making

Your Library Staff at Home – Making & Crafting

DoriLeave a comment

I was lying in bed this morning thinking about what to post on the blog today – I’ve been doing these posts for a couple of weeks now, focusing on making a product and the processes involved. But I wanted to do something different today, about making, but from a different perspective.

YNYT-SugarCalling-3000pxesterday, I was listening to the new podcast by Cheryl Strayed, Sugar Calling and she was interviewing travel writer  and memoirist Pico Iyer, and as they were discussing how to participate ‘joyfully in a world full of sorrows’, Pico included a quote from a Benedictine Monk friend of his – “The best cure for anxiety is thinking of others”.

This quote was rolling around in my mind as I was thinking about how I could re-frame the word making.  Webster’s defines making as “the act or process of forming, causing, doing, or coming into being”, so why not think about making connections or making a difference in these anxious times?

difference (2)

We at Rocky River Public Library got into this line of work because we want to make a difference, we want to help – with information, education, entertainment,  and equity of access. We can’t do everything we used to do, but we’re trying hard to provide similar services and explore new ones. Next week is National Library Week and we want to bring the library to you! Here on the blog, check us out daily for our thoughts about books, movies, TV, podcasts and cultural institutions with links to streaming media and digital books. We’ve shared our crafts, cooking and baking interests and we’ve even got a book discussion going. On our social media, we’re keeping in touch by sharing resources, fun activities, and asking you, our patrons, what you need. Our website can lead you to classes, books, movies, newspapers, business research – you name it, we’ve got it.  Call us at 333-7610; if we don’t answer, leave a message and we will get back to you – we really want to help – it’s our business and our calling!

nlw20-altphrase-social-media-2-facebook-cover

As you think of others, consider the Rocky River Assistance Program and the Cleveland Food Bank. Rocky River restaurants who are doing takeout could use your business, too. And if you go to Heinens or another essential business, make sure you wear your mask to support the workers who are helping us stay fed, clean and healthy. Check on a neighbor or call an old friend, whatever you choose, thinking of others does seem to help to stem the tide of anxiety.

cakeOh – and here’s an amazing Chocolate Flourless Torte I made at RRPL’s Biblio Bistro class with Annie’s Signature Sweets this week – look for a recording of the class in the coming weeks. Library Reads has a their May list of books out –  and Creativebug gives us their Week 4 Crafting at Home suggestions – I don’t have little ones, but making Galaxy Slime looks tempting!

I’d love to hear what you’re making or how you’re making a difference, so comment below. Stay safe and stay home!

~ Dori

 

Your Library Staff at Home – Making & Crafting

DoriLeave a comment

It’s Saturday already – where did the week go? Between working, puttering, stressing, eating, drinking, and DuoLingo, it flew by a little too fast.

I promised a completed shawl, but, of course, it’s not finished yet – let’s try next week, o.k.?

In the meantime, let’s talk about what making and crafting mean to you. Are you a cook, a baker, a gardener? These are all forms of creativity that get overlooked when we talk about crafting. My son, a college student, has found that baking bread in these times is a soothing past-time. Here’s a loaf of sourdough and some focaccia that he made this week – delicious and creative.  This morning he served us Crepe Suzette – yes I am very lucky! But also, it’s a good thing I’m taking daily walks.

I’ve been doing more cooking than I have in a very long time. Indulgent pot roast, healthy veggie pasta, and homemade pizza are a few dinners we’ve enjoyed. I’ve always loved cookbooks and have been checking out a few recently. Sam Sifton’s See You on Sunday is a keeper and I just checked out Small Victories by Julia Turshen on Overdrive. There are so many digital cookbooks – explore on Overdrive to see what you can find and try a new recipe!

Gardening has become my refuge in these days as well – cleaning out the garden and pruning, watching the plants come up, and dreaming and planning of all the things I want to do in my gardens this year. Again, Overdrive has some gardening titles to inspire – I’ve been looking all the shade garden and native gardening books – it gives me hope for the future.

So get out there and do something creative – cook, make, craft, garden, draw, paint, write – give your spirit a little soothing – we all need it! For more ideas, check out week 2 of Creativebug’s Crafting at Home series.

I’d love to hear what you’re making, so comment below. Stay safe and stay home!

~ Dori

Your Library Staff at Home – Making & Crafting

Dori1 Comment

I have always bemoaned my lack of time to do many of the things that I really like to do, like knitting, drawing, sewing and baking. Now, during this challenging time, I’ve no excuse; I’ve got the time, plus making is soothing and helps with the anxiety.

First, I’ve got a shawl to finish. I started it, I’m embarrassed to say, about a year and a half ago for a trip to Iceland. My sister Barb and friend Lynn also began their shawls for our trip, but they completed theirs. Mine, on the other hand, is still on the needles. Here’s a shot of Barb and Lynn in their lovely shawls while we were in Iceland and a shot of my unfinished shawl with some bonus pet shots! The bright colors were to help i.d. our bodies in case we fell down a volcano or iceberg – lol. 

The pattern is a traditional Icelandic shawl called Skakki by Helene Magnusson and uses traditional Icelandic wool. I’ll share the finished product next week – I promise!

As I’ve been knitting, I’ve been watching TV, a few movies, and have been listening to books and podcasts. I’ve signed up for Acorn TV through RBDigital and watched all of Agatha Raisin, a funny, tongue-in-cheek murder mystery series set in a small town in England based on the books by M.C. Beaton. I’ve also started an Irish mystery series called Blood, which is much more serious, so I’m taking that one slowly. 

I’ve watched  Jojo Rabbit, which I liked a lot more than I was expecting to, and Ad Astra, which is a deep dive with Brad Pitt into outer space. 

Knitting and listening to audiobooks is an A+ combination. My latest listen is Himself by Jess Kidd, because I wanted an Irish narrator for the St. Patrick’s season. It’s available on the Libby app, which I’m addicted to! Don’t have a library card? It’s not a problem; you can create an instant digital card to access titles. 

As far as podcasts, I really love the BBC Series In Our Time which covers historical events, famous people, science and nature – it’s fascinating. For these times, I enjoy the soothing voice of Krista Tippet at the On Being Podcast and it’s many offshoots. 

creativebug

If you could use some crafting inspiration, check out Creativebug. Log in using your library card and you get access to all kinds of video tutorials. They’ve shared a 7-week Home Crafting Guide to provide inspiration to begin a variety of projects, from easy to complex, with projects for children and adults. Week 1 includes a Kid’s Weaving Lesson and Color Meditation. These suggestions, however, are just the beginning; sign up and explore Creativebug to find something that speaks to you!

I’d love to hear what you’re making, so comment below. Stay safe and stay home!

~ Dori