tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-277664332024-03-21T16:34:20.965-05:00Bead Working LibrarianAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-16486088190872816832009-04-07T12:13:00.005-05:002009-04-07T12:34:27.735-05:00A new twist - knittingI still buy beads whenever I travel. The light facets on shiny glass, details in carved bone, and funky resin shapes are too alluring to dismiss but time constraints keep my stash in the cupboard. Craft time during moments of relaxation has shifted to knitting and knitting with a purpose. We have a new group at <a href="http://www.uurochmn.org/">1st <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">UU</span></a> --- the Caring <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Crafters</span> -- who have taken on the task of creating prayer - comfort shawls. <br /><br />I took our new President and the First Lady seriously as they declared a National Day of Service on the Martin Luther King holiday and thus began my study on Inauguration weekend. <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/">Lion Brand Yarn</a> offers lots of tutorials, all very simple and one topic per <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">clickable</span> link. So I tackled <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=83&language=">casting on</a> and it was so complicated for my old brain. I kept holding the yarn up to the computer screen trying to follow the arrows and getting only loops or knots but not a decent <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">stitch</span>. Finally, Richard suggested printing the six pages so I could follow from diagram to diagram without scrolling - something I had resisted in my green efforts. However, that was the trick! After practicing with yarn left over from a sweater I never finished in 7th grade, I started my first prayer shaw. Despite a long hiatus (1972 to present) my knitting continues to improve and I have contributed four shawls those those needing our caring thoughts and prayers.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-4457182195510310342008-05-16T16:32:00.003-05:002008-05-16T16:44:40.082-05:00Thing #1 - ReduxI blame it all on PLA. I had a good routine going before the national public library conference with attention to one or two library things each weekend. With that pattern, I should have finished in round #1. But then that is the world of coulda, woulda, shoulda --- not reality. Along came PLA in March with my own conference blogging, as well as serving as a blogging buddy for a SELCO-PLA scholarship recipient and 23 Things slowed to nothing.<br /><br />I am starting where I left off with 14 Things left to do, 8 -13, 15 - 17, 19 - 23, and this time the special 1-gig flash drive prize will be mine!<br /><br />.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-83812542777559698382008-03-02T16:14:00.004-06:002008-03-02T17:34:13.602-06:00Thing #14Library<span style="font-weight: bold;">Thing</span> as part of <span style="font-style: italic;">23 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Things</span> on a Stick. </span>Is<span style="font-style: italic;"></span> a pattern emerging? Pattern or no, I used this online tool this weekend and cataloged a small selection of the Hutton book collection, just the signed copies. In somewhat un-librarian fashion, I've never inventoried our collection. While there is a general order to where titles sit on the shelves, it is probably more "bookstoresque" than "libraryish."<br /><br />The collection of signed titles is an odd assortment of books purchased over a long period going back to the days when I would willingly lug home pounds of new books after standing in long lines for the coveted signature of a Newbery Award winner. Most are children's books with a small selection of adult titles. There are classics as well as a few titles of which I am the only LibraryThing owner.<br /><br />Some titles have been unopened for years. Cataloging them offered the opportunity to experience forgotten details --- the choice of paper and font, illustrations in subdued hues or bright colors. As well as bits of history tucked inside --- the forgotten bookmark (did it mark a once favorite passage or is this simply where it was left as I finished reading), a charge slip (not mine but belonging to the person who gave me the book 29 years ago.) Even more wonderful, the signatures of the creators --- small, tight script or flourishing pen strokes. Well worth toting home all these titles from so many author presentations.<br /><br />Bookjacket art is missing for 1/3 of the entries and the LibraryThing generic brown cover is ugly. Another project for another winter weekend (there are still a few more despite 45 degree temps today) will be to scan the cover artwork.