"And Then There Were Seven" Part 1

It was a complete accident, I can assure you. 

"How do you accidentally adopt 7 cats?", you press. 

I look up at you and grin. You know that mischievous smile all too well, and despite your better judgement, find yourself dying to know what I'm about to say in response. I pause for effect, watching as you cross your arms and stare down at me expectantly. 

"Well?" 

"It all started back in March," I begin, "that was the day I showed up at work to see cat number one." 

The librarians adopted her from a local radio station, where she had been found as a stray. It didn't take long for all of the staff to decide that Carmen was a great addition to the group! It could be one of those short "...And they all lived happily ever after" tales. It would be easy enough to leave it at that, but there is more to be told...

Look for the next "And Then There Were Seven" post from Paged to continue this library cat saga!

"To be or not to be..." ... Will this be a contest?

Once while at work, this photograph tumbled out of a book at me. I've always imagined there could be an interesting story put with it, but I've never managed to have the time to do so. 

Are you up to the task?

 
 If yes, please leave a comment with your short story! I would love to see what different imaginations can think up. It can be as long or as short as you would like to make it :) If enough people write, I'll call it a contest and make posts of my favorite tales- so pass this along to your friends and have some fun!

Book Of The Week: Maddie On Things

When I saw the tagline, "A super serious project about dogs and physics" over a picture of a dog standing on the front of a VW Bus (something I have always dreamed of owning), I was immediately intrigued. After reading the intro of the book, I became even more interested. It didn't take long for me to decide against shelving this one- less than five minutes after discovering it, the book was quickly smuggled to my locker to await it's checkout when my library shift ended. Filled with fun (and sometimes puzzling!) photographs, this book is definitely worth checking out; you don't even have to be into reading to enjoy this one!

Title: Maddie On Things
Author: Theron Humphrey
Synopsis:

Maddie is a sweet-tempered coonhound who accompanied her owner, Theron, on a yearlong, cross-country trip while he worked on a photojournalism project. In his spare time, Theron took photos of Maddie doing what she does best: standing on things. From bicycles to giant watermelons to horses to people, there really isn't anything that Maddie won't stand on with grace and patience. The poignant Instagram photos of this beautiful dog and her offbeat poses have captured the imagination of all those who long for a road trip with a good dog for company. Maddie on Things celebrates the strange talent of one special dog and will resonate with any dog lover who appreciates the quirky hearts (and extraordinary balance) of canines.

Link: http://maddieonthings.com/

BookFace

For some strange reason, a lot of people assume that library workers don't know how to have fun. Perhaps it's that terrible stereotype that kids grow up seeing on cartoon TV shows. Whatever the reason, me and the other library people where I work can definitely disprove that theory.

Oh, you don't believe me? 

Well, here's what my buddy/coworker Josh and I do on our off-times:

Book of The Week: True Community

I recently joined a book study group and we are currently going through this one. VERY fantastic book for learning about how Christian relationships with God and others should be. I highly recommend it.

Title: True Community

Author: Jerry Bridges

Synopsis:

Fellowship among believers is more than just talking over coffee after church service. Biblical fellowship in New Testament times—or koinonia—had rich and varied meanings, including covenant relationship, partnership in the gospel, communion with God and others, and the sharing of earthly possessions.

In True Community, best-selling author Jerry Bridges guides you through koinonia and its implications for today’s church. With discussion questions at the end of each chapter, this book will help you dig deeper into what Christian community in the twenty-first century should look like. You will come away with a new appreciation for fellowship, the church, and what God intended the body of Christ to be.

Link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/true-community-jerry-bridges/1110904771?ean=9781617471759

Deployed Up-River

When I tell someone I work in a library, the most common response I get is a smirk and "Oh, so you get to read books all day?" 

...No, not quite my job description (though I will admit, I read the cover flaps of books quite often. No I am not slacking- this has actually helped me substantially in some cases to assist people in finding what they want!).

This weekend, for example, I was given one of my best library missions yet- drive 45 minutes up river and photograph a local archaeological site! 

Book Of The Week: Extreme Cakeovers

Never fails; at least once a week I end up taking a picture of an interesting book I find while I'm shelving. Since I put away any and every book that gets checked out, prepare for a lot of variety in my book-of-the-week posts! Eventually, you will undoubtedly find something to suit your fancy.

Oh, and speaking of fancy, this week's pick is stuffed full of rather unconventional fancy food!

Even if you're not into sweets (gasp! Not into sweets!?), this book is still extremely fun to flip through. You will be amazed at the tasty creations the authors have created! Who knew you could have a dessert that looks EXACTLY like a plate of roast beef, peas, carrots, and potatoes? Now you know what to do if you don't want people to notice that you're having dessert for dinner ;)

Title: Extreme Cakeovers.

Author: Rick and Sasha Reichart

 Synopsis: 

Wanted: Must love candy, cookies, frosting, and fun. No experience required!
Make over any purchased sheet cake or frozen pound cake into a stunning creation that looks like it came from a fancy bakery—no special skills or equipment necessary! Even if you’ve never tried to decorate a cake before, with a good supply of candies and other store-bought treats and the detailed instructions in Extreme Cakeovers, you’ll be able to accomplish forty unique designs. You can:



   • Fashion robot hands from chocolate-covered doughnuts
   • Make Fruit Roll-ups blossom into a bouquet of red roses
   • Roll Rice Krispies Treats and Swedish Fish into realistic sushi
   • String a pretty strand of gumball pearls
   • Create a train smokestack from an ice cream cone and marshmallow

Including tips and designs to please everyone from five to one hundred, Extreme Cakeovers is a whimsical guide to crafting cakes that will be the centerpiece of any occasion, from kids’ birthdays to Halloween, Father’s Day to Valentine’s Day, engagement parties to retirement gatherings. 

Link: http://extremecakeovers.com/

The Cover-Flap

Yes, the first-ever post on this blog is titled "The Cover-Flap". When you think about it, that's essentially what every blog's first post is (or if nothing else, should be). If you are much of a reader, you probably get it, as you've likely read numerous cover-flaps in order to learn what a book is about and why you ought to read it. 

So, the question remains; "why read this one?"

Because, my friend, you never know what you might come to when you've been "Paged"! 

As a Library Page, I've shelved many a brilliant book in my time. Not only that, but I've met some very intriguing people and seven adorable cats (yes, for a while the library I work in had 7 cats all at once! Last I checked, we are down to 3, but more on that later).  

Goodness, all the stories to tell and the photographs to share! It wouldn't kill you to stick around and perhaps subscribe, just for a little while, now would it? A visit to the local library is never a bad thing!