Wednesday, July 6, 2022

The Best Little Library In Florida. Plus, Other Stuff


 

This is what it looked like this morning when I got up. It was startlingly clear and beautiful. Summer is at its green best, still not yet weary from the days of heat, and we have gotten some rain. It was one of those moments where you catch yourself looking at something you have seen thousands of times and think, "I should pay attention to this," the light being somehow more transcendent, the trees and plants somehow more softly emerald green, the birds singing more cheerfully. 

We had a good time with Gibson. The meatloaf was perhaps the finest meatloaf I've ever made. Don't ask me why. But it was damn good. He allowed me to read him two books, one being "In Search of the Zipper-rump-a-zoo." I've read that one almost as many times as "The Little Red Hen Makes A Pizza". Its pages are soft with many turnings and either Lily or Jessie crayoned over some of the faces when they were tiny. 

This morning I made the standard grandchild breakfast with pancakes and bacon and eggs, and later on Gibson and I drove to Monticello where we met Lily and Owen and Maggie at the library. Owen and Gibson had never been to the Jefferson County library. Lily and Jessie and I started going there to take the little kids to Toddler Time which is how we met Terez. It is such a sweet library. There is a guinea pig in a cage and there are little activities set up all over for children to do.



On one table, they have a huge coloring sheet- as big as a tablecloth- and I tell Terez that one of these days, I am going to come in and sit there and color and listen to my audio book. I can't imagine anything more soothing than that. Terez says to come on in anytime. 
Hell, I may go buy myself a brand new 64-pack of Crayolas. Can you imagine the joy I would be giving my eight-year old self to be surrounded by books and interesting people, listening to a story and coloring with unbroken, still-pointy crayons? 
Be still my heart. 

The 4-H club had already come in to the library before we got there for a field trip and Terez had made slime with them and he offered to bring out the supplies and help our three and another little boy who was there to make their own batches. Great happiness ensued. 


Terez's slime-game is on point, y'all. The man knows how to do it. He even put coloring in it that made it glow in the dark. 
Are you kidding me? 


And a black light to really get the full effect. 
It was hard to get the kids to leave to go get lunch, especially after Maggie and Gibson found the puppet show theater in the little kid reading room. But finally we rounded them up and I got them to pose with Terez for a picture. 


We even checked out books! Several of the books on Owen's summer reading list were on the shelves and they came with us, along with a few craft books that Lily wanted. 

And then we were off to the Mexican restaurant where we all had delicious lunches. 
I had to take these pictures. 





And then Lily took her kids to Wag the Dog and I came on home. I feel like I have so much to do before we leave and I DO but some of it, most of it, in fact, can only be done right before we leave. But I picked some more figs and green beans and with the other figs I've picked over the last few days, I have about four pounds according to Granddaddy's old kitchen scale. If I can pick another pound by Friday, I may be able to make three pints of preserves. That would be great. 

Tomorrow I am going to Tallahassee to do my pre-trip shopping and I am meeting my brother, Chuck, for lunch. We rarely see each other and I am very much looking forward to this. 
Somehow that will turn out to be an all-day activity. And then I will have Friday and Saturday to do all of the packing and organizing and getting the house ready for Mark and...oh yes- making preserves. The hen house MUST be cleaned out, good and clear instructions for Mark must be written. By the time we leave for vacation, I will certainly NEED a vacation. 
And isn't this always the way? 

I think so. 

Love...Ms. Moon


26 comments:

  1. Your prep makes a person tired to read it! But all good. You'll be ready, one way or another!

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    1. Well- let's put it this way- I'm going whether I'm ready or not!

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  2. HAHAHA Maggie!!! So dear ! Sounds like you have yo-sef well organized, Impressive! I agree too, that going to the library with new crayons would be the best thing ever. A haven. Don't forget to breath, and test and pack Advil! My friend just returned from England- got decked yesterday tested positive and is OUT! Dang relentless bug!

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    1. Oh man. And Florida, once again, is an epicenter for Covid. I forgot to look for new crayons in the store today. Dang it.

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  3. Such a wonderful and satisfying day.

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  4. Don't be worn out by the time to leave!

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    1. Well, we take two days to get up there so I can rest on the way.

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  5. 37paddington: your family time is so precious and connected. I love how you all love each other and fold other good souls in too.

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    1. I just fall in love with people and want to adopt them. I think Terez thinks of me as his cool grandma which cracks me up. I'll gladly fill that role in his life.

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  6. Glow in the dark slime! Did they get to take it home? I see Maggie and Gibson have had haircuts. I LOVE your view, is that your front yard? Much nicer than mine :)

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    1. Oh yes! Terez had plastic bags for them to take their slime home with them. Maggie and Gibson HAVE had haircuts- good eye!
      That's my backyard from my back porch. They are both very peaceful and green views.

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  7. What a fabulous library - and how sad is it that very often, when budget cuts are made, the library is the first to go!

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    1. I know. I am a bit surprised at how well run and stocked this library is, considering how poor Jefferson County is. Maybe federal funds are involved.

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  8. Who wouldn't want a brand new box of crayons? I still like coloring, although Jack is very bossy and tells me what I can and cannot color:)

    Glad you had a good day and you'll so busy that before you know it, you'll be seeing your other grands. Hugs.

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    1. Why are children so bossy when it comes to their coloring books? We should just buy our own.
      Hugs back to you, love.

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  9. This is Desirée from South Africa. You are such an emotive writer and I love everything you publish on your wonderful blog. I concur fully with the comment left by Rosemary - her blog is equally enchanting and uplifting - even the really hard topics you both broach. Just phenomenal Women, who have raised children to be justifiably proud of - families overflowing with love in a world that is so lacking in it. Thank you for sharing your perspectives and “real lives” 🙏🏻😊💕

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    1. Oh, Deb! Thank you so much! I really appreciated those sweet words. You have uplifted ME!

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  10. Fun at the library - that really delights me as I have loved the library all my life.
    You will be packed and ready to go and you can buy what you forget!
    So don't worry - soon you will be with the Weatherford's and hugging will be done! :)

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    1. Hugging! Of course August and Levon will want to give all of their hugs to their Boppy but I will try to snatch a few.

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  11. OK, next time I come to Lloyd we have to go see Terez and the library. I need to compare notes with him professionally! (If only to learn how to make glow-in-the-dark slime.) I'm curious what books are on Owen's summer reading list!

    I love days that are so beautiful they make you look twice at what's around you. That's a special kind of day.

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    1. You would like Terez!
      And by the way, next time you come visit, you need to plan on spending the night- we have too many things to do for just a quick drive-by.

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  12. oh, what would be more fun than making glow in the dark slime with Mr Terez at the library! Our local library (where I volunteer) still has not resumed their many childrens programs yet since the virus shut down........ I hope they will soon. And I trust you have many lists going....to remind yourself of what still needs doing before your departure. You WILL need a vacation, and you'll get it once you get to NC and your beloveds
    Susan M

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    1. Oh boy! Do I have lists!
      I hope your library can start bringing back the children's programs soon. Kids need those.

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  13. Oh, how I love libraries and I feel like I know Mr. Terez from reading your blog. Libraries are an important part of childhood and I'm glad your grandkids all love to go and love books. Reading has gotten me through lots of tough times in my life, and taken me places far away from this little corner of earth where I live, if only in imagination. I wish the same for Maggie, Gibson, Owen, and of course Jessie's boys.

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    1. Libraries are havens and heavens for me. Always have been. Books are magic carpets, portals into other worlds. They are simply enchantments. I hope my grandkids grow up liking to read. You never know.
      I need to tell Terez again how many people know him from all over the world through my blog.

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