“You are always in your skin.”

Isabel Allende is my new literary hero.  It has been years since I’ve read her books, but after listening to the Talking Volumes interview on MPR today, I want to revisit her old novels with the new vision of the author as a blunt and sassy lady–not really what I expected from a author of poetic sagas full of magical realism.

She spoke of changes.  ”Every two years,” she said, “things change or you die.”  In her own life, things have changed many times over.   She was born in Chile in the 1940′s, and she grew up feeling shy and never quite fitting in.  Now she is an American citizen and a best-selling novelist.  Still, though, there is still that quiet little girl inside her somewhere no matter how far she gets from that point in her life.  ”You are always in your skin,” she said.  You change, or life changes around you, but you are still you with your hopes, fears, and passions.   Just stronger and happier–hopefully.

Those magical sagas Allende wrote early in her career?  They aren’t her anymore.  She said she can’t even read The House of the Spirits now.  The worldwide bestseller that launched Isabel Allende’s career is “overdone” as she put it.  ”Too baroque.”  I know how she feels.

My current journal is almost full, and in a few more pages, I’ll add it to my stack of old journals that I am afraid to look at again for fear of finding them “overdone.”  Perhaps even a bit “baroque.”  I’ve been keeping a journal since I was a teenager.  There are ups and downs of all sorts contained in those pages.  Maybe one day I’ll read through them, even the cringe-worthy teenage journals full of bad poetry, but for now they are better left in a stack gathering dust as I move on to a new book of blank pages.

I can’t help but wonder what the next two years will bring.

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May Day feeds our souls

As we walked to our car after spending  our Sunday at the May Day Festival, a fellow pedestrian wished us a happy May Day.  He added, “It’s Minnesota Christmas!”  We laughed, but it wasn’t far off.

Spring returned in time for the celebration of art and community.  I’d been worried that we would have to bundle up to watch the parade since it snowed only a few days before, but whatever the weather, I was happy that it was happening at all.  There was some possibility that it wouldn’t happen due  to limited funds this year.  That certainly would have been like canceling Christmas.  The May Day parade is more than just another parade.  It reminds us of where we are in the world, that we’re part of a community, that we can make our world a better place.  As a sign in the parade stated, “May Day feeds our souls.”

This year, in particular, the parade story celebrated people everywhere and wished us well with a larger than life cautionary tale themed “See the World.”  The program quoted Carl Sagan’s words from The Pale Blue Dot:

“Look again at that dot.  That’s here.  That’s home.  That’s us.  On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives . . .”

Here we are, and we’re in this together.  Let’s see the world and cherish it.  My soul is full, and I am well-fed.

Waiting for Spring

Last weekend there was a collective sense of glee in the Twin Cities as we got our first taste of nice weather after months of seemingly endless winter.  We were all mischievous little bears borrowing hats with a shout, metaphorically speaking.  Of course, I always think life is like a picture book, and in this case, it’s like Red Hat by Lita Judge, in which there are no words–only sounds–to tell the story of some animals having a lot of fun at the end of winter.

We were right there with them.  No hat stealing that I saw, but the sounds of spring were in the air.  The park near our building was packed with families playing, grilling, smiling.  It felt like we lived at the park all weekend, and it was glorious.

This week has been decidedly less glorious outside, and the general glee has dulled as we debate whether we need winter boots and coats now or if spring jackets will do.  As we faced a snowy forecast on Wednesday, I tried to avoid complaining, but even my bright-side nature can only go so far against snow in May.

In the end, the snow missed us to dump record-breaking amounts to the south and east of here.  I stuck with my sneakers and spring jacket with only a slight sense of regret as I waited for my bus at 7 a.m. with a sharp wind chilling the air.  A winter coat might have been a warmer choice this morning, but I very happy to be leaving my boots in the closet.  Not exactly a “Roweeeee!” kind of happy, but I’ll take what I can get.