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-69863143995258712812008-03-01T14:48:00.005-06:002008-03-01T15:34:26.939-06:00Thing #7My email experiences go all the way back to the days when VAX mail required a "hard return" at the end of a line and once the cursor jumped to the next line there was no going back. If you needed to correct a misspelling or restructure the sentence, it meant starting over. Editing was possible but only with a complicated set of key commands that required a cheat-sheet list. <br /><br />A 23 Things discussion of email <span style="font-style: italic;">feels</span> like old news but in the spirit of the program, here are are my email likes and dislikes.<br /><br />Email likes:<br /><ul><li>Generic. Other than maybe my Mom just about everyone I know has email. While it may not be the most elegant method to share important news, it does so quickly and uniformly.<br /></li><li>SELCO's new spam filter keeping at bay all those messages from foreign princes wanting to exchange currency.</li><li>Filed. <br /></li></ul>And dislikes:<br /><ul><li>Full in-box. I'll admit to less than stellar email management. Even with a thorough list of Outlook folders for major projects, committees, etc. there are too many messages just hanging around in my In-Box.</li><li>People who insist on replying only to the sender even when asked to "reply all."</li><li>Flaming and verbal escalation.</li></ul>If email is on the antiquity end of the stick then IM is a more modern approach to quick communication. Before trying it, I couldn't understand the difference between an ongoing string of email messages and IM. Now I use it regularly to check facts, chat with a friend miles away or carry on a sidebar conversation during a less than productive meeting. Yes, I know that might be considered rude, but the meeting participants were rambling and the IM conversation kept my sarcasm in check and a smile on my face. My proudest IM multitasking feat --- online meeting with 2 IM sessions. Should I try for 3?Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-61060378973549599592008-02-18T16:30:00.007-06:002008-03-02T17:36:18.899-06:00Presidents DayGood things about Presidents Day <span style="font-style: italic;">(For those wondering if it is President's Day, Presidents' Day or Presidents Day, check </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.designinginfo.com/multitypelibrarian/2008/02/apostrophe-ambiguity.html">Apostrophe Ambiguity</a><span style="font-style: italic;">.)</span><br /><br /><ul><li>Blue sky <span style="font-style: italic;">(at least in Rochester)</span></li><li>A day when the SELCO office is closed</li><li>Wandering through Barnes & Noble after lunch</li><li>Picking up <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781933110967&itm=1">The Crown of Valencia</a> <span style="font-style: italic;">(Yes, I could have checked it out of the library but much prefer to have a personal copy of the latest publication of a local author and former SELCO/SELS Board member, </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.catherinefriend.com/">Catherine Friend</a><span style="font-style: italic;">)</span></li><li>Catching up on all the 23 Things blog posts <span style="font-style: italic;">(There are over 100 - 23 Things blogs registered in SELCO/SELS with the rush before the official registration deadline)</span><br /></li></ul>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-83434853638680413092008-02-09T17:13:00.000-06:002008-02-09T17:10:26.715-06:00Thing #6 - Chinese charactersNot because I can read Chinese but because there is such a thing as a Chinese character generator.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Richard pronounced: lǐ shā dé<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHr1fsvyRap4yrFMNLfwxhN33UBciumpG1nvkUVC2JNa69Z7PpBq2WNsYpWLlqSdSJeAIHhKoW6-73DjrmlCXQPxZjnuKO3woFScSgvhyphenhyphen2ia2MVbUkU_pIHai-aSQrAn4oWg6Gw/s1600-h/richard.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHr1fsvyRap4yrFMNLfwxhN33UBciumpG1nvkUVC2JNa69Z7PpBq2WNsYpWLlqSdSJeAIHhKoW6-73DjrmlCXQPxZjnuKO3woFScSgvhyphenhyphen2ia2MVbUkU_pIHai-aSQrAn4oWg6Gw/s200/richard.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165117555679901570" border="0" /></a>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-50271104604221556622008-02-09T16:12:00.000-06:002008-02-09T16:19:26.651-06:00Thing #6 - Chocolate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3DJbirwse0uqniPyuDUyClY6bX6KbPsJMT495essI07c6_-x4FU5wrtjrptxGcZviRL_a85FGuCwOrK3qsCetZbIjhhYKtCUGolnqf9NNFY4Lu5S3YZdWOyV_mi9wQPrFLNyLQ/s1600-h/23thingscandy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3DJbirwse0uqniPyuDUyClY6bX6KbPsJMT495essI07c6_-x4FU5wrtjrptxGcZviRL_a85FGuCwOrK3qsCetZbIjhhYKtCUGolnqf9NNFY4Lu5S3YZdWOyV_mi9wQPrFLNyLQ/s200/23thingscandy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165107419557082946" border="0" /></a><br />There's always chocolate in the SELCO office! And now there is a virtual cocoa version of 23 Things sans stick!Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-54753061279019093422008-02-06T17:35:00.000-06:002008-02-06T19:13:02.249-06:00participation and progressThe list of 23 Things participants continues to grow! <a href="http://superturbo.blogspot.com/">Aurora</a> (who helped write a portion of the 23 Things curriculum) IM'd me this afternoon to announce 83 blogs were registered from around the region including 17 SELCO staff members. And, as of 6:12 PM, there are 697 registered statewide.<br /><br />Our 23 Things experimentation ranges from slightly hesitant to wildly creative. Some of the highlights I've found include:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://23-things.blogspot.com/2008/01/thing-4-photosharing-with-flickr.html">23 Enigma post</a> with a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23303391@N07/sets/72157603816396970/">Flickr collection</a> of photos shot by a 4-year old in the library. This child has talent!</li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://23thingsinaustin.blogspot.com/2008/01/ils-20-permission-to-dream.html">23thingsinAustin</a>'s dreams for a new ILS</li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://tigerlilysthing.blogspot.com/">Here's the Thing</a> started with Thing #7, then went on to #6, #11, and #20. Very free spirited.</li></ul><ul><li>Links from one blog, <a href="http://jonya.typepad.com/its_my_life/23_things/index.html">It's My Life</a>, to other neat blogs in the region like <a href="http://www.redwing.lib.mn.us/blog/">LibraryTree</a></li></ul>And that only takes me through "I."Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-3274886081812658572008-02-03T18:58:00.000-06:002008-02-03T19:22:14.518-06:00Thing #18 - Librarian SongAnd thanks to <a href="http://michaelgolrick.blogspot.com/">Michael Golrick</a> (now library director in my home town) for sharing a little library humor! <span style="font-style: italic;">(Does embedding a YouTube video count for #18?)</span><br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SB4HvVEMFig&rel=0&color1=0xd6d6d6&color2=0xf0f0f0&border=0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SB4HvVEMFig&rel=0&color1=0xd6d6d6&color2=0xf0f0f0&border=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-33915049487406315422008-02-03T15:15:00.000-06:002008-02-02T16:58:22.973-06:00Thing #5Not every day is a "nose to the grindstone" kind of day as we enjoy visits from SELCO's treat-or-treaters!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/selco/1815609538/" title="Henry, Owen, Leah by SELCO, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2187/1815609538_be9127d615.jpg" alt="Henry, Owen, Leah" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br />For all the fun: <a href="http://splashr.com/show/reflect2/s-72157602824491794/" onclick="window.open(this.href, 'splashr', 'width=1000,height=700,scrollbars,resizable'); return false;">Halloween Presentation</a>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-6362056750196134932008-02-02T16:43:00.000-06:002008-02-02T16:54:46.517-06:00Thing #4 – FlickrThe organizational options in Flickr are plentiful but like the current discussion about tags versus subject headings in the world of library catalogs, the organizer in me would love more consistency --- at least for SELCO’s photo array!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/selco/">Our Flickr account</a> keeps growing with over 461 pix today. We do an okay job tagging but the terms vary and 62 were blank, although I fixed 22 while working on this blog posting. <span style="font-style: italic;">(Maybe the other orphan pix will get tagged on another cloudy Saturday.)</span><br /><br />Flickr makes it easy to create <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/selco/sets/">sets</a> and insert a web link to a small selection of pix on the same topic. So a news item or a blog post on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/selco/sets/72157603736276714/">Rural Sustainability</a> connects directly to our LSTA program photos. We also have sets for each type of library:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/selco/sets/72157594302758731/">Academic </a>(6)</li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/selco/sets/72157594221531030/">Public</a> (136)</li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/?start_tab=one_set72157594311653884&mode=together">School</a> (70)</li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/selco/sets/72157601420467341/">Special</a> (13)</li></ul>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-8926337108818338022008-02-01T14:54:00.000-06:002008-02-02T16:55:52.462-06:00Thing #3 – RSSLike so many others, I initially thought, I’ll just bookmark my favorite sites and check them periodically for anything new ---sort of like choosing when to pick up the newspaper. But unlike the newspaper that comes at the same time every day (or something close) bloggers post at all hours, they may post several times in one day, or be quiet for days. I was quickly converted to the advantages of RSS - <span style="font-style: italic;">Real Simple Syndication</span> and have had a Bloglines account ever since Barbara Misselt (now at <a href="http://ecrl.lib.mn.us/">ECRL</a>) shared this cool tool. I've even blogged about <a href="http://www.selco.info/blogs/selco-librarian/archive/2006/12/07/bloglines/?searchterm=stephen">Bloglines!</a><br /><br />So having subscribed earlier, my 23 Things activities for today included:<br /><ul><li>Adding a Bloglines button to my toolbar</li><li>Aggregating all the SELCO staff blogs in a Bloglines folder – energetic postings out there!</li></ul>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-8348737573072536022008-01-30T14:12:00.003-06:002008-01-30T14:15:19.876-06:00Wear Red on FridayFriday, February 1, 2008, is National Wear Red Day-a day when Americans nationwide will take women´s health to heart by wearing red to show their support for women´s heart disease awareness. Join the national awareness movement by wearing red on February 1, and encourage your family, friends, and coworkers to do the same.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-75773487712767169272008-01-29T17:45:00.000-06:002008-01-28T17:56:32.515-06:00Thing #2Just as Minnesota launched 23 Things, John Blyberg posted <a href="http://www.blyberg.net/2008/01/17/library-20-debased/">Library 2.0 Debased</a>. Now if you only read the title or the first paragraph you might get the sense that he is shifting his support from Library 2.0 --- not so. Blyberg is simply reminding library staff to adopt these tools purposefully, not just as hype.<br /><br />Maybe it is because library funding is tight or librarians are often perfectionists, but I get the sense that some believe we should only offer programs or services that are proven to be 100% successful. Certainly that pressure is palpable at the regional level. If SELCO delays implementation to identify major pitfalls – then we are holding back library innovation but if we spotlight something new – then we are wasting time. The reactions when we launched the <a href="http://www.selco.info/news/blogs/selco-librarian">SELCO Librarian</a> were a good example of this dichotomy. There were some who cheered our blogging venture and complimented us by immediately adding our site to their RSS feeds. Others felt this was a waste of regional time and one reason some of us only posted long after work hours so as to be seen as something “extra” in our work life and not the norm.<br /><br />23 Things is all about trying something new in a safe and supported environment and (dare I say it) enjoying online learning. I’m personally participating in the 23 Things program and all members of the SELCO staff are being encouraged to participate. As of this posting 437 individuals have around Minnesota have registered with 23 Things, including 60 (14%) from SELCO/SELS. How exciting!<br /><br />We may not adapt anything from our experience but, as Stephen Abrams stated, we can expect change simply because of our exploration. As <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.davidleeking.com/2008/01/24/has-elvis-left-the-building/">David Lee King</a> wrote: ”If one 2.0 project doesn’t work as expected, that doesn’t mean that “library 2.0 didn’t work” as a whole … not every blog, wiki, IM reference service, Second Life project, or podcast that your library creates will be a blazing success. Some will be dismal failures. And that’s great! Why? Because you learned something, and you can take that knowledge and move on to the next project.”Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-3261060797052138682008-01-28T10:50:00.000-06:002008-01-28T14:41:36.896-06:00Thing 1 and a half - Avatar DoneI was going to "accidentally" forget the 1-1/2 part of Thing #1 and not create an avatar. After all, do I really need a "visual on-screen, in-game persona"? But my conscience kicked in and such an omission didn't flow with the cooperative spirit with the program. So, the Beadworking Librarian has beads which will change as I progress through 23 Things. Stay tuned to see just how glamorous the jewels display.