Kids! You gotta love 'em!

The South Central Library System includes the Dells library and 51 others in this part of the state, among them all the libraries in Madison, the state capital. Recently they sponsored a writing contest for adults and children who submitted brief stories about what the library means to them. About a dozen of the grade school children who use our bookmobile entered and four of them won prizes, making us very proud. This particular entry by a fifth grader at Neenah Creek School was my favorite. I think he got extra points for brutal honesty.

I love the bookmobile because it has books for all ages. Also, I like the bookmobile because my favorite series of books, Magic Tree House, is in the bookmobile. I use the bookmobile because the books I read from the bookmobile make a lot of sense. Also, they are handy because I can check out books during class time, but on other days besides Friday I have to stay in for recess to check out a book. Plus the bookmobile has books about sports, which I love, and it takes up school time.
-- Sam Mayer, Kilbourn Public Library & Bookmobile (Wisconsin Dells)

Upgrading

When we moved here from Chicago, we brought full-size mattresses, and Tom built platform beds for all three bedrooms. He also built my desk and bookcases as well as most of the other furniture in the house.

This past year, Peter convinced me to get a Tempurpedic mattress topper when they were dramatically on sale at Kohl's. I bought a thin one (I think, maybe just one inch) and it was delightful. Eventually they were on sale again and Tom got one for his bed.

For my birthday, I upgraded. Tom helped me purchase a queen-sized mattress (the one in the photo) and then, while I was at work today, (with a bit of help) he extended my platform bed to accommodate it. The mattress is 10 inches thick (25.4 cm), of which 3 inches (7.6 cm) is memory foam. The cats and I are in heaven!

Peter, who will possibly be moving into his own place later this year, inherits my old mattress topper for now and my old mattress when he needs that for his new digs.

BE STRONG, for those who are not.

BE VISIBLE, for those who cannot.

BE, for yourself and for us all.

Bear with me

The American black bear (Ursus americanus) is North America's smallest and most common species of bear. It is a generalist animal, being able to exploit numerous different habitats and foodstuffs. It is not considered endangered, due to widespread distribution and a large global population estimated to be twice that of all other bear species combined. The species is not overly dangerous to humans, but has been responsible for a few deaths, as well as property damage and livestock predation. The American black bear has been the source of inspiration for numerous popular cultural depictions of bears, including the Teddy Bear and Winnie the Pooh. [Thus saith Wikipedia. But everyone knows that Winnie the Pooh is neither black nor American. Whatever!]

I mention all this because the bear in this photograph has been seen twice in recent days at a home just a couple of miles from us. I hope the cats are keeping an eye peeled!