We just need a little more patience, and the cold, rainy, brown will turn to green, wonderful spring.  Actually that reminds me of another picture book:  And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano.  It’s a quieter book than Red Hat.  It’s more about the waiting, but the spring, when it finally arrives, is no less wonderful.

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April Book Pick: The Fairy Ring by Mary Losure

Do you believe in fairies?  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle did.  The man best known for creating the greatest fictional detective of all time, Sherlock Holmes, but he also wrote a book called The Coming of the Fairies.  Twin Cities writer Mary Losure came across The Coming of the Fairies book in a local independent book store and became intrigued with the story of the Cottingley Fairies featured in Doyle’s book.  Two young girls apparently photographed the fairies, and these photos were seen as proof of the existence of fairies by some.  A photograph is proof, right?  In the 1920′s, cameras were still a pretty new technology.  Not many people had the equipment to take a photo much less alter a negative to create a fake photo.  Still, it was hard for many people to believe.

The Fairy Ring by Mary Losure explores the story behind the photographs.  It is a fascinating piece of narrative nonfiction that looks at how a hoax might begin very innocently and spiral out of control quickly.  It is written for kids (middle school age, primarily), but I recommend this book even beyond that audience.  After all, we live in a world of fake photos and fake news and hoaxes of every sort.  Sometimes the fakes are easy to spot.  But sometimes they are much more difficult.  It might seem impossible to kids that these photos were ever taken as proof of fairies, but we’ve probably all been taken in by some online hoax at some point.  This is a book that will have you thinking about proof and asking yourself: Would I have believed?

Mary Losure’s newest book, for which I am on a library waiting list, is called Wild Boy.  It was recently featured of the Daily Circuit.

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Did you miss last month’s Book Pick?  Check it out: The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout

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Thoughts from my Local Precinct Caucus

I’ve lived in Uptown for three years.  In that time, I’ve had a lot to say about local issues and city politics, but I’ve said it all in my living room to my friends who know even less about local politics than I do.  They nod or shrug depending on my tone of voice, and we move on because none of us really know what to do about it.  It’s hard enough to stay informed about the national or state issues that everyone is talking about.  City and neighborhood issues take some commitment to stay current.  I have that commitment, but I have stayed firmly in my armchair while I sought out stories and opinions about local issues and elections.  Until now.

This past week, I put aside the anxious I’m-not-welcome feeling that comes with being a newish, non-home-owning resident coming to the political table mostly occupied by older, longtime residents with homes that rival the size of my entire apartment building.  I attended the DFL precinct caucus.  For those who are new to politics (as I am), a precinct caucus is where the party chooses delegates to attend the ward convention, which is where the party decides endorsements.  This is a pretty big deal since in Minneapolis, the candidate with the DFL endorsement usually wins.  Or so they say.

Anyway, it sounded pretty simple.  Elect some delegates, maybe get to know some neighbors, go home.  Right?   . . . right?  Well, now I know.  It was nowhere near simple.  In fact, the complications escalated pretty quickly.  Here’s the MinnPost write-up about it for more of the details.  My take is a bit more personal thanks to my reading material of late.  I am currently reading Jonathan Haidt’s book about the social psychology of politics and religion and just finished reading Chris Stedman’s book about his interfaith work bringing together theists and non-theists.  My worldview has been thoroughly invaded by thoughts of civility between opposing (or seemingly opposing) groups and a renewed sense of optimism that cooperation is possible.

I spoke with people who live within a block or two of me who cite crime as this neighborhood’s big problem, which surprised me.  I generally feel safe here even after dark, but it is interesting to know that not everyone does.  That’s the perspective I was looking for when I showed up.  But then the conversation then turned to that one gas station (you know the one) that they see as a haven of drug dealers and criminals.  Now, I’m not going to say that nothing criminal has ever happened at that gas station.  I know that isn’t true.  But I do know that most of the people at that gas station aren’t criminals.  That long-haired, tattooed, black-clad guy buying smokes?  Not a criminal.  He’s a local rocker on his way to play a show.  He isn’t as scary as he looks.