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-23862855383253378712008-01-26T14:08:00.000-06:002008-01-26T16:42:12.038-06:00Where? Oh where?Even prolific writers face the challenge of finding time to blog and now there is the added <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">dilemma of <span style="font-style: italic;">where </span>to post? Nearly two years ago, SELCO launched the </span><a href="http://www.selco.info/news/blogs/selco-librarian"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SELCO</span> Librarian</a>:<ul><li>to share professional information of interest but which is not critical to the daily operation of SELCO/SELS or the members of the multitype consortium; and </li><li>to provide an insight into the personal interests, talents, and opinions of the SELCO staff as they pertain to librarianship.</li></ul>As SELCO's Executive Director, that is blog #1 and I share right along with other staff members. In December, I authored 8 of the 15 entries. Admitedly, that quantity was a bit unusual and several of those posts served as reports for a virtual meeting. There is blog #2, the <a href="http://www.selco.info/blogs/structure/blogs/structure">Structure </a>blog, as SELCO/SELS deliberates about organizational structure, membership, and governance. And finally, blog #3 - Bead Working Librarian - my own blog and now part of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">23 Things on a Stick for a bit more personal info and the place to work through the program with other library and web 2.0 explorers. So the question remains, "Where? Oh where to post?"<br /><br /></span>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-34300605387176027722008-01-21T17:09:00.000-06:002008-01-21T18:05:03.046-06:00Beads for a holiday weekend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIa8HPw8SGXbtQ9Gs1q2OSavu-10aG-Imfpe1-SH_tB3YENmbIH7qwCFfQeAhyphenhyphendHnRImW1C-9A4GxYMfJzGovMYN83Lf8sYs0c6YlphWvZ188DEadFOpodZIOVcVFcSH149SZ0w/s1600-h/IMG_0600.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIa8HPw8SGXbtQ9Gs1q2OSavu-10aG-Imfpe1-SH_tB3YENmbIH7qwCFfQeAhyphenhyphendHnRImW1C-9A4GxYMfJzGovMYN83Lf8sYs0c6YlphWvZ188DEadFOpodZIOVcVFcSH149SZ0w/s200/IMG_0600.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158075587814159922" border="0" /></a><br />With frigid temps and lacy snowflakes, it has been a good weekend to take the bead supplies out of the hall closet. And I have been busy! A new multi-strand necklace and matching earrings for myself and a pair of lampwork glass earrings as a gift. I even found time to re-string an old favorite that broke years ago during a long-range planning session which added some comic relief to an otherwise tense meeting.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-76536544877656859422008-01-21T16:51:00.000-06:002008-01-26T14:48:30.052-06:0023 Things on a Stick - #1Task #1 for Minnesota's new <a href="http://23thingsonastick.blogspot.com/">23 Things on a Stick</a> has everyone creating a blog. Since Bead Working Librarian was languishing, I modified the curriculum (you can do that with a self-directed class!) refreshed the site (converting from the old Blogger to new Blogger) and Voila --- I am ready to delve into Library 2.0. Biggest problem was not the work itself, but remembering an old username and password. Luckily, Google sends reminders.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-1156632524598943472006-08-26T17:26:00.000-05:002006-08-26T17:48:44.610-05:00A trip to Nordic GypsyIt always amazes me as I enter Nordic Gypsy just how many people shop in this, the only, authentic bead store in Rochester. While the national chain craft stores, offer small selections of beads among all the other craft options --- scrapbook papers, ceramic pots, candles, and silk flowers --- Nordic Gypsy is the real thing. In a small rather compact space they boast a wall of seed beads in hues almost beyond the rainbow's spectrum and resembling a 3-dimensional color wheel, Czech glass, vintage, Chinese porcelain, and even out-of-my-price-range African trade beads.<br /><br />Today's shopping spree was borne out of necessity to restock basic supplies such as silver crimps and Bali spacers and in part just to allow my eye to wander and my hand to stoke the textures. As I've committed to supply art donations for multiple fundraisers, this afternoon's purchases will spree me to production.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-1153602765364101152006-07-22T15:56:00.000-05:002006-07-22T16:16:50.333-05:00The last of the vinegar...<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/23/2930/1600/IMG_1181.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/23/2930/320/IMG_1181.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Every summer I harvest herbs, carefully sanitize bottles, and create herbed vinegars. After a "resting period" in a cool, dark cupboard they are ready for our use or as gifts to family and friends.