   👍 👍        Get Your Sh*t Together by Sarah Knight   👎 👎       A Superior Death by Nevada Bar...

reading and knitting March 2018 I can't remember whose blog post recommended Donna Tartt's book, The Goldfinch , but I liked it. It is a compelling and sometimes dark story. The plot gets bogged down in several places with unnecessary explanations: in my opinion, large sections could have been cut without changing the story. Be aware, that this book uses the "F" word liberally. Sewing and knitting are wonderful accompaniments to audio books: another pair of socks will soon be finished. Books that I have recently read and recommend:   (books with ** are highly recommended)   ** The Bookseller by Cynthia Swanson     Lie in Wait by Eric Richstad     The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech ** A Man Called Ove  by Fredrik Backman     All is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker ** The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate     The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman     Split Image by Robert B. Parker     Carneg...

The OverDrive App on my iPad is a great knitting/sewing companion. It is easy to download audio books, and the time I spend knitting and sewing flies by. I'm able to get more done when my mind and my hands are occupied.  OverDrive is associated with my local library, and my library card allows me to check out the books for 14 days.  The App works on my phone and my iPad and the two devices sync to keep my place in the recording. I can checkout ebooks, audio books and videos with the OverDrive App. Recently, I've "read" the following books:     "C" is for Corpse - Sue Grafton     Don't Go - Lisa Scottoline     If I Stay - Gayle Forman     Bullseye - David Baldacci     The Devil Wins - Reed Farrel Coleman     "G" is for Gumshoe - Sue Grafton     Goodbye Things - Fumio Sasaki     The Dead Will Tell - Linda Castillo Does your public library give you access to audio books via an App?

Free Little Library Deer Valley Road Lander, WY October 2016 This cute Little Library has been on my radar since March, and last week I finally ventured out to find it. It's located in a quiet rural subdivision off of the Sinks Canyon Road. packed with a wide variety of books I always take a book with me on my Little Library adventures, so I can add to the collection. This library was well stocked: it contained writings by Shakespeare, children's books, novels, and non-fiction. I left my book, and took a copy of the Piano Tuner. Even though this Free Little Library is not in a densely populated area, it is a bright spot on the side of the road, and encourages others to take a good book to read.

Free Little Library near track Riverton High School March 2016 I went for a walk a couple of weeks ago and spotted another Free Little Library in my community. This one is right next to the football field and track. In 2014, I found a  Little Library  in Lander. There may be another Little Library near the Riverton golf course: I'll check it out one of these days. Have you noticed any new Little Libraries in your community recently?

Little Free Library Lander, WY July 2014 Several years ago I read an article about the Little Libraries , but until last week, I had never seen one. Heading home from the Lander Medical Clinic,  I was surprised to find this library on the east side of Buena Vista Drive.  It stands under a large pine tree between two houses. The little box actually held more books than I thought was possible: inside was a nice variety of adult, children, and teen books. The slips of paper have notes of appreciation to the family that sponsors the Little Free Library. The Little Free Library project is world-wide. Want to find a Little Library in your area? Use  this map . Have you seen or used any Little Free Libraries in your area?

Currently, I am reading four books (three shown here and the other on my Kindle), and I have more in my queue. Summer and reading go so well together: nothing (other than knitting) beats sitting on the deck with a cold drink, a light snack, and a good book. The Highway is a new release by one of my favorite authors, who lives and writes in Wyoming. I just started this and got sidetracked by Plainsong , but it appears to follow a demented big-rig driver on a crime spree across Montana. Plainsong - loaned to me by Nancy Kay , a good friend and knitting buddy. A unique story with each chapter focusing on one/two characters. As the story progresses, the characters' lives begin to overlap. Rightful Place - recommended by Ranch Wife . This is a collection of essays about the author's connection with the land and finding her "rightful place." These authors have completely different writing styles, but each book is entertaining. Do you like to in the summer? A...

Last week, I made a road trip with two of my knitting buddies. The trip was a short one, only 40 minutes from home, but it took us to another world - a world filled with adventure, intrigue, romance, and locations that only words can create.  We entered the world of Mad Dog and The Pilgrim, two local women, who sell books mostly online, but they also sell to those who happen upon the large barn near their home. This site  explains why they relocated their business from Denver, CO to isolated Sweetwater Station, WY with a population less than ten people. Yes, you read that correctly - less than ten individuals. In the barn, books of all sizes and ages are on display as well as packed in boxes. It is  book lovers' heaven. Around every corner is yet another area with even more books, beautiful antique furniture, a variety of paintings and prints as well as oddities. History books and biographies can be found in this section of the barn. Up st...