Uptown is increasingly diverse–the Wedge especially.  It’s a wild mix of large homes with residents who have families or older folks who have already raised their families and rentals occupied by all sorts of people who live here for its urban feel and proximity to night life.  In this neighborhood, you can turn a corner and find a very different demographic.  My demographics are a bit muddled. I’m a mom with a professional career, and my partner is a musician who plays shows at local bars.  I can sort-of fit in with the moms at the park and the late night bar crowd, and I can tell you with confidence that both groups care about Uptown.  We might disagree with each other on what the big issues are, but we are in this together.   It’ll be a better place if we can accept and engage everyone.  That’s the kind of leadership I’m looking for in our next city councilor in Ward 10.

As I sneaked out of the caucus room before any decisions had been made to get home for my baby-sitter, I felt exhilarated that we had so many people who wanted to participate.  We have a lot of people who care what happens here.  I’m happy to be among that group.

 

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Let’s talk about librarians…

Nothing seems to surprise people more about libraries than the librarians themselves.

In my experience, the general public still likes to think of librarians as bookish ladies who check out books all day. In reality, the librarians are generally not the people checking out your books. They are the ones behind the reference or information desks waiting to help you find resources, at the front of library classrooms teaching technology skills, or surrounded by little kids with picture books in hand. Librarians are your connection to learning.

We often like to quote Neil Gaiman to sell our big skill: “Google can bring you back 100,000 answers, a librarian can bring you back the right one.”  Librarians are the original fact-checkers and fact-finders. We can help you find, evaluate, and use information.  Wondering if the latest meme someone shared online is true?  Ask your librarian.  Not sure about that web site as a legit source?  Ask your librarian.  Seriously.

We’ll also try to keep up on publishing trends (my specialty) and new technology while planning events and pulling books for displays.  No big deal.  ;)

Still curious?  More information about librarians:

• How do I use the library? – Expert Staff - from the American Library Association
• What do Librarians Do All Day? – from Booklights
• Latest Study: A full-time school librarian makes a critical difference in boosting student achievement – from School Library Journal

And spread the word that libraries matter!

Books are just the beginning

Books are just the beginning.  They are one of many tools that your library offers in service to its larger mission: providing access to information and opportunities for education. The library is your classroom waiting to happen.

Public libraries, in particular, are committed to advancing knowledge through lifelong learning. Check out your library’s mission statement. It probably includes a sentence just like that or very similar.  Books are one tool, but there are many more.  Here’s a bit of what libraries offer:

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  Dragonfly’s Box is a craft program for kids at the Hennepin County Library

  Early Literacy – We start with the very young with early literacy opportunities from story times (which are more than just stories—they are designed to help build school readiness skills of all sorts from reinforcing concepts to social skills like following directions), pretend play spaces, and other types of programming aimed at inspiring young learners. 

• School Support – It might be just a quiet place to study for some, but for others a library means homework help centers, reference books, and other resources they wouldn’t have access to otherwise.
• Career Skills – With the job market the way it has been, many more people have been taking advantage of library assistance for job hunting, resume building, skill building.

• Technology - Computer and Internet access are one thing, but most libraries also offer technology classes that may range from beginners web searching to introducing new software or hosting technology “petting zoos” for those looking to get beyond the tech they know.   I might also mention that there are all sorts of online research tools available through your library web site as well.  
• Cultural Programming – Art exhibits?  Check.  Musical performances?  Check. Larger libraries might even have their own performance/exhibit space.  Part of this is the connection with the community that I wrote about yesterday, but it’s also about opening a cultural dialogue and facilitating access to the arts.

St. Paul Public Library director Kit Hadley shares her thoughts that the library has “always been in the learning business” in this video about the library’s role in the community.  She looks forward to a future in which libraries play a vital role in a network of formal and non-formal learning.  I can’t help but cheer her on.   I guess I’m probably biased, being a librarian and all, but I think libraries are pretty great–and they have books too.

Tomorrow: What do librarians do?  Mysteries revealed!