Wanderings…

OMG!! Doug Johnson  has done it again. I might just have to put this into my email signature

“Maybe it’s time for somebody who had ‘not working to his potential’ written on her report card running education.”

Those are the kids that I love the best.  And often they are the ones that come up with the most innovative ideas.  They are living inside their very creative brains, and see no real reason to come out and play the boring school game we have set up for the masses.

Kids should have opportunities  to pursue their interests.  Who knows — they might even discover that Shakespeare was quite the “wild and crazy guy”!

I am SUPPOSED to be retired.  Several teachers, including myself, were offered a retirement incentive last spring.  I am the only one who did not take it.  I watch my much younger colleagues happily retiring and wonder what is wrong with me.

My whole life has been centered around libraries.  I love them.  I need them like I need air to breathe.  What on earth will I DO when I retire?  Of course, I can still be involved in libraries.  I suppose I could volunteer…. But can I stand to not be in charge???

In recent years, it has been a rare semester that doesn’t bring me a fresh new intern to terrorize – whoops – mentor.  I LOVE doing this.  I love the idea of sharing the “mission from God” with the next generation of librarians.  Several folks have urged me to look into teaching grad school classes.  But – when I DO retire, I just don’t think I want to jump into another regular job – even a part-time one.  The only reason I would leave the job I love, is so I can wake up and plan my own day or week, without pesky job obligations

My hubby and I spent 4 glorious weeks of vacation this summer, celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary.  If I thought retirement would be a series of such trips, I’d sign on the dotted line in a heartbeat.  Alas!  Were we to adopt such a wandering life style, we’d soon be broke and practicing our dumpster diving skills.

So my friends – got any ideas for me?  I have to grow up someday.  But I really don’t want to…..

Those crazy folks in Minnesota.   Who knew?

You may have seen a clip of this wedding on national news.  Here is the whole thing.  I can’t stop watching it.  SO much fun!!!

Thanks so much Jill & Kevin.  May your life be filled with the joy you shared with the world on your special day!

I really don’t expect (or particularly want) my teachers to read this blog.  They already think I am weird – why give them even more cause to question my sanity?

I DO wish they would read the blog I have designed specifically for them.  Latest Links.

Perhaps if the blog came in an old, familiar paper format?  Well – as Apple says (ad nauseum) – “There’s an app for that.”

From the most useful blog I have even found …

Free Technology for Teachers – Turn your blog into a newsletter with RSS to PDF

Through the wizardry of Web 2.0, your blog (or at least 2 printed pages of it) instantly morphs into a newsletter that can be printed and distributed to teachers.

I suspect that I will not use it myself.  I am a die-hard.  If I want my teachers to use blogs and other Web 2.0 tools, I will have to send them to the actual blog. So – I will continue to write the blog posts and then send the links to teachers via email.

Besides, if I were to use this tool, I would have to actually type in actual web addresses – not just hyperlinked titles. You just can’t click on that darned old-timey paper!

I have a dream.  Someday all teachers will actually understand (and use!) RSS feeds.  I know.  Crazy librarian talk. 

Just think if I’d kept track of every book I ever read during all these many decades.    What fun it would be to look over that list!

Well – I’ve always meant to do it and I never have.  So….as I prep my summer reading list, I have decided to get stated.  Better late than never.  I know there are a million web 2.0 ways to do this.  Maybe I will go that route some day.  I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by new apps these days.  I need a brain break.  So – this blog is as good a place as any I say.  Here goes.

The book that made me want to do this?   I forgot the title and it was driving me CRAZY trying to remember it.  Thanks to Molly Clark and the brain trust at LM_NET – I am still sane.

Ghostwalk by Rebecca Stott

And guess what?  LM_NET beat out Twitter.  I never get any answers via Twitter I am afraid.  Well – I should not say never.  I think Doug Johnson saw a recent tweet from me and answered via email.   I am just not getting the hang of Twitter.  Oh well – another thing that summers are for!

I will post more books as I think of it.  The book posts will be filed under “Booklists”.