<br /><br />While I have used both red and white wine vinegars with a variety of herbal combinations, my favorite base remains apple cider vinegar which offers a distinct, sharp taste. I just emptied the last bottle of apple cider vinegar with thyme and black peppercorns from 2005 making dressing and will need to replenish my larder. With the hot weather, more hours sun since we took down the apple tree, and plenty of water, I have lush green crops of thyme, tarragon, oregano, and three varieties of basil.<br /><br />Our vegetable garden is one of the best in memory --- we have a bumper crop of peppers coming on four plants, a steady supply of lettuce which is still producing since Richard put in multiple plantings, and a small but delicious crop of green (bush) beans.<br /><br />Before the end of today, we plan to harvest the rest of the beans, try for a fall crop, as well as dig up the garlic for drying. While it takes time and work, the rewards of a garden (even one as small as ours) are delicious.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-1153601699912164692006-07-22T15:32:00.000-05:002006-07-22T15:55:00.966-05:00Fused Glass from MontanaOn each and every vacation we always find a piece of art that becomes our trip "treasure" --- the large fused glass plate that sits on the dining room table purchased in Cripple Creek, CO, the raku pottery vase while in St. Petersburg, FL, or the blown glass plate from Murano, Italy.<br /><br />On our recent trip to Montana, the artistic spirit only rang once while in Lewistown at the Art Center. A local glass blower/worker had created some lovely pendants on black satin ribbons. One of the blue pieces held a design that reminded me of the thunderbird sculptures we had seen the evening before in Bismarck along the banks of the Missouri. Plus, it was a lovely blue, my favorite color, and would complement my denim outfit for Wendy and Ryan's wedding.<br /><br />The black satin ribbon serves the purpose but I feel the need to embellish by creating my own necklace with the pendant as the focal piece. This may take some ruminating, especially since my bead selection is stashed away in the back hall closet.<br /><br />Another "find" while on our stop in Lewistown was the Community Labyrinth Garden. It is described as a "seven circuit path lined with flowers as a symbol of unity." It was created and is maintained by volunteers and, as is intended, walking the quiet path did lift our spirits after a long day's drive.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-1150250199617695682006-06-13T20:56:00.000-05:002006-06-13T21:03:18.310-05:00Afternoon Haikuvibrating grass blades<br />mossy oak stretches skyward<br />dragonflies skim byAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-1148517068199183032006-05-25T19:27:00.000-05:002006-05-25T08:12:41.636-05:00...and I really do beadAfter naming this blog the Bead Working Librarian, blending a pleasure and my profession, I thought it appropriate to include at least one sample. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/23/2930/1600/IMG_0808.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/23/2930/320/IMG_0808.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I create for myself, for friends and family. I love the textures and colors, knowing there is a synergy at work when combining individual beads and flowing to a finished product. And feeling as if they are jewels, which my good friend Judy calls all her pieces. (Happy anniversary, Judy!)<br /><br />This necklace and bracelet set were a donation to the annual <a href="http://www.mnlibraryassociation.org/Foundation.htm">Minnesota Library Association Foundation</a> silent auction last fall and I've promised work for that and other fundraisers again this year.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-1148518629950459512006-05-24T19:51:00.000-05:002006-05-24T19:59:33.270-05:00Jewels from our garden<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/23/2930/1600/IMG_1177.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/23/2930/320/IMG_1177.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />After a long winter, those first picked crops are like jewels --- in color, texture and taste.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27766433.post-1148422025266129722006-05-23T17:01:00.000-05:002006-05-23T17:18:35.093-05:00Broken FlowersSaturday evening's <a href="http://www.netflix.com/">Netflix</a> movie was a quirky little film, <a href="http://www.brokenflowersmovie.com/home.html">Broken Flowers</a>, starring Bill Murray. In some ways it reminded me of <a href="http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0087980/">The Razor's Edge</a>, not the storyline, but because Bill Murray is not a ha-ha kind of funny. Rather, it is a movie that keeps you thinking about choices in our lives, the people who come and go, and the color pink.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567854686930270368noreply@blogger.com0