I grew up going to the library every week. My mom would load my sister and me into the car, drive us into town, and we would read and search there to our delight. I’ve no memory of what my mother did while we were there – whether she came in with us and went off hunting for her own selection of borrowed treasure, or (probably more likely) took the opportunity of an hour or so without any kids to do shopping or other errands that would be easier without the pair of us than with us.

But for me, there was an hour or so of exploration and quiet discovery, and I’d leave with a stack of books, and then I’d be back again for more the next week. Continue reading →

Behold...the antique oak filing cabinet that was handed down to me by my mother. Will I be more productive now that I can see the top of it?

I’m cleaning my home workspace to make room – well, honestly, to make it presentable – for an exchange student who is coming to stay with my family in a couple of weeks. Our house is a small one, and my home office space is at one end of our spare bedroom. It includes the family filing cabinet and a desk, in addition to my computer table, and stuff tends to accumulate. A lot of stuff. I’m too embarrassed to tell you how much stuff, but it’s honestly enough to justify the term “anal-expulsive”. ‘Nuff said. Continue reading →