Library as Living Room

...and Fountian Square as front yard....

 

In the morning we skated a bit at Fountain Square, and since it was before noon, it was quite empty and the few kids there had races across the rink. The quiet was shattered at noon, when the Jumbotron volume was cranked up for a football game. We left (when Ozzie Osborne's Crazy Train came on) for an inexpensive lunch at Potbellys.

After that, we had a wonderful time at the Main Library. We toured all the new improvements, made crafts and ran into some freinds and said hi to Roxanne Qualls. Afterwards, the weather outside had changed to warmer and bright sunny, and we had an enjoyable walk and then some bike riding in the park.

Noonan on Kennedy

Remember, this is a conservative, writing in the Wall Street Journal:

...all movements, need men and women who will come forward every decade or so to name tendencies within that are abusive or destructive, to throw off the low and grubby. Teddy's speech in this regard was a barnburner. He went straight against the negative and bullying, hard for the need to find inspiration again.
...
"I love this country," he said, "I believe in the bright light of hope and possibility. I always have."

..and then after disparaging Ted Kennedy's policies, she continues:

....everyone who knows Teddy Kennedy knows that he holds a deep love for his country, that he feels a reverence for the presidency and a desire that America be represented with grace abroad and stature at home. He has seen administrations come and go. And maybe much of what he's learned came forward, came together, this week.

His principled and uncompromising rebellion seemed to me a patriotic act, and adds to the rising tide of Geffenism. When David Geffen broke with Mrs. Clinton last summer, and couched his disapproval along ethical lines, he was almost alone among important Democrats. It took some guts. Now others are joining his side. Good.

Frog and Toad Books

I wrote once before about Arnold Lobel, the children's author. Yesterday, I was picking through the used children's books at Goodwill, when I came across this Frog and Toad book with the author's signature, including a drawing of Toad. Now if only my son's name was Kevin:

 

Wake up! Wake up!

 

Waiting for a letter together:

 

Party at Library Saturday

If you have visited the Cincinnati Main Library lately you probably noticed that they are moving a lot of things around. I like a lot of the changes. For example, the Blind Reading Room, which is rarely used, has been moved from its prime location on the ground floor and replaced with a much-needed homework assistance room. The movies area is now opened up and combined into the "popular library". Also, a Teen Room has been added to the second floor, by magazines, and self check-out machines have finally been installed.

To celebrate the Library is having a party tomorrow, Saturday 1-4 pm with music, cookies, punch, anime films and guitar hero. See you there.