Yes, "free" is always good, especially if it really is free. Since I purchased my Kindle in November, I have read numerous books and played fun games that were FREE. The following sites feature only a small fraction of the free books available daily. I've added these blogs to my Google Reader because each one has multiple posts throughout the day. Free Kindle Books and Tips   This site gives the reader ratings for the books. If a book has 4.5 or 5 stars out of 5 stars from over 20 readers, I usually download it. Be sure to check out this post for specific categories on Amazon that offer free books. Pixel of Ink   lists many of the same books as Free Kindle Books & Tips, but it also shows the book covers (if that appeals to you); however, it doesn't give the reader ratings. This site also lists some books that are not free, such as the Bargain eBooks. Inspirational Reads  offers free Christian Kindle books. Once on this page, notice the tabs at the top fo...

I've been reading Made to Crave Devotional , and today's devotion was about perceived body image and how women, in particular, are harsh critics of their own bodies. As I read, I thought about how many times I put myself down. If someone else said those things about me, I would be angry, but I allow the negative self-talk. Obviously, I need to "unlearn" what I have learned and accepted all my life. At the end of this devotion, author Lysa TerKeurst states, "Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, 'Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.'  I’ve found my beautiful. And I like my beautiful. I don’t have to hold my beautiful up to other people’s bodies with a critical eye of judgment. I pray that you see your beautiful today and enjoy the blessings of the body that God gave you." Today, challenge yourself by looking in the mirror and saying the following: Repeat this exercise daily for a week.  ...

Not much crafting has occurred the last two days because I've fallen into a rabbit hole. I put my knitting needles aside, turned off my sewing machine and settled down to read. Snuggled in my knitting chair with this book almost makes me feel guilty - almost. Nearly all of James Patterson's books capture my interest, and this one is no exception. Then, I discovered this tile game on my computer. Oh my, this game is ADDICTIVE , worse than eating potato chips, in my opinion. Yes, I fell into a rabbit hole of sloth, and I'm enjoying myself.

While trying to elude an approaching cold, I've been reading the book my sister gave me for Christmas, and it is a quick read. The book brought back memories of the Nancy Drew books I read as a child. I didn't realize until I did some research on this super sleuth that the books were written by different ghost writers but under the pseudonym, Carolyn Keene . Have you read many of the Nancy Drew books?

I strongly recommend having your favorite pattern books spiral-bound. Most of the craft books (knitting, twining, and quilting) are soft bound.The books aren't too practical when I need to actually use them. Often the binding becomes broken from my attempts or it slips all over the table or off of my lap. Once I discovered that I could have the books spiral-bound at Kinkos, my books are in better shape and I am much happier. Personally, I wish publishers would produce these books with spiral bindings.

March's reading list was not as impressive as January and February, and as usual, I enjoyed some more than others. I highly recommend the books with four or five stars: they offer more than mere entertainment. The book I enjoyed the most during March was The Gingerbread Girl by Stephen King. This novella, published in 2008, was so unlike all of the other Stephen King books that I've read (nothing other worldly in the pages of this book). It is a good thriller. The bomb of the month was a "mystery" by Carol Higgins Clark , titled Zapped . When I picked up the book, I mistook the author for Mary Higgins Clark, which I later discovered is Carol's mother. Even though this is the eleventh book she has authored (it was published in 2008), she has a lot to learn to match her mother's skills. Carol Higgins Clark has co-authored four novels with her mother, Mary Higgins Clark. Five Stars Sundays at Tiffanys by James Patterson The Gingerbread Girl by Stephen King Fo...

Coping with a chronic illness on a physical level is challenging, however, coping daily with the emotional and spiritual struggles that accompany chronic illnesses can be even more difficult. To truly understand these obstacles, you have to experience it. That is why I have enjoyed reading and re-reading Tall in Spirit: meditations for the chronically ill by Joni Woelfel. Excerpts of Tall in Spirit can be read online. The book includes 40 meditations, each with a scripture and a prayer. Ms. Woelfel knows; she understands, and she speaks the language of one who has struggled with a long-term illness (Menier's disease, Bell's palsy, and other diseases). Because of these illnesses, she struggles with remaining active, finding peace with shattered dreams and harsh realities, and coping with painful emotions. Tall in Spirit was her first book, and she has since written others. I am anxious to read all of them, but I am drawn to her fifth book, Party of One: meditations for those...