Leaving Things Behind

I do not know about you, but I keep things that old girlfriends leave behind. Some people say that you have to get rid of everything, just throw it all out, but I can not do it. I mean, how do you just drop everything that reminds you of someone you once liked, even loved. I have been told that I am sentimental, and that may be true, but I like things that remind me of my life. I look around at some friends’ apartments, tidy and free of knickknacks and things, and I can not imagine their life. I understand why someone would throw objects away, especially in horrific or abusive relationships where the letter, book, etc. can be a trigger, but I have not had that experience. Not that all my break-ups have been rosy and all, but most have been amicable.

When I say I keep things, I do not mean everything. I have no use for hair ties (although I keep the clips, those can keep a bag of chips nice and shut), no use for salad dressing that I do not like but she did, no use for the one sock with Santa on it that must have a mate around here somewhere. I also get rid of the last thing they gave me, especially any letter given after the end. Nothing hurts more and keeps you in the pain than to read and reread a letter about either getting back together or how better your life will be. That last letter is meant as a favor, a blessing or a hope, but it always hurts just a little more. Best to let that one go.

So what do I keep? I keep the gifts, the little notes and reminders, the objects of affection and the pictures. I may box them up for the first few months or so after the split, but after a while they make their way out of the back of the closet and become another thing on a shelf, another small piece of my history. I have stuffed animals, engraved lighters, a painting or two, all gifts and treasures of my past as on display as my other interests. They are gifts given of love and kindness, for the most part, all displays of affection from the better parts of my life. When I look around my place, my space, I see moments of my history and things I would like to recall, not the bad moments when it all had to end. Even when it was my fault.

Actively Demoted

“It’s going to be okay,” I heard myself tell the board of directors.

“How?” Carol Anne Kinney said, “How is it going to be all right, Mr. Banned? One of your staff was murdered in the library, her child was bitten by a snake let loose during one of your programs, there are reports of strange things concerning the circus in the library late at night, one of your librarians quit, another has major health issues, and the Little Banned Library is still missing. Again, how is it going to be all right?”

I sat down in one of the padded chairs of the library conference room. I had been waiting over an hour while the board met in an emergency session, pacing around the library and ignoring the now shiny space on the floor where I had found Ava Devillis not three days ago.

Not So Bored Meeting

“I nominate Natalie Ford to be our new children’s librarian,” I said to the board of directors, “She has the requisite Master’s of Library and Information Science, experience in both management and library work, and both myself and Betty Lou observed her perform an excellent, well-prepared story time.”

Mrs. Carol Anne Kinney cleared her throat, “We would like to take the time to appreciate how hard your staff and and yourself have worked to fill this position before the month is over, even over more important matters.”

Mrs. Kinney was of course referring to the theft of her pet project, the Little Banned Library, which had been stolen earlier in the month.

She continued, “But before we vote on accepting your nomination to this very important position, could you please tell us about the other candidates you interviewed.”

Meeting of the Board

Another Memorial Day has come and gone. I hope everyone remembered the fallen soldiers out there and all my librarian friends out there enjoyed a long weekend. And boy, was it a long weekend.

Behold! Habaneros!

Saturday started with a little light gardening (my habanero peppers above are growing like monsters, should be a great crop this year) then back to the library for the monthly board meeting. I know it takes a lot of scheduling to get some of the town’s most important people together and the last Saturday of every month is easy to remember, but it plays hell with a nice Saturday where I would rather be lying by the pool. On top of all that, seems they came with some business.

Little Banned Library Ribbon Cutting Today

After nearly a month of construction, the Little Banned Library is opening to the public today. Several members of the board of directors as well as the public were on hand to witness the opening of the newest branch of the Banned Library.

“I just never thought I would see this day,” Betsy Farmer, member of the library board that championed the project said, “And ain’t it just the cutest little thing you ever did see? I made the ribbon myself.”

The Little Banned Library is the result of months of board and staff work. The construction of the diminuitive library faced many set backs as threats of strike and material costs paused construction time and time again. Many cried foul that monies were being used inappropriately, yet no one can doubt the cute little library does have a charm all its own.

Evan Banned, director of the library, gave a small speech at the ceremony. Here are his last remarks before being escorted off stage:

“...and that’s how I hurt my shoulder falling off the library roof attempting to fix the leak. But that’s not why we are here. Who cares about a little water coming in and destroying thousands of dollars worth of computers and books when we have this thing? This little... thing. That the board spent so much of our money on.  I just hope nobody craps in it.”

Mr. Banned was said to be on pain killers at the time of his speech.

Little Free Library

Banned Library Decides to Build Little Library

Example of "little library"

The Banned Library Board of Directors has decided to go ahead with a project to build a "little library." The "little library" is a nation-wide community trend that allows anyone to trade a book for a book from the local freestanding boxes.  The Board went ahead with the motion to use library funds for the project over appropriating the funds to fix a roof leak.

"Aren't they just so cute?" Carol Anne Kinney, board member said, "My husband showed me pictures across the world of these little libraries people have made.  So creative.  And anyone can just come along and trade a book, it's just wonderful."

Library director Evan Banned had hoped the Board would vote to fix the roof leak discovered last month in the fiction section, but is excited about the direction the Board has decided to take.

"I think this will be great.  Yeah.  We already have some fiction books in mind to put there," Banned said.

Construction is slated to begin as soon as plans and construction bids for the "little library" are accepted.

Little Free Library, location of more pictures of little libraries.