Nonfiction
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Cold nose, warm heart – a dog’s life
I am a working dog: I protect, I comfort, I listen. I am a good dog. Here are some of my stories. Dog Heroes: Saving Lives and Protecting America by Jen Bidner This history of canine search and rescue celebrates brave dogs with special talents, such as detecting skin cancer and locating unmarked Civil War… Continue reading
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Return to Sanctificum
Chris Abani is one of the most significant living poets of English letters. But don’t take my word for it, let Abani take your imagination on a spiritual journey from Africa to America. Follow his life engraved in memory, life that could have ended at the sweet age of 18 when he was sentenced to… Continue reading
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Individuals
While explaining diversity to the class, a teacher says, “We are all individuals,” which prompts one student to proclaim, “I’m not!” A funny joke, but it’s also an apt depiction of “different.” Manuals on identifying and coping with human differences are factually and practically useful, but sometimes hearing about someone’s life helps a reader more… Continue reading
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Exquisite prose
There are times when I want a rowdy tumble with poetry – with the sly wit of Billy Collins or the seductive songs of Pablo Neruda. Today, though, I celebrate the prose books that make me breathless with delight at the sheer wizardry of their words. An Everlasting Meal by Tamar Adler Adler describes her… Continue reading
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Seeing is believing, even when you’re reading
Ever since the first printing press and the resulting boom in literacy and the availability of the printed word, another commodity arose. Font, is now such a simple word, it’s easy to forget its historical context. Font was initially from the French fondre meaning to melt or cast; a far cry from our current association… Continue reading
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Gift Giving Ideas
This is the time of the year when many people give gifts. Some people are easy to buy for and others are more challenging. We have both types on our lists! For inspiration, we took a look at books on gift giving in the library’s collection, did some internet searching and brainstorming, and came up… Continue reading
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A Tribute to Old Dogs
Our beloved dogs age all too quickly. Fondly remembered is this old and faithful companion. There’s no mistaking her senior status with that gray muzzle on black fur. It was some time ago when she departed for the great dog park beyond. But, as they say, old dogs don’t die – they just join cyberspace…… Continue reading
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Think about stuff
I was tidying the shelves in the Living Room at Central Library when I ran across a book called Tattoos: I Ink Therefore I Am. I read through the chapter titles: “How to Read a Tattoo, and Other Perilous Quests,” “Tattoo You,” “To Ink or Not to Ink,” “The Vice of the Tough Tattoo.” Other… Continue reading
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Reading Jack Nisbet
I first learned about Jack Nisbet when I was visiting my Aunt Noreen in Chewelah, Washington. Jack had just released his book Sources of the River: Tracking David Thompson across Western North America and was working on his next book, Purple Flat Top: In Pursuit of a Place, a collection of short stories about the… Continue reading
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Goodbye to All That (the Passing of an Era)
Harry Patch’s life nearly ended in 1917 as he stood in a muddy trench during the World War I battle of Passchendaele. An artillery shell burst right over his head, wounding him and killing three of his best pals. But Patch didn’t die that day; in fact, he survived to become the last living veteran… Continue reading
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Why Rain Gardening might be right for you!
Most people have heard the term ‘rain garden,’ but how many really know what that means? Rain gardens are simply shallow depressions (6-12 inches deep) that gather and filter runoff from roofs and driveways when it rains. Continue reading
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John Dore, Jr.: A Reader and a Sailor
A visitor to the Seattle Room at the Central Library, which houses many of the Library’s special collections, recently asked to see a 1921 copy of Howard Pyle’s Book of Pirates. As I was putting the book away, the inscription in the front caught my eye: Continue reading
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What’s on your coffee table?
Inspire and impress visitors with intriguing books on your coffee table brought home from your local library. Not only will you save yourself a ton of money, but you and your guests will be constantly stimulated with a rotating collection of new books. Order some online, or stop by your local library and visit our… Continue reading
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Itching to Start Stitching?
With the Urban Self Reliance workshops in full swing, it’s easy to pick up sewing skills at many Seattle Public Library branches during the month of October. For instance, SewUpSeattle leads a ‘Costume Repair and Swap’ at the Ballard branch Monday, October 29 at 5pm and Capitol Hill branch on Saturday, October 20 at 1:30pm. Bring… Continue reading
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Mushrooms and Permaculture
In this year’s Urban Self Reliance program series, running through October at various neighborhood branches, The Library will present two different workshops on wild mushrooms. Edible Mushrooms will focus on resources to introduce you to the world of mushroom gathering. On the Mushroom Trail, presented by author Langdon Cook will discuss the underground economy that has… Continue reading
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She Makes Art!
A rich mix of artwork greets us this fall when Seattle Art Museum presents Elles: Women Artists from the Centre Pompidou, an international survey of works by groundbreaking artists. Not to be missed, too, are installations and exhibits of pioneering artists from SAM’s own collections that will be on view in Elles: SAM– Singular Works by… Continue reading
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Clean and Green
Who knew how much you could do with white vinegar and baking soda? If you are like me, you have an accumulation of various cleaning supplies clustered under your kitchen sink. My place always needs cleaning, so I have tried many products over the years. I now want to use green cleaning materials so that… Continue reading
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Los Dias de los Muertos
Several years ago a recently retired teacher who lived in the Beacon Hill neighborhood asked me if she could add a “decoration” (previously used in her classroom) to a branch program. Skeptical but intrigued, we were willing to host her Los Dias de los Muertos altar and we were subsequently awestruck at the charming and… Continue reading