Always a Lender or a Barrower Be

Photo by juhansonin

So the adage is actually, "Never a lender or a barrower be," but when you hear what my favorite thing is for today's post, you'll be ditching that cliche like last night's chicken bones.

Consider the library.

Now, I understand that you've been to the library. Of course you have, (at least for those obligatory field trips in elementary school). But have you considered the ways you might profit from the library today?

Libraries are about more than dusty non-fiction.

My local library--which impresses me more than the Corn Palace of South Dakota--offers programs such as the Museum Adventure Pass (which offers free admission to participating museums), inter-library loan (which allows patrons to request material from around the state), audio books which can be checked out from a personal computer, and (drum roll) eBooks for eReaders. (I checked out a book for my Nook without leaving my house!)

Do yourself a favor and see what YOUR library offers. You might be surprised!

And don't forget that libraries offer magazines, cookbooks, CDs, and DVDs!

Unless you are my co-worker (who admitted to me today that she ran up a $3,000 library fine when she was in college) you will find that you can enjoy a myriad of entertainment options free of charge.

And just in case you want to know exactly how much you save, click here!

. . . making libraries my favorite things. Happy Friday!

Not in Kansas Any More

Photo submitted by a reader; used by permission

After I wrote the post (dated 10/19/2010) a reader submitted this photo.

Amazing! Who'd have ever thought?--You can organize your books by color scheme? It's like a perfect closet ... only better! So many ways to organize, so little time.

I love it. And I might just try it.

Happy Friday!

Just Do It!

Photo by Frugan

It hurt my ears. Truly, it did.

A dear co-worker of mine--who I thought understood me on a level others didn't--explained to me the reason her daughter doesn't read. "It's because I don't like to read," she said. And I nearly wanted to shake her--except that would alarm her and HR would be nonplussed.

(And, of course, I've never actually shaken anyone nor plan to do so.)

But instantly, my mind traveled to ways she could overcome this unfortunate trend. Raising a reader, after all, is critical in a world where children are taught not to think for themselves. My advice to a mother who hates to read:

FAKE IT!

1. Read together. Read out loud. Read books slightly out of your child's range. Expand your child's vocabulary!

2. Go to the library. And select audio books for the car if you have a voice that sounds like an air conditioner.

3. Encourage your child to read what he/she loves. If your child hates horses, don't force the issue!

Reading is important. Period.